Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Death: An Interview With Beatallica

Written By Raph

By Staff | February 12, 2026

Beatallica is a unique mash-up band that originated in 2001 as an April Fool's joke for Milwaukee’s Spoof Fest. Combining the musical styles and lyrics of Metallica and The Beatles, the group evolved from a joke project into a global touring act with four studio albums, including their most recent release, Devolver (2021). The band's history is famously marked by a legal dispute where Metallica's Lars Ulrich intervened to provide legal assistance after the group received cease-and-desist letters from Sony/ATV. While known for their humorous and clever lyrical weaving, the members are a fully operational independent metal band that prides itself on human performance and "no AI" stance. Over their 25-year history, they have performed internationally, from European festivals to South Korea, while continuing to balance the project with various other musical endeavors.

2026 marks 25 years since the band’s unofficial birth at Milwaukee’s Spoof Fest in 2001. Looking back, did you ever imagine that a project born as an April Fool's joke would evolve into a global touring act with four studio albums?

Jaymz Lennfield, vocals/rhythm guitar: Oh hell no! I have done about 40 spoofs …. Metallica, Bon Jovi, Skynyrd, Twisted Sister, Barry Gibb, Bob Marley, Priest, Dio … so so many more. I have been a rat, Woodsy Owl, Willie Nelson, dressed in fishnets and a corset, etc, etc! The Metallica spoof just happened to hit. We also did a now infamous CD for the show and that was really the catalyst for how things spiraled out of control! I was in an acoustic project at the time of the Metallica spoof. Always a metalhead and rock n roller, but just wasn’t in a project at the time. How things changed!

Your history is forever tied to Lars Ulrich stepping in to provide Metallica’s legal team when Sony/ATV sent those infamous cease-and-desist letters. Years later, how does it feel to have the seal of approval from one half of your source material?

It’s pretty amazing to have a person such as Lars in our corner. It’s really not an intimidating situation at all as everyone are adults. We typically meet every few years, when Metallica are nearby Milwaukee, just to reconnect and such. We also have to always thank the rest of Metallica, Justin at Q-Prime, our buddy Michael Harrington, and Metallica’s legal counsel Peter Paterno. Everyone was a part of quite an interesting situation. I first saw Metallica in ’84 with Armored Saint and WASP. Little did I know then …

The Devolver Album (2021) was your first full-length release in nearly eight years. Now that it’s had some time to breathe, how do you feel it stacks up against the classic trio of Sgt. Hetfield, Masterful Mystery Tour, and Abbey Load?

Heh … classic trio … love that! Devolver is definitely a unique album as it features original songs with Metallica stylings. It’s pretty cool to share both creative and legal aspects of a relationship with the Metallica guys. We totally dig the album and consider it to be the most progressive album as a whole, Abbey Load medley besides. Plus we did Devolver at our own studio in downtown Milwaukee. Grg III himself was the engineer at runs that under Hamtone Audio. Everyone had a hand in songwriting/composition: myself, Grg Hammetson III, Jimmy Ulnic, and Dr. Robert Stujillo.

You’ve moved beyond simple puns into more complex lyrical weaving, as with "Wherever and Everywhere". How do you balance the humor of the parody with the desire to write a song that actually stands on its own as a track?

From the beginning, Beatallica have been considered to be a “joke” band. However, we would argue that the cleverness and certain maturity level has always been there. There is no other band, mash-up or otherwise, doing what we do and how we do it … maybe that’s a good or bad thing, eh? Some songs have more humor, yes. Some have a more serious slant. I suppose it depends how many original lyrical lines we use vs mashing from our “parents”. Our original lines tend to be the more humorous. Beatallica function and exist as a fully operational band just like any other indie metal band. Our stylings may be different than any other band but the nuts and bolts are the same.

You released "All You Need Is Blood" in 14 different languages. How difficult was that, and what were some of the difficulties in pulling that off, if any?

HA! I do know some Spanish and German but that “Blood” monster was a huge task. We asked Beatallibangers from around the world to send in their translations. Whatever country sent in was represented. We asked for phonetic/audio translations … if they weren’t sent, then I did my best. I am sure that was questionable at times. Definitely not looking to offend anyone’s ethnicity by it! It was a super crazy fun recording to do … and a challenge when it comes to fitting in syllabic content in some cases! It’s freakish enough with the music being what it is. Throw in me attempting the vocals and that is something else!


You’ve played everywhere from South Korea to major European festivals. What is the most surreal moment you've had while on stage, or on the road?

Busan, South Korea was epic. On the beach in the rain and thousands of bangers. The people at that event were top notch. Our direct liasons and volunteers are always in our hearts … like really. Having Mike Portnoy rock out “…And Justice for All My Loving” was a total treat. We have our fave stops for sure: Paris, Hamburg, London, Budapest, New York, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Seattle ... Besides the actual playing, there is always the irritated person. You know, the one(s) who are way way too offended by us doing what we do. It’s resulted in physical threats from both Beatles and Metallica fans. Thankfully, no Damage Inc has been had … (editor’s note: lol)

You’ve all inhabited these personas for decades. Do you ever find yourself accidentally slipping into the Hetfield growl or the Ringo vibe during your everyday lives?

Dammit, yes! I play in a Celtic folk rock band and, every now and then, when I wanna give the vocals just a little more grit ….well, you know… I have had to re-record some parts after listening to mixes, heh… My everyday life is far from being the Jaymz character though. I’m not a tee-totaller by any means, and I live and love heavy music, but there are other, let’s say “pastoral” aspects of my life that are very important to me. But I do admit that busting out the Jaymz voice right off the cuff when folks are unsuspecting is hilarious. I was at a fancy schmancy event at Harvard to do a speaking engagement and, at dinner, someone asked me to record a ringtone for him. The stuffy stogie smokers were never the same …

Your early recordings were lo-fi MP3s intended for friends. As the production quality has soared on recent records, how do you maintain that underground grit while making the Black Album-style production pop?

Step 1: NO FUCKING AI. No tricks. No smoke and mirrors. No backing tracks when playing live. Beatallica are a full-fledged rock metal band. With real actual human players. Did I mention NO FUCKING AI when making music? We all have backgrounds in song writing and live performance as well as loving many styles of heavy, indy, punk … Devolver, and Grg III’s production, would never allow for too much gloss.

Metallica has a very diverse discography. Have you ever been tempted to do a deep dive into the Lulu or St. Anger era for a parody, or is the classic era simply too rich with material to leave?

Oh sure, ya! We have used material from St. Anger (“Dirty Window”) and we have always said that we wont limit ourselves to aspects and influences of the mash-up within the “parental” realm. That also means Beatles solo material is applicable. We have used some of that for our “Winter Plunderband” EP. There are kick ass songs from both the Beatles and Metallica we have never used as of yet. And others that we do use for live shows but can’t put on album due to licensing issues. For example: “Creeping Death” + “While Guitar Gently Weeps” = “While My Guitar Deathly Creeps”.

You’re seeing younger fans at shows who might have discovered Metallica through Stranger Things or the Beatles through The Beatles: Get Back. How has the shift in legacy band culture changed the energy at your live shows?

JAYMZ: Not much, really. We all may have grown up and are a bit older but we have always been pretty smart with the way we play, portray the character(s), and put on a live show. I also try to stay in decent shape and take care of my voice so a live show doesn’t sound off or tired. No matter the age of a person coming to see us, we want to give them a quality show….and make them think about composition…and leave all the heshing right there on the floor! Energy abounds, not only during the live performance, but as we hang out with folks at gigs. That’s where a whole other level of connection exists.

With the 25th anniversary upon us, can fans expect a career-spanning box set, a special tour, or perhaps something entirely different to celebrate the milestone?

Heh,…no box set. To be honest, we are all in many different projects who play out, tour, and stay quite active. I am in 5 bands and this is what I do for a living. Same with Grg and he also does guitar teching and live sound. Jimmy Ulnic is in 3 bands, Dr. Robert in 3 at least. Beatallica have been quiet as of late for us to pay attention to all of the other creative things on our plate … and that’s totally ok! We have had tour offers in the Carribean, Europe, and discussions with agencies about playing. The offer hasn’t been right or the agency hasn’t been straight. We are seasoned enough to know when and where is the right time. It will happen … and we are still online, have a presence, etc during the down time. We just never want to be a part of something that isn’t coming correct as that can be disastrous for an indie band. But keep watching and heshing!

Raph
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