Bruce Likes to Be a Cult Phenomenon
Bravewords reports:IRON MAIDEN frontman BRUCE DICKINSON spoke to BW&BK Magazine recently for an upcoming feature due out in mid-July (ish #90). The legendary screamer spoke about a number of topics including his latest album, Tyranny Of Souls. When asked about his solo career being somewhat of a cult phenomenon, Dickinson agrees.
"I actually quite like being a cult phenomenon. I’d be very happy if the cult phenomenon gets to be a little bit of a bigger cult phenomenon, but, you know, one of the advantages of being a cult phenomenon is that people understand what you do and they look at it and they analyze it and pick it apart and stuff. In that respect it’s quite nice ‘cause I can do things that have some content and some depth that people will actually notice."
Why do you think it isn’t a bigger phenomenon?
"Well, because, you know, I don’t have the huge support network of major record labels and companies and all the rest of it behind me. And also because I think it's probably - for myself I step back from perhaps being one of the more... you know, doing all the sort of cliche things that might make you a bit more acceptable. In addition, as soon as you step away from Iron Maiden, rather stepping back into Iron Maiden and stepping away from Iron Maiden, it makes it difficult if you’re not touring and all that kind of stuff as well. But, you know, I’m actually very pleased the way that this album has been received, we’re getting amazing reviews over here in Europe and covers and all kinds of things. I think the fact that we’re doing Ozzfest, the fact that it’s coming out on the eve of a Maiden tour and there is basically nothing else that people can buy that’s Maiden-ish, other than this album, it seems that the record label have got their shit together. We might yet be quite surprised. They’re doing a huge repackaging of all the old stuff which should actually be going in the shops. Not that I’m bitter about the fact that it should have been in there when it first came out, but hey, better late than never.
Back to Tyranny - some Maiden fans have the view point that your solo material, particularly Chemical Wedding, may be better that any Iron Maiden material from the last 10 - 15 years.
"Well, the essence is that I’m a great believer that if you keep on doing good things, good things will eventually happen. (laughs) And I think that this could be a really good turning point. I just sense a really good time now for a bit of a sea change, a bit of a turnaround in terms of the profile of my solo stuff. Without taking away from Iron Maiden and things like that, this album, I think, has got a lot of things that people are going to really love and it’s a gateway into previous albums for people that haven’t investigated the previous albums, and the previous albums are all going to be re-released, or re-promoted rather, with extra tracks and so on and so forth. There’s a big promotion gonna go on with all of that. And of course, with touring with Iron Maiden. If you want something new to buy, then this is the only Iron Maiden new-type thing that you can get your hands on. So it’s perfect timing."
Source: Bravewords