Adrian Smith

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Unusually for me I prefer the slower tracks on the first album. I wanna stay and You don't know me. Very different from Maiden!

In respect of touring I don't really know the economics involved, although interviews I have seen suggest it is the only way bands (some at least) make money these days- in the days of streaming there isn't much made from sales!
 
Kalata said:
Interview with Adrian about the A.S.A.P. project from the late 80's. Cool find.

Some interesting things:

- he thought he can pursue the band as a kind of parallel thing to Maiden. With this album he wanted a totally different style, otherwise what's the point. He had an idea for such an album for a long time and mentioned that the other Maiden members would not have had the time to help him at the time. They had their stuff, obviously without Dave. He was really pleased with the album.
- he had 3 demos before Maiden's 1988 tour.
- about 45% of the songwriting is his. ''The Lion'' and ''Silver And Gold'' are old songs of his. ''After The Storm'' was one of the demos. He had the title track for 5 years. Songs like ''Down The Wire'' and the music of ''Misunderstood'' were things that they sort of amalgamated each other's ideas and worked on them as a whole.
- ''Fallen Heroes'' is one of his favorite songs from the album.
- they tried to record the album ''live'', like Maiden(?). That sounds weird coming from Adrian.
- he doesn't think his playing on the album is different than with Maiden. The wild-whammy bar stuff is Andy.
- he mentioned that the stuff on this album is slower than with Maiden and he can do different things.
- he tries to make his solos with Maiden more melodic because he is not a technical guitarist. I guess playing with Roy helped for that.
- he doesn't think Maiden members were surprised by this album and style. With Maiden, he is a cog in a well-oiled machine, which is great in a way.
- he and Bruce write more conventionally than Steve and it's obvious which songs are written by them and by Steve. There's a fine line between what Maiden can and cannot do. But his input balances out.

I wonder if some of the songs (for example the old demos) were presented to Maiden in 1986. Obviously Maidenized. After all, their style isn't that different from Wasted Years. I would love Adrian to release all stuff and demos from the Untouchables era because it's music of its time and that's exactly what's great. Or some live performances.
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Thanks for that, I have the ASAP album and single CDs but never read any promo press for it.

Adrian says: "To be honest, Maiden is very draining. There's lots of leaping around and its technically very demanding to play"

Writing was on the wall in 1989, wasn't it? He sounds really tired after the 7th Son tour.
 
bravewords.com

IRON MAIDEN’s ADRIAN SMITH Remembers Meeting DAVE MURRAY – “We Were The Only Kids In Our Neighborhood With Long Hair”

Iron Maiden guitarist was interviewed by Alexander Milas for issue #126 of the Iron Maiden Fan Club Magazine to talk about the upcoming album from Smith and guitarist Richie Kotzen with Smith/Kotzen’s Black Light/White Noise. An excerpt of the interview: Adrian, what a pleasure to see you again...
bravewords.com bravewords.com

Adrian about Dave and Richie Kotzen in a new (not full) interview from the FC mag.
Richie's amazing - he sings, and plays, we had a jam, and things worked out because we have a lot of things in common, musically too. He's a bit younger than me but has a very good knowledge of music from the 60s and 70s, Bad Company, Free... stuff I grew up with. I've always sung, always heard melodies, and had this sort of passion for singing, but I've always wanted to work with someone who was a singer. Richie is an excellent singer, and I could work around him - he's got range. I grew up singing until I joined Maiden, so from 17-23 I fronted a band. I've tried doing things on my own, and it's very difficult - you need feedback and someone to push against. Richie's great with lyrics, too.

Then I met Dave, and he could play guitar quite well - he could play all the Chuck Berry licks and Hendrix. I was just like, 'Wow!' We were the only kids in our neighborhood with long hair. I'd started listening to Deep Purple, Free, and Sabbath, so we gravitated towards each other. I thought, 'T've got to get in with this guy.' I said, 'Yeah I'm a singer, I've never sang before but I kinda fancy doing it.' I got my parents to buy me a microphone for Christmas and I went around Dave's house and plugged my mic into his amp: one of those ones with three inputs - it sounded horrendous but it was exciting! I think the first thing we did was ‘Silver Machine’ by Hawkwind. He started it off, and I thought, 'It's now or never!'"
Dave had a spare guitar, I think from Woolworths, and my Dad fixed it. Dave and I soon became best mates and he taught me - I learned from him as I went along, but I was singing and playing at the same time.

Fast-forward to the second Smith/Kotzen record. Does it tap into that pre-Maiden era for you? It's a modern record but the classic nods are unmistakeable...

"Well, that's what makes the music world go 'round. You take influences, they go through you and come out slightly different. I'd never deny my influences. It's like when I was a kid, I'd copy Michael Schenker or Ritchie Blackmore, but I'd stumble across my own style in the process of trying to emulate them - that becomes your own standpoint. That's the writing process - if you try to come up with something that's truly unique in the universe you're never going to do anything, so you take inspiration and then spin it to make something new.
 
onurb said:
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Why this upload now?

I like Some People. It has a very nice groove, more solos - and a KISS vibe, something I imagine Gene could write and sing. The rock of Smith/Kotzen reminds me a bit of KISS approach in the 70's (or 80's) with a modern/heavy 90's feel and all eras. Cool effect in the intro.
 
Kalata said:
Why this upload now?

I like Some People. It has a very nice groove, more solos - and a KISS vibe, something I imagine Gene could write and sing. The rock of Smith/Kotzen reminds me a bit of KISS approach in the 70's (or 80's) with a modern/heavy 90's feel and all eras. Cool effect in the intro.
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No idea, maybe a reupload to create a playlist. Sorry, i thought it was a new material.
 
Adrian's family has evacuated as the wildfire in California reached the edge of their neighborhood. It's looking quite grim for the locals in general. I hope any potential MaidenFans folks out there are safe!

On a lighter note, Adrian's wife Nathalie confirmed on her Instagram videos that the car is loaded with guitars as well, so the most precious ones should be safe.
 
Randalf said:
Adrian's family has evacuated as the wildfire in California reached the edge of their neighborhood. It's looking quite grim for the locals in general. I hope any potential MaidenFans folks out there are safe!

On a lighter note, Adrian's wife Nathalie confirmed on her Instagram videos that the car is loaded with guitars as well, so the most precious ones should be safe.
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The most precious ones are likely in England (like the Les Paul).

But yeah, it looks bad and I just saw that the wind likely won't stop for days, so it looks pretty grim.
 
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