There’s an old saying that goes, “be nice to people on your way up because you’ll meet them on your way down” or something to that effect. Basically don’t be a dick because you might need them one day. During a recent interview, that same sentiment was expressed by none other than metal’s most notable nice guy — Dave Mustaine.

In a recent interview with Monterrey Rock, Mustaine explained how a lot of Megadeth‘s success over the last four decades or so has been humility and being kind to other artists, while not being pushed around themselves.

“I think it’s not compromising and sticking to your convictions, being true to yourself and just not being a mean asshole. [Laughs] There’s a lot of musicians who get successful and they start to believe their own hype, that they’re really cool. And you know what? We’re all the same. That’s the end of the story. Period.

“When I hear stories out on the road, like when I was younger, I heard about some bands where this woman singer would make everyone call her ‘miss something.’ And you couldn’t look at her. I know Madonna did that, but this was somebody else before that. And I thought, ‘Wow, I don’t like her anymore.’ And it wasn’t that I liked her in the first place, but I just thought, ‘What kind of an asshole does that?’ ‘Don’t look at me!’ ‘All right! Don’t look at this! Fuck you!’

“When you start thinking you’re better than other people… You might be better at something than other people, but you know what? Man, we’re all the same. We’ve gotta stop treating people like other people don’t matter.”

Surely, there’s zero irony or anything we could make jokes about his comments. I mean, it’s not like he’s ever pissed off other people because of the shit he’s said in the past. Nor has he ever been a prick to his former band members or guitar techs. He’s never, ever caused problems regarding payments. Hell, it’s not like he’s ever blamed other metal acts for the lack of respect the genre gets. No, not ever.

SIMILAR ARTICLE

DAVE MUSTAINE Says That “Not Being A Mean A hole” Is The Secret To MEGADETH’s Success

Dave Mustaine recently spoke with Carmen Coronado of Monterrey Rock about the reception to Megadeth’s latest album The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!, and during the conversation he revealed what he thinks is the secret recipe for the band’s success: don’t be a jerk.

Mustaine expressed satisfaction with the critical and commercial success of the album, as it topped charts worldwide, marking a career-high for the band.

“It’s been very well received. It was successful for us. We have had some really high-charting records before, but this was the highest-charting record of all when it comes down to around the world. In the past, we’d have a record that was good in one place, but it wasn’t good everywhere, and this record has been really good in a lot of places. There’s been a couple of places where they just don’t like metal. But for the most part, I’ve been very, very, very, very happy with the outcome of this record,” Mustaine revealed.

But the key to this achievement, according to him, isn’t selling out or compromising their sound. It’s simply staying true to yourself and treating others with respect.

“I think it’s not compromising and sticking to your convictions, being true to yourself, and just not being a mean asshole. There are a lot of musicians who get successful and they start to believe their own hype, that they’re really cool. And you know what? We’re all the same. That’s the end of the story. Period.”

Mustaine went on to criticize the aloofness and entitlement he’s witnessed in other musicians, calling out those who demand special treatment, throwing in an expletive while in the process.

“When I hear stories out on the road, like when I was younger, I heard about some bands where this woman singer would make everyone call her ‘miss something. And you couldn’t look at her. I know Madonna did that, but this was somebody else before that. And I thought, ‘Wow, I don’t like her anymore.’ And it wasn’t that I liked her in the first place, but I just thought, ‘What kind of an asshole does that?’ ‘Don’t look at me!’ ‘All right! Don’t look at this! Fuck you!'”

“When you start thinking you’re better than other people… You might be better at something than other people, but you know what? Man, we’re all the same. We’ve gotta stop treating people like other people don’t matter.” Mustaine added.