Legendary bassist Steve Harris is set to arrive in New Zealand with the world-famous Iron Maiden and his side project, British Lion. Ahead of his two shows in Auckland, 1News’ Jack Horsnell spoke with Harris to chat about the tours, his journey from football to music, and his advice for young musicians.
Rock legend Steve Harris will play two shows in Auckland in the coming days – one in front of thousands as Iron Maiden perform at Spark Arena – while the second will be a more intimate affair as he takes the stage at a 400 person capacity venue with side-project British Lion
Harris, a founding member of British metal heavyweights Iron Maiden, said regardless of audience and venue size, he still got a thrill from playing live.
He told 1News his gigs with British Lion “take me back to the early Maiden days when we were first trying to play”.
An example he used to show the difference was how the two bands did sound checks.
He said that when touring with Iron Maiden, the band doesn’t soundcheck because every night has the same setup. Whereas, with British Lion, each venue is different, meaning they need to approach each gig in a new way.
“As [Iron Maiden] has got bigger, the travelling is a bit easier with certain things… Our road crew do the sound checks for us,” Harris said.
“But with British Lion, it keeps me grounded because I have to do all that stuff myself.”
But ultimately, Harris said, it wasn’t that different – because live music is the same, regardless of where it’s played.
“I don’t think it’s that much difference, really, and only in the sense that there’s not much room to move when you’re in a club,” he joked.
“I love playing all kinds of gigs. I enjoy playing small gigs, big ones, outdoor festivals, and anything. I enjoy them all. It’s nice to have that contrast.”
The two tours mean Harris has a packed schedule — he plays shows with British Lion one night and Iron Maiden the next.
“I like staying busy,” he said, “I know I can be a tourist on a day off, but I have been to a lot of countries before, so it’s not like I haven’t done it before.”
“It’s nice to just play,” he said.
Harris’ love of music goes back to when he was a teenager, playing at pubs in the UK. But his life could’ve gone in a very different direction.
When Harris was 14, he was scouted while playing football for his local team and asked to train for his boyhood club, West Ham United.
He said it had always been a dream to step under the floodlights as a professional footballer – but nine months later, his mind started to change.
“It was great for a while,” he said. “But then it just got too much”.
“I was playing football all year, still trying to go to school and train during the week.
“I was playing three games on the weekend – Saturday morning for school, Saturday afternoon, and Sundays as well.”
Harris said he became “disillusioned” with football, which left him confused him as he loved West Ham so much.
“I think when it all got a bit serious, it was a little bit less enjoyable.”
But a few years later, when he was 17, Harris discovered his passion – music.
Since then, he hasn’t looked back and has followed his “gut instinct” about everything.
He still loves West Ham, sporting the club’s crest on his bass. The club even sells Iron Maiden shirts in its famous claret and blue.
He offered some advice to young musicians, who might be looking at their instruments wondering what to do next.
“What I would say is just pick up the guitar when you feel like it and not try and force it too much,” he said.
“Some people try and practice so much and, in the end, they lose interest in it.”
He said the most important thing was avoiding taking your passions too seriously and enjoying them.
“It’s a bit going back to what I said earlier about playing for fun.
“I’m really serious and trying too hard. I think you’ve just got to just do it when you enjoy it.”
Harris will perform with British Lion on September 15 at Paraoa Brewing Co in Whangaparāoa.
He will perform with Iron Maiden the following night, September 16, at Spark Arena in Auckland.
