[EXCLUSIVE] Bruce Dickinson Forever interviews CHRIS DALE

While we are all anxiously waiting for the DVD 'Scream for me, Sarajevo', Michelle Ferreira Sanches, Bruce Dickinson Forever adm, sat down for a quick chat with bassist CHRIS DALE, about Skunkworks, his musical career and, of course, that one great moment in Bosnia they all had in 1994. Check it out.

1. Do you remember when you first discovered you wanted to make music? How did you choose the bass?

Yes, it was when I first saw KISS in concert on the Lick It Up tour in 1983. I came out of that thinking "That's what I want to do!". I lived in a little village in Wales but after leaving school I moved to London with my bass and started playing in as many bands as possible.

2. Your first experience with Bruce was joining his touring band to support Balls to Picasso. How was it to you to be on stage with Iron Maiden former lead singer?

On the one hand it was prefectly normal. He's a normal kind of guy, not the big rockstar ego thing. On the other hand we were very aware who he was and I was a little bit in awe at first. He soon calmed that down though, just by being like a normal friend with us.

We didn't play any Maiden songs on that tour so it was sometimes easy to forget there was that background to him. I remember in the first gig we played, in Springfield MO, we were playing the songs, rocking out and suddenly he screamed "Scream For Me Springfield!". It was one of those magical metal moments.

3. You guys were really young during that time. Could you share some of your favourite memories from that time?

All that touring was really the most amazing gift to have come out of my time in that band. I had travelled around UK and Europe before but with Bruce I saw the US, Japan and South America for the first time. It was a such a privilege, playing metal music around the world, with some great friends in the band and crew... and then getting paid for it! It was a dream come true.

4. Skunkworks is an album which has been unfairly criticized by metal fans. If you had to point one song from this album to sum up all that wonderful work, which one would it be?

I think the beauty of the Skunkworks album is the variety of music on it, there's some really rocking tunes but also some darker moodier material that Bruce never really explored on his other albums very much. That variety makes it difficult to pick just one.

My favourite song on the album however is usually, Solar Confinement but to give someone a taste of the light and dark sides of that record, I might start them off with Dreamstate.

5. When you were invited to go to Sarajevo, how did you feel? Were you scared of going to a war zone or anxious to be able to go there and do something to help people forget their problems for at least one night?

You are making it sound like we went out there as heroes but no, it was nothing so glamourous. We were ignorant. We honestly didn't know how dangerous it was. We knew there was a war there but we thought it had calmed down, that the UN peacekeeping force were keeping the peace. It was only as we were going in there that we realised that it was actually a completely active war zone with gunfire and people dying on a daily basis.

Did we go there to help people forget their problems? Honestly no. Again, that sounds like we were heroes. I went there because I liked playing gigs in different countries. It was always good fun rocking onstage and having a beer later. That was honestly my motive. Again I didn't realise exactly what we were going into. I didn't realise it would change me as a person and have a lasting impact. I also didn't realise until we started making the Scream For Me Sarajevo film what a real impact we had on people's lives there. As you said, it really did help people forget their problems but also inspired them in the knowledge that there were people in the outside world who cared about their plight.

6. "Scream for me, Sarajevo", the documentary, is about to reach all the world. What can we expect from this documentary? What type of message would you like it to pass?

Of course you can expect recent interviews with me, Bruce and Alex Elena. There is also some concert footage of the gig that has never been seeen before. But what you may not expect but is probably the most powerful part of the film, are the interviews with local Bosnain rock fans who came to the gig. Their story is far more touching than anything we went through over there.

The message that comes across in the film is how music really can make a difference in the darkest times of people's lives. The whole process of making this film has been a wonderful experience for all of us. Making new friends and re-newing friendships from twenty years ago. It is great to see Sarajevo again but now looking vibrant and happy, a thriving and beautiful city that now feels like a second home to me.

7. Have you seen Bruce Dickinson on stage after he rejoined Maiden? What are your impressions of Maiden latest album, The Book of Souls?

Yes, I've been to see Maiden a few times since he rejoined. I'm always amazed by the energy that band puts into their shows. I must admit though that I haven't heard the Book of Souls album.

8. Could you tell us about your current projects?       

I've been jamming with a few friends in bars but I haven't got a serious band thing going at the moment. Quite honestly, I'm happiest right now jamming with my ten year old son, helping him along. Tomorrow, we're going off to explore Europe by train for ten days. Just right now, that's my favourite kind of tour!

9. Who has been your greatest influence in music?

I guess growing up I was listening to the same rock bands as most people, AC/DC, Maiden, KISS, Sabbath etc. I learned from them. But the single biggest influence really would have to be Alex Dickson, the guitasrist in Skunkworks. He's such a great all round musican, singer, songwriter. He inspired and encouraged me to play better bass, to sing and to start writing songs. He then produced the three albums by my band Sack Trick. I'd say that's the biggest influence anyone's had.

10. Have you even been in Brazil? Can we expect you to play here some day? Could you leave a message to your Brazilian fans?

I've been to Brazil a few times. I love it, it's a such a bright and beautiful country. Music just seems to surround everyone, like it's in the air.

The first time was with Bruce in 1995, that was a crazy little South American tour with three nights in Sao Paulo. The second time, I spent a week in Rio recording bass for the Tribuzy album and hanging out with Renato Tribuzy. He's such a fun guy and an incredibly talented singer. The third time was when me, Bruce and RoyZ did some Brazillian shows with Tribuzy in 2005. The last time I was there was while I was working as Billy Sheehan's bass tech on a Mr Big tour, that would probably have been around 2011. I'm always happy to go back to Brazil!

[Exclusive interview made to Bruce Dickinson Forever. All rights reserved.

Bruce at SAP INNOVATION FORUM

[Curiosidade] Bruce Dickinson fala sobre como compõe e quem o inspirou a fazer Tattooed Millionaire (e não é a pessoa que você pensa)

Em uma entrevista à época do lançamento de Chemical Wedding (1998), Bruce Dickinson falou sobre como compõe suas canções, sua ansiedade ao subir ao palco e a pessoa que inspirou a música Tattooed Millionaire (e essa pessoa não é quem você pensa)

ZN 84 Entrevista Bruce Dickinson

ZN: Olá Bruce. Você vai sair em turnê com seu novo álbum "Chemical Wedding" em novembro. Que países estão no programa?

BD: É uma turnê mundial. Começamos em Helsinki, depois chegamos à Europa Central e continuamos a turnê depois do Natal no Japão, Américas do Sul e do Norte.

ZN: Pink Cream 69 está na estrada com você. Eles irão acompanhá-lo em toda a turnê?

BD: Não, eles estão fazendo apenas na parte europeia, eles não vão fazer parte da Escandinávia também.

ZN: Qual dos seus álbuns já vendeu melhor até agora?

BD: Ah, eu deveria saber isso, mas ... eu acho que foi "Tattooed Millionaire".

ZN: Você esteve muito tempo na indústria da musical. Como você conseguiu sobreviver a este negócio sem ser afetado? Outros músicos usam drogas ou bebem até a morte, mas você parece excelente.

BD: Obrigado, isso é uma ilusão! Eu vivo muito bem, nunca tive mortes e não tenho apetite para me destruir.

ZN: Soubemos pelo seu agente que você veio aqui de avião e que você mesmo o pilotou. Há quanto tempo você pilota?

BD: Seis anos. Estou usando um avião alugado aqui. Eu uso o avião quando estou em turnê e tenho agora 1200 horas de voo.

ZN: Pelo que eu me lembro, você gosta muito disso.

BD: Certo, sempre que eu tenho a oportunidade, mas não é tão frequente, já sou o pai de três filhos, que significam muito para mim. Meu tempo de lazer é muito limitado. Eu estava agora três meses longe de casa para fazer o novo disco. Agora estou em uma turnê promocional, eu estou talvez, planejando cuidadosamente, dois dias por semana em casa, que é muito difícil.

ZN: Onde você mora?

BD: Estou morando em Londres há 18 anos.

ZN: Onde você nasceu?

BD: Próximo a Sheffield / Inglaterra.

ZN: Você já fez aulas de canto?

BD: Não, mas isso não significa que eu não estou lidando com isso. Claro, eu conversei com as pessoas sobre isso. Eu também li muito sobre cantar e analisei as vozes de meus cantores favoritos.

ZN: E quais são os seus cantores preferidos?

BD: Oh, há um monte de cantores que eu gosto. Arthur Brown, Ian Gillan, Paul Rodgers e Robert Plant. Quando eu comecei a cantar, eu naturalmente tentei copiar esses cantores e acho que esses cantores ainda afetam todos os cantores de rock de qualquer maneira.

ZN: Como é hoje para você quando você encontra um de seus ídolos mais antigos?

BD: Bem, eu não fico sem palavras ou algo assim quando encontro Gillan ou Plant. Ao longo dos anos, desenvolvi meu próprio estilo e encontrei minha própria identidade. Eu estou fazendo do meu jeito.

ZN: Você pode realmente escrever notas ou como você compõe?

BD: Não, eu não consigo criar notas. Eu tenho melodias na minha cabeça e assim que tenho uma letra (de música), não as esqueço. Então eu canto para a banda, para que eles possam ter uma ideia, e depois vamos para o estúdio e fazemos a coisa toda.

ZN: O que você fazia, antes de se tornar famoso?

BD: Eu cursei História (na faculdade) e concluí o curso.

ZN: Em um comunicado à imprensa, eu li que você agora fundou sua própria gravadora.

BD: Certo. Air Raid Records. Todas as gravadoras pelas quais passei até agora eram uma merdas em algum aspecto. Quando a minha última gravadora teve de repente problemas financeiros, vi que tinha chegado o momento de tomar a coisa nas minhas mãos.

ZN: Outras bandas também têm a chance de ser contratadas por você?

BD: Talvez.

ZN: Que condições uma banda tem que preencher para conseguir um contrato com você?

BD: A música da banda tem que arrepiar os meus cabelos da nuca. A banda deve ser tão excitante que eu pense, eu devo comprar o disco imediatamente. Mas não há muitas (bandas) assim.

ZN: Quais álbuns você tem escutado ultimamente?

BD: O novo do Garbage, o novo Monster Magnet, bem como o disco acústico Medieval de Ritchie Blackmore.

ZN: Até onde eu sei, Ritchie está em turnê com este álbum.

BD: O que, na Alemanha, na vizinhança? Eu tenho que ir lá! Eu até pago entrada! Ele toca hoje à noite?

ZN: Nós não sabemos a data exata.

BD: Eu tenho que ver isso! É um álbum maravilhoso.

ZN: O que mudou para você desde a sua saída do Iron Maiden?

BD: Eu estou tentando manter os shows tão pequenos quanto possível, porque eu não posso me dar ao luxo de ter milhões de pessoas ao meu redor, que me dizem o quão grande eu sou e toda essa besteira. Eu amo manter as coisas pequenas, compactas e poderosas, embora isso, naturalmente, significa menos segurança. Maiden tem um grande esquema de segurança. Você pode se esconder atrás do Iron Maiden. Mas eu não posso me esconder atrás de ninguém e certamente não atrás de meu próprio nome. Tudo o que conta é fazer um bom álbum, caso contrário eu não estou fazendo as coisas direito.

ZN: Quando você sobe ao palco, você ainda fica nervoso?

BD: Sim, de vez em quando. O que eu gosto é que o sentimento antes da apresentação. Às vezes mal posso esperar para entrar no palco.

ZN: Quando você está em turnê, você leva algo das cidades que visita?

BD: Sim, claro. Eu vivi na Alemanha por um tempo.

ZN: E onde?

BD: Em Bonn e em Munique, eu tinha namoradas lá. Infelizmente, falo pouco alemão, mas muitas pessoas neste país falam bem a língua inglesa. Então eu nunca fui forçado a falar alemão.

ZN: Sua música "Tattooed Millionaire" é uma alusão a seus ex-companheiros de banda do Iron Maiden?

BD: Não, não, esta é dedicado a Axl Rose. Ele é um...

ZN: Por que?

BD: Eu nunca conheci uma pessoa tão egoísta e implacável como ele.

Fonte: http:// http://mariseb0.tripod.com

[Curiosity] Bruce speaks about the person who inspired him to write Tattooed Millionaire (and it is not who you may be thinking)

In an interview by the time of the release of Chemical Wedding (1998), Bruce Dickinson talked about how he composes his songs, his anxiety to go on stage and the person who inspired the song Tattooed Millionaire (and that person is not who you think).

ZN 84 Bruce Dickinson Interview

ZN: Hello Bruce. You'll go on tour with your new album "Chemical Wedding" in November. Which countries are on the program?

BD: It's a worldwide tour. We start in Helsinki, then come to Central Europe and continue the tour after Christmas in Japan, South and North America.

ZN: Pink Cream 69 is on the road with you. Will they support you on the entire tour?

BD: No, they are only doing the European part, they are not going to be part of Scandinavia either.

ZN: Which of your albums has sold best so far?

BD: Oh, I should know that, but ... I think it was "Tattooed Millionaire".

ZN: You've been very long in this hard music business. How did you manage to survive this business without being damaged? Other musicians take drugs or drink to death, but you look dazzling.

BD: Thank you, this is an illusion! I live very well, never had any deaths or so and I have no appetite to destroy myself.

ZN: We learned from your agency that you came here by plane and that you flew it yourself. How long have you been flying?

BD: Six years. I am using a rented plane here. I use the airplane when I am on tour and have now 1200 hours of flight practice.

ZN: As far as I remember, you are very fond of it.

BD: Right, whenever I have the opportunity, but this is not so often since I am the father of three children, which means a lot to me. My leisure time is very limited. I was now three months away from home to make the new disc. Now I am on a promo tour, I am perhaps, if I care carefully, two days a week at home, which is very hard.

ZN: Where do you live?

BD: I've been living in London for 18 years.

ZN: Where were you born?

BD: Near Sheffield / England.

ZN: Have you ever taken singing lessons?

BD: No, but that does not mean I'm not dealing with it. Of course, I talked with people about it. I also read a lot about singing and I have analyzed the voices of my favorite singers.

ZN: And who are your favorite singers?

BD: Oh, there are a lot of singers who I like. Arthur Brown, Ian Gillan, Paul Rodgers, and Robert Plant. When I started to sing, I naturally tried to copy these singers and I think these singers still affect all rock singers in any way.

ZN: How is it for you today when you meet one of your earlier idols?

BD: Well, I'm not speechless or something like that when I meet Gillan or Plant. Over the years, I have developed my own style and found my own identity. I'm doing my thing.

ZN: Can you actually write notes or how do you compose?

BD: No, I cannot make any notes at all. I keep melodies in my head and as soon as I have a text, I do not forget them. Then I sing the idea to ​​the band so that they can get a picture, and then we go to the studio and take the whole thing.

ZN: What did you actually do before you were famous?

BD: I've studied History and finished this course.

ZN: In a press release I read that you have now founded your own record company.

BD: Right. Air Raid Records. All the companies I have been up to now were shit in any way. When my last record company suddenly had financial problems, I saw the time had come to take the thing itself into my hands.

ZN: Do other bands also have the chance to be contracted by you?

BD: Maybe.

ZN: What conditions do a band have to fulfill to get a deal with you?

BD: The music of the band has to put up my neck hair. The band must be so horny that I think, I must buy the record absolutely. Nevertheless, there are not many of them.

ZN: What records have you been listening to lately?

BD: The new Garbage, the new Monster Magnet as well as the acoustic Medieval Disc by Ritchie Blackmore.

ZN: As far as I know, Ritchie is on tour with this album.

BD: What, in Germany, in the vicinity? I have to go there! I even pay entrance! Does he play tonight?

ZN: We do not know the exact date.

BD: I have to see that! It is a wonderful album.

ZN: What has changed for you since your exit Iron Maiden?

BD: I'm trying to keep the gigs as small as possible, because I cannot afford to have millions of people around me who tell me how great I am and all this bullshit. I love to keep things small, compact and powerful, although this of course means less security. Maiden has a great piece of security. You can hide behind Iron Maiden. However, I can hide behind nobody and certainly not behind my own name. All that counts is to make a good record, otherwise I'm not doing well.

ZN: When you go on the stage, are you still nervous?

BD: Yes, from time to time. What I like is that feeling right before the performance. I sometimes cannot wait to enter the stage.

ZN: When you're on tour, do you get anything from the cities you're in?

BD: Yes, of course. I have lived in Germany for a while.

ZN: And where?

BD: In Bonn and in Munich, I had girlfriends there. Unfortunately, I speak little German, but many people in this country speak the English language well. So I was never forced to speak German.

ZN: Is your song "Tattooed Millionaire" an allusion to your former band mates of Iron Maiden?

BD: No, not at all, this one is dedicated to Axl Rose. He is a...

ZN: Why?

BD: I have never met such a selfish and ruthless person as he is.

Credits: http:// http://mariseb0.tripod.com