Drummer Nick Menza says he was asked to rejoin Megadeth – but refused when he was offered a “very unfair deal.”
Menza confirmed that he met with Dave Mustaine to discuss a reunion of the band’s Rust In Peace era lineup, which would have seen him and Marty Friedman back in the band.
He says he even recorded drums for a number of new Megadeth tracks, but adds he was “blown away by the way the band conducts business.”
Menza said, “I was totally ready and excited to get back in Megadeth. I went to Dave’s house/studio in San Diego this past December and we jammed for the weekend and it was totally cool. We instantly fell right back into our musical groove together.
A few weeks after this, we all got together with our old manager Ron Laffitte for a dinner meeting at the Anaheim White House restaurant during NAMM. It was great seeing Ron and Marty. We all talked about the plans for a new record and touring and I made it known I was into rejoining and making this my priority. I was pumped, and even went as far as recording drums on five new Megadeth songs Dave had sent me.”
He continues, “As soon as I got home and it was time to sit down and negotiate my terms in writing, I was offered a very unfair deal that was so wrong. They didn’t feel I was worth anything to the band. Dave blocked my emails, changed his number and then, apparently, Laffitte was fired as the band’s manager. Here is one of my favorite bands and a huge part of my life achievements and I was shut out for wanting a fair deal.
I am really blown away how this band conducts business. A band is about a group of people who have respect for one another, sense of loyalty, camaraderie, and, most of all, honour and trust.
I’m not a puppet. I have integrity, loyalty, and honour. That’s who I am.”
After Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover left the band last year, Menza and Friedman both made it clear they wouldn’t rule out a return. But this month the band confirmed Chris Adler as their new drummer, with Kiki Loureiro taking on guitar duties.
source: classicrock.teamrock.com
5 Responses
“I would had loved nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Megadeth album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a ‘signable’ contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the classic ‘Rust in Peace’ band.”
That’s really a shame Menza and Friedman would have been awesome, buy you have buy into the cult of Mustaine to play I guess. I really haven’t enjoyed Megadeth since that incarnation.
I bet Adler is getting the shaft as well, as it seems he’s recording and not touring, but doesn’t mind.
One, we only know one side of the story. Two, this was a low-class move by Menza to go public with this.
The bottom line is that Megadeth IS DAVE MUSTAINE’S BAND. Period. Everyone else is a hired gun and is not going to be paid nearly as much as him. End of story. Does the Spinal Tap revolving door suck? Yes. Is it any of our business? Not really.
The class move would have been for Nick to say, “We tried, but we couldn’t come to an agreement that worked for both of us. I wish Dave the best as he moves forward.” It’s not that tough. Instead, he chose the low road. Perhaps this IS for the best.
Maybe if Nick signed the contract he could afford a real hat instead of the drum kit high hat he is wearing!
Dude the economy sucks at least you could have got your foot in the door and made a half million. Now it’s back to $300 a night in a beach bar this summer. Turn down a contract with a Big 4 band and you expect people to feel bad for you? A chance too make multi millions over the next decade and you turn it down. You just rip up your winning lottery ticket pal! Back to the Holiday Inn House band!