Former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson has publicly responded to recent comments made by band leader Dave Mustaine regarding the reasons for not reuniting with past members. Ellefson's remarks suggest a deep rift remains between the two musicians, stemming from Ellefson's 2022 dismissal from the band.
Key Takeaways
- David Ellefson denies being the 'one person' preventing former members from rejoining Megadeth.
- Ellefson calls Mustaine's comments a 'deflectionary thing' to gain 'moral high ground'.
- He suggests he chose to 'drop the rope' rather than pursue legal action over his dismissal.
- Ellefson's original bass parts for Megadeth's 2022 album were re-recorded after his exit.
The Controversy Surrounding Mustaine's Comments
In December, Dave Mustaine stated that Megadeth would not reunite with any former members for their ongoing farewell tour. He attributed this decision to the "behaviour of one of the band members in the past." While Mustaine did not name anyone directly, many interpreted his statement as a reference to David Ellefson.
Ellefson's departure from Megadeth in 2022 followed the online leak of intimate video call footage involving him and a fan. At the time, rumors suggested the fan was underage. Both Ellefson and the fan later refuted these claims.
Fact Check
- David Ellefson was a co-founder of Megadeth in 1983.
- He was with the band for nearly 30 years across two different stints.
- His dismissal occurred in 2022.
Ellefson's Stinging Retort
Speaking to Quemar Un Patrullero, David Ellefson did not hold back in his response to Mustaine's remarks. He directly challenged the implication that his past actions were the sole barrier to a reunion.
"To have it end where it did, and then [for Mustaine] even recently to say, ‘Oh, because of what one person did, I can’t bring anyone back.’ You know what? F*** off. Just f*** off," Ellefson stated. "Who is that one person? It wasn’t me, ’cause I didn’t do anything that would prevent me from coming back at all. At all."
Ellefson characterized Mustaine's comments as a tactic to assume a "moral high ground." He expressed frustration over what he perceives as a distorted narrative surrounding his exit.
Background on the Split
The incident leading to Ellefson's dismissal involved leaked private videos. Despite claims of underage involvement being disproven, the band decided to part ways with the bassist. This decision has been a point of contention for Ellefson, who feels he was unfairly treated.
Support from Fellow Musicians
Ellefson revealed that he received significant support from other prominent figures in the music industry following his departure. He suggests that many understood his perspective and questioned Megadeth's handling of the situation.
"And look, I had rock stars much bigger than Dave coming to my side and coming to my aid, standing by me, saying, ‘Man, just let me know if you need anything at all. That’s really f***ed up.’ It’s f***ed up about how I was handled being discarded. People saying, ‘I’m really disappointed that they chose business over brotherhood,’ ’cause at the end of the day, the brotherhood will always last beyond the business of owning a rock band – especially something we started and built together."
This statement highlights Ellefson's belief that the band prioritized business concerns over their long-standing personal relationship and shared history.
Choosing Not to Pursue Legal Action
Despite the strong feelings, Ellefson indicated he would not pursue legal action over Mustaine's recent comments. He used an analogy to explain his approach to the situation.
"I could call a lawyer over Mustaine’s remarks but that I won’t because ‘there’s two ways to win in tug of war’: ‘I either pull you over the line or I just drop the rope and let you fall on your ass. [Laughs] And that’s what I’ve chosen to do – drop the rope.’"
This perspective suggests Ellefson prefers to move forward rather than engage in further conflict, allowing the situation to resolve itself without his active participation in a legal battle.
Impact on Megadeth's Recent Album and Lineup
The fallout from Ellefson's dismissal had immediate consequences for Megadeth's music. His bass parts for the 2022 album, The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!, were removed and re-recorded by Testament's Steve Di Giorgio.
James LoMenzo, who had previously played with Megadeth in the mid-2000s, took over as the band's permanent bassist. This change marked a significant shift in the band's lineup just before their album release and subsequent farewell tour.
Megadeth's Farewell Tour and Mustaine's Health
Megadeth released their self-titled final album in January and began their farewell tour in February with Canadian shows. The tour is set to continue with dates in South America, followed by US and European festival appearances in the summer, and an autumn North American tour supporting Iron Maiden, concluding with Australian shows.
Mustaine initially announced the band's decision to retire to go out "in top form." However, he later revealed that he suffers from Dupuytren’s contracture, a hand condition that causes him pain when playing guitar. This health issue is also a factor in the band's decision to conclude their touring career.
Ellefson's Post-Megadeth Ventures
Since leaving Megadeth, David Ellefson has remained active in the music scene. He joined several new projects, including the alt-metal supergroup The Lucid and the death metal act Dieth. He also performs in Kings Of Thrash, alongside another former Megadeth member, Jeff Young.
These new endeavors demonstrate Ellefson's continued commitment to music and his ability to move on from his past with Megadeth, despite the lingering tensions.