In a candid recent interview with U.K. radio veteran Paul Stephenson of VRP Rocks, former MEGADETH guitarist Chris Poland delved into the enduring legacy of the song "Liar" from the band’s 1988 album "So Far, So Good… So What?", a track famously penned by Dave Mustaine about Poland himself. Addressing the potential career ramifications of being publicly labeled a "liar" by his former bandleader, Poland offered a perspective shaped by his distinct musical path and a deliberate choice to forgo holding grudges.
"Well, I’m sure it did affect my career, but my career was playing instrumental, whacked-out fusion music," Poland stated. "I had a handful of people that listened to my music. Those people didn’t even listen to MEGADETH, so it didn’t matter." He elaborated that while he doesn’t harbor resentment, the accusations did sting at times. "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?’"
This introspection into past conflicts forms a significant part of Poland’s upcoming memoir, co-authored with music journalist, podcaster, and author Matt Herring. Titled "Now Leaving Metalopolis," the book promises to offer Poland’s perspective on the events that have shaped his career. "I’m writing a book right now with Matt Herring," Poland confirmed. "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."
Poland credited the late MEGADETH drummer Nick Menza as a pivotal influence in helping him navigate the emotional toll of these past disputes. "It’s not worth it. And you know who helped me with that was Nick Menza," Poland explained. "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.’" Poland expressed deep respect for Menza’s wisdom, stating, "I learned a lot from Nick, just in the short time that we were together. I miss him."
Regarding the current status of "Now Leaving Metalopolis," Poland indicated it is nearing completion. "Oh, it’s close. It’s close. And it’s good, ’cause I told all the funny stories," he shared. "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." Four audio excerpts from the book, read by Herring, have been made available, offering a preview of its content.
The Lingering Shadow of "Liar"
The accusation of being a "liar" by Dave Mustaine has been a recurring theme in discussions about Chris Poland’s career. In a May 2025 appearance on "The David Ellefson Show" video podcast, Poland directly linked Mustaine’s public statements to professional difficulties he encountered in securing endorsements.
"I have no regrets about everything that’s happened—except one," Poland stated during that interview. "I regret that Mustaine for years would go on stage and call me a liar. I never really thought much about it, but then I did the math and I realized that’s why things were so hard for me to try and get deals." He recounted a specific instance: "I walked into Carvin [guitars] one day and I thought, ‘You know what? These guitars aren’t bad. I wanna talk to their A&R guy.’ So I spoke to the guy and he goes, ‘Dude, we don’t use people like you on our roster.’ So, I was, like, ‘Oh, okay.’ So I have a feeling that Dave’s anger with me about what it was really was like dragging around a fucking 50-pound ball all the time—back then."
Echoes of Past Conflicts: Ellefson’s Perspective
Former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson, co-hosting "The David Ellefson Show," chimed in, drawing parallels to other former band members who have allegedly faced similar public disparagement from Mustaine. "Well, look, he did it to Jeff Young," Ellefson observed, referring to another former MEGADETH guitarist. "There was some derogatory comment [Dave made] that kept [Jeff] from getting work for a long time. I could say the same was attempted at me. Fortunately, I just kept moving. I just kept going and was, like, ‘All right, I’m just gonna ignore that comment and keep moving.’"
Ellefson further elaborated on the dynamics of former MEGADETH members navigating these public narratives. "It’s interesting. There’s always been a lot of these ‘former MEGADETH members unite’ [situations]. And it’s not an intentional thing. It’s not." He recalled a specific instance when he rejoined MEGADETH in 2010: "In fact, when I was going back to MEGADETH [15 years ago], Jeff was really taking an issue over Dave [saying in interviews that Mustaine was] whistling or singing guitar solos to him [while Jeff was in the band] or something, and it was a public thing. And he is going, ‘Come on, we gotta unite.’ And I said, ‘Hey, Jeff. I just got home from San Diego. I literally just rejoined MEGADETH.’ And this was 2010. And I remember Dave came to me about it, and I said, ‘I’ll handle it. I’ll take care of it.’ And I made it go away—as I do. Because that’s just part of—I don’t know—part of the gift I’ve been given on this planet. It’s, like, we’re gonna come to peaceful terms, we’re gonna make that go away, and we’re all gonna just move on."
Chris Poland echoed this sentiment, adding, "It’s not sour grapes or anything. It’s just it finally dawned on me just how much damage that really did."
The Genesis of "Liar" and Early MEGADETH Tensions
Poland’s tenure in MEGADETH spanned from 1984 to 1987, a period that saw the recording of seminal albums such as "Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good!" and "Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?". He also made a notable return as a featured soloist on the band’s 2004 album, "The System Has Failed."
His departure from the band in 1987 was reportedly acrimonious. In an interview with Sofa King Cool magazine over four years ago, Poland reflected on the lyrical inspiration behind "Liar": "Obviously, Dave was very upset with me when I left the band—when he fired me, basically." When asked about his initial reaction to hearing he was the subject of the song, Poland responded with a degree of bemusement. "No, man. It’s like the pot calling the kettle black, man. When you point your finger, man, there’s three pointing back at you. I just rolled my eyes and was, like, ‘Really?’" This sentiment suggests Poland viewed the accusation as hypocritical, given his own perceptions of Mustaine’s actions at the time.
Legal Disputes and the "Rust In Peace" Demos
A significant point of contention arose in 2004 when Poland, his management, or his attorney initiated legal action against Mustaine concerning the unauthorized inclusion of three "Rust In Peace" demo tracks on the album’s reissue. According to MEGADETH’s webmaster, Mustaine’s rationale for including these demos was his belief that Poland would appreciate the promotional aspect and the acknowledgment of his influence on subsequent guitarist Marty Friedman’s playing.
The webmaster also alluded to a separate defamation of character claim by Poland, stemming from Mustaine’s alleged labeling of him as a "thief." This claim, it was stated, was reportedly dropped by Poland’s attorney after discovering evidence of Poland having "taken the band’s gear and sold it for drugs," a claim reportedly corroborated by a confession on the VH1 program "Behind the Music." Ultimately, Poland settled the legal dispute for $9,500, effectively concluding his professional relationship with Mustaine and MEGADETH.
Mustaine’s Retrospective on Poland and Lost Opportunities
In a September 2020 interview with Darren Paltrowitz, host of "The Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz," Dave Mustaine acknowledged Poland’s guitar prowess despite their strained relationship. "Chris Poland, as much as I don’t really like the guy, he was a great guitar player, and I wanted to give him a shot when we did the 2004 reissues for ‘Peace Sells’ and ‘Rust In Peace’," Mustaine stated. He expressed regret over the legal fallout that prevented Poland’s potential involvement in the "Rust In Peace" reissue. "He got involved in a nuisance lawsuit, I think it was, and we just ended our friendship. And I thought, ‘God, that was such a waste.’"
Mustaine further elaborated on his regret, using a local landmark as a metaphor: "There was a little teeny mountain that was right out by where we live, and I said I could have just as soon bought that piece of dirt there than sell Chris’s friendship, and I’m so bummed that this happened." He emphasized Poland’s foundational role in shaping MEGADETH’s sound, noting, "’Cause I thought it would have been terrific to have him on the record. [When] people say, ‘Hey, this sounds like Marty Friedman.’ No, Marty Friedman sounded like this, because Chris played it first."
Poland’s Account of the "Rust In Peace" Reissue Dispute
Chris Poland offered his own detailed account of the legal issues surrounding the 2004 "Rust In Peace" reissue in a 2018 interview with the As The Story Grows podcast. He explained that during his participation in "The System Has Failed," he learned about Mustaine’s plan to include the "Rust In Peace" demos on a reissue. Poland initially expected to be compensated but was surprised to find he would not be paid upon the release.
"I tried to call Dave at least a dozen times, and I never heard back from him," Poland recounted. "Then I called Dave’s manager a dozen times, and he wouldn’t get back to me." The situation escalated when Poland threatened legal action. "The last time I called him, I said, ‘Hey, man. If you don’t call me back, I’m going to call [my lawyer], and we’re going to have to get into it.’ [The manager] calls me back and totally insults me, saying, ‘You played a couple solos. So what?’"
Poland pushed back against this dismissive attitude, questioning the manager’s rationale. "’Well, Dave thought that you would do it for the fans.’ I said, ‘Okay. Is everybody else that played on that demo doing it for the fans? Are they getting paid?’" He insisted on fair compensation, stating, "I want everybody to know that it wasn’t a nuisance suit, it wasn’t anything like that. I made every attempt to work it out, and they just ignored me."
Continuing Musical Endeavors and Collaborations
Beyond his history with MEGADETH, Chris Poland has maintained a consistent presence in the music scene, primarily with his fusion band OHM:, which has released several studio albums. His musical explorations have continued to evolve, showcasing his distinctive guitar stylings.
Interestingly, the threads of past collaborations continue to weave into the present. In May 2025, David Ellefson and former MEGADETH guitarist Jeff Young, who are currently performing together in the band KINGS OF THRASH, released a single titled "Lockdown," featuring a guest appearance by Chris Poland. This collaboration, albeit with different former bandmates, hints at a potential for renewed musical synergy and a shared understanding among musicians who have navigated the complex landscape of the thrash metal genre.
The enduring impact of the "Liar" accusation and the subsequent legal and personal fallout underscores the intricate relationships and often volatile dynamics within prominent musical groups. Chris Poland’s forthcoming memoir, "Now Leaving Metalopolis," promises to offer a personal and comprehensive account of these experiences, providing a deeper insight into his artistic journey and his perspective on the controversies that have defined a significant chapter of his career. The ongoing dialogue, whether through interviews or future literary works, continues to shed light on the human element behind the celebrated music of MEGADETH.