How will Simon Dawson change the look and sound of Maiden?

[chaosapiant]

I, personally, don't give a shit about the size of the drum kit or what drums Simon is hitting. I care that the music is good and the original spirit of the music is kept in tact. Brann Dailor has a tiny kit and shreds the thing to pieces. Big Kits don't automagically mean better drumming. Chaospants has spoken.

 

[07-SMS:A1L]

I, personally, don't give a shit about the size of the drum kit or what drums Simon is hitting. I care that the music is good and the original spirit of the music is kept in tact. Brann Dailor has a tiny kit and shreds the thing to pieces. Big Kits don't automagically mean better drumming. Chaospants has spoken.

Clive had a relatively small kit if I remember correctly?

 

[Vaenyr]

I mentioned it before, but I'd be interested in hearing Simon busting out the double bass pedal since he has experience with that and seeing what he can add with that. And before anyone thinks the worst, he wouldn't start blasting 16th runs at 220 bpm randomly, no worries. I'd imagine he could use them for fills and do some pretty creative stuff there. Or play some of the gallops that Nicko played with his heel-toe technique.

That said, it's only three and a half months until the first show folks, we're getting there!

 

[Melony]

Do you think there might be fans who would resent Simon if he didn't stick to Nicko's “no double pedal” tradition?
Personally, I don't care what technique he uses, it's the result that counts.

 

[Yax]

Do you think there might be fans who would resent Simon if he didn't stick to Nicko's “no double pedal” tradition?
Personally, I don't care what technique he uses, it's the result that counts.

Uh, yeah.

I wouldn't, but considering the spectrum of things Maiden get blasted for online, I can say with certainty that some would, and they could be very vocal about that.

 

[Ascendingthethrone]

Do you think there might be fans who would resent Simon if he didn't stick to Nicko's “no double pedal” tradition?
Personally, I don't care what technique he uses, it's the result that counts.

I have no patience for the traditional vs untraditional argument, especially when it comes to music. I honestly couldn’t care less if he uses a double bass. At the end of the day, the instrument is just a tool to express yourself musically. Simon can play the kit however he wishes.

It’s like the ridiculous argument about bass players using a plectrum or not. Who actually gives a fuck?

You should have seen the look of disdain I had for a colleague’s opinion when they told me I shouldn’t be playing the ukulele with a plectrum because it’s ‘not traditional’.

 

[LosBastardos]

I have no patience for the traditional vs untraditional argument, especially when it comes to music. I honestly couldn’t care less if he uses a double bass. At the end of the day, the instrument is just a tool to express yourself musically. Simon can play the kit however he wishes.

It’s like the ridiculous argument about bass players using a plectrum or not. Who actually gives a fuck?

You should have seen the look of disdain I had for a colleague’s opinion when they told me I shouldn’t be playing the ukulele with a plectrum because it’s ‘not traditional’.

Absolutely right. I hate those discussions as well and I really don't like the way it divides certain musicians (double vs single bass, plectrum vs fingers). In the end it's all about creating the sound you want and it does not matter how you do that.

Now I hope Simon will use a double pedal. It will be fun to read all the negative comments

 

[Vaenyr]

Given how the internet operates, there'll be pockets of the fandom who'll resent Simon for anything that he'll do or won't do, so might as well just ignore any potential "outrage" and just do whatever he and the band thinks will be the best for Maiden.

 

[UpTheIrons]

Do you think there might be fans who would resent Simon if he didn't stick to Nicko's “no double pedal” tradition?
Personally, I don't care what technique he uses, it's the result that counts.

The proportion of gig-attending fans who both know that Nicko specifically did not use a double bass pedal and care about it enough to be offended if Simon does not do likewise is certainly less than 1%.

 

[07-SMS:A1L]

Sometimes new members is great. Andy Sneap and Ritchie Faulkner have made Judas Priest sound the best they have since the '80s. However, I'm not sure if having an almost 70-year-old drummer is the right choice.

 

[Kalata]

I have no patience for the traditional vs untraditional argument, especially when it comes to music. I honestly couldn’t care less if he uses a double bass. At the end of the day, the instrument is just a tool to express yourself musically. Simon can play the kit however he wishes.

Well said. The most important thing is Simon to do the songs justice. A bit of a different ''flavor'' is curious and can spice up some songs. Close to the original, but each drummer should put their own style.

Sometimes new members is great. Andy Sneap and Ritchie Faulkner have made Judas Priest sound the best they have since the '80s. However, I'm not sure if having an almost 70-year-old drummer is the right choice.

Reasonable argument, that was my main concern at first (still kinda is), but we have an example with Nigel, Saxon's drummer (also Brian, their new guitarist, which is different than a drummer). Different material and styles, I know. Sneap, only in the studio. But Simon's background suggests he can play different styles, which is good, right. New members usually gives a band a new enthusiasm, to say.

It's all about the energy after all.

 

[TaaviMaiden]

Is there anyone who thinks it's possible that Simon is just an interim drummer? For the reason mentioned above (older age) and the unusual wording of the announcement?

 

[chaosapiant]

Simon will probably be playing in the interim between now and when Maiden retire.

 

[DorotheaMe]

But why wouldn't the “real” new drummer have joined immediately?

 

[CA Bryers]

But why wouldn't the “real” new drummer have joined immediately?

I don't think they have any intention of hiring a "real" new drummer. Whether it's Simon until the end or someone else coming in, I think Nicko will be listed as the official drummer for the band until they retire for good. Everyone else will just be live fill-in drummers.

 

[GhostofCain]

Regarding the look, the drummer’s nose would not be so flat and the hair not so long.

Regarding the sound, it is difficult to tell without having seen Simon play, but I imagine he will try and keep it as close as possible to Nicko’s patterns.

Last, but not least, I do not think they will get another drummer (unless Steve gets another bloke to play with in British Lion and history repeats itself).

 

[Kalata]

Is there anyone who thinks it's possible that Simon is just an interim drummer? For the reason mentioned above (older age) and the unusual wording of the announcement?

But why wouldn't the “real” new drummer have joined immediately?

Simon is the ''real'' new drummer - a live member(!). As Rod said, they got their name. Also, the announcement was very quick.
The age is maybe a coincidence because he plays with Steve, which was VERY important. Let's hear him first. The wording is odd, but Maiden to change live members? I like to believe that's not their thing, Steve will prefer the established groove. And they had time (enough? idk) to choose someone else (Joe was busy, but you can't say no to Maiden, right; I'm sure they could have sorted things out) or to do auditions if they wanted to.

Regarding the sound, it is difficult to tell without having seen Simon play, but I imagine he will try and keep it as close as possible to Nicko’s patterns.

This.