Thursday, September 26, 2013
MEGADETH WORLD: Dave mustaine talks latest album love of kiss + mo...
MEGADETH WORLD: Dave mustaine talks latest album love of kiss + mo...: At the recent Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, Calif., Megadeth brought their thunder the day after slaying a San Bernardino crowd on a bi...
Dave mustaine talks latest album love of kiss + more
At the recent Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, Calif., Megadeth brought their thunder the day after slaying a San Bernardino crowd on a bill with Iron Maiden and Anthrax. Backstage at Aftershock, Loudwire had the pleasure of sitting down with Megadeth’s main man Dave Mustaine for an intriguing conversation.
The fall is shaping up to be a busy one for Megadeth, with the band just announcing new U.S. tour dates and releasing a new live CD/DVD (available here). Here, Mustaine talks about the reaction to the band’s most recent album ‘Super Collider’ and how his mother-in-law’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease has affected his family. He also discusses his love of KISS, how faith helps guide him and more. Check out our Q&A with Dave Mustaine below:
Dave, what do you think of the reaction to the latest Megadeth album, ‘Super Collider’?
A lot of people liked it and a lot of people didn’t like it. That’s the beauty of art, it’s in the eye of the beholder. If you keep making the same record over and over again you are not really sharing your life with anybody, you’re just repeating the same chapter. On the last record, there was some stuff that was really difficult for me. We had just found out my mother-in-law had Alzheimer’s disease and that really affected lot of record; watching her progressive decline.
Is that your first firsthand experience with the disease?
It is. Until it happens to you, you really have no idea. And I think that when I saw how upset our family became and yet how we are able to provide the resources for her, it made me think about all the families going through this that don’t have the resources to take care of a loved one. It also made me really appreciate our fans because without them I would not be able to take care of things the way I am. Really brings it all home. And then beyond that, like I said, I just did what any good artist does. I put my emotions into my music. That’s the pain you hear in the music. It’s real. People can say, “We don’t want to hear this kind of s–t,” but to me, this s–t is important.
You’ve never seemed to have any real issue with addressing serious topics.
Right. On ‘Youthanasia’ we talked about incest. We’ve talked about all kinds of stuff over the years that people are afraid to talk about and so I think people appreciate the openness. ‘Family Tree’ was a very controversial song at the time but I think if you do things in good taste then you can really help the situation. Even when people misinterpret your songs it’s okay. ‘Train of Consequences’ has nothing to do with trains per se, yet a man hit by a train that lost his legs told me that the song was cathartic for him. And a classical violinist in Chicago, too — she was hit by a train and the song spoke to her. I hear from people like that and start to realize how affective music can be in dealing with things, no matter what you intended with a song. As long as what you write is real.
That’s the most important thing to you?
Sure. If you’re just playing up the outrage for the sake of outrage, then you’re being predictably unpredictable – which is not unpredictable at all. You see people sometimes where their whole shtick is about outrage and having to cut themselves and do whatever they can to appear as shocking as possible. It’s a shame that sometimes music becomes about the guy with three tits or whatever. Thanks to the shock and outrage, there are many great musicians that will never see the light of day. We are living in a period of the have and have-nots. It’s about how connected you — not how good you are
You seem to follow the news closely. Any opinion regarding the recent headlines in the Mideast?
I’ll say this. If you treat people the way you want to be treated, I think things will sort themselves out. It all goes back to how communities get along. Within our community, the metal community, it’s a good situation. It’s admirable. We, for the most part, get along. But when somebody shoots their mouth off, present company included, you don’t see hatred. People tend to forgive pretty quickly. Metal is just like a soundtrack to an ideology. All music is like that. And I think metal sets some pretty good examples. When it comes to things going on in the world, I also sit back as a 52-year-old man and just think, what’s next? I read something a little while ago that said pretty soon we’re going to find out that all the people we think are really bad are really good and all the people we think are really good are really bad. This idea that nothing is as it appears to be.
You’re wearing a KISS t-shirt today (see pic below). Were you a fan growing up?
KISS was one of the bands from the very beginning that affected me. And this record on the shirt, ‘Hotter than Hell,’ on the back cover had a girl with a boob sticking out. I thought that was pretty cool as a kid (laughs). I saw KISS at the Long Beach arena back then, I saw Rush, they were a couple of the bands that affected me growing up once I saw them play live. But I also saw bands at little clubs like the Cuckoo’s Nest, and the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach where I grew up. It was never about how big the show was, it was how good the music was. I’ve got a saying: it doesn’t matter how big your pencil is – it’s what you write with it.
Does your faith continue to play a big part in what you create?
Yeah, but it’s a personal thing and a lot of people think I try to push my views on people but I’m not doing that. I died once, so when I came back I had to believe there was more to life. It’s why I started to seek things out. I tried a lot of things. Black magic, Satanism, Witchcraft, putting spells and hexes on people. I was pretty confused spiritually, and then I adopted what every foxhole atheist says: ‘God, got get me out of this problem and I’ll never do any of this stuff again.” And then my life turned around and things got better. There are bad days still. But it’s only a moment that’s bad. As a human being now, I decide how long to let that moment last.
I guess with age comes a certain philosophical approach, huh?
I’m not concerned about what anyone thinks about me, but instead the power that I know believes in me, and so my life is now a lot easier. I don’t get caught up in posturing. I can just be myself. You can say, “I like Dave” or “I don’t like Dave.” One thing for sure with me is I don’t pretend – I don’t play around. I don’t bulls–t people. I try and be as straightforward so you don’t say, this guy is an enigma – which Dave did you get today? If you don’t like me it’s okay. Doesn’t mean I don’t like you. Something I learned a long time ago, I think it was from the ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ movie. When the guy says, “Anger turned inward is an unconquerable foe.” I’m sure that’s a Confucian saying turned into a movie, but it’s really true. There are terrible motivators in life – anger is one of them because once you get out of that place where you’re pissed, you’re like, what have I done? You’re usually sitting in handcuffs. And I’m done with all that now.
The fall is shaping up to be a busy one for Megadeth, with the band just announcing new U.S. tour dates and releasing a new live CD/DVD (available here). Here, Mustaine talks about the reaction to the band’s most recent album ‘Super Collider’ and how his mother-in-law’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease has affected his family. He also discusses his love of KISS, how faith helps guide him and more. Check out our Q&A with Dave Mustaine below:
Dave, what do you think of the reaction to the latest Megadeth album, ‘Super Collider’?
A lot of people liked it and a lot of people didn’t like it. That’s the beauty of art, it’s in the eye of the beholder. If you keep making the same record over and over again you are not really sharing your life with anybody, you’re just repeating the same chapter. On the last record, there was some stuff that was really difficult for me. We had just found out my mother-in-law had Alzheimer’s disease and that really affected lot of record; watching her progressive decline.
Is that your first firsthand experience with the disease?
It is. Until it happens to you, you really have no idea. And I think that when I saw how upset our family became and yet how we are able to provide the resources for her, it made me think about all the families going through this that don’t have the resources to take care of a loved one. It also made me really appreciate our fans because without them I would not be able to take care of things the way I am. Really brings it all home. And then beyond that, like I said, I just did what any good artist does. I put my emotions into my music. That’s the pain you hear in the music. It’s real. People can say, “We don’t want to hear this kind of s–t,” but to me, this s–t is important.
You’ve never seemed to have any real issue with addressing serious topics.
Right. On ‘Youthanasia’ we talked about incest. We’ve talked about all kinds of stuff over the years that people are afraid to talk about and so I think people appreciate the openness. ‘Family Tree’ was a very controversial song at the time but I think if you do things in good taste then you can really help the situation. Even when people misinterpret your songs it’s okay. ‘Train of Consequences’ has nothing to do with trains per se, yet a man hit by a train that lost his legs told me that the song was cathartic for him. And a classical violinist in Chicago, too — she was hit by a train and the song spoke to her. I hear from people like that and start to realize how affective music can be in dealing with things, no matter what you intended with a song. As long as what you write is real.
That’s the most important thing to you?
Sure. If you’re just playing up the outrage for the sake of outrage, then you’re being predictably unpredictable – which is not unpredictable at all. You see people sometimes where their whole shtick is about outrage and having to cut themselves and do whatever they can to appear as shocking as possible. It’s a shame that sometimes music becomes about the guy with three tits or whatever. Thanks to the shock and outrage, there are many great musicians that will never see the light of day. We are living in a period of the have and have-nots. It’s about how connected you — not how good you are
You seem to follow the news closely. Any opinion regarding the recent headlines in the Mideast?
I’ll say this. If you treat people the way you want to be treated, I think things will sort themselves out. It all goes back to how communities get along. Within our community, the metal community, it’s a good situation. It’s admirable. We, for the most part, get along. But when somebody shoots their mouth off, present company included, you don’t see hatred. People tend to forgive pretty quickly. Metal is just like a soundtrack to an ideology. All music is like that. And I think metal sets some pretty good examples. When it comes to things going on in the world, I also sit back as a 52-year-old man and just think, what’s next? I read something a little while ago that said pretty soon we’re going to find out that all the people we think are really bad are really good and all the people we think are really good are really bad. This idea that nothing is as it appears to be.
You’re wearing a KISS t-shirt today (see pic below). Were you a fan growing up?
KISS was one of the bands from the very beginning that affected me. And this record on the shirt, ‘Hotter than Hell,’ on the back cover had a girl with a boob sticking out. I thought that was pretty cool as a kid (laughs). I saw KISS at the Long Beach arena back then, I saw Rush, they were a couple of the bands that affected me growing up once I saw them play live. But I also saw bands at little clubs like the Cuckoo’s Nest, and the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach where I grew up. It was never about how big the show was, it was how good the music was. I’ve got a saying: it doesn’t matter how big your pencil is – it’s what you write with it.
Does your faith continue to play a big part in what you create?
Yeah, but it’s a personal thing and a lot of people think I try to push my views on people but I’m not doing that. I died once, so when I came back I had to believe there was more to life. It’s why I started to seek things out. I tried a lot of things. Black magic, Satanism, Witchcraft, putting spells and hexes on people. I was pretty confused spiritually, and then I adopted what every foxhole atheist says: ‘God, got get me out of this problem and I’ll never do any of this stuff again.” And then my life turned around and things got better. There are bad days still. But it’s only a moment that’s bad. As a human being now, I decide how long to let that moment last.
I guess with age comes a certain philosophical approach, huh?
I’m not concerned about what anyone thinks about me, but instead the power that I know believes in me, and so my life is now a lot easier. I don’t get caught up in posturing. I can just be myself. You can say, “I like Dave” or “I don’t like Dave.” One thing for sure with me is I don’t pretend – I don’t play around. I don’t bulls–t people. I try and be as straightforward so you don’t say, this guy is an enigma – which Dave did you get today? If you don’t like me it’s okay. Doesn’t mean I don’t like you. Something I learned a long time ago, I think it was from the ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ movie. When the guy says, “Anger turned inward is an unconquerable foe.” I’m sure that’s a Confucian saying turned into a movie, but it’s really true. There are terrible motivators in life – anger is one of them because once you get out of that place where you’re pissed, you’re like, what have I done? You’re usually sitting in handcuffs. And I’m done with all that now.
Monday, September 23, 2013
'COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION: LIVE' TRAILER AVAILABLE
Last November and December, Megadeth blazed hot on the band’s “Countdown To Extinction 20th Anniversary Tour,” ripping through their entire double platinum 1992 album from start to finish before performing other classics from their recorded catalog. On September 24 (September 23 outside of North America), Tradecraft/UMe will releaseCountdown To Extinction: Live, a definitive document of the acclaimed, sold-out tour. Recorded and filmed at Los Angeles’ Fox Theatre last December, Countdown To Extinction: Live will be available in several video and audio configurations, including deluxe Blu-ray/CD, DVD, CD, Digital Album, Mastered for iTunes Album, and Longform Digital Video.
In addition to Megadeth’s blistering performance of the entire Countdown To Extinction album, including the essential “Symphony Of Destruction,” “Foreclosure Of A Dream,” “Sweating Bullets,” and “Skin O’ My Teeth,” Countdown To Extinction: Live features all of the other Megadeth classics the band performed at the epic concert, including “Holy Wars” and “Hangar 18” from 1990’s Rust In Peace, “Peace Sells” from the band’s influential, platinum certified 1986 album, Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?, and “Trust” from 1997’s platinum certified Cryptic Writings.
Megadeth’s fifth studio album, Countdown To Extinction was recorded in Los Angeles in 1992. American tensions weren’t limited to LA, as the Gulf War was still fresh in people’s minds, the state of the environment was becoming headline news, and out of this turmoil, Megadeth was inspired to create Countdown To Extinction, considered by many to be the band’s best and most accessible album. None of their previous records were as polemical as the sonic missiles launched by ‘Countdown.’ Megadeth laced the songs with acid-tongued commentary about subjects ranging from the futility of war (“Architecture Of Aggression”) to the senseless brutality of caged hunting (“Countdown To Extinction”). “Foreclosure Of A Dream” sampled George Bush’s infamous “Read my lips” speech, making a statement about taxation endangering the American Dream.
Thanks to a perfect balance of hard-rock song structures, epic choruses, and fleet-fingered guitar work, Countdown To Extinction became an instant classic, benefiting from copious MTV and radio play. SPIN magazine raved that ‘Countdown’ “may just be the finest thrash-metal album ever made.” The album shot to No. 2 on the Billboard chart (it may have hit No. 1, if not for Billy Ray Cyrus’ long chart-topping reign with Some Gave All), and it was certified double platinum in the U.S. within two years.
Megadeth was in top form, with Dave Mustaine, the band’s then 31-year-old singer and guitarist leading the album’s assault with lyrics like “You know your worth when your enemies praise your architecture of aggression,” not to mention his venomous rhythm guitar attack with his longtime bandmate completed the picture, as bassist David Ellefson jammed dizzying arrays of low-end thunder. Megadeth sounded hungry, and the band was rewarded when the album earned a GRAMMY Award nomination (Best Metal Performance) and when its title cut garnered a Genesis Award from the Humane Society for raising awareness for animal rights issues.
In November 2012, Capitol released an expanded and remastered 20th Anniversary Edition of Countdown To Extinction, personally overseen by Mustaine. The 2CD lift-top box and digital release pairs the remastered original album with an exclusive, previously unreleased 1992 concert, recorded live at San Francisco’s Cow Palace.
In a career nearing 30 years, Megadeth has sold more than 38 million albums worldwide, earning five consecutive platinum albums and numerous accolades along the way, including 11 GRAMMY® nominations. The band’s latest studio album,Super Collider, reunites Mustaine once again with guitarist Chris Broderick, bassist David Ellefson, and drummer Shawn Drover. Released in June, Super Collider debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200, Megadeth’s highest chart debut since 1994’s Youthanasia.
Megadeth: Countdown To Extinction: Live
Trust
Hangar 18
Public Enemy
Skin O’ My Teeth
Symphony Of Destruction
Architecture Of Aggression
Foreclosure Of A Dream
Sweating Bullets
This Was My Life
Countdown To Extinction
High Speed Dirt
Psychotron
Captive Honour
Ashes In Your Mouth
She-Wolf
Peace Sells
Holy Wars...The Punishment Due
Trust
Hangar 18
Public Enemy
Skin O’ My Teeth
Symphony Of Destruction
Architecture Of Aggression
Foreclosure Of A Dream
Sweating Bullets
This Was My Life
Countdown To Extinction
High Speed Dirt
Psychotron
Captive Honour
Ashes In Your Mouth
She-Wolf
Peace Sells
Holy Wars...The Punishment Due
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fDOAIWZumJ4
ENTER OUR #MEGADETHTATTOO INSTAGRAM CONTES
Post a pic of your Megadeth body art on Instagram, hashtag your pic with #megadethtattoo, follow Megadeth on Instagram, and you'll be entered to win a Megadeth “Countdown To Extinction: Live” deluxe Blu-ray/CD! Contest end midnight Pacific time Friday, September 30. Good luck!www.instagram.com/megadeth
DAVID ELLEFSON INTERVIEWED BY JUMP METAL
Writings", Megadeth’s new record label, That Metal Show, "Super Collider", Megadeth’s fan base, and more. Read the interview atJumpMetal.com.
MEGADETH UNLEASHES STUDIO TRACKS ON JAMMIT
Jammit®, the leading music platform for jamming with original multi-track master recordings, announces its partnership with iconic metal band, MEGADETH.
Jammit's platform allows musicians of all skill levels to isolate an instrument from the original master recording in order to learn individual parts for guitar, drums, bass, keyboards or vocals and play along with their favorite bands.
"Whether you're a musician or a discerning fan, you can now tear into Megadeth like never before & hear every nuance of each historical performance against the mega-accurate scrolling notation and tab, all cheaper than sheet music alone." ~ Frank Gryner (VP of Operations at Jammit)
The Jammit catalog currently includes isolated parts from "Rust In Peace", "Youthanasia", "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" and "Countdown To Extinction" with more of their classics to follow.
Created by renowned, multi-platinum music producer Scott Humphrey (Mötley Crüe, Rob Zombie, Ozzy Osbourne), Jammit is the definitive music platform that combines original isolated tracks with scrolling notation. This not only allows users to improve their playing, but also experience music from the perspective of those who originally created it.
The free Jammit App is available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or as software for Mac or PC. Users can utilize their Jammit song files on multiple platforms for the price of a single download.
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