It appears the former MEGADETH members David Ellefson and Jeff Young have formed another band aside from KINGS OF THRASH
Speaking with Jaime Poulos of Metal Express Radio, guitarist Jeff Young revealed that he has formed “a whole original band” with fellow ex-MEGADETH member David Ellefson (bass) and drummer Fred Aching aside from their current project KINGS OF THRASH.
“Everyone’s saying KINGS OF THRASH is coming out with an original album, and it’s not KINGS OF THRASH,” Jeff clarified (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). “Chaz [Leon] is our singer for that, for doing the MEGADETH stuff [with KINGS OF THRASH], but for the original stuff, Ellefson and I have been writing for over a year; we’ve been working on some songs. We’re using this guy from Brazil that’s gonna blow you guys away. He sounds kind of like [Ronnie James] Dio meets Chris Cornell meets Rob Halford. He’s got perfect pitch, so he never hits a bad note. It’s crazy.”
When asked what it’s like to play with David Ellefson again after so many years, Jeff replied: “It’s super cool. We didn’t really get a chance to know each other back in the day because I think [MEGADETH leader] Dave Mustaine was like the toxic thorn in the middle. But now that that’s out of there, we’re not only seeing… ’cause we probably lived ten different lives since then. We’re different people. We’re more mature and we’re getting to know each in a whole different time and space. So it’s like nostalgia plus it’s brand new.”
KINGS OF THRASH recently wrapped up a series of tours during which they performed iconic MEGADETH albums, “Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good!” and “So Far, So Good… So What!” Their electrifying performances were captured and released as a live CD/DVD package titled “Best Of The West…Live At The Whisky A Go Go.”
This unforgettable recording was made at the legendary Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California, on October 15, 2022, and it hit the shelves this past March through Cleopatra Records. The DVD, skillfully directed by Michael Sarna of Inmotion Entertainment, also features a special appearance by former MEGADETH member, Chris Poland, on guitar.
Over two years ago, Ellefson‘s tenure with MEGADETH came to an end following the public exposure of sexually suggestive messages and explicit video content involving the bassist, which were shared on Twitter.
David Ellefson‘s association with MEGADETH has a long history, dating back to the band’s formation in 1983 until his departure in 2002. He rejoined the group in 2010 but subsequently left once more.
In 2004, Ellefson initiated legal action against band leader Dave Mustaine, alleging that the MEGADETH frontman had unfairly withheld profits and reneged on an agreement to transfer ownership of Megadeth Inc. to Ellefson when the band disbanded in 2002. This lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, and Ellefson later rejoined MEGADETH in 2010.
Jeff Young‘s entire MEGADETH career revolved around supporting the band’s platinum-selling 1988 album, “So Far, So Good…So What!“
In December 2009, Jeff garnered attention for publicly accusing Mustaine of various issues, including criticism of, exaggeration about, and falsehoods regarding nearly every skilled musician who had been part of his band. Jeff also disputed Mustaine‘s statement in an interview, which attributed the cancellation of MEGADETH‘s 1988 Australian tour and the group’s supposed “ban” from performing in the country to Young’s alleged drug problems.