March 4, 1963

Spearheaded by its namesake, former Metallica (and Voivod, Ozzy Osbourne, Flotsam and Jetsam, etc.) bassist Jason Newsted, Newsted is a heavy metal trio formed in 2012. Handling bass and vocals duties himself, Newsted recruited drummer Jesus Mendez, Jr., whom he met during his time with Metallica and EchoBrain, with guitarist Jessie Farnsworth to fill out his eponymous power trio. The band didn't waste any time, setting to work writing and recording later that year, releasing their first EP, simply titled Metal, early in 2013, as well as the bands full-length debut, Heavy Metal Music, later that year. ~ Gregory Heaney