Interview with Blaze Bayley of Iron Maiden 2/15/96 by Sumit Chandra
This interview was made possible by the kind assistance of Mazur
Public Relations, Concrete Management, and WKNC-FM in Raleigh, NC.
It is the 1st of 3 installments that includes this interview, a tour
report for the time period of 2/19/96 through 2/27/96, and an
interview with Steve Harris.
Q: How have things been going on the US portion of the tour?
A: Very good. We've received good reactions and the shows have been
well attended. It's been a mix of both new fans and older fans
that have been into the band for some time. We're also playing
venues that we haven't played before, and we're having an
excellent time thus far.
Q: The X-Factor took a long time to record in comparison to other
Iron Maiden albums, in fact it took over an year to finish the
album. Can you comment on some of the factors surrounding this,
and how that's impacted the overall sound of the album.
A: One component of it was that nothing was written for the album
before I joined the band. So one thing was we waited to write
the material until I had joined the band, and we took our times
and wrote the best songs we could. Then when we got to
recording, we went for a vibe thing where we were trying to make
sure that each track had a mood and feel of it's own, and we put
in the time to insure that this happened. Another factor was
that this was the first album Steve Harris had produced with
Nigel Green. We also had some technical difficulties along the
way that cost us a couple of weeks. Additionally, we recorded
over 80 minutes of music for the album, and when you go through
the mixing process, it adds additional time to the effort. Also,
we had a new sound now with the new singer. Overall, it was the
first album that we had done together as a band, and we wanted to
take the time to make it as right as it could be. So we kept on
pushing to make it the best we could, and we're all happy with
the result.
Q: You've contributed to the song writing effort from the get go
with Iron Maiden which is unlike when for example, Bruce
Dickinson joined the band. Can you talk a little bit about how
the song writing process works for you, and how it works when
you're collaborating with other members of the band?
A: Basically I like to collaborate with other people. Generally,
I've got an idea for a lyric or melody that I want to get across.
You bring this idea to everybody and see how it works out.
Janick also does the same thing as far as bringing ideas to the
group. When Steve gets an idea, then he likes to get the whole
thing finished and then bring it to rehearsal and work on the
arrangements. That's great and it's really enjoyable to sing
those songs, because they have a really unique feel that only
Steve can get, and it brings out a part of my voice that I would
normally not get to.
Q: So this has definitely helped you as a vocalist?
A: I've learned a lot and my voice has really improved, and it
needed to for the album. And this is the longest I've ever been
on tour. They said the tour would last 9 months, and I don't
think I've ever been on tour for more than 9 weeks before.
Q: So that's almost a pregnancy then?
A: (laughing) Yeah, you're right there! It is a pregnancy, and God
knows what the child will be like at the end of it all.
Q: Talk about the age difference within the band, with you being a
bit younger than the rest in comparison. How has that impacted
the dynamics within the group and the overall sound?
A: It's difficult for me to say that, cause obviously it's how
everybody else reacts to me, but what's great for me is that
everybody is laid back. There's so much experience in the band,
and everyone has done so much together. So it's great to have
that kind of experience to fall back on. You get to use all your
enthusiasm, the show comes first, and nobody gets worried or
wound up about things. If you've got a problem then you go ahead
and solve it, or if you're in a situation then you go ahead and
make the best of it. It's great cause everybody can just relax
and concentrate on the music, and that's the most important
thing at the end of the day.
As far as me being a bit younger, and everyone else being a bit
older, a lot of places that we've played, it's the first time
I've played there. It's really exciting and I'm really enjoying
being on tour. I didn't think that I would get to this stage of
the tour and still be thinking that "I'm really looking forward
to tonight". It still feels like we're in the first week of the
tour, though we're a few months in now. We started in September,
and even now when we go on, it's like "Oh God, I hope we get this
one right and there's no problems with the sound, etc." It's
really great, and every night is exciting and the fans that we
play to give us so much encouragement. Everywhere we go, it's
just incredible. It's just a really great time, except for a few
times between gigs, when you've got to go to the next city, and
things go slightly wrong.
Q: Talk about the themes addressed on the X-Factor. Most of it is
pretty dark and gloomy. Can you talk about what type of
atmosphere contributed to that being the major theme the album
ended up having?
A: I think it was what going on around all of us I suppose. There
was a lot of changes for everybody in their lives and I think it
was just coincidence that things worked out that way. Certainly
there was big change for me to go from Wolfesbane into a major
band like Maiden and do an album that a lot of people were going
to buy. Also, everybody was going through a bit of soul
searching at the time, as far as what was happening in music, and
what was going to happen to the band with a new singer, and how
it was all going to work out. There was also a lot of things on
the TV, like the war in the former Yugoslavia. It was a time
when everybody felt that we were going to dig in and make this
record happen. I think we all drew on the dark sides within
ourselves and the dark side of the human spirit, and used that
dark energy in a positive way. In that way it's worked out
really well. It is a record that takes a couple of listens
really, you've got to give it time, because it's a long record,
and it's a bit darker, which makes it a little bit more difficult
to get into, rather than if there were a couple of lighter
numbers to break things up. It's pretty intense and moody really
for the most part.
Q: You're now associated with CMC International, and you've also
re-released the old albums with bonus discs. Can you talk a
little bit about the label switch and the reason for the
re-releases of the albums.
A: Maiden were out of a deal and CMC really wanted Maiden to go with
them. I think they've stuck with what Heavy Rock is all about.
They're not trying to get the bands to write commercial hits, or
trying to get the bands to tone down or soften up in anyway. And
it's good to be with a label that's like that. They're very
enthusiastic about the band and the new record, so that's been a
really good move. The main reason for bringing out the back
catalog with all the b-sides is so that everything is on the same
standard of quality, and everything's been remastered for release
on CD.
Q: It also turns out to be a good deal for the fans in that they get
basically more music for the same price or even less.
A: It's especially a good deal for the fans who've originally got
the music on cassette and have either worn it out or lost it.
Q: The next Maiden single is "Lord of the Flies", and the b-sides
are "My Generation" (the Who song) and "Doctor Doctor" (the UFO
song). Can you talk a little bit about where the band gets ideas
for the cover songs they do?
A: I used to do "My Generation" with Wolfesbane, so I knew that one
which made it fairly easy. We just strolled through Steve's
record collection, as the studio is on the side of his house, and
just looked to see what we knew, and then took some time in the
studio and knocked them out. So it was a bit of fun really. I
don't know what we'll do next time, but I'll try to think of some
interesting ones before we get there and see if we can have a go
at them.
Q: Are there any other songs from the X-Factor sessions that have
still not appeared on the b-sides of the singles that we might
see down the road?
A: I'm not sure if we've used them all. I know that the Japanese
one has everything on it in a double CD set, including Judgment
Day, Justice of the Peace, I live my Way. Those are also on the
b-sides of the Man on the Edge singles in the UK.
Q: What are some of the support acts that you have had on the
current tour, and how does the band go about choosing these?
A: We had a couple of local bands at the start of the tour, and then
we had My Dying Bride through most of Europe. Then after
Christmas we had a band called Dirty Deeds. They're really good
and they're doing an album now which they're financing
themselves, and then they're going to try and get a deal with it.
It's really who's around and could use the exposure, and wouldn't
normally get a chance to play in front of those people, and can
actually afford to do it as well, because it's really expensive
to go on tour. My Dying Bride was good because they're kind of a
doomy band, and they've got a lot of melody and quite a unique
sound. In North America, we have Fear Factory. Fear Factory is
really an exciting kind of paradox because you have two bands who
are both heavy, they're a bit sharper while Maiden is a bit more
majestic. I think the two bands show well against each other, I
think some things that Maiden have got, Fear Factory has got and
vice versa, so it's a pretty good package with two different
bands that makes for a good night out.
Q: Can you give an overview of where the band has been on the
current tour, what is still left, and if there is any possibility
of Iron Maiden appearing at some of the summer festivals in
Europe, and maybe Donington?
A: I don't know about Donington. I don't know if we are or not, I
don't even know if there is going to be a Donington festival, you
probably know as much about that as I do. I think there might be
a possibility of doing some of the dates in the summer festivals
in Europe. I'd love to do that because I've never done any of
those festivals apart from Aardshock quite a few years ago,
opening up for Queensryche. It would be great if we could get
some of those. So far on this tour, we started off in Israel,
then South Africa. In Europe, we started off in Athens, and did
Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Spain, Italy, France, and basically
went all over. Then we did the UK and we finished with our last
date in Europe at Nottingham Rock City which is the longest
running club in the UK that still plays hard rock. We thought
it'd be a great time and it was crammed and absolutely packed,
and it was great. Then we came to Canada, and all the shows were
sold out. Playing in Quebec and Montreal was fantastic, I can
still remember a little bit of French. So far the US shows have
been great as well. It's gone really well, and we're having a
great time. Seems to be a lot of new fans at the shows as well
as people that have supported the band for a long-time. Really
Maiden are underground. There's no Headbanger's Ball, and
Maiden's not really on the mainstream radio, so the best place to
find out about Maiden is at a concert, which is what it's all
about. Taking things a step further into the future, the most
interactive form of entertainment that you'll be getting will be
going to a rock show, and Maiden are the kind of band that say
come and watch us and see how good we are, and just encourages
everyone to have a good time and enjoy the music together.
Q: How would you describe your stage presence to someone that is
preparing to go see the band? Also, what can we expect overall.
A: I don't know, it's kind of difficult to describe. I think we
just tend to go flat out and I just get carried away with the
music really. I'm just the same as anybody else, the music is
the most important thing, I love being in the band and singing
the music, and being on stage with the huge sounding guitars,
bass, and drums behind me. It's just fantastic and I get wrapped
up and involved in that. I run about as much as I can without
going out of tune (laughing), and getting out of breath and
singing flat.
Q: Most of the general public associates glamour with being on the
road as a rock band. Could you comment on some of the harsh
realities of it. For example, how your days off are packed with
interviews and other commitments.
A: (laughing) Day off! Wrong! In-store in Paris. Day off! Wrong!
Interviews all day. Day off! Wrong! MTV Most Wanted Live in
Europe. You don't really know what's coming up, you can plan a
little bit, but there's always things going on. Another
challenge in some European countries is that things close at 3pm
after lunch, and you can't get hot food until 730pm. If we're
going on about 9, then we like to finish eating by 6, so we have
time for our dinner to go down. We like to get in one hot meal a
day, and all you can get between 3pm and 730 is a toasted
sandwich, so we end up trolling through the streets of the city
for a McDonalds or a KFC or any other junk food place that is
open and will serve us some hot food, no matter what it is.
That's one of the harsh realities. I brought my girlfriend out,
after we did Hungary, for a few days, and she was looking forward
to coming out for a few days with me, and at the end of it, she
was going "I'm so tired and I just want to go home" (laughing)
because we were driving over all these roads in Eastern Europe
through the mountains, etc. It was quite mad. But it's quite
fun, we have a great time, and we just laugh when things go
wrong, instead of getting fed up about it or moaning, because
that won't make it any better.
Q: You've played all over the world, and there are associated
cultural differences. Can you talk about the differences in the
audience reactions that stick out in your mind?
A: In Greece they were unexpectedly mad, it was great, we had the
number one album in Greece while we were playing there, and it
was just awesomely fantastic. In France, it just feels like
you're in the coolest band ever. Maiden are really well thought
of in France. The French are the loudest singers, especially on
Fear of the Dark. It's interesting in that we play about the
same set everywhere, and different places react differently to
different portions of the set. The Germans are very polite and
laid-back, but go crazy at the end. The Spanish are crazy all
the way through and a bit flat at the end. Everywhere we've
been, its been quite brilliant.
Q: What are the band's immediate plans as far as singles, videos, etc.?
A: Lord of the Flies has just come out and we just finished doing a
video for that, which was done by the Dead Sea in Israel. We
still have a long way to go with the tour. After the US, we have
a few days off, before we go to Japan, Australia, and New
Zealand. And then we're looking at Hong Kong and Southeast Asia
as well. We're also trying to get a gig in India, but that
doesn't look like it'll work out on this tour. We wanna try to
go everywhere. The only thing that stops us is the government
not wanting Maiden, or if the promoters aren't really there.
This is the first time that Maiden has been in Romania, Bulgaria,
Israel, and South Africa. It doesn't look like India will work
out on this tour, but perhaps on the next tour we can do India
and China and places like that. We're also trying to get a
concert in Hong Kong before 1997. The tour is supposed to end in
May, but I don't know. It's gone really well, and a lot of fans
like the band and the new record, and a lot of fans have come to
see us, and everybody wants to talk to us. It's been really
great, and who knows maybe it'll never end!
Q: The band has created a homepage on the internet, and you keep a
diary for the tour. How does the band plan to use the internet
in the future?
A: I've got a write-up for this piece of the tour, and I try to keep
that updated when I get some free time on the tour. I've posted
the write-up for the German tour that I did. We would like to
keep it updated on a regular basis, so we can keep the fans
updated on news. It's definitely the early days for the band
using the 'net', and something that we've just gotten into. I
think we definitely are looking to expand our scope and
involvement in the future.
Q: Is there any truth to the rumor about an X-Factor CD-ROM?
A: I don't know, there's some CD-ROM idea floating about, but I'm
not quite sure what's happening there.
Q: Have you had a chance to play football with the Iron Maiden XI?
Would you care to comment on your football prowess in comparison
to the other members of the band?
A: On this tour I haven't with all the schedules and commitments,
but I did when I was with Wolfesbane. As far as my football
prowess, (laughing) it's rubbish. I make a much better singer
than a football player.
Q: What is your favorite football team, and what is your favorite
beer, and have you been able to get a consistent supply on the
tour?
A: Aston Villa. Guinness or Murphy, or most black beer. I don't
drink much beer on tour, you just can't, your voice just goes.
To me, the most miserable feeling in the world is when you're on
stage and thinking "Oh my God, it's so difficult to sing this
bit, if only I hadn't had those extra beers". I love playing,
and singing live. I really love drinking beer, but I don't love
it as much as playing live, and singing the songs, and the
feeling I get when we're doing really well and the fans are
really enjoying it.
Q: Where do you see yourself and the band in the year 2000 and 10 to
15 years down the road?
A: In the year 2000, fashions will have changed so much, that we'll
be on top of the charts across the world with some incredible
heavy rock song that we've written. Heavy rock is slightly
decadent, and because the end of the century always attracts
decadence, no matter which century it is. It is ideally suited
for Maiden, and the soundtrack for the next century, may as well
be Iron Maiden to kick it off. The whole vibe that we get from
this album is that it's a good record, and a good first step, and
hopefully we'll be making a lot of records, and enjoying
ourselves playing live around the world and in the studio.
That's where I see it going!
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