Dave Mustaine Interview

Heavy Metal fans across the UK flocked to bookstores this weekend, eager to grab a copy of the much-awaited autobiography from one of the most talked-about frontmen of the past twenty years, Dave Mustaine.

The book, Mustaine: A Life In Metal, tells the story of the Megadeth frontman and former Metallica lead guitarist. It covers his difficult childhood, his first steps into the music world, and his path to creating one of the most successful Heavy Metal and Thrash bands in history.

Its release arrives alongside the Rust In Peace tour live DVD and has already been recognized as a New York Times bestseller, where it is published under the title Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir.

Known as the master of the spider chord, Mustaine has earned a place among the “100 Greatest Metal Guitarists” and has also been ranked as one of the “Greatest Metal Vocalists of All Time.” He is currently on the road in North America with Megadeth as part of the Jagermeister Music Tour.

Music News’ Victoria Dillingham caught up with the Heavy Metal icon during the tour to discuss the new book, the return of David Ellefson, and his perspective on today’s Heavy Metal and Thrash scene.

Music News: Your new book, 'A Life In Metal' is out this weekend, tell us more about it?

Dave Mustaine: It's about my life and starts before Megadeth, before Metallica and talks in detail about my life and what it's like being in a part of Megadeth.

MN: Are there any revelations in the book that will be news to even the most dedicated Megadeth fan?

Dave: It goes into detail about some of the things I experienced that people may have heard about but not really understood.
I was bought up a Christian, but my Mum worshiped a whole different religion and one I couldn't stand which made me very anti-religious. I hated it so much and wanted to go against it so bad I was prepared to do anything to rebel against it no matter how bad it was.
After my injury I didn't know if I was ever going to play again, it was so bad I couldn't even hold a cup in my left hand. It was around then that I adopted witchcraft, which was one of the darkest times in my life. People hear about the kind of lifestyle I led and think it's all fun and no one gets hurt , that's not the case. I'm not talking about coming home to a goat's head on a stake, it could be lots of bad things that happen over a period of time. People thought I constantly had bad luck but it was because I practiced witchcraft. Now I've stopped practicing it, it's smooth sailing and clear waters. I'm really enjoying being in the business and having friends in the business.
At one point I had terrible people skills. When my parents separated my mom moved us and continued to move us every time my Dad found us, which meant I was hesitant to make friends as I never stayed around long enough to get to know them.
People let you down, but I began to realise that I'd probably let me down at that stage of my life. All my life I've not been able to say anything without someone writing about it, so writing the book has been cathartic.

MN: How did you find the time to write the book and tell us about the journey you undertook in writing it?

Dave: There was a lull in my work which enabled me to work with Joe (Layden) to bring the book together.
I don't know that Joe and I would ever be the kind of guys to play a round of golf together, but when you hire someone to write a book you don't necessarily expect them to enrich your life. Joe kinda helped me to see the light so-to-speak in thinking more about what I did want to include and how it should be written. Whereas some writers or editors would encourage you to include everything, Joe encouraged me to think about how certain things may be read and how people would feel reading them and to assess the real meaning.
People do stuff when they are high, people do stuff when they are drunk and people can do stupid things when they are in love as much as when they are drunk. I've done a lot of stupid things and because I've always been quite vociferous about the things I've done, they've been magnified, but I've not done much different to what a lot of others have after me.

MN: What's it like having bassist David Ellefson return to the fold after an 8 year break?

Dave: It's fun having David back in the band. He's got some real spiritual growth since he was last in the band and we played together. I care about him a lot. The law suit was a bitch, but he's apologised for it and I have forgiven him. It's great working with him again.

MN: How do you think the Heavy/Thrash Metal seen has changed since Megadeth formed?

Dave: I think there's a lot of talent out there now, but most of it is mediocre. I can't think of anyone in the last 10 years that has rocked my world. You know I can remember, as I'm sure you can, listening to Madonna and just knowing she was going to be huge. I remember hearing Mr Brownstone by Guns n Roses for the very first time and just knowing it and they were going to be a hit. You just don't get bands like that anymore. We endured 10 years of something they called 'Nu Metal' but there's been no one that has stood out. The trouble is, bands just don't feature guitar solos anymore, there's nothing to hang on to and no stand out musicians. Bands now sell records based on lifestyles as oppose to talent or their music. It's not the same and it's really sad.

MN: How do you think the fan base and music industry overall has changed since?

Dave: Sales for concert tickets have gone down, young people would rather spend their time on MySpace and Facebook and various other social media forums than getting out of the house and seeing their favourite band live. Fans don't follow a band around the world or country like they used to and concert tickets need to be dead cheap in order for them to sell. Bands are even persuaded to do meet and greets with fans in order to please their crowds and it's just ridiculous. It's madness and I wonder how far it'll go, next thing you know fans will be sat on the stage with you when you perform.
If I think back to when I was young I would never have dreamed of downloading Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd) or trying to rip anyone's work, but now kids are downloading anything they want for free. Even a band's artwork doesn't seem to be sacred. You can release a tour t-shirt and artwork and people are allowed to sell cheap imitations of it outside the venue you are playing, it's cowboy justice! Our industry has been infiltrated and there's no way the same kind of thing would happen in the world of sport and there is no way anyone would let it.

MN: When are you at your happiest?

Dave: I love being on stage and performing, but in truth I'm at my happiest when I'm with the woman I love and my two kids. I love spending time with my family. I think it's fair to say I've not had a great start to my life, but I'm having a really good time now and it's clear waters now.

MN: What's next for Megadeth?

Dave: That's a very good question. We are so busy right now and we really need a break. I really need to pay attention to my family and also my back, I've had a lot of problems with my back recently and I need to pace myself. It's been a busy year and once we're done with this leg of the tour we are off to Australia and then home. We hope to be back in the studio in January and will start recording our next album. In an ideal world we'll have it recorded by next Spring.

Photographer: Michael Johansson
Courtesy of: Megadeth.com