The Iron Maidens From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search The Iron Maidens The Iron Maidens 2007-2008 Lineup (From L to R): Sara Marsh, Aja Kim, Linda McDonald, Wanda Ortiz, Heather Baker Background information Origin Los Angeles, California, United States Genre(s) Heavy Metal Tribute Years active 2001 – present Label(s) DRZ Records Powerslave Records Associated acts Iron Maiden Phantom Blue The Little Dolls Bandit Website www.theironmaidens.com myspace.com/theironmaidens Members Linda McDonald (Nikki McBurrain) Sara Marsh (Mini Murray) Wanda Ortiz (Steph Harris) Former members Aja Kim (Bruce "Lee" Chickinson) Heather Baker (Adrienne Smith) Elizabeth Schall (Adrianne Smith) Melanie Sisneros (Steve Heiress) Josephine Soegijanty (Adrienne Smith) Jenny Warren (Bruce Chickinson) The Iron Maidens are an all-female, Iron Maiden tribute band formed in Los Angeles, California, USA in 2001. They are billed as the "World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden." Contents [hide] 1 Background 2 History 3 Equipment and endorsements 4 Media appearances 5 Interaction with the Real Iron Maiden 6 Discography 7 Members 7.1 Current members 7.1.1 Number of shows performed 7.1.2 CD/DVD appearances 7.2 Substitute/Guest Musicians 7.3 Former members 7.3.1 Former member's CD/DVD appearances 8 Members 9 References 10 External links [edit] Background The Iron Maidens are an all-female tribute band to the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Formed in Southern California in 2001, the band has appeared in venues across the USA, Canada, Japan, Spain, Bahrain, South Korea, Iraq, Mexico, Greece, Turkey, Kuwait and Guam. With a theatrical stage show that includes appearances by the Iron Maiden mascot, Eddie, the Grim Reaper and the Devil, the Maidens perform material from most eras of Iron Maiden's career. The Maidens have opened for KISS, Great White, Danzig, Cypress Hill, Snoop Dogg, Jackyl, Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO), Live, Nevermore, Nightwish and have been the recipients of awards that include best tribute band, as well as best in category (guitar, bass, drums, voice) at events such as The Rock City News Awards, The LA Music Awards, and The All Access Magazine Award Show. The Maidens have been joined on stage by Alex Skolnick of Testament, Lemmy and Phil Campbell from Motörhead, and Jeff Loomis of Nevermore. In 2005, the Maidens released a full length tribute album that features cover artwork of the female version of Eddie, called Edwina, created by original Iron Maiden album cover artist, Derek Riggs. 2007 saw the release of Route 666, a 2 disc CD/DVD combination on their Japanese label Powerslave Records. The disc features 4 new studio tracks produced by Grammy award winning producer Bob Kulick and a live track of "The Trooper" with Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell on guest guitar. The DVD portion features live multi-camera angles of 8 songs plus 2 songs featuring Iron Maiden touring keyboardist (and Steve Harris' bass guitar technician) Michael Kenney playing keyboards. On April 2008, the Maidens released the 4-song EP The Root of All Evil in Japan, featuring a dance remix of "The Trooper." [edit] History The band was originally formed in June 2001 by vocalist Jenny Warren and bassist Melanie Sisneros, both formerly of the co-ed southern California Iron Maiden tribute band, Wrathchild. Guitarist Sara Marsh (formerly of Bandit), drummer Linda McDonald and guitarist Josephine Soegijanty (both formerly of Phantom Blue) joined Warren and Sisneros shortly afterward to form The Iron Maidens' first lineup. In late August 2002, Sisneros performed her last show with the Maidens before leaving the band to join the Finnish power metal band Sinergy and pursue other music projects (including a Megadeth tribute band called Hangar 18, an all-female AC/DC tribute band called Whole Lotta Rosies, and an original metal band called Crescent Shield). Less then a month later, Wanda Ortiz (formerly of Rotten Rod & the Warheads) made her debut as the band's new bassist.[1] In 2003, the Maidens started work on their debut album; however, the project was delayed when Warren gave notice of her departure in November 2003 to spend more time with her autistic son, but the band did not make it public until March 2004.[2] Warren reunited with Sisneros and performed a one-off reunion show with Wrathchild shortly after her departure from the Maidens for the second Metal Jam, an annual Southern California fund-raising event for autism charities, primarily Autism Speaks (formerly Cure Autism Now!).[3] On May of that year, new vocalist Aja Kim made her debut in the band and helped complete the album, which was released in 2005. Shortly after the album's release, Soegijanty (who now goes by her married name Jojo Draven) left the band in mid-2005 to continue her career in the film/production business.[4] Death metal guitarist Elizabeth Schall (formerly of Winterthrall, currently with Dreaming Dead) joined the Maidens in 2005, but was released in October 2006 due to complications with the band and management. [5] To help finish the Maidens' 2006 tour schedule, Michelle Meldrum - Linda McDonald's former band mate in Phantom Blue - filled in as a substitute guitarist for three shows, while Eileen Nieto (of Full House) helped the Maidens close the year. Heather Baker (formerly of As Night Falls) joined the Maidens in February 2007 in time to record the band's second CD Route 666. In late June 2008, the Maidens' official website announced that Baker left the band to focus on family commitments and her band The Afterlife. [6] In July of that same year, Ms. Kim announced in her fan newsletter of her departure from the Maidens to resume her solo career. [7] Both Ms. Kim and Baker did not tour with the Maidens in Kuwait and Iraq; instead, Deb Obarski (of the Ozzy Osbourne tribute bands The Little Dolls and Diary of a Madwoman) filled in as the band's lead vocalist, while a male guitarist, Guillermo Guerrero, filled Baker's spot. [8] The Iron Maidens are currently holding auditions for a new vocalist. [edit] Equipment and endorsements The Iron Maidens use equipment and are endorsed by Paiste, Vic Firth, Drum Workshop, Digitech, Soldano, D'Addario, G&L, Dunlop Manufacturing, RotoSound, SIT strings, BBE Sound, GHS strings, Sennheiser, Rocktron, Coffin Case, ENGL Amps and Monster Energy Drink. [edit] Media appearances The Iron Maidens and its members have appeared on The Los Angeles Times, Guitar World[9], Metal Edge, Modern Drummer, Drum! magazine, Kerrang, Metal Hammer, LA Weekly, OC Weekly, Portland Tribune, MTV Music Awards Coffe Table Book, Blender magazine, BURRN magazine, Music Connection, San Diego City Beat, Salt Lake City Weekly, El Paso Times, Houston Press, Las Vegas City Life, Wisconsin State Journal, Fairbanks and Anchorage Daily News, Juneau Empire, The Orange County Register, ABC’s Livin’ Large TV Show, The National Enquirer, FHM, Maxim, Playboy[10], Hustler[11], Rip, Aardshock, LA New Times, Chicago Local Live Magazine, Gibson Lifestyle[12], two MTV videos, 54321 on Fox Sports Net, two Hard N' Heavy video magazine episodes, KCAL-TV's 9 on the Town, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, two videos on Guitar World magazine Holiday CD-ROM compilation, 97.1 FM's 2 Media Whores with David Adelson and The Conway and Whitman Show. [edit] Interaction with the Real Iron Maiden The Maidens have met with members of the real Iron Maiden on a number of occasions. According to an article on the July 2008 issue of Metal Hammer magazine, bassist and band founder Steve Harris and his daughter Lauren were impressed with the Maidens' live rendition of "Alexander the Great" - a song that Iron Maiden themselves had never performed live. When asked about then-lead vocalist Aja Kim playing his female counterpart, lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson was quoted as saying, "It's really one of those odd existential self-analysis questions. Essentially, would I fuck myself? Well the ego is willing even if the body isn't." [13] [edit] Discography The Iron Maidens: World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden (2005/2006) Route 666 (2007, Japanese Release, CD/DVD) The Root of All Evil (2008, Japanese Release, EP) [edit] Members [edit] Current members Sara Marsh (Mini Murray) – Guitar (2001-) Wanda Ortiz (Steph Harris) – Bass guitar (2002-) Linda McDonald (Nikki McBurrain) – Drums (2001-) [edit] Number of shows performed Sara Marsh – 256 shows as of 12/13/08 Wanda Ortiz – 240 as of 12/13/08 Linda McDonald – 255 as of 12/13/08 [edit] CD/DVD appearances Sara Marsh – 4 CDs / 2 DVDs Wanda Ortiz – 4 CDs / 2 DVDs Linda McDonald – 4 CDs / 2 DVDs [edit] Substitute/Guest Musicians Phil Campbell (of Motörhead) - Guitar; (4 total shows performed) (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) Performed "The Trooper" with the Maidens on 4 shows. Michael Kenney - Keyboard Played keyboard with the Maidens on various shows. Jeff Loomis (of Nevermore) - Guitar; (1 total show performed) (2006) Performed "The Trooper" with the Maidens on the 6/23/06 show in Seattle, WA. Alex Skolnick (of Testament) - Guitar; (1 total show performed) (2003) Performed "The Trooper" with the Maidens on the 6/18/03 show in New York City, NY. Deb Obarski (of the Ozzy Osbourne tributes The Little Dolls and Diary of a Madwoman) - Vocals; (9 total shows performed) (2008) Filled in for the Kuwait and Iraq tours when Aja Kim departed. Also performed on the remainder of the Maidens' 2008 tour. Guillermo Guerrero - Guitar; (7 total shows performed) (2008) Filled in for the Kuwait and Iraq tours when Heather Baker departed. Also performed on the 6/28/08 and 10/31/08 shows. RJ Blaze (of the AC/DC tribute Highway to Hell) - Vocals; (2 total shows performed) (2008) Guest lead vocalist for the 8/23/08 and 12/13/08 shows.[14] Normally plays Eddie on the Maidens shows. Chris Brightwell (of the Metallica tribute Damage Inc.) - Guitar; (2 total shows performed) (2008) Filled in the second guitarist position for the 8/23/08 and 12/13/08 shows. Chris "Jaymz" Knight (of the Metallica tribute Damage Inc.) - Vocals; (2 total shows performed) (2008) Guest vocalist for the 8/23/08 and 12/13/08 shows. Kevin "Big Sexy" Knight (of the Metallica tribute Damage Inc.) - Bass; (2 total shows performed) (2008) Guest bassist for the 8/23/08 and 12/13/08 shows. Frank Casiato (of the Judas Priest tribute Just Like Priest) - Vocals; (2 total shows performed) (2008) Guest lead vocalist for the 8/23/08 and 12/13/08 shows. Kevin Pittsey (of the Judas Priest tribute Just Like Priest) - Guitar; (2 total shows performed) (2008) Guest guitarist for the 8/23/08 and 12/13/08 shows.[15] The Gare a.k.a. TaterBoy (of the Judas Priest tribute Just Like Priest) - Drums; (2 total shows performed) (2008) Guest drummer for the 8/23/08 and 12/13/08 shows. Jeff Fahnestock (of the Black Sabbath tribute Electric Funeral) - Vocals; (1 total show performed) (2008) Guest vocalist for the 12/13/08 show. Thomas Le Blanc (of the Bad Company tribute Burnin' Sky) - Bass; (2 total shows performed) (2008) Guest bassist for the 8/23/08 and 12/13/08 shows. Chris Silva a.k.a. Drumslut (of the Black Sabbath tribute Electric Funeral) - Drums; (1 total show performed) (2008) Guest drummer for the 12/13/08 show. Bobby Koch (of the Bad Company tribute Burnin' Sky) - Drums; (1 total show performed) (2008) Guest drummer for the 12/13/08 show. Mark Lannin (of the Pantera tribute Domination 101) - Guitar, Vocals; (2 total shows performed) (2008) Guest guitarist for the 8/23/08 and 12/13/08 (plus vocals) shows. Courtney Cox (of the KISS tribute KISSES) - Guitar; (1 total show performed) (2008) Guest guitarist for the 12/13/08 show. Carol Lyn Liddle (of the cover band Rockslide) - Vocals; (1 total show performed) (2008) Guest vocalist for the 12/13/08 show. Pamela Ausejo (of the AC/DC tribute AC/DShe) - Guitar; (1 total show performed) (2008) Guest guitarist for the 12/13/08 show. Jeff Milne - Guitar; (1 total show performed) (2008) Guest guitarist for the 8/23/08 show. Eileen Nieto (of Full House) - Guitar; (1 total show performed) (2006) Filled in for the end of the Maidens' 2006 schedule following Michelle Meldrum's run.[16] Michelle Meldrum (of Meldrum) - Guitar; (3 total shows performed) (2006) Filled in for the final leg of the Maidens' 2006 schedule following Elizabeth Schall's release from the band. [edit] Former members Aja Kim (Bruce "Lee" Chickinson) – Vocals; (174 total shows performed) (2004-2008) Heather Baker (Adrienne Smith) – Guitar; (77 total shows performed) (2007-2008) Elizabeth Schall (Adrianne Smith) – Guitar; (48 total shows performed) (2005-2006) Melanie Sisneros (Steve Heiress) – Bass Guitar; (15 total shows performed) (2001-2002) Josephine Soegijanty (Adrienne Smith) – Guitar; (115 total shows performed) (2001-2005) Jenny Warren (Bruce Chickinson) – Vocals; (73 total shows performed) (2001-2003) [edit] Former member's CD/DVD appearances Aja Kim – 4 CDs / 2 DVDs Heather Baker – 2 CD / 0 DVDs Elizabeth Schall – 0 CDs / 0 DVDs Melanie Sisneros – 0 CDs / 0 DVDs Josephine Soegijanty – 2 CDs / 2 DVDs Jenny Warren – 0 CDs / 0 DVDs [edit] Members The Iron Maidens lineups 2001-2002 Jenny Warren (Bruce Chickinson) – lead vocals Sara Marsh (Mini Murray) – guitar Josephine Soegijanty (Adrienne Smith) – guitar Melanie Sisneros (Steve Heiress) – bass Linda McDonald (Nikki McBurrain) – drums 2002-2003 Jenny Warren (Bruce Chickinson) – lead vocals Sara Marsh (Mini Murray) – guitar Josephine Soegijanty (Adrienne Smith) – guitar Wanda Ortiz (Steph Harris) – bass Linda McDonald (Nikki McBurrain) – drums First Album (2004-2005) Aja Kim (Bruce "Lee" Chickinson) – lead vocals Sara Marsh (Mini Murray) – guitar Josephine Soegijanty (Adrienne Smith) – guitar Wanda Ortiz (Steph Harris) – bass Linda McDonald (Nikki McBurrain) – drums 2005-2006 Aja Kim (Bruce "Lee" Chickinson) – lead vocals Sara Marsh (Mini Murray) – guitar Elizabeth Schall (Adrianne Smith) – guitar Wanda Ortiz (Steph Harris) – bass Linda McDonald (Nikki McBurrain) – drums Route 666/The Root of All Evil (2007-2008) Aja Kim (Bruce "Lee" Chickinson) – lead vocals Sara Marsh (Mini Murray) – guitar Heather Baker (Adrienne Smith) – guitar Wanda Ortiz (Steph Harris) – bass Linda McDonald (Nikki McBurrain) – drums 2009-present (To Be Announced) (Bruce Chickinson) – lead vocals Sara Marsh (Mini Murray) – guitar (To Be Announced) (Adrienne Smith) – guitar Wanda Ortiz (Steph Harris) – bass Linda McDonald (Nikki McBurrain) – drums [edit] References ^ The Iron Maidens - Show History ^ Blabbermouth.net - THE IRON MAIDENS Part Ways With BRUCE CHICKINSON, Vow To Carry On - Mar. 7, 2004 ^ Blabbermouth.net - METALJAM 2004 To Benefit The CURE AUTISM NOW! FOUNDATION - Mar. 1, 2004 ^ The Iron Maidens Forums - Rust Festival 2005 ^ The Iron Maidens Forums - Cane's ^ The Iron Maidens Forums - Farewell & Good Luck, Heather ^ Blabbermouth.net - Former THE IRON MAIDENS Singer Collaborating With MOTÖRHEAD's PHIL CAMPBELL - July 3, 2008 ^ The Iron Maidens Forums - The Iron Maidens at Camp Victory in Iraq ^ Guitar World, February 2003 - "The Iron Maidens - All-Girl Tribute Band Takes 'Flight'" by Dan Epstein ^ Playboy, June 2002 - "Dude Looks Like a Lady" ^ Hustler, January 2009 - "For Chicks About to Rock, We Salute You!" ^ Gibson Lifestyle - Meet the World's Only All-Female Iron Maiden Tribute Band ^ The Iron Maidens Forums - Bruce & Steve Talk About the Maidens in This Month's Metal Hammer! ^ The Iron Maidens Forums - Santa Fe Swap Meet Pix ^ The Iron Maidens Forums - Dec. 13 Show ^ The Iron Maidens Forums - The Iron Maidens' Annual X-Mas Show [edit] External links The Iron Maidens - Official Website The Iron Maidens - Official Japanese Website The Iron Maidens - Official MySpace The Iron Maidens Profile at Powerslave Records The Iron Maidens Interview on KCAL 9's 9 on the Town Linda McDonald - Official MySpace Sara Marsh - Official MySpace SaraBaracuda - Sara Marsh's Official Website Wanda Ortiz - Official MySpace Aja Kim - Official MySpace - Former vocalist (2004-2008) The Afterlife (Heather Baker) - Official Website - Former guitarist (2007-2008) The Afterlife (Heather Baker) - Official MySpace Jojo Draven - Official Site - Former guitarist (2001-2005) Melanie Sisneros - Official Site Former bassist (2001-2002) Dreaming Dead (Elizabeth Schall) - Official MySpace - Former guitarist (2005-2006) Iron Maiden Tribute Bands [hide]v • d • eThe Iron Maidens Linda McDonald · Sara Marsh · Wanda Ortiz Aja Kim · Heather Baker · Elizabeth Schall · Josephine Soegijanty · Jenny Warren · Melanie Sisneros Studio albums & EPs The Iron Maidens: World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden · Route 666 · The Root of All Evil Related Articles Mark Dawson · Derek Riggs · Michael Kenney · Phil Campbell · Bob Kulick · Michelle Meldrum · Deb Obarski · Guillermo Guerrero · Alex Skolnick · Jeff Loomis · Tommy Pons Bands Iron Maiden · Phantom Blue · The Little Dolls · Valley Dolls · Half-Cocked · Unholy Pink · Hot Box · Blonde Jovi · Bandit · Rotten Rod & The Warheads · Heartache City · Field of Vision · The Afterlife · As Night Falls · New Eden · Raven Mad · Winterthrall · Dreaming Dead Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Iron_Maidens" Categories: American heavy metal musical groups | California heavy metal musical groups | Iron Maiden | Tribute bands | All-women bands | Los Angeles musical groups | Musical groups established in 2001