“This was something I based the character in early on — she’s in all these 18-step programs, and has all these therapists and has a staff of people to take care of her because she’s very wealthy,” he explained. In the interview, he joked that Mrs. Smith’s ambition is “world domination.”
At the show, which also featured a performance by Hammett and Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo’s covers group the Wedding Band, the Metallica guitarist showed off a giant Crybaby platform and faced off against Mrs. Smith in a white suit as the band played Isaac Hayes’ “Theme FromMrs. Smith, looking her schoolmarm best, kicked things off, dancing on her pedals, and cowering as Hammett played wah licks on his pedestal. “He’s more metal than I ever could have imagined,” she told the crowd.
But it all ended with a late-round forfeit, when Hammett realized Mrs. Smith had come to the fight with more firepower. At one point, she told the crowd she was playing four wah-wah pedals at once, which put a shocked look on Hammett’s face. “I can’t compete with four wah-wah pedals at once,” Hammett said. “I forfeit.” He put his guitar down, and bowed down to her as she was presented with a golden wah-wah pedal. She held the trophy up triumphantly.