Though the metal movement has died down in America, Iron Maiden still packs the arenas across Europe and Asia. Guitarist Janick (pronounced YAH-nik) Gers has his own theory why.
"America gets overblown by trends," he said during a phone call from Orlando, Fla. "It's just part of the American culture to always look for something different."Iron Maiden - consisting of vocalist Blaze Bayley (who replaced Bruce Dickinson in 1993), bass-ist/founder Steve Harris, drummer Nicko McBrain and guitarists Gers and Dave Murray - will stay close to its roots in European heavy metal when it plays Saltair Thursday, March 21. The music (and madness) begins at 7:30 p.m. with the modern metal grind of Fear Factory.
"We've always been honest and comprehensive of who we are and who our fans are," said Gers. "The new album (`The X Factor') is Iron Maiden '96."
Gers, who replaced original guitarist Adrian Smith in 1990, said the live concert, however, will focus on the band in different angles.
"The fans will get a taste of the old and new in a show that runs more than two hours," Gers explained. "There will definitely be something for everyone."
That' a good thing since the band's epic arrangements have been known to run more than 10-minutes at a time.
"We try to paint musical scenes during the concert," Gers said. "It's going to be an exciting gig."
Gers began his guitar training at an early age.
"I just wanted to play guitar," he remembered. "I didn't really think of becoming a `professional' musician. I just wanted to play. I heard a lot of Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin - you know, the blues-based metal of the time."
Although those bands led Gers on the "Highway to Hell," he does keep an open mind when approaching his own playing.
"Anybody can influence me," he said. "I mean listen to Jeff Beck. He's one of the best guitarists in the business, and he's not metal. I look at things like this. If I'm on the road and happen to walk into a club and hear a country-western band, I still can learn something from that guy even though I'm not a country listener."
Gers joined Iron Maiden six years ago. Before that he was a member of Gillan, the band formed by sometime Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan. That gig made it easy for him to join a band that has five platinum albums and three gold albums among its 13 album career.
"It wasn't really hard making the transition," he said. "I was ready."
Iron Maiden has always been in the forefront of the British heavy metal scene. In the early 1980s it was among the bands that ushered in the New Wave of British heavy metal movement along with such bands as Def Leppard, Saxon, Rainbow and Judas Priest.
In 1984, it became one of the first to venture past the Iron Curtain of communism. Today, the band is making more fans in other diverse places such as Russia.
"We stood in the Kremlin," said Gers of the Russian gig a few years ago. "And since the fall of the (Berlin) wall, we've been able to hit every major city in Eastern Europe."
Add South Africa and Asia to that list as well.
"We stuck to our guns and did what we believed was right," said Gers. "And with a new lead singer who has a powerful voice, we are still doing what we want."