Chris Broderick: I’d have stayed with Megadeth if I’d had creative freedom

Megadeth in 2014, including Chris Broderick
Broderick, second right, with Megadeth

Former Megadeth guitarist Chris Broderick would have remained with Dave Mustaine’s band if he’d been given creative freedom, he’s said.

Broderick and drummer Shawn Drover both left within hours of each other in 2014, and went on to form Act Of Defiance.

But they’d always known that Megadeth was entirely run by Mustaine, and that a democratic approach wasn’t an option.

Broderick tells Ultimate Guitar: “There comes a time when you’re like, ‘I’ve done this and it’s great, but I’m a musician and artist and I need to express myself that way. I need that outlet for myself, and not just do it in support of another person.’”

He continues: “It was awesome for my career, and it was great playing for all those fans. But at some point, when do you decide you’re going to create your own music? Or are you just going to record what somebody else wants?”

Some riffs on Act Of Defiance’s debut album Birth And The Burial had previously been rejected by Mustaine. “That’s the question for me – I couldn’t answer why or why not,” Broderick says.

Asked if he’d have stayed with Megadeth if creative freedom was given, he replies: “Oh yeah, definitely.”

Mustaine is planning a benefit concert for the family of ex-drummer Nick Menza, who died earlier this month. He’s invited all surviving former members to take part.

Act of Defiance 2016 tour dates

May 31: Winnipeg The Park Theatre, MB
Jun 01: Thunder Bay Rockhouse, ON
Jun 03: Sudbury The Asylum, ON
Jun 05: Montreal Corona Theatre, QC (with Hatebreed)
Jun 06: Toronto Opera House, ON (with Hatebreed)
Jun 07: Milvale Mr Small’s Theatre, PA (with Hatebreed)
Jun 08: Albany Upstate Concert Hall, NY (with Hatebreed)
Jun 09: Burlington Higher Ground, VT (with Hatebreed)
Jun 10: Providence Lupos, RI (with Hatebreed)
Jun 11: New Haven Toad’s Place, CT (with Hatebreed)
Jun 12: Elmhurst Blackthorn 51, NY
Jun 13: Amityville Amityville Music Hall, NY
Jun 14: Philadelphia Kung Fu Necktie, PA
Jun 16: Dayton Oddbody’s, OH
Jun 17: Memphis The HiTone Cafe, TN
Jun 18: Oklahoma City Diamond Ballroom, OK
Jun 19: Lubbock Backstage, TX
Jun 23: Albuquerque The Co-Op, NM
Jun 24: Flagstaff The Green Room, AZ
Jun 25: Los Angeles Whisky-A-Go-Go, CA

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Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.