Former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson has signed on as the manager of a Mesa, Arizona-based "alternative" act called BEFORE BRAILLE. The group, who recently issued their debut album, "The Rumor" through Aezra Records, are set to perform at The Continental in New York City on Thursday, October 31 as part of CMJ Music Marathon 2002.

To get more information on BEFORE BRAILLE and to download samples of their music, check out the group's official web site at this location.

In other news, Ellefson recently finished producing a few tracks for Minneapolis-based NUMM and is currently using the completed recordings to try and land the group a record deal.

"It was great to be back in my home state of Minnesota," Ellefson stated about the NUMM recording sessions, which took place at Oar Fin Records Studios. "The vibes were great, the music is slammin' and there was a colorful cast of characters surrounding the band, including Kilo Bale, the drummer from FLIPP."

More information on NUMM can be obtained by visiting the band's official web site at this location.

Former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson — who recently announced the formation of his own music production company, Ellefson Music Production — has been mixing and producing demos from a number of up-and-coming metal acts during the recent months. One of those bands, Phoenix-based TWIST DEAD FABLE, recently signed an Artist Development Deal with Aezra Records and are scheduled to release their debut album in the winter. Eight songs will reportedly be included on the finished CD, three of which were produced by Ellefson. David is also said to have produced several news tracks from Minneapolis' NUMM for an upcoming CD, for which no release date has yet been announced.

NUMM are scheduled to perform a show at Urban Wildlife Club in Minneapolis on September 6th. Also appearing on the bill will be 57 STITCH.

In other news, Ellefson recently joined forces with Autographed By The Stars to sell some of his personal belongings. According to ABTS's official web site, "David will be selling from his personal memorabilia, one-of-a-kind items, that until now were NEVER offered to the general public, and will NEVER be offered again. This is your one-time opportunity to own any of these items from his personal memorabilia."

Among the items being offered are a jacket worn for the Youthanasia photo shoot & tour, which David also wore in the photo on the back cover of his book Making Music Your Business ($199), a signed harmonica ($25), a signed cymbal ($60), autographed acoustic guitar ($250), and David's personal tour laminate from the Brazil Tour 1997 with QUEENSRŸCHE and WHITESNAKE ($30).

Also on the Ellefson front, a photo of David jamming with ex-MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman during the August 11th recording sessions for STEVE RICHARDS' version of the BUDDY HOLLY track "That Makes It Tough" (on which David and Marty guested) can be viewed at this location.

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