THE IRON MAIDENS // Prodigal Daughters

Run to the hills, count the number of the beast, the best Iron Maiden tribute band to have walked the earth are coming to Australia!

Iron Maidens have kicked up some dust with the announcement of their first ever Australian tour. Endorsed by the idols of whom they worship, though Iron Maidens have made a name for themselves as an electrifying all-female embodiment of one of classic rock’s greatest acts, they are so much more than a cover band. “There’s a comradery between us and Iron Maiden fans,” says the band’s bassist Wanda “Steph Harris” Ortiz. “It’s a lot of fun and we’re an extension of that fun.”

MORE: Ministry – Welcome To The End Of The Damn World Kids

With only video footage of live shows and interviews to rely on, fans of this powerful outfit will know from only that that Iron Maidens, though they play famous songs, have a personality of their own, giving the music a renewed energy. “We try and play it note for note the way the guys do it but it’ll still sound different because it’s female vocalist and so on, and so forth,” says Ortiz.

Though there’s a lot of noise these days about the need for more female-fronted bands in the industry, indeed, more female-driven everything everywhere getting a lot of attention, Ortiz says that’s an area she doesn’t actively think about, Iron Maidens aren’t out to make a statement of any kind. “As long as we prepare well and play the music competently then we don’t have anything to worry about,” she says.

“We’ll try and do a little bit of everything so people feel they got the full experience. We’re looking forward to going.”
[STEPH HARRIS]

“I try not to get too caught up in the politics of that – I think it’s a great advantage being an all-female band, I think it helps us draw people who are curious and I think there is a novelty factor about us. As long as we play well, I think we’re gonna be okay.”

Where Iron Maidens fans in North America, Europe and Asia are of course more accustomed to the opportunity of seeing the girls perform live, Ortiz says they’ll be pulling out a few special stops for fans Down Under. “We’re gonna have a special shirt. We didn’t wanna come with the usual designs, and we’ll probably do a special set list. We don’t know what we’re gonna do but we’re gonna do something special.”

It doesn’t matter where Iron Maidens perform, there’s a commonality between themselves and all the Iron Maiden fans the world over – the music. “There’s about three or four songs we play in our set, the fan favourites,” says Ortiz. “Everybody likes The Trooper, everybody likes The Number Of The Beast. ‘Let’s put those in there, the oldies but goodies.’ We’ll try and do a little bit of everything so people feel they got the full experience. We’re looking forward to going.”

The Iron Maidens Australian Tour Dates

Wednesday 30th May BRISBANE – The Zoo
Thursday 31st May SYDNEY – Manning Bar
Friday 1st June MELBOURNE – Corner Hotel
Saturday 2nd June ADELAIDE – Fowlers Live
Sunday 3rd June PERTH – Badlands

Tickets are available now.