So, Bruce Dickinson, AKA the air raid siren from IRON MAIDEN (the band your dad probably listens to), decided to grace the Musicians Institute with his presence. Apparently, he’s still doing solo stuff. Who knew? 🤔 He sat down with some dude named Ryan J. Downey to talk about his latest “masterpiece,” “The Mandrake Project.” I bet Ryan was thrilled. 🙄
Brucey boy claims the fan reception was “great.” Yeah, sure, Bruce. Maybe if “great” means “mildly tolerated by a handful of die-hards who still think the ’80s never ended.” He even had the audacity to say people “got it.” Get what, Bruce? The pretentious concept album about… something? I dunno, probably involves wizards and dragons, because, you know, *metal*. 🧙♂️🐉
He also mentioned touring Europe last year. Apparently, they warmed things up in Southern California with a couple of shows as “THE HOUSE BAND OF HELL.” Oh, how original! 🔥🎸 I bet the waitresses at the Whisky A Go Go were *so* impressed. He’s even debating whether to put “Bruce Dickinson” in brackets, followed by “featuring THE HOUSE BAND OF HELL.” Groundbreaking stuff, really. 🤯
And hold on to your hats, folks, because there’s a *possible* follow-up to “The Mandrake Project” in the works! He’s been “in the demo studio with everybody for the last three weeks” and somehow managed to churn out 18 tracks in 15 days. Quality over quantity, Bruce, ever heard of it? 🙄 He promises it’s “gonna be a really cool album.” Translation: it’s going to be another self-indulgent project that only Bruce and his mom will truly appreciate. 🤦♂️
He’s even keeping the same producer, Brendan Duffey, because, you know, why mess with a winning formula? (Spoiler alert: it’s not a winning formula). Apparently, Brendan started by doing the Atmos mixes, whatever those are. Probably something that only audiophiles with too much money care about. 💰🎧 Bruce has some “free time” next year (January, February, March, April – mark your calendars!) to record this sonic masterpiece. I’m sure the world is holding its breath. 😮💨
The “The Mandrake Project Live 2025” North American tour is coming, featuring the same band from last year. Dave Moreno on drums, Mistheria on keyboards (yes, that’s actually his name), Tanya O’Callaghan on bass, and some new guys, Philip Näslund and Chris Declercq, on guitars. Poor Roy “Z” Ramirez got the boot. Probably couldn’t handle Bruce’s genius anymore. 🤷♂️
They’re kicking things off in Anaheim, California, and hitting all the usual spots: New York, Los Angeles, Texas, Florida, and even Canada! They’re also playing some festivals, like Rocklahoma and Louder Than Life. Because nothing says “sophisticated solo artist” like playing in Oklahoma. 🤠🎸 And of course, they’re heading back to Brazil for The Town festival. Because Bruce Dickinson loves Brazil more than he loves making sense. 🇧🇷❤️
Apparently, before that Whisky A Go Go show, Bruce hadn’t performed with his solo band since 2002 at Wacken Open Air. That’s a lot of rust to shake off, Bruce. I hope he remembered the lyrics. 🎤👴
Let’s not forget about Roy “Z” Ramirez, who played guitar on “Balls To Picasso” (a title that still makes me giggle) and produced those other solo albums nobody remembers. Tanya O’Callaghan, the bassist, was in WHITESNAKE for a hot minute. Good for her. 🐍🤘 Dave Moreno, the drummer, played on “Tyranny Of Souls” and worked with BODY COUNT. Now that’s a resume! 🧊🥁 And Mistheria, the keyboard wizard with the awesome name, has collaborated with everyone and their grandma. 🧙♂️🎹
“The Mandrake Project” came out on March 1, 2024. Did you buy it? No? Me neither. 🤷♀️
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
