10 places every California Bay Area thrash metal fan should visit
Bay Area thrash metal band Metallica plays to a hometown crowd in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park — Photo courtesy of Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic
The California Bay Area thrash metal scene of the 1980s grew out of the new wave of British Heavy Metal, which gained momentum in the late 1970s. Influenced by acts such as Iron Maiden and Motorhead, bands like Heathen, Exodus, Slayer, and Metallica played heavy Black Sabbath-like riffs with the speed and ferocity of New York punk bands like The Ramones.
While Metallica concerts are still a top draw and Slayer reunion shows have sparked demand for a full tour, thrash metal history is everywhere in the Bay Area cities of Berkeley, Castro Valley, and San Francisco.
Here are 10 iconic things to do in the Bay Area if you’re a thrash metal fan.
The Metallica mansion
The Metallica “mansion” is actually a nondescript but history-rich house in El Cerrito — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Though its how the band fondly refers to the place, the single-family home on Carlson Street between Avila Street and Central Avenue in El Cerrito is not a mansion. (For Metallica, mansions came later in the 1980s.) The home on Carlson Street is where the band first performed with Castro native and bassist Cliff Burton. And the songs that ended up on “Ride the Lightning” and “Master of Puppets” came together in the garage, which has since been demolished.
While the house isn’t open to the public, no Bay Area thrash metal tour can be considered complete without at least driving past the Metallica mansion. As the band suggests on its website, please be respectful, as this is a private residence.
Cliff Burton memorial in Castro Valley
You’ll find a memorial honoring Metallica’s late drummer at Marshall Elementary School in Castro Valley — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
According to Heathen’s original drummer Carl Sacco, Bay Area thrash metal became more than a local scene when Metallica opened for the legendary Ozzy Osbourne. The band was touring to promote its 1986 release, “Master of Puppets.” During that tour, bassist Burton was crushed to death by the band’s tour bus in Sweden. There’s a memorial off the highway in Sweden where the accident happened, but there are markers you can visit in the California Bay Area.
Tucked away in the corner of the playground at Castro Valley’s Marshall Elementary School, where Burton attended, is a marker that pays homage to Burton and the beautiful music he made.
Side note: About 6 feet from that spot, you’ll find a second marker that honors Burton’s older brother, Scott, who died at age 16 of a cerebral aneurysm.
Cliff Burton memorial plaque
It’s easy to miss the Cliff Burton memorial plaque at this busy San Francisco intersection — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
The other Cliff Burton memorial is located at the busy intersection of Columbus and Broadway in San Francisco. It’s in the North Beach neighborhood, roughly halfway between Caffe Trieste, where Francis Ford Coppola wrote “The Godfather” screenplay, and Copolla’s restaurant, Cafe Zoetrope.
The round sidewalk plaque is easy to miss, so make sure you’re standing at the northeast corner of the intersection on the same side of Broadway as The Beat Museum.
The Old Waldorf on Battery Street
The former Old Waldorf at 444 Battery Street is now a comedy venue — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
In 1982, Metallica played its earliest Bay Area shows at three venues: The Stone, Mabuhay Gardens, and The Old Waldorf. The latter’s address was 444 Battery Street. That’s “Battery,” as in the five-minute thrash metal classic that kicks off Metallica’s 1986 album, “Master of Puppets.”
The Old Waldorf is now Punch Line San Francisco comedy club, but you can still take a selfie with the Battery sign between The Embarcadero and Market Street.
Strawberry Hill in Golden Gate Park
Strawberry Hill in Golden Gate Park was a gathering point for those in the early Bay Area thrash metal scene — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Located near the center of Golden Gate Park, Strawberry Hill was a social scene for people in the Bay Area thrash metal bands and their friends. As referenced at the six-minute mark in the 2020 documentary, “Murder in the Front Row,” this is where no poser parties were held.
Sacco of Heathen lived nearby for a time, and, in interviews, Metallica’s lead vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich often reminisce about the days of drinking and skateboarding at this hilltop spot with 360 views of the city by the Bay.
Tommy’s Joynt
Bassist Jason Newsted was asked to join Metallica at Tommy’s Joynt in San Francisco — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
In addition to being a staple in San Francisco’s restaurant scene for nearly 80 years, Tommy’s Joynt is where Metallica asked bassist Jason Newsted to join the band. You can see a 1991 clip of Ulrich and Bay Area native and Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett showing MTV’s Kurt Loder the spot where it happened.
Vote Now: Best Independent Coffee Shop (10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2024)
But even before Metallica became a stadium act, Tommy’s Joynt was was a post-gig food and drink spot for many of the early Bay Area thrash metal bands. Today, Tommy’s is still a popular spot for big sandwiches filled with hand-carved meats.
The Warfield
Bay Area thrash metal icon Slayer filmed its first concert DVD of the 2000s at The Warfield — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Located in the southeast corner of The Tenderloin, The Warfield has been around since 1922. And for early Bay Area thrash metal bands, playing this 2,300-capacity theater was a sign of making it. The venue has hosted three of the big four thrash metal bands. Slayer even recorded its 2003 concert DVD, “War at the Warfield,” here.
Music City San Francisco
Browse through Bay Area thrash metal history, like this shot of Metalllica’s James Hetfield, at Music City San Francisco — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Music City San Francisco is, by far, the most interactive spot for fans of Bay Area thrash metal. Located in Lower Nob Hill, Music City is a restaurant, bar, rehearsal space, concert venue, and hostel with some private rooms. There’s even a Metallica-themed room. And then there’s the three-part San Francisco Music Hall of Fame, where thrash metal music history is well-represented.
If all that sounds a bit overwhelming, Blandina Farley Fabulous Tours offers a guided tour of the San Francisco Music Hall of Fame, which you can book here. There’s also a free tour offered to those staying at the hostel.
Rasputin Music in Berkeley
Metallica played many in-store performances at this Berkeley record store — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Rasputin Music has multiple locations in California, but the Berkeley store is the most notable. Anyone who grew up with thrash metal will remember the record stores that had a dedicated section for heavy metal. Rasputin still does. Metallica has made multiple in-person appearances at the Telegraph Avenue location, even playing a nine-song set upstairs in April 2016. There’s a framed poster in the store that commemorates the show.
The Fillmore
The Fillmore has hosted countless Bay Area thrash metal shows, to include Metallica’s 30-year anniversary show — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni
Finally, a visit to The Fillmore is a must. So many live albums have been recorded at this legendary San Francisco concert venue, but for Bay Area thrash metal fans, Testament’s 1995 release “Live at the Fillmore” is probably the most notable. In 2011, Metallica marked 30 years of thrash metal with four concerts (tickets only $19.81 each!) at this 1,300 capacity venue.
Vote Now: Best Airport Bar (10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2024)
Inside The Fillmore, there are enough framed posters to make the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame jealous, including one from the December 2011 gigs, where Metallica was joined on stage by everyone from Ozzy Osbourne to former bandmate and Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine.
