Part 4
MH: Did you discuss with each other before you tried synthesizers, or were you confident that the Maiden fans would accept it?
AS: The synthesizers were used so subtly that we didn't worry about it. It just fit with the sound. It felt right, so we did it. The fact that this album is still loved today shows that our gut feeling was probably right,
MH: Is there a particular song from "SOMEWHERE IN TIME" that you think is a bit under underrated in your opinion?
AS: "Stranger in A Strange Land" is a real favorite of mine; unfortunately we haven't played it much live yet. Did you know that I wrote that riff in Jersey after I just had a root canal at the dentist? I had this sound in my head and I got out my four-track-recorder and recorded the riff. It was worth the pain, I think.
MH: The artwork of "SOMEWHERE IN TIME" is still outstanding. What were your initial thoughts after you saw it for the first time?
AS: I thought at the time of first seeing it that it was really fitting. The cover and Eddie perfectly captured the science fiction vibe of the album. perfectly. The current artwork for the upcoming "The Future Past" tour fits great as well. It made me look forward to the concerts right away.
MH: The "Trooper Beer" is coming to Germany. What do you personally like about this beer, and how have your drinking habits on tour changed over the decades?
AS: The mastermind behind the beer is Bruce. You'd have to ask him about the little details. All I know is, since the introduction of the Trooper beer ten years ago, there have been about 35 million pints (about 16.5 million liters - Editor's note) sold worldwide. That's quite a lot ... I'm looking forward to tasting the new version for Germany on tour. If anyone knows anything about beer, it's Germany. We are eager to see the reactions. As for drinking on tour: We're not twenty anymore, that's definitely changed over the decades. We all liked to drink a little bit, but today we are more restrained and have our own hobbies to keep ourselves fit. We don't have crazy rock'n'roll parties backstage anymore. I prefer to enjoy a French or Italian white wine.
MH: The "World Slavery" tour is considered to be the most strenuous tour of Iron Maiden's career. Do you also feel that way?
AS: It was indeed a challenge, but we were driven by success at the time; we felt invincible and were able to just keep going. When it comes to the way we travel, we have it very good these days, but it is still exhausting. Europe is better in some respects because the distances are shorter and the differences between countries are greater. So you have the opportunity to explore cities - something we never used to do. I remember a hotel in Germany, from whose window I was looking right at a neighboring cemetery and its graves. That wasn't so great. But maybe Eddie would have looked after me. (laughs).