Papa Wheelie
American punk/metal side project of Jason Newsted.
Jason Newsted, the Metallica bassist from 1986 to 2001, started Papa Wheelie in 1996. The band blends punk rock and heavy metal. Its name is a pun on the bicycle trick "pop a wheelie," inspired by Newsted’s friendship with a bike shop owner who shared his passion for mountain biking. Papa Wheelie has performed sporadically across the Bay Area, at venues ranging from backyard BBQs and a neighbor’s 12th birthday party to San Francisco rock clubs.
Initially, Newsted played drums while Steven Wiig handled guitar. Later, Newsted switched to guitar and vocals, Wiig moved back to drums and took on artistic duties, and a rotating cast of musicians filled in on bass. All recordings were made at Newsted’s home studio, The Chophouse.
The band went on hiatus around 2006 after Newsted injured his shoulder. It was revived in August 2011 when Newsted and Wiig both watched the "U.S. Desert" episode of *Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations*, which featured Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, and Josh Homme. That show inspired them to bring Papa Wheelie back, leading to several local Bay Area shows—including opening for Anvil at The Red Devil Lounge and for Kyuss Lives! at San Francisco’s Regency Ballroom on November 19, 2011, alongside The Sword and Black Cobra.
**Members** Jason Newsted – vocals, guitar Steven Wiig – drums Joe Ledesma – bass
**Discography** 2002: *Unipsycho* 2002: *Live Lycanthropy*
**External links** PAPA WHEELIE Papa Wheelie Media Papa Wheelie MySpace Page "Live Lycanthropy" Review VIDEO: Live From The Chophouse "Rituals of Desire" Video Foundrymusic.com Article PAPA WHEELIE RETURNS
- formed
- 1996
- field
- Punk rock/heavy metal
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Side project of Metallica bassist Jason Newsted; name pun on bicycle trick
- hiatus
- circa 2006 due to Newsted's shoulder injuries
- resurrected
- August 2011
Lore & Background
Papa Wheelie was formed in 1996 by Jason Newsted, who played drums early on while Steven Wiig played guitar. Later, Newsted assumed guitar and vocal responsibilities, Wiig returned to the drumkit and handled artistic duties, and a variety of others played bass. All the band's recorded material has been produced at Newsted's home studio, The Chophouse.
The band went on hiatus circa 2006 due to Newsted's shoulder injuries, but was resurrected in August 2011 after Newsted and Wiig simultaneously viewed the 'U.S. Desert' episode of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, which featured musicians such as Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age and Josh Homme. This inspired the band to perform several local Bay Area shows, including opening for Anvil at The Red Devil Lounge and Kyuss Lives! at San Francisco's Regency Ballroom on November 19, 2011, with The Sword & Black Cobra.
Members include Jason Newsted on vocals and guitar, Steven Wiig on drums, and Joe Ledesma on bass. The band's discography consists of two 2002 releases: Unipsycho and Live Lycanthropy.
Reader's Guide
Papa Wheelie holds significance primarily as a creative outlet for Jason Newsted during and after his tenure with Metallica, demonstrating his versatility as a musician—initially playing drums before switching to guitar and vocals. The band's name and origin reflect Newsted's personal interests outside of heavy metal, namely mountain biking. Their resurrection in 2011, sparked by a television episode, illustrates how pop culture can reignite artistic projects. Though the band never achieved mainstream fame, their occasional Bay Area performances and two 2002 releases (Unipsycho and Live Lycanthropy) represent a niche but authentic chapter in Newsted's career. The project's legacy lies in its DIY ethos: all recordings were made at Newsted's home studio, The Chophouse, and the band played a mix of intimate and club shows. Their opening slot for Kyuss Lives! in 2011 connected them to the stoner rock scene, but the band remains a footnote in Newsted's broader musical history.
Did You Know?
- The band's name is a pun on the bicycle trick 'pop a wheelie.'
- Papa Wheelie went on hiatus circa 2006 due to Jason Newsted's shoulder injuries.
- The band was resurrected in August 2011 after Newsted and Steven Wiig watched the 'U.S. Desert' episode of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.
- All of the band's recorded material was produced at Newsted's home studio, The Chophouse.
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