Post by SPEED HARRIS on Jun 2, 2007 18:44:07 GMT
Since his marriage, Rob (Dave Hurry) had been bringing his new wife to all of our gigs. Some of the band members took issue with this and made their feelings known from the start. Rob decided that this wasn't going to change, and that we had to accept that they are a couple, and as such are going to do everything together - including travelling to gigs. This caused friction in the band, and Rob was told that if this was the case, then she was not welcome to travel in the van with us. He decided to make his own way to and from the gigs, and naturally, spent all of his time at the venues with his wife. The band felt that this was drawing him away from the band and creating a bad atmosphere, so it was decided to advertise for a replacement. Last week before the Southampton gig, Rob saw one of the posters advertising his job, and understandably flew into a rage and the band had a big argument. Everyone got everything out in the open, and by the end of the night, the rest of us thought some headway had been made to resolving the problems. This apparently was not so. Rob announced the next day that the way he felt, the previous night had been his last, and he would let us know whether he was going to do the Norwich gig or not. The band didn't like being held to ransom, and started to look for an alternative guitarist for the show. Our original guitarist, Simon who played Dave Murray in '95/'96 contacted us and said he would like to rejoin the band. We did not receive a call from Rob until Wednesday night, informing us that he wasn't going to do the gig, but by this time, the decision had already been made to replace him permanently.
Now onto our other guitarist:
For quite some time, Steve's (Adrian Swift) interest and enthusiasm towards the band had been waining. Due to family commitments, he only wanted to gig every other week at the most, and would not consider travelling abroad to gig in most countries . This was holding back the rest of the band, as we have had to shelve plans to travel to places like America and Australia. Steve was also starting to pick and choose which gigs in the UK he did and did not want to do, and informed us he could not do two of the gigs we already have booked in. After last Saturdays gig, I went to Steve's house and asked him his feelings on the band. He admitted that his enthusiasm had gone down hill, and that he saw the band as more of a chore than an enjoyable experience. I explained that this was not fair on the rest of us, and he agreed that the sensible and logical thing to do, would be for him to leave and the band replace him permanently. He said it would be a big thing to let go as he had been there from day one.
Chris McBride came into the band as Steves replacement in January. He is a phenomenal guitarist, who has been playing for 18 years and cites Adrian Smith as the reason he took up the guitar. Chris plays all of Smithy's parts note for note with chilling accuracy.
Simon Bradley returned to the band after 11 years, but after a few gigs with us, decided to leave again after the infamous 'Aberdare incident...'
Manic, our stand in guitarist of 6 years or so, then stepped up as full time Dave Hurry.
Things looked like they were going to start settling down, but...
Following the recent change of guitarists, both Quicko and Big thingyinson decided to leave the band, stating that they did not want to gig most weekends.
Joe Lazerus will be joining the band full time on the drums as the new Quicko from next month. Joe has guested with us over the years, making his first appearance with us when he was just 14!!! He is well versed in Nicko's drumming style, having studied him from close range - Joe is actually Steve Harris's nephew!!! He makes his debut as our full time drummer in Ipswich on June 29th. I am sure you will all make him feel very welcome.
Matt from Iron-on Maiden will be covering some gigs on vocals, and Paul Byrom from the recently disbanded Ironically Maiden will be singing with us on others. Massive thanks to both these guys.
I would also like to say a huge thankyou to Dave Shaw from Ironically, who filled in on drums at short notice for us at the last gig.
Now onto our other guitarist:
For quite some time, Steve's (Adrian Swift) interest and enthusiasm towards the band had been waining. Due to family commitments, he only wanted to gig every other week at the most, and would not consider travelling abroad to gig in most countries . This was holding back the rest of the band, as we have had to shelve plans to travel to places like America and Australia. Steve was also starting to pick and choose which gigs in the UK he did and did not want to do, and informed us he could not do two of the gigs we already have booked in. After last Saturdays gig, I went to Steve's house and asked him his feelings on the band. He admitted that his enthusiasm had gone down hill, and that he saw the band as more of a chore than an enjoyable experience. I explained that this was not fair on the rest of us, and he agreed that the sensible and logical thing to do, would be for him to leave and the band replace him permanently. He said it would be a big thing to let go as he had been there from day one.
Chris McBride came into the band as Steves replacement in January. He is a phenomenal guitarist, who has been playing for 18 years and cites Adrian Smith as the reason he took up the guitar. Chris plays all of Smithy's parts note for note with chilling accuracy.
Simon Bradley returned to the band after 11 years, but after a few gigs with us, decided to leave again after the infamous 'Aberdare incident...'
Manic, our stand in guitarist of 6 years or so, then stepped up as full time Dave Hurry.
Things looked like they were going to start settling down, but...
Following the recent change of guitarists, both Quicko and Big thingyinson decided to leave the band, stating that they did not want to gig most weekends.
Joe Lazerus will be joining the band full time on the drums as the new Quicko from next month. Joe has guested with us over the years, making his first appearance with us when he was just 14!!! He is well versed in Nicko's drumming style, having studied him from close range - Joe is actually Steve Harris's nephew!!! He makes his debut as our full time drummer in Ipswich on June 29th. I am sure you will all make him feel very welcome.
Matt from Iron-on Maiden will be covering some gigs on vocals, and Paul Byrom from the recently disbanded Ironically Maiden will be singing with us on others. Massive thanks to both these guys.
I would also like to say a huge thankyou to Dave Shaw from Ironically, who filled in on drums at short notice for us at the last gig.