Bruce Dickinson, the iconic frontman of IRON MAIDEN, graced the historic stage of Los Angeles’ renowned Whisky A Go Go Friday and Saturday night, setting the mood for his forthcoming solo tour
Leading the charge under the moniker of THE HOUSE BAND FROM HELL, Bruce Dickinson, accompanied by his stellar backing ensemble comprising Dave Moreno on drums, Mistheria on keyboards, and Tanya O’Callaghan on bass, showcased a riveting 15-song repertoire. Joining the ranks were the latest additions, the accomplished Swedish-born guitarist Philip Näslund, renowned for his multi-platinum production credits, and the versatile Swiss session and touring guitarist Chris Declercq, notable for his contributions to Bruce Dickinson‘s “Rain On The Graves” single. Notably absent from the touring lineup was Bruce Dickinson‘s longtime collaborator, guitarist Roy “Z” Ramirez.
Both evening’s setlists featured the premiere of some notable tracks, including “Abduction” from Bruce Dickinson‘s 2005 solo venture “Tyranny Of Souls” and “The Alchemist” from his 1998 masterpiece “The Chemical Wedding.” Additionally, the audience was treated to a selection of tracks from Bruce‘s latest solo endeavor, “The Mandrake Project,” released earlier this year, including “Afterglow Of Ragnarok,” “Many Doors To Hell,” “Resurrection Men,” and “Rain On The Graves.” Classics like “Tears Of The Dragon” and “Accident Of Birth” resonated through the venue, while a captivating rendition of THE EDGAR ALLEN WINTER GROUP‘s “Frankenstein” added a unique twist to the night’s performance.
Before the electrifying showcases at Whisky A Go Go, Bruce Dickinson‘s last solo outing dates back to August 2002, where he mesmerized audiences at the legendary Wacken Open Air festival in Germany.
Tickets for both shows were exclusively available for purchase at the Whisky box office, where dedicated fans who arrived early were greeted by Bruce Dickinson himself, adding a personal touch to the experience.
Bruce Dickinson Whisky a Go Go setlist for Friday, April12, 2024:
01. Accident Of Birth
02. Abduction (live debut)
03. Laughing In The Hiding Bush
04. Afterglow Of Ragnarok (live debut)
05. Chemical Wedding
06. Many Doors To Hell (live debut)
07. Tears Of The Dragon
08. Resurrection Men (live debut)
09. Rain On The Graves (live debut)
10. Frankenstein (THE EDGAR WINTER GROUP cover)
11. Gods Of War
12. The Alchemist (live debut)
13. Darkside Of Aquarius
Encore:
14. Jerusalem
15. Road To Hell
Commented Dickinson: “As we were holed up in our North Hollywood rehearsal studio preparing for the tour, we thought that since rehearsals were going so well maybe we should have a little fun and do something last-minute here in L.A. Putting tickets for sale at an actual box office should remind people what it used to be like back when I started gigging!”
He added: “We’re raring to go and I’m just so excited to unleash this band on the world at the iconic Whisky A Go Go.”
In a video message announcing the first Whisky show, Bruce said: “Hello, a quick update. Oh my God, here we are in rehearsals with the House Band Of Hell, which is actually what is gonna be at the Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles on Friday. Secret show, not secret anymore. 10 o’clock Friday morning, tickets go on sale. And when you turn up at the box office, you never know who you might meet. But anyway, never mind. So we’re gonna be there.
“We are just absolutely stoked for this show,” he continued. “I mean, we were ready a week ago. I’ve been trying to calm them down. Honestly, it’s like having a lot of strange horny animals. [I have to] throw buckets of cold water over them. ‘Boys, stop’ — and girls. All equally. We are just ready to get it on. So ready for this tour.”
Roy “Z” Ramirez contributed his guitar skills to Dickinson‘s 1994 album “Balls To Picasso” before transitioning into a multifaceted role, producing, co-writing, and showcasing his musical prowess across multiple instruments on Bruce‘s subsequent three solo endeavors: “Accident At Birth” (1997), “The Chemical Wedding” (1998), and “Tyranny Of Souls” (2005).
Hailing from Ireland, Tanya O’Callaghan made her mark as a musician by joining WHITESNAKE in 2021, embarking on a tour with the David Coverdale-led ensemble the following year. She also joined Dickinson on the road in the previous year, participating in a series of performances of Jon Lord‘s “Concerto For Group And Orchestra” across Europe and South America.
Drummer Dave Moreno, a native of California, previously lent his rhythmic expertise to “Tyranny Of Souls” and boasts an impressive resume, having collaborated with notable acts such as BODY COUNT, Jizzy Pearl, Dizzy Reed, and Steve Stevens, among others.
Renowned Italian keyboard maestro Mistheria boasts an impressive roster of collaborations, having lent his talents to numerous artists both on stage and in the studio, including the likes of Rob Rock, Mike Portnoy, Jeff Scott Soto, and Joel Hoekstra.
“The Mandrake Project,” released via BMG on March 1, captivated audiences with its dynamic compositions and unparalleled artistry.
During the creation of “The Mandrake Project,” Bruce and Roy converged at Los Angeles’s Doom Room, where Roy seamlessly transitioned between guitar and bass duties. Joining forces with them were Mistheria and Moreno, both of whom had previously contributed to Bruce’s 2005 solo album, “Tyranny Of Souls,” ensuring a cohesive and compelling recording lineup.
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