The year was 1985. Megadeth was given $8,000 by Combat Records to record their debut album Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good!, but had to fire the producer and do it themselves after blowing the money on drugs and alcohol. Now in 2022, ex-bassist Dave Ellefson said in an interview with The SDR Podcast (via MetalSucks) that he can still "can hear what color the [cocaine] was" at different points of the album. Because y'know, it was the '80s and that's just what the deal was at the time.
"It was so fun in the studio playing with him, because I tell you, every time I hear, like, [Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!] I can just hear, like, 'Okay, snort a big rail–' *SNIFF* 'Okay, Rattlehead, GO!'
"And then by the time it gets to the break, I remember NEEDING a break — we're just looking at each other, me, Dave, and [drummer Gar Samuelson] in the room, like — ' *pant pant pant* 'Holy SHIT! That tempo was way faster than we wanted it to be!'
"I can hear what color the powder was that we snorted at various tempo shifts!"
Catch Megadeth on tour this Spring with Lamb Of God, Trivium, and In Flames at one of the dates below.
4/9 – Las Vegas, NV @ Michelob Ultra Arena
4/10 – Tucson, AZ @ Tucson Arena
4/12 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Broadmoor World Arena
4/14 – Corpus Christi, TX @ American Bank Center
4/15 – Lafayette, LA @ Cajundome
4/16 – Brandon, MS @ Brandon Amphitheater
4/19 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
4/21 – Fort Wayne, IN @ Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
4/22 – Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center
4/24 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
4/26 – Omaha, NE @ Baxter Arena
4/27 – Cedar Rapids, IA @ Alliant Energy PowerHouse
4/29 – Kansas City, MO @ T-Mobile Center
4/30 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center* No Trivium
5/3 – North Charleston, SC @ North Charleston Coliseum
5/4 – Greenville, SC @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena
5/6 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
5/7 – Peoria, IL @ Peoria Civic Center
5/9 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Petersen Events Center
5/10 – Rochester, NY @ Blue Cross Arena
5/12 – Portland, ME @ Cross Insurance Arena
5/13 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Arena
5/15 – Allentown, PA @ PPL Center
5/17 – Laval, QC – Place Bell
5/18 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
5/19 – Quebec City, QC – Centre Videotron
