The SmashUp’s Vin Alfieri Had Dave Mustaine Help Him Write Set Lists

Everyone's got an opinion about Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine. Some people love him, others don't. With Mustaine, there's really no in between. Vin Alfieri, guitarist for New York's the SmashUp, is definitely a fan of Mustaine, whom his band toured with in 2006 during that year's Gigantour.

"He's just such an iconic figure, and he's kinda basically like everything you kind of expect. He was a really awesome guy and a big supporter of the band, which was surprising he was such a fan of the band," Alfieri says. "He would actually write out our set list with us and kind of go over the songs -- like a coach -- after we'd play. He was really cool. One time, we played a good show in Milwaukee, and afterward, he told us that when we didn't jump around like asses, we were a much better band. He was awesome, and that tour had a big impact on the future of the band."

Alfieri says he's looking forward to Megadeth's reunion with original bassist Dave Ellefson, and he has fond memories of his time on tour with Mustaine.

"Gigantour, it was like being in a guitar camp," he recalls. "You get there for the load-in, and dudes were just playing all day long. Everyone wanted to teach you and show you different things. Mustaine was awesome like that. He showed us how he'd do stuff and, really, it was an intimate tour as opposed to some of the other festivals, which are party-based. With Megadeth, you would watch the amount of perfection that goes into the songs and how they executed them every night."

On March 16, the SmashUp will release 'The Sea and the Serpent,' their second LP, but for now, they've got no tour plans, aside from a few regional shows along the East Coast. This summer, the band will likely play some Warped Tour dates. They'd love to get on Ozzfest, if anyone from Sharon's camp is reading.

"Getting on Ozzfest would be awesome," he says. "I've always had a good time going to that show as opposed to some of the other summer festivals, so it would be cool to be part of that."