MEGADETH's CHRIS BRODERICK Talks Guitar Technique

Thomas S. Orwat Jr. of RockMusicStar.com conducted an interview with MEGADETH guitarist Chris Broderick this past Sunday, November 15. An excerpt from the chat follows below.

RockMusicStar.com: Since you're such an accomplished guitarist yourself, how do you rate Dave Mustaine as a guitarist? Can you maybe give us some insight?

Broderick: Well, I don't know if I can enlighten you to anything you don't already know. But, Dave has such a unique personality. You know, when you hear a guitar great you can tell right away it's them. That personality kind of transmits to the instrument. That's one thing that I really like about Dave's playing. And that's something that I'm searching for myself in my playing. Dave learned a lot of what he does on guitar from the street in a way. He figured out his own riffs and sense of tonality. I had formal training and started taking lessons as soon as I picked up the guitar. And I got me degree in classical guitar performance. It's like different roads coming together.

RockMusicStar.com: Do you plan on releasing any of your classical material soon?

Broderick: (pauses) There's so much to do right now within MEGADETH that I really wouldn't have time to do it right now. So no, not in the near future, but maybe some day.

RockMusicStar.com: MEGADETH was scheduled to co-headline a few dates in Canada with SLAYER this month, but those shows were cancelled due to Tom Araya's back problems. But you have played shows with them in the past. When MEGADETH plays with SLAYER, is there a sense of competition? Do you get a little more pumped up and maybe even try to upstage them?

Broderick: No, not at all. I'm sure it's the same in their camp as well. You try to put on the best show no matter what the circumstances are. So rather we are playing with SLAYER or a local opening band, we are going to try to improve our show no matter what. To make sure the people enjoy it, when they see it.

RockMusicStar.com: Can you comment on the rumors of a MEGADETH, SLAYER, TESTAMENT tour?

Broderick: Yes, I can comment on that. I've heard the rumors as well many times. I honestly haven't seen anything that this is going to happen or not.

RockMusicStar.com: The fans really want this and I would think it would be a smart business move when it's so difficult to sell tickets.

Broderick: Yes, I think from a fans point it would be an awesome tour to see. Something that I missed in the day, and the chance to see something like that would be awesome.

(Editor's note: Within 12 hours of this interview, the tour featuring MEGADETH, SLAYER and TESTAMENT was announced)

RockMusicStar.com: As far as your guitar playing, do you think it has improved or evolved since you joined MEGADETH?

Broderick: It has evolved, and it is definitely improved. It's from being in this environment where you are scrutinized a lot more. There's like a microscope on your playing and the way you present yourself and everything. So it makes you much more conscious.

RockMusicStar.com: What was the writing process like on "Endgame"? Did Dave already have the material written and you just added your parts or did you start at ground zero and work together as a band?

Broderick: It was all of the above. The majority of the CD was written by him. We all submitted ideas. When he put his riffs in, we gave our input on those riffs and ideas.

Read the entire interview from RockMusicStar.com.

Photo below courtesy of Metal Mind Productions