David Ellefson Admits All The Problems He And Dave Mustaine Had Were Due To ‘Drug And Alcohol Lifestyle’

Megadeth bassist David Ellefson shared his and another member Dave Mustaine’s experience about drug and alcohol addictions that were the reason for all troubles and how they got rid of them.

On the latest episode of Into the Necrosphere podcast, Ellefson talked about the addiction problem in the band. Megadeth was going great but drug and alcohol usage caused a lot of problems. When their manager warned them about the costs of their addictions and talked with them about a clean future, they got the message.

Ellefson said that the industry was started to demand addiction-free musicians and bands. It was neither normal nor usual anymore. They understood that the party was over and they were here for the music as their greatest passions.

He also talked about getting help and how to recover from the addictions in today’s world. Social media-based lives, depression, loneliness have caused young people to use drugs and alcohol. But, he emphasized that people can find help in the recovery community.  In addition to that, Megadeth’s songs have been inspired people to get rid of these problems. He advised young people to focus on music and art along with getting help from professionals.

Here’s what he said:

“Well, I don’t give advice, but I can just share my own experience. And I was that person where, by age 23, I was strung out, we were signed to Capitol Records, and our band was doing great. All the problems we had were because of a drug-and-alcohol lifestyle. Our manager came in and said, ‘Hey, the future looks bright. It’s yours to have. But you guys have gotta get cleaned up. You’ve gotta get it together.’ And it was interesting, ’cause it was right at a time when other famous bands that we know were also getting clean.

And the days of the music industry putting big money on fucked up junkie rock stars, that day was after. And they made that very clear, like, ‘That party is over. We’re not dealing with that. We’re here to be successful, make money, have success, and go to the top.

If you can be high while doing it, then let’s go, but if you can’t, then you need to change your ways because we’re going to the top. And if you can’t get there with us, we’re gonna drop you off right here. Enjoy the rest of your life.’ And I heard that very clear. And I got that message early on. I was, like, ‘Yeah, the party’s gotta stop, man. Because I’m here for the music, and this is my passion and my ambition to do this professionally.”

He went on:

“The recovery community is out there. There’s a lot of depression and other things that are talked about now. It’s a lot more compact and pressurized because of social media. Things are immediate and people can see what other people are saying about them. And when you’re young, people’s opinion of you, especially friends or foe, those things can change the arc of your life. I’ve talked to a lot of young fans who go through this. And they get really bummed out and depressed and even suicidal over what people say about them on social media. I’ve talked to my own kids about it.

Where people used to talk behind your back, now they just talk behind your back out in the open on social media, and it’s hurtful — it’s hurtful to people. And that’s hard for a younger person to emotionally digest that and deal with that.

So there is help out there, and I’d say if you are struggling with it, there are options; there are ways to get through it and there are ways to get better. Please seek help. Live to fight another day. Use the power of music, if you need to, to help give you motivation.

We’ve been told a lot of our Megadeth songs have been very inspiring to people. So, look, turn to music, turn to the arts, if that helps you cope. But definitely get help.”

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