Megadeth's Dave Mustaine disses AC/DC - quickly apologizes

Mustaine really, really likes AC/DC - even when slamming them
Mustaine really, really likes AC/DC - even when slamming them (Image credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Corbis)

Although Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine has the smarts to serve as a political correspondent for MTV News, when it comes to talking rock bands, he can still fit both feet in his mouth.

During a recent interview with Metal Hammer, Mustaine drew the distinction between an AC/DC concert and one by Megadeth:

"I love AC/DC and I've always been a fan of AC/DC," said Mustaine. "Bon Scott was my frontman. I love and respect Brian [Johnson], but it's the same record. They've been making the same record for 20 years. I love 'em, but it's the same stuff, so you don't need to buy the record, just go to the concert."

Discussing Megadeth, however, Mustaine said, "With us, it's kind of like the concert's always the same but the records change! Because we go out live and what do people want us to do? They want to hear Holy Wars, they want to hear Rust In Peace, they want to hear stuff off of that record...Do I look like a fuckin' jukebox?"

The retraction

"My apologies to my friends, especially Brian [Johnson]; that just did not come out right at all and I'm sorry, bro" Dave Mustaine, taking back comments about AC/DC

This morning, Mustaine must've read his words with new eyes because he quickly issued the following comments via Classic Rock:

"I just read the [Metal Hammer article] about Acca Dacca, and I am so disappointed in how I said what I said.

"No excuses. I didn't say what I was trying to say, and what I said is rude and childish. Not my style (well, at least not my style for the last decade or so, thank God), and I am even offended at what I said.

"I have never in 30-plus years disrespected AC/DC, one of my favourite bands in the whole world; I think I just got too comfortable and forgot that we were recording and I was being an ass.

"My apologies to my friends, especially Brian [Johnson]; that just did not come out right at all and I'm sorry, bro."

Hey, he sounds sincere. So in this case, peace sells...and we're buying.

Joe Bosso

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar WorldGuitar PlayerMusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.