As one of America’s most successful heavy metal bands, there’s not much left that isn’t known about Megadeth — especially with frontman Dave Mustaine mostly willing and able to share his every opinion and philosophy over the course of his long career. Nevertheless, we still felt compelled to canvas every corner of our Mega-storage bins for random trivia and forgotten tidbits in order to bring you 20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Megadeth.

  • 1

    After getting the boot from Metallica, Dave Mustaine began his second attempt at global domination by briefly working as a telemarketer.

  • 2

    In a perfect world, Mustaine would have liked to hire Diamond Head singer Sean Harris (of ‘Am I Evil?’ fame) as Megadeth’s frontman. Ten years later, Mustaine guested on Diamond Head’s comeback album, ‘Death and Progress.’

  • 3

    Megadeth’s early-days cover of Nancy Sinatra’s ‘These Boots are Made for Walkin’’ was removed from album pressings post-1995, because the song’s original composer, Lee Hazlewood, deemed it “vile and offensive.”

  • 4

    Megadeth’s lovable mascot, Vic Rattlehead, was conceived by Dave Mustaine. Artist Ed Repka, who also has worked with Death, Dark Angel and Municipal Waste, drew Vic on the 'Peace Sells ...' album under Mustaine's direction.

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  • 5

    During the video shoot for “Wake Up Dead,” an overzealous fan spray painted an airplane inside the hangar used as a set.

  • 6

    Chuck Behler, who played on 1987’s ‘So Far, So Good… So What!,’ was promoted from his former job as Gar Samuelson’s drum tech. Nick Menza then became Behler’s drum tech and would soon take his place.

  • 7

    Dave Mustaine got the idea for ‘Rust in Peace’ from a bumper sticker reading “May all your warheads rust in peace.”

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  • 8

    The title track from ‘Countdown to Extinction’ was awarded the Humane Society’s Genesis Award in 1993; a yearly honor recognizing outstanding work in raising awareness of animal issues.

  • 9

    While touring with Aerosmith in 1993, Dave Mustaine was quoted as saying “We don't have much time to play because Aerosmith don't have much time left to live.” To no one’s surprise, that was the end of that gig.

    Geffen
    Geffen
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  • 10

    Best-selling horror author Dean Koontz once wrote a tongue-in-cheek biography for Megadeth, including a sarcastic historical timeline, before concluding with numerous comparisons to Godzilla.

  • 11

    A late ‘90s episode of the ‘X-Files’ featured Agent Moulder telling his partner Scully to “Better hide your Megadeth albums.”

  • 12

    After leaving the band in 2000 and moving to Japan in 2003, longtime Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman used his Japanese language skills to reinvent himself as a successful television show host in the land of the rising sun.

  • 13

    In 1998, Dave Mustaine made a cameo appearance on 'The Drew Carey Show,' where he failed an audition to join Carey’s band.

  • 14

    Dave later competed in VH1’s short-lived ‘Rock & Roll Jeopardy,’ where he wiped the floor with George Clinton and Moon Unit Zappa. Smart man.

  • 15

    A man of many cameos, Dave also played the part of an arsonist named Torchy Thompson in a 2001 episode of the TV series, ‘Black Scorpion.’

  • 16

    Megadeth’s 2004 comeback album, ‘The System Has Failed,’ was originally recorded for release as Dave Mustaine’s first solo album.

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  • 17

    Speaking of 'The System Has Failed,' Mustaine's son Justis and daughter Electra both appear in the music video for that album's 'Die Dead Enough.'

  • 18

    Megadeth have received nine Grammy nominations over the years, but have never won one! Shame on you, Recording Academy!

  • 19

    While he was out of Megadeth, bassist David Ellefson formed the metal tribute supergroup Hail! featuring Tim 'Ripper' Owens, Andreas Kisser and Jimmy DeGrasso (later Mike Portnoy).

  • 20

    Dave Mustaine is a certified black belt in Tae Kwon Do and Ukidokan karate, so watch your mouth!

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