Megadeth

I watched this Behind the Music segment on Megadeth this morning. I'm not much of a metal fan and knew little about the band or Dave Mustaine, so I found it interesting. But what a sad, pathetic story. 

A friend of mine was recounting a story yesterday of how him and a friend went to see Mustaine sign autographs in a record store sometime in the 80's. They took their albums down and waited in line. When it came to his friend's turn, he took one look at Mustaine, said "cheer up you miserable pr*ck" and walked away.

I'm a big fan of Megadeth (especially after Marty Friedman joined), but never knew anything about the band.....until now. It's quite a sad story.

Ack!  90 minutes...  Will have to watch later - no time today. 
 
For the record, I thought they had the stupidest band name every conceived.  Oh well.

craigb
For the record, I thought they had the stupidest band name every conceived.  Oh well.

Interesting trivia: A 'megadeath' is a term used to denote 1 million fatalities caused by a nuclear explosion.
 
I guess Dave just thought it had one too many A's in it.

in some ways it's quite similar to Paul Di'Anno and Iron Maiden. Though Dave had a bit more talent. Since he became a Christian he's become even more insufferably obnoxious, apparently. Still, i'd pay to see him fight Lars...

I watched the movie. I had some idea of what goes on.The movie left little doubt and instead further confirmed my suspicions. I think Dave was also into the black arts which the movie doesn't comment on, but I remember Dave saying as much on another interview  I had watched.
 
I think I would have been more surprised if I had seen that Dave was an intent reader, enjoyed quiet walks and intellectual conversations about philosophy . He simply took the same route that so many others took who were doing the same or similar things. Junk was available, he seen doing junk as what rock stars do ...and having a pretty big ego decided to try and do it better than anyone else. Once you get hooked, you're hooked...they call it hooked for a reason...you would sell your grandmother to get a fix.
 
 
In their case they sold the bands gear numerous times.If anything, I think he was enabled to be what he became, I mean...the very environment is encouraging to the behavior. In some cases your roadies and record company execs can be your drug pimps. If they don't get them the stuff, they won't play the gig. Nothing is worse than having a heroin addict who needs a fix right before a concert...better find some smack and find it fast....
 
If David would have died it would have been a nice write up in Rolling Stone magazine. He would have been forever a metal guitar god and life would have gone on...the record company would have still sold albums long after he died.
 
In those circles I think it was a mutual consensual thing and everyone is in it for themselves.The rock star- Girls, drugs, notoriety. The record company/promoter-Lots of green money. Kind of a cohabitation of destruction. The cycle goes on...look at some of the messed up musicians at the top today.

Douche or not though, I always rated his guitar playing. When I got my first electric guitar in 1987 I learned how to play lead by meticulously copying Kirk Hammett's solos on Kill 'Em All. Thought I was some kind of guitar progidy and then I picked up a Megadeth record and listened to Mustaine...I just thought wow, this is way above and beyond Hammett's hackneyed pentatonic noodling. It just sounded so much more sophisticated and downright sinister at times. I think his phrasing is great, you can hear a jazz influence in parts.

 
How the snare sound on St. Anger was achieved.

Mesh- In some ways I think the fact that the drugs being available primarily from people directly related to the concert circuit are a kind of leash even though the artist thinks they are in control. If they leave the band where will they get the drugs? If they stay they have them handed to them. Can you say, "Who's your daddy?"
 
The Rolling Stones were notorious for this...especially Keith Richards... His pay was basically a hit when ever he wanted it. It isn't just rock and roll though...look at the stuff happening in jazz and country.

"Yes, but Steve goes to 11..."