matic22
Ancient Mariner
His practises and treatment of people was sometimes questionable to say at least. But it was always with the intention to make the band as big as possible.
Simon Dawson is the new drummer
- Thread starter Spaldy
- Start date
Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
Not a fair comparison though, 4 songwriters vs 2 songwriters and one wasn't focused. Steve hasn't written a whole album of its own either, the closest is Killers.
Nicko said it right. Fullfill their potential? All the band members are brilliant musicians and great songwriters, no doubt they can write a great full album (Adrian, Bruce, Janick, most likely Dave), but it's noticeable that Steve knows how to add something extra to the songs. Yes, Adrian and Bruce write great together, but their stuff is sometimes has a slightly different feel and that's cool (especially the longer stuff, for which Steve also writes parts). With Steve, we get the everything (literally), including the trademark sound. That's it. Steve and Adrian write great too.
Speaking of it - I'm really curious what Steve could have done with DOFP instrumental part.
Didn't Steve said that he mostly writes differently with British Lion. That's expected and normal.
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Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
Ok, topic relevant.
Songs to highlight Simon's style and versatility:
British Lion - The Burning
British Lion - Spit Fire
The Outfield - Take It All
DB - Temptation
DB - Break My Bones/We Are Your Family
Airrace - Wrong Way Out
Deep Switch - The Dark Angel
Deeds - Facing The Enemy
Songs to highlight Simon's style and versatility:
British Lion - The Burning
British Lion - Spit Fire
The Outfield - Take It All
DB - Temptation
DB - Break My Bones/We Are Your Family
Airrace - Wrong Way Out
Deep Switch - The Dark Angel
Deeds - Facing The Enemy
Eddie's Uncle
Prowler
It does not really matter who they choose to be the new drummer. Fact is, it will be very, very different, and I do not care if the new guy is Dawson, that Lazarus dude, Simon Phillips, Gene Hoglan or the mailman.
There are basically 3 types of musicians: standard, unique and super-unique. Maiden had the rare privilege of having 3 super-uniques in the band: Steve, Bruce, Nicko.
This was for most of the time a real blessing and was key to their success, but it comes as a curse when one of the super-uniques leaves. We already had that with Bruce's Departure, and no matter how good Blaze was, it was just problematic.
Same will happen now.
It happened in Megadeth: Mustaine writes all the songs, but Nick Menza as drummer was super-unique, and after he left, Megadeth never had that special groove again, despite having very capable drummers. Also happened with Guns N Roses (when Izzy was gone, things were never the same) and many others.
So I personally don't mind the Dawson choice, because in the end it does not matter much. ANY choice would bear the same result: That groove is gone.
If that's a problem or not, is up for everyone to decide. I think, I will not like the result much, but that's okay, because I think Maiden are past the right point of quitting anyway.
There are basically 3 types of musicians: standard, unique and super-unique. Maiden had the rare privilege of having 3 super-uniques in the band: Steve, Bruce, Nicko.
This was for most of the time a real blessing and was key to their success, but it comes as a curse when one of the super-uniques leaves. We already had that with Bruce's Departure, and no matter how good Blaze was, it was just problematic.
Same will happen now.
It happened in Megadeth: Mustaine writes all the songs, but Nick Menza as drummer was super-unique, and after he left, Megadeth never had that special groove again, despite having very capable drummers. Also happened with Guns N Roses (when Izzy was gone, things were never the same) and many others.
So I personally don't mind the Dawson choice, because in the end it does not matter much. ANY choice would bear the same result: That groove is gone.
If that's a problem or not, is up for everyone to decide. I think, I will not like the result much, but that's okay, because I think Maiden are past the right point of quitting anyway.
Poto
Ancient Mariner
Dave
OutwardFeller
Nomad
Exactly! There are two people that are indispensable to the signature Maiden sound and those are Steve Harris and Dave Murray.
Helmuth Von Moltke
Educated Fool
A couple of things to remember about James LaBrie (or 'James The Cheese', as a friend of mine calls himIn this interview, it sounds as if Rod Smallwood wanted him.
DREAM THEATER's JAMES LABRIE Says He Turned Down Offer To Audition For IRON MAIDEN
In a new interview with Canada's The Metal Voice, DREAM THEATER's James LaBrie was asked if there was ever any talk of him trying out for the singer position in IRON MAIDEN when Bruce Dickinson left the British heavy metal legends back in 1993. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET)...blabbermouth.net
Funny, Nicko and especially Adrian look here as if they are thinking: "Oh no, do we really have to do this?" Dave slightly embarrassed too.
View attachment 40659
- He's Canadian, not American, so there is a Commonwealth nations connection that Steve Harris might find culturally palatable. Also, Steve's past comment about Canada vs US in terms of his cultural preferences and such like (Anglo Canada, I assume)
- James LeBrie also replaced the original singer in Coney Hatch, a Canadian band that supported Maiden in 1983. Steve is on record as mentioning he liked Coney Hatch a great deal at the time.
Now, judging by the story, I think Rod and Merck were just following up a lead. No sense Steve sent them, but Rod was probably hoping he'd have another option to present to Steve.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a situation where Rod/company informally spoke to pretty much anybody on their label or who had connections with the band to get an idea of who would be interested. James’ quote doesn’t really make me think he was seriously being considered.
Also, maybe it’s faulty memory or something else, but James’ timeline doesn’t really add up. By 1993 Dream Theater had already released Images and Words and Pull Me Under was a massive success. They would have already had management and been touring. If James was approached by Maiden, it would have been as the vocalist in a fairly successful band with MTV play, not as one in a fledgling band with an uncertain future as he portrays it in the interview.
Also, maybe it’s faulty memory or something else, but James’ timeline doesn’t really add up. By 1993 Dream Theater had already released Images and Words and Pull Me Under was a massive success. They would have already had management and been touring. If James was approached by Maiden, it would have been as the vocalist in a fairly successful band with MTV play, not as one in a fledgling band with an uncertain future as he portrays it in the interview.
Eddie's Uncle
Prowler
I strongly disagree. Dave is unique, yes. But not super unique. Neither is Adrian or Janick. All three are awesome and have influence on he band's sound, but all three could easier be replaced than Bruce, Nicko and Steve. Note: I strictly speak in terms of performing!!! In terms of songwriting, it may be a different story.
Eddie's Uncle
Prowler
Thank Eddie that this never materialized. It would have been a disaster. James can not sing anything else than Dream Theater. Did you ever listen to their cover of the entire Master of Puppets album? Absolutely dreadful. He has no rawness, no aggression, no edge at all. Just clean pretty boy singig. Dream Theater sucks anyway.
Helmuth Von Moltke
Educated Fool
I like DT a lot but I agree with you about James' pretty boy voice. Broadway musical sounding at times. Maiden needs some edge by comparison (Paul, Bruce and Blaze could all sound aggressive from time to time).
So you assume that this groove is not part of Steve's vision of Maiden, because Steve obviously doesn't see it as a problem to play with Simon Dawson as a drummer.
But they were of all sorts of nationalities.
If someone who wasn't British (or from the Commonwealth) had shown interest, Rod would have gone:
Eddie's Uncle
Prowler
I don't assume it. It obviously IS not part of Steve's vision for Maiden anymore, otherwise they would retire, no?
Obviously whatever drives Steve to continue Maiden is more relevant than Nicko's groove.
I remember interviews where Steve said, if any of the current members would leave the band, he would call it quits. Obviously he changed his mind, and only he knows for what reason. Fun, money, the fear of falling into an emotional void without Maiden.... who knows? Now, that's just assuming.
____no5
Free Man
Oh yes they are. I don't know what "typical" is supposed to mean, but every business is a business. I partly agree with the second part. They could. Doesn't mean that they should. But I have zero problem if they would. Because it's a business. Make no mistake. There's nothing sacred in Rock or anywhere, except those that one is ready to die for.
Sometimes songs talk to our souls even change our lives, but those songs are still products in a well defined market. Also a nice designed car or iPhone can talk to one's soul and inspire them.
GhostofCain
Ancient Mariner
I think Steve is carrying on for us, the fans. This is what has always driven Iron Maiden, according to Rod Smallwood.
srfc
Ancient Mariner
Lads, it's not rocket science, Nicko is older than the rest of the band, he got to retirement age before the rest of them did, and the rest of them don't want to retire.
No different to what plenty of other bands have done, surprised at people getting on their high horses about Maiden, when it's no different than what any other band in the world has done. There's bands who've carried on, not just when members have retired but when members have died, members have disappeared off the face of the earth.
No different to what plenty of other bands have done, surprised at people getting on their high horses about Maiden, when it's no different than what any other band in the world has done. There's bands who've carried on, not just when members have retired but when members have died, members have disappeared off the face of the earth.
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Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
^This x2. And most importantly, the band members sound good. Let's hear Simon now.
Um, yeah, especially at this stage of the band and he has his own groove with Simon.
GhostofCain
Ancient Mariner
I can see the sarcasm of my message was lost on you...
Bottom line is Maiden are not ready to retire yet and I imagine they will keep on replacing members for as long as they (Steve, Bruce and Rod) want the brand to carry on.