‘Dave Mustaine’ On his Surgery, Lineup Changes And Winning Awards

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Mary Colurso of The Birmingham News recently conducted an interview with Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.

On enduring a severe case of spinal stenosis (with herniated discs and bone spurs):

Mustaine: “Last summer during the [Rockstar Energy DrinkMayhem[Festival] tour, everything just went south. Something had broken in the back of my neck; I had a bone fragment in my spinal column the size of an eraser. The pain when I was moving my neck had me on my knees, sobbing. My son had never seen me this way. My hand went numb. My ring and pinky finger were not communicating with my brain. … But the surgery was a complete success. I had a disc fused in my neck, and the feeling has returned completely to my left hand. It shows you how God’s with me in everything you do.”

On how his surgery has affected his stage presence:

Mustaine: “The act of headbanging, when it started, was to play guitar, stand in a wide posture and move your head up and down. Now I move my torso a little bit more, and get the desired effect. I make the necessary adjustments I need to keep myself healthy. Really, it’s been a blessing in disguise.”

On gun control:

Mustaine: “When people in Washington say they’re going to take away my guns, they better bring theirs if they’re going to take mine.”

On how heavy metal’s popularity is affected by economic hardship:

Mustaine: “People oscillate at different rates of speed. When times get tough, when people are stressing a little more, heavy metal becomes more popular. It has the right speed, tempo, vibration and color. When people listen to songs like that, they connect.”

On whether he cares about awards and ceremonies:

Mustaine: “It’s relative to where the award comes from. I skipped the first seven Grammy Awards. I thought it was kind of hilarious. I went to the eighth. I’d like to win a Grammy, because it’s been elusive to me so far. But I don’t liken myself to the Susan Lucci of the Grammys. When we win awards and competitions awarded by our peers, that’s totally different.”

On Megadeth‘s many lineup changes:

Mustaine: “That’s the problem when you start a band. You have to pick the right guys. But things happen. … We have our lineup and everything’s working, and one guy says, ‘I want more money.’ Or ‘I want to write more songs.’ The truth of the matter is that it’s hard to write songs. You have your whole life to write your first album. After that, it’s hard.”

Read the entire interview from The Birmingham News.

USA

May 11, 2012 Megadeth/Rob Zombie @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
May 12, 2012 Megadeth/Rob Zombie @ Toyota Pavilion, Scranton, PA
May 13, 2012 Megadeth/Rob Zombie @ Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
May 15, 2012 Murat Theatre at Old National Centre, Indianapolis, IN
May 16, 2012 Megadeth/Rob Zombie @ Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA
May 18, 2012 Megadeth/Rob Zombie @ The Deltaplex, Grand Rapids, MI
May 19, 2012 Pointfest 30 @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Maryland Heights, MO
May 20, 2012 Rock On The Range @ Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH
May 22, 2012 Megadeth/Rob Zombie @ La Crosse Center, La Crosse, WI
May 24, 2012 Megadeth/Rob Zombie @ Tyson Center, Sioux City, IA
May 25, 2012 Megadeth/Rob Zombie @ Hartman Arena, Wichita, KS
May 26, 2012 Rocklahoma @ Fever Music Festival Grounds, Pryor, OK

EUROPE

May 31, 2012 Metalfest @ Airfield, Dessau, Germany
Jun 01, 2012 Metalfest @ Zalew Sosina, Jaworzno, Poland
Jun 02, 2012 Metalfest @ Castle Mamling, Mining, Austria
Jun 03, 2012 Kino Siska, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Jun 05, 2012 Metalfest @ Zadar Beach, Zadar, Croatia
Jun 06, 2012 Metalfest @ Brianteo Stadium, Monza, Italy
Jun 07, 2012 Metalfest @ Loreley, St. Goarshausen, Germany
Jun 08, 2012 Metalfest @ Amphitheater Lochotin, Plzen, Czech Republic
Jun 10, 2012 Download Festival @ Donington Park, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England
Jun 13, 2012 Den Atelier, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Jun 14, 2012 Parkstad Limburg Theater, Heerlen, Netherlands
Jun 15, 2012 Hellfest, Clisson, France
Jun 17, 2012 Ost Fest @ Romexpo, Bucharest, Romania
Jun 19, 2012 Hi-Voltage Festival @ Kucukciftlik Park, Istanbul, Turkey
Jun 20, 2012 Iera Odos, Athens, Greece
Jun 22, 2012 Les Docks, Lausanne, Switzerland SOLD OUT
Jun 23, 2012 Graspop Metal Meeting @ Festivalpark Dessel, Dessel, Belgium
Jun 25, 2012 Stadium Live, Moscow, Russia
Jun 27, 2012 Teatro Arena, Vilnius, Lithuania
Jun 28, 2012 Rock Cafe, Tallinn, Estonia
Jun 29, 2012 Tuska Festival @ Suvilahti, Helsinki, Finland
Sep 07, 2012 Teatro Caupolican, Santiago, Chile

For an updated Megadeth’s 2012 tour schedule click here.

Related articles:
‘Megadeth’s’ ‘David Ellefson’ Is Studying to Become a Pastor [Jan. 2012]
‘David Ellefson’ ‘Dave Mustaine’ And I Study Scripture Together [Feb. 2012]
Megadeth – Th1rt3en [CD review]
 ‘Megadeth’ & ‘Rob Zombie’ Announce Co-Headlining Tour [Feb. 2012]
‘David Ellefson’ ‘There Are A Lot Of Artists Who Are Very Open About Their Faith’ [March 2012]
‘Megadeth’ Bassist’s ‘Unsung’ Book Now Available [March 2012]
‘David Ellefson’ Discusses ‘Unsung’ Book In New Interview [March 2012]
New Video Interview With ‘David Ellefson’ [March 2012]
‘Chris Broderick’ Talks To WatchMojo About Gigantour, Big 4 Shows [March 2012]
‘David Ellefson’ Launches ‘Ellefson Concert Series’ Rock And Roll Accessories Line [April 2012]
‘Dave Mustaine’ Interviewed At ‘Beale St. Music Festival’ [Video] [May 2012]
New Video Interview With ‘Chris Broderick’ [May 2012]

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