Thrash decisions

>>Dave Mustaine on life after
25 years of Megadeth

REVENGE IS SWEET: Megadeth

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

Megadeth’s head honcho Dave Mustaine is without a doubt one of thrash metal’s founding fathers. The original lead guitarist for Metallica, Mustaine was turfed from the kings of thrash in 1983. He plotted his revenge with a faster, heavier and more technically proficient band, and called it Megadeth. Now that the Los Angeles-based band is celebrating a quarter-century in action, Mustaine has left the revenge and negativity behind him as he continues to lord over the ever-evolving world of metal. The Mirror reached this metal master by phone at a stop on his Gigantour festival path.

Mirror: How did the idea for Gigantour start?

Dave Mustaine: Well, I had nerve damage in my left hand in 2002, so I couldn’t play guitar and hence broke up Megadeth. I was still passionate about metal, and wondering how I could stay in the game. I just thought I could do a really cool festival and, that way, pass on my knowledge and experience to some of the younger bands. As the idea was germinating, I was able to make a full recovery.

M: When you experienced the nerve damage and it looked like your life as a musician would stop, there must’ve been deep moments of introspection.

DM: I never really thought that playing music was going to be such a big part of my identity, worth and esteem. It was a good learning experience and gave me a good look at the people I was playing with. I kind of see the opportunity in everything, though, and was blessed that I could start focusing myself spiritually.

M: You’ve definitely let your spiritual side come through in your lyrics.

DM: I just like having something to believe in other than myself.

M: Do you identify yourself as a born-again Christian?

DM: No, I did at one point but now I would say that I just believe in God, and I have never not believed in God. I think these beliefs may have more to do with what I think about at night in bed, but don’t have much to do with how I play guitar.

M: You have a reputation for being hard to get along with, and have slung a fair amount of mud in some pretty famous feuds in the past.

DM: Well, it depends on what the situation is. It’s easy to say, “Dave’s a dick,” if somebody asks me for something and I say no, but I don’t wake up figuring out a way to throw the hatchet. It’s as silly as, people who like Metallica can’t like Megadeth, and vice versa.

M: But you did try and get your section out of Metallica’s Some Kind of Monster documentary.

DM: I really don’t hate Metallica but they did edit my portion of the movie to their set agenda. You never got to see Lars [Ulrich, Metallica drummer] leave the room crying.

M: Now that you are celebrating your 25th anniversary and have gone through so many life lessons, what advice would you give the young and angry Dave Mustaine first stepping out with Megadeth?

DM: I was so skinny back then I would probably just tell him to eat something (laughs). I know that I’m difficult to some people, but I tell the truth as often as I can and I would never want to change that.

With Children of Bodom, In Flames, Job for a Cowboy
and High on Fire at the Bell Centre on Tuesday,
April 29, 5:30 p.m., $34.50–$49.50, all ages