Anthrax & Megadeth Bassists Frank Bello & David Ellefson Chat Bass Riffs & Technique | Reverb

Megadeth's David Ellefson and Anthrax's Frank Bello have been brothers in bass for a long time. After touring together with their respective bands, the two united to form a more perfect bass union with their group Altitudes & Attitude, and the duo graced our studio with a metal bass clinic.
Read more on Reverb: bit.ly/2X396S6
Check out Altitudes & Attitude's latest release, 'Get It Out': www.altitudesandattitude.com/
Frank & David on their Favorite Records: • Video
Anthrax on Reverb LP: bit.ly/2X5SFob
Megadeth on Reverb LP: bit.ly/2X74Fpm

[@RMGCBG]

Was told years ago: left hand is what you’ve learned, right hand is who you are. So true

[@kurtkroczaleskijr.7644]

What does that mean?

[@nickbroussard3784]

​@@kurtkroczaleskijr.7644 like nobody has the same picking style or sound but your fretting hand is what u have learned from others

[@kurtkroczaleskijr.7644]

@@nickbroussard3784 ok thanks

[@therealeikichionizuka]

Rick CBG as a bass player, yeah definitely. The main this with bass is that almost all your sound comes from your playing style, not your gear.

[@RMGCBG]

@@therealeikichionizuka agreed, left is notes and chords. Right is up, down, alternative picking etc. watch Jaco clips. His right hand was sick!

[@djc5897]

Ellefson is incredibly well spoken and seems very intelligent.

[@dgmwitz]

read his autobiographies. highly recommend

[@danish8003]

I was going to comment the same thing. Look how many years have past and they are still here rocking.

[@betico7502]

he is a mid west farmers son!! went to college in LA but never made it cos he met Dave Sr hehe

[@jrjr1295]

Not morally intelligent

[@shruggzdastr8-facedclown]

Frank, too, for that matter

[@LoudMaroon]

You can tell these two genuinely enjoy each others company, I love it!

[@GuilhermeRibeir0]

They have a band together. It's called Altitudes and Attitudes if I'm not mistaken

[@blackwolfmedia7773]

Frank looks like he never aged.

[@acho8387]

It's those Mediterranean genes.

[@juicysuit7195]

Probably diet too. I'm guessing he doesn't put a lot of crap into his body.

[@blackwolfmedia7773]

When you think about it, everyone in Anthrax looks like they never aged.

[@mottosierra1372]

@@juicysuit7195 he still drink.a lot alcohol

[@fabricio2467]

the opposite to ellefson

[@damoneubanks9075]

Two legends. First two metal concerts I ever saw were Megadeth on the Peace Sells tour and then Anthrax on the Among the Living tour about a month later. Wish I could go back.

[@juleknocen9438]

Dave playing with fingers. Now I’ve seen it all!

[@salottin]

We need more metal bass videos on this world!

[@BatEatsMoth]

Check out my stuff.

[@MetalgamerAK]

Here's to rubbishing those "playing bass with a pick is blasphemy" buffoons. Great players, great instruments, great video!

[@user-xw6uh3yp7g]

Jaymz Moffitt how is it lazy? It just sounds better

[@tk_bass7891]

@@user-xw6uh3yp7g sounds better is absolutely to listener and the context. I can't stand the sound of a pick on a bass.. Obviously to you it sounds better, and your not wrong for that, as I'm not necessarily right. When you absolutely say it sounds better, as a fact.. that's not how music works. Geezer, Burton, Getty, Harris, Claypool, Sheehan, Wooten, Graham, Webster and Anthony Voight are some of my favorites.. not a single one uses a pick. If you've ever heard someone use a pick to play Anesthesia, Sinister Minister or Tommy the Cat ... besides the fact it sounds absolutely horrible, it cant be done. James Jamerson would be an unknown if he was a pick user, but motorhead/megadeth wouldn't be as good without a pick. You gotta understand man, it's all subjective... nobody's opinion is wrong, until you start making it sound like it's a fact.

[@stephenmclaughlin3328]

do whatever you want.....NEVER LISTEN to these ppl. Play the bass with ur head if its works for u

[@user-xw6uh3yp7g]

Jaymz Moffitt you didn’t answer how playing a pick is lazy

[@tk_bass7891]

@@user-xw6uh3yp7g thats because it an easy answer... using a pick requires very little practice... it's so much easier in the short term. Using fingers takes alot more discipline, time served and practice. You gotta remember.. a pick never touched a bass till long after it was electrified. I dont persecute anyone that uses a pick, but the day instopped using one... my world opened up for the sounds and techniques I can pull off. I issue you a challenge... learn any Iron Maiden song.. playing without a pick.. I'm curious how far you'll get. 🤘 May the rythm be with you, and slappin the bass!

[@Ceruleannn]

I love how down to earth these guys are. No rockstar attitude at all! It kinda surprises me that Mustaine and Ellefson make it work together.

[@patrickmurphy2443]

Its because there bassist

[@manjunathabhishek8018]

Mustain's not bad either with fan engagement stuffs

[@andii-]

yeah. like mustaine is humble, but still arrogant at the same time.

[@user-mh1hm2bz4m]

That's most metal guys in general, humble and down to earth

[@nachiketrao5285]

How do I turn my guitar into a bass like Frank?

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

Nachiket, you have to be a magician and also be a musician. 🧙🎸

[@joonaslehtonen7965]

Ask Nikki Sixx. He started playing bass with guitar.

[@dariohenriquez7773]

very true kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3uooaeif7KHbJI

[@jocer12ify]

1st four strings of the guitar is a bass so there ya go 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

@@jocer12ify , not true man. You know better than that. Ask Ellefson if there is a difference.

[@mrc2662]

This is an absolute joy to watch. Been a massive Anthrax fan since Among the Living. These gents are just masters of their craft. Terrific video production too.

[@Thesongstaysthesame]

I’ve been watching David Ellefson videos for the last 5 1/2 hrs. I feel like a better person now

[@konger6069]

I love how Franks guitar disappears and turns into a Bass randomly at 2:07

[@321mzzz123]

yeah, and he can't be spotted using any bass other than ESP/LTD, so they taped Musicman logo on the neck

[@elijahwhistler4795]

Then back to a guitar at 8:48

[@elijahwhistler4795]

Then bass again at 9:05

[@axxessmundi]

I thought Frank Bello was Kiko for a moment.

[@antonioecheverria2727]

He looks like an old Nuno Bettencourt tho.

[@andrewcoates4952]

Honestly Daves tone and approach to playing is what keeps me going as a bass player. Frank not so much but it is nice to be able to hear his tone in the mix. Cliff Burton got me into playing and Jason Newstead and Dave Ellefson kept me there

[@metalinyourhead3604]

It was David Ellefson’s awesome opening bass riff on Peace Sells that really turned me on to Megadeth. I don’t know about others but I feel the bass running through my blood when I listen to metal songs. You can’t always hear it but it’s what gets me going on any song.

[@ned1621]

2 legends from 2 legendary bands, and 2 really nice guys. Very enjoyable and interesting to watch!!

[@andrewpappas9311]

Love David's playing, Peace Sells and Got the Time were two of the first metal bass lines I ever learned

[@erradate6425]

damn you started with some incredibly difficullt bass lines for beginners

[@andrewpappas9311]

user 14555 I had been playing for awhile when I learned those, also I play with a pick so I also wanted to work on my stamina and whatnot (seeing how fast “Got the Time” is)

[@erradate6425]

@@andrewpappas9311 you litteraly just said that these were 2 of the first metal lines you learned ..

[@MySpartans11]

user 14555 first two METAL bass lines learned. Probably knew lots of others before learning those

[@andrewpappas9311]

Also I wanted to challenge myself, what can I say?

[@davidepannone6021]

I could literally listen to these guys discussing music and tone for days without getting bored. And im not even a bassist. What a great vid. Im happy i stumbled across it.

[@SuperDuce74]

What a fun few minutes. Thanks to both of them their time!

[@rome8180]

The song they play at 9:54 really showcases David's melodic playing. He's basically walking up and down the scale, and not necessarily feeling like he has to play the root of the chords.

[@edmondott3748]

Such a great interview from two outstanding musicians.

[@TheApplesmasher]

These guys are great, I could hear them talk and play all day!

[@chrisf6216]

Thank you Reverb! *Frank* in the hopes you see this, I was lucky enough to see Anthrax (along with Pantera) and you came out with so much energy and continued it for your entire set, one couldn't help but have a great time! I have been a Bello fan ever since. but that's not my point. The audience was rather lethargic in comparison BUT I want you to know that was not the case. We were all taking it in - you guys crushed it - cheers!

[@aprild9577]

I saw them with Pantera too and skid row was there. Frank is awesome. I saw them again last year. I love the way Frank's backups blend with Joey's voice. I would love to meet those guys. Love Dave too. Both are great bassists

[@davidnissim589]

Why is it that the Big 4’s bassists are all the most humble members of the band?

[@stevennemeth6256]

LOVE THIS...It's so great seeing both of these monsters speak about, listening, and doing what works for the song or project is affirmation that Bass is the best instrument in every band. Love the interaction of these 2 working together. Great stuff!

[@chrissoares23]

Great vid! Love these guys, awesome players. Really dig hearing how they put the song first and how they think about parts. Please have them back Reverb!

[@TheRimeOfTheAncientMariner]

Two of the coolest guys right there. Lost track of how many times I've seen their bands live! \m/

[@AustinStephan]

I'm not a bass player, but it's awesome to see two legends just trading licks and talking. Very cool video!

[@jaredstambaugh7045]

I love that these two giants collaborate. So humbled and principled. I really like the song Lone Justice. So proud of these guys.

[@davetbassbos]

Great interview! bass players always seem to be so reasonable and intelligent.

[@jamesbeitman5186]

2 of my all time favorite bass players. Thanks guys!

[@swingingswords3614]

Not a bass player, but love listening to these two talk about their craft. Dave's bass sound is awesome. Thanks for the vid.

[@santanajackson6160]

these are 2 of the coolest guys that you can chill with and as a bass player I can relate to everything they said .

[@luis_6507]

Junior and Frank are such good friends. They both seem to like each other and i love it. 2 of my favorite bassist.

[@IGedeManue]

Can tell how friendly & down two earth are the two to everybody. Big fan since always. from Southeast Asia

[@Under_myvoodoo]

Im a bass player, I don’t play any shows sadly, mainly play in my room or for family, but I really learn a lot from these videos and it keeps me motivated to learn more and more 👍🏾

[@cryptoisaac]

Dave is so cool!!! I met him during a guitar convention in Tacoma Washington, he answered all my questions that have been boiling in me for decades. His A very humble man with unspeakable talent thank you man 🙏

[@vichenchi]

He is an amazing guy, love him

[@Kevdogma72]

I really didn’t notice it when I was a kid how such a good bass player Frank was, I put in among the living and the bass lines are insane! The pick can be as amazing as the fingers cool sound especially on those late 80s indie rock records!

[@pseudosun]

glad to see it. Players mature, and they want to mellow out and write melodic stuff. I support them. Let the support players be heard.

[@11DNA11]

2 of my favorite bassists of all time

[@latontolog]

I'm not a bass player and I don't really listen to either of these bands, but I thoroughly enjoyed this video. A lot of great and useful insights here. More videos like this please! :)

[@hinjurock70]

They're both great. I never knew that they had a project together.

[@anti-queproductionsurgenyo4212]

Such a cool guy Ellefson love his attitude 7:39...9:27the talk about the importance of picking the bass... Most present days bassist still need to understand

[@medicinemann8844]

Man! Thxz! Best I've seen. 👍🏽🎸🤘🏽

[@alexbreyer6921]

Not a fan of their bands, but this video was really fun to watch. They both speak intelligently about critical things players need to be thinking of in songs and group dynamics. The sound between them was really fun to hear also. Just pros at what they do.

[@Megadeth1311]

i´m a guitar player, and i always say: turn up the bass! i love to playalong to my pal on bass, it carries the guitar on.

[@mgreene300]

Love the jams these two have put together

[@putridabomination]

Excellent video deth for life \m/

[@ThePetriniac]

They are both great bassists and persons. I like to see them together playing and talking

[@c3920]

Awesome. Two legends.

[@snap-off5383]

9:36 Best guitar advice I ever got was: "Don't listen to what your fingers are doing, don't listen to what your biases tell you, don't listen to the haters, don't listen to your own inner hype, LISTEN TO THE SOUND COMING OUT OF THE SPEAKER! That's what everyone ELSE hears." Ellefson always has that "I just put on some brand spankin' new strings" tone.

[@wolfwarren6376]

People like to say that metal isn’t musical. I think this really proves them wrong. Listening to these guys really shows just how much musicians in the metal genre actually listen, practice and play with such intricacy. At least the ones that are deeply focused and actually practice.

Great sharing !

[@Bendit1974]

When these two get together and talk like this, I listen. There's nothing else in the room but them.

[@jetblack7044]

Great video Love these guys

[@JTPrime08]

Noice, I play bass and love these two bassists. Megadeth and Anthrax are awesome. Other than that, cool:).

[@alexisnicolas9554]

David has one of the best bass metal tone ever \m/

[@robertbaker5156]

Two excellent Bass players!!!!

[@incubrian]

i was lucky enough to see Frank Bello with HELMET!! so amazing

[@maxmatson1578]

I would have loved to hear Dave do the Riff for "bad omen"

[@kiki6978]

TWO really really cool guys and amazing players in the game, Ellefsons tone is so smooth and beautiful to listen too,i remember hearing when megadeth broke up and metallica was looking for a bass player ellefson auditioned. but im glad he stayed for megadeth

[@stunner55]

2 favorite bands. 2 favorite bassists.

[@diederikschouten2556]

Love the tape on Frank's headstock. Must be a contractual obligation, no public appearances with basses other than ESP's :P

[@EV50400]

I saw Anthrax in concert back when they toured with Iron Maiden. This was probably in 1990 or very early 1991? I was 15-16 years old at the time. I saw them both again, along with Slayer for The Clash of The Titans tour in the summer of 91. I saw them in Dave's home state of MN as a matter of fact. ;) As long as I live, I'll never forget that concert. Alice and Chains opened for them - this was back before anyone knew who the heck they were.

[@smeagle3295]

My two favorite bass players in all of heavy metal!

[@MrYinkaOyewole]

This is awesome!!!

[@JimmyDeSantagta]

Holy fucking shit dude when Frankie started telling the story about lone justice, i love those stories where someone basically tells how a song was created. I never knew he played lone justice with a pick

[@TheRodolfoVideos]

Time passes really fast while watching two groovie masterminds discussing their instruments

[@beetsq1968]

Super chill guys

[@albertvasu5489]

"Your signature sound is in the hand you sign your signature with"...now that quote made me wonder about Kiko ( from Megadeth) since he's left handed but plays right hand ...i mean it does make sense why he's so smooth on the fret board, guy's got a lot of feel to it

[@macleod1592]

Really enjoyed this. Dave and Frankie are definitely 2 unsung metal heroes. Glad to see them get some attention.

[@jeffreyswanson3798]

I'm down here in Spring Hill Florida let's just call it that but I guess I'm going to have to give John Oliva a big hug when I see him come down to all about music if you're in Spring Hill brother we would love to see you

[@ColeGaskins]

I’m not a metal guy but I really enjoyed this

[@KUM0]

Amazing people ❤️

[@prepperchannel]

David Ellefson is wonderful, when he speaks, I listen.

[@justsomedude5727]

I think dave is using the bass amp i have here (orange terror bass), that's awesome to see

[@willyhwang1059]

a great chef is good with his hands and also has great knife skills. a great bassist fingers and pick.

[@PooNinja]

ha I just saw Frank on a rerun of "married with children" last night. it was almost as cool as this tech talk got any combs left ???

[@matthewheinecke2621]

Kookie, Kookie, lend me your comb!

[@christschinwon]

Never knew they were on that show. Just found the clip. Christina Applegate headbanging really turned me on!

[@kolposin]

David Ellefson likes to talk about Fieldy from KoRn cause in his metal bass dvd1 he also talked about Fieldy from KoRn!!!.In this video it was in 4:54

[@fabpern]

4:53 "Fieldy from Korn had a great quote, he said: 'Your signature sound is in the hand you sign your signature with', which generally is the hand that you pluck and pick with"... It's weird Fieldy would say such a thing since he writes ans signs with his left hand and plucks his bass with the right one. The only explanation is that to him his signature sound is in the hand that's on the neck/fretboard.

[@MichaelD8393]

Frank on guitar? Now, I've seen it all!

[@AndreiGrozea]

Charlie plays a lot of guitar too

[@MichaelD8393]

@@AndreiGrozea I know that, I just never knew Frank did.

[@insanemtl5890]

Looking Down The Cross what a great song!

[@sk8terboi10003]

David is such a cool dude man I could listen him for hours and just learn the bass man he is cool dude

[@deterrencedbeat]

Danny?

[@DjVolumeUp200]

Can anyone explain what he meant when he said they used Major 3rds for the chording at 9:00? I see him holding a Minor 3rd interval and it also sounds more like a minor than a major chord.

[@jeffreyswanson3798]

Also anthrax he was at the armory in Tampa it was a round building it was crazy like a basketball court it was awesome

[@kelvinrodriguezjr2184]

Found out that spotify has an eq i raised the bass settings to try to learn the bass parts better ended up leaving the bass high cause honestly a more audible bass really makes metal hit harder and sound more fun (in my opinion)

[@eroticblack]

2 of the coolest dudes

[@Jonas-fi5xr]

Can sit here all day and listen to you guys and I dont even play anything.

[@trentcercone761]

Imagine seeing this after Dave kicked out of mega death.............it happened

[@brocrash2687]

I Still like him

[@VicioStarbreaker]

Ive met bello with anthrax great guys! Now i just need to meet ellefson and mustaine with megadeth

[@jcsk8]

Legends!

[@richardayala3748]

Class is in session

[@gwyn8372]

Why did Frank censor tape the brand on his headstock though?

[@omarsantos929]

that riff that Frank came up with it sounds like "sound of white noise" Anthrax!

[@alejandrolugo3983]

Does someone knows what is the name of the song they are playing at the beggining.

[@8Junio76]

Dave Ellefson is wearing a t-shirt of the High Voltage bar in Copenhagen.

[@d0m0b40]

this video puts a smilw on my face, just two guys passionate about their art. i gotta get a bass soon :)

[@maverick_shredder0798]

David Ellefson is a beast bassist!!

[@Jamestele1]

Wow- I really like Frank Belo on guitar with David Ellefson countering with the bass. They could have been a "technical grunge" band or something. Very cool