Echobrain
Encyclopedia
Echobrain was an American
rock
musical group, who came to prominence as the first offering from former Metallica
bassist Jason Newsted
since leaving that band. Echobrain was formed in 2000 by Newsted, Brian Sagrafena and Dylan Donkin
who had close contact with one another throughout the late-90s after they met at a Super Bowl
party at Newsted's home in 1995. On a road trip to Baja
, Mexico
, Sagrafena and Donkin recorded some rough demos that, when they came home, eventually caught Newsted's attention, who then offered to help out on bass guitar and assist the songwriting. In May 2000, they entered a studio to record the demos more professionally, with help from several musicians including Newsted's then-colleague and Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett
, and former Faith No More
guitarist Jim Martin.
expressed disapproval of Newsted's new focus, saying, "When someone does a side project, it takes away from the strength of Metallica" and pondered, "Where would it end? Does he start touring with it? Does he sell shirts? Is it his band?" Newsted responded by pointing out Hetfield's side projects with members of Corrosion of Conformity and his playing and singing on the South Park
"Bigger, Longer & Uncut" film. The remaining members of Metallica with producer Bob Rock
were also filmed going to an Echobrain performance in the 2004 documentary
Some Kind of Monster
. After the performance, they hoped to speak with Newsted in congratulations, but he was nowhere to be found.
In 2002, Echobrain was sued by Echo Drain for trademark infringement.
Echobrain opened several shows for Neil Young
and appeared in his film Greendale
.
Echobrain is currently non-active; although, all members have other projects currently in progress. Dylan Donkin has a solo project. His brother, Adam, is focusing on producing emerging artists (including Dylan). Andrew Gomez fronts the acoustic rock outfit, The Cons. Newsted played bass for Voivod
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
musical group, who came to prominence as the first offering from former Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
bassist Jason Newsted
Jason Newsted
Jason Curtis Newsted is an American bassist known for his work with Metallica, Voivod and Flotsam and Jetsam. Joining Metallica in 1986 after Cliff Burton's death, Newsted remained a member until 2001, making him the band's longest-serving bassist...
since leaving that band. Echobrain was formed in 2000 by Newsted, Brian Sagrafena and Dylan Donkin
Dylan Donkin
-2000-2005: Echobrain:Echobrain first formed in 2000. Before this, Donkin first met Jason Newsted and a few friends at Newsted's residence. On a road trip to Mexico's Baja California peninsula, Donkin and Brian Sagrafena recorded some rough demos that, when they came home, eventually caught...
who had close contact with one another throughout the late-90s after they met at a Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
party at Newsted's home in 1995. On a road trip to Baja
Baja
-Geography:* Baja California peninsula, a peninsula in North America* States of Mexico** Baja California** Baja California Sur* Baja Arizona* Baja, Hungary* Baja Verapaz, a department of Guatemala...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Sagrafena and Donkin recorded some rough demos that, when they came home, eventually caught Newsted's attention, who then offered to help out on bass guitar and assist the songwriting. In May 2000, they entered a studio to record the demos more professionally, with help from several musicians including Newsted's then-colleague and Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett
Kirk Hammett
Kirk Lee Hammett is the lead guitarist and a songwriter in the heavy metal band Metallica and has been a member of the band since 1983. Before joining Metallica he formed and named the band Exodus. In 2003, Hammett was ranked 11th on Rolling Stones list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time...
, and former Faith No More
Faith No More
Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, vocalist Michael Morris and drummer Mike Bordin. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike...
guitarist Jim Martin.
History
Newsted funded Echobrain himself, later claiming that he lost a great deal of money in the project. The tension created out of Newsted's work in Echobrain ultimately led to his departure from Metallica after just over 14 years with the group. Metallica frontman James HetfieldJames Hetfield
James Alan Hetfield is the rhythm guitarist, co-founder, main songwriter, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Metallica. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering a classified advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler,...
expressed disapproval of Newsted's new focus, saying, "When someone does a side project, it takes away from the strength of Metallica" and pondered, "Where would it end? Does he start touring with it? Does he sell shirts? Is it his band?" Newsted responded by pointing out Hetfield's side projects with members of Corrosion of Conformity and his playing and singing on the South Park
South Park
South Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
"Bigger, Longer & Uncut" film. The remaining members of Metallica with producer Bob Rock
Bob Rock
Robert Jens Rock, , is a Canadian musician, sound engineer, and record producer best known for producing bands such as Aerosmith, The Cult, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, 311, Metallica, Our Lady Peace, The Offspring and most recently Bush.-Payola$ and Rock and Hyde:Rock began his music career in Langford,...
were also filmed going to an Echobrain performance in the 2004 documentary
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
Some Kind of Monster
Some Kind of Monster (film)
Some Kind of Monster is a 2004 documentary film featuring the American heavy metal band Metallica. It shares its name with the song "Some Kind of Monster" from Metallica's 2003 album St. Anger....
. After the performance, they hoped to speak with Newsted in congratulations, but he was nowhere to be found.
In 2002, Echobrain was sued by Echo Drain for trademark infringement.
Echobrain opened several shows for Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
and appeared in his film Greendale
Greendale (album)
Greendale is the name of an album, movie and graphic novel by Neil Young. As the twenty-seventh album by Neil Young, Young and Crazy Horse's Greendale, a 10-song rock opera, is set in a fictional California seaside town...
.
Echobrain is currently non-active; although, all members have other projects currently in progress. Dylan Donkin has a solo project. His brother, Adam, is focusing on producing emerging artists (including Dylan). Andrew Gomez fronts the acoustic rock outfit, The Cons. Newsted played bass for Voivod
Voivod (band)
Voivod are a Canadian heavy metal band from Jonquière, Quebec, Canada. Their musical style has changed several times since the band's origin in the early 1980s...
.
Live performances in 2001
- Brian Sagrafena
- Jason NewstedJason NewstedJason Curtis Newsted is an American bassist known for his work with Metallica, Voivod and Flotsam and Jetsam. Joining Metallica in 1986 after Cliff Burton's death, Newsted remained a member until 2001, making him the band's longest-serving bassist...
- Dylan DonkinDylan Donkin-2000-2005: Echobrain:Echobrain first formed in 2000. Before this, Donkin first met Jason Newsted and a few friends at Newsted's residence. On a road trip to Mexico's Baja California peninsula, Donkin and Brian Sagrafena recorded some rough demos that, when they came home, eventually caught...
- Chris Scianni
- David Borla
Recording "Echobrain" (2002)
- Dylan DonkinDylan Donkin-2000-2005: Echobrain:Echobrain first formed in 2000. Before this, Donkin first met Jason Newsted and a few friends at Newsted's residence. On a road trip to Mexico's Baja California peninsula, Donkin and Brian Sagrafena recorded some rough demos that, when they came home, eventually caught...
- Guitar - Brian Sagrafena - Drums
- Jason NewstedJason NewstedJason Curtis Newsted is an American bassist known for his work with Metallica, Voivod and Flotsam and Jetsam. Joining Metallica in 1986 after Cliff Burton's death, Newsted remained a member until 2001, making him the band's longest-serving bassist...
- Bass - Jim Martin - Guest Guitar, Banjo
Recording "Glean" (2004)
- Brian Sagrafena
- Adam Donkin
- Dylan DonkinDylan Donkin-2000-2005: Echobrain:Echobrain first formed in 2000. Before this, Donkin first met Jason Newsted and a few friends at Newsted's residence. On a road trip to Mexico's Baja California peninsula, Donkin and Brian Sagrafena recorded some rough demos that, when they came home, eventually caught...
- Andrew Gomez
Discography
| Year | Title | Label |
| 2002 | Echobrain | Surfdog |
| 2002 | Strange Enjoyment | (EP)Chophouse | 2004 | Glean | Surfdog |