Tag: David Ellefson

A Conversation With, Entertainment, Interview, Music

‘Simple Truth’: Megadeth Bassist Dave Ellefson Talks New Solo Single To Raise Funds to Fight Covid-19

Grammy-winning artist David Ellefson has unveiled “Simple Truth,” a new single from the Megadeth bassist’s eponymous solo-band, Ellefson,and a preview of the group’s forthcoming album being released on his Combat Records label.

The track, available now via Ellefson’s Bandcamp and will be released across all digital platforms on April 17, was co-written by Ellefson and vocalist Thom Hazaert, along with Italian guitarist Andy Martongelli and drummer Paolo Caridi. Even better is that all profits from the single will be donated to the Croce Rossa Italiana [Italian Red Cross], who are currently on the front lines of the war against Covid-19.

I recently spoke with David Ellefson about “Simple Truth” and more in this exclusive new interview:

When did you first start hearing about Covid-19?

David Ellefson: We all started hearing about it late last year. I think that, just like Ebola and a lot of other diseases, we’re often more inclined to think it’s “over there” and isn’t something that would affect us. This past January, while we were doing a tour across Europe, we started hearing about it coming there. That’s when we started to pay serious attention to it. Then by early February, as we were going through France and Italy, we started hearing more about an outbreak. We were about two weeks ahead of the virus when we hit Europe. We got back home and so far none of us [band, crew or staff] have been affected in any way. The best precaution now is to just stay inside and try to limit your exposure.

How did the new single, “Simple Truth” come about and what inspired you to use it to raise funds for Covid-19 relief?

DE: We wrote the song on a day of rehearsal for my Ellefson solo tour we were doing last November. My singer, Thom [Hazaert] who is also my business partner, was the one who suggested we try to write a song. So I just went in, plugged in my bass and started going for a riff, which became the opening riff. Then we all jumped in and started jamming. Thom put melodies together and Andy [Martongelli] contributed a breakdown riff. In an hour we had a song written and ready to go.

Read the rest of my
Interview with David Ellefson by Clicking Here.

Entertainment, Interview, Music

Interview: Megadeth’s David Ellefson discusses his new ‘Basstory’ storytelling tour
Photo: Valentin Szilvia

Megadeth bassist and metal icon, David Ellefson, recently announced his new Basstory: An Intimate Evening of Riffs and Repartee tour. A series of limited, storytelling engagements that combines details of Ellefson’s illustrious career in music with solo bass performances.

The tour kicks off Sept. 20 in Portland, OR and includes stops in places like Spokane Valley, WA; San Antonio and Houston, TX. More dates will be announced shortly. VIP meet and greets along with exclusive merchandise will also be available at each event.

AXS recently spoke with Ellefson about his new Basstory tour, Megadeth(which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year), career highlights and more in this exclusive new interview.

AXS: How did the Basstory Tour come about?

David Ellefson: I had done as spoken word tour for my autobiography, “My Life With Deth,” back in 2015. I tried doing them in a lot of different formats. Some nights it felt like stand-up comedy and other nights it felt like a bass clinic. On the very last night, I tried a different approach. I just came out and sat on the stool with my bass and started telling stories about my life as a bass player and writing songs. I kept that in my mind as I was looking at my schedule this year. That’s where the idea of merging the bass and the storyteller began.

AXS: What’s the one thing that most fans want to know?

DE: People often ask if I can play the “Peace Sells” riff or about the interworking of Megadeth and how it works. Those are the top two. From there, it can be all kinds of random questions, which is cool because it forces me to stay up to speed on the catalog and riffs.

AXS: What can fans expect from your Basstory Tour?

DE: This year, we’re celebrating the 35th anniversary of Megadeth, and on our recent tour of Europe, we dug back into the catalog for some classic gems. So, we’ll have that be an open discussion and palette to draw from. I also like to open it up to Q&A, and in America, we’ll even have some support bands play on the bill as well. It’s an interactive bass event and every one of them will be different. That’s the beauty of it.

AXS: You mentioned the 35th anniversary of Megadeth. What goes through your mind when you look back now with so much perspective?

DE: It honestly seems like it was just last year when I moved to L.A. and when we were out doing the Killing is My Business Tour. At the same time, we’ve grown a lot together. It’s funny how Dave [Mustaine] and I will talk about things and it’s almost like we’re revisiting the halls of our high school together. It was the golden years of the L.A. metal scene, and there were three bands (Guns N’ Roses; Mötley Crüe and Megadeth) who were on the edge of debauchery and disaster. Bands from three different genres who, in some ways, epitomized the lifestyle of L.A.  A lot of that comes into Basstory. That’s part of the charm of the storytelling.

Read the rest of my
Interview with David Ellefson by Clicking Here!