Thrash Masterclass: Key to Success from Dave Mustaine
When creating compelling thrash music, Dave Mustaine of Megadeth is undeniably a master of the craft. In a recent interview on BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live, Mustaine unveiled his thoughts on the essential elements of a successful thrash song.
Dave Mustaine’s Musical Influences: A Walk Down Memory Lane
The discussion was sparked as Mustaine reflected on the musical influences that shaped his youth. He pointed to Chuck Berry’s 1958 masterpiece, Johnny B. Goode, and Mott the Hoople’s 1970 sensation, All the Young Dudes, as significant inspirations. He noted the latter’s simplicity and captivating melody, which he deems crucial in song composition. Listen to the self-titled song below:
The Quincy Jones Encounter: A Lesson in Song Composition
Mustaine recalled encountering the renowned American producer Quincy Jones while producing Megadeth’s album Rust in Peace. “Quincy Jones, a highly esteemed producer in America, was present at a party we attended while working on the Rust in Peace album. He shared with our engineer and producer that the secret to successful songs was a rhythm, melody, and ten simple words,” Mustaine recounted.
Dave Mustaine: Advice to Future Generations
Building on Jones’ wisdom, Mustaine offered his own advice to the future generations of thrash musicians. “To reiterate Quincy’s words but add my personal touch, I would say that to excel in thrash, one needs a potent beat, melody, and perhaps 20 simple words, given our faster singing pace,” he concluded.
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