by photojournalist Chaz Dykes
Nicko McBrain on his new band, obscure setlists, and keeping the flame alive It’s not every day you get to chat with a true heavy metal legend, but Nicko McBrain was everything I hoped for and more—warm, funny, and brutally honest.
As a lifelong fan and a journalist, sitting down with the iconic Iron Maiden drummer to talk about his new band, Titanium Tart, felt like catching up with an old mate over a pint (albeit a non-alcoholic one, as Nicko proudly celebrates over a decade sober). With Titanium Tart set to storm the stage at the OCC Roadhouse in Clearwater, Florida on July 26th 2025, McBrain gave Tampa Bay Music News the lowdown on the band’s origins, their blistering setlist, and why this project feels so special.
THE NAME: “TITANIUM TART?”
“So, who came up with the name Titanium Tart? Was it over a pasty or something?” I ask, half-joking. McBrain laughs.
“That was our manageress,” he explains. “She came up with the name and we just loved it. She designed Tatiana, our mascot, you know the female version of Eddie. I have to be honest with you Chaz, I think she modeled Tatiana on herself quite a bit, which is great for me. I think it looks fantastic.”
So, is she the Titanium Tart?
“Absolutely, yes,” Nicko fires back without missing a beat.
THE SETLIST: DEEP CUTS AND PURE ENERGY
With Titanium Tart’s Clearwater date fast approaching, I wanted to know what fans should expect from the show.
“We’re doing a bit of an obscure setlist,” Nicko says. “Apart from opening with Number of the Beast, it’s pretty much me tipping my hat to my favorite Maiden songs. We’re doing The Parchment and Darkest Hour from Senjutsu—two songs Maiden haven’t even played live yet. And yeah, the guys rehearsed them brilliantly. It’s 90 minutes of music, all played faster because these young lads I’m with make me feel 20 again.”
THE PASSION: “I COULDN’T GIVE UP THE DRUMS”
When asked what makes Titanium Tart different from his decades touring, McBrain doesn’t miss a beat. “
It’s intimate. No airports. No hotels. Just me and these killer musicians tearing it up in Florida clubs. After years of world tours, my body needed a break from the grind—but I couldn’t give up the drums. This setup keeps me behind the kit without the jet lag. And the fans get to experience it up close, pint in hand, no nosebleed seats.”
MEET THE BAND: “MY SECOND HOME”
When asked about his bandmates—and whether there’s a resident troublemaker—Nicko chuckles.
“That’s gotta be Mikey Rivera, our lead guitarist. He’s a shredder, a hooligan, and just oozes talent. But honestly, they’re all incredible. Paolo Velasquez on vocals has the energy of a 10-year-old on sugar, Rob Stokes on bass is like Steve Harris with an extra string, Eldad Keira on keyboards, and Mitch Tanne, my brother in Rock N Roll Ribs. I’m blessed to call these guys my second home.”
SIDEBAR: THE TITANIUM TART LINEUP
🎸 Mitch Tanne (Lead Guitar)
“My brother in Rock N Roll Ribs”
🎸 Mikey Rivera (Lead Guitar)
“The hooligan of the band” and a lightning-fast shredder.
🎤 Paolo Velasquez (Vocals)
“A powerhouse with the energy of a 10-year-old on sugar.”
🎹 Eldad Keira (Keyboards)
“Multi-gifted, adding layers of sound live.”
🎸 🎤 Paolo Velasquez (Vocals)
“More Adrian Smith than Yannick—rock solid and soulful.”
🎸 Rob Stokes (Bass)
“Like Steve Harris with an extra string.”
“HEAVEN CAN WAIT”
Before wrapping up, I hit him with one last hypothetical: if aliens came down and asked Nicko to play one Titanium Tart song to explain what rock’n’roll is, what would he pick?
“Heaven Can Wait,” he says without hesitation. “It’s got everything—tempo changes, a big anthemic chorus, and that middle section that drops into half-time. That’s what heavy metal’s about.”
DON’T MISS TITANIUM TART IN CLEARWATER
Nicko urges fans to grab their meet-and-greet tickets now on the band’s Facebook page
🎟️ Titanium Tart plays the OCC Roadhouse, Clearwater, FL on Saturday, July 26th, 2025. Meet-and-greet and presale tickets available now via Titanium Tart’s official Facebook page.
🔥 This is one you don’t want to miss—see a metal legend up close and personal before it sells out!