James “Munky” Shaffer Explains How the 12-Year-Old Son of Metallica Bassist Rob Trujillo Ended Up in Korn

One question many of us have asked ourselves quite a bit recently: how in the world did Tye Trujillo, the twelve-year-old son of Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, beat out scores of other, more experienced bassists to temporarily replace Fieldy in Korn? In a new interview with NME, Munky has finally provided an explanation:

 “There was a moment when a couple of the guys from Metallica and Jonathan [Davis, Korn vocalist] and Fieldy kinda bumped into each other in some airline lounge, and Robert was like, ‘Hey, have you checked out my son playing bass?!’ They were watching some videos and Jonathan and Fieldy were like, ‘Woah, he’s so good!’ When we found out Fieldy wasn’t gonna be able to come on this trip with us, he suggested Tye. It’s not just some replacement – this is the DNA of Robert Trujillo, one of the greatest bass players on the planet! You can see it – it’s crazy how much you see his dad in him.”

Munky continued:

 “[Tye] knows like 17, 18 Korn songs, and he knows them really well – it’s crazy. All the stops, and the breaks… it’s crazy to see somebody that young so talented. He’s gonna be a professional musician, and to know that at that early of an age is just inspiring.”

So, there you have it. If only your dad had run into Fieldy and Jonathan Davis at the airport, you could be in Korn right now!

[via Metal Injection]