MEGADETH has been forced to cancel its run of Australian tour dates. A message from Dave Mustaine follows:
“Due to circumstances beyond its control, unfortunately MEGADETH has to cancel their Australian dates. MEGADETH’s decision is unrelated to the fact that Jason Newsted is performing at Soundwave. Jason and I spoke recently and continue to be friends.”
Newsted had been slated to play a supporting slot on two of MEGADETH’s shows in Australia when the show’s promoter abruptly dropped Newsted, added WHITECHAPEL, and issued a statement claiming that the switch-up was “at the request of MEGADETH.” That started a rumor storm that Dave Mustaine hadn’t dropped his longstanding grudge against Metallica, from which he was fired in 1983 for drug use.
MEGADETH’s tour manager denies any bad blood between MEGADETH and Newsted, telling ABC News Radio, “Dave submitted a list of bands he was comfortable with and the promoter ignored the list. Dave and Jason are friends [and] this has blown up into something silly.”