Sara Marsh
Encyclopedia
Sara Marsh was one of two guitarists of the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens
(billed as the "World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden
"). In addition, she is a former founding member of the Ozzy Osbourne
tribute band The Little Dolls (billed as, "All Female, All Ozzy, All The Time...Covering All Eras Of Ozzy"). Sara Marsh was also a guest guitarist for a couple of tours with Mistress of Reality while The Iron Maidens were looking for their second singer. Prior to those works, Marsh was also the guitarist of the band Bandit (1989–1994).
while her mother had a collection of Beach Boys records. Following her father's footsteps, Marsh took up alto saxophone
and guitar at age 15 following years of taking up private piano lessons. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix
, Ritchie Blackmore
, Tony Iommi
, Jeff Beck
and Eric Clapton
, she switched her focus on playing guitar.
In 1989, Marsh, along with Cathy Montgomery, Sece Foster, Karen Chambers and Robin MacDonnel, formed an all-female metal
band called Bandit, whose music had been described by fans as a mix of The Pretenders
and Megadeth
. After Bandit disbanded in 1994, Marsh moved to Kansas City
, KS, to finish her college degree in Special Education
teaching. While in Kansas, she worked with several night club bands with musical ranges from Glam metal
to Speed metal
to Country
.
In 2001, Marsh - along with drummer Linda McDonald
and guitarist Josephine Soegijanty
of Phantom Blue
- joined vocalist Jenny Warren
and bassist Melanie Sisneros
to form The Iron Maidens
, an all-female tribute band to Iron Maiden
. As a member of The Iron Maidens, Marsh's stage name was "Mini Murray," a parody of Iron Maiden guitarist Dave Murray
. Her favorite Iron Maiden songs are "Die With Your Boots On
" and The Clairvoyant
".
She also performed with members of Phantom Blue on their reunion at the Michelle Meldrum
Memorial Concert in Hollywood, CA
, on May 26, 2009.
Guest musicians Sara Marsh has jammed with The Iron Maidens:
ST with EMG 81/85 Floyd Rose pickups (which she had owned since her early days with Bandit). Marsh also owns an 80'z Charvel/Jackson with EMG's that is tuned a half step down as well as her first black B.C. Rich which is now tuned B-B. Her acoustic guitar is a Martin from the 70's signed by David Crosby. In addition, Marsh own an old analog Roland keyboard (JX-3p) as well as a shamisen she recently acquired in Tokyo in 2010 and has become quite skilled at.
For sound amplification, Marsh uses a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier and an arsenal of various stomp boxes as she doesn't favor the digital rack sound. At home, she uses a POD 2.0 for home recording and low volume jams with friends.
The Iron Maidens
The Iron Maidens are an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2001 as an all-female tribute act to English heavy metal band Iron Maiden...
(billed as the "World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
"). In addition, she is a former founding member of the Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
tribute band The Little Dolls (billed as, "All Female, All Ozzy, All The Time...Covering All Eras Of Ozzy"). Sara Marsh was also a guest guitarist for a couple of tours with Mistress of Reality while The Iron Maidens were looking for their second singer. Prior to those works, Marsh was also the guitarist of the band Bandit (1989–1994).
Biography
Born in Hawthorne, CA, Sara Marsh grew up with music, as her father and grandfather both played tenor saxophoneTenor saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
while her mother had a collection of Beach Boys records. Following her father's footsteps, Marsh took up alto saxophone
Alto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
and guitar at age 15 following years of taking up private piano lessons. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, Ritchie Blackmore
Ritchie Blackmore
Richard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was known as one of the first guitarists to fuse Classical music elements with rock. He fronted his own band Rainbow after leaving Deep Purple where he was unhappy because his favourite musical style wasn't adequately...
, Tony Iommi
Tony Iommi
Anthony Frank "Tony" Iommi is an English guitarist and songwriter best known as the founding member of pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, and its sole continual member through multiple personnel changes.Iommi is widely recognised as one of the most important and influential guitarists in...
, Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
and Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
, she switched her focus on playing guitar.
In 1989, Marsh, along with Cathy Montgomery, Sece Foster, Karen Chambers and Robin MacDonnel, formed an all-female metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band called Bandit, whose music had been described by fans as a mix of The Pretenders
The Pretenders
The Pretenders are an English rock band formed in Hereford, England in March 1978. The original band consisted of initiator and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde , James Honeyman-Scott , Pete Farndon , and Martin Chambers...
and Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
. After Bandit disbanded in 1994, Marsh moved to Kansas City
Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City is the third-largest city in the state of Kansas and is the county seat of Wyandotte County. It is a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, and is the third largest city in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. The city is part of a consolidated city-county government known as the "Unified...
, KS, to finish her college degree in Special Education
Special education
Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials,...
teaching. While in Kansas, she worked with several night club bands with musical ranges from Glam metal
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
to Speed metal
Speed metal
Speed metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from NWOBHM and hardcore punk roots. It is described by Allmusic as "extremely fast, abrasive, and technically demanding" music....
to Country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
.
In 2001, Marsh - along with drummer Linda McDonald
Linda McDonald
Linda McDonald is the drummer of the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens . In addition, she is a member of the Ozzy Osbourne tribute band The Little Dolls and the cover bands Valley Dolls, Crabby Patty and Unholy Pink...
and guitarist Josephine Soegijanty
Jojo Draven
Josephine Soegijanty-Draven is an Indonesian musician and film score composer. She is currently a cast member of the Blue Man Group. She was also a guitarist for the American all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue and the tribute band The Iron Maidens....
of Phantom Blue
Phantom blue
Phantom Blue was an all-female American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1987. Phantom Blue were the first and only female artists to be signed to Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records, only three months after forming....
- joined vocalist Jenny Warren
Jenny Warren
Jenny Warren is an American female singer, best known as the co-founder of the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens.-Biography:Jenny Warren first had an Iron Maiden tribute band called Wrathchild. The idea came when she discovered the website of a Chicago-based tribute band called Revelations...
and bassist Melanie Sisneros
Melanie Sisneros
Melanie Sisneros is an American bassist and is currently a member of four bands: , , and . She was also a former member of the bands Sinergy, The Iron Maidens and .-Biography:Melanie Ann Sisneros was born the second of three daughters and raised in various towns in New Mexico...
to form The Iron Maidens
The Iron Maidens
The Iron Maidens are an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2001 as an all-female tribute act to English heavy metal band Iron Maiden...
, an all-female tribute band to Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
. As a member of The Iron Maidens, Marsh's stage name was "Mini Murray," a parody of Iron Maiden guitarist Dave Murray
Dave Murray (musician)
David Michael Murray is an English guitarist and songwriter best known as one of the earliest members of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden.-Biography:...
. Her favorite Iron Maiden songs are "Die With Your Boots On
Die With Your Boots On
To "Die with your boots on" is an idiom referring to dying while fighting or to die while actively occupied/employed/working or in the middle of some action...
" and The Clairvoyant
The Clairvoyant (song)
"The Clairvoyant" was released in 1988 by Iron Maiden. It is the band's nineteenth single and the third from their Seventh Son of a Seventh Son album. The single, which was also released as a clear vinyl, debuted at number six in the UK charts...
".
She also performed with members of Phantom Blue on their reunion at the Michelle Meldrum
Michelle Meldrum
Michelle Meldrum-Norum was an American hard rock guitarist known for being a member of the bands Phantom Blue and Meldrum.-Biography:...
Memorial Concert in Hollywood, CA
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Hollywood is a famous district in Los Angeles, California, United States situated west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Due to its fame and cultural identity as the historical center of movie studios and movie stars, the word Hollywood is often used as a metonym of American cinema...
, on May 26, 2009.
The Iron Maidens
- World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden (2005/2006)
- Route 666 (2007)
- The Root of All EvilThe Root of All Evil (EP)The Root of All Evil is a Japan-only EP release by the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens. It includes three new cover recordings of Iron Maiden songs and a dance remix of "The Trooper." This was the band's last recording to feature lead vocalist Aja Kim and guitarist Heather Baker, who left...
(2008) - Metal Gathering Tour Live in Japan 2010Metal Gathering Tour Live in Japan 2010Metal Gathering Tour Live in Japan 2010 is a Japan-only live video by the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens. Recorded live during their tour in Japan on January 2010, it was the band's first release with new lead vocalist Kirsten Rosenberg and new guitarist Courtney Cox, and also the last to...
(video, 2010)
Guest musicians Sara Marsh has jammed with The Iron Maidens:
- Phil CampbellPhil Campbell (musician)Philip Anthony Campbell has been the lead guitarist of the British heavy metal band Motörhead since 1984. He is also the former guitarist of Persian Risk.-Early life and career:...
(of Motörhead) - Guitar; (4 total shows performed) (2005–2008)- Performed "The Trooper" with the Maidens on 4 shows.
- Michael Kenney - KeyboardMusical keyboardA musical keyboard is the set of adjacent depressible levers or keys on a musical instrument, particularly the piano. Keyboards typically contain keys for playing the twelve notes of the Western musical scale, with a combination of larger, longer keys and smaller, shorter keys that repeats at the...
for Iron MaidenIron MaidenIron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
- Played keyboard with the Maidens on various shows.
- Jeff LoomisJeff LoomisJeff Loomis is an American musician, best known for his role as lead guitarist in the progressive metal band Nevermore.-Early days:...
(of Nevermore) - Guitar; (1 total show performed) (2006)- Performed "The Trooper" with the Maidens on the 6/23/06 show in Seattle, WA.
- Robin McAuleyRobin McAuleyRobin McAuley is an Irish rock vocalist known mostly for his work in McAuley Schenker Group and before that Grand Prix recording 2 albums...
(of SurvivorSurvivor (band)Survivor is an American rock band formed in Chicago in 1978. The band achieved its greatest success in the 1980s with its AOR sound, which garnered many charting singles, especially in the United States. The band is best known for its double platinum-certified 1982 hit "Eye of the Tiger", the theme...
; formerly of McAuley Schenker GroupMcAuley Schenker GroupMcAuley Schenker Group was a band featuring core members Robin McAuley and Michael Schenker , a successor to Schenker's earlier band Michael Schenker Group. McAuley was initially contacted to replace singer Gary Barden in MSG...
) - Vocals; (1 total show performed)- Guest vocalist.
- Alex SkolnickAlex SkolnickAlexander Nathan Skolnick is an American jazz and metal guitarist. He was a member of the San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal band Testament from 1983 until his departure in 1993...
(of TestamentTestament (band)Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
) - Guitar; (1 total show performed) (2003)- Performed "The Trooper" with the Maidens on the 6/18/03 show in New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, NYNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
- Performed "The Trooper" with the Maidens on the 6/18/03 show in New York City
- Jason McMaster (of Dangerous ToysDangerous ToysDangerous Toys is an Austin, Texas-based hard rock band with often humorous lyrics. Founded in 1987, Dangerous Toys put out four full-length albums and one live album before unofficially disbanding at the turn of the millennium....
) - Vocals; (1 total show performed) (2009)- Performed "WrathchildKillers (Iron Maiden album)Killers is the second album by British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 2 February 1981 in the UK, and 6 June 1981 in the US. The album was their first with guitarist Adrian Smith and their last with vocalist Paul Di'Anno, who was sacked after problems with his stage performance arose due...
" and "Remember Tomorrow" with the Maidens on the 5/26/09 Michelle Meldrum Benefit show in Hollywood, CAHollywood, Los Angeles, CaliforniaHollywood is a famous district in Los Angeles, California, United States situated west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Due to its fame and cultural identity as the historical center of movie studios and movie stars, the word Hollywood is often used as a metonym of American cinema...
.
- Performed "Wrathchild
- Michelle MeldrumMichelle MeldrumMichelle Meldrum-Norum was an American hard rock guitarist known for being a member of the bands Phantom Blue and Meldrum.-Biography:...
(of MeldrumMeldrumMeldrum is a multi-national Heavy Metal band formed by ex-Phantom Blue guitarist Michelle Meldrum.-History:American guitarist Michelle Meldrum started her first band Wargod with Strapping Young Lad drummer Gene Hoglan, later going on to form Phantom Blue, with whom she released two albums and an EP...
; formerly of Phantom BluePhantom bluePhantom Blue was an all-female American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1987. Phantom Blue were the first and only female artists to be signed to Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records, only three months after forming....
) - Guitar; (3 total shows performed) (2006)- Filled in for the final leg of the Maidens' 2006 schedule following Elizabeth Schall's release from the band.
- Dave Ellefson (of MegadethMegadethMegadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
) - Bass; (1 total show performed) (2010)- Performed "KillersKillers (Iron Maiden album)Killers is the second album by British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 2 February 1981 in the UK, and 6 June 1981 in the US. The album was their first with guitarist Adrian Smith and their last with vocalist Paul Di'Anno, who was sacked after problems with his stage performance arose due...
" with the Maidens on the 1/15/10 NAMMNAMM ShowThe NAMM Show is one of the largest music product trade shows in the world, founded in 1901. It is held every January in Anaheim, California, USA, at the Anaheim Convention Center...
Coffin Case show in Anaheim, CAAnaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
.
- Performed "Killers
The Little Dolls
- Girls Got Rhythm!Girls Got Rhythm!Girls Got Rhythm! is a compilation album featuring various all-female tribute bands. The album is named after the song of the same title by AC/DC.-Track listing:# "Thunderstruck" –...
(Various artists) (2006)- "I Don't KnowBlizzard of OzzBlizzard of Ozz is the first solo studio album by British singer/songwriter Ozzy Osbourne, recorded in Surrey, UK and released on September 20, 1980 in the UK and on March 27, 1981 in the U.S.. It is the comeback album of Osbourne following his firing from Black Sabbath the previous year...
"
- "I Don't Know
Equipment
When she was touring with The Iron Maidens, Marsh's had several main guitars. Recently (2009) it was a cellophaned green-on-black Lush Custom Strat with DiMarzio Super Distortion and two Super Distortion S pickups. The 5 way toggle is set up to split the pickups for single coil as well. She also acquired a flat black one with identical specs a years later. Her favorite is a yellow B.C. RichB.C. Rich
B.C. Rich is a manufacturer of guitars and bass guitars founded by the late Bernardo Chavez Rico in 1969. Currently, most B.C. Rich guitars are manufactured in Asia, but luthiers of the company's custom shop continue to hand-make instruments. The Hanser Music Group, based in Kentucky, operates B.C....
ST with EMG 81/85 Floyd Rose pickups (which she had owned since her early days with Bandit). Marsh also owns an 80'z Charvel/Jackson with EMG's that is tuned a half step down as well as her first black B.C. Rich which is now tuned B-B. Her acoustic guitar is a Martin from the 70's signed by David Crosby. In addition, Marsh own an old analog Roland keyboard (JX-3p) as well as a shamisen she recently acquired in Tokyo in 2010 and has become quite skilled at.
For sound amplification, Marsh uses a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier and an arsenal of various stomp boxes as she doesn't favor the digital rack sound. At home, she uses a POD 2.0 for home recording and low volume jams with friends.