Interview: David Ellefson talks about Megadeth’s upcoming Japan shows
Thrash metal legends Megadeth will return to play three shows in Japan in May as part of the Asian leg of the “Dystopia” world tour. And they are bringing the mighty Anthrax with them to Japan as special guests. That’s half a Big Four show! Roppongi Rocks’ Stefan Nilsson checked in with Megadeth’s co-founder and bassist David Ellefson during the band’s tour rehearsals to see what’s cooking in the Megadeth kitchen.
What can the Japanese fans expect from Megadeth’s upcoming shows with Anthrax? “It’s a really heavy and diverse set list of music from ‘Dystopia’ as well as the classics. Plus, the fans have not heard Dirk in Japan yet, so they will see Megadeth really firing on all cylinders in a really energetic way.”
Since you last played Tokyo, in October 2015, you have released a great new album, “Dystopia”. Is it difficult finding a balance of including enough of the great new material versus playing old favourites in your live sets? “Sometimes when you release a new album, you only get a few songs deep into the record with the live show. But, with ‘Dystopia’ we have seven songs in the show already! The fans expect the classics, which we will play, and we have our favorites, too. It’s a very diverse set list.”
You have recruited the fantastic and energetic drummer Dirk Verbeuren from Soilwork as a new member of your rhythm section. Does he fit in well with you and the rest of the band so far? “He’s fantastic! He brings such a great energy and technical expertise to the band. He’s really the best of the best from the grindcore genre so it’s great to have him bring that skill into Megadeth. You really hear a new energy to the band with Dirk.”
At Loud Park in 2015 we had three of the Big Four thrash metal bands on stage and now you and Anthrax are playing together again. Do you think we will ever see some more Big Four shows? “Let’s hope so! That was such a great moment for all things in thrash metal. I think the fans would love to see that again.”
Following the Asia tour this spring and summer festivals in North America and Europe, you have something very cool happening: the Crazy World tour with Scorpions! What a cool and unexpected combination. How did that come about? “Yes, it is really a cool bill to play with Scorpions. A promoter friend in Arizona brought the idea to us and right away it seemed like a great idea. We have played festivals with them over the years and it’s a really good fit musically between the two bands and our fans. Plus, I think every metal fan loves a Scorpions song! Dave and I have always been fans and they are one of Kiko’s favourites, too. They are a real guitar player’s kind of band. In fact, when Dave and I first met in 1983, we had a friend who was attending the school Musicians Institute in Hollywood and would come over to our place and jam early Scorpions songs. We always studied a lot of the European guitar players, because they had a different influence that worked well in metal…mostly classical inspirations. In a way, those jam sessions were inspiring in the development of the earliest Megadeth compositions, especially the complexity in the solos and riffs. It was a really creative and innovative period that defined some of those earliest songs for ‘Killing Is My Business…’ and even ‘Peace Sells…’. I think the tour is going to see a lot of us reliving some cool memories from over the years.”
What’s next for Megadeth? Have you started work on the next album? “We have some plans for exciting things later this year and into 2018. Stay tuned!”
Megadeth will perform in Osaka on 17th May and in Tokyo on 18th and 19th May. www.hipjpn.co.jp/archives/43543
