DAVID ELLEFSON: 'There Is A Lot More Music In Me Than I Was Able To Express Before'

April 28, 2004

Former MEGADETH/current F5 bassist David Ellefson recently spoke to Horror Rock Bass, a web site dedicated to "death rock" bassists. Ellefson talked about his early musical training, how he carried on with music after MEGADETH, and what the fans can expect from the new F5 recordings. The following are a couple of excerpts from that interview:

Horror Rock Bass: It's always awesome seeing members of bands rise up from another established band, and do their own thing. What can you tell us about F5 and the tunes you're going to be pumping out?

David Ellefson: "Thank you very much! It can be a scary and trying experience, believe me! Especially since I was in one band for so much of my life. However, There is a lot more music in me than I was able to express in my past settings. I really took my time with F5 because I wasn't planning on starting a new band. In fact, this group of players really fell into place quite quickly and effortlessly which makes me feel good that we're on the right track with what we are doing.

"As for the music, I initiate many of the songs on guitar, not bass. In fact because we experiment with new tunings, many things I've written from past years sound really fresh when approached with a new guitar tuning. Also, I really like how John Davis approaches the rhythm guitar as he has a similar feel to how I play and I like how the riffs to sound. This allows Steve Conley to really open up as a lead guitarist and multi-instrumentalist approach since he's way into the old school metal lead guitar styles."

Horror Rock Bass: What's the most important aspect towards how you play? Is it more attitude or more technical side? And How do you find that medium between the two that gives David Ellefson such a signature bass sound?

David Ellefson: "I think it's both actually. Attitude is important so that it fuits the song. A slow, mellow song requires attitude as much as a rippin' one does, just with a different feel. Songs really require you to match their feel and that's what I seem to be able to do pretty well at after having so much studio and live experience now."

Read David Ellefson's entire interview with Horror Rock Bass at this location.

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