Steve Harris On The Future Of MAIDEN: "I don't know about ten years, but I think we've certainly got another five years in us but it's hard to say."

As previously reported, IRON MAIDEN's Steve Harris has a NEW solo album entitled 'British Lion'. The record contains ten songs that Steve and his collaborators have been working on for the past few years between MAIDEN's tours and releases.

Recently, John Doran of The Quietus chatted with IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris to chat about 'British Lion' and the future of IRON MAIDEN! Here are some parts of the interview:

The Quietus: 

Normally, side projects seem to get cranked out in six months down time but 'British Lion' must have the longest gestation period of any side project album ever.

Harris: 

Probably yeah. [laughs] We've actually taken longer to get this album out than GUNS N' ROSES took with 'Chinese Democracy'. You say side projects are usually done in a six-month period but I don't get that amount of time available to me, unfortunately. As most people realize, I'm probably the busiest one in MAIDEN and there's always stuff going on. It would be a lie to say this album was done at a leisurely pace even… it was done at a snail's pace, a little bit here and a little bit there. But that's how it had to happen.

The Quietus: 

Are you going to play live?

Harris: 

I'd love to play the album live, I think we have to wait and see what the reaction is like first though, I never take anything for granted. I'd love to start with some club shows in key cities in Europe and then see how we go. Obviously it would be really weird because I know we haven't played any clubs for years.

The Quietus: 

When was the last time you were actually phased by playing in front of an audience? You must be so used to big crowds now would you actually find it more frightening to play in front of an intimate audience… would the adrenaline be pumping more?

Harris: 

Well, I don't know for sure, but yeah, I can imagine that once you step outside of the MAIDEN comfort zone, then you don't know what to expect. I still do get a little bit nervous at the beginning of MAIDEN tours but that's mainly because of the NEW material. We will have rehearsed but you can rehearse until the cows come home and the first few shows will always be a little bit rusty. Once you're confident, it doesn't matter so much. I used to get more worried years ago with MAIDEN about whether people were going to turn up or not. It's different now. I may not expect every single show to sell out and I never take everything for granted, but you still know you're going to get a certain amount of people.

The Quietus: 

Obviously, in IRON MAIDEN you're all really fit, you play football, the gigs themselves are obviously workouts. Is there any reason why you can't keep on doing this for another ten years?

Harris: 

I don't know about ten years, but I think we've certainly got another five years in us but it's hard to say. As you get older it gets doubly hard to keep yourself fit and in shape. We do work really hard on doing that. It's important to us. We'd be selling ourselves and everyone else short if we didn't, so we do look after ourselves. It does get tougher. I don't play football much anymore, but I play a lot of tennis. Partly because I've had so many problems with my back that I can only play the odd match here or there. Unfortunately, it's five years since I've played a full season of football and that's something that I miss a lot, but I had to make a decision.

The Quietus: 

Given how abrasive Heavy Metal is with image, sound, philosophy, lyrics etc, how do you explain its huge global appeal?

Harris: 

Because it really means something to the people who listen to it. It gives them an identity where they can feel part of it. And it's appealing that outsiders don't understand it. And if people from the outside do check it out properly, then I think a lot of people end up thinking, "You know, there's a lot more to this than meets the eye." And you know what? There is.

Crank Steve Harris' 'British Lion' right HERE! Courtesy of Metal Hammer.

The tracklisting for ‘British Lion’ is as follows:

1.This Is My God
2.Lost Worlds
3.Karma Killer
4.Us Against The World
5.The Chosen Ones
6.A World Without Heaven
7.Judas
8.Eyes Of The Young
9.These Are The Hands
10.The Lesson

 Related links:

SteveHarrisBritishLion.com

IRON MAIDEN's Steve Harris Premieres Music Video For "This Is Not My God"!

As previously reported, IRON MAIDEN's Steve Harris has a NEW solo album entitled 'British Lion'. The record contains ten songs that Steve and his collaborators have been working on for the past few years between MAIDEN's tours and releases.

Today, Harris is premiering the music video for "This Is My God", which is a cut from his solo/side project album, 'British Lion'.


This is My God from Steve Harris on Vimeo.

With a decidedly heavy rock-vibe this roaring debut paints with a full palette of sounds; brooding, melancholic, righteously indignant and exuberantly heavy. With Kevin Shirley at the mixing helm – whose credits include Iron Maiden as well as Led Zeppelin, Journey and Rush among many others – this is an album to sink your teeth into.

Crank Steve Harris' 'British Lion' right HERE! Courtesy of Metal Hammer.

The tracklisting for ‘British Lion’ is as follows:

1.This Is My God
2.Lost Worlds
3.Karma Killer
4.Us Against The World
5.The Chosen Ones
6.A World Without Heaven
7.Judas
8.Eyes Of The Young
9.These Are The Hands
10.The Lesson

 Related links:
SteveHarrisBritishLion.com

IRON MAIDEN's Steve Harris Debut Solo Album 'British Lion' Available For Streaming!

As previously reported, IRON MAIDEN's Steve Harris has a NEW solo album entitled 'British Lion'. The record contains ten songs that Steve and his collaborators have been working on for the past few years between MAIDEN's tours and releases.

With a decidedly heavy rock-vibe this roaring debut paints with a full palette of sounds; brooding, melancholic, righteously indignant and exuberantly heavy. With Kevin Shirley at the mixing helm – whose credits include Iron Maiden as well as Led Zeppelin, Journey and Rush among many others – this is an album to sink your teeth into.

From the growling riffage of opening salvo "This Is My God" to the heavy forlorn balladry of follow-up "Lost Worlds" which showcases Richard Taylor’s soaring vocals, it’s clear that ‘British Lion’ is an altogether different beast from MAIDEN.

"Karma Killer", with its dirge-like muscularity, and "Us Against The World", with its massive chorus, demonstrates just how far ‘British Lion’ has flexed Steve Harris’ considerable musical muscle.
"Dovetailed" with guitarist David Hawkins’ positively gargantuan lyrical guitar melodies, it’s a mere hors d'oeuvre ahead of the epic, riffing-feast of "The Chosen Ones", with its swaggering bravado.

"A World Without Heaven", at a breathtaking seven minutes and infused with progressive elements without ever teetering into self-indulgence illustrates perfectly these songsmiths’ colossal abilities to create a mood and stay there. Supercharged by Steve Harris’ inimitable style, there’s an un-cynical vibe here that’s as refreshing as it is out of place in today’s all-too-categorised music industry.

And as far as the name ‘British Lion’; “I’ve always been proud to be British,” explains Steve, “I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t be. It’s a massive part of being me. It’s not like I’m flag-waving or trying to preach, this is not a political statement at all. It’s like supporting your football team, where you come from. I just think it lends itself to some really strong imagery too, and to me it fits in with the sound.”

Alright, enough reading! Crank Steve Harris' 'British Lion' right HERE! Courtesy of Metal Hammer.

The tracklisting for ‘British Lion’ is as follows:

1.This Is My God
2.Lost Worlds
3.Karma Killer
4.Us Against The World
5.The Chosen Ones
6.A World Without Heaven
7.Judas
8.Eyes Of The Young
9.These Are The Hands
10.The Lesson

 Related links:
SteveHarrisBritishLion.com

IRON MAIDEN's Steve Harris Announces Debut Solo Album: "British Lion"!

EMI Music are proud to announce the release of Iron Maiden founder Steve Harris’ debut solo/side project album. Entitled ‘British Lion’ and comprising ten songs that Steve and his collaborators have been working on for the past few years between Iron Maiden tours and releases, it is an album that will surprise and delight music fans the world over.

With a decidedly heavy rock-vibe this roaring debut paints with a full palette of sounds; brooding, melancholic, righteously indignant and exuberantly heavy. With Kevin Shirley at the mixing helm – whose credits include Iron Maiden as well as Led Zeppelin, Journey and Rush among many others – this is an album to sink your teeth into.

From the growling riffage of opening salvo This Is My God to the heavy forlorn balladry of follow-up Lost Worlds which showcases Richard Taylor’s soaring vocals, it’s clear that ‘British Lion’ is an altogether different beast from Maiden.

Karma Killer, with its dirge-like muscularity, and Us Against The World, with its massive chorus, demonstrates just how far ‘British Lion’ has flexed Steve Harris’ considerable musical muscle. Dovetailed with guitarist David Hawkins’ positively gargantuan lyrical guitar melodies, it’s a mere hors d'oeuvre ahead of the epic, riffing-feast of The Chosen Ones, with its swaggering bravado.

A World Without Heaven, at a breathtaking seven minutes and infused with progressive elements without ever teetering into self-indulgence illustrates perfectly these songsmiths’ colossal abilities to create a mood and stay there. Supercharged by Steve Harris’ inimitable style, there’s an un-cynical vibe here that’s as refreshing as it is out of place in today’s all-too-categorised music industry.

And as far as the name ‘British Lion’; “I’ve always been proud to be British,” explains Steve, “I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t be. It’s a massive part of being me. It’s not like I’m flag-waving or trying to preach, this is not a political statement at all. It’s like supporting your football team, where you come from. I just think it lends itself to some really strong imagery too, and to me it fits in with the sound.”

With Iron Maiden, Steve Harris has become one of the most recognised and successful ambassadors for British music on the world stage. Having released 15 studio albums, sold over 85 million records worldwide and played more than two thousand gigs in 58 countries in the band’s thirty-five year career, his appeal is truly global.

And now with ‘British Lion’, Steve steps out from Iron Maiden’s illustrious shadow to present a different side of his musical visions.

The tracklisting for ‘British Lion’ is as follows:

1.This Is My God
2.Lost Worlds
3.Karma Killer
4.Us Against The World
5.The Chosen Ones
6.A World Without Heaven
7.Judas
8.Eyes Of The Young
9.These Are The Hands
10.The Lesson

 Related links:
SteveHarrisBritishLion.com