Heavy metal icon backs Santorum, opposes gay marriage ahead of Seattle stop

Iconic heavy metal guitarist Dave Mustaine of Megadeth is making big news in musical and political circles today after offering a glowing endorsement of GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum.

In an interview with Chris Kornelis of Seattle Weekly and me for Sunday’s edition of Seattle Sounds (3p Sunday on 97.3 KIRO FM), the self-avowed conservative Christian was unrepentant in his criticism of President Obama, on everything from social to economic issues.

“I don’t know for sure who I’m going to vote for but I know for sure who I’m not going to vote for. I’m not voting for Obama. He has just done such a terrible job. It’s been over a thousand days since he approved the budget, when he started office gas was $1.86 a gallon and now it’s near 4 bucks a gallon,” Mustaine said.

“I don’t believe in Mitt Romney I don’t believe anything he says, I think that Newt Gingrich is so fired up with anger right now it’s really hard to follow a guy that’s that angry because when you get that angry you’re not really responding you’re reacting.”

Mustaine told us he was attracted to Santorum after the candidate left the campaign trail to care for his sick child.

“I thought, ‘man, this is a guy who’s got his priorities straight.'”

And unlike the typical rock star, Mustaine embraces Santorum’s social conservatism.

Mustaine was blunt when Chris asked him about his opposition to gay marriage and support for restrictions on abortions.

Chris Kornelis: Does his stance on these social issues bother you?

Mustaine: It doesn’t bother me at all.

CK: Do you support gay marriage?

DM: I’m very conservative. So, take it for what it’s worth.

CK: Washington state, just this week, the governor signed gay marriage into law. Do you support gay marriage, or is that something you oppose?

DM: Well, since I’m not gay, the answer to that would be no.

CK: OK. What about for people who are gay?

DM: Since I’m not gay, the answer to that would be no.

CK: Would you support legislation to make marriage between a man and another man legal?

DM: I’m Christian. The answer to that would be no.

Mustaine’s first made his mark on politics when he hosted MTV’s coverage of the Democratic National Convention in 1992.

But somewhat surprisingly, Mustaine told us he doesn’t use his megaphone to try to sway the thousands who still pack his heavy metal extravaganzas. Instead, he saves his political evangelism for his interviews.

Dave Mustaine and Megadeth plays Tuesday Feb. 21 at Showare Center in Kent. A few tickets are still available.

Listen for your chance to win tickets in a Showare suite to see Megadeth and Motorhead Sunday at 3:00 p.m. on Seattle Sounds on 97.3 KIRO FM.

-Josh Kerns