Dave interviewed by the NY Post
The New York post has interviewed Dave Murray ahead of the Maiden gigs in the city. The article also appears on page 64 of the Jan., 16 edition:Some would say the music of Iron Maiden is as pain- inducing as the medieval torture device from which the band snatched its moniker, but with more than 50 million albums sold to date, these British metalheads are among the elite at the headbangers' ball.
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Source:[url=http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/15360.htm]NY Post Online[/url]
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METAL URGENT
By DAN AQUILANTE
January 16, 2004 -- SOME would say the music of Iron Maiden is as pain- inducing as the medieval torture device from which the band snatched its moniker, but with more than 50 million albums sold to date, these British metalheads are among the elite at the headbangers' ball.
So when rumors surfaced last month that the band was on its farewell tour, fans were stunned.
"That's the most untrue thing that's ever been said about Iron Maiden," founding guitarist Dave Murray, 45, told The Post.
Known for marathon tours that have staged 300 shows in a 13-mont h period, the Maiden boys are among the hardest working men in metal - and Murray insists they aren't ready to start rusting in rocking chairs.
Little wonder: The members of the six-man band are all from working-class backgrounds.
Murray quit school at 15 to work as a mechanic's apprentice in London, and used his first paycheck to buy a guitar.
"I was influenced by [Jimi] Hendrix," he explained. "The way he played made me want to get that guitar."
Yet, these days he admits he's as likely to be spinning a classical disc as a thrashing rocker.
"I like a bit of everything now," he said.
Murray's also quite content with his life offstage - he keeps homes in England and in Hawaii with his wife of 20 years, Tamara, and their daughter, Tasha.
The band, currently on tour in South America in support of its latest record, "Dance of Death," will hit New York for a four-night series at the Hammerstein Ballroom starting next Friday.
Post: Those who don't know Iron Maiden might think it sounds like a lot of loud, distorted guitars and a guy screaming. What does the new disc sound like?
Murray: In the melodies, you'll hear medieval sounds. There are bits of classical going on and there are powerful, slamming guitar chords. I have to say, this doesn't sound like what we've done before. There's some basic metal stuff and some parts of the music that have a great deal of depth. I think this is the kind of album you have to play a few times to hear.
Post: What's the best volume level on the stereo for an Iron Maiden album?
Murray: Iron Maiden is meant to be played loud. It's gotta be loud if you want to feel the experience.
Post: After all the years of loud music, do you still have your hearing?
Murray: Oh, yes. I have custom-made earplugs that take off 25 decibels. I've been wearing these for the last 10 to 12 years. You have to look after yourself and keep yourself healthy.
Post: In concert, you have a reputation as being among the loudest.
Murray: But we have great sound. You can hear everything. And we do have quiet times, like when we do the acoustic thing on "Journeyman." That's the other side of Maiden.
Post: Could Iron Maiden do "MTV UnPlugged"?
Murray: We do have a vast collection of songs that would work very well in an acoustic environment, but Iron Maiden fans want the guitars and the drums heavy. That's what we're about. If we sat down and did an acoustic show, our fans would go to sleep.
Post: If a soft song comes on the radio, do you flip it off?
Murray: I like folk music. I find it inspiring and easy to listen to. But Maiden is a different kettle of fish. When you leave our show, we want you to feel like the music has been driven through you. We want it to resonate inside your body. You should feel exhausted, euphoric and elated.
Post: Has anyone ever told you Iron Maiden should soften its sound?
Murray: Record companies want songs that they can turn into a single, like a ballad. But our record company has always given us carte blanche. Still, on every Maiden album there has been a couple of songs that could get played on the radio.
Post: But nobody plays you guys on the radio.
Murray: Right. Radio doesn't want anything to do with us.
Post: You aren't played on radio, you were never embraced by MTV. How have you sold 50 million albums?
Murray: We have a grass-roots following. Our commercial success doesn't translate into the normal radio/MTV thing. In a way, that may be our biggest strength as a band. To listen to us, you have to get the album. There will never be Iron Maiden oversaturation from radio play.
Post: There has never been a big Iron Maiden scandal. Are you guys the goody-goodies of metal?
Murray: We're not angels, we're grown-ups. We like to have a few beers after the show and relax. We never wanted to shove a waterbed into a hotel elevator or toss things off the balcony. We aren't excessive, we don't get out of control. You don't want to go out onstage every night with a hangover from the night before. It's all about self-control. You know, we're not 20 years old anymore.
[img]http://www.nypost.com/photos/ent01160464e.jpg[/img]
Founding guitarist Dave Murray (second from right) and Iron Maiden will be at the Hammerstein next Friday.
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Cheers
Nice interview.
hammersmith on friday?? where did that come from 
[quote=Shadow,Jan 17 2004, 02:22 PM] Nice interview. [/quote]
Shadows tips for high post count! 