Talk:Nicko McBrain

Pilot?

Isn't Nicko also a private pilot? Seems like I remember reading that Bruce picked up the hobby from him? --Jkonrath 21:09, 31 August 2005 (UTC)

Nicko can fly planes, yep.... he doesn't charter jets like bruce tho --PopUpPirate 22:45, August 31, 2005 (UTC)

1952 or 1954?

Which is the correct year of birth? 1952 or 1954? Google doesn't aids in this (Sorry for my english...) --Sbisolo 09:15, 6 November 2005 (UTC)

IMDb ([1]) reckons, as I do, that it is 1952 - not 1954, as is currently stated in the article. Any takers ?!

Derek R Bullamore 00:04, 9 April 2007 (UTC)

i too am confused. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.225.25.37 (talk) 22:06, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Religion?

It says that he converted to Christianity - so what was he before? Buddhist, Jewish, Pastafarian, Shiite or Siitake?

Very good question. Considering the fact that he is British (protestant or catholic, it doesn't matter), how can he convert to something he already is? I mean, one may not believe, but still have a certain background. Oh, I forgot, after "Number..." it was clear that all members of Maiden were Satanists...;-)--80.133.202.208 15:30, 5 October 2006 (UTC)

Non religious/agnostic/atheist? --Mark ^{(Talk | Contribs | Email)} 13:51, 17 November 2006 (UTC)

There is an article about Nicko and Christianity here and you can look at his church website here. --E tac 07:38, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

I'd say he was probably an agnostic or at least non-religious. IronCrow 19:35, 6 April 2007 (UTC)

In common language (at least here in the US), any person who becomes a Christian is generally described as having "converted to Christianity", regardless of their previous religious background (or lack thereof). He therefore did not necessarily have to have held any particular "philosophy", religous or otherwise, in order for it to accurately be said that he converted. -Grammaticus Repairo 02:48, 3 May 2007 (UTC)

Cleanup

Also this article looks like it could use some work. --E tac 07:39, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

Drumming on The X Factor and Virtual XI

There have been controversial claims made in recent years that Nicko was absent during the recording of the two Blaze Bayley era albums, X Factor and Virtual XI. Some say this is proved by the complete lack of drum fills on these albums, and the general drum grooves, which lack any recognisable Nicko characteristics. However these claims have generally been dismissed by the band, and Nicko himself - Blaze Bayley in particular has labelled the claims as "bollocks".

I knew this would come up sooner or later, and here it is. It's safe to say all these claims are ungrounded...in numerous interviews he has stated he relaxed the drumming to allow more room for the guitars and bass. Just taking a different approach to his playing. Some people can't understand that musicians deviate and develop and experiment with new things. Anyway, I digress. It would be nice if someone could come with a proper citation for Nicko denying this...the best I could find was a forum post written by someone who met with Blaze Bayley, who denied it totally. ([2]) --Mark ^{(Talk | Contribs | Email)} 21:03, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

I would like to add that we are perhaps not looking at these claims in the correct manner. I would not agree that Nicko's playing is 'relaxed', but I would agree with claims that the drumming on these recordings is unrecognisable. If there were a few less drum-fills etc, then the 'relaxed' claim would hold water. However, there are absolutely NO drum-fills on Virtual XI of any kind! I think it is absolutely incredible that this has not been addressed properly. The drums sound like chopped up loops of a very average drummer. Nicko has finesse and style and is instantly recognisable. These recognisable attributes are completely absent on Virtual XI. It would be very interesting to know the truth. Sincerely, Simon Harrison. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 81.159.232.15 (talk • contribs) 06:28, 8 January 2007 (UTC).

But what about McBrain's claims that the drumming on Sign of the Cross is the most difficult song to perform live? You'd think if a lesser drummer played it on the album, it would not be something Nicko woukd consider difficult. --E tac 12:15, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Both valid points. I do, however, know for a fact that Nicko has denied this in one or more interviews. He said it was because he wanted to take a new angle on the music and keep it spartan to leave plenty of room for the other instruments. It would be really nice if we could get a link to such an interview, or even a citation from a book. In the meantime, I'm going to get hunting... (some wikibreak this is turning out to be!) --Mark ^{(Talk | Contribs | Email)} 19:42, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

I removed the paragraph, as there is no source information for it.--E tac 23:41, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

Thanks, probably the best action to take. --Mark ^(Talk) 12:50, 10 February 2007 (UTC)

Name!

Nicko's name is actually Michael McBain. Because he was joining Iron Maiden at the recording of "Piece of Mind" they thought it would be fun to change his last name to McBrain. It has since stuck. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Pendragyn (talk • contribs) 16:13, 4 May 2007.

I was wondering if someone would bring that up. That was in just about every interview he did back around the Piece of Mind era. I tried to find a reference for it in an "archived interview" web source but haven't dug one up yet. 156.34.142.110 16:32, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

Incorrect, check out : http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1066003/bio — Prodigenous Zee - 04:20, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Sorry, IMDB is incorrect here. Nicko was born Michael McBain and changed his name when he joined Iron Maiden. http://born-on-this-day.com/cgi-bin/sql_search3botd.cgi?boolean=phrase&database=all&field=all&frank=all&keyword=-Jun+5- (Line 124) —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Pendragyn (talk • contribs) 17:18, 7 May 2007 (UTC).

IMDB is not a verifiable source since... essentially... it's just a variation of a 'wiki'. Anyone who signs up as a member can edit/alter it's trivia/personal data... etc. 156.34.142.110 17:36, 7 May 2007 (UTC)

I see. fix it then! — Prodigenous Zee - 08:46, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

Isn't he credited as "McBain" on "Piece of Mind"? At least on the original editions from the early eighties? I seem to recall that that was the case, and that would be a verifiable source. -Duribald (talk) 18:47, 18 December 2007 (UTC)

Apparently I was wrong... -Duribald (talk) 19:39, 18 December 2007 (UTC)

Where Eagles Dare

Didn't he use a double bass for "Where Eagles Dare"?