Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine on David Ellefson: “I’ll forgive him a thousand times. I just won’t play music with him anymore” – 2022 – Interview

Metal Hammer: Dave Mustaine: “I know how it feels to have people gunning for you.” You can read the entire Metal Hammer interview w/ Dave Mustaine @ this location.

INTERVIEW EXCERPT

Dave Mustaine:

“I have made mistakes myself and so I know what it feels like to have people gunning for you,” admits Dave. “But what we had to remember is that Megadeth has a lot of moving parts to it. There are four bandmembers, you’ve got their families, their management companies, the agencies, all of their technicians and on and on and on. I can tell you; I’ve made decisions in the past that were detrimental to the security of the band, and I know what harm that caused. But I don’t want to be saying anything about anyone who is unable to defend themselves. God, it’s so hard to tap-dance around this…”

At this point, Dave’s assistant interjects on our call and asks, very politely, if we could change the subject. Rather gallantly, Dave insists on completing his thoughts.

“I want to give you what you need, so I think if I can answer this real quick, we can move on. Let me just say this – it was a hard decision that had to be made. There were a lot of people involved and I had to make a decision, because unfortunately, when you’re the leader, you’re the one that has to suck it up and face the music. All I wanted to do was make a clean break, and not hurt anyone, not hurt the fans and not hurt him.

“I just wanted to move on, and I hope the gentleman concerned is doing okay. I imagine there was some adjustment that had to take place when it happened. It was hard for me when I lost my job. But I’ve forgiven him before when he sued me [Ellefson filed a lawsuit against Mustaine in 2004, claiming that he was owed millions in outstanding royalties. The case was dismissed] and I’ll forgive him a thousand times. I just won’t play music with him anymore.”

Speaking of forgiveness, it was interesting to see In Flames sharing the bill with Megadeth on The Metal Tour Of The Year, given that ex-Megadeth man Chris Broderick is currently filling in as second guitarist for the Swedish crew.

“Well, yeah, In Flames have someone with them who famously left Megadeth and sent his letter of resignation publicly through the internet,” Dave says, with a mock heavy sigh. “But that’s all water under the bridge now, and I guess people have to do things the way that they best can handle things at the time. But that gives you an idea of how serious I am when it comes to forgiveness. I still think Chris is a terrific guitar player.”

You can read the entire Metal Hammer interview w/ Dave Mustaine @ this location.