I don’t play the Trooper fill anymore reveals Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain discussing the impact of his 2023 mini-stroke.
The Iron Maiden drummer experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA) in January 2023 but was back on the road by June.
Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain has opened up about the lasting effects of his mini-stroke from last year. The 72-year-old, who has been with the band since 1982, experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA) in January 2023. Despite this, he was back performing with the band on their Future Past tour by June.
In an interview on the podcast The Washington Tattoo, McBrain discussed how the TIA continues to impact his drumming, notably affecting his performance of one of Iron Maiden’s iconic tracks, “The Trooper” from 1983.
McBrain describes his current drumming challenges: “I can play eighth notes and doubles fine, but when I try to play 16th notes at high speed, my technique wobbles from side to side. I’ve had to adjust my fills accordingly.”
He adds, “I don’t play the ‘Trooper’ fill anymore because I can’t achieve the speed required. I can handle slower tempos, but I’ve had to ensure that I maintain the groove of the song.”
Last month, McBrain also mentioned that his TIA affects his ability to fully perform “Caught Somewhere in Time,” the opening track from Iron Maiden’s 1986 album Somewhere in Time.
“When we were rehearsing last year for the Future Past tour, we were doing Caught Somewhere In Time to open,” the drummer said during a concert by his side-project Titanium Tart.
“Now there’s a middle section, it’s all snare drum on the record. I can’t play it. As you probably noticed, those of you nerds that are in the audience that go, ‘He didn’t do the drum fill.’ Well, that’s why, ’cause I fucking can’t do it.”
Iron Maiden are currently taking a short break from live shows, but will return to the Future Past tour with a run of Oceania, Asia and North/Central/South American dates from September. See the full list of concerts below.
