Former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland is preparing to set the record straight regarding long-standing allegations made by the band’s frontman, Dave Mustaine.
During a recent conversation with U.K. radio host Paul Stephenson on the “VRP Rocks” platform, the musician discussed his upcoming book, “Now Leaving Metalopolis,” and how it will serve as a rebuttal to decades of rumors.
The discussion touched upon the track “Liar“, featured on the 1988 Megadeth album So Far, So Good… So What?, which Dave Mustaine penned about his former bandmate. When asked if being called a “liar” by Mustaine negatively impacted his professional trajectory at the time, Chris Poland downplayed the fallout, emphasizing that he had shifted to a completely different musical landscape.
“Well, I’m sure it did affect my career, but my career was playing instrumental, whacked-out fusion [music]. I had a handful of people that listened to my music. Those people didn’t even listen to Megadeth, so it didn’t matter. And then when [Mustaine] asked me to come back [to Megadeth] — I don’t hold any grudges. Sometimes I get a little upset, if I think about it, but I never read [Dave‘s] books. People would tell me stuff he said [about me], and I’d be, like, ‘What are you gonna do?'” he explained (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
Co-authored with music journalist and podcaster Matt Herring, the upcoming autobiography will provide a platform for Poland to directly respond to some of the more severe accusations leveled against him over the years.
“I’m writing a book [called ‘Now Leaving Metalopolis‘] right now with [music journalist, podcaster and author] Matt Herring. And some of that stuff — I have my little rebuttal about stuff that was said [by Dave] about me. ‘Cause, first of all, I don’t hit girls. There’s a lot of things he said [over the years about me] that’s total B.S. But you know what? Like I said, I didn’t, and I don’t, hold a grudge. It’s not worth it. And you know who helped me with that was [late Megadeth drummer] Nick Menza. Cause Dave should have taken care of Nick, and it would get me upset, and I’d get all heated, and Nick would go, ‘Dude, you can’t carry that around, man. You gotta let all that go.’
He elaborated on the profound impact the late drummer had on his mindset, adding:
“Yeah, I learned a lot from Nick, just in the short time that we were together. I miss him.”
Regarding the project’s current status, the guitarist confirmed it is nearing the finish line. Despite addressing heavy subject matter, he insists the book retains a sense of humor.
“Oh, it’s close [to being completed]. It’s close. And it’s good, ’cause I told all the funny stories. I mean, you get to the part where it’s the heavy stuff, and it’s, like, yeah, it’s heavy, but a lot of people have been through that. And it is what it is. But the funny stories are pretty funny, man,” he concluded.
Chris Poland originally performed with Megadeth between 1984 and 1987, tracking guitars on the band’s essential early releases, Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good! and Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?. He later returned as a featured session soloist for the group’s 2004 studio effort, The System Has Failed.
Fans anticipating the release can currently hear four separate audio excerpts from “Now Leaving Metalopolis,” narrated by co-author Matt Herring, which have been made available online.
