“I’m Making Music I Like With People I Like”

Former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson isn’t one to shy away from talking about his former band’s dynamics, even when sometimes his own statements are a bit conflicting. He’s said anything from going back to the band if he got the call, to declaring the quality of Megadeth diminished over time, to confirming that he can now proudly wear a Metallica t-shirt now that he’s not part of Megadeth.

In the last piece of news coming from Ellefson – a candid interview with The Metal Voice – he opened up about the lack of contact with frontman Dave Mustaine, the bittersweet emotions of being apart from Megadeth, and his current, fulfilling musical endeavors.

Ellefson mentioned the radio silence from Mustaine when asked if he had contacted him after his departure from the band: “No. No, absolutely not. No, he has not reached out.”

At the same time, he acknowledged the shared history and undeniable bond with Megadeth, and admitted he misses being in the band: “Of course. I mean, look, it’s my band too. I helped start it. But let me be clear. There are things about it, of course, that I miss — the fans, the performances, the shows. And I enjoy the touring.”

“I’m a road warrior, man. I’m a wanderlust guy. My fortune in life is out there, not just sitting at home. I’ve tried that, and I get bored after about a month. I’m a shitty golfer and I can’t surf worth a damn, so I may as well stay on the road and play. Look, of course, there are things about that and the big gig and everything, but Megadeth was not always a big gig. We started where everybody else started; it was small gigs. So I’ve known it from the bottom to the top and everything in between.” Ellefson added.

Now, with a Grammy already under his belt, it seems that personal fulfillment reigns supreme for Ellefson: “As the tides turn and as things go, I’m super happy and very content with everything I’m doing now. I always say I’m making music I like with people I like. To me, now, at my age, at this point, I’ve already got the Grammy, I’m good. Those are the things that are more important to me now at this point in my life, is enjoying what I do and who I do it with.”