The Metal Voice East Coast journalist Kenny Kessel caught up with former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson and filmmaker Drew Fortier at the Chiller Theatre convention at the Hilton Parsippany, NJ on Oct 30, 2021.
When asked if The Lucid will be a touring band “Drew (Fortier) calls me one day and says I’m going to change the header on your Facebook Page and he puts the ‘L’ logo. He did and apparently it made international news, people seem to be interested so thank you for that. From there we started throwing some songs out just to test the waters cause we planned on releasing (an Album) in October 2021, from there people seemed to really like it. Phones are ringing to our agents, so he is actually booking some shows for us with shows overseas as well. So there are definitely some live performances.”
What is next for The Lucid “It’s funny we actually have a drop box full of new ideas” David Ellefson “Album number two is in the works” Drew Fortier
When asked about the movie ‘Dwellers’ produced by Ellefson and directed by Fortier “Drew calls me up and says hey do you want to get involved with this and I said sure you know me and my motto always is say yes, I’m in, why not? ” Ellefson
“I shot it for zero dollars, over five non consecutive days in 2019. I put it together out of love and it’s a super fun thing, it is like C.H.U.D. (1984 Movie) and Blair Witch.” Drew Fortier
When asked if it bothered Ellefson that Megadeth removed his bass tracks on their upcoming Megadeth studio album “They did what they did, I don’t think they had to do that, I asked them not to. But they did what they did.”
When asked if he got the call again would he go back to Megadeth “I don’t have any ill will, him (Mustaine) or them (Megadeth). “
“The Lucid” was produced by Heller and mixed/mastered by Lasse Lammert.
Track listing:
01. Maggot Wind 02. Deaths Of Despair 03. Spoiler Head 04. Hair 05. Maskronaut 06. Damned 07. Breech Boy 08. Pigs And Sons 09. Parade Of Spit
The Lucid is- vocals: Vinnie Dombroski (Sponge) guitar: Drew Fortier bass: David Ellefson drums: Mike Heller (Raven, Fear Factory, Malignancy)
Dwellers is an American found footage horror film written by, directed by, and starring Drew Fortier. The plot of the film follows a documentary crew who eventually go missing while uncovering the truths behind the disappearances within a homeless community. The film stars Drew Fortier, James L. Edwards, and Douglas Esper as themselves.
MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson has launched his brand new on-demand video podcast called Backstage with David Ellefson on the Star Worldwide Network.
The video podcast will feature both audio and four camera video production and each episode will be available on-demand. Hosted by Ellefson himself, his first episodes include Frank Bello (Anthrax/Altitudes & Attitude), Joey Vera (Armored Saint/Mercyful Fate) and Ellefson’s former Rust In Peace bass tech turned author-chiropractor Dr. Randall Kertz D.C., who’s book The Bassist’s Guide to Injury Management, Prevention and Better Health has become an industry go-to for medical remedies for musicians.
The video podcast was created with legendary Phoenix, AZ morning radio show host Dave “The Mayor” Pratt. Says Ellefson, “Dave (Pratt) and I have known each other for over three decades as he and I have done many on-air interviews at KUPD over the years. He really is the mayor of all things radio here in Phoenix, Arizona so I am honored to have a media home here with him.”
Says Dave Pratt, “As a long-time rock radio personality, I proudly have shared many successful years with my friend David Ellefson. It is appropriate that he founded Ellefson Coffee Co. as the metal icon is pure energy as a musician and an entrepreneur on many levels. Now, you get a backstage pass into David’s inner circle through a worldwide pro video podcast. Welcome to Backstage with David Ellefson on Star Worldwide Networks!”
Ellefson adds, “I’m aiming to have this podcast serve as a platform for fun and engaging conversations between friends and colleagues on a myriad of topics, both in and out of music. Nothing is off limits and I’m excited to see where our guests and topics will take the conversation.”
Grammy Award winning bassist David Ellefson has announced his new David Ellefson Bass Chronicles storyteller concert series with four shows across the eastern Midwest USA. Each event will be presented as a chronological set filled with songs and stories spanning David’s legendary career, along with some deep cuts that have rarely (or never) been performed live from his catalog of work.
The dates, venues and ticket info can be found here: September 23- Pittsburgh, PA- Crafthouse https://bit.ly/3wEikTN September 24- Akron, OH – Empire Concert Club https://bit.ly/3unQSb8 September 25- Marietta, OH – The Adelphia https://bit.ly/3t2Sx5M September 26- Richmond, IN- The Firehouse Please call the club for ticket information at (765) 488-0312
Combat Records ™ recording artist Dead By Wednesday will be the direct support on all dates.
The David Ellefson Bass Chronicles band will be comprised of Ellefson,Andre Vanchot (Eddie Ojeda Band) on vocals, drummer Christian “Opus” Lawrence (Dead By Wednesday) and guitarists Dave Sharpe (Dead By Wednesday) and Drew Fortier (Bang Tango), who also co-wrote Rock Star Hitman (Ellefson Book Co.) with Ellefson and is the writer, director, and star of Dwellers (Ellefson Films) which is the award winning found footage horror film produced by David Ellefson that will be released on Blu Ray/DVD/Digital on October 12 via Ellefson Films.
Says Ellefson, “I’m excited to head out and hit the stage again as we’re preparing a special list of songs, including some rarities which have never been performed live.”
VIP dinner packages will be available for each show, as well as copies of Ellefson’s new fictional book Rock Star Hitman (The Sledge Chronicles) and other concert merchandise. A behind the scenes video and teaser screening of the upcoming Dwellers film is also being arranged at select events.
Ellefson continues, “People are excited about live shows again so we’re approaching these events like a traveling pop-up experience where you can catch a show, see a flick, buy some merch, and even break bread with the band at the VIP dinners. So, get ready for a full night out!”
More information on the events, including VIP Dinner purchases, can be found at www.ellefsonstore.com
*All events will adhere to local ordinances of Covid-19 safety including the use of masks, social distancing or other mandates which could be in effect during these dates.
Ellefson Films (Amped/Alliance) will release their award winning found footage horror film Dwellers on October 12th, 2021 on Blu-ray/DVD/Digital.
Dwellers is a found footage horror film produced by Grammy award winning Megadeth bassist David Ellefson and written, directed and starring Drew Fortier. The film has already gained over twenty official selections from film festivals around the world, a number that is still growing. Dwellers has amassed glowing reviews while garnering a plethora of nominations and already winning 5 awards including:
Best Feature (Screamwriting Festival) Best Director (The Thing in the Basement Horror Fest) Best Horror Feature (Mad Monster Party Film Fest) Best Documentary (Hollywood Blood Horror Festival) Most Disturbing Scenes (Horror Bowl Movie Awards)
The physical release is planned to be packed with bonus features. More details to be released in the coming months along with pre-order information.
The film will also be screened virtually on Saturday, March 20th, as a part of the HorrorHound Film Festival’s Midnight Madness Feature and will hold a special virtual Q&A after the screening that will feature cast members from _Dwellers_.
Dwellers has been described as being, “C.H.U.D. if it were shot like The Blair Witch Project.” The film stars: Drew Fortier, James L. Edwards (Her Name Was Christa), Douglas Esper (The Nutshell) and Omar Baig (Let’s Make a Movie). Also featuring cameos from the film’s producer, David Ellefson, as well as former Mushroomhead vocalist, Jeff Hatrix.
The film’s plot is as follows: While shooting a documentary on the suspicious disappearances within the homeless community, a filmmaker and his crew go missing while uncovering a terrifying and vicious secret below the city’s surface.
David Ellefson will also be making various appearances throughout the year at horror conventions and fan expos to screen Dwellers. Keep up with Ellefson’s social media for more details.
Streaming on The Metal VoiceFacebook Live, host Jimmy Kay, was joined by Megadeth’s David Ellefson, Combat records Manager and singer of Ellefson Thom Hazaert, CTV legal affairs television journalist Stephane Giroux and Doctor Chris Karatzios, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. The Five discussed and debated the new reality of bands touring’.
Topics in the panel discussion included; the safety and reliability of fast tracking vaccines; the legality of enforcing mandatory vaccines at concerts; risk and benefits of vaccines at a global level; distribution of vaccines, the safety of wearing masks at shows; touring in a non vaccine environment and helpful hints to reduce community transmission plus so much more.
David Ellefson also spoke about his recent Ellefon tour supporting his new album ‘No Cover’ and all the precautions and challenges the band faced on the road.
ELLEFSON, the eponymous solo band of Grammy-Winning Megadeth bassist and co-founder David Ellefson, has announced signing to EARMusic (Europe) and Ward Records (Japan) for the release of their upcoming full-length covers release NO COVER, which will be released Worldwide 11/20 in conjunction with Ellefson’s revived COMBAT RECORDS, who will release the album in North America via AMPED. The band has also announced a 10/9 digital release for their cover of the Cheap Trick classic “Auf Wiedersehen”, featuring guest appearances from Ministry’s Al Jourgensen, Anthrax’s Charlie Benante, and Crobot’s Brandon Yeagley, alongside bassist Ellefson, vocalist Thom Hazaert, and guitarist Andy Martongelli, which premiered in August on the nationally syndicated radio show “Nights With Alice Cooper”.
ELLEFSON has also released a video teaser for “Auf Wiedersehen”, edited by Melody Myers, which can be viewed at the link below, with the full video being released next Tuesday, 10/6.
The band cites the signings, and some unexpected medical situations for the changing release date.
Says vocalist/co-producer Thom Hazaert, “There’s no easy way to say it, but in July, right in the middle of recording the album, I had massive heart failure and went into full cardiac arrest. My heart literally stopped for several minutes, and I was revived at the hospital. There was a long recovery, but we managed to finish the record, and secure amazing deals with our friends at EARMusic, and Ward, but obviously we had to revisit our timeline a bit. And literally, maybe a month and a half later we were in Los Angeles, at Al’s house, shooting the video for “Auf Wiedersehen”. I’m just extremely humbled and thankful to be here to be able to, not only, finish this incredible record, but be able to see it released Worldwide with incredible label partners, which really almost wasn’t the case.”
He adds, “Originally we had envisioned NO COVER as a smaller, limited release “quarantine project” we were doing for fun with a bunch of our friends, really just to not have to release our studio album during the pandemic. But as it neared completion, and we really got to see what it was turning into, we realized it was worthy of so much more. I have a long history and friendship with Max at EARMusic, and they are an incredible label, and home to some of our favorite artists, and friends – Alice Cooper, Def Leppard, and more, and we are ecstatic to be able to partner with them for not only this release, but future ELLEFSON releases as well. WARD had already released Sleeping Giants for us last year in Japan, and we had secured a deal with them for our upcoming 2021 studio album, so it was a natural fit when we went to them with the idea of partnering with us on No Cover.”
Adds Ellefson, “It really was a crazy, whirlwind process, not only making such an involved album so fast, but also remotely, during a pandemic, with not only dozens of guests, but the entire band, spread around the Globe. And then, almost losing our singer in the middle of it. But at the end of the day, it turned out better than any of us had hoped, and really was one of the most fun records I’ve ever made. It’s been great to pull so many great and positive things out of 2020, despite all the challenges.”
Produced by Ellefson and Hazaert, with additional production by guitarist Andy Martongelli and Matt LaPlant (Nonpoint, Skindred, Lil’ Jon), mixed by Alessio Garavello, and mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More), NO COVER includes Ellefson-ized versions of 19 classic tracks from Motorhead, WASP, Def Leppard, Cheap Trick, Queen, Judas Priest, Twisted Sister, Fastway, Fight, Dead Kennedys, and more. Featuring cover art by Melody Myers (Ellefson, Altitudes and Attitude, Escape The Fate), an homage to the legendary Def Leppard debut ON THROUGH THE NIGHT,NO COVER is the second release under the ELLEFSON banner, the follow-up to 2019’s SLEEPING GIANTS, a double-disc compilation combining new tracks, with unreleased Ellefson solo, and F5 material.
ELLEFSON, featuring Ellefson on bass, Vocalist Thom Hazaert, Guitarists Andy Martongelli and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Sons of Apollo, Yes, Ex-Guns N’ Roses), and drummer Paolo Caridi, are joined on the album by a who’s who of legendary guests including Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister), Brandon Yeagley (Crobot), Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Frank Hannon and Troy Lucketta (Tesla), Mark Slaughter, Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys, ex-Watchtower, Evil United), Greg Handevidt (Kublai Khan, Ex-Megadeth), Chuck Behler (Ex-Megadeth), Gus G, John Aquilino (Icon), Doro Pesch, Dave McClain (Sacred Reich, Ex-Machine Head), Dave Alvin (White Trash), Todd Kerns (Slash & The Conspirators), Andrew Freeman (Last In Line), Jacob Bunton (Mick Mars), Al Jourgensen (Ministry), Russ Parrish (Fight), Dead By Wednesday, and more.
Tracklist:
Disc One:
Freewheel Burning (Judas Priest) ft. Jason McMaster, Gus G, Andy James, Dave McCLain
Tear It Loose (Twisted Sister) ft. Eddie Ojeda, Dave McClain
Love Me Like A Reptile (Motorhead) ft. Doro Pesch, Greg Handevidt, Chuck Behler
Holiday in Cambodia (Dead Kennedys) ft. Charlie Benante, Bumblefoot
Rebel Yell (Billy Idol) ft. Paolo Caridi
Wasted (Def Leppard) ft. Frank Hannon, Jacob Bunton, Dave McClain
Riff Raff (AC/DC) ft. Jason McMaster (Lead Vocals), Dave Lombardo, Bumblefoot
Nailed To The Gun (Fight) ft. Andrew Freeman, Russ Parrish, Jimmy DeGrasso
Not Fragile (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) ft. John Aquilino, Paolo Caridi, Bumblefoot
Auf Wiedersehen (Cheap Trick) ft. Al Jourgensen, Brandon Yeagley, Charlie Benante
Disc Two:
LOVE Machine (W.A.S.P.) ft. Dirk Verbeuren, Dave Alvin, Bumblefoot
Love Hurts (Nazareth) ft. Brandon Yeagley, Chuck Behler, Tyson Leslie
Eat The Rich (Krokus) ft. Jason McMaster, Dave Sharpe and Opus of Dead By Wednesday
Sheer Heart Attack (Queen) ft. Bumblefoot, Doro Pesch, Charlie Benante
Over The Mountain (Ozzy Osbourne) ft. Andrew Freeman (Lead Vocals), Bumblefoot, Jimmy DeGrasso
Sweet FA (Sweet) ft. Todd Kerns (Lead Vocals), Bumblefoot, Shani Kimelman
Beth (KISS) ft. Tyson Leslie, Bumblefoot
Say What You Will (Fastway) ft. Mark Slaughter, Troy Lucketta
ELLEFSON is set to tentatively release their debut full length studio LP in Spring 2021.
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
