Nicko McBrain: "We Don't Like Playing In America"
In a recent fan interview, done by Maidenfans.com member AirRaidSyren, Nicko spoke about Maiden's future in America, in addition to the already reported things. Here's what he said:"Well, to be honest, we don't like playing in America. It's not good, and it's not me that has the major problems in the band since I live in America, but we have a real problem with American's attitude".
It's worth noting that this was an off the cuff remark made to a fan and not to media.
Many thanks to AirRaidSyren for the report
12 Comments
Excellent! 
I guess he's talking 'bout the ice-cube-attack at Los Angeles and the beer-attack at New York - isn't he?
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In this case, they should also avoid Germany. Ask Janick!
they played few because previous Give Me Ed... had very extensive american leg
i dont like America very much but Nicko shocked me
such a star cant say things like that
Americans are just a human beings like us
and i think american audience is always twice noisy than the european one
other problem is why maiden dont release singles in US. they do everywhere in the world but America. maybe sales would not count millions of sold copies but certainly tens or even hundreds thousands copies per single in US alone!
and maybe it would break that radio barrier
its 2004 now not 1983
Good news....this means they can take their time to play more venues in Europe, like Norway.
I doubt they would have come here if they also had a large American tour.
Let's think a moment, not about what Nicko said, but about the circumstances in which he said it. This was said during an informal chat with a fan, and not for a proper interview with a journalist in view to be published.
Was it right to put this statement as a "shock horror news headline" on maidenfans.com? What will Nicko think if he reads this? And the others? People from Sanctuary most probably read this board and the news will get back to the band. What then?
Nicko is entitled to his own opinion, like the rest of the band and management, but this -- maybe -- shouldn't have been posted as news. I know that, with my Commentary, I'm not the right one to talk, as I also tend shock many people with what I write.
Just a thought, though... 
Agreed Mav, it's not as if he had a dozen mics in front of his face when he said that, I don't agree with just putting this out as headline news.
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Don't forget that Maiden's record company in America isn't the same than in the rest of the world : Capitol Records in America and EMI for the rest of the world. So the decisions the two compagnies take aren't always the same.
And about the topic, it's not really new that Maiden doesn't like to play in America. Bruce (in 1993) and Steve (in 1999) have already said that.
Its about money people. Lets be honest. Maiden does not do well in America. I ought to know, I live here. They never have. I dont know why.
By comparison, Judas Priest has done quit well here. They get played on the radio all the time. But Maiden has never caught on. Its rather strange.
Therefore, Maiden are probably sick of trying to make it here in the states after 25 years. And by now, they dont need America anyway. They do fine financially in the rest of the world. But I guarantee, if they think theres money to be made here from touring, they will tour here, like it or not.
I live here in the United States and I believe that Maiden are not as popular as they were back in the 80s but Iron Maiden is a band that is considered to be classic by some. People in the United States who like Maiden support them every time they journey through the States. Look at the past world tours and they have played the US almost every time. Just in the Los Angeles area they have played about 25 shows from 1981 to 2004. That is impressive considering that they do not get much publicity and radio airplay here in Los Angeles today.
The local radio station 95.5 KLOS only supports them by announcing their shows but they don't play Maiden at all.
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Yeah right! Come to Sweden and stand corrected
Thats to bad, every Iron Maiden Concert I have attended was a sold out show. But I guess everybody is entitled to there opinion. Thats whats great about America. Our local Radio station plays maiden around 6 times a day, America still loves Iron Maiden. UP THE IRONS!!!