Q&A with Dave Mustaine - 4/13/10 2:00 to 3:00 PM Pacific

[Evan Skopp]

In a SDUGF exclusive, the legendary Dave Mustaine will be on hand to answer questions from SD forum members on April 13, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM Pacific time. Mark your calendar now. Reading it in The Vault is great. But reading it as it happens and interacting with one of the greats, is way, way better. Amongst other things, Dave will be on hand to discuss ENDGAME, his latest album.

It’s a rare thing when a musician comes face to face with what made them great to begin with. ENDGAME is that moment for Dave Mustaine and Megadeth. It’s the record where it all comes full circle in a career that has not only set standards in hard rock and metal, but defined them. Megadeth are rage on a tight rein, as precise and beautifully destructive as a laser guided missile. “After the smoke had cleared from personnel and label changes, I knew that regaining respect for me and for Megadeth was going to be a huge undertaking,” says Mustaine of the process re-tooling Megadeth after what is considered the “classic” line-up. “It was much like trying to turn a battleship -- no, more like an aircraft carrier-- around.”

Mission accomplished on ENDGAME, which is as extreme as anything Megadeth has ever recorded. The album’s signature track “Head Crusher” should not merely serve as a wake-up for old fans but also a new generation ready to keep Mustaine & Co.’s brand of shredding guitar and bellicose songsmanship at the forefront of today’s metal scene. This, however, is not surprising for the man who has created and branded “Gigantour,” which for the past three years has united some of metal’s most musically literate players including Dream Theater, Children of Bodom and Opeth. Then again, what else would one expect from someone who culled a sound from The New Wave of British Heavy Metal and created metal’s then-new chic, which was state of the art speed metal?

The Megadeth machine is built on a blueprint of stark, complex musicianship. Over time, with album sales nearing 25 million worldwide, Mustaine has balanced rabid-dog aggression with staggering song-craft. The albums Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good!, Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? , So Far…So Good…So What? and Countdown to Extinction remain true metal classics. No surprise then that Mustaine was awarded the title of “Riff Lord” at 2008’s Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in the U.K, or that he was crowned “Golden God” at the 2009 Revolver Golden Gods Awards in America.

Which of course shouldn’t negate the flirting with commercial success on Youthanasia, Cryptic Writings or Risk. Or even Megadeth’s road back to the standing at the top of metal’s top players with World Needs a Hero, The System Has Failed and their Roadrunner debut, United Abominations. “It was a good lesson about the need to follow your heart,” says Dave of the creative process with ENDGAME. “I am grateful to have fans who have let me stretch my wings musically. But this is where I am most comfortable.”

At this point, Dave Mustaine has nothing to prove. To make the record he wanted, Mustaine found himself building a full-blown recording studio in San Marcos, California, just outside of San Diego, dubbed “Vic’s Garage” after Megadeth’s iconic, skull-faced mascot Vic Rattlehead. His rationale for building a studio for Megadeth was simple: “When we went into the studio last time it was too expensive, too extravagant, too arrogant and I think it made us a little lazy,” muses Mustaine.

Andy Sneap, metal-producer and mixer par-excellence and a Megadeth cohort from United Abominations, returned to work alongside of Mustaine. The result of this metal-mongering synergy speaks for itself. “It’s a great relationship,” says Mustaine of his ongoing dealings with the acclaimed British producer, also known for his work with Killswitch Engage and Machine Head. “We had a few intense moments, but that is part of having a real working relationship. I am a better guitarist, singer and producer due to my tremendous respect for Andy and my open ears when he is listening or isn’t listening to my point of view.”

Musically and lyrically, Dave Mustaine remains metal’s true iconoclast whose latest musical offering rumbles with the intensity his career has been built on. Megadeth has come full circle. Megadeth are back to the killing business…and business has never been better.

Please join us on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM Pacific time for this chance to interact live with one of rock music's living legends.

[Gamera]

This is either so cool it hurts or a clever April Fool's joke.

[grumptruck]

Wow he went all out with his marketing department.

Thesaurus FTW.

[Evan Skopp]

This is either so cool it hurts or a clever April Fool's joke.

Good point. I could see how you might think this is a clever April Fool's joke. It's not. I already played one today. Anyway, we're running banners on Premier Guitar. We wouldn't go that far for an April Fool's joke.

This is real.

[Gamera]

I wanna ask him if he really did the voice for his character in that episode of Duck Dodgers.

[Diocletian]

This is beyond awesome, being a "droogie". But I don't understand your post Evan. You named all the albums, bar one.
And we all know which one I mean.

Why?

[ex-250]

I wanna ask him if he really did the voice for his character in that episode of Duck Dodgers.

he definitely did. the man was raised by rabid wolverines! genetically engineered in a lab!



anyhow, this is supremely awesome and i'm definitely looking forward to it

[DankStar]

cool!

[CTN]

ohhhhh that's friggin raaaaaaaaaaad.

i'll be honest, i feel a little like a schoolgirl, cuz I have like a plethora of questions I'd love to ask Dave... how to pick just a few??? lol

also, Evan, thanks for doing these chats man. Such a cool thing to be a part of, I for one appreciate it a helluva lot!! (As I'm sure many others do as well) Cheers!

[Evan Skopp]

I am also going to ask him why he keeps changing guitar endorsements every year, and why Megadeth's line-up keeps changing every month.

Actually, that wouldn't be a good idea. If you or anyone else makes comments or asks questions that are in even the slightest way deemed disrespectful by the Admins who will be watching this chat very closely, then that will be your last post on the Seymour Duncan Forum. The idea of major artists agreeing to appear on the Seymour Duncan forum and answer live, unedited questions is a new one. And it's a risky one too. And for a lot of us here, we want to keep this program going with other artists and luthiers. If trolls make their way into the chat and embarrass the guests and the forum, than you can kiss this Q&A idea goodbye.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but better you know about our "respect hair trigger" now than after you've been banned.

It's often been said, but it's probably worth repeating for the newer members; remember, when you're here, you're a guest in Seymour's house. Act accordingly all the time; but especially when there's a guest visiting.

[Diocletian]

Actually, that wouldn't be a good idea. If you or anyone else makes comments or asks questions that are in even the slightest way deemed disrespectful by the Admins who will be watching this chat very closely, then that will be your last post on the Seymour Duncan Forum. The idea of major artists agreeing to appear on the Seymour Duncan forum and answer live, unedited questions is a new one. And it's a risky one too. And for a lot of us here, we want to keep this program going with other artists and luthiers. If trolls make their way into the chat and embarrass the guests and the forum, than you can kiss this Q&A idea goodbye.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but better you know about our "respect hair trigger" now than after you've been banned.

It's often been said, but it's probably worth repeating for the newer members; remember, when you're here, you're a guest in Seymour's house. Act accordingly all the time; but especially when there's a guest visiting.

I have a feeling that guy IS a troll, so you might want to look into that. He posted something similar about Yngwie earlier on.

My question about Rust In Peace stands though. Why was it ignored in the original post? I don't get it.

[Evan Skopp]

90% of the original post was pre-approved copy forwarded to me. I didn't write it so I can't comment on what albums were or were not mentioned.

[Got_tone?]

This is either so cool it hurts or a cruel April Fool's joke.

Fixed.

Errr. I gonna think of a worthy question for Dave.

Bravo, Evan, you just out did yourself. First Fender and now Dave. Who's next?

[Robert S.]

As an aspiring and struggling musician I am eager to hear anything that Dave has to say. One of the bands I play with receintly opened for Great White and the road of rock and roll is never an easy one.

Welcome to the SDUGF Dave!

[JOLLY]

I'll never forget meeting him at User Group Day. There were a bunch of us sitting at a table, and he just walked up and introduced himself. I said hey man, I'm Jolly and shook his hand. He immediately asked me where I was from. I told him, and then he stood there and talked to me for like ten minutes or so. It tripped me out. He was a super nice guy.

I look foward to this Q&A.

[SrDeMaFp]

I'm looking forward to this. Very cool, Evan!

[Jessie Sammler]

I probably won't be able to make it, but if I could, I'd be like, "So Dave, tell us... what exactly is wrong with people who say they can't get a decent metal tone out of a Marshall and a JB? Are they slow?"

[B2D]

I probably won't be able to make it, but if I could, I'd be like, "So Dave, tell us... what exactly is wrong with people who say they can't get a decent metal tone out of a Marshall and a JB? Are they slow?"

That was gonna be one of my questions... no kidding.

[Diocletian]

90% of the original post was pre-approved copy forwarded to me. I didn't write it so I can't comment on what albums were or were not mentioned.

Just seemed odd not to mention their best album.
But Dave's a great writer and player so this is totally awesome, thanks to you guys for setting this up.

[DrNewcenstein]

Please, guys, no questions about Dave and Jackson, ok? Personal issues are personal and therefore between him and Jackson/FMIC and are not anyone else's business.

Just thought I'd throw that out there since there's always a rumor about Dave coming back so we can finally have the KV1 and Y2KV again.