Kiko Loureiro of Megadeth

by Steve Patrick
– Sr. Columnist —

The legendary Megadeth recently released their return-to-form thrash-terpiece Dystopia to rave reviews. The album’s success is thanks in large part to the new blood in the band’s ranks in the form of drummer Chris Adler (Lamb of God) and guitarist Kiko Loureiro (Angra).

Before Megadeth took the stage at Rock on the Range 2016, Loureiro sat down with Hardrock Haven. The Brazilian guitar wizard chatted about Dystopia, how he got the Megadeth gig, and his favorite Megadeth album.

HRH: First off, fantastic record. I can’t stop listening to Dystopia.

KL: Oh really? That’s great. Thank you so much. I’m happy to hear that.

HRH: Can you talk about how you ended up getting the gig?

KL: I don’t know. It was so fast. It was like 1 year ago. Yeah. So it was like March (of 2015) that I got an e-mail from Ellefson, he had my contact because we met during the NAMM shows and we jammed together once. So he had my e-mail and sent me an e-mail. “Can I call you?” Then he called me and it was kind of … uh, I don’t remember what he said, but I got the impression that they had a list of guitar players that they were checking out. He said, “Can Mustaine call you?” and I said, “Of course.” (laughs) So Mustaine called the same day. I was kind of sick because I had just come from a tour. Ibanez clinic tour. So he noticed I was coughing a bit and stuff and said that he’d call me in a few days. So in that time, I was listening to the songs and checking out the YouTube videos and stuff like that. Mustaine called me and … “Come to Nashville.” He lives in Nashville. So I was there with my guitar thinking this must be an audition or something and we had lunch, we had coffee, we drove around, we had dinner, and then I came back to L.A. So we hung out during the day, talked about life, family, guitar, bands, Megadeth … he didn’t say anything about “Okay you’re going to be the guitar player.” He was just knowing me as a person, right? They probably checked me out on YouTube, my albums, or something. I have 4 solo guitar albums. I don’t know if he’s listened to that or not, but then a few days later the management came to me to talk and then maybe a week later I was again in Nashville for the pre-production. I met Chris Adler and they were already practicing some ideas for the album and then I was there, like okay … it’s announced. (laughs) So it was interesting because it was a situation where I came to the studio to compose and to help to record Dystopia which is different than coming to a tour where you learn first the old songs or you have contact with the fans … you understand the Megadeth environment, you know? I came to the studio which is very … it’s just these 4 walls and you stay there all day. It was me and Dave … and Ellefson came later, you know because bass just needs a few days to record. Chris Adler was there … and the producer … so it was very different and I was just observing and learning and trying to adapt to this new environment.

HRH: I would imagine that it would take a little while to adapt to that.

KL: Yes, but it was good. It was good.

HRH: You mentioned your solo work, but you’re also known for your work in Angra. I’m sure you’re right that Dave hit YouTube pretty hard in leading up to meeting you and everything. I’m sure the personal relationship aspect … that’s really the most important thing. You can be a hell of a guitar player, but if you don’t get along with the band then it’s all for nothing.

KL: Of course, of course. Totally. In the studio, we spend the whole day, but on tour, you have those 90 minutes on stage. If it’s a festival it’s going to be even less than that. That’s one moment, but then you have the 24 hours, right? And then you have the image that you bring to the fans. “Who is this guy that is carrying the Megadeth brand?” So it’s very important.

HRH: Did that make you nervous at all? To follow in the footsteps of Poland, Friedman, etc.

KL: Yeah, it’s a tough job. At the same time, it’s a tough job, but I have the feeling that I’m able to do it. Technically as a guitar player I’m able to do it. Also, I’ve been playing with Angra as you mentioned for like 20 years, so I have all that experience as a band member. Actually, I think that’s my best input for Megadeth … to be a band member for many years, not a sideman. I was never a sideman. I’ve played with many bands. So I was always working for a band, like a brand … something with passion, so that’s what I’m bringing to Megadeth besides my guitar playing … a band member. Dedicated, bringing ideas … doing whatever is necessary for the brand, for the logo, for the Megadeth.

HRH: You guys are still in the middle of the Dystopia tour, correct?

KL: Yeah, yeah. We have another 4 or 5 gigs here in the U.S. and then we go straight to Europe for summer festivals there. The tour’s going to have a break in mid-July. A small break. 10 days. I’m doing the Paul Gilbert guitar camp in California. Then we go straight to South America. Another 30 days.

HRH: Well you’re no stranger to that area. (laughs)

KL: (laughs) No, not at all.

HRH: Are you hitting Brazil?

KL: Yes, we have like 4 or 5 shows in Brazil. That’s going to be fun.

HRH: Quite the homecoming.

KL: Yeah, I’m going to have a very long guest list. (laughs)

HRH: (laughs) Hopefully they give you all the spots for those shows. So speaking of festivals … this is your first Rock on the Range. What do you think of it?

KL: It has a European festival feeling and that’s good. So far we just came straight to the press tent so we haven’t seen much.

HRH: You gave a little guitar clinic at Sam Ash here in town last night. What do you like about doing those kind of things?

KL: It’s nice. I play my stuff and a little Megadeth. Get to talk to the kids … well, the guitar players. Whatever I can do to help them fulfill their dreams as guitar players and musicians. It’s fun to talk about music and to play music and encouraging people to be a musician … a professional musician.

HRH: Obviously Mustaine and Ellefson are longtime members of Megadeth. How would you define your and Chris’ role in the band?

KL: Well, you cannot compare. We are members in the sense that we are there on the album cover. We’re a member of the band. That’s the beauty because of course Dave and David … they’ve been … for like 30 years. You know them … I have to get my space…

HRH: Well maybe that’s a better way to ask. Do you get that space carved out for you on the record and hear, “Okay Kiko, do what you do in this 30-second window”?

KL: That’s something that you … you build trust. It’s all about building trust. So I think, if you look, that I have 3 songs that I have collaborated on the album which is very difficult because I just came to the band. So 2 of the guys have known each other for 30 years and I know them for 2 weeks and I can put my ideas there? So I think I was building trust and I’m still doing that, so, now 1 year after, maybe they can ask my opinions on stuff so I can help. It’s like what I was telling you about being a band member for so many years and trying to decide what is Megadeth. What Megadeth needs. Not what Dave, or David, or whatever needs…what the band needs. And then trying to help and then you get your space. Of course, it’s very different than Dave or David because they know the band. They’ve been through everything, you know. It’s different. Also, not being a member for such a long time, maybe gives me a different perspective of things. So it can be good as well.

HRH: I would imagine that being a guitar player that has been playing for as long as you have in the Metal genre, Megadeth would be a huge influence on you musically.

KL: Of course. Of course.

HRH: Dystopia is probably at the top, but if you had to single out a favorite Megadeth album which would you choose?

KL: I have a relationship with Rust in Peace. I remember going to the show as well in ’92. Yeah. Rock in Rio festival. So yeah, I saw Megadeth there. I was in the crowd. It’s an image … me there and the crowd watching them, you know, Marty … the Rust in Peace line-up from that time … it’s this image that comes to me just when I’m about to start the show. So I was there with the fans … I was seeing Dave in front of me and now he’s beside me, you know? So it’s a great feeling.

HRH: It’s probably very surreal.

KL: Oh yeah. The first show was very surreal. I was playing and I have Dave in front of me, you know, like his hair and the image of the crowd. Like the silhouette of Dave there in front of the crowd, and David of course, playing the songs. It was like, “Man, I’m here.”

HRH: Does Dave know your mind goes there to that Rust in Peace show before you play each Megadeth show?

KL: Yeah, probably I told him. Yeah, yeah.

HRH: Is there anything you’d like to say to fans of Megadeth, Angra, and your solo work?

KL: I’m really glad to be part of Megadeth and I hope the fans are happy with my work as well. I’m doing my best, not only for the album but to keep … to do a great performance live. I hope you like it and please let me know. So far the fans have been great. They’re accepting me.

HRH: I think it’s one of those jobs as long as you’ve got the chops you’re fine in the fans’ eyes.

KL: But it’s not only about how good you are, you know? It’s about self-awareness in my position and not get frustrated if a fan says, “Oh I prefer this guy or this guy” because it’s not about playing because I know I can play the solos. Maybe not as good or differently, but I can play. But it’s more like people have attachment … like emotions. Like I said with the show in the Rust in Peace era. I was listening to that album, so I have a connection with that because there’s a connection with my teenager times. Any other album is not going to be as strong as that moment because it’s connected to a part of my youth.

HRH: That’s your Megadeth record.

KL: Yeah. So I understand that. Each fan’s going to be … is going to have different albums…for someone else it might be Peace Sells.

HRH: Well for my 4-year-old, Dystopia is his Megadeth album. (laughs)

KL: Yeah, exactly. The 13-year-old’s album is going to be Dystopia, but are we going to have this feeling 10 years from now? It’s a great album, people like that, but we’ll have to see 10 years from now when you can see the whole discography and you can see how Dystopia fits in the whole discography. What is going to happen after?

HRH: Well I don’t think you’ve got anything to worry about with this album’s legacy. (laughs)

KL: (laughs) I’m not worried. That’s what I think, though. Just keep working hard to make a great show so you have the legacy of this moment, like a great milestone for Megadeth discography.

HRH: What I love about Dystopia is that it sounds like a rejuvenated band, but also has so many great musical nods to great albums of the past like Rust in Peace.

KL: Yeah, I think … that time (RIP era) they were fresh, you know? The lineup was like, “Let’s do it!” So I think this feeling is there on the Dystopia tour. Chris and me, we’re like so excited to record the album, to do our part, to do our best, so it’s there.

HRH. It certainly is. Kiko, it’s been a pleasure talking to you. Thanks so much.

KL: Thank you.

For more information, please visit www.megadeth.com

[Photos Appear Courtesy of Chris A.]