David Ellefson
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David Ellefson is a bass guitar player, and a former member of the thrash metal band Megadeth.
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Early life
David Ellefson was born November 12, 1964 in Jackson, Minnesota. Through his teen years he played bass and rhythm guitar in several bands, before moving to Los Angeles in the spring of 1983 at the age of 18 after graduating high school. David began his career in rock 'n' roll as a hard rock musician at age 11. After formal training on keyboard instruments and saxophone as a kid David was drawn to the bass guitar because of its growling low end and undeniable presence in heavy rock music. He then became an accomplished rhythm guitarist and honed his songwriting skills while leading several of his own bands through the club scene of North America’s Midwest region.
Meeting Dave Mustaine
Dave Mustaine met David Ellefson in a rather humorous way which was chronicled in the band's Behind The Music. It was early morning and Dave Mustaine was hung over, all of a sudden he hears a loud bass in the apartment below him, thumping out the intro to Van Halen's "Running With The Devil." So Dave grabbed a flower pot and dropped it out the window and onto Ellefson's air conditioner, screaming "SHUT UP!" Later that day Ellefson went to Mustaine's apartment and asked where he could purchase cigarettes and Mustaine replied "Down the street at the liquor store." then promptly slammed the door in his face. Ellefson knocked again and asked Mustaine if he was old enough to purchase beer since Ellefson was only 18 at the time. Mustaine smirked and said "Now you're talking." The two went and got a case of Heineken, and in the words of Mega Dave, "That's how David got in the band."
Before this happened, David had full intentions of joining a glam band on the LA Strip. But while drinking beer with Mustaine he heard the Metallica demo "No Life Til Leather" and was immediately drawn to thrash metal.
Megadeth years
Ellefson was the only constant member of Megadeth along with Mustaine. He appeared on every album and tour from 1985's Killing Is My Business up until 2002's Rude Awakening. Ellefson's original playing style involved using his fingers, however, as Megadeth progressed and the music became more complex, he tended to prefer playing with a pick/plectra.
Split with Megadeth
After a disagreement with Megadeth's lead vocalist, Dave Mustaine, Ellefson filed an unsuccessful lawsuit. Dave Mustaine said that he became angry with Ellefson's constant requests of some of his music being played with the band. When Megadeth reformed in 2004, Ellefson declined an offer from Mustaine to rejoin the band for it's subsequent tour in support of the latest Megadeth album. After leaving Megadeth, it was rumored that he would fill the then vacant bass position for Metallica, Dave Mustaine's first band. The bass position was eventually filled by Robert Trujillo. He seems to show a little animosity towards Megadeth, he doesn't mention the band in his biography and only mentions them in his discography. In a recent podcast for Talking Metal News, Ellefson does not mention his past with Megadeth at all, instead concentrating on discussing his current projects. This could also be because Mustaine sued Ellefson over rights to the Megadeth name. Mustaine felt Ellefson was unfairly using the Megadeth name when advertising for a DVD for playing Metal Bass he was releasing. Off stage, he is known as a very friendly and down to earth guy who has appeared on five tracks for the Soulfly album, "Prophecy" and is currently in a hard rock band called F5, which is a departure from his days as a Megadeth bass slinger.
F5
David formed F5, a new "heavy, but always melodic" band with a sound that is fresh and modern. The band features David Ellefson on bass, Dale Steele vocals, Steve Conley on lead guitar, John Davis on rhythm guitar, and Dave Small on drums. Their first album, "A Drug for all Seasons" was released in 2005. F5 appeared in support for Disturbed in February 2006 and are touring the American Mid-West in the summer of 2006. Ellefson also appeared on the new Killing Machine record "Metalmorphosis" in 2006 and has also been working with Temple of Brutality.
David currently works for Peavey Amplifiers as an artist relations representative.