MEGADETH's DAVID ELLEFSON: 'I Have Always Been A Very Aggressive Bass Player'

Rocket Queen recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Rocket Queen: Lots of things are going on with MEGADETH at the moment. So let's start with your thoughts on the latest album, "Endgame". What are your [feelings about] on this album? And which song do you like most on this album and why?

David: It has some really good material on it and it is produced and played really well. It has a modern edge which is a good progression for the band's sound. I'm looking forward to recording the next disc this year and seeing how that modern sound evolves with the vintage aspect the fans have come to know of how Dave and I play together, too. I think it will capture a classic sound and create yet another new chapter for the band moving forward now.

Rocket Queen: Also you are doing a bass clinic with Frank Bello (ANTHRAX) this february. And produced a little video clip where you interviewed Frank and he interviewed you on the new bass guitar models.

David: Yes, those clinics will be fun as both of our bands are doing so many things together these days, like the recent Jägermeister "Clash Of The Titans" tour lineup, as well as the "Big Four" dates. Clinics are fun because fans get to be up close and personal with us and the musicians can get a much closer and more in-depth view of how we play and operate as musicians ourselves. I learn a lot from the questions and interaction with the audience at clinics so it is a two-way street that is beneficial for everyone.

Rocket Queen: Are you planning to do another MEGADETH CD after all those touring? Or haven't you had thoughts on a new CD yet?

David: Yes, we are well on our way and working on it as we speak. We have a lot of ideas and the process is moving along well. We definitely have A LOT to work with, which is great after all these years.

Rocket Queen: How would you describe your style of bass playing?

David: I have always been a very aggressive bass player. I like getting into the thick of a riff or a technical musical part. At the same time, the longer I've been playing it has taught me to really listen to the song and what is going on musically so I can complement the tune, rather than just being so anxious to jump all over the bass part to "express myself."

Rocket Queen: Have you got some good advice for young musicians who would like to enter todays metal scene and want to created a metal band?

David: Fortunately, for metal I don't think the rules have changed that much. You get together with musicians you can hang with, you write, record, play out as much as possible and simply do it for the love of that feeling you get when you jam together. I've found that for metal bands it's not good to make it much more complicated than that. Fans will either dig it, or they won't.

Read the entire interview from Rocket Queen.