MEGADETH Mainman Apologizes To DEAN Staff, Distributors, Players And Owners

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

"This is to MEGADETH, Dave Mustaine, Dean VMNT, or any other Dean model, the staff, distributors, players and the owner of Dean guitars.

"It has come to my attention that an off-color joke that I said at last year's NAMM, which I said this year's too, has offended some of you.

"For that I am truly sorry, and Dean Guitars and the other endorsers are much classier than I behaved that day, and I regret possibly embarrassing the company. Not everyone watching was an adult or needed to hear the word that I said.

"To the girl that the joke was on, I can't really say that I was sorry the first time, because she called legendary guitarist and fellow Dean endorser Leslie West by another name, and said she was a classical pianist.

"I, of course, was crude and insulted her and wasn't thinking about the fact that we are all family here — even if she did say that. I can say that I am sorry now that I said it :-)

"I brought it up again at NAMM when asked if this year was better than last, and I brought it back up in an attempt to be funny and forget the fact that I'm having some personal matters.

"So Elliot, Dean, Josh, David, and all of the Dean staff, Dean distributors, Dean fans, and anyone watching or that was in the line that day, I am sorry for my bad attitude, its just I was struggling with my private stuff (its not like I haven't had a lot to deal with — but that's no excuse) and it would have remained private if I didn't love my relationship with my guitar company, and feel the need to take responsibility for my actions.

"Anyway, I am off for the airport — really sad — but I know you will make me happy as soon as the first lights go off!

"My love to [son] Justis (happy birthday on the 11th — 16 years old . . . Jeez, where'd the time go?) and [daughter] Electra (who just turned 10 and is going to be on the Animal Planet channel with her new show) and to all of my Droogies everywhere.

"Now let's unleash this fury!"

New MEGADETH guitarist Chris Broderick will make his live debut with the band on February 4 in Finland, where MEGADETH will kick off a long string of international dates which wrap March 14 in Bangalore, India.

The third installment of the U.S. Gigantour — the acclaimed traveling heavy music festival launched in 2005 by Mustaine — will launch April 12 in Denver, CO with headliner MEGADETH, Swedish metal band IN FLAMES, Finland's CHILDREN OF BODOM, Arizona's modern extreme JOB FOR A COWBOY and Oakland, CA heavy power trio HIGH ON FIRE all confirmed. The 29-date trek will criss-cross North America and wraps May 22 in Phoenix, AZ.