The Iron Maidens

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Iron Maidens


Img_capt = The Iron Maidens 2007-2008 Lineup (From L to R): Sara Marsh, Aja Kim, Linda McDonald, Wanda Ortiz, Heather Baker
Img_size =
Landscape = yes
Background = cover_band
Origin = Los Angeles, California, United States
Genre = Heavy Metal
Tribute
Years_active = 2001 – present
Label = DRZ Records Powerslave Records
Associated_acts = Iron Maiden Phantom Blue The Little Dolls The Afterlife Bandit
URL = [http://www.theironmaidens.com www.theironmaidens.com]
Current_members = Linda McDonald (Nikki McBurrain) Sara Marsh (Mini Murray) Wanda Ortiz (Steph Harris)
Past_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."

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 Iron 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 band 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 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."

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 [http://www.myspace.com/allfemalebandbandit 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 [http://www.megadethtribute.com/ Hangar 18] , an all-female AC/DC tribute band called [http://www.therosiesrock.com/ Whole Lotta Rosies] , and an original metal band called [http://www.crescentshield.com/ Crescent Shield] ). Less then a month later, Wanda Ortiz (formerly of [http://www.myspace.com/rottenrod Rotten Rod & the Warheads] ) made her debut as the band's new bassist. [ [http://www.theironmaidens.com/tour/showhistory.html The Iron Maidens - Show History] ]

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. [ [http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=20086 Blabbermouth.net - THE IRON MAIDENS Part Ways With BRUCE CHICKINSON, Vow To Carry On - Mar. 7, 2004] ] 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!"). [ [http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=19831 Blabbermouth.net - METALJAM 2004 To Benefit The CURE AUTISM NOW! FOUNDATION - Mar. 1, 2004] ] 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. [ [http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/iron-maidens/209369-rust-festival-2005-sat-sept-24th.html The Iron Maidens Forums - Rust Festival 2005] ] Death metal guitarist Elizabeth Schall (formerly of [http://www.winterthrall.com/ Winterthrall] , currently with [http://www.myspace.com/dreamingdead Dreaming Dead] ) joined the Maidens in 2005, but was released in October 2006 due to complications with the band and management. [ [http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/iron-maidens/261691-canes-friday-nov-3-a.html The Iron Maidens Forums - Cane's] ] 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 [http://www.myspace.com/guitarleen Eileen Nieto] (of [http://www.123drink.com/ Full House] ) helped the Maidens close the year. Heather Baker (formerly of [http://www.purevolume.com/asnightfalls 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 [http://www.myspace.com/theafterlifeband The Afterlife] . [ [http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/iron-maidens/405071-farewell-good-luck-heather.html The Iron Maidens Forums - Farewell & Good Luck, Heather] ] In July of that same year, Ms. Kim announced in her fan newsletter of her departure from the Maidens to resume her solo career. [ [http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=100225 Blabbermouth.net - Former THE IRON MAIDENS Singer Collaborating With MOTÖRHEAD's PHIL CAMPBELL - July 3, 2008] ] Both Ms. Kim and Baker did not tour with the Maidens in Kuwait and Iraq; instead, Deb Obarski (of the Ozzy Osbourne tribute bands [http://www.myspace.com/thelittledolls The Little Dolls] and [http://www.myspace.com/wearediaryofamadwoman Diary of a Madwoman] ) filled in as the band's lead vocalist, while a male guitarist, [http://www.myspace.com/ggaguitar Guillermo Guerrero] , filled Baker's spot. [ [http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/iron-maidens/408148-iron-maidens-camp-victory-iraq.html The Iron Maidens Forums - The Iron Maidens at Camp Victory in Iraq] ]

The Iron Maidens are currently holding auditions for a new vocalist.

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.

Media appearances

The Iron Maidens and its members (past and present) have appeared in "The Los Angeles Times", "Guitar World", "Metal Edge", "Modern Drummer", "Drum!" magazine, "Kerrang", "Metal Hammer", "LA Weekly", "OC Weekly", "Portland Tribune", "The Orange County Register", ABC’s "Livin’ Large" TV Show, "The National Enquirer", "FHM", "Maxim", "Playboy", "Rip", "Aardshock", "LA New Times", "Chicago Local Live Magazine", "Gibson Lifestyle" [ [http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/meet-the-worlds-only/ Gibson Lifestyle - Meet the World's Only All-Female Iron Maiden Tribute Band] ] , two MTV videos, "54321" on Fox Sports Net, two "Hard N' Heavy" video magazine episodes, KCAL-TV's "9 on the Town" and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno".

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." [ [http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/iron-maidens/405459-bruce-steve-talk-about-maidens-months-metal-hammer.html The Iron Maidens Forums - Bruce & Steve Talk About the Maidens in This Month's Metal Hammer!] ]

Discography

* "" (2005/2006)
* "Route 666" (2007, Japanese Release, CD/DVD)
* "The Root of All Evil" (2008, Japanese Release, EP)

Members

Current members

* Sara Marsh (Mini Murray) – Guitar (2001-)
* Wanda Ortiz (Steph Harris) – Bass guitar (2002-)
* Linda McDonald (Nikki McBurrain) – Drums (2001-)

Number of shows performed

* Sara Marsh – 254 shows as of 9/5/08
* Wanda Ortiz – 238 as of 9/5/08
* Linda McDonald – 253 as of 9/5/08

CD/DVD appearances

* Sara Marsh – 4 CDs / 2 DVDs
* Wanda Ortiz – 4 CDs / 2 DVDs
* Linda McDonald – 4 CDs / 2 DVDs

ubstitute/Guest Musicians

* Phil Campbell (of Motörhead) - Guitar
** Performed "The Trooper" with the Maidens on various 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.
* Alex Skolnick (of Testament) - Guitar; (1 total show performed) (2003)
** Performed "The Trooper" with the Maidens on the 6/18/03 show.
* RJ Blaze (of the AC/DC tribute [http://www.myspace.com/highwaytohellacdctribute Highway to Hell] ) - Vocals; (1 total show performed) (2008)
** Guest lead vocalist for the 8/23/08 show. [ [http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/iron-maidens/421632-santa-fe-swap-meet-pix.html The Iron Maidens Forums - Santa Fe Swap Meet Pix] ]
** Normally plays Eddie on the Maidens shows.
* Frank Casiato (of the Judas Priest tribute [http://www.myspace.com/justlikepriest Just Like Priest] ) - Vocals; (1 total show performed) (2008)
** Guest lead vocalist for the 8/23/08 show.
* Chris Brightwell (of the Metallica tribute [http://www.myspace.com/socaldamageinc Damage Inc.] ) - Guitar; (1 total show performed) (2008)
** Filled in the second guitarist position for the 8/23/08 show.
* Mark Lannin (of the Pantera tribute [http://www.myspace.com/domination101 Domination 101] ) - Guitar; (1 total show performed) (2008)
** Guest guitarist for the 8/23/08 show.
* [http://www.myspace.com/jeffmilne2 Jeff Milne] - Guitar; (1 total show performed) (2008)
** Guest guitarist for the 8/23/08 show.
* Deb Obarski (of the Ozzy Osbourne tributes [http://www.thelittledolls.com/ The Little Dolls] and [http://www.myspace.com/wearediaryofamadwoman Diary of a Madwoman] ) (Bruce Chickinson) - Vocals; (6 total shows performed) (2008)
** Filled in for the Kuwait and Iraq tours when Aja Kim departed. Also performed on the 8/23/08 show.
* Guillermo Guerrero (Adrian Smith) - Guitar; (6 total shows performed) (2008)
** Filled in for the 6/28/08 show and the Kuwait and Iraq tours when Heather Baker departed.
* Eileen Nieto (of [http://www.myspace.com/fullhousetheband Full House] ) (Adrienne Smith) - Guitar; (1 total show performed) (2006)
** Filled in for the end of the Maidens' 2006 schedule following Michelle Meldrum's run. [ [http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/iron-maidens/267165-iron-maidens-annual-x-mas-show.html The Iron Maidens Forums - The Iron Maidens' Annual X-Mas Show] ]
* Michelle Meldrum (of Meldrum) (Adrienne Smith) - 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.

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)

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

Members

References

External links

* [http://www.theironmaidens.com/ The Iron Maidens - Official Website]
* [http://www.theironmaidensjp.com/ The Iron Maidens - Official Japanese Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/theironmaidens The Iron Maidens - Official MySpace]
* [http://www.powerslave.com/bands/bandprofile.php?band_id=1074&count=3&page=none The Iron Maidens Profile at Powerslave Records]
* [http://www.myspace.com/lindamcdonald Linda McDonald - Official MySpace]
* [http://www.myspace.com/saramarsh Sara Marsh - Official MySpace]
* [http://www.sarabaracuda.com/ SaraBaracuda - Sara Marsh's Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/ajakimmusic Aja Kim - Official MySpace] - Former vocalist (2004-2008)
* [http://www.theafterlifemusic.com/ The Afterlife (Heather Baker) - Official Website] - Former guitarist (2007-2008)
* [http://www.myspace.com/theafterlifeband The Afterlife (Heather Baker) - Official MySpace]
* [http://www.jojodraven.com/ Jojo Draven - Official Site] - Former guitarist (2001-2005)
* [http://mel.raven-mad.com/ Melanie Sisneros - Official Site] Former bassist (2001-2002)
* [http://www.myspace.com/dreamingdead Dreaming Dead (Elizabeth Schall) - Official MySpace] - Former guitarist (2005-2006)
* [http://www.maidenfans.com/imc/?url=tributelinks&lang=eng&link=links/ Iron Maiden Tribute Bands]