The Entire Population of Hackney

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t the end of the 1985s World Slavery Tour, Iron Maiden took six months off. But Nicko McBrain's frustration of not playing after winding down from an extensive tour, and looking at a six-month break, rented a rehearsal studio and invited Adrian Smith to share it. More friends joined the pair, including Dave Colwell (who wrote Reach Out), Visage guitarist Andy Barnett, as well as Martin Connoly, a friend of McBrain's also ex of Marshall Fury. Colwell and Barnett were both members of FM at the time at the time That Girl (1984) was written via Barnett with Merv Goldsworthy (bass) and Pete Jupp (drums). It was this early version of the song which was performed by The Entire Population of Hackney and later covered by Iron Maiden, whilst FM re-wrote parts of their song for inclusion on their 1986 debut album Indiscreet.

McBrain then arranged two shows, one under the name The Entire Population of Hackney and the other under the name The Sherman Tankers. The live recording, The Entire Population of Hackney, was taken from the first show with Iron Maiden mates Bruce Dickinson, Dave Murray and Steve Harris joining the band on stage only for the encores. Their set included songs from all the members and covers from Bob Seger and ZZ Top.

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