Robert Trujillo on Metallica, Playing Bass, and the Connection Between Surfing and Music

Robert Trujillo grew up on the westside of Los Angeles, where he found music, skateboarding, and surfing at a young age. He first rose to prominence as the bassist for Suicidal Tendencies, which he played in from 1989 to 1995. He was a member of Ozzy Osbourne’s band for a number of years starting in the late ’90s. Since 2003, he’s been the bassist for Metallica. He played—and still plays—with the funk metal supergroup Infectious Grooves.

A goofyfoot, he gets in the water regularly, weaving wave riding into his heavy touring schedule. He’s also a husband and a father.

In this episode of Soundings, Trujillo talks with Jamie Brisick about the moment his life as a musician changed forever, the ebbs and flows of a passion-driven career, the importance of establishing a work ethic, Metallica world tours, Ozzy Osbourne, finding inspiration, playing in front of massive crowds, and staying grounded.

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Produced by Jonathan Shifflett.
Music by PazKa (Aska Matsumiya & Paz Lenchantin).
Feature image by Brian Bielmann.