David Ellefson: Thrash Metal Legend Talks Kings of Thrash, Touring the UK, and More
Best known for his work with the seminal thrash band Megadeth, David Ellefson is a legend in the metal world. As a member of one of the “Big Four” of thrash metal (alongside Metallica, Anthrax, and Slayer), Ellefson’s formidable partnership with Megadeth founder Dave Mustaine has resulted in millions of records sold and numerous awards. Fresh off a sold-out show supporting KK’s Priest in Switzerland with his latest project, Dieth, our correspondent caught up with David to discuss his upcoming show at Carlisle’s The Brickyard on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
Q: What was the impetus to form Kings of Thrash?
David Ellefson: The idea for Kings of Thrash came to me after attending a convention in the U.S. where fans brought me their Killing Is My Business records to sign. It reminded me that this album, though not one of the more mainstream Megadeth records, had grown into a cult classic. Songs like “Looking Down The Cross” and “The Skull Beneath The Skin” are part of the origin story of Vic Rattlehead, our mascot. Musically, there’s a lot of groove and swagger in those tracks, which got a bit lost during the rush job of recording the album with a minimal budget.
As we were putting together a documentary about Nick Menza (Megadeth’s late drummer), Jeff Young (Megadeth’s guitarist in 1986) and I reconnected musically. We performed together at the Ultimate Jam Night at The Whisky in Hollywood, which sparked the idea of playing Killing Is My Business and So Far, So Good… So What?! Live again. That’s how Kings of Thrash was born. We wanted to bring these songs back to the venues they were originally composed for, where they translate better than in large arenas.
Q: Are you planning to release an album as Kings of Thrash?
Ellefson: We’ve written some super cool material together, but we’re still finding our lane as composers. With some musicians, the chemistry is best on stage, playing the songs fans love. That seems to be the case with Kings of Thrash. If new material comes together, we’ll definitely move on it, but right now, we’re focused on playing the songs people want to hear.
Q: Is the material you’ve written with Jeff in the thrash genre?
Ellefson: Not exactly. It’s probably somewhere between Van Halen and something with a bit of an Allan Holdsworth vibe. Jeff is an incredibly skilled guitarist, and in Kings of Thrash, he’s shown his ability to play and perform a wide range of material while still maintaining his own identity.
Q: How does it feel to tour in the UK compared to other parts of the world?
Ellefson: The UK is special. The last time I toured there with Megadeth in 2020, we played big arenas like Wembley. On this tour, we’re hitting various cities, including Carlisle, Belfast, Dublin, and Edinburgh, making it a proper UK tour. We named it “Anarchy in the UK” as a nod to the Sex Pistols, whose influence, along with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, fueled us as young musicians. I’m excited about this tour—it feels complete and authentic.
Q: How are you doing the tour? Is it by tour bus or something else?
Ellefson: We’re doing the tour bus. We’ve got some great support acts with us, so it’s going to be a good night out for everyone. Tickets are selling well, and people are excited to hear those deep cuts that haven’t been played in years.
Q: How do you find British cuisine and culture?
Ellefson: British cuisine has evolved from just fish and chips to including a wide range of options, like curry. I’ve seen a lot of changes over my 40-plus years of touring, not just in food but in culture as well. Touring conditions have improved, and the experience of playing in the UK is always unique. Every city, and every venue has its own flavor, and I love that about touring here.
Q: Do you feel much of a connection to this part of the world, having historic family connections here?
Ellefson: Absolutely. On my mother’s side, I have English heritage, specifically from the Parsons family. Touring through Europe and the UK feels like connecting with my roots. It’s been an unexpected gift—learning about my own family history while traveling the world with my bass guitar.
Q: Do you have any desire to see any particular historic sites while you’re here?
Ellefson: I’ve done the classic sites like Stonehenge, but for me, touring is more about experiencing the lifestyle, the culture, and the people. Music is a universal language that connects us all, and touring is my way of having that conversation with fans around the world.
Q: Can you tell us more about the forthcoming horror film you’re involved in?
Ellefson: That’s a project by my friend Drew Fortier. We’ve worked together in The Lucid, and he’s incredibly talented in both acting and filmmaking. The new film, Bunker Heights, is a great horror flick that I think people are going to love. I’ve got a cool acting part in it, and I’m excited to see how it all comes together.
Q: Was it hands-on for you as an Executive Producer?
Ellefson: With the Nick Menza documentary, I got involved in narrating and eventually helped produce it. For Bunker Heights, Drew is the main force behind it, but I always bring my full experience to any project I’m involved in. We have a great creative synergy, making both music and movies.
For tickets and more information, don’t miss David Ellefson and Kings of Thrash with special guests Andry Lagiou and Hellgrimm at Carlisle’s The Brickyard on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
Kings of Thrash with special guests Andry Lagiou and Hellgrimm at Carlisle’s The Brickyard on Sunday, October27, 2024
Interview by Steve McCormick
For tickets click HERE
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