David Ellefson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| David Ellefson | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Also known as | Junior | |
| Born | November 12, 1964 (age 42) | |
| Origin | Jackson, Minnesota | |
| Genre(s) | Thrash metal Heavy metal Speed metal |
|
| Occupation(s) | Bass Guitarist | |
| Years active | 1983 - present | |
| Associated acts |
Megadeth, Avian, Temple of Brutality, F5, Killing Machine | |
| Website | David Ellefson's Web Site, F5's official site, and F5 My Space page | |
David Ellefson (born November 12, 1964 in Jackson, Minnesota) is a bass guitar player who is currently a member of Avian, Temple of Brutality, F5 and Killing Machine, but is best known as a former member of the thrash metal/speed metal band Megadeth.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
David began his career in rock 'n' roll as a hard rock musician at age 11. After formal training on keyboard instruments and saxophone as a kid David was drawn to the bass guitar because of its growling low end and undeniable presence in heavy rock music. He then became an accomplished rhythm guitarist and honed his songwriting skills while leading several of his own bands through the club scene of North America’s Midwest region. Throughout his teen years he played bass and rhythm guitar in several bands (one called KILLERS, which played throughout the mid-west) before moving to Los Angeles in the spring of 1983 at the age of 18 after graduating high school in hopes of attending the Musician's Institute.
[edit] Meeting Dave Mustaine
Dave Mustaine met David Ellefson in a rather humorous way which was chronicled in the band's Behind The Music. It was early morning and Dave Mustaine was hung over, all of a sudden he hears a loud bass in the apartment below him, thumping out the intro to Van Halen's "Running With The Devil." So Dave grabbed a flower pot and dropped it out the window and onto Ellefson's air conditioner, screaming "SHUT UP!" Later that day Ellefson went to Mustaine's apartment and asked where he could purchase cigarettes and Mustaine replied "Down the street at the liquor store." then promptly slammed the door in his face. Ellefson knocked again and asked Mustaine if he was old enough to purchase beer since Ellefson was only 18 at the time. Mustaine smirked and said "Now you're talking." The two went and got a case of Heineken, and in the words of Mustaine, "That's how David got in the band."
Before this happened, Ellefson had full intentions of joining a glam band on the LA Strip. But while drinking beer with Mustaine he heard the Metallica demo "No Life Til Leather" and was immediately drawn to thrash metal.
[edit] Megadeth years
Ellefson was the only constant member of Megadeth along with Mustaine. To differeniate between the two David's, Mustaine referred to Ellefson as "Dave Junior", which was often shortened to "Junior". He appeared on every album and tour from 1985's Killing Is My Business up until 2002's Rude Awakening. Ellefson's original playing style involved using his fingers, however, as Megadeth progressed and the music became more complex, he tended to prefer playing with a pick/plectrum. Towards the end of his Megadeth career, Ellefson was not getting some of his material played for the band, which angered him. Ellefson was credited with some Megadeth songs, including "Family Tree" from 1994's Youthanasia (in the 2004 remastered collection of the CD however, the track is credited to Mustaine, Ellefson, Friedman, Menza, but Dave Mustaine credited the Rust in Peace-era line-up with the entire Youthanasia album as a tribute to the band's success at the time of the record's initial release).
[edit] Split with Megadeth
After a disagreement with Megadeth's lead vocalist, Dave Mustaine, Ellefson filed an unsuccessful lawsuit. When Megadeth reformed in 2004, Ellefson declined an offer from Mustaine to rejoin the band for its subsequent tour in support of the latest Megadeth album. After leaving Megadeth, it was rumored that he would fill the then vacant bass position for Metallica, Dave Mustaine's former band. The bass position was eventually filled by Robert Trujillo. He seems to show a little animosity towards Megadeth, he doesn't mention the band in his biography and only mentions them in his discography. In a mid-2005 podcast, Ellefson does not mention his past with Megadeth at all, instead concentrating on discussing his current projects. This could also be because of the court battles between Mustaine and Ellefson which resulted in Ellefson trying to sue Mustaine (but losing). Mustaine felt Ellefson was unfairly using the Megadeth name when advertising for an amplifier for Peavey. Off stage, he is known as a very friendly and down to earth guy who has appeared on five tracks for the Soulfly album, "Prophecy" and is currently in a hard rock band called F5, which is a departure from his days as a Megadeth bass slinger.
[edit] Post Megadeth Career
David formed F5, a new "heavy, but always melodic" band with a sound that is fresh and modern. The band features Ellefson on bass, Dale Steele on vocals, Steve Conley on lead guitar, John Davis on rhythm guitar, and Dave Small on drums. Their first album, "A Drug for all Seasons" was released in 2005. F5 appeared in support for Disturbed in February 2006 and toured the American Mid-West in the summer of 2006. Ellefson also appeared on the new Killing Machine record "Metalmorphosis" in 2006 alongside former Megadeth drummer Jimmy DeGrasso and has also been working with Temple of Brutality. Ellefson is currently a member of the melodic power metal band Avian which feautures singer Lance King.
David currently works for Peavey Amplifiers as an artist relations representative.
[edit] External links
- David Ellefson's Official Site
- F5's Official Site
- F5's Fan Club
- Music Videos & Live Videos of F5 on UVTV
- Temple of Brutality Site
- Symphony In Red Site
