Nicko bounded onto the Brangwyn Hall stage with a huge amount of energy and really LOUD trousers – I want a pair – and opened with a ear bashing rendition of “2 Minutes to Midnight” accompanied by his Iron Maiden band mates on the big screen that towered behind him.

The audience were also treated to “The Trooper”.

Nicko came out from behind his kit and told us stories and jokes from the road. The jokes came so thick and fast I really can’t remember them.

He then spoke about his drum kit. It was a replica kit from the Spirit of Maiden tour and contained:
• 6″ x 6″ Maple Tom
• 8″ x 8″ Maple Tom
• 10″ x 10″ Maple Tom
• 12″ x 12″ Maple Tom
• 13″ x 13″ Maple Tom
• 14″ x 14″ Maple Tom
• 15″ x 15″ Maple Tom
• 16″ x 16″ Maple Tom
• 18′ x 16″ Maple Floor Tom
• 24″ x 18″ Gen-X Bass Drum
• 14″ x 5.5″ Maple Snare Drum.

To quote Nicko “…This snare drum is the most expensive snare drum in world at £10,000. Though Premier have said that they will throw in the rest of the drums for free if you wish to purchase it!….”. Because the kit was from the “B” rig, it was mounted with Sweep on the bass drum as Sooty looks after the “A” rig.

On the subject of snare drums, Nicko also had a prototype wood snare (sorry I forget the wood type). It was British made, looked fantastic and sounded incredible. The lugs were designed to look like the end of the propeller of the infamous Spitfire. It was mentioned during that evening that Premier hope to produce it for general sale and if so it will be called the “Nicko McBrain AH” model – AH being after the ‘Maiden track “Aces High”.

Nicko took the audience through his Paiste cymbal set-up comprising:
• 15″ Signature Reflector Heavy Full Crash custom
• 19″ Signature Reflector Heavy Full Crash
• 16″ Signature Reflector Heavy Full Crash
• 20″ Signature Reflector Heavy Full Crash
• 18″ Signature Reflector Heavy Full Crash
• 14″ Signature Heavy Hi-Hat (Reflector Finish) custom
• 13″ Formula 602 Heavy Bell discontinued
• 22″ Signature Reflector Bell Ride
• 17″ RUDE Crash/Ride
• 20″ Signature Crash prototype
• 22″ Signature Reflector Heavy Full Crash
• 20″ Signature Reflector Heavy China custom
• 40″ Symphonic Gong

The gong was painted to match the rest of the kit and the Paiste logo on the underside of the Ride cymbal was finish in the Iron Maiden font face.

Premier have recently released a new “Spirit of Maiden” drum kit in conjunction with Nicko and Iron Maiden. With birch shells, the drums are finished in metallic grey with a silver artwork featuring Iron Maidens mascot, Eddie. The Premier logo on the front bass drum head was finished in the Iron Maiden font face. The drums, in sizes 10″ x 8″ Tom,12″ x 10″ Tom, 16″ x 16″ Floor Tom, 22″ x 18″ Bass Drum and 14″ x 5.5″ Snare drum, sounded incredible. The tone was full and round and with no damping in the bass drum there was a wonderful sonic boom. Premier have done a great job with this drum kit. They are currently deciding whether or not to fit it with the same head configuration that Nicko uses on his own drum kit.

Nicko used the new “Spirit of Maiden” drum kit to play a rendition of “Wicker Man”, following which he launched into a thunderous solo. The bass drum continuously rumbled and I watched on thinking that he was playing a double pedal. And then I saw his hi-hat being played with his left foot while still maintain this thunderous bass drum sound – amazing!!

Once he had finished his solo, Nicko explained his bass drum technique. He uses a single DW 5000 Accelerator pedal and to help achieve his blistering speed, he fits the pedal with a heavy/stiff spring and tightens it right up. Once his desired beater angle is set, the result is an almost continuous pendulum-like motion when the beater is pulled back and let go. He also plays bare-foot.

The evening was finished off with a Question and Answer session and a final Iron Maiden track “Moonchild”. All the tracks where Nicko was accompanied by his band mates were from the “Flight 666″ DVD.

During the Q&A, Nicko was asked if he would ever consider using a (or the) smaller drum kit live. His response was “…..I would but I was told by the rest of the guys in the band that I couldn’t because people would be able to see me!!!….”. I’m sure that Sooty and Sweep would definitely approve though.

A huge thank you to Nicko McBrain, Premier Percussion and Drumnutt for a thoroughly entertaining evening.

Is that a Panda playing the bass I hear you shout!!! Yes it is….Enjoy!!!

With performances from top drummers including Kenny Aronoff, Thomas Lang, Craig Blundell, Steve White and more its going to be a show not to be missed.

For details check http://www.londondrumshow.com

Crotchets (count) 1    2          3          4
Triplets (count) 1-trip-let 2-trip-let 3-trip-let 4 triplet

In the same way that a triplet is a group of 3, a quintuplet is a group of 5. These are trickier to count and will take some repetition to get the “feel”. You can try saying “Lola Bridgada” (after the actress Gina Lola Bridgada) as this phrase fits nicely with the grouping of the 5s. So we would have:

Crotchets   (count):   1                2                3                4
Quintuplets (count): Lol-a-bridg-a-da   Lol-a-bridg-a-da   Lol-a-bridg-a-da   Lol-a-bridg-a-da

For these exercises, set the click (60bpm is a good start) and then use this counting method to help you with the groupings.

My website profiles my drumming experience and services that I can offer in Session drumming and Tuition, as well as what I’m up to right now.

Spend some time listening to some audio samples and also check out the Video clips.

The services that I offer include:

• Stand-in/Depping drumming service at short notice
• Online Drum Tracks – click here for more details
• Tuition

 I can read and write music. I am a fluent click player and can adapt to many different playing styles.

Currently I am playing with 3-piece rock band THEY WALK AMONG US. Click here to listen to and purchase tracks/albums via iTunes. I’m also working with the Award Winning Elvis Tribute Band “In Memory Of The King”.