Idolator: megadeth

The Megadeth Wrist Splints: For When You Want To Hurt As Bad As Dave Mustaine

Maura Johnston — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:30:00 EDT

From the "That Which Does Not Kill My Career Can Probably Fatten My Paycheck A Little More" department: Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine is auctioning off the wrist splints he wore after suffering a compressed radial nerve in his left arm six years ago, an injury that many thought would end his career. (Mustaine was among them; he broke up Megadeth that April, only to reform the band two years later.) Bidding is at $300 now, but there are still five days left in the auction! And they're even autographed! In black Sharpie! After the jump, Mustaine demonstrates the gear.

ebay - wrist brace

Why do I have a feeling that whoever buys these is going to make a YouTube video of himself playing guitar while wearing the plastic mechanism? Call it a hunch.

MEGADETH- Wrist Splints Worn &Signed By Dave Mustaine [eBay via PTW]

Dave Mustaine is expanding his coffee business ...

Maura Johnston — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:45:00 EDT

Dave Mustaine is expanding his coffee business into the "coffee-of-the-month club" realm. For just $19.99 a month, you can drink the Megadeth frontman's favorite java as you read the paper and fume about the United Nations—just like he does! First up: "This PERUVIAN coffee was so pleasing to taste and had the right boost I needed in the morning for me to prepare for another day of shredding!" Oh, and he prefers it to be dark-roasted. [Legends Cup Coffee; HT Jon Solomon]

North African Metalheads Search For A Space Where They Can Enjoy The Work Of Dave Mustaine In Peace

Jess Harvell — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:10:51 EST

Popular music, especially of the less genteel variety, has long been a battleground for young folks in Muslim countries, but according to Reuters' hesher wire, the twentysomething headbangers of Morocco are staging something of a comeback after being derailed by authorities cracking down on the music for flaunting morality and encouraging the worship of Satan. Of course, charges of Satanism aren't quite so much a metalhead badge of honor when you're facing actual jail time rather than the finger-wagging of irate catholic school officials and parents asking you to turn your t-shirt inside out when company comes over, as 11 Moroccan metal fans found out five years ago when they were busted for bigging up Beelzebub.

Eleven young Moroccans were convicted in 2003 for distributing material which "undermines good morals" and makes "people listen, with bad intent, to songs which contravene good morals or incite debauchery".

Three were given a year in prison for "employing seductive methods with the aim of undermining the faith of a Muslim", sparking protests from rights activists.

"These people weren't Morocco's first metal players but they were sacrificed by the government to set an example," said Anas Tabouti, 19, from Sidi Kacem. "The rap scene went through similar problems in the 1990s and now it's mainstream."

Well, if hip-hop has been mainstreamed in Morocco, clearly the answer for these embattled, dreadlock-sporting young Moroccan metallers is... rap-metal? They do claim to be more influenced by Megadeth than Limp Bizkit and their fellow mosh-hop travellers, but perhaps the out-of-work Fred Durst can be airlifted in with a copy of the Judgment Night soundtrack to act as a mediator between the government and the kids, a the nod from the Nobel nominating committee within his reach at last? Meanwhile, the Moroccan metal scene admirably continues to try to carve out a place for itself in a country where even finding an untroubled practice space can be a struggle.

Moroccan Heavy Metal Lives On After Satanism Trial [Reuters]

Megadeth Jackass Tells Political Jackasses To Put Down The Instruments, Jackass

Jess Harvell — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:00:06 EST

Dave Mustaine will not stand for the funky fretwork of Mike Huckabee. In fact, when asked to critique Huckabee's bass playing for Good Morning America, the worm-infested Megadeth frontman called the art of the bass "one step up from playing the kazoo," which is another way of asking for a late night ass-whupping from the ghost of Charles Mingus. (Or at least a wedgie from Bootsy.) In addition to grooming 2008's musically minded prez hopefuls Berry Gordy-style, Dave sez he would also be a valuable ally on the campaign trail thanks to an innate ability to reach adolescents into skulls and blood and blowin' up stuff.

"I think as far as politics are concerned in music, most musicians shouldn't say anything unless they're willing to get into the trenches and fight," Mustaine told Metal Edge magazine in a 2007 interview. "I put in my Selective Service card when I was 18, but I didn't get drafted. In 1992 I went to the White House with the Rock the Vote campaign for the Democratic National Convention coverage. I was a participant in getting a bill passed into law, so I am ingrained in the history of this country. I'm probably one of the very few musicians, and the only one in metal that I know of [to do that]. But I'm also the unofficial elected official of the disenfranchised youth of America. I can get into the focus groups and actually say what is relevant. Even though I'm not 18 anymore or struggling with Stridex and testosterone, I do still have an 18-year-old inside of me."

For those keeping score at home, Dave turned 18 in 1979, making his efforts to not dodge a non-existent draft all the more heroic. But would we want someone who lets Lars Ulrich reduce him to tears in a combat situation anyway?

Megadeth's Dave Mustaine On Politicians Who Are Making Music Instead Of Facing It [Blabbermouth]

A Reminder: You Only Have A Few Days Left To Vote In The Final Round Of The Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament

jharv — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:30:13 EST

The battle royale between Ted Nugent and Satellite Party ends Monday at noon ET. That's a little less than three days from now, and if you've waited months to help decide the "winner" of our tournament, now's the time when every vote counts. Plus don't forget that you can also still decide who takes home third place, Megadeth or Helalyn Flowers. Voting for the bronze medal winner will also close Monday at noon.

The Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament: The Final Round
Who Will Place Third In Our Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament

In addition to "wuss," "coffee magnate," ...

jharv — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 08:45:16 EST

In addition to "wuss," "coffee magnate," "text-message-ignorer," and "possible third-place finisher in our Worst Album Cover Of The Year tournament," Dave Mustaine can now put "petri dish for disease" on his resume: "Mustaine says he went to see a health practitioner who did an analysis of his body. She told him he found 51 parasites in his body, many of which were varieties of worms." Good morning! [Blabbermouth]

Who Will Place Third In Our Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament?

jharv — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:00:18 EST

So many voters seemed morose over the loss of both Helalyn Flowers (who knew an obscure industrial-goth band would become such a part of all of our lives?) and Dave Mustaine and crew (who have always been a part of all our lives) that we thought we'd give you a belated Christmas present: The chance to choose who will take home the coveted bronze in our Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament. Will the choice between the rivetheads and the Rattlehead prove to be one of the hardest? All signs point to yes.

The Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament: The Polls Are Still Open, Even If You Want To Close Your Eyes

mjohnston — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 10:00:00 EST

Our Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament is counting down to its inevitable close, but those of you who actually had off on Monday may have missed your chance to vote in our semifinals. The last four covers standing are above—ain't that tableau a beaut?—and we'll be holding their respective polls open until 11:59 p.m. ET, so get voting! Only you can help create a world in which Dave Mustaine and Perry Farrell—or the chick on the Love Grenade cover and Helalyn Flowers' metal-hungry duo—fight for the title of 2007's biggest aesthetic horror show.

Semifinal 1: Ted Nugent vs. Megadeth: Vote here.
Semifinal 2: Satellite Party vs. Helalyn Flowers: Vote here.

Semifinal bracket [PDF]

The Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament Brings You A Gift-Wrapped Final Four

mjohnston — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 10:00:50 EST

So! Today begins the semifinal round in our Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament (voting lasts until 11:59 p.m. ET Wednesday, and the finals begin Thursday). Ted Nugent's special-edition Love Grenade cover has been the favorite since way before our bracket was even constructed, but remember: Nugent's opponents, Megadeth, were the ones who knocked out the other Love Grenade cover. And the United Abominations cover does have the advantage of kinda living up to the name of the album it's representing. Vote after the jump!

The Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament Weeps For Us All

mjohnston — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:00:38 EST

Our Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament's quarterfinals begin with the last battle in our We Aren't The World Bracket. In one corner, you have Megadeth's Photoshopped-out-the-wazoo debutante ball for their new-look Vic Rattlehead; in the other, you have PJ Olsson's crying, nose-picking, 9/11-remembering cherub. Given the hilarious comments that both these covers have inspired in the past, this may be our toughest race of all four of our quarterfinal matchups! Vote after the jump.

Avert Your Eyes: It's The Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament's Elite 8

mjohnston — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:45:11 EST

Above, your quarterfinalists in our Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament. Themes that I am noticing are common: Inappropriate chewing; the color purple; clouds and stars (but no green clovers); more bad fonts than you can shake a copy of The Print Shop at. Also of note: only one of the cover subjects is smiling, although it is Toby Keith, so you know that he's just doing it to be an ass.

Here's how the final three rounds are going to work: Today and tomorrow, we'll have the bracket faceoffs. Christmas Eve will kick off the semifinal round—because what's more suited to the holidays than looking at some aesthetic travesties?—and voting for that round will close at 11:59 p.m. next Wednesday, Dec. 26. Then the finals will begin next Thursday at 10 a.m., with voting closing—and a winner being declared—sometime around noon on New Year's Eve. (Jess and I have a half day and I'm certainly not going to spend my first minutes of 2008 mucking around with our poll software.) Anyone have thoughts on a prize that we can send to the No. 1 offender's art department? Perhaps a Spirograph?

Earlier: The tournament so far

The Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament, Round II: A Whole New Collection Of Abominations

mjohnston — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 10:00:15 EST

Round two of our Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament opens with two formidable contenders: Ted Nugent's regular Love Grenade cover and Megadeth's cover for United Abominations, which, according to one of our commenters, doubles as the debutante ball for the new-look Vic Rattlehead. Who apparently was formed from a lot of anti-UN anger and even more lens flare. Voting is after the jump, although why do I have the feeling that, were the Nuge and Dave Mustaine to get wind of this little battle, they'd elect to solve it with guns, and not ballots? (And why do I have a feeling that we might be seeing an upset in this little battle once the smoke clears?)

The Worst Album Cover Of The Year Tournament: Bad Art Sells, But Who's Buying?

mjohnston — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:00:20 EST

Today's second Worst Album Cover Of The Year matchup matches one man who is on a one-person anti-UN crusade with another who wants to singlehandedly take down the Pirate Bay. After the jump, the No. 4 seed and No. 5 seed in our We Aren't The World bracket face off:

"Stay tuned for news on Dave Mustaine's new ...

mjohnston — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:15:47 EST

"Stay tuned for news on Dave Mustaine's new coffee blend available ONLY to his fans coming up next week. After "sharing" his daily morning coffee with fans at the Megadeth Forums in the last few months and enganging in several conversations with coffee lovers there, he came up with a true blend he would love to share with all of you." Oh sure, Dave. Talk to the coffee people while our phone call to you goes unanswered. We see who really matters now. [Megadeth.com via Blabbermouth]

In honor of this contest to become Dave Mustaine's ...

jharv — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:13:50 EDT

In honor of this contest to become Dave Mustaine's personal assistant, we're putting out the call to become the first Idolator personal assistant. Tasks include answering e-mails, midday whisky runs, telling us we look pretty, watching eight hours of Fuse per day, and picking up Jess and Maura's Zoloft prescriptions. [Blabbermouth]

Dave Mustaine Wants To Love Us In Ways We Didn't Intend

jharv — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 09:45:13 EDT

So last week we told you about our attempt to contact Dave Mustaine after he offered up his phone number on the official Megadeth Web site and invited fans to give him a ring. In order to harass Dave, I had to sign up Idolator with SayNow, a service that, once you give them your phone number, a kidney, and your SSN, allows you to call/text message popular singers like Taylor Hicks and the guy from Papa Roach. Well, this weekend I finally heard back from "Dave." Several times in fact. His theories on life, the universe, and everything are after the jump:

Talk 2 local ladies live on Nightline NOW! Reply with SCORE and recieve 20 mins of talk time for only $9.99! 18+ carrier fees apply

That's not really what I had in mind when I asked him who he thought the greatest metal band of all time was. (This also isn't what I thought he meant by "Loved to Death.") Now, I'm not saying that me this whole SayNow business necessarily had anything to do with me getting nine porn spam text messages starting on Friday and continuing over the course of the weekend. I'm just saying.

Dave Mustaine Why Don't You Love Us?

jharv — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 11:45:23 EDT

So it seems like politco-thrash crybaby Dave Mustaine is reaching out to his fans, with an online chat coming up on Sunday with memebers of his MegaFanClub, plus the chance to call and leave Dave a text message or voicemail. (Leading Maura to ask: "What happened to rusting in peace?") To do so, we (by which I mean me) had to sign up with SayNow, service that allows you to send voice messages and texts to the famous (and not so famous) and lets them (ostensibly) return the favor. (Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking putting my cell phone number into a Web site either, but I had been drinking alcohol-based milkshakes all night.)

Mr. Mustaine does say that that folks without a SayNow profile might not get a call back, and as I've yet to figure out how in the hell this thing works, that might explain why I've yet to hear back from him. (Or it might be the fact that I spent two hours spamming him with inflammatory text messages. The perils of an unlimited plan.) We'll keep you updated if and when we hear back from Dave, and if anyone finds the Idolator SayNow account please, please don't start spamming my phone.

Call And Leave A Message For Dave Mustaine! [Megadeth.com via Blabbermouth]

The Megadeth frontman responds to the smackdown ...

mjohnston — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:55:57 EDT

The Megadeth frontman responds to the smackdown his anti-UN song got the other day: "I would rather feel right and be wrong with the semantics or facts in the song and have expressed my right to free speech, than to feel wrong and be right and sit back, like the rest of the cowards of the world, not saying anything." [Blabbermouth]

Tomorrow's New Releases Revealed Today

mjohnston — Mon, 14 May 2007 17:15:34 EDT

Welcome to On The Shelf, Idolator's weekly look at new releases hitting store shelves on Tuesday. Like it or not, the big album coming out tomorrow is Linkin Park's 98% rap-free effort, Minutes to Midnight; after the jump, we give that album a once-over, along with new efforts from Wilco, Megadeth, Gretchen Wilson, and Rufus Wainwright.

Linkin Park, Minutes To Midnight
The artist: Rap-rock stalwarts looking to break free from the first half of the decade ... by looking like the Strokes.
The sound: Less rap, more moaning, same quotient of not-very-good.
The first in line: The few. The proud. The people who still listen to modern rock radio.

Wilco, Sky Blue Sky
The artist: Elder statesmen who still manage to remain scruffy.
The sound: A long, divisive ride back to the early '70s album-rock era.
The first in line: Mailing list subscribers (at least, the band hopes so).

Megadeth, United Abominations
The artist: Premier shredder Dave Mustaine and his latest band of hired hands.
The sound: Heavy riffing and New World Order ranting.
The first in line: Diehard fans hoping for a return to Rust In Peace form (and who almost, almost get it).

Gretchen Wilson, One Of The Boys
The artist: Dirt-kicking lass who wears her redneck-woman status proudly.
The sound: Whiskey-filled, but melancholy—like those 30 minutes between last call and the bar shutting down.
The first in line: Cowgirl tomboys who like to shoot whiskey, pool, and the shit.

Rufus Wainwright, Release The Stars
The artist: Just your everyday gay messiah.
The sound: Pomp-filled pop orchestrated in part by the Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant.
The first in line: Drama club kids.

On The CD Front [Pause & Play]

Videodrone: Megadeth Guitarist Rides A Fried Prawn

Brian Raftery — Wed, 09 May 2007 15:40:44 EDT

Thanks to TV In Japan, meager Americans such as ourselves can witness this expectedly eccentric clip of former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman preparing prawn on a Japanese cooking show. 'Deth-heads will want to zoom to the 2-minute mark, during which Friedman starts shredding; the rest is pretty much lost in translation, though if you want to make up your own imagined dialogue, Wayne Campbell-style, be our guest.

Marty Friedman cooking Fried Prawn 1/2 YouTube via TV In Japan]