MUSTAINE is 'No Longer Struggling' With His Metallica Demons

[Ragehead91]

DAVE MUSTAINE Says He Is 'No Longer Struggling' With His METALLICA Demons - Aug. 25, 2009
Dave Ling of Classic Rock magazine recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Classic Rock: How did it feel to bury some past grievances with SLAYER by touring together?

Mustaine: [Smiling faintly]: I didn't even talk to Kerry [King, guitarist] yet.

Classic Rock: But he did watch MEGADETH's show from the side of the stage?

Mustaine: Yeah. I've never had anything against Kerry — he started it all. The many things he said about me hurt my feelings, but I'm still open to being friends with him. Maybe we'll sit down together and have a drink; he'll have Jägermeister and I'll have water. I'm a different person now, I'm 47. I'm happy in my life.

Classic Rock: But the olive branch came personally from you?

Mustaine: Yeah. I've done a lot of that. I did it with PANTERA. I did it with [estranged former bassist] David Ellefson. I had dinner recently with Dave and he said that [leaving the band] was the dumbest thing he ever did. I said, that's okay — I forgive you. As I sit here talking to you now, thinking about the people I have grievances with, there are zero. I'm really happy with my life. And as my career nears its end, it's finishing at the top.

Classic Rock: Can you pinpoint why you are in such a good headspace right now?

Mustaine: My faith [in God] is behind why I'm playing as good, and how I got rid of my demons. That I've been saved is something I don't push it on anybody, but it's helped me. It goes back to what I said about SLAYER at the start. I'd said I'd never play with Satanic bands. Though people don't know this, I also said I'd never play with man-whore bands because I didn't want to go out there and struggle with staring at chicks in the audience. But when my life changed I put all that stuff on the side. I realized I could play with bands that attract female audiences; after all, guys like to go to gigs where there will be chicks — even chubby ones, 'cos there are chubby dudes — and I began to lighten up. That's what this whole thing's about. Right now I'm happy, joyous, free… I'm your buddy, the guy you've known forever. You've said mean things about me; you've said great things about me. But we're friends; friendship is about good and bad.

Classic Rock: How did it feel to be No. 1 in Joel McIver's recent book, "The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists"?

Mustaine: It was especially sweet when I found out that Joel has written books on METALLICA. I looked at my copy of the book — I wasn't on the cover or the back. I figured I'd be somewhere like No. 69. So I thumbed through it; it's a really comprehensive, good book. I got to No. 50 and I thought, "Am I in here?" I'd been told that I was, but not which position. So I got No. 16 and I saw Hetfield. I thought, "Wow," because I respect James. I'm a better lead player than he is, but he's one of the three best rhythm players in the world.

Classic Rock: The other two being?

Mustaine: Malcolm Young [of AC/DC] and myself. Malcolm kept it basic but brought a whole new style of rhythm playing to the world. So I got to the Top 10… I still wasn't in there. Every page I turned, I became more excited. I get to No. 5 and it's Kirk [Hammett], and I thought, "Thank you, God." At that point it didn't matter [which position I was]. To be better than both of them [Hetfield and Hammett] meant so much — it's been one of the pet peeves of my career and I've never known how to deal with it. I didn't realize that it has had so much bearing upon my life. Then I got to No. 2 and it was John Petrucci [of DREAM THEATER] and I froze. I was No. 1. What made it better still is that the guy wrote: "This isn't about Dave as a person because he's been a cock" — [interjects with a bray of laughter] — "These four pages are about his guitar playing, which is the best. There are people who are better at one thing that Mustaine does, and others that are better than another, but no-one who's as good at everything." All I thought was… I win!

Classic Rock: In a way did it represent closure?

Mustaine: That's it exactly. I'm not addicted [to anything] anymore. And I'm no longer struggling with past demons from another band [METALLICA]. That game has ended. Lars [Ulrich] called me up and offered the chance to come to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame thing and not be inducted, to sit in the audience [instead]. "It's only for people who've been on the records" is what I was told. That would have been awkward. So I didn't go. There are obviously some unresolved issues on Lars' part. But you know what? If God wants me in the Hall Of Fame, I will be there.

[NeonVomit]

WHICH IS WHY HE KEEPS TALKING ABOUT IT NON STOP

[Shurik]

And it took him about 26 years ...

Still, Dave Mustaine is a metal God.

[Ragehead91]

DAVE MUSTAINE: LARS ULRICH 'Can't Keep Me Out' Of The ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME - Aug. 26, 2009
In the September 2009 issue of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine (see cover below), MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine explains the reasons behind his decision to turn down METALLICA's invitation to attend their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Mustaine, who was a member of METALLICA for less than two years, from 1981 to 1983, before being dismissed and replaced by Kirk Hammett, tells the magazine, "Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] said, 'If you were on the record, you got inducted; if you weren't on the record, you didn't,' and would I come along and hang out and watch them get inducted? I was like, 'Dude, that's so typical!' It makes for the same kind of mentality as a guy watching some other guy fuck his girlfriend. I just said, 'I'm flattered and I'm proud of you guys and I wish you well. I'll be there if I'm being inducted, but if I'm gonna watch, then I've got better things to do.'"

Mustaine adds, "To say that I'm not on the record, well, I'd say that there are 40 million fans with MEGADETH and METALLICA records in their collections that would say that Dave is on the METALLICA records because my name's on there [in the songwriting credits], but I guess Lars never really looked past the word 'Ulrich.' He just stopped there and read it again, over and over and over!

"Bottom line is, I'm going to get into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame one way or another and he can't keep me out! When I do, I'm going to ask him to induct us and I'm gonna give eggs to everyone in the front row! [Laughs]"

Yeah Dave, you're clearly over it...as much as Tolkki is over leaving Stratovarius...

[NeonVomit]

DAVE MUSTAINE: LARS ULRICH 'Can't Keep Me Out' Of The ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME - Aug. 26, 2009
In the September 2009 issue of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine (see cover below), MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine explains the reasons behind his decision to turn down METALLICA's invitation to attend their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Mustaine, who was a member of METALLICA for less than two years, from 1981 to 1983, before being dismissed and replaced by Kirk Hammett, tells the magazine, "Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] said, 'If you were on the record, you got inducted; if you weren't on the record, you didn't,' and would I come along and hang out and watch them get inducted? I was like, 'Dude, that's so typical!' It makes for the same kind of mentality as a guy watching some other guy fuck his girlfriend. I just said, 'I'm flattered and I'm proud of you guys and I wish you well. I'll be there if I'm being inducted, but if I'm gonna watch, then I've got better things to do.'"

Mustaine adds, "To say that I'm not on the record, well, I'd say that there are 40 million fans with MEGADETH and METALLICA records in their collections that would say that Dave is on the METALLICA records because my name's on there [in the songwriting credits], but I guess Lars never really looked past the word 'Ulrich.' He just stopped there and read it again, over and over and over!

"Bottom line is, I'm going to get into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame one way or another and he can't keep me out! When I do, I'm going to ask him to induct us and I'm gonna give eggs to everyone in the front row! [Laughs]"

Yeah Dave, you're clearly over it...as much as Tolkki is over leaving Stratovarius...

Never underestimate the power of denial. Look at religion.

[icecab21]

since "i don't want to play with kotipelto" equals "i want to play with kotipelto".

[hiro23]

Don't know, don't care

[icecab21]

that would be fun to get one of the eggs he gives away.

[Ragehead91]

EGADETH's DAVE MUSTAINE: 'I Am No Longer The Easiest Boy To Hate In Heavy Metal' - Sep. 1, 2009
Peter Hodgson of I Heart Guitar recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

I Heart Guitar: "Endgame" is really energetic and angry. Where did that come from?

Mustaine: I don't really know what spurred this on other than just being in a good place right now. I'm happy. I still have some of the things that have wounded me — the scars are never going to go away, but it's just the way I'm dealing with things now. And I think that's probably the key to everything. If I look at my circumstances, it's like looking at scores from yesterday's football matches. In the beginning, even though it's zero to zero, at some point that time's already designated and it's already been exposed, expired, lapsed and it happened. And for me, I've just got to accept those things and just do the absolute very best I can to work up to those moments. My career right now is better than it's ever been. I've got a brand new contract I just signed with Clear Channel radio over here for three years, my book's coming out next year, my record's coming out next month. I believe I've written the best record of my career and I love the way that the fans are reacting to it. And even more importantly than anyone's reaction to it, it just seems like people have forgiven me for whatever it was they were mad at me about, and my heart is just so, just leaping with gladness. Because I am no longer the easiest boy to hate in heavy metal.

I Heart Guitar: It seems like with "United Abominations" you were really confident going in, but with this one it seemed like you weren't really giving anything away until it was finished.

Mustaine: I think probably one of the reasons why the timing was different with that was, with the last record there were so many times where we would post about stuff and people would get excited, but I wasn't really finding myself being able to experience the record as much as I wanted to, and the reason for that was I was too caught up in what people were thinking. And I don't make music to react to people's thinking, I write music 'cause I like music. And I don't know why, but God made me good at this. Why me? I don't know! I certainly haven't done anything that stands out to reason why I would be blessed with this talent. I just know I want to try my best to use it, and I want to have fun while I'm doing it. Man, I love watching people have fun while I'm out there doing my job.

I Heart Guitar: How did having your own studio impact the sessions?

Mustaine: I think having the studio was beneficial for us because it gave us the license to be able to come and go at our leisure. If we wanted to start early we could, and if we wanted to start late we could. I think that's something that really makes the band feel respected as individuals. It's those little things that make all the difference in the world. I've been around the block a few times so those things are second nature to me, but it's not to Chris [Broderick, guitar] or to Shawn [Drover, drums] because even though they're relatively new, they've had their experiences with doing things at the proper level, and I would like, myself, I would love to get MEGADETH back to the proper level.

I Heart Guitar: Here's a question from the MEGADETH forum: Are you planning anything to mark the 20th anniversary of "Rust In Peace"?

Mustaine: Well if they're asking about me playing with those guys again I think I've made it pretty clear.

I Heart Guitar: Well even something like a special commemorative release, or playing the album start-to-finish live.

Mustaine: Yeah, I've heard that, but my answer is pretty simple: If it was gonna happen, it would have. I don't think it'll ever happen. I don't dislike any of those guys. We did have some very difficult periods together but I was just as difficult to be around as they were. And all I want to do right now is just bless them and just let them know I'm a fan of theirs. Even the ones I had a hard time with, I'm a fan of theirs. They were part of my life and I look to those times together with great fondness.

I Heart Guitar: Also with an album as strong as "Endgame", I dunno why you'd wanna look back 20 years?

Mustaine: Yeah, why? People are saying, "Can you get together and do a reunion thing?" and it's like, "Yeah, but you have to suck both my eyes out first." No disrespect to those guys, but it's like that old saying when you marry your girlfriend, "Why buy the cow when the milk is free?" I'm sure there's something nasty like that. But I love where we're at right now and I wouldn't change anything for anything. There's no reason to make any changes to anything. Period.

[Ragehead91]

SLAYER's KING Says DAVE MUSTAINE Is 'Pompous', 'A Hypocrite' And 'A Great Guitar Player' - Sep. 1, 2009
SLAYER members Kerry King (guitar) and Dave Lombardo (drums) took part in a press conference with members of the French media on August 31, 2009 in Paris, France. Watch the question-and-answer session in three parts below (courtesy of MetalSickness.com).

When asked about his long-running "feud" with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine and SLAYER's recent Canadian tour with MEGADETH, King stated, "We only did four [shows with MEGADETH so far on the current touring cycle]. I think it's cool for the fans [to have SLAYER and MEGADETH touring together], you know. Everybody's all worried about the beef with me and Dave; we don't really get along. But I don't really have anything against him. I think he's a great guitar player. When we had that Canada thing pop up, I just said, 'I'm gonna go, and if I see Dave, I'll be cordial. I'll say, 'Hey, Dave. What's up?!' But if he's a dick to me, I'm gonna be a bigger dick to him.' And that's how [the upcoming SLAYER/MEGADETH tour of] Australia is gonna be, and that's how the next Canadian tour [with MEGADETH] is gonna be. I think maybe he's grown up a bit because I think he's a little pompous and I think he's a big hypocrite — that's my problem with him, personally — but I could never take anything away from his guitar playing; I think he's great."

[Ragehead91]

Dennis Rowehl of Germany's Autona magazine recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine. Watch the seven-minute chat below.

A couple of excerpts from the interview were transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET and can be found below.

Autona: If you were on an uninhabited island — just you, James Hetfield [METALLICA guitarist/vocalist] and possibly [actress/model] Carmen Electra... What would happen if you had to stay there for 30 days?

Mustaine: I don't know.... I think we would probably... [Interviewer suggests, "Play cards."] Not play cards. I guess James would probably watch me and Carmen swim away and leave him on the island. I don't know... That's a weird question; I don't know why you ask that. You could have used a hundred people but James. I don't have a problem with James; James doesn't bother me. He doesn't intimidate me. I know a different James Hetfield than you do, but that's because I know who he really is. Everybody else is, "James, the big guitar player, the tattooed guy with the big arms," and stuff like that. We were kids when we met; I know who he is. Being around Carmen Electra? I would have to say she's a very, very beautiful girl — short — but, you know, she was [married to] Dave Navarro and Dennis Rodman. Why would I wanna touch her after that? [Makes puking noise]"