Backstage Pass - Iron Kingdom - Interview

ATP

For the record, who's answering the interview?

IRON KINGDOM

Leighton Holmes bass player for Iron Kingdom

ATP

What is your band's name? How did you come up with that name?

IRON KINGDOM

I play in the Traditional Metal band Iron Kingdom from Vancouver, Canada. Our lead singer Chris came up with the name but I’ve personally come to think of it as the iron meaning the raw original metal sound of the 70s and 80s that influences us and kingdom meaning the brotherhood between metal heads. To me that sums up meaning and message behind our music perfectly.

ATP

So who's in the band and what instruments do you each play?

IRON KINGDOM

We have Chris Osterman on Lead Guitar and Lead Vocals; Amanda Osterman on Drums and Kenny Kroecher on Rhythm/Lead Guitar. Both Kenny and Amanda are classically trained pianists as well.

ATP

How would you describe your sound. What makes you unique?

IRON KINGDOM

We have a very old school tone to our music and a very melodic approach to writing. We always view our songs as stories and so look to write music and lyrics that compliment each other in that regard. I write most of the lyrics and Chris handles most of the riff making so we work together pretty closely for at least the beginning phase of song writing and both of us work to emphasize the emotion in the songs and try to make people feel something when listening.

ATP

What bands have influenced each of you?

IRON KINGDOM

Bands that have influenced all of us are: Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Blind Guardian, Hammerfall, Iced Earth, Black Sabbath, Rush, Helloween, the list goes on and on really just a blend of Traditional and Power Metal.

ATP

How experienced are you on the stage, a virgin or whore?

IRON KINGDOM

I definitely wouldn’t say I’m a virgin but I’m not as experienced as a lot of musicians. So somewhere in between I guess hah

ATP

How would you describe your shows?

IRON KINGDOM

Our shows are very energetic and engaging with a lot of movement. We all wear leather and studs and Chris wears spandex. We make use of a lot of the stage moves we learned from watching our influences and try to make the show as interesting as possible for both us and the audience.

ATP

Tell us about your favorite show and why?

IRON KINGDOM

Recently we opened up for Holy Grail in Calgary Alberta and that was one of my favourite shows on this tour. The crowd was wicked and we were supporting an awesome band. Calgary has also been a city that shows us much love when we play so pretty much every show we have played there ranks highly.

ATP

Tell us about your worst show and why?

IRON KINGDOM

Recently we opened up for Holy Grail in Calgary Alberta and that was one of my favourite shows on this tour. The crowd was wicked and we were supporting an awesome band. Calgary has also been a city that shows us much love when we play so pretty much every show we have played there ranks highly.

ATP

Tell Us About Your Dream Show, who you'd like to play with and where?

IRON KINGDOM

Since I was about 12 it’s been a dream to open for Iron Maiden at the Hammersmith Odeon in London England. Recently the band has been talking about how cool it would be to open for Annihilator in Vancouver as they are one of our favourite Canadian bands and they haven’t played Vancouver in years. Actually the list of bands we would love to play with is huge haha

ATP

Do you have a street team and how can you join?

IRON KINGDOM

We don’t currently have a street team but if you are interested in joining up you could contact us either through facebook at facebook/ironkingdom or email us at iron-kingdom@hotmail.com and we will work something out.