Megadeth's David Ellefson: Many Artists Come from a Faith Background

Megadeth’s David Ellefson: Many Artists Come from a Faith Background

2012-03-03

Story by Anne Erickson

Megadeth bass player: ‘There are a lot of artists who are very open about their faith’

Metal guys Megadeth make no mystery of their born again Christian faith, and that standpoint has gotten them a lot of attention in the media. While many think it’s an anomaly to find a metal band full of Christians, Megadeth bass player David Ellefson says that’s not so.

“There are a lot of artists who are very open about their faith,” Ellefson told the Dallas Observer. “This has happened over the last 10 years. Nearly everyone comes from some sort of faith background, even if you don’t have any faith at all. If someone wants to ask me about my personal life, I don’t mind talking to them, but I am there to play a Megadeth show. I am not out on a crusade.”

Ellefson grew up a confirmed Lutheran, but he fell away from it years alter. “I was into playing rock and roll, but I had a good upbringing that steered me in the right direction at the times when I needed to be redirected,” he said. “Rock and roll is about rocking out against the system and rocking out against the things that have authority over you. And years ago, the church had a very authoritative position over me. It’s not so much like that anymore. A lot of corrupt people in the church got called out on it. It’s a different time now. Those same rules don’t apply today.”

He added that if frontman Dave Mustaine decides to leave some songs out of Megadeth’s set that he feels are no longer appropriate to play given his Christianity, that’s okay by him. “Well, those are songs he wrote,” he said. “Those lyrics were close to him and he decided he didn’t want to play those for those reasons. I definitely stand by him.” Megadeth play their last date of the 2012 Gigantour tonight (March 3) in Austin, Texas, alongside Motorhead, Lacuna Coil and Volbeat.

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Anne Erickson

Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based music reporter and radio host. She has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, Loudwire.com and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne at anne@audioinkradio.com.