Glam Rock had a following of teens who were really supporting these spandex wearing posers. James was definitely not in this group. James did respect the guitaring in some Glam, like Aerosmith, but his heart was with heavy Metal. He would never wear make up or dress in fur coats on stage. Glam was too feminine. He rebelled against this uprising through his music. .
In the early Metallica gigs in L.A. the crowd were usually there to see the other bands because MetallicA didn't conform to the glam standard, they were not appreciated. .
Metallica played in San Francisco in 1983 and were accepted and respected by the S.F. crowds. They were quickly gaining support in an area called the "Bay Area Bangers" in S.F. and played with a band called Trauma. James was amazed when heard a souring solo, looked around and saw a long haired, bell bottom wearing BASSIST. The days of carrying Ron McGovney were over, Metallica wanted one Cliff Burton to join them. Cliff accepted, providing Metallica moved to him on the east coast. He recognised they could get nowhere in L.A. Metallica moved, and was probably the best one of their early career. This really affected Metallica" s playing, they didn't just want to be another heavy metal band in S.F. thy wanted to stand out. Their music became faster and riffs more intense and powerful. Their popularity grew immensely.
Going into more detail about the history of the NWOBHM, It was created in Britain (surprised?) in the late 70's early 80's. The kids in Britain were going crazy for bands like Black Sabbath, Diamond Head and Iron Maiden. It didn't really pick up in the US, but James and Lars loved it. The NWOBHM was as much to do with the live performance as the music, when Metallica brought it to the Bay area bangers, it was very well received, and very original. Lars was very wealthy compared to his peers due to a successful tennis career and he travelled across the Atlantic to see Diamond Head in South London.
