What has the Internet done for the Biggest Metal Band in the world?
Create a Convention.
Take a bunch of Fan Club Members on a message board, mix in an off-handed comment from Metallica frontman -- James Hetfield. "We'll have a convention when there are Metallica dolls!" As easy as that, the MetalliBash was born.
4 strangers from across the United States came together and made it happen. Each successive year has become bigger and better. This group of four booked a music hall and a band, had some t-shirts made, and got donations from vendors for a raffle. They did all of this without having ever met and with none of them living directly in the city of their choice: San Francisco, home of Metallica.
Not only did their first year bring in $700 for their chosen charity but two band members, Kirk Hammett and Lars Ulrich, made a post-midnight appearance, strapped on guitars and stepped behind a borrowed drum set, and made music with Creeping Death, the tribute band who, until that moment, had been the night's major draw. Many of the 100-plus fans in attendance stood closer, behind a barricade of Metallica employees and some volunteers, to the Metallica members than they had ever hoped to be in their lives.
Each year the Bash has been held has brought together some of the most dedicated Metallica fans to celebrate all that is Metallica. This year will be no exception. We have some new ideas in the works that will make it much easier for fans to attend. We even have a special venue picked out this year if all goes well that will pull us directly into the music world. So keep your eyes and ears peeled and as soon as we have any details we will be sure to share them.
