FOUNDATIONS
November 8, 1993/Vol. 6, Issue 22
2 pg. B&W Article

Interview questions by Mark Gromen and Michael Moses

Have you found a replacement for Bruce Dickinson yet?

JG: We've been in the studio listening to a few things. We've started auditioning a few, but we don't actually have anyone in mind. We're going through the tapes bit by bit. Usually we get together as a group and go through them. There are odd ones still coming in now, but we make sure everyone hears everything. I'd prefer an unknown singer. It would be great to give someone new a chance. We're looking for someone charismatic, who has a voice that fits Maiden and has a chemistry which we can feed off of and make this a better band than it already is. We've got tapes from all over the world: Japan, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, America, everywhere. I can't really imagine a Japanese singer fronting Iron Maiden, but it's very nice of them to send a tape. Americans have a different idea of what rock's about and reasons for playing it. I'd rather have a brilliant American singer than a very poor British one. We're very open minded about it. I never think about age - obviously you don't want someone too young, as they haven't had the experience. I must say, we haven't had any sixty year-olds audition yet.

What's the official explanation for Bruce's departure?

JG: I was very disappointed that he left. I've known him for about 12 years and we're best mates. I found out Bruce was leaving in February, and I was shocked by it. I still am. The guy wanted to leave, so you've got to accept it. Personally, I think it's down to him just wanting to do different things. God bless him, I wish him luck.

So much has changed in the hard music scone lately. Do you feel that it's tougher for Iron Maiden to survive in a post-Nirvana world?

JG: I never look at how popular the band is. You just go out and do what you believe. A band like Iron Maiden doesn't jump on fashions or trends. Out of that comes an integrity of what the band's about. When people come to see Iron Maiden, they know what they're getting: a good rock show. We're not going to turn grunge, dance or funk just to sell a few more records in America. I thoroughly enjoyed our last tour over there, we had a great time. I think things are very fashion oriented in America with the whole grunge thing. We do what we do and as long as you believe in what you're doing, you're going the right way.

It's surprising to see the amount of live product Iron Maiden is releasing; there was the pay-per-view special, A Real Live One' and now A Real Dead One' and there's going to be a live video of your Donington appearance.

JG: To be honest, everything we've done was planned before Bruce decided to leave. The idea was to bring out two live albums simultaneously, one with older Iron Maiden material and the other featuring newer stuff. The reason we didn't make it a double CD was that some tracks had been out before. A lot of kids would be interested to hear the new line-up do these tracks, but we didn't want them to be forced to buy the ones they had already. After Christmas of '92, Bruce decided he was leaving and that changed the plans. We'd already committed to do the tour, so we decided to add and record some older songs for 'A Real Dead One' and agreed to do the pay-per-view broadcast because we didn't come back to America The cynical thing would have been to do one more farewell tour with Bruce, which we wouldn't do. We did the satellite thing so people could see the band one last time before Bruce left. That was the only thing we decided to do after Bruce decided to leave. Even the title, A Real Dead One, we decided on in Japan, last year. Who would have thought that Bruce was going to leave after that?

When do you think we can expect to hear a new studio album?

JG: We're auditioning now, but we've had to take a break, as Nicko (McBrain) is out doing drum clinics, which he's had planned for six months. When he comes back in November, we'll start again. Hopefully, we'll start writing through December and January, vided we've found the guy we want. We'll start recording after that then hopefully tour late next year. plan to take our time with this album.

What's the key to Iron Maiden's longevity?

JG: As long as you believe in it and feel you have something to offer, that's the thing to do. Adrian (Smith, ex-Maiden guitarist) was there for ten years, but I think he always wanted to mellow out. He's doing his solo thing, which I hear is going well, and he should have a new album out soon as well. I think David loves what he's doing, same as Steve. I feel exactly the same. This is something I really enjoy doing. Everyone's going to tell me it's unfashionable, that heavy metal is finished and they have been telling me that for the longest time. But this is something I believe in, so I'm not going to be bulled over by people who tell me I should be wearing grange clothes or listening to the latest grunge album. God bless all that new stuff, I think it's great and good wishes to the people who are doing it, but this is what I want to do.

How does one create their second (or third) live album?

JG: We split the set in half and put the pre-'85 songs on this one. Economically, it's best for the kids. If they want the new stuff, they can get it. If they want new versions of the old songs, they can buy that too. I think we (recorded) twelve shows for the first part and five (more) for the old songs. It really has a live, bootleg, punky quality. That's the point of it, it is a real live one, no monkeying about, doctoring it. I think there's a vital feel to it. Steve listened to all the tapes. Perhaps he'd bounce the snare sound across from the night before, but that would be it. The thought of mixing an album is so boring to me, to sit there listening to it over and over again. I like to feel the excitement of it, there and then, and then go on to the next one. I can't listen to a track 60 times, it drives me mad. I run out of the studio when it comes time for that. I hide.

With 'Fear Of The Dark,' Derek Riggs vision of Maiden's omnipresent mascot Eddie vanished, only to re-appear for the live records. What was the situation surrounding that?

JG: Derek actually sent in an idea for Fear, but it didn't convey the feelings we felt about the album. We sent out to a lot of colleges and artists to draw a chameleon change of Eddie. It felt right. We always intended to use Derek again. You've got to do what you think is right and if that means never using the guy you've always used, then fair enough. He's back (for both live covers), which are brilliant. Eddie's back!

Do you feel that Iron Maiden has to re-prove itself to this new generation of hard music consumers?

JG: We believe we have a lot to offer. Our last album, Fear of the Dark, was our best album since the mid-eighties, and as a live band, we're one of the best. Anyone who saw our last tour in America will vouch for that. The fact remains that Bruce is gone; he was just the singer in a band. Over the years, Steve has written the majority of the material. Bruce wrote with other people, but very rarely by himself. It's all down to opinion. That's what music is all about. One man's meat is another one's poison.