A Recent Interview with Iron Maiden Guitarist Dave Murray
November 14, 2007
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A Recent Interview with Iron Maiden Guitarist Dave Murray
Back then, Iron Maiden was literally screaming at flocks of people about fearing the dark and contemplating on morbid thoughts related to necrophilia and the dead (not the grateful ones, I suppose). Anyway, with screechy guitar licks reminiscent of the good old glam days and lyrical content about death and despair, Iron Maiden was amongst the acts that had successfully fused glam with heavy metal. For the past 22 years of Iron Maiden’s career, this glam heavy metal act (as most heavy metal fanatics of the 80s classify their music) has sold over 45 million records to date.
However, Iron Maiden has apparently been inactive in the heavy metal scene for quite some time now. Others would argue this since it may just be the genre itself that seems to have hibernated right within the depths of darkness. But a recent interview with Iron Maiden guitarist Dave Murray conducted by Gary James hopes to shed some light for Iron Maiden enthusiasts about the glam heavy metal act’s most recent set of activities in the music scene.
Dave Murray validated that one of Iron Maiden’s most successful tour to date was during the early 1980s because their LPs were doing well in America back then. This was the time the band toured with Judas Priest across the US. He also stated to fondly remember about Iron Maiden’s last gig, which was “during ‘86 or ‘87″. But when asked if the heavy metal scene was currently amidst the shadow of more recent genres, Murray claimed the heavy metal scene was doing well in the UK and other parts of the EU. But he also stated that it may have dramatically dropped off.
Dave Murray also clarified that Iron Maiden has signed up with CMC. This means Iron Maiden is now under a new record label because they have been with Capitol Records since the release of their first few LPs. Now, CMC holds everything Iron Maiden has recorded. Yes - even their most recent EP “The Soundhouse Tapes”, which was independently recorded by the band under their own label - Rock House Records.
A copy of the Encyclopedia of Rock ‘n Roll by Rolling Stones stated that Iron Maiden has a fascination with destruction and violence. When asked about this, Dave Murray referred to it as a load of crap that was just there to sensationalize the image of the band and not their music. Afterwards, Dave Murray informed Gary James about the difficulties Iron Maiden had to go through during the time that they were searching for a Bruce Dickinson replacement. They had around a thousand demo tapes from aspiring Iron Maiden vocalists, in which 12 were called in for live auditions. Dave Murray also expressed his gratitude for those who have been constantly contacting the current Iron Maiden management with regards to their most recent “The Soundhouse Tapes” EP. Dave Murray stated that the band had just released around 5000 copies of the EP, in which each copy is now going for at least $300. He also claimed that Iron Maiden considered the EP as a promotional tool.
source: http://www.theharbinger.org/xviii/991005/james.html
A Recent Interview with Iron Maiden Guitarist Dave Murray
Back then, Iron Maiden was literally screaming at flocks of people about fearing the dark and contemplating on morbid thoughts related to necrophilia and the dead (not the grateful ones, I suppose). Anyway, with screechy guitar licks reminiscent of the good old glam days and lyrical content about death and despair, Iron Maiden was amongst the acts that had successfully fused glam with heavy metal. For the past 22 years of Iron Maiden’s career, this glam heavy metal act (as most heavy metal fanatics of the 80s classify their music) has sold over 45 million records to date.
However, Iron Maiden has apparently been inactive in the heavy metal scene for quite some time now. Others would argue this since it may just be the genre itself that seems to have hibernated right within the depths of darkness. But a recent interview with Iron Maiden guitarist Dave Murray conducted by Gary James hopes to shed some light for Iron Maiden enthusiasts about the glam heavy metal act’s most recent set of activities in the music scene.
Dave Murray validated that one of Iron Maiden’s most successful tour to date was during the early 1980s because their LPs were doing well in America back then. This was the time the band toured with Judas Priest across the US. He also stated to fondly remember about Iron Maiden’s last gig, which was “during ‘86 or ‘87″. But when asked if the heavy metal scene was currently amidst the shadow of more recent genres, Murray claimed the heavy metal scene was doing well in the UK and other parts of the EU. But he also stated that it may have dramatically dropped off.
Dave Murray also clarified that Iron Maiden has signed up with CMC. This means Iron Maiden is now under a new record label because they have been with Capitol Records since the release of their first few LPs. Now, CMC holds everything Iron Maiden has recorded. Yes - even their most recent EP “The Soundhouse Tapes”, which was independently recorded by the band under their own label - Rock House Records.
A copy of the Encyclopedia of Rock ‘n Roll by Rolling Stones stated that Iron Maiden has a fascination with destruction and violence. When asked about this, Dave Murray referred to it as a load of crap that was just there to sensationalize the image of the band and not their music. Afterwards, Dave Murray informed Gary James about the difficulties Iron Maiden had to go through during the time that they were searching for a Bruce Dickinson replacement. They had around a thousand demo tapes from aspiring Iron Maiden vocalists, in which 12 were called in for live auditions. Dave Murray also expressed his gratitude for those who have been constantly contacting the current Iron Maiden management with regards to their most recent “The Soundhouse Tapes” EP. Dave Murray stated that the band had just released around 5000 copies of the EP, in which each copy is now going for at least $300. He also claimed that Iron Maiden considered the EP as a promotional tool.
source: http://www.theharbinger.org/xviii/991005/james.html
Iron Maiden, glam metal? I fail to see the connection…
yeah, they may have worn some spandex in the 80s, but they weren’t wearing heels, lipstick or poofing their hair, nor were they singing about girls, partying, love and sex…
What the heck is this, and who wrote it? Almost every fact in this is completely wrong. Iron Maiden is not “glam heavy metal”, and almost nobody uses that term…I’ve never heard it used.
Dave Murray also never stated that “Maiden’s last gig was in ‘86 or ‘87″. The band has actually never been on hiatus at all.
And who ever said The Soundhouse tapes were Maiden’s most recent release? They were actually Maiden’s first ever release, recorded on a tiny budget and just used to get the ball rolling and spread the word about Iron Maiden. Their most recent album was A Matter Of Life And Death, released last year.
Also, Iron Maiden is more popular now than they ever have before. They are selling more records, and their tours are bigger than that of any other metal band in the world, now, OR in the 80’s, In fact, there are only a few rock ‘n roll bands around right now who can surpass Maiden in record and ticket sales, such as Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones.
Whoever wrote this needs to check their facts. I just thought I should let people know, so that nobody goes misinformed.
Thanks for reading
Iron Maiden are not a f*cking glam metal band!!! Heavy Metal, Classic Metal, maybe even Progressive Metal recently, bur never glam! Can’t imagine a real “heavy metal fanatic of the 80s” saying that that!
Are out of your F ing mind!!!!!! Iron Maiden is not glam!!!! Where do you do your research? What is wrong with you? Iron Maiden had nothing to do with the glam era. Also they have not been hibernating? They toured last year as well, sold out at Irvine Spectrum. I am so pissed off i can even continue.
Screechy guitar solos and high-pitched vocal tones fused with 80s metal riffs and thrash metal beats while talking about death, despair, and everything in between? Iron Maiden as “glam heavy metal” would be sufficient as an opinion given the circumstances. As for the other unverifiable facts, check the source of the post. Come to think of it, Iron Maiden’s just like Motley Crue with 80s metal riffs, thrash metal beats, and death and despair lyrical content - just my 2 cents though.
I stopped reading when the article called them Glam Metal, said their last gig was in 86 or 87, and said they’d been dormant for some time now.
I can only imagine that the rest of this “interview” is utter bull****, just like the parts I read up to.
Note to the writer of this article: Do your homework when you’re writing about something you know nothing about, you ****ing moron.
I never said any of this!
That article was so funny!!! But seriously I feel sorry for whoever wrote it
I mean they are so sad that they felt the need to write lies about Iron Maiden. Whoever wrote the article … errr why?!?!? Write about whoever your favorite band is instead, that makes much more sense doesn’t it (?)
Who on earth DID write that bull**** article? Loser Sharon Rachel Osbourne (?) Is she still pissed off that Maiden beat her at Ozzfest that she had to write that childish crap (?).
All the millions of genuine heavy metal fans worldwide know that Iron Maiden are not even one single percent ‘glam’. Iron Maiden are as far away from ‘glam’ as you can possibly get.
UP THE IRONS!!!
UP THE SABBATH!!! (Ozzy you are still great!).
But me thinks sad little Sharon Rachel Osbourne wrote ‘A Recent Interview with Iron Maiden Guitarist Dave Murray’ LOL!
This article needs to be removed immediately for being rife with inaccuracies. Opinion aside, either the writer needs to do some serious fact checking or it’s meant to just be a joke.
This is an absurd interview. If anything I would describe Maiden as Progressive HM, or even just progressive these days. I have never heard a description of them as glam heavy metal? Nor have I heard any songs about necrophilia. Gross.
Oh…my..god.
So which school kid wrote this for their “Creative Writing - Fiction” assignment!?!
Glam? Been inactive? Last gig ‘86 or ‘87??
I have one word for you, kid: Research!!
This article should have been titled “How to use a 1999 article to write about a subject you know nothing about.”
Oh…my..god.
So which school kid wrote this for their “Creative Writing - Fiction” assignment!?!
Glam? Been inactive? Last gig ‘86 or ‘87??
I have one word for you, kid: Research!!
This article should have been titled “How to use a 1999 interview to write about a subject you know nothing about.”
Wow. I have never read such bad writing. I was expecting an interview but this looks more like a casual conversation between mates rather than professional music writing, and I know I am freelance. I am glad everyone else can see the error of this article but if this “writer” is consistant in his unprofessional actions then the editor should consider getting someone else. Someone who writes without knowing at least a jot what he is talking about should not be writing music criticism. Either that or he hates Maiden. And they could at least organise the page properly too.
P.S. Yes I have noticed the interview was in fact 1999 but it doesn’t make up for the fact that this page was so badly written with many errors. Glam metal? That’s like calling Van Halen country! “contemplating on morbid thoughts related to necrophilia and the dead”? These are the sort of ill-thought out comments that create unnecessary panic in the Bible-belt who pin them as all sorts of laughable things. Iron Maiden are a heavy metal band, not a black or ****-rock band as you’re making them out to be! I’m not sure what I’m more offended at, the fact you’re mixing this band up with someone else or the connotation that you failed English in High School.
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this guys an idiot- dont read this