The story of Iron-on Maiden actually goes way back to the winter of 1997, where deep in the bowels of the Leeds College of Music a group of students were working in the recording studio.
Two of these students were Simon Franklin and Matt Duggan, both die-hard metal heads and avid maiden fans. This was a time when metal was painfully un-fashionable and virtually unheard of in this jazz college!
The two became firm friends and during this time even recorded a version of Bruce's "Tears of the dragon". Simon, amazed by Matt's voice and constantly seeking musicians for an iron maiden tribute band, told Matt he would be in touch when other musicians were found.
At this point, the course completed, the two drifted apart. Fast forward to spring 2004! Simon, now guitarist with gothic operatic metal band "Angel Tears" and Blondie tribute "Atomic" has a golden opportunity to fulfill his dream of putting together an Iron Maiden tribute. Atomic are losing their drummer to local outfit "Vib Gyor". Enquiries come in to fill the vacant post...One name catches Simon's eye, Dave Binns, under 'Influences' is written Iron Maiden & Nicko McBrain. Dave Auditions and gets the job in Atomic.
A real hard hitter, he really adds some power to the old Blondie numbers! (Interesting footnote, Dave was a previous "Vib Gyor" drummer! Essentially, without realising it, Atomic an Vib Gyor just swapped drummers! Dave and Simon became good friends, and Simon mentions the Maiden project.
Dave is well up for it, and this is where things take off! Snippets of 'Run to the hills' and 'Number of the beast' are creeping into the Atomic rehearsals! An Ad is placed for a bassist. An extremely daunting task but luck is on our side. We get an answer from Kevin Vowles.
Kev, an extremely talented metal bassist with a sound and playing style frighteningly close to that of 'Arry . Kev, bass player of local thrashers "Fireblade" has been "Waiting for a band like this for 20 years!"
Next daunting task, who the hell can sing this stuff!? A quick text message to Matt (now singing for popular metal act "Brody") is answered simply with "When + Where?!'' Time to book a rehearsal!! We enter the room and set up, there is a real tingle of anticipation in the air.
Only one guitar, but we rip through 'The Trooper', 'run to the hills', 'Hallowed by thy name' and 'Number of the beast...Christ!! We look at each other stunned! other bands playing maiden sound,well, like other bands playing maiden. We sound like Iron F****** Maiden!!!
