Teenager hits the road with leading rock tribute band

A WESTBURY teenager has joined one of the UK’s leading tribute bands to  the English heavy metal band, Iron Maiden.

15-year old Alex Tilley, who goes to Matravers School, has joined Ed Force One: A Tribute to Iron Maiden as their new drummer, and he will join them on the road playing at gigs across the country.

The teenager competed against adult drummers over two auditions for his place in the band.

Alex told White Horse News, “I am very proud of myself for getting into this band. It has taken a lot of work and practice to get up to the point I am now. 

“When they first contacted me I had four days to listen to the songs and practice. I went to the studios where the auditions were taking place – I was feeling very overwhelmed and nervous as I have never been in a room to audition with professional musicians like these people. 

“We played three songs until I was 100% comfortable playing with these guys, then we re-ran all six songs again, obviously with a few mistakes here and there, but (they) looked past that. I was really surprised with how they sounded, it was as if I was playing with the real Iron Maiden.”

Alex will join the band full-time from the 20th July. But he has already joined Ed Force One on stage, stepping in at the last minute earlier this month to play at a gig in Cannock, Staffordshire. Upcoming performances include a gig at the legendary live music venue, The Fleece, in Bristol on Friday 9th August.

As well as performing in Ed Force One, Alex will also be attending the world renowned ‘Freddie Gee Academy’ this July. Here he will be coached by top drummers including Steve White (Paul Weller/The Jam), Ash Soan (Robbie Williams/ Adele/ The Voice) and Ian Matthews (Kasabian).

“My next goal is to get into the British Institute Of Modern Music (BIMM) at the end of year 11,” said Alex.

For details of upcoming performances, visit the Ed Force One Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Ed ForceOneuptheirons/