Megadeth Part 2
Type O Negative: Abesthesia
Nevermore: Dreaming Neon Black
We’d auditioned Jeff Loomis several times for Megadeth. When he first came he was 16 and he was an absolute shredder on guitar but he was too young. I figure if you can’t buy spirits you’re not gonne be in the band because at some point it’s gonna be your turn to buy. Jeff has this thing, when he gets drunk he really likes to get friendly with people. I think it’s great because he’d come up and go, ‘I love you man!’ Then I heard from Jeff Waters of Annihilator that Jeff Loomis had hopped onto their bus, no drugs or alcohol, and just taken all his clothes off. That wouldn’t happen in our bus!
Metallica: The Unforgiven 2
Strapping Young Lad: Love
Iced Earth: I Died For You
One of our bass players, James McDonough, came from Iced Earth and they’d actually toured with us right before Megadeth broke up when my arm had that devastating nerve damage. Rumour says I fired David Ellefson – I didn’t, the band broke up. And Iced Earth were the last band to play with us before we did.
Thin Lizzy: Still in Love With You
Phil has the greatest rock vibe in the world. I remember being in Ireland and we went by this pub that has a great statue of Phil Lynott. Shawn’s a huge Thin Lizzy fan and he grabbed his brother and got a picture with them all. I don’t really have a lot of heroes that I’d want to take a picture of their statue – I guess Jimmy Page or Robert Plant. I know Jimmy and that’s great thing. If there was a statue of Jimmy I’d take a picture of it.
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Breaking The Girl
Chad and Flea are so overlooked as the real genius behind the band. The bottom end and the rhythm section holds that baby together. I really respect what Chad and Flea bring to the band. I met them in Holland when they were playing some enormo-stadium and we were playing a little teeny bar. But it was great to know they liked Megadeth. I was really flattered.
Anthrax: Crush
Talk about a band who’s had their ups and downs…
AC/DC: The Jack
There are certain bands I like for musical influences and certain bands for guitar-playing influences. For music it’s the British Invasion bands and for guitar playing it’s NWBHM. AC/DC kinda fell between the two but I love Angus’ guitar playing and Malcolm is one of the greatest rhythm players in the world – I’ve always said the three greatest rhythm guitarists are me, him and James Hetfield.
Back to Part 1
