Flotsam and Jetsam is an American thrash metal band from Phoenix, Arizona, formed in 1981 after several preceding bands and varying lineups. The band’s early lineup included vocalist Eric A.K., guitarists Michael Gilbert and Edward Carlson, drummer Kelly David Smith, and bassist Jason Newsted. Flotsam and Jetsam’s early work, including their demos, caught the attention of Metal Blade Records. The band’s debut album, Doomsday for the Deceiver, was released in 1986. The album combined speed, heavy riffs, melodic vocals, and longer song structures to establish the band as a promising force in the emerging American thrash metal scene.

Just after the release of Doomsday for the Deceiver, bassist and primary songwriter Jason Newsted left Flotsam and Jetsam after being recruited by Metallica following the death of bassist Cliff Burton. Rather than allowing Newsted’s departure to bring the band to an end, the remaining musicians carried on and recorded their second album, No Place for Disgrace (1988), featuring songs such as the title track, Dreams of Death, and I Live You Die.

The following years proved to be quite demanding for Flotsam and Jetsam, with various lineup changes and thrash metal experiencing a decline in mainstream popularity during the 1990s. The group continued to release music throughout the decade, including When the Storm Comes Down (1990), Cuatro (1992), and Drift (1995). Later years saw the group returning to a heavier sound with releases such as The End of Chaos (2019), followed by Blood in the Water (2021) and I Am the Weapon (2024), with this new slate of music arriving more than four decades after the group’s inception.

From their long history of touring and recording, we have obtained some great pieces of Flotsam and Jetsam memorabilia, including guitar picks, backstage passes, tour laminates, promotional items, and other collectibles. These are authentic pieces of Flotsam and Jetsam history dating from various points in the band’s career. Some items connect to the early years and the band’s long association with the American thrash metal scene, while others represent later lineups and tours. Browse our collection of authentic Flotsam and Jetsam guitar picks and memorabilia below.