Iron Maiden News, Links, and Interviews

[Kalata]

STEVE HARRIS On IRON MAIDEN's Split With NICKO MCBRAIN: 'We Didn't Really Have A Choice'

When IRON MAIDEN leader Steve Harris got together with long-term acquaintance Rock Candy magazine editor Howard Johnson, there was much catching up to do. During the in-depth chat, Steve gave his views on many topics, including the recent departure of drummer Nicko McBrain, MAIDEN's first lineup...

blabbermouth.net

New in-depth interview with Steve from Rock Candy... if someone can find it. There are some photos in the video, the interview seems interesting.

''To be honest, we didn't really have a choice and had to make the change after Nicko suffered. It was what it was, and we had a decision to make as to whether we wanted to carry on or not. Obviously we had a tour booked at the time that it happened, and the rest of us all wanted to continue. But ultimately, after we got through all that, it was Nick's decision to step away and we all respected the fact that he'd decided to do that.''

-he said he don't really analyse stuff, he just do it. They do what they feel is right for them.
-he knew Simon was capable, but he needed first to play the songs with him live. He said he's absolutely nailed it.
-he said that the singer has to be comfortable with the songs selection (talking about Blaze?).
-he said the longer songs need longer to get into them.
-and most importantly for us - he said as far as he can tell, they all still really enjoying playing live. Ofc they don't ask themselves that. He thinks they are.

 

[Azas]

"It was what it was, and we had a decision to make as to whether we wanted to carry on or not. Obviously we had a tour booked at the time that it happened, and the rest of us all wanted to continue. But ultimately, after we got through all that, it was Nick's decision to step away and we all respected the fact that he'd decided to do that."

 

[dickinson1978]

"It was what it was, and we had a decision to make as to whether we wanted to carry on or not. Obviously we had a tour booked at the time that it happened, and the rest of us all wanted to continue. But ultimately, after we got through all that, it was Nick's decision to step away and we all respected the fact that he'd decided to do that."

Thats what he said. They want to continue

 

[Azas]

I guess the speculation about a sad, touring Dave has been answered.

 

[dickinson1978]

I guess the speculation about a sad, touring Dave has been answered.

I think it was because of his "lazy" solos during a few tours

 

[Spaldy]

STEVE HARRIS On IRON MAIDEN's Split With NICKO MCBRAIN: 'We Didn't Really Have A Choice'

When IRON MAIDEN leader Steve Harris got together with long-term acquaintance Rock Candy magazine editor Howard Johnson, there was much catching up to do. During the in-depth chat, Steve gave his views on many topics, including the recent departure of drummer Nicko McBrain, MAIDEN's first lineup...

blabbermouth.net

New in-depth interview with Steve from Rock Candy... if someone can find it. There are some photos in the video.

''To be honest, we didn't really have a choice and had to make the change after Nicko suffered. It was what it was, and we had a decision to make as to whether we wanted to carry on or not. Obviously we had a tour booked at the time that it happened, and the rest of us all wanted to continue. But ultimately, after we got through all that, it was Nick's decision to step away and we all respected the fact that he'd decided to do that.''

Reading between the lines it's obvious that this is Bruce's fault because he hates Nicko and forced him out so that they can do this tour that sucks and everybody hates and they can't sell tickets anymore because the band are just GREEDY! Steve ruined Maiden!

 

[Nomadd]

Reading between the lines it's obvious that this is Bruce's fault because he hates Nicko and forced him out so that they can do this tour that sucks and everybody hates and they can't sell tickets anymore because the band are just GREEDY! Steve ruined Maiden!

Sarcasm over irony.

 

[Kalata]

'I Can't Stand All the Awkward Notes': Iron Maiden's Former Guitarist on Why He's Not a Fan of Their Proggiest Album, and the Later Releases He Found 'Boring'

'I think some of the songs weren't as good as what they're used to playing, and what they've written before. A little bit dull, a little bit boring.'

www.ultimate-guitar.com

Dennis Stratton with another opinion on Maiden's songs and proggy style. He just likes commercial stuff, not long songs. It's curious that he finds Rime better live than Seventh Son, I think they are like equal. Steve's always about speed? Yeah, in the early days.

I'm not a lover of 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son', because I think it just goes off a little bit. And with the guitars duelling, fighting against one another, with different tuning... I can't stand all the awkward notes that are being played. I find it too long. ''Rime of the Ancient Mariner'' is a great song, but it has dynamics. It's theater, you know, the sound effects and everything else. But 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son', they could have put two more songs, three more songs in that place from the first two albums, and that set would wipe the floor of anything in the world.
I've seen them many times with 'The Final Frontier', the 'Souls.' It just felt a little bit flat, because I think it was the some of the songs that suffered. I think some of the songs weren't as good as what they're used to playing, and what they've written before. A little bit dull, a little bit boring... But the minute they do things like 'Iron Maiden', or anything that's from their first two albums, the crowd just goes up.

Steve's always speed, speed, speed, speed. And then I sat next to him in a bar... And I said, 'I can't believe you played 'Phantom' slower. I didn't think it was possible for you to play something slowly.' It is a little bit slower, but it works, you know?

 

[dickinson1978]

'I Can't Stand All the Awkward Notes': Iron Maiden's Former Guitarist on Why He's Not a Fan of Their Proggiest Album, and the Later Releases He Found 'Boring'

'I think some of the songs weren't as good as what they're used to playing, and what they've written before. A little bit dull, a little bit boring.'

www.ultimate-guitar.com

Dennis Stratton with another opinion on Maiden's songs and proggy style. He just likes commercial stuff, not long songs. It's curious that he finds Rime better live than Seventh Son, I think they are like equal. Steve's always about speed? Yeah, in the early days.

I'm not a lover of 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son', because I think it just goes off a little bit. And with the guitars duelling, fighting against one another, with different tuning... I can't stand all the awkward notes that are being played. I find it too long. ''Rime of the Ancient Mariner'' is a great song, but it has dynamics. It's theater, you know, the sound effects and everything else. But 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son', they could have put two more songs, three more songs in that place from the first two albums, and that set would wipe the floor of anything in the world.
I've seen them many times with 'The Final Frontier', the 'Souls.' It just felt a little bit flat, because I think it was the some of the songs that suffered. I think some of the songs weren't as good as what they're used to playing, and what they've written before. A little bit dull, a little bit boring... But the minute they do things like 'Iron Maiden', or anything that's from their first two albums, the crowd just goes up.

Steve's always speed, speed, speed, speed. And then I sat next to him in a bar... And I said, 'I can't believe you played 'Phantom' slower. I didn't think it was possible for you to play something slowly.' It is a little bit slower, but it works, you know?

I think steve did a great job LOL

 

[Helmuth Von Moltke]

The Rock Candy interview is probably one of the very best I have read in a long time.

For example: Steve would have liked to play Only the Good Die Young on the last tour, but then goes on to say without being specific that the singer has to be comfortable with the song choices to give the best performance. Genuinely interesting insights ...

I found the paper copy and bought it today. Digital copies also on sale for a fiver from their official site.