MEGADETH's DAVE MUSTAINE: 'I Would Be A Really Cool President'

The Sydney Morning Herald recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

On what he would do if he became president of the United States:

"I'd be a really cool president, I guarantee you, man. We'd have a party for a few days and then American sentiment in the world would go up.

"I'd say, 'We're taking back our soldiers from Germany, Korea, the Philippines and the Middle East. You guys fight your own f—ing battles. And by the way, if you're in the United States right now and you're illegal you've got a 90-day grace period. Get out.' Teachers would get paid a lot of money, so would cops. Politicians would get shit."

On his feelings towards Australia's Prime Minister:

"I think what John Howard said — if you don't want to be an Aussie, get the f— out — is the coolest thing I've ever heard in the world.

"I don't know how you feel about that, but I thought that was so Aussie.

"When I think of an Australian man I think of a guy that is OK with himself, is confident, can adapt and improvise and if he's stuck in a situation he's not going to f—ing crack because he's broken a fingernail.

"When I heard what Howard said I was like, 'Man, I am so proud of the Australian leader and Australian people to have such a guy that's gonna say if you don't wanna be here, get the f— out.' If they don't want to listen to the Australian rules and be an Australian then what they f— are they there for?"

On Gigantour:

"The festival is about the spirit of heavy metal.

"The people behind it all have the spirit of heavy metal. We've got tremendous people here who love what we're doing and have a common goal, which is to see loud and heavy music become popular again. The only way you do that is by showing the public what they're missing."

On whether younger voters are more likely to be moved from apathy by an aging rocker than a stuffy politician:

"If they knew their voice was heard. They know their [current] commander-in-chief doesn't care about them. If I was the president I would, but you know what? Some motherf—er would assassinate me."

(Thanks: Rattlehead HQ)