DAWSON 1 YEAR ON

Kurt Barlow said:
I’m sorry, I thought this was a forum to discuss Iron Maiden.

With the right drummer, they could’ve been revitalised. Dawson’s playing is lumpy, clunky and clumsy. Everything is simplified, which dials down the excitement inherent in the song.
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This is a perfectly viable take, which I agree in part with. I don't think there's any interhently "objective" view on this matter of Dawson, or how energized the band is on this tour, but subjective, or at best, intersubjective. Both Vaenyr's and Kurt Barlow's view and arguments on this matter, Vaenyr, have merit here; it's a matter of perspective.
 
Yax said:
This is a perfectly viable take, which I agree in part with. I don't think there's any interhently "objective" view on this matter of Dawson, but subjective, or at best, intersubjective. Both Vaenyr's and Kurt Barlow's view and arguments on this matter, Vaenyr, have merit here; it's a matter of perspective.
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I have no issue if people dislike Simon's style or playing, or if they think he's not good enough. That's obviously someone's subjective perception, which is always valid.

But the moment someone claims "they are bored, he sucks, this is a fact, I have a degree in musicology", I'm sorry but that's just childish and petulant behaviour.
 
Vaenyr said:
I have no issue if people dislike Simon's style or playing, or if they think he's not good enough. That's obviously someone's subjective perception, which is always valid.

But the moment someone claims "they are bored, he sucks, this is a fact, I have a degree in musicology", I'm sorry but that's just childish and petulant behaviour.
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To my eyes, they are bored. To my ears, the drummer sucks. Using my education, I outlined what is wrong with his playing, and how it affects the very fabric of the music in question.

Being petulant about it is rather more what YOU’RE doing. ‘Go on then! Impress me!’
 
weebaggy said:
Mate who are you trying to convince? How many hate posts will get it out your system.

Nobody thinks Simon is amazing. Everyone knows it's a huge downgrade but Maiden are all about 70 years old. What do you expect them to sound like?
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Its the drummer they choose for a the few tours left and lets see if for an album. Im ok with him? They sound different? Yes its horrible or a mess? A big NO. Im ok with the show.
 
Yax said:
I think we're having a perfectly reasonable discussion here, skirmishes aside, and it would be nice to turn the temperature down. We don't really have any mods anymore, and it's up to us to police ourselves.
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Ignore list is a always an option. One I'm going to use.
 
Pros:
The thing is he is doing much better this year than last year. Much more relaxed. I'd go so far that he is doing some songs like Rime really well. And they finally tuned the snare higher.

Cons:
The details in drumming are missing. No left-hand hi-hat hits. Very limited syncopated ride cymbal patterns that drove Maiden for years. And what stands to me the most is that he just doesn't seem to bond with some songs like 2MTM. That song stood out to me during all 7 RFYL shows I saw as particulary clunky. Especially the bridges.

So, all in all, he's better this year, but still not great. It's allright. In the future if he continues touring with Maiden they should pick and choose songs that suit him. And as it was stated, the real test is the studio. But seeing what Lee and Živojinović have done with picking Anika for the hottest drum stool on earth, you can't help but wonder how much Steve's easy choices are holding current Maiden back.

One interesting comparison would be Simon and Bruno Valverde playing Wasted Years.

One thing that stood out to me from interviews with Geddy Lee recently was, that he wasn't sure about Anika during the first 4 rehearsals. He said everything was there technically, but the feel wasn't there. But during day 5 it clicked apparently. It would be very interesting to hear what songs they played during those rehearsals ("Freewill" was one for sure as it was one of the earliest chosen for the tour). The feel of the band is very important and it seems like Geddy recognised that, while Steve went with the easy choice.

Direct quote of Geddy from the 50 something tourbook:

The sessions in April 2025 lasted five days and we got along really well. Her smarts and innate musical talent shone throughout her playing. But did she have the right "feel"? The technical aspects were not in question, her chops not a problem, but she hadn't grown up a Rush fan and had yet to familiarize herself with the elusive essence of Neil's playing. If fans were going to come to see us play a Rush song, it would have to feel like a Rush song. There was a lot to love about her playing, approach and personality, but Alex and I still harboured a sliver of doubt. Until Day 5, that is. During that final session all of the tumblers clicked into place and she nailed it. Lerxst and I looked at each other and nodded. We had our drummer. Yikes, now what?
 
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Anika is amazing. After seeing some clips and the first full show from the Rush tour on video, I truly think she nailed it.

I honestly didn't see it coming, even though I had read about her and watched a few clips before the tour started. She had enormous shoes to fill, and in such an extraordinary situation, she absolutely owned it. She's an incredible drummer, and the fact that she wasn't even a die-hard Rush fan made it even more impressive. It was almost breathtaking to see her do justice to Neil's incredibly difficult drum parts. I had huge doubts at first because, to me, Neil was the heart of Rush.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to see Maiden this year, but I did see them in 2025, and it was okay. Looking back now, Simon was fine—good enough—but seeing what Anika has accomplished really got me thinking. If Steve hadn't been as stubborn as usual, they could have found an amazing drummer like Anika.

When I saw the setlist for this latest tour, I was excited because they finally brought Infinite Dreams back. It's my favorite Maiden song, and I'd been waiting for years to hear it live. Bruce delivered it brilliantly, but the drumming wasn't what I had expected at all. It was disappointing.

In a way, I'm actually glad I didn't travel to another country just to hear that song live. They never brought it back when Nicko was still able to play it with the stamina and power it deserved, such as during the Maiden England World Tour. I'd almost rather never hear it live than hear it without the intensity the song deserves. Damn it, Anika—or someone of her caliber—could have absolutely nailed it.

 
Cat Milk Supreme said:
Well yeah, of course there's differences. The point of the discussion is people's opinion and tolerance of the differences. People criticised them for slowing down when Nicko was still around and they're critising the new drummer now. It's valid.

I've not mentioned tempos, it's the feel and the transitions that detract from the overall song, for me. And like I said, it's fleeting, I get over it quick. But it's there. It's way, way better than no Maiden and for my money they're still the best live band around. But then I've not seen Tay Tay. Yet.
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You didn't but others, including in this thread and the secondary "let's bitch about Simon" thread have mentioned tempos and blamed them on Simon. Despite those changes having happened during Nicko's tenure.

It's okay if people don't like his style for a variety of reasons. But if the criticisms become disingenuous and end up being in bad faith, that's annoying and not really constructive.

Kurt Barlow said:
A gifted younger drummer could’ve seen them in their twilight years sound more vital and contemporary than ever. Sure, we’re all bringing our kids to see the band, but none of us - NOT FUCKING ONE - can say they sound just as good with Dawson as they ever did with Clive or Nicko. That’s on him.
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Better than Nicko in his prime? Of course not. Better than Nicko post-stroke? Abso-fucking-lutely.
 
Vaenyr said:
You didn't but others, including in this thread and the secondary "let's bitch about Simon" thread have mentioned tempos and blamed them on Simon. Despite those changes having happened during Nicko's tenure.

It's okay if people don't like his style for a variety of reasons. But if the criticisms become disingenuous and end up being in bad faith, that's annoying and not really constructive.


Better than Nicko in his prime? Of course not. Better than Nicko post-stroke? Abso-fucking-lutely.
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You’re saying Dawson is better than a guy who had a stroke? Who else is he better than? Rick Allen?
 
Kurt Barlow said:
You’re saying Dawson is better than a guy who had a stroke? Who else is he better than? Rick Allen?
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That's what I mean by bad faith. Nicko didn't choose to have health problems, but he had a stroke. We cannot change that. It's a fact.

He toured with Maiden while trying to get back into the game. People paid to see them, I was among them. I had a great time, but it was clear that he wasn't cutting it anymore.

Just as I paid for the TFP tour, I also paid for the RFYL tour. What I saw and heard from Simon was much much better than what I heard from Nicko on the TFP tour.
 
Vaenyr said:
That's what I mean by bad faith. Nicko didn't choose to have health problems, but he had a stroke. We cannot change that. It's a fact.

He toured with Maiden while trying to get back into the game. People paid to see them, I was among them. I had a great time, but it was clear that he wasn't cutting it anymore.

Just as I paid for the TFP tour, I also paid for the RFYL tour. What I saw and heard from Simon was much much better than what I heard from Nicko on the TFP tour.
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Nope.
 
"The band are playing at their best... since 2022"

I'm not knocking anyone's optimism but the bar is on the floor with some of you guys. :lol:
 
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