#203 Dave Mustaine - Megadeth Co-Founder & Frontman

Shawn Ryan Show

Society & Culture, Philosophy

4.9 • 38.1K Ratings

🗓️ 27 May 2025

⏱️ 193 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Dave Mustaine is the co-founder, frontman, primary songwriter, and sole consistent member of the thrash metal band Megadeth. A pioneer of the American thrash metal movement, Mustaine formed Megadeth in 1983 after his departure from Metallica, where he served as lead guitarist and co-songwriter. With Megadeth, he has released sixteen studio albums, sold over 50 million records worldwide, earned six platinum certifications, and won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2017 for the title track of Dystopia. Known for his intricate guitar work, snarling vocal style, and lyrics exploring war, politics, and personal struggles, Mustaine remains a towering figure in heavy metal. Despite overcoming challenges like substance abuse, a 2002 arm injury, and throat cancer in 2019, he continues to tour and create music, with Megadeth’s latest album, The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!, released in 2022. He is working on his 17th album. Mustaine is also expanding his family’s wine venture, House of Mustaine, and mentors emerging artists. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://www.americanfinancing.net/srs nmls 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org https://www.tryarmra.com/srs https://www.fastgrowingtrees.com/srs – USE CODE SRS https://www.shawnlikesgold.com https://www.hometitlelock.com – USE CODE SRS Go to https://www.hometitlelock.com/srs and use promo code srs to get a free title history report so you can find out if you’re already a victim and 14 days of protection for free! Make sure to check out the Million Dollar TripleLock Protection details when you get there! Exclusions apply. For details visit https://www.hometitlelock.com/warranty https://www.lumen.me/srs https://www.ziprecruiter.com/srs https://www.rocketmoney.com/srs Dave Mustaine Links: Website - https://www.megadeth.com X - https://x.com/DaveMustaine FB - https://www.facebook.com/davemustaine IN - https://www.instagram.com/davemustaine Megadeth - https://www.megadeth.com House of Mustaine - https://houseofmustaine.com As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases (paid links):Megadeath’s Greatest Hits - https://amzn.to/4m5cnJc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Dave Mustaine, welcome to the show.
0:09.0	You're welcome. Thank you for having me.
0:12.0	Man, I've been super excited about this.
0:15.0	Huge Mega Death fan, grew up listening to that stuff, and just to have you here is like unreal so thank you for coming
0:23.3	of course but um yeah so we're gonna do a life story on you starting childhood all the way to today
0:31.1	so could be a long day you're in for it i remember i was there so it should be pretty, pretty easy.
0:39.3	Cool.
0:40.5	Well, everybody starts with an introduction.
0:42.2	So here we go.
0:46.1	Dave Mustaine, co-founder of Metallica, where he helped lay the groundwork for thrash metal before parting ways in 1983.
0:55.0	Mastermind behind Megadeth, a band that sold over 50 million records, earned six platinum
1:00.9	albums, and even a Grammy in 2017 for Dystopia.
1:05.4	Working on your 17th Megadeth album to be released later this year, in June, you'll celebrate the 40th anniversary of Megadeth's debut album. Killing is my business and business is good.
1:18.6	Thrash Metal Pioneer whose guitar prowess has landed you among the top guitarists of all time influencing generations of headbangers.
1:26.6	Cancer survivor, having beaten throat cancer in 2019 while still crafting one of
1:32.9	a Megadeth's fiercest album, The Sick, the Dying, and the Dead, which is the topic of a book
1:39.4	you're working on called In My Darkest Hour.
1:43.8	Now a Vittner with House of Mustaine, blending your passion for music with fine wine making,
1:50.5	relaunching Megadeth Beer in the UK and Europe with a Pilsner, IPA, and Zero Beer
1:56.3	called Rattlehead, a family man married to Pamela since 1991 with two children, Electra,
2:03.5	injustice, and most important out of everything, you're a Christian.
2:08.8	Did I miss anything? I'm sure I missed a lot.
	...

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