DAVE MUSTAINE Says MEGADETH Will Not Play This Year's OZZFEST

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has shot down rumors that the band might have secured a slot on the main stage at this year's Ozzfest alongside BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN and the "Among the Living" lineup of ANTHRAX.

The band, who completed a U.S. headlining tour last December, are expected to top a package of several "name" acts this summer. More information will be made available soon.

In other news, Mustaine has posted the following message in the "Forums" section of the group's official web site:

"Yesterday I had the privilege of talking to my awesome international agent Mr. Mike Dewdney about the upcoming European tour this summer, as well as the Japanese and Oz tour.

"I expressed to him my desire to play Poland, Russia, Greece, Turkey, France, Portugal, Israel, and the Czech Republic before we end and he confided in me that there is an offer for France, Greece, Turkey, Israel, the Czech Repulic, Iceland, and possibly another Spanish show, and that he was working on Portugal, Russia, and Poland. So keep your fingers crossed!

"Also, I asked him if we could do Perth in Oz and he said he would look into it, but any of us who are Australian, or have visited that beautiful country knows it is a world away from the East Coast of Oz. We will do our best, but right now just please be content with knowing that I am trying. We are considering going to Indonesia, and New Zealand too, because it is home to many kewl Droogs and one of my favorite singwriters (you'll prolly hate him) Neil Finn.

"So the summer is firming up fine. I will check into the all-ages things at the shows, but sometimes that is beyond my control; it is either in a place like that or nowhere. And if ya can't get into the show, hang out by the backstage area. We'd love to visit with ya, which in some cases is better."

In a subsequent posting, Mustaine wrote:

"I talked with Kevin, my manager, and found out what was up with the shows that were not 'all ages.'

"I said that if it was the building, let's find another building; if it is because they want to sell alcohol, then let's not sell alcohol; if it can't be helped, then there is nothing more to say. He told me that they are working desperately on this, but that unfortunately it is a law in Brisbane and Melbourne that there are to be no concerts for persons under the age of 18.

"He is trying to get a copy of the law for me to post here for you, so you can take this into your own hands and get the law repealed. Remember, I got a bill passed into law here in the US, so you can do it too if you want to and you get serious.

"Other than that, there is nothing more we can do, but wait and see. Until we know, please be patient and accept my apology for the law keeping us from playing in a place where you can see us. You know I would love to come and perform for you if I could."