Simon Dawson is the new drummer

[naranja]

In ten years, Steve Harris is going to be 78 years old...

And still writing songs using the E C G D chord sequence????!!!!

 

[Perun]

Again, I think the right choice would be someone like Simon Phillips. Then nobody could argue it and the man can play basically anything (and has played everything).

Oh, please. If this thread is proof of anything, it's that people will actively look for something to complain about. Like how people are earnestly using the argument that the drum kit Simon Dawson has been playing on is too small. I don't even know what to say about that.

 

[Vaenyr]

As for the "Simon's too old, he's barely going to extend the longevity of the band" argument; this depends entirely on if the wording for the announcement (him being the drummer for 2025 but apparently not beyond) was deliberate or not. We'll have to see.

And still writing songs using the E C G D chord sequence????!!!!

Steve's strength has always been his sense for melodies. As long as he manages to write catchy hooks like the ones heard on the second half of The Red And The Black or Hell On Earth I couldn't care less about the chord progressions.

 

[naranja]

Neither do I I'm only messing around

 

[Kiwisaint]

Seriously?

Message from Rod Smallwood:

"Happy Holidays everyone from Eddie and the boys! Since there are those on some unofficial Maiden fan board who doubt our decision to bring Simon on board we've decided to release a special, new studio recording of 'Run to the Hills' for everyone's critique. We will then set up a poll on our website where fans around the world can vote if we should keep him or dump him and find someone else. And as a bonus if enough of you don't like how Bruce sounds on this song these days we can replace him, too."

Your 2 Poll Options will be;

1) Run To The Hills
2) Run To The Fills

 

[naranja]

Now we can open with full speed be quick or be dead

 

[The_7th_one]

It would be sad to see them replacing more band members just for the sake of carrying on.

Absolutely. I think they should have stopped or follow with Nicko next year and stop. If the traditional tours are pretty demanding. Why don't try some kind of Metallica are doing. Just play 2 massive nights per week. Healthy for all.

 

[naranja]

Absolutely. I think they should have stopped or follow with Nicko next year and stop. If the traditional tours are pretty demanding. Why don't try some kind of Metallica are doing. Just play 2 massive nights per week. Healthy for all.

I really wonder how long Metallica can go with their eighties material.

People will hate Lars but he's actually improved to a pretty acceptable standard the last five years live. Maybe doesn't do all the double bass but he's pretty much fine, Kirk is a lot worse live than him now.

However they're all sixty and they're a thrash band. Like more demanding than Maidens music. How are they gonna play Battery live in a decade? It's not like the Stones being able to play their mid paced music forever.

 

[____no5]

Why don't try some kind of Metallica are doing. Just play 2 massive nights per week. Healthy for all.

Because they can’t draw such crowds?? Idea is great though.

 

[GhostofCain]

Absolutely. I think they should have stopped or follow with Nicko next year and stop. If the traditional tours are pretty demanding. Why don't try some kind of Metallica are doing. Just play 2 massive nights per week. Healthy for all.

… And Healthy for All

 

[Kalata]

The final decision could have been made a week ago or months ago, but they must have had a plan ever since Nicko’s capabilities became uncertain (after the stroke). So it was a matter of following their idea of how to move forward.
However, if they all firmly believed Nicko would play in 2025 and there was no other plan, I don’t think they would announce the replacement right away. They could just say there will be a new drummer stepping in for the 2025 tour and announce him later.

Agreed, they knew and had backup plans. I mean, Rod! But what if Simon was the only option for Steve.

Also, I think only mentioning 2025 is because Steve is thinking about a semi-retirement again.

I'm now convinced that there are some here who actively want the band to fail, based on what I've read.

Fail? I think it's a normal reaction when a band member like Nicko retires. I would say that general metal fans understand Nicko's decision and are still happy to see the rest of the band live. Even though it pains me to say it, I think I would have preferred the entire band to retire. These 6 people and musicians are the magic for me.

Yes, it worked. I know several younger extreme metal fans who mainly bought tickets because they believed 2025 would be Nicko's last tour and they wanted to see him once.

That's normal. You think the sales for the 2026 leg will be down now that the band will be without Nicko?

Ok, I admit that would be very surprising but aren't there also interviews (from the time Senjutsu was released) where band members say Steve likes surprising the fans?

That could mean anything.

Simon's drum kit is small but I don't see why he couldn't change it for Maiden.

I feel he won't change it. I'm not expecting Eddies on it either. Man, how I wish to see Nicko's idea for RFYL drum kit.

I love Nicko and wish he could go on forever but replacing the drummer is by far the least disruptive thing that could happen here. Especially at the level at which these guys perform.
Yes, there will be a difference in the sound but it's going to be relatively plug and play for virtually any professional heavy rock drummer. It's going to be fine. Interesting even. Let's face it, all Simon has to do is play Hallowed and Run to the Hills more like Clive and he'll probably win over the entire forum.

It's about the character and style. It's clear Simon is a drummer who will do a good job, but will he fit Maiden...

It would be sad to see them replacing more band members just for the sake of carrying on.

Very sad. Some of the band members are not ready to retire, but they also have side projects.

 

[Kalata]

Is Simon Dawson really 66 years old?

That's the worst part of it, they chose someone who extends their career with a few years instead of maybe 10.

I was thinking about that too, but maybe the band is planning to semi-retire, which is more likely now. Let's not forget the statement's only about the 2025 leg. 2 more tours is probably the best option. Until 2029/2030. With Nicko in best form it would have been the same. Plus three of the band members have solo projects (I know it's not like Maiden). And Steve was more interested in getting someone he played with, not a young drummer. I don't think they've decided yet if they'll continue after the new tour, even though they replaced Nicko. They surely won't replace any more members. Although bands like Priest and Saxon still continue with older members, but with new/young ones too. Like a norm for old bands these days. I hope/thought Maiden would be different.

Thoughts:

2025-2026 (Bruce promised the SA/NA crowds) - Run For Your Lives
2027-2028 - new album tour or Part 2 of RFYL
2029-2030 - last Hits tour.... ending on a new album tour?

or

2025-2026 - RFYL
2027 - 3rd leg for one year but with Part 2 of it
2028-2029 - new album tour or last Hits tour

I don't know what to expect anymore, but Bruce could have hinted that they would record another album with Nicko. I can't see them recording without him. Maybe he could have played one last tour, but he didn't want to compromise with his performances again. I guess anything is possible at this point.

 

[Kalata]

Same as with Blaze. Hiring someone without too much of a personality. He could be an unknown drummer too.

Blaze, Richie Faulkner, Accept's young drummer, Helloween's drummer... I think bands like (or prefer?) unusual choices. And nobody can replace Nicko (character wise as well), even if some of the classic old drummers were still active. Of the big names, Portnoy, Dee, they all have bands. Who else?

Btw, isn't it strange that Simon didn't post about him in Maiden? Maybe he wants to do more than just play live? Was the wording of the announcement for 2025 deliberate or not?

 

[srfc]

Oh, please. If this thread is proof of anything, it's that people will actively look for something to complain about. Like how people are earnestly using the argument that the drum kit Simon Dawson has been playing on is too small. I don't even know what to say about that.

I think Joe Lazarus being the drum hero on the basis of a few youtube clips runs that one close. Because you know the exact same people would be saying "and Steve gives his nephew the job, what a cunt!" if Lazarus actually got the gig.

 

[Spaldy]

I feel he won't change it. I'm not expecting Eddies on it either. Man, how I wish to see Nicko's idea for RFYL drum kit.

There's videos all over this thread showing him playing bigger kits. He plays a small kit with BL because he only needs to play basic rock.

I can guarantee he won't be using a micro drum set on a Maiden stage. In fact I'll put money on it being built by the British Drum Co.

 

[harrisdevot]

Neither his drum kit nor him as a drummer is for Maiden. Now I think RFYL tour might be their last and definitely don't want any new music with him. I can't believe, two shocks for two days is too much. Steve is taking the easy route for him. We all weren't expecting a big/more recognizable name (that could have played a Maiden song before), but has this guy played Maiden songs before? No perfect choice here, but someone younger would be at least better and logical.

Last year, you wrote that basically, the songs didn't suffer from Nicko's disminished technical abilities. And now ypu complain because they chose a less technical drummer. Him and Steve ate really really tight live. That's the point that matters.

 

[Perun]

I think Joe Lazarus being the drum hero on the basis of a few youtube clips runs that one close. Because you know the exact same people would be saying "and Steve gives his nephew the job, what a cunt!" if Lazarus actually got the gig.

I mean, that's what they did for the day between the retirement announcement and the Dawson confirmation.

 

[brucebruce87]

I think Joe Lazarus being the drum hero on the basis of a few youtube clips runs that one close. Because you know the exact same people would be saying "and Steve gives his nephew the job, what a cunt!" if Lazarus actually got the gig.

This is exactly the point.
Oasis is one of the most successful bands on the planet, two brothers on the stage, Sepultura was the best when they were family band,
I just gave an example I don't personally claim this statement but i don't see a problem if they are related.
We could say, oh Steve gave Lauren Harris to be a support band, then Raven Age etc. If Joe is the best replacement, he is the best replacement, period. We should not go into family ties at all in this scenario.

I mean, Simon is great for BL and I think he have a lot of fans among the Maiden fans, but is he the right choice for Maiden? I don't know.
How many years they can actually buy with this move? 4-5? I don't think so, not all of them are "that young" to just proceed with the same energy on the stage even next year.
If they are in the best shape of their lives now, and replace the drummer it can make some sense, but now....
I would be happier if they did 10 shows in 2025 with celebration of 50 years of the band, BOOM, EPIC and direct end.
Now they look like an ordinary band ,there is no credibility to idealize it . SHOW MUST GO ON

 

[btx109]

No he wasn’t. He used to be one of the devils live when Trust was opening for them though. You’re confusing him being the guy in the hood in the Icarus video.

In 1975, he began playing with Streetwalkers,<a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicko_McBrain#cite_note-FOOTNOTEWall2004239-6"><span>[</span>6<span>]</span></a> before joining Pat Travers,<a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicko_McBrain#cite_note-FOOTNOTEWall2004240-9"><span>[</span>9<span>]</span></a> singer Jenny Darren,<a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicko_McBrain#cite_note-10"><span>[</span>10<span>]</span></a> McKitty and then the French band, Trust,<a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicko_McBrain#cite_note-11"><span>[</span>11<span>]</span></a><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicko_McBrain#cite_note-FOOTNOTEWall2004240-9"><span>[</span>9<span>]</span></a> with whom he met Iron Maiden for the first time, while touring together in 1981.

Hallowed be Thy Cane
Infinite Creams
Pensionslave
Bladder Can’t Wait
The Scooter

That's really good.

 

[BludBrutha]

The ride-on Eddie for The Scooter :