# DAVID ELLEFSON: ‘When I’m Not In MEGADETH, I Always Look At It Like It’s DAVE MUSTAINE’s Solo Band’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/david-ellefson-when-im-not-in-megadeth-i-always-look-at-it-like-its-dave-mustaines-solo-band/
- Published: 2026-07-10T14:39:40+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-11T05:15:00+00:00
- Original publisher: Blabbermouth
- Original article: https://blabbermouth.net/news/david-ellefson-when-im-not-in-megadeth-i-always-look-at-it-like-its-dave-mustaines-solo-band
- Topics: Art, Culture, Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Ellefson open to joining Megadeth's farewell tour, never ruled it out.
- He views Megadeth without him as Mustaine's solo band.
- Bears no ill will towards current members; still collects royalties.

## Summary

In a 8 July 2026 appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson was again asked whether he would join the band's farewell tour alongside other ex-members such as guitarist Marty Friedman. Ellefson said he had never ruled it out, but reiterated his long-held view that Megadeth without him is essentially frontman Dave Mustaine's solo project rather than the classic band. His comments matter because they touch on the possibility of a reunion of former members for the group's send-off, a prospect of keen interest to long-time fans.

Ellefson recalled that when Mustaine reassembled the group in 2004, he suggested bringing in surviving former members — including Jeff Young, Chris Poland, Nick Menza and Friedman — to make it "something bigger", citing the joint Asia and Yes tours of that era as a model. He drew a parallel with Kiss, noting that each line-up and album has its own devoted fanbase, and said he would favour such a reunion if he were "calling the shots". Ellefson also stressed he bears no ill will toward the current members, praising bassist James LoMenzo and noting that he and former guitarist Kiko Loureiro brought in drummer Dirk Verbeuren in 2016; he added that he still receives royalties, so the arrangement suits him fine.

## Coverage

- [Blabbermouth: DAVID ELLEFSON: ‘When I’m Not In MEGADETH, I Always Look At It Like It’s DAVE MUSTAINE’s Solo Band’](https://blabbermouth.net/news/david-ellefson-when-im-not-in-megadeth-i-always-look-at-it-like-its-dave-mustaines-solo-band)
- [Consequence: David Ellefson: Megadeth Without Me Is Dave Mustaineu2019s u201cSolo Bandu201d](https://consequence.net/2026/07/david-ellefson-megadeth-dave-mustaine-solo-band/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.