MFA Interview with Chris Broderick of Megadeth

Chris Broderick, the incredibly talented (and all around nice guy) guitarist from Megadeth was gracious enough to sit down with us recently, and he gave a great short interview. The guys are very busy (touring with Exodus and Testament) and we were honored for Chris to talk to us about Dave, writing albums, and playing live. Ladies and Gentlemen, Chris Broderick:



Big Robbo: You've been with the band for awhile, had a hand in Engame....we know from your time in Jag Panzer that you're no stranger to playing shows, but playing the shows that Megadeth plays, is that something you had to get used to?

Chris Broderick: Oh definitely. If you see me you might not realize it but when I perform I have a lot of performance nerves. A year from now I'll be more adjusted and equipped to perform in front of people. Megadeth has made me step up and enjoy my game. The scrutiny is much greater at this point.

Big Robbo: This is the 20th anniversary of Rust In Peace, are you getting more comfortable with those songs as time goes on.

Chris Broderick: We had a lot of rehearsal time going into this tour, but no matter how used you get to playing something it acquires much more motor memory and muscle memory and much more ease with it the time you get with it. The more time you have with it the better you get.

Big Robbo: When you see or hear quotes like "when we tapped Chris it was like when Ozzy found Randy Rhoads" or "Chris is the best guitar player Megadeth has ever had" do you feel honored or does it put you into "Oh Shit" mode.

Chris Broderick: It does both. To even have him give me those accolades is quite humbling, but on the other hand you're like Oh Crap! Now I have to live up to that! In the end I just go out there and do my best and hope everyone appreciates it.

Big Robbo: We do Chris. You can hear your influence in Endgame, but Dave hasn't picked up the seven string yet. Does he screw around with it at all.

Chris Broderick: I'll say he will probably always stick with a six-string, but her certainly isn't adverse to letting me have my say with the seven string. As far as now, with the live stuff and all the Megadeth stuff we go with a six, and it's probably best because that's where thrash lives...on the six string as opposed to the seven string.

Big Robbo: Dave Ellefson is back with the band..how did that affect the band.

Chris Broderick: Well for me it happened so quick. I was busy preparing my parts for the tour and when I went in they told me Ellefson's back...and he got in there and we started jamming right away.

Big Robbo: Megadeth's albums always stand on their own. Is that something that the band has a hand in...something you do when you're out on the road?

Chris Broderick: There is no one set format for creation, it can go anyway. All I can talk about is Endgame, it was a big submission on all of our parts, when we got that all hashed out we could think in which direction we could go. That was a great luxury to have on that CD.