Status of Iron Maiden in the USA

[Anonymous]

    It is my opinion that Maiden's status in the USA is once again on the rise.  Both of my sons listen to Maiden, but I do believe they need to do a better job of touring in the states.
    I realize that we aren't going to see another tour like the Powerslave tour, but I kinda wish they would do more shows in the states.  I mean they could easily do 30 shows stateside, and push the new record to even greater heights.
    I thought Brave new World was a great album, Dance of Death was also very good but I think this new record is right up there with Piece of Mind and Powerslave, and I think they need to push it harder in north america...

 

[SinisterMinisterX]

Based on the last few years, it seems to me that Maiden have decided the US isn't a strong market for their new material. Sure, they did a few DoD shows here and they're doing a handful of AMOLAD shows now. But their last 2 major tours in the US (GMETID and Early Days) were full of older material. They haven't really pushed hard on a new album here since BNW. They seem to consider the US to be a nostalgia market.

Now, I honestly don't know what kind of promotion they're putting into AMOLAD on other US media. They released Breeg as a single, with a video, but I don't know if it's gotten any radio or MTV play because I don't listen to "modern rock" radio or watch MTV. I gave up on modern rock radio a few years ago; 90% of the music they played was crap, and it drove me nuts waiting through it to hear the occasional good song.

So I'm wondering: did they (or more specifically, their record company) even try to push Breeg with the media? If so, has anyone heard Breeg on the radio in the US or seen it on TV? If not, where does the fault lay: lack of record company promotion, or unreceptive American media? If it's the latter, Maiden can't be blamed. If it's the former, Maiden ought to be screaming at their label. After all, I seem to recall that AMOLAD hit the US top 10 when it came out. Even if it dropped like a stone the next week, that shows there are indeed Maiden fans here in the states ... and if there's some, then there's potential for more.

But in all honesty, I expect to see one more major US tour - another nostalgia show when the History Part 2 DVD comes out. If we're extremely lucky, maybe one more after that for a History Part 3 DVD. But by that time, the band will be ready to retire. For my part, I've thought of each of my last two Maiden shows as the last I'll ever see ... and if I see them again, I'll continue to say to myself, "Damn glad I got one more, too bad it was the last one."

 

[Onhell]

I caught the video on MTV2 channel surfing at a friend's house. I remember not liking the song when I first heard it, but on this ocassion I caught it on the solo and first recognized it as Metal, so I kept it on that channel, then I recognized the guys before I recognized the song lol. But yeah it's getting some play on MTV and I only know this by accident since I don't have cable and I don't listen to any radio.

 

[IronDuke]

Maiden is most concerned with money these days, not their fans. That's why they play the huge venues in Europe and not the less-profitable (though not money-losing) places in the US and English Canada. Support for the band is much to spread out around North America to make it worth their while.

 

[Natalie]

Maiden is most concerned with money these days, not their fans. That's why they play the huge venues in Europe and not the less-profitable (though not money-losing) places in the US and English Canada. Support for the band is much to spread out around North America to make it worth their while.

I would hope that this is really not true (the bit about Maiden caring more about the money than the fans). Maiden has always been about the fans from what I understand, so maybe Maiden don't play as many gigs in the U.S. because they feel that the fans there are not the kind they encounter in Europe (as in, lots of fans who are in it for the image, rather than for the music).

 

[Maidenfreak]

Maiden is most concerned with money these days, not their fans. That's why they play the huge venues in Europe and not the less-profitable (though not money-losing) places in the US and English Canada. Support for the band is much to spread out around North America to make it worth their while.

Maiden is most concerned with their own fuckin health these days. That's why they play the huge venues in Europe and not take the torment of touring through the US extensively. They actually do tours that reach as many people as possible in the most covenient way. They're OLD for fucks sake. Steve is known to have problems with his back, Nicko is getting sloppier these days (yes, even more so ), they simply CAN'T DO IT anymore. If you think that's "being concerned with money", fair enough, I think they're still doing a good job.

 

[Forostar]

Maiden is most concerned with their own fuckin health these days. That's why they play the huge venues in Europe and not take the torment of touring through the US extensively. They actually do tours that reach as many people as possible in the most covenient way. They're OLD for fucks sake. Steve is known to have problems with his back, Nicko is getting sloppier these days (yes, even more so ), they simply CAN'T DO IT anymore. If you think that's "being concerned with money", fair enough, I think they're still doing a good job.

And thus concerned with good shows. Quality over quantity.

 

[Genghis Khan]

I would hope that this is really not true (the bit about Maiden caring more about the money than the fans). Maiden has always been about the fans from what I understand, so maybe Maiden don't play as many gigs in the U.S. because they feel that the fans there are not the kind they encounter in Europe (as in, lots of fans who are in it for the image, rather than for the music).

I think you hit the nail on the head with that comment, Natalie.  I never cared for image (one of the reasons I postponed getting any T-shirt for over 13 years).  I also dislike fans who are there just to headbang but do not know or care to know any lyrics besides sing-along choruses.  If Maiden cares to only play in venues where they feel major support, that is up to them.  This is why they always come to Quebec City apparently.  The fans there are really into them.  They're an old band and so have earned their right to be selfish (in the good sense) by playing their favourite venues.

 

[Natalie]

Great minds think alike, Genghis Khan, great minds think alike
I mean seriously, I know so many Americans who have Slipknot t-shirts and haven't even listened to any of their songs (so they don't know what garbage their supporting, but thats another story). I don't mean to say only Americans do this, but the music industry in the states is geared for this kind of fanship. Which is why we get so much mediocre rubbish from the other side of the Atlantic .

 

[Genghis Khan]

Great minds think alike, Genghis Khan, great minds think alike
I mean seriously, I know so many Americans who have Slipknot t-shirts and haven't even listened to any of their songs (so they don't know what garbage their supporting, but thats another story). I don't mean to say only Americans do this, but the music industry in the states is geared for this kind of fanship. Which is why we get so much mediocre rubbish from the other side of the Atlantic .

I agree with your evaluation of current North American musical trends.  However, great bands have come from here before, even in the 90s.  [Old] Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax; I also enjoy good old fashioned hard rock music like Aerosmith, Van Halen... and Canadian bands that no one has heard of like Moist and I Mother Earth.  Though I think UK, band by band, has the best talent, even the non-metal influences like Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple... and of course, the best band ever, Iron Maiden, plus other metal bands like Motorhead and Judas Priest.  I would not dismiss North American stuff out of hand though.  Though I could care less about Slipped Not, or Soggy Crackers, of Flaccid Cookies, etc.   

 

[spalec]

Based on the last few years, it seems to me that Maiden have decided the US isn't a strong market for their new material.

Tour spoilers below!

Spoiler

Have you seen comments thus far about the tour? The main comment I've seen is "not enough classics" and "the crowd weren't really into the new stuff" I think it's fairly obvious why the give the US audience what they want, touring more extensivly for the "classic" tours.

 

[Anonymous]

I think there are mainly two kinds of fans in the US: ones who are long-time fans who love the old stuff but really appreciate the new. And love the new album. Then the younger who think its cool to be into a classic metal band, who are steeped in the older stuff, but don't keep up with the newer. They are more interested in being seen at a concert, or only talking about it afterwards. A status thing.

I was screaming, singing, clapping, etc. while those nearby stood there with their hands in their pockets. It pissed me off and made me make even more noise. I was there to have a great time, and did I ever. Those in the front row did a decent job, but a lot of the place didn't seem like they knew what to do...

Spoiler

esp. during AMOLAD.

I now know the band had crap monitors on stage and had a hard time of it, but you could tell Maiden was disappointed. If I could make a Euro show, I would in a heartbeat, because I think I would feel more at home with fans who feel the same way I do. I am not speaking for all US fans, I know there are many more gung-ho than me, but I wish there were a lot more. My entire high-school career was shaped so much by Iron Maiden. I loved them then, and I love them even more now. I can't wait for the next tour.

 

[Natalie]

You're right Genghis Khan, I was actually thinking of current U.S. music when I wrote that post. Certainly in the past there have been positive influences coming from that side of the Atlantic, although I agree with your opinion that the Brits have come out with the best quality music in recent ages.