In a recent interview with the French digital-media company Brut., Bruce Dickinson expressed his indifference towards the ‘rock star’ label, emphasizing the importance of being a storyteller over sticking to the traditional trappings of fame.
The singer admitted feeling uncomfortable with the ‘rock star’ label he has been associated with for over four decades. Questioning the very concept, he stated:
“Actually, it’s nothing. It’s just an invention of the media and the socials and whatever picture you took and if you’re popular. It’s actually nothing. If you said, ‘I’m a storyteller,’ that’s something.”
Living A Normal Life
Despite his global fame, Dickinson shared that he leads a surprisingly ordinary life, far removed from the clichéd rock star lifestyle. He shared:
“I don’t go around with bodyguards. I don’t drive around in limousines. I take the metro, or I walk. I don’t own a car. I have a bicycle, and I take the metro—in London and here [in Paris] all the time.”
The musician’s latest solo project, ‘The Mandrake Project,’ is anticipated to be his highest-charting solo album in the U.K. Released on March 1, the album was recorded largely at Los Angeles’s Doom Room with Roy ‘Z’ Ramirez, who also acted as guitarist and bassist. The recording lineup was completed by keyboardist Mistheria and drummer Dave Moreno, both of whom featured on Dickinson’s previous solo studio album, ‘Tyranny Of Souls.’
A Story Beyond Music
During a conversation with Brazil’s Omelete, Dickinson delved into the narrative of ‘The Mandrake Project,’ describing it as a graphic novel that explores themes of identity, life, and the human soul through the journey of Dr. Necropolis and the eponymous project. He stated:
“So ‘The Mandrake Project’ is, one, is an album. It’s the name of the album. The comic is a 12-episode graphic novel, kind of adult. There’s lots of stuff in it — there’s lots of sex and drugs and violence and all kinds of stuff. But it’s basically a story about a guy who is looking for his identity, Dr. Necropolis.”
Dickinson recently announced the addition of two new guitarists, Philip Näslund and Chris Declercq, to his solo touring band. These new members will join the previously announced lineup for live performances, starting with a show at The Observatory in Orange County, California, on April 15. Notably, Roy Z will not be part of the touring lineup.
You can watch his full interview here.
