David Ellefson Also Believes 'Rock Is Dead in America'

You possibly can add former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson to these siding with the concept that rock is lifeless in America.

The musician not solely mentioned as a lot in a current interview with Border Metropolis Rock Discuss, however he additionally revealed that his perception in that assertion is why he is toured extra abroad than within the U.S. in recent times.

Why David Ellefson Feels Rock Is Useless In America

Sure, the “rock is lifeless” argument has been shared by Gene Simmons and reiterated by the musician often during the last decade, however he isn’t alone in making the argument. Ellefson even addressed Simmons in his feedback on the matter.

“Rock is lifeless in America — it truly is,” commented the bassist (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “And I do know individuals will lambaste me for saying that, however it’s. When Gene Simmons mentioned it, everyone hated him for it, however he’s proper. Until you’re a longtime band, until you’re Linkin Park and Metallica and KISS and Slayer, no matter, to start out a brand new rock band — youngsters aren’t into that shit. They’re into Fb and Tesla. Yeah, their lives are on their telephones. Being a rock star is just not cool anymore, prefer it was for us rising up. So, should you’ve bought it established, you’ll be able to preserve it working.”

In equity, Simmons’ “rock is lifeless” argument was extra about which youthful bands are the brand new Beatles, measuring as much as the requirements of rock’s glory days and having the music that transcends and resonates sufficient that it transcends standard tradition and turns into timeless no matter technology.

READ MORE: Why Gene Simmons Claims of ‘Rock Is Useless’ Is Useless Unsuitable

However Ellefson makes use of the “rock is lifeless” argument extra to elucidate the style’s place of significance within the U.S. as in comparison with the way it’s seen in different nations.

He continued, “For me, I get pleasure from South America, Latin America, [where] they love rock and roll. Asia, Australia. So you allow America and, man, rock and roll may be very a lot alive and properly. They champion the legacy stuff, they like new stuff. There’s much more.”

“I did a report for Napalm Data, they usually had a bunch of latest teams,” he added. “Jinjer had simply come out. There’s all this cool new stuff, in addition to me and Ok.Ok. Downing, and legacy artists have been placing information out. So I simply discover that it’s extra supportive. And also you have a look at the statistics, just like the Spotify numbers, you have a look at that globally, outdoors of America, and it’s simply stronger. It’s only a completely different tradition. It’s what it’s.”

“So I play right here in America, after all, too, however I discover that outdoors of the USA, sadly, is the place form of the bread and butter is for that, so far as the larger curiosity and the skills to nonetheless preserve taking part in and touring. And so they recognize it. Particularly going to lots of these locations in Jap Europe, the larger bands, even Megadeth, you’d play Warsaw, you’d play Bucharest, however you’ll be able to’t go form of deeper into the inside to a few of these smaller locations. And so once I do a few of these smaller issues, like ‘Bass Warrior’, I is usually a lot extra nimble and I can form of undergo the cracks and crevices and actually go. Folks, yeah, they adore it, man. The place we’re right here in North America, you get in your automotive, you drive down a freeway, you go to a different city far-off to see a live performance. It’s not that straightforward for different individuals in different cultures. So I really feel a privilege to have the ability to take my music to them.”

Ellefson can be again on tour in 2025. He not too long ago introduced March dates in Europe for his “Bass Warrior” trek.