In a new conversation on the latest episode of The David Ellefson Show podcast, former MEGADETH guitarist Chris Poland opened up about the lingering impact of his strained relationship with frontman Dave Mustaine. Reflecting on his time with the legendary metal band, Poland revealed that Mustaine’s public accusations of dishonesty significantly hindered his career opportunities long after his departure.
Poland, who joined ex-MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and co-host Joshua Toomey on the podcast, expressed regret over one thing despite having “no regrets about everything that’s happened” in his life and career. That one thing? Mustaine repeatedly calling him a “liar” on stage over the years.
“I never really thought much about it, but then I did the math and I realized that’s why things were so hard for me to try and get deals,” Poland explained. He recalled walking into Carvin Guitars with the hope of discussing a potential partnership, only to be bluntly told by their A&R representative, “Dude, we don’t use people like you on our roster.”
“It finally dawned on me just how much damage that really did,” Poland said. “Dave’s anger with me was like dragging around a 50-pound ball all the time back then.”
David Ellefson, who has also experienced similar challenges after his split from MEGADETH, chimed in with support. “Well, look, he did it to [former MEGADETH guitarist] Jeff Young too. There was some derogatory comment Dave made that kept Jeff from getting work for a long time. I could say the same was attempted at me,” Ellefson shared. “Fortunately, I just kept moving. I just kept going and was like, ‘All right, I’m just gonna ignore that comment and keep moving.’”
Ellefson also spoke about efforts to bring former MEGADETH members together despite ongoing tensions. He recalled how, around the time he rejoined MEGADETH in 2010, Young wanted to unite former bandmates to address Mustaine’s public grievances. “I said, ‘Hey, Jeff. I just got home from San Diego. I literally just rejoined MEGADETH.’ And Dave came to me about it, and I said, ‘I’ll handle it. I’ll take care of it.’ And I made it go away — as I do,” Ellefson said. “We’re gonna come to peaceful terms, make that go away, and just move on.”
Despite the heavy emotions tied to those years, Poland was clear that his remarks were not out of bitterness. “It’s not sour grapes or anything,” he added. “It’s just the truth — and it finally dawned on me just how much damage that really did.”
For context, MEGADETH’s song “Liar,” featured on their 1988 album So Far, So Good… So What!, is notoriously believed to be about Chris Poland himself, who played guitar on the group’s first two albums before his departure. The song’s biting lyrics reflect the tension and mistrust between Mustaine and Poland during that era.
In a 2022 interview with Sofa King Cool, Poland was asked if “Liar” was indeed written by Mustaine about him, to which guitarist responded: “Oh, yeah. Obviously, Dave was very upset with me when I left the band — when he fired me, basically.”
Asked if he was angry when he first heard he was the lyrical inspiration for the song, Poland said: “No, man. It’s like the pot calling the kettle black, man. When you point your finger, man, there’s three pointing back at you. I just rolled my eyes and was, like, ‘Really?'”
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