David Ellefson is Fine Where His Career is Right Now, But Megadeth is “My Band Too”

After he was unceremoniously kicked to the curb following a sex-scandal-that-wasn’t, ex-Megadeth bassist David Ellefson has gone on to start entirely new bands, got into voice over work, and even done some acting on the side. With all that going on, the man says he’s “happy and content” with how his life and career has panned out in recent years.

But all that’s not to say he doesn’t miss being in Megadeth. While speaking with The Metal Voice at this year’s NAMM, Ellefson said he’s not heard from Mustaine since he was jettisoned from the classic thrash band. And while he’s alright with where he is, he said he missed certain things about being in Megadeth.

“Of course. I mean, look, it’s my band too. I helped start it. But let me be clear. There are things about it, of course, that I miss — the fans, the performances, the shows. And I enjoy the touring.

“I’m a road warrior, man. I’m a wanderlust guy. My fortune in life is out there, not just sitting at home. I’ve tried that, and I get bored after about a month. I’m a shitty golfer and I can’t surf worth a damn, so I may as well stay on the road and play. Look, of course, there’s things about that and the big gig and everything, but Megadeth was not always a big gig.”

In case you don’t remember, things went south fast after Ellefson got involved with a 19-year-old fan. The two shared intimate and explicit conversations that eventually led to a video of him jerkin’ the gerkin getting posted all over social media. The act was consensual — the posting of the video wasn’t — and at the end of the day, it really shouldn’t have bothered anyone other than his kids or his wife.

Now playing smaller gigs than in his Megadeth days as a member of bands like Dieth and Kings of Thrash, Ellefson said he’s still familiar with where he’s at these days.

“We started where everybody else starts; it was small gigs. So I’ve known it from the bottom to the top and everything in between. But, honestly, as the tides turn and as things go, I’m super happy and very content with everything I’m doing now. I always say I’m making music I like with people I like. To me, now, at my age, at this point, I’ve already got the Grammy, I’m good. Those are the things that are more important to me now at this point in my life, is enjoying what I do and who I do it with.”

Starting next month, Ellefson will be heading out on the European leg of his “Bass Warrior Tour,” so if you want to catch him live, be sure to check out the list of dates below.

David Ellefson – BASS WARRIOR TOUR – Featuring Andy Martongelli
Europe 2024

Feb. 22 – Il Peocio – Trofarello (Italy)
Feb. 23 – Borderline Club – Pisa (Italy)
Feb. 29 – Kill Joy – Roma (Italy)
Mar. 01 – Il Druso – Bergamoo (Italy)
Mar. 02 – Il Giardino – Lugagnano (Italy)
Mar. 03 – Fabrik – Cagliari (Italy)
Mar. 05 – Analog Live hall – Budapest (Hungary)
Mar. 07 – Reigen Live – Vienna (Austria)
Mar. 08 – Eden Klub Underground – Broumov (Czech Rep)
Mar. 09 – L.A. Live Style Club – Cham (Germany)
Mar. 10 – The Pitcher – Dusseldorf (Germany)
Mar. 12 – MDN – Kolin (Czech Rep)
Mar. 13 – Bounty Rock Cafe’ – Olomouc (Czech Rep)
Mar. 14 – Kino Regis – Bochnia (Poland)
Mar. 15 – Rc Mlyn – Vrutky (Slovakia)
Mar. 16 – Kollosseum – Kosice (Slovakia)
Mar. 17 – Randal – Bratislava (Slovakia)
Mar. 20 – Club Helitehas – Tallinn (Estonia)
Mar. 21 – Club Melnā Piektdiena – Riga (Latvia)
Mar. 22 – Club Vakaris – Vilnius (Lithuania)
Mar. 23 – Bergkeller – Reichenbach (Germany)