It's possible if I feel like doing one during the time off next year, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Does song Dream of Mirrors has anything to do with the movie MATRIX (it has some simmilar stuff!)? If not what is it really about?
#Kresimir — Croatia
Absolutely nothing, I didn't really like the matrix and the song was written before I saw the film.
Hi Steve, do you think the metal scene was more friendlier back when you first started out? Was there a better vibe between all the bands and do you still feel the same hunger now as you did back then?
#brucie-g — england
It's different now but there's still a vibe between some bands, especially at festivals.
Who actually wrote Sanctuary? Most of the times there is written Iron Maiden who wrote the song....
#Moonchild — Netherlands
Whatever is listed as a writer, that's who wrote it.
Are you planning to play in London(or England) again this year?(Brixton Academy?)
#Simon Mundy — London
No - but in January we play Shepherds Bush Theatre as a warm up to Rio.
What is your opinion of the widespread Napster epidemic? I noticed you only have 60 seconds of each song from the maiden catalog on your own site.
#PJH — Seattle
I think MP3 is here to stay and people have to rethink the way they do things in the future.
Maybe towards the end of next year.
'About a Boy' By Nick Hornby, a funny novel!
where did you get your black and white chequered bass from because I can't find one anywhere, I've had to make my own!! do you have someone who makes your guitars??
#matt hounsom — wiltshire
It was specially painted for me
What would you like the legacy for the band to be, besides one of the best heavy metal bands, ever.
#Matt Smith — Philadelphia, Pa, USA
A good, honest live band.
I don't know, we never think or worry about directions. Just let it turn out how it will.
Does song Still life has anything to do with the Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (Frodo looking in the pool)? If not what is this song really about??
#Kresimir — Croatia
No. It's about a fear of drowning.
When you write a song on your own(without collaboration), do you write the melody also? In other words, do you basically tell Bruce how you want him to sing the melody, or does he make up his own melody to the lyrics you have written?
#Gabe — Denver, Colorado
I write everything except the guitar solo melodies and yes I tell Bruce what to sing and sometimes he doesn't like that but it's very important that the melodies sit on top of the music properly.
I doubt it, it's a year off.
Too many to choose from but I've always like 'Fighting Windmills' alot.
It seems with all the changes in Rock and heavy metal, you have pretty much maintained the same course, which I am thankful for. My question is, what is you main influence in your songwriting now as opposed to five or ten years ago.
#Billy Powell — Aurora, Colorado.
It's always been 70s style stuff which we grew up on.
Is your desire and hunger for success revitalised after writing and recording something as fantastic as BNW, and do you worry you cannot repeat this success?
#Craig Mollison — Morden, Surrey
Never look back, that's the trick.
We did it in rehearsals but it was one too many songs.
With how many fingers do you play,and do you have any tips for a young fellow bass player(me)?
#Igor — Split, Croatia
Two and only play when you feel like it. Don't force it!
Do you feel that your achievements and a band have been fairly acknowledged in the British press?
#keith mills — essex
I don't think that anybody ever gets that, but you take the rough with the smooth.
Who was it that said "Oh I f-ing missed it" at the end of "Thin line..." and what did they f-ing miss?
#Miguel — Cyprus
It was Nicko, suprise, suprise! He thought he'd messed up at the end but he hadn't.
I've noticed there are less 2 or 3 part harmony solos and more doubled octave solos in many newer songs. Is there any particular reason for this?
#Johnny M. — Madrid, Spain
Only that we have 3 guitars now but we layered some songs like that in the early days as well. It depends what the song needs.
Hi Steve! Whatever happened to THE blue bass of yours? The one you always used to play. (Live after Death, etc.) You still have it? Still play it?
#Matti — Finland
It's now the white one whith the West Ham crest on it. Repainted by the fender custom.
I never play with a pick.
I met him, he was a nice person.
Bad dreams as usual.
Have you ever considered a full length movie starring Eddie.It would be cool as long as it had a good story like the first Batman movie
#jasonf — tucson,az
Yeah, that wouuld be great!
What do you generally do when you are not playing, writing or rehearsing?
#Priscila Camargo Percy Harris — Sao Paulo - Brasil
Spend time with my family, play and watch football, tennis. Watch movies, read, take and make photos and try to catch up with all the normal things you don't get to do on the road like walking the dog!
What's the best Iron Maiden song you've never played on tour?
#Marcio Gabilan — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Alexander the Great.
I've recently been to a Joe Satriani gig and his bassist Stuart Hamm did some some things I've never seen before, as the best bassist ever do you still get impressed by other bass player? Will we ever see U play a bass solo during a show??
#L.A — Brazil
Of course, but I won't solo because I think it's boring and self indulgent. I'm more interested in writing strong songs.
When I read the booklet of your cd, and I read that you've written a song (for example the trooper or sign of the cross), what does it mean exactly? You write the bass line or the whole song?
#Francesco medini — Argenta, Italy
The whole thing.
Are you going to write any more songs about Charlotte to continue the saga?
#Jerry Drinka — United States - Minnesota
I think she's retired!
Because
17
dear steve, will you make a second box set entitled something like ' the second ten years ' in the near future ?
#kiran — london
Sorry I don't know yet.
Steve? is it true maiden will slow down for a few year's afther this tour?
#martin reedijk (maidenlennium) — holland
You'd better ask Rod Smallwood that one!
Howdy steve, What do you do to warm up your fingers before every show and how long are your warm ups...
#David Alejandro — U.S.A Weslaco
I don't. Never have.
Has any concert this far been recorded for an eventual livevideo or album?
#Anders Lundqvist — Gothenburg
No. Not yet.
What are your thoughts on the underground melodic metal scene (ie bands like edguy and Blind Guardian)?
#Michael Clauss
They're very good.
A serious question: I went to both the Camden and Scranton shows and my ears were ringing for days. Does this still happen to you or have you gotten used to it.
#James — Pennsylvania
What?!!
Many fans feel that since Kevin Shirley produced Brave New World that he should produce the live album as well. Do you agree?
#Dave — NYC
Yes.
In a 1995 magazine article, you said that 2001 would be a good year to stop playing. Now since that isn't happening, what would be an appropriate year to quit?
#John — Florida
We're not playing in most of 2001.
You seem interseted in keyboards. Do you think we could hear one day rapid keyboards with solos (as Stratovarius or Rhapsody) in Iron Maiden songs?
#Aeronautic Vince — Belgium
I doubt it but you never know.
As Dutch fans we're very pleased you recorded the 'Killers' B-side of the Wickerman at the Rotterdam Ahoy. Are there any of those recorded materials left and if so, are they going to be released sooner or later? (maybe as second single B-sides?)
#Rik & Jan — Holland
Yes and yes.
Hey, Steve, what are the 4 tatoos you have on your arms???
#Accident Of Birth In Brazil — Sao Paulo - Brazil
Eddie, A samurai and dragon, a broken sword handle, and a lady and the reaper.
Have you heard that song Teenage Dirtbag? If so, do you take it as an insult to Maiden, or a compliment that Maiden is mentioned so many times in the song?
#Shawn Kruse — Santa Ana, CA, USA
I haven't heard it.
That's Nicko with a little guidance sometimes from me.
Have you ever thought about writing a song about Eddie? That would be very cool if you did! I think after all these years he deserves one. Thanks for all the years of Spectacular and Inspirational music. Maiden is the BEST!
#Malcolm — Baltimore, MD
No, but it might work if Eddie was starring in a movie!
What do you think of the response you've got on this tour?...are the audiences more "in it" than on the EdHuntour?
#ploughman — finland
The reactions have been fantastic as always.
I don't think so.
Hello! I was just wondering why you guys have never played Alexander The Great live. It's one of the best song written. And the solos are also amonst the best ever. Cheerz!
#Markus K — Sweden
Adrian can't remember the solo
You seem to be one of the nicest persons in the metal-scene. How did you stayed yourself after all those years of succes?
#Rene — Holland
Don't let things go to your head I suppose!
We're on a mission from Rod!
Just wanted to say thanks for a great show in St Louis! Also, will there be any chance of you guys playing Nomad on future tours? That song is absolutely beautiful beyond compare! I love you guys!!!!
#Sara E. Robbins — Missouri
Thanks, but I don't think so.
Dune by Frank Herbert, and Gerald Seymore
Do you have the skills to play guitars like D Murray and the others?
#Jonatan Hedlin — Sweden, stockholm
No way! I wish I did!
what position did you play when you were a great footballer at west ham, and did you play with any now well known ones?
#Torbjørn Ringstad — Bergen, Norway
I played left or right wing and I've been lucky enough to play in games with many well known players not just at West Ham.
Steve, how do you write such complex songs on a bass alone, and how do you write the vocal lines
#Edmond Dillon — N. Ireland
Too complex to explain.
Does the audience in attendance affect your performance on stage. I mean, if there is a smaller turnout than you expected, does that discourage your performance on stage.
#Mathew Lee — Montreal
The size of the audience doesn't matter only the reaction.
Yes.
Do you write the guitar parts for the lads or do you tell them roughly want you want and leave it up to them to implement you ideas.
#T — Ireland
I show them or tell them.
Hey Steve, what do you think of Blaze Bayley´s new band and album? Do you have any contact whith him?
#Anders
I think he's really good and yes we're still mates, I like him alot.
When are they going to start making a Steve Harris custom bass? Has there been any talk of this?
#Luke Morris — Cambridge
There is one ready now.
Did you teach yourself to play bass or did you have instruction?
#The Mad Dog — North Reading, MA (near Boston)
I taught myself.
2 or 3.
What's with the lack of songs from Somewhere in Time. That album is a classic and is a favorite among many fans. When you played a show in my area, you didnt even play one song from the album. I'm curious as to why not.
#Eli Firicano — MA, USA
No deep reason.
You've done covers of Jethro tull,UFO etc. Why haven't you done a Genesis song? You could cover Deep purple too
#Petri Mansikka — Finland
That's a good idea.
Steve, We practically know nothing about your personal life, but, how do you manage this among all the work with the band, how do you keep a healthy balance?
#Adriana Castañeda — Monterrey, Mexico
It's very difficult to balance that's why we need time off after this tour!
Would you ever consider recording a new single song (or getting any song you've recorded but didn't put in an album) and record it on MP3 format and put it at the Iron Maiden Web Site to be downloaded by fans for free?
#Sérgio Oliveira — Curitiba - Brazil
If we had one available why not?
Hi Steve, What's the bands plans after the current tour, apart from a major break!! :+) UP THE IRONS - CYA IN GLASGOW :+)
#Alan — Glasgow, UK
Ask Rod!!!
No.
Steve: I just bought my first bass, and I want to know, how long did it take you before you considered yourself a good player?
#Bloodengore — Canada
Too bloody long!
If you make a new song... Do you introduce it to Dave, Janick, Adrian... and so on... or to the whole band???
#The Prophet — Finland
It depends on who's around at the time.
Are you planning to produce anyone else's albums? Any New Beast Records signings?
#Jeff Bade — Chicago
Not at the moment.
Steve, what Maiden song is the most challenging for you to play in concert and why?
#Adam Hawkins — Gadsden, Alabama, The United States of America
Blood Brothers because it's quite different.
You'd have to ask Michael Kenny about any equipment stuff including Bass guitar!
With DVD gaining wide popularity, do have any plans in the near future to put your live videos on DVD?? I have seen Raising Hell and that is the only one that is out.
#Joe — Suburbs of Chicago
Yes, fairly soon.
any chance of iron maiden doing MTV unplugged or an album of cover versions.
#graham mellin — hellifield
The second's more likely than the first.
Bass
Unlike other classic metal bands it seems you all really want to stretch the limitations inherent in the genre - not least with BNW. Is is not a contradiction in terms though: wanting to be a progressive 'classic' heavy metal band?
#flipflop — Denmark
You can be whatever you want to be in maiden and not worry about it!
What determines which bass you play live? Curious about your 'rare' checker-board Fender and where is that Super Lado you had in '84?
#Peter Brusa — Atlanta, GA
The sound of course. I keep all of my guitars.
After your musical career, would you like to become trainer of football?
#fab — Lausanne, Switzerland
A good second career!
Is it true that you can speak Portugese and is it a difficult language to learn?
#Viki Gyor, Hungary
I speak a little, I am not good at learning languages so they're all difficult as far as I am concerned.
i was at dynamo, where you coudn't do the normal show. Is it possibly to come again to holland and do the whole gig.
#henk v. — ewijk holland
Sorry, next tour unless you travel to Birmingham!
It's from the film First Knight.
Hi Steve!, say cant you please tell MR Halfin to make another book like "what are we doing this for"? it`s been a few years of maiden since that one.
#Christian sjoberg — sweden
I'll see what he says.
7 Comments
Anonymous — January 13, 2007
Anonymous — April 21, 2011
Are you still answer the question?
Anonymous — March 26, 2013
Anonymous — May 26, 2013
Please, greet band for me
Ana, Croatia
Anonymous — May 26, 2013
Greet the band :)
Ana, Croatia
Anonymous — December 1, 2013
Marcio Gabilan
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Alexander the Great.
Where and when?
Anonymous — July 14, 2014