DAVE MUSTAINE: 'I'm Absolutely 100 Percent Content With Who And What I Am Right Now'

June 23, 2011

Michael Oliveira of The Canadian Press recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On how he's more interested in writing about his feelings on politics, not the really dark subject matter that's typical of metal lyrics:

"When you start to talk about things that are really intense in nature or even fantasy-related you really narrow your audience down. I've tried to sing about something that everybody experiences and that's feelings."

"The average (person) doesn't want to hear about killing or savagery or brutality or most of the things people in metal bands sing about AC/DC gets played on the radio because they're a rock 'n' roll band. So the potential to play to a new audience is just really interesting for me, to be able to get exposure in different genres.

"The intent of both DISTURBED and GODSMACK is to be popular and heavy at the same time, and those are two things we are."

On how finding religion helped him turn his life around and put MEGADETH back together after a split nearly a decade ago:

"We're not as big as I'd hoped to be right now, but there were some decisions I'd made while I was growing up, not only in my own personal life but as a band leader and as a businessman, there were some decisions I made that would've probably been better if I decided to make the opposite choice of what I did. But I'm absolutely 100 percent content with who and what I am right now. I don't want to come off like a sour grape, dude. I'm not discontent with anything right now, I'm so happy I can't even imagine what life was like before this.

"I don't wish I was in a bigger band right now, I'm totally happy with who I am."

On nearing the end of MEGADETH's contract with Roadrunner Records and whether the band will be self-releasing albums like RADIOHEAD has done:

"I think the record business is just like anything else, it's going to regulate itself, it's going to correct itself, the problem is that all the pigs were in there with their hands on the steering wheel and they got what they deserved. Musicians that say they don't care, that they'd give it away for free are stupid, they've never been hungry.

"If you're just going out there and being reckless and careless and just letting your songs be downloaded for free and not caring, it's probably going to be reflected in your longevity."

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