On Feb. 5, news broke that Newsted had been booted from two of Megadeth's upcoming Australian tour dates. It was stated by organizers that Jason Newsted's eponymous band were removed from the shows "at the request of Megadeth," but according to a Megadeth representative, the band had nothing to do with kicking Newsted off the Australian gigs.

Megadeth are scheduled to play side shows in Sydney and Melbourne while touring Australia on the annual Soundwave Festival. Newsted were originally announced as support for the gigs, but were replaced by deathcore act Whitechapel. According to the official Soundwave website, Megadeth personally removed Newsted from the bill, leading to speculation that Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine still held some sort of Metallica-based grudge against former member Jason Newsted, although the two were never members of Metallica at the same time.

In response to the Soundwave announcement, Megadeth tour manager Jim Carroccio offered a statement to ABC News Radio, denying Megadeth's involvement in the switch of opening acts:

Megadeth did not have anything to do with having Jason Newsted removed from the lineup on Megadeth's upcoming Australian tour. Dave Mustaine is not responsible for booting Newsted off [the Soundwave festival]. Dave did not put him on the bill and did not take him off the bill.

Dave submitted a list of bands he was comfortable with and the promoter ignored the list. Dave and Jason are friends [and] this has blown up into something silly.

Stay tuned to Loudwire for all your Megadeth and Newsted news.

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