DAVE MUSTAINE Says He Will Continue Playing With Current MEGADETH Lineup

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message in the "Forums" section of the band's official web site:

"I am so sorry I have taken so long to get back to you since my last post but I have been busy keeping an eye on things out here, meeting all of the lovely fans, friends, beautiful she-wolves, and anyone else who will stop long enough for me to tell them my life story.

"The beginning of the tour was exciting and most fun, but after, we ran into consecutive complaints from some of our beloved fans about the way that security was treating them, and that they were not getting back to see us. We found out that a previous tour manager had made a statement that kinda got convoluted regarding which passes meant what and this led to some people not getting to where they were supposed to go, which left some of you upset, and me very, very embarassed.

"I wish to extend my deepest and sincerest apologies for this mix-up. We will make it up when we come back to Europe this summer for the festivals that we are hoping to confirm shortly. And as most of you know, we more than made up for it with 'Inferno' by inviting her down to the next show to take care of her. That is it; we take care of our own.

"Also, to the person who claimed it took two hours for us to come out after the Glasgow show to the meet-and-greet, you will never be welcome to another backstage meeting with me or the band. You know you are a liar and a disgrace to all of the people who were there, and to all of the people everywhere, that know and loves us. And the reason we looked tired, you wet side of a scab, is because we stayed up all night crossing the ocean, then went golfing. You seem to be the only one bitching, and what does that make you? Ha, ha you *****!

"How many bands even take the time to do this anymore? I rest my case.

"Due to the enormity of the growth in the She-Wolf clan, I have decided to add that song back into our set-list. We are going to play the studio version until we learn the live version. And Simon from DIAMOND HEAD's crew asked if i would play 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' for him. I said yes, but only at sound check. So if you are near the venue when we play it put yer ear against the wall

"I have had such a great time on this tour, everything is selling out, I am getting to spend time with one of my guitar heroes, and meeting so many of you that I hope it never stops. Unfortunately I know it will.

"Until then, I wanted to tell you what we are planning in the imediate future:

"We confirmed the Japan dates as you know, and there are tentatively three dates in Oz. After that would be the summer of festivals in the U.K., Europe, and our own thing we are trying to put together for one last big run in North America. At the end of summer, there is a possibility we will be making our Swan Song festival run down to South America for two weeks.

"At that point I am going to have to seriously consider what my plans are. I can tell you this, I love being onstage with the three men that I am playing with right now, they are some of the funnest, most humble, and talented people I have ever played with. I am sure all will agree that Vinnie Colaiuta [drummer on the band's latest CD, 'The System Has Failed' — Ed.] was the pinnacle, but these guys are the complete package. And anything that has ever been put in front of them, they have risen mightily to the occasion.

"We have actually started playing the music I wrote for my next record, and it is starting to sound like we have our own new music now. In other words, MEGADETH or whatever I call my solo-next venture, it will be with these three young stars. Unless they have too much fun and explode. . . or sue me."