Post by DAVE HURRY on Jun 3, 2007 0:17:49 GMT
My first gig as full-time Dave Hurry, and what a corker it was!
Putting my identity crisis aside ("Manic!", "Hurry!", "Chris!", who am I?), I journeyed from Manic Towers to Luton. Big Dickinson and Quicko had sadly felt they had to leave the band this past week, which is a dead shame as they are both important parts of the history of this band. As Speed scrambled to find us a drummer and a singer for the gig, I was starting my new job(s) and pondering what the future of this band might be.
Salvation appeared (and was a little shorter than I imagined!) in the form of vocalist Matt from Yorkshire-based tributeers Iron-On Maiden, and Mister David Shaw from recently disbanded Ironically Maiden. I have to admit that I was a little worried what this mish-mash of Maiden tribute bands would be like to perform with onstage, but as soon as soundcheck had begun my fears were put to rest. Matt is an awesome singer and Mr Shaw did an admirable job behind the kit. Whenever you play the first gig with a different drummer, certain parts are going to be different and it's hard to be as tight as you used to be. This wasn't really the case though - we all locked in with Dave in spectacular fashion. Top man!
Being a little pub, there was no soundman available to us so we set about bodging together the PA from what the venue had. Swapping out a couple of dodgy Speakons and not bothering to mic up the amps (the place being as small as it was) we were ready to go. Having no soundman was a new experience for me, but the pub certainly made up for that by providing us with a free dinner and free drinks all night! All the staff were really friendly, and I would definitely go back and play there again. Lasagne and a Guinness, thanks very much!
Once onstage, we powered our way through the set. I hadn't checked the setlist carefully enough, and had some catastrophic blunders in The Evil That Men Do (as I hadn't quite learned it well enough!!!). No-one else seemed to notice, which was lucky! All us string-plucking types were having a little trouble seeing our fretboards due to the lack of lighting rig, with Mr Swift II and myself being a little nervous going for that first note in the solos lest we hit a Bad Note (SHOCK! HORROR!). This didn't deter any of us too much, and I think we played really well. The crowd were massively up for it, and the place was pretty much packed. There were many appreciative pats on the back as we passed through the crowd after the show, and some world-class banter between the crowd and Matt (who responded to cries of "Get up on your box!" with that old classic - "I don't care, 'cos my cock is bigger than yours!". Oh, to be back in the playground!).
I can't really thank Matt and Dave enough, they really got us out of a tight spot and performed incredibly for us. Thanks also to the Luton crowd, who were a pleasure to wig-it-up for!
A month off now to find some more permanent replacements for our departed colleagues. There are a few gigs Matt can't do due to prior commitments with Iron-On, and the drum spot has been secured by a young (yes, younger than me!) chap by the name of Joe Lazarus - who just happens to be Steve Harris's nephew! He'll be making his debut with us in Ipswich on the 29th June.
Exciting times ahead for Hi-On Maiden!
Putting my identity crisis aside ("Manic!", "Hurry!", "Chris!", who am I?), I journeyed from Manic Towers to Luton. Big Dickinson and Quicko had sadly felt they had to leave the band this past week, which is a dead shame as they are both important parts of the history of this band. As Speed scrambled to find us a drummer and a singer for the gig, I was starting my new job(s) and pondering what the future of this band might be.
Salvation appeared (and was a little shorter than I imagined!) in the form of vocalist Matt from Yorkshire-based tributeers Iron-On Maiden, and Mister David Shaw from recently disbanded Ironically Maiden. I have to admit that I was a little worried what this mish-mash of Maiden tribute bands would be like to perform with onstage, but as soon as soundcheck had begun my fears were put to rest. Matt is an awesome singer and Mr Shaw did an admirable job behind the kit. Whenever you play the first gig with a different drummer, certain parts are going to be different and it's hard to be as tight as you used to be. This wasn't really the case though - we all locked in with Dave in spectacular fashion. Top man!
Being a little pub, there was no soundman available to us so we set about bodging together the PA from what the venue had. Swapping out a couple of dodgy Speakons and not bothering to mic up the amps (the place being as small as it was) we were ready to go. Having no soundman was a new experience for me, but the pub certainly made up for that by providing us with a free dinner and free drinks all night! All the staff were really friendly, and I would definitely go back and play there again. Lasagne and a Guinness, thanks very much!
Once onstage, we powered our way through the set. I hadn't checked the setlist carefully enough, and had some catastrophic blunders in The Evil That Men Do (as I hadn't quite learned it well enough!!!). No-one else seemed to notice, which was lucky! All us string-plucking types were having a little trouble seeing our fretboards due to the lack of lighting rig, with Mr Swift II and myself being a little nervous going for that first note in the solos lest we hit a Bad Note (SHOCK! HORROR!). This didn't deter any of us too much, and I think we played really well. The crowd were massively up for it, and the place was pretty much packed. There were many appreciative pats on the back as we passed through the crowd after the show, and some world-class banter between the crowd and Matt (who responded to cries of "Get up on your box!" with that old classic - "I don't care, 'cos my cock is bigger than yours!". Oh, to be back in the playground!).
I can't really thank Matt and Dave enough, they really got us out of a tight spot and performed incredibly for us. Thanks also to the Luton crowd, who were a pleasure to wig-it-up for!
A month off now to find some more permanent replacements for our departed colleagues. There are a few gigs Matt can't do due to prior commitments with Iron-On, and the drum spot has been secured by a young (yes, younger than me!) chap by the name of Joe Lazarus - who just happens to be Steve Harris's nephew! He'll be making his debut with us in Ipswich on the 29th June.
Exciting times ahead for Hi-On Maiden!