Simon Dawson is the new drummer

It has been interesting watching this develop and the reception. I don't really find anything surprising - imo even stroke aside it was only a matter of time before Nicko would be unable to perform at an acceptable level and I think it was unrealistic to expect Maiden to step on the brakes for one member who is a bit older than the rest and playing a more physically demanding role at that.

Maiden is also kind of an interesting case as far as legacy bands go. I feel like you can put most rock bands into two categories: bands with one or two "visionary" members who are the main creative forces and the rest of the lineup is frequently rotated out (Megadeth, Iced Earth, King Crimson are the obvious examples here). Then you have bands that are presented more as units and most, if not all, of the members are seen as irreplaceable (Rush, Dream Theater, Pink Floyd, Van Halen come to mind). Iron Maiden is a weird one because they went from having a lineup change every album (plus 5 years of pre-recorded history defined by constant lineup changes) to going over 40(!!) years with only three lineup changes. Is it because of luck? Because Iron Maiden is now so commercially successful it would be silly to leave? Has something in the organization changed to make the lineup more stable?

I guess my point is that the corporate line has always been that Iron Maiden is Steve Harris' baby. If they really mean that, I don't really see why the band would cease as long as Steve Harris wants to keep it going.
 
My initial thought on Simon getting the gig was "Steve has lost his fucking mind".

After having time to settle into the idea, listening to Simon's stuff throughout his career, thinking about the fact he's been playing with Steve on the side for over a decade, listening to British Lion, watching them perform on live recordings and assessing other possible replacements, my thought has slightly changed to:

"Steve has perhaps lost his fucking mind".
 
I am no expert on drumming, far from it, but it's like they have hired the Blaze Bayley of drummers.
 
Ascendingthethrone said:
My two cents. Simon seems like a pretty good drummer. He’s a session musician for goodness sake. He’s going to be fine.

Some in the fan base wanted Joe because he sounds like Nicko. I thought being authentic was important to metal heads. Not sounding like someone else.
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To be fair, Joe sounds like Nicko because he's been emulating him when playing Maiden material. I'm sure if he wanted he could inject some of his own flavour into his drumming. Not that it matters now.

Still, going to be interesting to see how Simon will sound on Maiden material. Or rather how Maiden will sound with a different drummer for the first time in four decades.
 
Ascendingthethrone said:
My two cents. Simon seems like a pretty good drummer. He’s a session musician for goodness sake. He’s going to be fine.

Some in the fan base wanted Joe because he sounds like Nicko. I thought being authentic was important to metal heads. Not sounding like someone else.
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That's pretty much true, but Maiden are in the last stage of their career. I see no point in reinventing the wheel this late. At this point we can only wait till we will hear how Maiden will sound with Simon.
 
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Poto said:
I am no expert on drumming, far from it, but it's like they have hired the Blaze Bayley of drummers.
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I really think not, but let's see how this ''Blaze-esque'' situation plays out, that's a different matter I assume.
Ascendingthethrone said:
My two cents. Simon seems like a pretty good drummer. He’s a session musician for goodness sake. He’s going to be fine.
Some in the fan base wanted Joe because he sounds like Nicko. I thought being authentic was important to metal heads. Not sounding like someone else.
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That and probably because he is younger, therefore more energetic. Simon seems like a pretty good drummer, but right for Maiden remains to be seen. One thing is sure, despite the different styles he has played, he comes from the same music background as Nicko, not power metal or stuff.
Vaenyr said:
To be fair, Joe sounds like Nicko because he's been emulating him when playing Maiden material. I'm sure if he wanted he could inject some of his own flavour into his drumming. Not that it matters now.
Still, going to be interesting to see how Simon will sound on Maiden material. Or rather how Maiden will sound with a different drummer for the first time in four decades.
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Well, every drummer has their own inspirations and finds a way to develop a some kind of a style for them. Interesting indeed, mix of feelings.
Azas said:
That's pretty much true, but Maiden are in the last stage of their career. I see no point in reinventing the wheel this late. At this point we can only wait till we will hear how Maiden will sound with Simon.
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I think it's more about a different character and playing. And it's only for live (for now). Let's see if he plays the songs differently, like Nicko did with Clive's songs. 50/50, I guess.
 
Blaze is a great singer these days, and sounds his absolute best right now I think. His last five albums have all been really good.

He simply didn't have the stamina (or, admittedly, the range) needed for the Maiden world tours.

Yes, it's partly Steve's fault for hiring a baritone and expecting him to sing as a tenor. That's not a myth, that's just a fact. That instantly makes his job uncomfortable and difficult.

But he was in no way prepared to keep his voice night after night. He just couldn't do it. I doubt singing in his own natural key would have made any difference to that.
 
Mosh said:
It has been interesting watching this develop and the reception. I don't really find anything surprising - imo even stroke aside it was only a matter of time before Nicko would be unable to perform at an acceptable level and I think it was unrealistic to expect Maiden to step on the brakes for one member who is a bit older than the rest and playing a more physically demanding role at that.
Maiden is also kind of an interesting case as far as legacy bands go. I feel like you can put most rock bands into two categories: bands with one or two "visionary" members who are the main creative forces and the rest of the lineup is frequently rotated out (Megadeth, Iced Earth, King Crimson are the obvious examples here). Then you have bands that are presented more as units and most, if not all, of the members are seen as irreplaceable (Rush, Dream Theater, Pink Floyd, Van Halen come to mind). Iron Maiden is a weird one because they went from having a lineup change every album (plus 5 years of pre-recorded history defined by constant lineup changes) to going over 40(!!) years with only three lineup changes. Is it because of luck? Because Iron Maiden is now so commercially successful it would be silly to leave? Has something in the organization changed to make the lineup more stable?
I guess my point is that the corporate line has always been that Iron Maiden is Steve Harris' baby. If they really mean that, I don't really see why the band would cease as long as Steve Harris wants to keep it going.
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The reception is, well, what to say, the band is continuing, Nicko wanted it, he's the oldest. Regarding the lineup, I think Bruce said that their relationship is much better since the Reunion than in the 80's and ofc Maiden are a very big and successful band. You can't beat these amazing musicians. Despite the early and some other changes, Maiden are more band than individuals.

But why do some think Steve will keep replacing members? Because of some past comments? Well, fair, but Steve also said he can't imagine the band without Bruce again, he knows Adrian is too important, Dave has been with him since the early days... That's wild and not their thing (again, despite the changes, most of which in the early days, Bruce left on his own). I think Nicko is an exception and we have to take into account the stage of their career.
The Garlon said:
Ridiculous. I don't understand the negative towards this guy. He's a session guy with decades of experience that Steve's been playing with for over a decade. Why would they choose someone else?
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People don't know what to expect from Simon and for Maiden. Also, some are comparing him to Joe. I agree that it is logical for Steve to choose someone he's played with, since he has that option. And ofc the experience. Joe would have been a natural ''continuation'' of Nicko. But Simon could be like a mix of Nicko and Clive, given his variety.
Belshazzar said:
Blaze is a great singer these days
He simply didn't have the stamina (or, admittedly, the range) needed for the Maiden world tours.
Yes, it's partly Steve's fault for hiring a baritone and expecting him to sing as a tenor. That's not a myth, that's just a fact. That instantly makes his job uncomfortable and difficult.
But he was in no way prepared to keep his voice night after night. He just couldn't do it. I doubt singing in his own natural key would have made any difference to that.
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This.
 
srfc said:
The Blaze myth that it's Maiden's fault he was shit is a sob story that does him no favours.
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