Per a recent interview he did with Classic Rock, Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine shared how angry he used to be with the guys in Metallica. Along with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, Mustaine was one of the original members of Metallica; however, Dave was kicked out of the band (due to past issues involving substance abuse).
Being let-go from the band clearly caused a great deal of pain for Mustaine. The conversation pertaining to him being kicked out of Metallica starts when the interviewer brings up a point that Dave wrote in his autobiography – that being, “I was the leader of the band” (pertaining to Metallica).
The interviewer shares that they found this to be a bit strange; Mustaine asks why, and the interviewer replies with saying that James and Lars are such alpha males. To which Mustaine replies with the following:
“Oh no. I am clearly the alpha male between the three of us. Why did I have to do everything when I was in the band? Why did they always ask me talk to the promoters and collect the cash? Why was I the one who had to do the fighting? Why did I have to talk in between songs?”
The interviewer then brings up how a sense of betrayal drove Mustaine and that he held onto bitterness for some time. Dave replies with:
“How can you expect a boy who’s twenty and the guitar player in one of the biggest new things in the world to have a grasp on reality? Everything from that point forward was a fucking feud. Everywhere I went it was: ‘So, how’s everything going with Meta… er, Megadeth?'”
The interviewer then asks if it is difficult for him to talk about Metallica. To which Mustaine says no, and then goes on to praise that of James Hetfield.
“No. I really don’t give a fuck. And you know what? I love those guys. I sent a text message to James just a couple of days ago after he’d said that he was insecure about his playing. I said: ‘James, I love you and I really like your playing.’ He didn’t answer. Of course not. Why would he? The point is I wanted him to know that I’ve had those feelings too, but I don’t now.
“I must remind you that when I joined Metallica, James did not play guitar. He just picked it up and started playing when I was in the band. But let’s be honest, James is one of the best metal guitar players in the world. So for him to have those feelings, that’s a lie, because he’s a mind-blowingly talented guy. So I just felt I needed to say something to him. I didn’t tweet it. I didn’t want anybody to know what I said. But I’m telling you because, hey, you brought it up!”
What do you make of how Mustaine was let-go from Metallica?
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