Metallica have yet to settle on a Ramones cover to lend to a forthcoming tribute LP to the pioneering punks; perhaps “I Can’t Make It on Time” would be an apt selection.
A contribution from the heavy-metal stalwarts is all that co-producer Rob Zombie is waiting on to sign off on the tracks for We’re a Happy Family, which he hopes will hit stores in August.
“It’s almost done. We’re just waiting for Metallica to finish their song,” Zombie said while walking the red carpet Saturday at the MTV Movie Awards.
Metallica’s delay is not for lack of enthusiasm. After being invited to appear on the LP by Johnny Ramone, the album’s other co-producer, Metallica hit the studio and played around with eight Ramones songs, according to the band’s Web site. They’ve since narrowed the pool down by half and are trying to settle on a single selection.
With a rehabilitated James Hetfield, Metallica are also working on their new album – their first studio LP of new material since 1997’s Reload – with producer Bob Rock handling bass duties since the band has yet to find a permanent replacement for Jason Newsted.
Meanwhile, Zombie, who recorded a version of “Blitzkrieg Bop” for the LP, said he’s nearly finished illustrating the LP’s cover art. He’ll then work on music for his horror film, “House of 1000 Corpses”, before embarking on the Ozzfest trek July 6.
Although a final track list has yet to be determined, other artists who have recorded Ramones songs for the project include Eddie Vedder (“I Believe in Miracles”), Red Hot Chili Peppers (“Havana Affair”), Marilyn Manson (“KKK Took My Baby Away”), Green Day (“Outsider”) and U2 (“Beat on the Brat”), according to a note Zombie posted on his Web site. He also wrote that he expects Metallica to deliver a version of “We’re a Happy Family,” which appeared on the Ramones’ Rocket to Russia (1977).
Zombie announced he was working on the album in November.