Header image credit: Samuel Stevens/Courtesy Wanda Ortiz/The Iron Maidens


By Andrew Daly
andrew@vinylwriter.com

Recently, I caught up with veteran bassist Wanda Ortiz of The Iron Maidens. Among other things, we touch on Wanda’s origins, her reason for first picking up the bass, joining The Iron Maidens, and a whole lot more.

If you would like to learn more about Wanda Ortiz and The Iron Maidens, the link to their webpage is here. Once you’ve checked that out, dig into this interview with Wanda. Cheers.

Andrew:
Wanda, thank you for taking the time to dig in with us. How have you been holding up?

Wanda:
In spite of the current world situation, I am doing as well as can be expected.

Andrew:
Going back, what were some of your earliest memories of music which first sparked your interest in rock and subsequently, the bass guitar?

Wanda:
My second-grade teacher played records in class and that is when I started liking music. In fourth grade, my school offered lessons on orchestral stringed instruments but I was late on the day we chose instruments, and only the contrabass (upright bass) was left, so I ended up playing that. In fifth grade, I started playing the electric bass too because the school jazz band needed a bassist. At the time, a lot of my classmates were listening to rock music so I started listening to that as well. KISS was the first rock band I liked but once I became a bassist, and then I started getting more into bands that wrote music with interesting bass lines. I started playing rock in eighth grade as soon as I could find other people to play with. 

Andrew:
Who were some of your earliest influences that helped shape your style? 

Wanda:
I’ve always been drawn to bands that featured the bass, such as Rush and Iron Maiden.

All images courtesy of Wanda Ortiz/The Iron Maidens

Andrew:
How has your style evolved as you’ve grown as a musician?

Wanda:
I like to think I’ve gotten better over the years! [Laughs].

Andrew:
As you mentioned, early on, you were a bassist in a jazz band growing up. Would you say your playing is more rooted in jazz?

Wanda:
No, my playing is more rooted in rock. I played jazz in junior high and high school but had very few opportunities to continue with it afterward. Instead, I played in rock bands and continued on with classical music, eventually earning a B.Mus in bass performance.

Andrew:
One of your first gigs was Rotten Rod & the Warheads. I know this is going back, but if you can, walk me through your induction into that band.

Wanda:
The singer was already a friend of mine before I joined the band. He phoned me, said he was forming a band, and asked if I would like to play bass. I have very fond memories of working with that band.

Andrew:
You moved on to Heartache City from there and handled bass duties on the band’s 2000 self-titled effort. What do you recall regarding those early studio recordings?

Wanda:
I actually had a few recordings prior to joining Heartache City but on the Heartache City recording, I gained experience arranging and transcribing music. I also got to play a double bass solo on the final track!

Andrew:
What lessons did you take away from that? 

Wanda:
With each project, the experience is unique!

Andrew:
FOV by blues rock-oriented, Field of Vision, is another underexposed album you were a big part of. Give me the fly-on-the-wall perspective of those sessions.
  

Wanda:
This is a common misconception because while I was credited, I actually was not on that album!  I recorded an EP with them that I don’t believe was ever released. That was the first recording that I sang on. It was a lot of fun!

All images courtesy of Wanda Ortiz/The Iron Maidens

Andrew:
Take me through your indoctrination into the Iron Maidens. You replaced Melanie Sisneros, right? How did you get the gig?
 

Wanda:
In 2002, Melanie moved to Finland to join another band, which created an opening for me. The other band members already knew of me through friends and acquaintances, so they contacted me, we played together a few times, and then everything just fell into place after that.

Andrew:
With the Maidens, early on, you recorded some excellent covers albums, but the band has been dormant as a studio entity for some time. Does the band have any plans to record again? 
 

Wanda:
Actually, we have been working on another Iron Maiden tribute recording. The Iron Maidens is strictly a tribute band. Between our current obligations and individual outside projects, we have not found the time to work on original music as a group. But who knows? It may happen one day.

Andrew:
As “Steph Harris,” you play the role of Steve Harris in the Iron Maidens. Given your intricate knowledge of Steve’s parts, if you can, speak on Steve’s influence on metal. 
 

Wanda:
Steve has been an integral part of developing a style of metal that focuses heavily on the bass lines. His band, Iron Maiden, has influenced and continues to influence many musicians to this day, particularly in metal.

Andrew:
What are a few of your favorite songs to play live? 
 

Wanda:
“Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” “Losferwords,” and “Phantom of the Opera.”

All images courtesy of Wanda Ortiz/The Iron Maidens

Andrew:
Which albums are your favorite, and why?
  

Wanda:
Piece of Mind because it was my first Maiden album, and Powerslave because most of the songs are fun to play.

Andrew:
A bit of a controversial question here: are you partial to Paul, Bruce, or Blayze?

Wanda:
I’m partial to Bruce.

Andrew:
In 2003, you won Best Female Bassist through the Rock City News Awards, which must have been a great honor. This said, in recent years, there has been a big push to do away with terms “like female-fronted metal,” and make things more inclusive. What are your thoughts regarding that?

Wanda:
Honestly, I really don’t think about that when I play; my only concern is nailing the parts and giving the crowd the best performance possible.

Andrew:
What equipment, and gear are you using these days live, and in your session work?
 

Wanda:
I use G&L basses, Gallien-Krueger Amps, and Schroeder Cabinets.

Andrew:
On the subject of your session work, do you have any interesting projects you can speak of at this time?
  

Wanda:
I’m looking forward to working with Bruce Dickenson’s former keyboardist, Mistheria, on his upcoming project. 

Andrew:
Last one. What’s next for both yourself and the Iron Maidens in all lanes, Wanda?
  

Wanda:
More touring and hopefully, another recording (soon).

Andrew Daly (@vwmusicrocks) is the Editor-in-Chief for www.vwmusicrocks.com and may be reached at andrew@vinylwriter.com

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