My open letter to Metal Journalists

[Grandturk]

I blame St. Anger squarely on Dave. Think about it. It makes sense.

Seriously.





No, really...

[RacerX]

...and before Dave was Lloyd Grant, he did some early work, including the leads on "Hit The Lights"

Lloyd & RacerX at a MetalJam:

[Rsmacker]

You were duped, that's Whoopi Goldberg.

[scaz]

"HI, I'm Lloyd Grant"...funny stuff!

[MartinBarre]

What exactly caused this open letter? I don't buy metal music magazines since they're all shit, so I have no idea what's been going on.
Something to do with Megadeth from the posts here - what exactly?

[VoiceX3]

This openned letter was penned because since promotion of Endgame started media can do nothing better than try to rehash old feuds. Dave Mustaine isn't the only guy getting baited into talking about the same old same old stories. Kerry King has been quoted as has Tom and Dave also from the Slayer Camp. James, Kirk and Lars from the Metallica camp have been quoted as well. We've all heard them and we should all be done with them. As I know the artists are.

We are at a point in history (perhaps the only point) where a BIG 4 tour could work and be profitable for all. (the bands AND the fans) But with all the crap stirred by the press, they're forcing it towards not happenning.

These pissants need to leave it alone and let the tour that's at least 25 years overdue happen.

[Grandturk]

We are at a point in history (perhaps the only point) where a BIG 4 tour could work and be profitable for all.

A. Stirring up shit is what sells. And that includes both magazines and tickets.

B. Sub in Overkill for Anthrax, and now we're talking.

[VoiceX3]

A. Stirring up shit is what sells. And that includes both magazines and tickets.

B. Sub in Overkill for Anthrax, and now we're talking.

Maybe it sells....but with the egos involved this is just bad press. You gotta be able to get them all in the same room and on the same page. This crap is NOT helping.

While I'd love to see Overkill, Testament or even Exodus on the bill...what everyone who's making these suggestions is missing is that's it's "The Big 4" tour. I'm sorry, but the big 4 was Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax....that's the history and what makes this tour enticing AND nostalgic. It appears that John Bush is gonna be back with Anthrax and I have no problem with that.

Now if it were to turn into a real european style festival in the US I can see adding all the great heavy bands from the big 4 days plus some of the newer metal soldiers. Bands like those that have already been mentioned over and over plus newer (sorta) like Machine Head, Nevermore, Lamb of God, Hatebreed, C.O.B. and more. A 20 band weekend would kick ass....but a big 4 tour would still be better I think.

[Grandturk]

I'm sorry, but the big 4 was Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax....

See, I'm with you up to the Big Three, but I think #4 is a questionmark there.

[VoiceX3]

Take it back to the true Big 4 era and I beg to differ. How can anyone debate Spreading the Disease, Among the Living and State of Euphoria. Like it or not, Anthrax is big four.

[Grandturk]

Take it back to the true Big 4 era and I beg to differ. How can anyone debate Spreading the Disease, Among the Living and State of Euphoria. Like it or not, Anthrax is big four.

If anything, I'll give you a distant fourth. The kind of ferver Slayer, Metallica and Megadeth inspired continues to this day. Anthrax, meh, not so much.

IMO, of course.

[VoiceX3]

I can agree with that. Sharon Osbourne screwed up Anthrax. She wouldn't let them on Ozzfest without using the "Belladonna era" line-up. Which put John Bush out and he wasn't gonna wait....I personally don't blame him. Nothing against Joey and Danny Spitz, but when these 2 were gone and 'thrax was stuck with Dan Nelson (who obviously didn't fit well with personalities) their credibility took a huge hit. With Bush back in the fold I think they'll be right back in the thick of things metal.

[Grandturk]

I can agree with that. Sharon Osbourne screwed up Anthrax. She wouldn't let them on Ozzfest without using the "Belladonna era" line-up. Which put John Bush out and he wasn't gonna wait....I personally don't blame him. Nothing against Joey and Danny Spitz, but when these 2 were gone and 'thrax was stuck with Dan Nelson (who obviously didn't fit well with personalities) their credibility took a huge hit. With Bush back in the fold I think they'll be right back in the thick of things metal.

I like Bush-era Anthrax, but he joined the band well after they ceased to be relevant. By '92-'93, when The Sound of White Noise came out, they were out of it - they were "remember that band Anthrax?"

[dg]

I'm having a hard time seeing how Metallica could be convinced to do a tour like this, completely ignoring the feud factor. They're a true crossover draw that sells out the biggest venues at top dollar already, so what would you have to charge and how big would their cut have to be? Charge $120 & up, give them 3/4 of the gate and let the other 3 bands split 1/4? Charge $200 & up (piss off millions of fans, risk unsold tickets) & give them half? That's about what it would take to pay them what they're pulling in on their current tour. Then, could Dave's ego handle the "insult", even if a 10 - 15% share might still be his biggest payday ever? Strange things happen, but I'd be surprised.

[MartinBarre]

I'm having a hard time seeing how Metallica could be convinced to do a tour like this, completely ignoring the feud factor. They're a true crossover draw that sells out the biggest venues at top dollar already, so what would you have to charge and how big would their cut have to be? Charge $120 & up, give them 3/4 of the gate and let the other 3 bands split 1/4? Charge $200 & up (piss off millions of fans, risk unsold tickets) & give them half? That's about what it would take to pay them what they're pulling in on their current tour. Then, could Dave's ego handle the "insult", even if a 10 - 15% share might still be his biggest payday ever? Strange things happen, but I'd be surprised.

Exactly!