Metallica’s Robert Trujillo discusses son Tye’s Korn stint

Robert and Tye Trujillo
Robert and Tye Trujillo

Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo has spoken about his son Tye playing bass with Korn.

The 12-year-old was brought into the lineup in place of Fieldy for the band’s run of South American dates in support of latest album The Serenity Of Suffering.

And earlier this week, Jonathan Davis and co shared footage of the youngster on stage with them at Bogota’s Gran Carpa De Las Americas in Colombia.

Trujillo tells Brazil’s GloboPlay: “I never forced him on music. I always felt that if he wanted to embrace an instrument, great – I’d try to help him with it.

“Initially it was drums. And then around that same time, when he was one, he had a little plastic guitar. He would play it all the time, just strumming it – to the point where the plastic was worn down.”

Trujillo continues: “It’s a beautiful thing, because he’s still a 12-year-old and he still acts wild and crazy as a 12-year-old should. But when it comes to music, he’s very focused.

“And with Korn, it’s funny, because I haven’t shown him anything at all for the Korn stuff – I’ve been too busy and I’ve been out of town a lot – and he’s taking this opportunity very serious.”

Introducing Tye last week, Korn said: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Fieldy is unable to make the shows so the band will be joined by a special guest. Filling in for bass duties will be Tye Trujillo – the 12-year old son of Metallica’s Robert Trujillo and member of NorCal group The Helmets.

“We are bummed Fieldy can’t join us on this run but excited to do a few gigs with a young player like Tye.

“We look forward to welcoming our brother Fieldy back when we return to the States in May.”

Korn have five South American dates remaining on their current tour. Find their full list of upcoming live dates below.

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Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.