The Iron Maidens

The Iron Maidens
The Iron Maidens 2007-2008 lineup
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	Heavy metal
Years active	2001–present
Labels	DRZ, Powerslave
Associated acts	Iron Maiden, Phantom Blue, Femme Fatale, Before the Mourning
Website	www.theironmaidens.com
Members	Linda McDonald Wanda Ortiz Courtney Cox Kirsten Rosenberg Nita Strauss Nikki Stringfield
Past members	Melanie Sisneros Jenny Warren Jojo Draven Aja Kim Elizabeth Schall Sara Marsh Heather Baker

The Iron Maidens is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 2001 as an all-female tribute act to English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Considered the "World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden," the band currently consists of vocalist Kirsten Rosenberg, bassist Wanda Ortiz, drummer Linda McDonald, guitarist Courtney Cox and, since 2010, a rotating cast of guitarists sitting in on the second guitar part including Nita Strauss, Nikki Stringfield, Nili Brosh and others, all of whom have adopted separate aliases to mirror their Iron Maiden counterparts.

History

The Iron Maidens were originally formed in June 2001 by vocalist Jenny Warren and bassist Melanie Sisneros, formerly of the Iron Maiden tribute band Wrathchild. Linda McDonald (drums) and Josephine Draven (guitar), both formerly of Phantom Blue, and Sara Marsh (guitar), joined Warren and Sisneros shortly afterward to form the band's first lineup. Sisneros left the band in 2002 to pursue other interests and was replaced by Wanda Ortiz.

In 2003, the band started work on their debut album. The project was delayed when Warren gave notice of her departure from the band to focus more on her personal and child's needs. After Warren's departure, new vocalist Aja Kim made her debut in the band and helped complete the album (World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden), which was released in June 2005.

After the album's release, Draven left the band. In February 2007, Heather Baker joined to replace Draven. In May, the band released its second album Route 666, which features a guest appearance by Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell.

In summer 2008, Heather Baker and Aja Kim left the band to pursue solo careers. The two were replaced by guitarist Courtney Cox and vocalist Kirsten Rosenberg (formerly of the Maryland-based cover band HighWire). In January 2010, Marsh, who was ill, was taken off some of the Japanese tour shows and did not rejoin the band. Baker rejoined the band to temporarily fill in Marsh's spot for a handful of shows.

In August 2010, The Iron Maidens released a DVD of their Japan tour titled Metal Gathering Tour Live in Japan 2010.

On September 8, 2015 the group announced that long-time guest guitarist Nikki Stringfield had been officially added as a permanent member of the band.

Discography

Albums

• World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden (2005)
• Route 666 (2007)
• The Root of All Evil (2008)

Videos

• Metal Gathering Tour Live in Japan 2010 (2010)

Members

File:Nikki Stringfield and the Iron Maidens.jpg

Nikki Stringfield (left), Wanda Ortiz (middle), and guest guitarist Nili Brosh (right)

Current members

• Kirsten Rosenberg ("Bruce Chickinson") – vocals
• Nita Strauss ("Mega Murray") – guitar
• Nikki Stringfield ("Mega Murray") – guitar [ Before the Mourning ]
• Courtney Cox ("Adriana Smith") – guitar
• Wanda Ortiz ("Steph Harris") – bass & vocals
• Linda McDonald ("Nikki McBurrain") – drums & vocals

Strauss and Stringfield play Dave Murray's parts alternately between tours.

Former members

• Melanie Sisneros ("Steve Heiress") – bass
• Jenny Warren ("Bruce Chickinson") – vocals
• Jojo Draven ("Adrienne Smith") – guitar
• Aja Kim ("Bruce Lee Chickinson") – vocals
• Elizabeth Schall ("Adrianne Smith" and "Deena Murray") – guitar
• Sara Marsh ("Mini Murray") – guitar
• Heather Baker ("Dee Murray" and "Adrienne Smith") – guitar

External links

• Official website
• The Iron Maidens on Facebook