MEGADETH Bassist: 'There Are A Lot Of Artists Who Are Very Open About Their Faith'

March 2, 2012

Darryl Smyers of the Dallas Observer recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson.

Dallas Observer: Both you and [MEGADETH mainman] Dave Mustaine are Christians. One wouldn't think too many of your fans are living a Christian lifestyle.

Ellefson: They are probably a lot like me. I grew up a confirmed Lutheran, but when I didn't have to go to church anymore, I didn't go. I was into playing rock and roll, but I had a good upbringing that steered me in the right direction at the times when I needed to be redirected. Rock and roll is about rocking out against the system and rocking out against the things that have authority over you. And years ago, the church had a very authoritative position over me. It's not so much like that anymore. A lot of corrupt people in the church got called out on it. It's a different time now. Those same rules don't apply today.

Dallas Observer: There are people, both back then and today, who don't think the words Christian and metal can go together.

Ellefson: There are a lot of artists who are very open about their faith. This has happened over the last 10 years. Nearly everyone comes from some sort of faith background, even if you don't have any faith at all. If someone wants to ask me about my personal life, I don't mind talking to them, but I am there to play a MEGADETH show. I am not out on a crusade.

Dallas Observer: Dave Mustaine has said there are certain songs that, as a Christian, he no longer feels are appropriate to play. Do you feel the same way?

Ellefson: Well, those are songs he wrote. Those lyrics were close to him and he decided he didn't want to play those for those reasons. I definitely stand by him.

Read the entire interview from Dallas Observer.

Find more on
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • reddit
  • email

Comments Disclaimer And Information

BLABBERMOUTH.NET uses the Facebook Comments plugin to let people comment on content on the site using their Facebook account. The comments reside on Facebook servers and are not stored on BLABBERMOUTH.NET. To comment on a BLABBERMOUTH.NET story or review, you must be logged in to an active personal account on Facebook. Once you're logged in, you will be able to comment. User comments or postings do not reflect the viewpoint of BLABBERMOUTH.NET and BLABBERMOUTH.NET does not endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of, any user comment. To report spam or any abusive, obscene, defamatory, racist, homophobic or threatening comments, or anything that may violate any applicable laws, use the "Report to Facebook" and "Mark as spam" links that appear next to the comments themselves. To do so, click the downward arrow on the top-right corner of the Facebook comment (the arrow is invisible until you roll over it) and select the appropriate action. You can also send an e-mail to blabbermouthinbox(@)gmail.com with pertinent details. BLABBERMOUTH.NET reserves the right to "hide" comments that may be considered offensive, illegal or inappropriate and to "ban" users that violate the site's Terms Of Service. Hidden comments will still appear to the user and to the user's Facebook friends. If a new comment is published from a "banned" user or contains a blacklisted word, this comment will automatically have limited visibility (the "banned" user's comments will only be visible to the user and the user's Facebook friends).