Riff to Riff – Members Audio

Uncle Simon
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The audio only version of Riff To Riff. Inter-generational classic rock reaction

Episodes

  1. Jul 27

    Wrathchild - The Bass Line That Defined NWOBHM

    That bass line, that guitar riff, Di'Anno's vocals. Wrathchild is not just the classic cut from Iron Maiden's second album, it's an Iron Maiden career and history of heavy metal classic. Uncle Simon and Ben's dive deep and even have a go at the intro riff themselves. #musicreaction #ironmaiden #nwobhm #hardrock #guitar #heavymetal #martinbirch

    Wrathchild - The Bass Line That Defined NWOBHM

  2. Jul 27

    Ides Of March - A Killer Introduction

    The classic intro track to Iron Maiden's second album Killers. Uncle Simon and Ben's chronological Iron Maiden musical journey continues with this famous instrumental opening track. What will Ben make of it? #musicreaction #ironmaiden #nwobhm #hardrock #guitar #heavymetal #martinbirch

    Ides Of March - A Killer Introduction

  3. Jun 24

    The End of the Beginning. Iron Maiden by Iron Maiden.

    We got there! The title track of Iron Maiden's debut album. Where does it sit in the band's history? How does it compare with the other tracks on the album. What does Ben think of it? How many times has Uncle Simon heard it? #ironmaiden #metal #nwobhm #musicreaction

  4. Jun 24

    Am I an Evil Uncle? Ben hears Diamond Head for the first time.

    Ben has never heard any Diamond Head, so Uncle Simon rectifies his terrible uncling and introduces him to the band and their classic track "Am I Evil" (Or is it "Am I Evil?") An important detour from Iron Maiden to help place them in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal context. #diamondhead #ironmaiden #guitar #classicrock #musicreaction #nwobhm

    Am I an Evil Uncle? Ben hears Diamond Head for the first time.

  5. Jun 21

    Charlotte the Harlot - Iron Maiden. Iron Maiden's early Jazz track?

    Charlotte the Harlot is a Dave Murray composition, a rarity in itself, and Ben has never heard it. We talk about why the opening riff sounds like the Smiths until it doesn't, what makes the rhythm so hard to play despite using no difficult chords, why the drum and vocal line being identical in the chorus is a masterstroke, and why the Bruce Dickinson re-recording decades later doesn't work and what that tells you about Paul Di'Anno. Also: Charlotte was a real person from the East End. Paul told the rest of the band a story about her. She became a recurring character in Maiden songs. Ben holds a Distinction MA in Musical Direction from Leeds Conservatoire and a Jazz BA from Leeds College of Music. Simon first saw them at Hammersmith Odeon in 1983. He's lost count since then. Great riffs. Smart chat. #ironmaiden #charlottetheharlot #classicrock #nwobhm #guitaranalysis #musicreaction #heavymetal

    Charlotte the Harlot - Iron Maiden. Iron Maiden's early Jazz track?

  6. Jun 21

    Phantom of the Opera - Iron Maiden. Ben makes a discovery about a track he thought he knew.

    A detailed reaction and breakdown of the the Iron Maiden classic, Phantom of the Opera, from the band's first album. #classicrock #ironmaiden #guitar #reactionvideo #musicreaction #ironmaidenreaction #ironmaidencover

    Phantom of the Opera - Iron Maiden. Ben makes a discovery about a track he thought he knew.

  7. Jan 15

    747 - (Strangers in the Night) - Saxon

    We make a brief digression from Iron Maiden so Ben can react to fellow NWOBHM pioneers Saxon. Can't believe I've never played him 747 Strangers in the Night before. I am a bad uncle. #classicrock #nwobhm #saxon #ironmaiden #guitar

    747 - (Strangers in the Night) - Saxon

  8. 12/31/2025

    Wasted - Def Leppard

    Another step away from Iron Maiden to fellow NWOBHM trailblazers, Def Leppard. A blindfold taste test for Ben. #ironmaiden #classicrock #defleppard #nwobhm

    Wasted - Def Leppard

  9. 12/29/2025

    Running Free - Iron Maiden

    A live favourite that Ben has only ever heard on live recordings or in concert. What will he make of the original studio version? #ironmaiden #classicrock #ironmaidenreaction #newriff #nwobhm

    Running Free - Iron Maiden

  10. 12/29/2025

    Remember Tomorrow - Iron Maiden

    Step two on the Iron Maiden deep dive reaction plan. All's going well except Uncle Simon has ironically forgotten to press record for the first five minutes of Remember Tomorrow. #ironmaiden #ironmaidenreaction #classicrock #guitar

    Remember Tomorrow - Iron Maiden

  11. 12/29/2025

    Prowler - Iron Maiden

    The deep dive begins. First album, first track, first ever listen for Ben! Here it is...Uncle Simon and Ben react to Prowler by Iron Maiden.

    Prowler - Iron Maiden

  12. 12/29/2025

    The Trooper - Iron Maiden

    Uncle Simon has lived and loved classic rock and metal for decades and has shared many of the songs with his nephew Ben. This an intergenerational reaction series. Ben is hearing some of them for the first time, but he can actually play them. Uncle Simon is hearing them for the thousandth time and can occasionally play them... We talk about why we love these tracks and why we want you to love them too. Great riffs. Smart chat. First up. The Trooper, by Iron Maiden.

    The Trooper - Iron Maiden
  • 12 Episodes

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The audio only version of Riff To Riff. Inter-generational classic rock reaction

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