Megadeth

[Architeuthis]

Know who could be an excellent bass player for Megadeth? Michael Lepond.

Mike Lepond is one of the best bass players out there imo, and he could easily pull off Megadeth tunes. I know the money would be better, but I would hate to see him leave SX which would be a step backwards for him.  His three solo albums are amazing too. 
But yeah, if he was in Megadeth I'd probably listen to them more..   

[emtee]

When I was in Michigan last week I saw a promo spot for Megadeth and Lamb Of God tour this summer.

[cramx3]

When I was in Michigan last week I saw a promo spot for Megadeth and Lamb Of God tour this summer.

Yup, with Trivium and In Flames.  I plan on going to the local show this summer.

[devieira73]

Know who could be an excellent bass player for Megadeth? Michael Lepond.

Mike Lepond is one of the best bass players out there imo, and he could easily pull off Megadeth tunes. I know the money would be better, but I would hate to see him leave SX which would be a step backwards for him.  His three solo albums are amazing too. 
But yeah, if he was in Megadeth I'd probably listen to them more..   

I also love him in SX and Silent Assassins, but, I don't know if he can make a living out of any band he's in, so I would be happy for him. And I think his style would totally fit in Megadeth.

[Architeuthis]

Yes, he would be a good fit and Megadeth would benefit with Mike in the band. He has the chops, tone, stage presence and all.  I wonder if Dave Mustaine even knows who Mike LePond  is?

[devieira73]

Well, at least, SX toured with Megadeth on Gigantour (that tour of the DVD with Dream Theater).

[El Barto]

I've been following this story and I think it was the right move by Mustaine.  I mean, there are so many variables involved in this situation -- was the girl an underage fan when the videos began as was alleged, and did Ellefson use his status as a rockstar to take advantage of her?  Also, there's no way of knowing if there are MORE videos (or girls) out there that would surface as the band releases their new album and goes on tour.  You can't risk that.  It would overshadow everything the band is doing and it would come up in every interview, etc.  Better to cut ties now, in my opinion. 

I also wonder if Megadeth will re-record his bass parts for the new album and if Portnoy will still work with him in Metal Allegiance.

Didn't the girl come out saying she was not a minor and everything was consensual, no grooming and she initiated? Of course there could be more to the story that played a role, but if the female says all this, it's really hard for me to assume anything worse than sexting while married.

The girl did say that, but there are rumors or talk that the messages started before she was of legal age.

My hunch is that if the messaging started before she was 18 he'd already be in handcuffs. That would likely be a federal offense, and there are no shortage of ambitious cops who'd love to bust a degenerate pedophile rockstar for manufacturing child pornography. A rookie cop could have figured out the whats, wheres, and whens in half a day's work.

It's a shame that he's out, but he's probably better off. It's not exactly news that Mustaine's an egotistical dick. He probably didn't like the fact that Ellefson's name was popping up with regards to the album and tour. Dave was essentially Mustaine's Derek St. Holmes.

Pretty sure I met Ellefson a couple of years ago at a rental counter at BNA. I knew I recognized him from somewhere, and knew he was a bass player, but didn't want to pester him. Didn't figure it out until a few days later. Nice guy, though. Super geeked about having seen one of his musical idols the night before. Showed me pictures on his phone.

[LudwigVan]

The funny thing is that there's a bit of a precedent to the Dave Ellefson mess.

I quote from Mustaine's 2010 autobiography, in which he refers to one of the reasons he decided to cut loose with drummer Nick Menza:

"God only knows what Nick was thinking when he said he started an Internet business called NiXXXpix, featuring exactly the sort of content you might imagine. The World Wide Web was still the Wild West at this time, and I'm sure Nick saw dollar signs with this venture. I'm not averse to making money. I'm not even necessarily opposed to musicians banging strippers and porn stars on the road. But I do know one thing: I don't want to be associated with porno. Toss morality out the window for a moment, and consider it purely from a business and professional standpoint. Porn is the ultimate dead end for an artist. The public is more forgiving of drug addicts and criminals than it is of those in the sex trade. Career-wise, you just don't come back from it. When you go down that road, you don't ever go mainstream again. End of story. Well, maybe if you're just the drummer, and people don't know you that well, then you can come back from it. Megadeth was my band, and to have my drummer selling content to habitual masturbators was not something I viewed as good for business. Or for me, personally."

[El Barto]

I honestly had no idea that Mustaine was so uptight. Has he always been this way, or was it a side effect of his religious conversion? Either way, damn, makes me like the guy even less.

[devieira73]

Very interesting info, LudwigVan... right or wrong, there's some coherence in Mustaine's reaction.

[TAC]

The funny thing is that there's a bit of a precedent to the Dave Ellefson mess.

I quote from Mustaine's 2010 autobiography, in which he refers to one of the reasons he decided to cut loose with drummer Nick Menza:

"God only knows what Nick was thinking when he said he started an Internet business called NiXXXpix, featuring exactly the sort of content you might imagine. The World Wide Web was still the Wild West at this time, and I'm sure Nick saw dollar signs with this venture. I'm not averse to making money. I'm not even necessarily opposed to musicians banging strippers and porn stars on the road. But I do know one thing: I don't want to be associated with porno. Toss morality out the window for a moment, and consider it purely from a business and professional standpoint. Porn is the ultimate dead end for an artist. The public is more forgiving of drug addicts and criminals than it is of those in the sex trade. Career-wise, you just don't come back from it. When you go down that road, you don't ever go mainstream again. End of story. Well, maybe if you're just the drummer, and people don't know you that well, then you can come back from it. Megadeth was my band, and to have my drummer selling content to habitual masturbators was not something I viewed as good for business. Or for me, personally."

Wow Gord, that's a great call. How did you ever remember that? I read Mustaine's bio years ago and honestly didn't really care for it. And I don't even remember why.

[LudwigVan]

I’d read the book 5 or 6 years ago. It was an okay read. A lot of bloated self-serving stuff, as you might expect from Mustaine. But this section stuck in my head for whatever reason, and recent events made me recall those comments.

It seems to me that, whatever his faults, Mustaine is keen on maintaining Megadeth as a viable continuing business proposition, and I guess this episode reveals part of that drive. 

But think about it... he meticulously managed to put out a continuous stream of albums over the years. I believe it’s a carefully cultivated business model, one for which he has a low tolerance for error, including the recent Ellefson shenanigans.  Contrast that with Metallica who could barely eke out one album every five years. I also recall from the book that he essentially forbade any current working members from doing any outside projects or solo albums, which apparently chafed with Marty Friedman.

[TAC]

Yes, he has managed to lead Megadeth to an extremely vast and consistent discography.

Say what you want about the guy, but he is metal savant talented.
Not to mention his impact on Kill 'Em All, which remains easily my favorite Metallica album.

[Stadler]

Yes, he has managed to lead Megadeth to an extremely vast and consistent discography.

Say what you want about the guy, but he is metal savant talented.
Not to mention his impact on Kill 'Em All, which remains easily my favorite Metallica album.

I was looking for some info to post about the "Megadeth" I like, and I was blown away that he/they have FIVE consecutive platinum albums and one multiplatinum record.  I would have said "one, tops" (Peace Sells...)

EDIT:  WOW.  All Metallica's albums except H...TSD are MULTI-platnum, even St. Anger.  And H...TSD is platinum itself.  Learn something new....

[cramx3]

I don't think there's any questioning of Dave Mustaine's place in metal.  I've never been a huge fan of Megadeth, but totally respect his music and art (I do like Kill Em All and a bunch of Megadeth songs, have seen them once) I've said here that I don't really agree with his decision, but it should also be noted I'm not a big fan just an outside observer.  I planned on seeing them this summer before this announcement and my excitement hasn't changed for the show.

[Mebert78]

My hunch is that if the messaging started before she was 18 he'd already be in handcuffs. That would likely be a federal offense, and there are no shortage of ambitious cops who'd love to bust a degenerate pedophile rockstar for manufacturing child pornography. A rookie cop could have figured out the whats, wheres, and whens in half a day's work.

I wouldn't expect that happen. There's a "rockstar" named Dahvie Vanity from a group called Blood on the Dance Floor who is still allowed the walk free. Just look up the stuff he's done to teen and pre-teen girls over the past 15 years and you'd be positively sickened.

Also, I stumbled across this video today of Lars and Mustaine talking about him being kicked out of Metallica. Riveting stuff! Link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qvkU0J-eTWc

[Moor]

I guess what speeded up his removal is that he rejoined Megadeth as a salaried member as opposed to being an "equal owner" with Mustaine.

So it is like terminating an employee, and what was leaked IMO would constitute enough ground for a legitimate termination. And anyway, even if the dismissal is abusive, the exposure is limited as the potential indemnity that he might get, would be nothing compared to a terminated partner.

I am sure, this would not have been the case (at least in terms of speed) if Dave was an equity partner.

[Kotowboy]

Yes, he has managed to lead Megadeth to an extremely vast and consistent discography.

Say what you want about the guy, but he is metal savant talented.
Not to mention his impact on Kill 'Em All, which remains easily my favorite Metallica album.

I was looking for some info to post about the "Megadeth" I like, and I was blown away that he/they have FIVE consecutive platinum albums and one multiplatinum record.  I would have said "one, tops" (Peace Sells...)

EDIT:  WOW.  All Metallica's albums except H...TSD are MULTI-platnum, even St. Anger.  And H...TSD is platinum itself.  Learn something new....

The Black Album has never sold less than 5000 copies each and every single week since it was released.

not once. In thirty years. That's ridiculous.

[ErHaO]

No expert on the topic of Metallica's inner workings, but I think the context of his firing from Metallica is quite different. That seemed more more of a Jon Shaffer/Tuomas move (termination without notification beforehand). In this instance, Megadeth put out a statement a while ago stating there were closely following he developments before the firing and there obviously have been discussions behind the scenes.

In the end it boils down that boss doesn't like employee and that boss does not want this controversy to outshine the new product about to be released.



Anyways, on a sidenote I personally am very glad that Dave was kicked out of Metallica because he went on to produce good metal for decades, whereas Metallica had a very good peak and did very little after that (purely talking about studio output, I know Metallica can put out a hell of a show).

[Ben_Jamin]

No expert on the topic of Metallica's inner workings, but I think the context of his firing from Metallica is quite different. That seemed more more of a Jon Shaffer/Tuomas move (termination without notification beforehand). In this instance, Megadeth put out a statement a while ago stating there were closely following he developments before the firing and there obviously have been discussions behind the scenes.

In the end it boils down that boss doesn't like employee and that boss does not want this controversy to outshine the new product about to be released.



Anyways, on a sidenote I personally am very glad that Dave was kicked out of Metallica because he went on to produce good metal for decades, whereas Metallica had a very good peak and did very little after that (purely talking about studio output, I know Metallica can put out a hell of a show).

The difference I see between Metallica and Megadeth is Fame and The Limelight. Since The Black Album, Metallica had been living in the limelight, and riding the wave, where they stopped making albums consistently about every 2-3 years. They rode the wave of success with The Black Album for years, that if they were to record a new album it would've put a stop to that train, they were riding the gravy train.

Megadeth on the other hand, never did have a spot in the limelight and never would have because of Mustaines involvement in Metallica and his name already being tarnished as "the man who got kicked out of Metallica". This made Dave's work ethic more noticeable and more for the fans and shows that Dave just wants to go out and play music.

I personally think Dave getting kicked out of Metallica was his awakening and he set out to prove them wrong, and he has. The albums he put out and his work ethic shows this.

[MirrorMask]

Sure, but he also grew up. At that time he was a young drunk asshole, they were right in getting rid of him back then. Should Metallica had the gift of foresight and realize what a great guitarist he would become? at that time he wasn't working out and waiting for him to grow up and become an adult and responsable man wasn't evidently an option.

[bosk1]

Megadeth on the other hand, never did have a spot in the limelight and never would have...

Of course they did.  Just because they weren't as huge as Metallica doesn't mean they didn't have a spot in the limelight.  If being as huge as Metallica was the standard for fame, then hardly anyone is famous.  Other than Metallica, Megadeth's run from Countdown through Cryptic is about as mainstream famous as one could reasonably expect for a thrash band.  They were all over radio and MTV during that stretch, and those albums sold like crazy.  They've had quite a bit of "mainstream" success.

Should Metallica had the gift of foresight and realize what a great guitarist he would become?

  It isn't about him becoming a great guitarist.  He was already that at the time.  I mean, that isn't to say he didn't improve over the years since then.  He obviously did.  But he was already pretty great.  I think you are dead on about the other issues you mentioned in your post.  But him not being "great" enough of a guitarist was never the issue.

[Zydar]

Dave Ellefson speaks up:

https://loudwire.com/david-ellefson-statement-megadeth-split-revenge-porn-charges/

[MirrorMask]

While what he did was both very gross and very stupid, he's right, he's the victim of revenge porn (if not literal revenge, it's still the unwanted sharing of sexual material) and he's right in going after the one who leaked it.

[cramx3]

Dave Ellefson speaks up:

https://loudwire.com/david-ellefson-statement-megadeth-split-revenge-porn-charges/

It makes sense for him to pursue legal action against the leaker. 

[Dedalus]

Of course they did.  Just because they weren't as huge as Metallica doesn't mean they didn't have a spot in the limelight.  If being as huge as Metallica was the standard for fame, then hardly anyone is famous.  Other than Metallica, Megadeth's run from Countdown through Cryptic is about as mainstream famous as one could reasonably expect for a thrash band.  They were all over radio and MTV during that stretch, and those albums sold like crazy.  They've had quite a bit of "mainstream" success.

My favorite Megadeth years 

[kirksnosehair]

I wonder who will replace him for the tour and going forward? 

[TAC]

I wonder who will replace him for the tour and going forward?

Probably another jerk off.






I'm sorry.

[bosk1]

[kirksnosehair]

fuck me 

[Dedalus]

I wonder who will replace him for the tour and going forward?

Probably another jerk off.






I'm sorry.

 

Jerk off is my business .... and business is good. 

[Zydar]

Symphony of Masturbation
Holy Wanks

[kirksnosehair]

High Speed Jerk 

[Ben_Jamin]

Masturbator 18 

Megadeth on the other hand, never did have a spot in the limelight and never would have...

Of course they did.  Just because they weren't as huge as Metallica doesn't mean they didn't have a spot in the limelight.  If being as huge as Metallica was the standard for fame, then hardly anyone is famous.  Other than Metallica, Megadeth's run from Countdown through Cryptic is about as mainstream famous as one could reasonably expect for a thrash band.  They were all over radio and MTV during that stretch, and those albums sold like crazy.  They've had quite a bit of "mainstream" success.

I guess I should have included. Not as much limelight and fame as Metallica. I have watched the Duck Dodgers episode. 

Even still, he kept his work ethic of making music. And that was the period that led to his "dark days" that made him become a born again christian to the point of not wanting to play certain songs live anymore. Even Metallica wasn't immune to it, they had just as bad, if not, worse, dark times.

Dave still strived to continue doing what he wanted to do, and that is create music. Going to any lengths necessary to keeping that business going.

I am also, glad that Metallica has finally gone this route of making music again, and adding to their live sets, and not just riding the black album and relying on the same ol' songs for their live shows. But, if that's what makes them money, then that's how they run their business.

How they soaked and raveled in the limelight, while still continuing to make music, is the difference I am talking about.


And I think Robert Trujillo made a big difference and got the guys to up their enthusiasm to make music.

So for me, I am happy with where both bands are at this moment.

Dave Ellefson speaks up:

https://loudwire.com/david-ellefson-statement-megadeth-split-revenge-porn-charges/

Good, because now, whomever had got a hold of that video and released it will be held accountable. This will help a lot with dealing with people that get a hold of these private videos, and use them as blackmail.

[RodrigoAltaf]

I wonder who will replace him for the tour and going forward?

My money is on Sting or Flea.