Talk Is Jericho Baby Talk Is Jericho Alright, welcome to Talk Is Jericho. It's the pod of Thunder and Rock and Roll. And I don't think it gets any more rock and roll than today's guest, Iron Maiden Founder, bassist, chief songwriter, architect, genius. Steve Harris, making his talk is Jericho. Dave, you haven't been waiting for this for 30 years. I can't believe it. If you would have told me when I was 15 years old, it was a huge Iron Maiden fan that somebody Steve Harris would
call my phone. I would have flipped out. And even crazier, about a week after we recorded this interview, I got a call from Steve Harris asking if Fuzzy wanted to open the Iron Maiden Show in Los Angeles at the Bank of California Stadium next September 14th. So I said, let me check my sketch. Yes, and that's what we're doing. Fuzzy, main support for Iron Maiden on the legacy of the Beasts Tour in Los Angeles at the Bank of California Stadium. September
14th, 2019, tickets on sale now. They sold out all over Europe this past summer and false, a great set list. And Maiden finally bringing it to North America next year with the Raven Age as their support except for in Los Angeles where they added Fuzzy on the bill as well. So that's huge. That happened after I spoke to Steve, but we're going to talk to Steve about the set list coming up. We'll talk about the legacy of the Beasts Tour
before it was officially announced. Maiden, very famous for keeping everything very close to the vest. We're going to talk about his side project, British Lion. He's touring with British Lion this fall. They're headed to Japan next week, a three date run starting the 26th in Osaka, Japan. You hear all about how Steve got involved with British Lion and how soon we might find a new studio album from them. They recorded a new studio version
of a British Lion favorite and Steve gave us to go ahead to play it for you now. So here you go, the brand new studio recording. Straight from Steve Harris himself, this is Spitfire by British Lion right here on Talk to Jericho. I'll see you in the dream. You live the pain. I never run in fire in our face. I'm here before a fun and talk. The woman that takes me back to where you lie. Look at the realm and I'll wait from here. Look away, look away from the stone. There's a sand
inside your eyes. Look away, look away from the unknown. From the ashes. And you, sand will raise. You join my fate above my blood. You get mistreated. Can you feel my love? I flamed over to mist and fog. A serenade. I hear that cyrus fall. I hear so many dreams. Don't speak them. Here I wait from here. Look away, look away from the stone. There's a sand inside your eyes. Look away, look away from the unknown. From the ashes. And you, sand will rise.
And we will bow to the stone. That's not the best. We will be rolled. In the sound of the stars, you will run. I won't be rolled. Look away, look away from the stone. There's a sand inside your eyes. Look away, look away from the unknown. From the ashes. And you, sand will rise. Look away, look away from the stone. There's a sand inside your eyes. And the maybe I must. Stilling our thoughts. From the ashes. And you, sand will rise. Look away, look away from the stone.
There's a sand inside your eyes. Look away, look away from the unknown. From the ashes. And you, sand will rise. And we will bow to the stone. That's not the best. We won't be rolled. In the sound of the stars, you will run. I won't be rolled. All right, that's the new studio version of Spitfire. There's a story there.
Steve Harris is going to tell us all about. He's going to tell us what Iron Maiden, Compass Point Studios, the X Factor, one of my favorite albums, growing up with his grandmother, so many cool stories from Steve Harris, one of my personal heroes. I can't believe he called my phone. I can't believe we're opening for Iron Maiden and I can't believe Steve Harris is here on Talk as Jericho starting now. All right, we'll be here, calling from England. I assume Steve Harris is here.
Are you in England, Steve? No, I'm in Bahamas, actually. Ah, Bahamas. Is the famous Compass Point Studios in Bahamas, correct? That's right, yeah, yeah, just down the road, yeah. There's still there. Is it still there anymore though, but unfortunately, but... Oh, it's nothing there anymore. Well, we did the last album, well, the one before last, the final frontier there. But since then, the studio is not really functioning as a studio, so I don't know if it'll ever come back to the guide.
It was running, running the place. Got called Churrimanian, moved off the island and stuff, and so I think it just sort of all went to a pair of shake from there, really. It's kind of changed, hasn't it, the way that you can record an album these days, anyhow, the days of kind of going into the larger studio, I mean.
Yeah, right. Also, when we went in there, I mean, it was nostalgic and great, we know why, but the equipment hadn't changed since the time before we went last, we went in there in 1986. So, you know, it was a fun thing, you know, from the stouter point of view, but it wasn't, you know, technical point of view, we had to get some gear in and listen in there.
So, it needed some attention, but it's a shame, because, you know, so many people just recorded there, as famous people or whatever, and we had good times there too, so... It was like a famous, famous historical studio, correct? Yeah, like, yeah, I mean, loads of people, stones, HCDC, and like, a host of other people recorded there, so very famous, yeah, very well known studio. Well, those in the know, I suppose. Great studio in the great pub, apparently.
Yeah, yeah, it was, it was all good stuff, you know, you know, good time, you enjoyed making albums there. You know, it's, it's funny, you know. We love to do another one here, really, but it's, you know, at some point, maybe we could. There isn't another studio that's opened up here on the other side of the island, but in Albany, a place called Albany, and so there's a studio there. And I wouldn't look to, it's great, it's a state VR studio, so it might be something for the future.
Is it hard to make a record like that when you have, you know, the beaches there and the sun is out? Does it make it easier to do a record in a situation like that? Or harder? No, it makes no difference, really, not when you're in the studio, because, you know, most studios, I mean, they haven't got any wingers in them anyway, so it could be snow or outside, or it could be sunny. It does, you know, it really doesn't matter once you're in there.
And it's funny, because someone sort of slagged me off and saying, oh, you know, if you're in the armors and they're in the lower, the lower, the lower, and they're not, you know, they won't write any more kind of, you know, whatever stuff and all this, and I thought, well, you know, well, I actually wrote, I'm a young man when I was in the bar, I was back in the day anyway, when we were recording, I actually wrote that song there, so, you know. Right. Right.
It's just a crazy out of some people think, really, but it makes no difference where you are. And in some ways, if you are on your relaxed atmosphere, you're going to be more creative anyway. That makes sense a little bit more relaxed, like you said, less stress, which gets the crowd to use the song. I mean, sometimes, you know, some songs are more adrenaline-based and, you know, whatever, but do you have to be in an adrenaline-based atmosphere to write something like that?
No, I don't know anyway. So a lot of times when you do a record, for example, when you do British Lion or when you do a maiden record, do you write a lot in the studio or do you come fairly prepared when you show up for work, so to speak?
Well, right in the early days, obviously, you know, I was writing stuff, basically, this is another point, really, that, you know, I was writing stuff in my land as back room, you know, just, that's where I was living really, and so I wrote a lot of stuff, early stuff in there.
But then once we started sort of getting more known, you know, the budget became a bit more and we was over going to studios or whatever, then, you know, we started recording in Bahamas and this and that and the other from, you know, peace of mind onwards. And so we were writing, doing stuff in like Jersey in the Channel Islands and and writing stuff in Bahamas as well, you know, at the studio.
So it changed quite drastically in a two or three year period, really, but up to sort of, not included in number of the beast, it were albums were done in London. And so a lot of the material, most of the material in fact was written still up, you know. Do you have kind of time for me, it was around me and then I was always living with my grandparents
for quite, you know, quite some time. How long were you living with your grandparents, like when you're talking, were you still living there when the first Iron Maiden record came out? Well, my mum and dad moved out in the countryside when I was about 15, and you know, it's just totally wrong time for me, we've got all these exams coming up and this and that and the other and then, you know, forming a band and playing football and
soccer, you could call it whatever. And so, you know, it was just totally wrong time for me and so I ended up just moving in with me then and I ended up staying here until I was about 26, 27. So all through that early, you know, period of made and forming and then the first few albums and stuff like that was still living there, you know.
What is it? What is it? One of those situations when you were like, you go to the world and be a rock star then you would have to go home and help your nan do the dishes type of thing? No, I was a bit of a spout like that, you know, I mean, then sort of didn't let me do anything in the ass, you know, she didn't think you wouldn't be doing anything in the ass. She was quite independent anyway and really not really helping, I think if I had helped,
it probably would have, you know, maybe you know, helped her. I don't know. But, you know, as I said, it was great for me because I was quite close to everything. I was, you know, close to all the, you know, the underground to be able to travel around buses and stuff and, you know, it wasn't too far bit later that I got a van. It was up in the bar, you know, during the drive and have a van and me own and stuff like that. So it was great and also I had, you know, room, you know, to myself.
If I'd been at home with my sisters, I wouldn't have had all kind of, you know, family stuff going in the way that this meant me out. So it was actually a good situation for me really, right in and everything like that because I had, you know, a quiet room, not a cliff just, you know, knuckle down and do stuff, you know, it's great. Yeah, I had a situation for me really and that's also sort of why I didn't really rush to get out of there.
No, it's a good situation. Like you said, I've had a really liked having me around anyway. Also she said anyway. I've had that before though when you go to the world. I've had that before though when you go to the world. When you get home and your wife says, okay, Mr. Rock, so you go take out the garbage. It puts perspective on things. Yeah. Well, yeah, I suppose I mean, you should have to do normal stuff. Right. People think that you don't do normal stuff, but I do.
Do you ever get that when you're in the grocery store and people go, oh, I'm sorry. If you sort of build into I've stuff, I don't mind. I can't enjoy that. It's quite fair of you, but some things on the list are not really particularly. Okay, like you said, so I can rubbish out, but you know, yeah, exactly. Go to the grocery store. Thank you for letting things. Do you have like a tape, like a riff tape where you put down your songwriting ideas?
Or do you just kind of, when it's time to write, you just sit down and write and that's the way it goes? Well, back in the day, obviously, we used to have types in them days and we used to put down, you know, I've got loads of types of bags and bags of cassette types. I've stuff that I put down, bits and pieces and, you know, I used to take them, you know, to send me some time, if I was somewhere, you know, difficult, whatever, I forgot about.
So I didn't end up whistling or whatever, you forget a lot of the time, it's melodies, you know, you get in or even a riff, you would just wish you were the riff or whatever. Because, but sometimes, you know, I'd be out with, and not have anything with me, and I'd have to try and remember, it would have been on the bus and which is, you know, I didn't really want anyone talking to me, or anything like that.
And so you just, you just trying to keep in your mind, you think, well, this is really good and I don't want to forget, because there was a couple of occasions where that did happen and I got distracted and, you know, and it never came back. So it wasn't meant to be, but there's been a couple of occasions where I did forget and then it did come back. And one of them was actually, off child, so, really, you know, that was meant to be, obviously.
But, you know, these things happen, and you know, you just try and put stuff down.
I mean, these days, obviously, it's different now, you just put stuff down, you know, on your phone or whatever, and it's best to get it down, and I'm just carrying on a bit of air, so I just back up stuff all the time, and I've sort of left in all different parts of the world with backup joys and things like that, you know, because you never know if you lose your phone or something on tour, and I think that's what's supposed to happen to Kirk and it's supposed to go out, that's where I'm doing.
Do you love it? No, she hadn't backed her up, so I'm, you know, that is a worry, but I've got so many ideas, and you know, it's crazy really, I mean, the ideas I get, I'll just get them all the time, and it's a great problem to have, but it is a kind of a problem in a way, because it's almost like you've got too much stuff. Too much stuff in your head? Yeah, nice problem to have.
Exactly. I mean, if you could be anywhere, because you could just be anywhere, and sometimes, sometimes I might even be most awkward of a place, and you know, just, I don't know if you're out, socially or something, whatever, and you just get an idea, and you know, oh my god, I don't have to go outside, or somewhere you might be somewhere loud, and you can't, and you have to go somewhere quite, just want to put the idea there, and then, you know, but it's sad, it's a nice problem to have.
I don't know why these ideas just come out, nothing could be walking down the road, and there's nothing to influence anything, it's just, you know, I don't know how to, how I'm what I pop up, I don't really show analyze it, really, you're questioning it, as opposed to, I'm just wondering, where is it going to be happening anymore? Right, just be thankful that you're mused, as always there. Yeah. Yeah. Let's talk about British Lion Steve and about the record.
I know it's a few years old now, but it really, it's a really cool vibe, because obviously, and I want to hear the story behind it, because I know the original concept was Steve Harris solo album, called British Lion, but that mutated into the band, British Lion.
Yeah, back in the 90s, that's when they were basically around, and I first got a tape from Graham Leslie, guitar player, and I was really impressed with the tape, so I decided to meet up with him, and then he got together with Richard Talley, the singer, and basically from that point on, they were under a different name, but then we sort of asked him to change the name, to British Lion, because I thought it was a really powerful name.
And I think they weren't really that sure about the name to start with, but anyway, in the end, they changed it, and I became sort of, I don't know, it couldn't bustle Bottle Warsher, and everything, in between, really, I was just sort of managing him, and doing all kinds of stuff for him, and agent, and everything else.
And I actually, you know, doing all kinds of stuff for him as well, so basically, I did get up in jam with him once as well, and pulled you all, but I wasn't, you know, sort of playing in the band at all, apart from that.
And then they just folded up, and as bands do, and you know, a few years later, I just thought, you know, these songs are just too strong, not to see the light of day, so that's what started off really, you know, was in the back of my head, that for a fan time, we're trying to make time somewhere on the line to make it happen. And I'm really glad it did, because I'm really enjoying it. The ads are really enjoying it. It's still a lot of fun, you know.
And we've just finished recording the second album, so, just great, so we've got to end the game now. And so when we were about to release that and do something, I'm not really sure, because every, that's the problem, really, the everything's based around Maiden, you know, of course. Of course. It made, you know, comes first, and so it should. So basically, everything is just done in between.
Like now, these gigs coming up now, it's just an opportunity, we've got to get off of the shows, and just, well, you know, you've got to grab every opportunity to just, you know, have a go at it, really. So I'm fitting in, because my schedule is so short, tie it all the time, so busy with Maiden stuff, even when I'm not touring. So it's just grabbing a chance. And the thing is, if you don't just grab it and do it, then somebody else will come along, and possibly, and that will get.
So it's just a little grab it and go. Is it fun for you? You mentioned how much fun you're having, and what part of it is fun? The fact that you're playing a different style of music, is it fun to be touring? It's just nice to do. I mean, it's still rock, you know, it's not metal, but it's rock, and it's, you know, they're really good, I think they're really, you know, strong songs.
It's a different, completely different direction, maybe from Maiden, but it's, it's a lot of fun, and it's a lot of fun playing, and it's all clubs too. Obviously, I can't play those sort of places in Maiden anymore, and haven't done for many, many years.
So going back and playing those type of places, we'll say going back a lot of the places I've never played in the first place in Maiden, because then, you know, that we played around the UK a lot for, in five years or whatever, all we got signed. When we went to mainland Europe, we supported KISS, and that sort of really just sort of broke this and was able to go back and headline sort of, well, reasonable sized places, we've almost bought bypassed a lot of the smaller clubs.
So, say, a famous club like Neil P. Wai in Amsterdam, and I've never played it until I've got a chance to play it with British Lyme.
So, it was great to play those places, you know, I would even do it, and I'm lucky that I can play all of them, you know, I'm just, so lucky that I've made a little play festival with massive Aureans in Maiden, and played clubs in this mountain, just played on a cruise in February, what months of the cruise we've been in the line, that was something I've never done before. And, you know, it's a challenge, I do like a challenge.
It's interesting, like, when you see the stones would do that, they'll do, you know, a stadium show, then an arena show, and then a club show in the same city, like Paris, for example. For you playing with Maiden, same vibe, stadiums and arenas, what's the big difference when you go and play some of these clubs that are, as they say, more intimate, but as I know, from playing in Klowada clubs, it's a real punk rock, dirty, sweaty vibe, which is a lot of fun
in that respect as well. Yeah, just sweaty vibe, I'm not sure about the punk rock bit, but basically, yeah, I like being close to fans and being sort of in their face and whatever, and this and that. But I mean, Bruce has got a fantastic way of actually, you know, making arenas feel like clubs anyway, you know, it was with the fans, and we have like, what's going out, they're trying to get closer to the fans as well at the front.
You know, I must have met some of the festivals I've done like with, you know, they've made the bow, they're so far away, but you just have to be professional when you just have to get on with it, but whether possible or likely to be as close to the fans as possible, and obviously in a club, you know, you're not streaming your clubs, you know, I do like that.
For the guys in the band, I mean, when you're taking, for example, you know, when you're talking about something, you're saying about Richard Taylor, is it hard for him to have to kind of go up against the legend of Bruce Dickinson, or is it just, are you guys just being judged on your
own merit, or there's probably a lot of maiden fans coming to check it out too. I'm keeping in before, and I said, look, I think it wouldn't matter what singer it was really to certain degree, because, you know, Bruce, acting you can't against Bruce anyway, but I don't even know why people do that really, because it's a different thing altogether. It's not maiden, it's totally different, it's a rock band, it's not, you know, it's more kind of UFO than Nizi sort of than,
and you know, the influences. So it's not the same sort of thing, but, you know, people do, that's what they do, they compare my spores and whatever, but, and they shouldn't really, because it's a totally different thing, and you've got a totally different style of art, voice.
It's got a bloody good voice, in my opinion, but, you know, people got an opinion and says, I've always been the subject of them, but they're going to get, start comparing it to Bruce, then, you know, there's not many people in this world that can keep up with him anyway,
you know, pretty murky, but it's fantastic, but he's no longer around, and there's not too many that can really, I don't think, stand up to him, that's just my opinion, but it's not trying to do that, this British line is totally different, it's not even trying to compare or compete with maiden,
it's a whole different thing, and people come and say, live, I think they'll, well, I'll forget it, or they won't, but I think they will, I think it's, you know, it's just fun band, having a good time, you know, really good songs, and giving 100%, and, you know, having fun while they're doing it, and it's, that's the thing, but he has got a very different style of voice,
so, these ways. It's cool to, I'm going to get some metal singer in, because it's not what, what the anguish, and, you know, and why would I do that anyway, you know, this like is, it's as much, which is band as anybody's, probably more so. But that's the thing, when you have a great band, it doesn't matter what gets people into the doors, they're going to leave British Lion fans, because like you said, these songs are very good songs, and they're still rock and roll, man,
it's not, yeah, I think it's still rock and roll. And as I said, I think it's about getting people, it's always about that, I mean, you should say that, you know, promise of repeating what I used to say in the maiden days, early days, because you're just trying to get people in, and you're trying to
get them there in the first place, and to convince them, one way or the other, and, um, hopefully, convincing that, you know, there is even band, live band, and I think, you know, people come along, I think they won't be disappointed, but if they're coming along expecting, you know,
something similar to maiden, it's not. So, you know, I think it's been going long enough now that people know that, and I think there might be a bit of a change with this second album, and some people's that it's used possibly, because it's more representative of what we are now, the first album was a retro sound in album, it was minting sound that way, it was producing that way, that was intentional, he was looking for that sort of 70s kind of, you know, it's that top sound,
and this is different, this is more representative where we are now, and it's heavy, it's just, I don't know, like, rock with melody, but with part H to it. It's a couple songs that are my favorites on the first British lion, or the chosen ones, and a world without heaven, which are both very lengthy songs, A la Iron Maiden, but the chosen ones almost has a little bit of a Boston feel to it. You know, if you want to play it, you can play it.
Love the air, when is the record getting in the album, at least? It's called Spitfire, and you know, we've been playing it in the set for a while anyway, but it's, you know, it's the first time we've recorded it, studio-wise, so it sounds really good, I think.
So, and I think, you know, this time as well, you know, which is voices and great on it, so, not that you did it on the first album, but it's actually probably more representative of our years live, so I think it's a good indication too, so you get a chance to play it or not, because you can hear it and see what you think, but, well, not, but, uh, I'll say that you're way. I'd love it, man, absolutely. The brand new track from British Lion exclusive from Steve Harris.
Yeah, I mean, we won't be releasing an album, the album until next year, because, um, you know, we haven't even sort of really got all the package in together and all that kind of stuff. Again, it's just trying to fit everything in, it's just, you know, we, going on the call, we got it done, and, um, in between times, but we sorted the backing tracks around Christmas and stuff like that last Christmas, so it's still been done.
And as a minute, we can fit it in a lot of our meat, most of the time, because I'm the one that's the busiest out of everybody, but, but yeah, really, I'm really pleased of it. I think it's really powerful album, and so it's, I think it'd be nice to release a track on now. You're kind of the, the, the brain trust of Iron Maiden that you're doing everything, even when the other guys are kind of off the road, you're still putting together the live records and editing
the, the DVDs and all that sort of stuff. And I'm sure it's a constant, constant chain of events because Maiden is such a machine at this point. Yeah, well, of course, that's the, you know, because really I was in between times, I wanted to put out a live British live album, um, before the second studio album came out, and that was the fully the intention, and I even said that in
some interviews, and, um, but I'm, well, I say, I'm fortunate, it's not unfortunate, maybe because it's just my greatest thing, but, you know, something cropped up with the Maiden stuff, with all the DVD stuff, which wasn't planned at that point, but then there was a decision, you know, that we would do it. And so my time was taken up with that, and, yes, again, quite
odd. It's, so it takes presence. It always, always, as always will, and that's fine. So things get put in the back of the hand with British Lion, you know, and that's the way it is, and that's where it's always, always will be, as long as Maiden is still going. So, so now, you know, we ended up sort of doing tracks of this album, so we decided, well, we might as well get the album out,
and then we would do a live album later. Right. So we were called some more shows, and I've even more shows to go through, it's even more work, but, I think it's worth off doing that now, and that we know we've got this studio album in the can. Let's start with when you're traveling with British Lion, and obviously, as Iron Maiden, you've got Ed Forest 1, and I'm sure it's the top of the top. When you guys are on the road with
British Lion, is it getting back into a bus? How does that work for you guys? Yeah, well, in Europe, it's always a bus, because, you know, the distance is, well, I can't be long, depends if the agents have the thoughts out, I've been pulled out, but I'm not, but even now, I usually sort of, I did ask the question with the agent, I said, don't anybody really have a complaint about, you know, where they're going, you know, up and down
the country, because I'll go in and change it. And then she said, no, not really. I said, well, oh well, this must be me then, but, you know, I just, we're trying to change things so it makes it a lot easier, that's just a trouble for me to replace another, but anyway, it is on
the bus in Europe. And yeah, going back to the bus again out in a few years, as it's up and down, it's without a doubt, you know, I enjoy the bus, I always have done, so it was not really tough for me to do it, but, you know, there's certain things that you just have to put out with, being everyone else, and it's, you know, but obviously, it could say that it can be a little fun as well,
so there's that element. It's also, in some ways, we just get in the bus after a gig and shoot out sort of thing, and then you're off, you know, kind of cut the vast down the road to the next place, so I like that side of it too, but, you know, you can't not travel in the way maiden does
it, it's incredible. Sometimes I have to pinch myself, but I think traveling with British lion brings you back down to earth again, and in more ways than one, and it keeps you grounded, and it just makes you appreciate what you have, and it's not that we're not, we're traveling badly, we're not,
you know, I don't think I could go back to driving mountain cars or the back of the van, but very early times, but, you know, we're certainly not sort of traveling terribly by any means, but, you know, and on this tour we'll be flying, and just flying gentle flights, which is going to be tough, because there's some long distances, but it is what it is. You want to do these things, you need to, probably whatever it is to get there and do it, but the kids will make it all
worthwhile. That's what it's all about. You know, talking to you and hearing this, and I've always heard as well, and we have met a few times, you're a very humble guy, which is rare in a lot of ways for a guy that's been doing it at the biggest of levels as you have. How is it for you, like when you mentioned, you're playing monsters of rock cruise or some of the festivals, or you're not headlining, you've got, you know, 35 minutes or whatever it is, 45 minutes
to play your set. Is that cool for you as well to kind of put yourself back into that sort of vein, or sometimes as it bug you that you want to play longer? I think in a way, that's the only side of it that's making it not so good, is if you're playing, you know, a lot less time, I mean, when we're at Linus Bridge, Linus, we play for better now, and I have something like that.
Sometimes if you're doing a support thing or whatever, you know, then you would be only playing maybe 45 or whatever, monsters of rock, we actually did get up and more or less an hour, so that was great. That's really the only downside to it. You know, playing something like that was
you've never done before, it was an opportunity. Everyone would never do it, you know, including me, so, and it was just a lot of fun, but if we're going to go out, that's the thing time is precious, with this line, because I have to cram everything as I've said before, so when we do go out,
you don't really want to go out and play only for 45 minutes, unless it's something, if we go off, it's, you know, a fantastic tour that makes sense for everybody, that's fine, but even then, I don't know really, because, you know, as I said, time is precious, and we just, we'll probably
rather play to less people, we're not off, you know, because we're not trying to conquer the world, we're not, you know, we're not trying to do that, we're just going out and having fun, and doing what we're doing, it's not here, we're nice to get through more people in each time, but we're not striving for world success or anything like that. You've already got that. You've not been trying for. Yeah, well it's not even that, but it's not even that I've already got it, it's just that
there is no time to do that. If you're going to do that, you've got to put so much time and effort into it, and it takes a long time, and in some cases, a lot of years, A, I don't have that many years, anyway, and also, I don't know if it's time to do it, so it's not, not possible. So, you know, it's what it is. It is a side project, and, you know, the one that's made and is going, and we'll be going for as long as it can do, it will always be a side project.
Steve, you mentioned Thinlissey, you mentioned UFO, and when you were pre-made in days, when you were, you know, 15 living with your nan, and that sort of time frame, did you go to a lot of shows, did you go and see those bands live? What that was another plus point I've
lived in London, I mean, everyone plays London. Right. So, you know, there were skigs on every weekend, you know, just even up the road, I could walk up to the red line, pull up the road in Lankistown, and then every band's playing above it, you know, people like Stray, UFO, all kinds of people, bank or pink fairies, probably the most people don't even know, but, you know, they were
doing well in the day, but they were already got anywhere. But, you know, those sort of bands were playing all the time, you know, went to the joke farm roundhouse, and I saw UFO, Stray and Judith, pre-stooled playing together, and it was just amazing, you know. Did you? Budget as well, you know, all those types of thing, there's ears, you know, I saw all those bands, I saw a tradition play, supporting at the Marquis, twice, you know, they were supporting
that street called at first on my saw room. Really? And then they, yeah, and then they, well, actually, no story once, it was once seeing them like that, and then they came back the week after, and they did four headlines, and I went to two of them. First time they ever had a line in Marquis, so things like that, I was very lucky, I was able to be around and go all these gigs, and just jump on a bus or go on the train, you know, not too far to get to any of them.
What did you think of Bond's God as a frontman? Oh, amazing. I mean, I was sort of second and third row, and I saw them the first time, because they were supporting, I didn't even know where they were, I didn't know what to expect,
nothing about them whatsoever. I went to see Backstreet Cauder, which was Terry Schleser, and, you know, basically Paul Kossoff's band, or he passed the way by then, so they're just more on the guitar, but, you know, I love the free stuff and all that, so, and a Backstreet Cauder,
so I went to see them, and I come, I got someone on reason, I got there eight early, and which I think you know, not usual, because you're not always easy to get there early, the gigs, you know, so having an around and whatever, but so, but I did get there early, I got actually sort of a whole set, and it was amazing. Mark Evans on bass, and Bond's God, you say, you know, you know, Northern Life's just, you know, right in front of me, incredible,
such stage presence, and, you know, they were just amazing. Such energy. You know, a cool thing. Well, I went to see them a couple of times, Edline, and after that, because they did four nights, Edline and stuff, you know, after that and then I came, you know, I managed to go to, so, just incredible, really, playing, you know, TNT and all that sort of stuff.
It's interesting, because maiden, you know, when you had your B-sides, introduced kids like me to nectar and Beckett, and these type of really obscure bands with these great songs, like King of Twilight and Rainbow's Gold, and that sort of thing. Well, I saw it in play at Victoria, you know, I think it's the Apollo there's called in M.V. or something like that, and they had a but German band called Crown supporting them, and they were really interesting as well,
I mean, musically, I didn't love them, but they're bass-bladded and incredible shows. I don't really like bass-bladded, I was a fine and boring, but this guy was amazing, German bass player, good old. And in NXU, we're just unbelievable as well. Was it English band? Yeah, I love NXU, I love NXU, let's say the Saarao, Elport, right and passed away, not so long ago, it's a shame, but great band. Who are some of your favorite bass players back from that time frame and then throughout,
you know, more than modern times that influenced your style? Well, I think probably, what early on I suppose, well, joining us all from you was, you know, influenced Andy Fraser from Frey, I loved him as well, I think it was an amazing mind turner from Wichpernash, PY, UFR, and Reenis Gerrerson from Dolphin Ewing. Oh, he just did. I think influenced. I even bought a Dan Electric guitar, bass guitar because of him,
but it wasn't very good. I don't need a good band, I didn't get a good one, but so I didn't really use it for long, but you know, you tend to do it when you're young like that, you tend to do that. I mean, I bought a Gibson Thunderbird because Pete R.I., John Inverser R.I., and Martin Turner also, I know what I totally different sounds, and I thought, well, I must out between them free, I must be like a sewing out, yeah. And it was terrible.
Sandy, my dad's just done a little bit of a style, I just didn't have a good one, but it didn't sound good at all, and also the neck hang, just, I thought every yang in a way from you, so I ate you that as well, so I didn't keep that for long, I just got rid of that for the sharpish.
So you tend to do things like that when you're in certain bands and that, you're all influenced by them because you think, well, they've got a sound with certain things, you try these things out, and you experiment in those days, obviously, trying to get your own sound together. And that's exactly right. So I ended up settling down with a position because it's just simple work, and it just works.
Down is great. I'm not trying to plug in the guitars, but, you know, everyone knows I use that anyway, so every year, so it is what it is, but, you know, it's just weird because we'll work for someone else, won't necessarily work for you, that's the thing, what I'm trying to say. Well, it's all in your hands, isn't it? It's your style.
Well, a lot of it is your technique. I mean, I know you don't perfect me because the sound that I have, something I've heard other people get up and playing my reg, and what I mean, it sounds totally different without changing the scenes. So it's obviously definitely a lot in the way you attack or play. So, you know, even sounds different, you know, my bass check in Michael Kenney's been moving in many years. Many years, yeah.
You play with the player himself, but he sounds very different. In fact, he's a lot louder than I am. I thought I'd best, you know, quite a lot of strange, but, when he flies, he's louder than I am, so it's a different sound. Yeah, you could have two guys play the exact same rig, and it's going to have a different style, and different vibe to it. Yeah, yeah. It's just, I suppose, just technique or whatever you are. I don't really play too much attention to it, really. It just is what it is, but.
Just as we wind down your Steve, I want to ask you just about the legacy of the Beast Tour, because the rumor is that you guys are going to come to the States of the next summer. And I'm sure you will at some point. I love the fact that you guys do kind of a new album tour, and then follow up with kind of, I don't even know how you would say it, kind of the classics, but it's more than that tour. You've been doing that for many years. It's a great idea.
Yeah, we started doing it, and it just seemed to work great, so we sort of carried on doing it, and found different ways to make it work. And whatever, this show is really working great. And yeah, we've announced working really over, so everyone knows there's going to be other shows, but I've been sworn to seek receipt by Mr. Schmort. Don't break the oath to Mr. Schmort, man. He'll yell at me. Yeah, the forever you'll shoot me.
When you're putting together the set list for a tour like that, I mean, obviously there's so many songs, but you you always pull out like, Well, it's quite funny because I said an interview, because no one in Breach put the sets together. It's been a wrap-up of years. And this time, it's awful. We were really bruised to put the set list together. I fine tuned it a tiny bit, but actually, apparently, Rob was a bit missed
with his family. He was in, so I don't know. I mean, to be honest, I don't care. We put the set list together. It really said bloody good one, but if it was well done, but you know, it's quite funny. It's on record now, so I wasn't even able to set list. I'm kind of fair enough. Just let it go. It's all right.
But there's never, you know, when you guys did the first night of the Legacy the Beast tour, like on Instagram, every song was announced as you guys were playing it with this amazing graphic, this artwork. And I don't think there's any other band in the world where fans are waiting with baited breath to see what Iron Maiden is going to play on the new set list to where they're
announcing its song by song on Instagram. Well, that's because we've been around a long time. I suppose we've got so many songs to choose from, but you know, you never know what we're going to play next. I suppose it's always, you know, four songs that tend to be in the set on a regular basis, but apart from that, you don't know what you're going to get with us. And we don't really know until we sit down and start to do it and re-use it and whatever. And so it keeps it fresh for us as
well. And sometimes we'll bring a song back we haven't played for many years, which is like on this last tour with Flot of Icarus for a long, long time. And it feels great when you've been stuff back like that, you know. Almost feels like a new song sometimes and it's just feels fresh again. It's good. It's just nice to mix things up. And this set really works really well. I mean, free out to clean, musically. It's amazing. You know, wherever it works, wherever,
or else we take it, we'll see. But it certainly worked in Europe. So we'll see what happens. The production is incredible, too. I love seeing the the ace's high spitfire and Bruce's got the Flot of Icarus flames and the whole thing. Like you said, production-wise, it's second to known as well. Yeah, well, again, I think it's not, I mean, okay, you people see on YouTube and all that, but it's not the same as seeing it. Of course, you know, actually there, when you're there,
so yeah, it's a really good job. It is definitely one of the best ones we've ever done, I think. Well, last last two questions for you. I got called to do, I guess I got called Martin Popoff in Canada. He's doing a book of a bunch of, you know, quote unquote famous maiden fans giving their favorite two records. And I asked what one's other people chose. So I went with Power Slave and
the X factor, which to me is a very underrated record. It's a very dark record. It's almost like listening to a Floyd album in that you have to be in a certain state of mind to really get into it. But I love it. I'm not ashamed to say it. I think it's a great record. Looking back on it, do you still feel cool about that record? Do you like it? Do you think it's underrated? Yeah, I really like it. I really like album. It's very personal for me anyway. I love
on both. I remember saying at the time that those albums that we did the blaze, I think that I said it many times that people would in the future come to appreciate them a lot more later on. And they are. They are starting to do that now. It's definitely our appreciation of it a lot more. That will blow you good albums. It was just pointing time wherever we were going through at the time. And I think it's brought out some really good stuff. So yeah, I really like
that album and the era as well too. We were fighting. Everyone was fighting at the time because everyone thought Mel was going down and all that. And it was to a certain degree. But it makes you fight, it makes you challenge, you fight. I like that. There's an element to it, a fire in it. It's an important part of that career. It's an important part of that career. It's the same as IZ and Loz and Ups and Downs and the other. We're the bruises in the Van
or Norton. It's what it is. It's just wide the way. We're on a quest of a way. It's fantastic. It's a tsunami at this point Steve. You know, you take it all day long but you know, you just never know what's going to come. Really. Well, it's cool to do you guys still play sign of the cross and clansmen in those tunes. But it gives that record new life. And I agree with you for sure. Those two records are very underrated. So last question for you. What's your
favorite British lion song? And what's the hardest iron maiden song for you? I'm really because there's such powerful songs I think. But I think live, probably it's a tough choice. I like to enjoy playing shows and ones and us against the world at the end of the moment. Does a great thing. And not against the world. Maybe slightly as the edge because even the title is almost like going back to, you know, fighting for everything again and feeling that you are
kind of up against it and you know, it's kind of the element. So I really enjoy that one. But I enjoy more. What's the hardest iron maiden song for you to play live? I don't know, really. I don't really have difficulty. I can't think I have difficulty with any of them, really. Some of the other day asked me, certainly because I'm getting older, they said, can you still play Fentanyl? Or is that why it's not in a set? I can still play it, you know, quite easily.
I don't know. But I don't know, really. I suppose there are some songs with a longer song. You have to pay a little bit more attention than others, but I wouldn't say there any technically any more difficult. Sometimes some of the faster ones, whatever, but I don't really find any of them difficult to be honest and ever when they sound sort of, they get it or anything like that. But it's just, I don't really. If you're a singer, then you don't have a problem, you know.
Well, that's a thing. Even if you're playing a newer song, like you say, like red and the black or something, it's so long as long as you rehearse it. You remember all the tempo changes that might be the most difficult part probably. Well, that one in particular for me, I wrote that one. So it's easier for me to play the rest of the guys where they got to get the red round. There's a lot of, and also in that song, there's a lot of guitar things going on. Right. So it's a lot more difficult
for them. I think than me, you know, I'm holding this sort of thing down, or pretty much throughout. So yeah, there's a lot going on in that song, but for them more than me. So it's not really that difficult song for me, I don't think. That's why you write something into the songs because it's easier for you to remember them. Well, the problem is, as well, I stopped on the bass and I write in maybe such a
way that it's not really natural for guitar players. So that's, you know, they're used to mowing about it, but they're giving up mowning now. Steve, it's been great talking to you, man. I appreciate it. And looking forward to the new British line record when you get a chance to put it out. And maybe somehow if you guys do come over next year for the legacy of the beast, I will be there and I'll be standing
with Rod Smallwood drinking beer at the soundboard. Yeah, I might have a great day. Cheers, Steve. Thanks, man. Cheers. All right. Thanks to Steve Harris, one of my all-time heroes, touring now with British line. They're playing the brand new studio version of Spitfire every night in the set. We heard that here exclusive on talk as Jericho. Thanks to Steve and everybody with British line. They've got three days left in Japan starting November 26th. If you're over in Japan, check out this band.
But you heard Steve a new British line album is in the works. And you know, once it's finished, the tour behind it as well also talks about a new Iron Maiden record. But in the meantime, in the meantime, Steve and Iron Maiden are bringing the legacy of the beast tour to North America next year. Date starts July 18th of Florida. And like I mentioned, Fuzzy will be the main support on September 14th at the Bank of California Stadium in Los Angeles. It's a dream come true. Come
check us out. We are going to be going crazy that night. Nothing better than a great Iron Maiden concert. And there's no such thing as a not great Iron Maiden concert. I think I've seen Iron Maiden more than any other band that I've seen. They're up there with Kiss and Metallica. And I've never seen a bad Iron Maiden show no matter what. So very excited for that. And very excited that Steve Harris was on talk as Jericho today and actually called my house. So he has my phone number. So there
you go. I don't have his. But he's got mine. All right, Canada. Fuzzy is already here and ready to rock the Canadian days of the Judas Rising Tour start tonight. Wednesday, November 21st in Monkton, that casino new Brunswick. Then we head over to Halifax at the Kunar Center. That'll be on Friday. And then Saturday's Quebec City at Salt Lake Video Tron. Sunday, Montreal, M.T. Ellis. I probably butchered all those sayings. But anyways, all those arenas. But the 26th
aren't prior to the John Street. That has sold out 27 London at the London Music Hall. 28th Toronto at the Rock Pile. The 30th and Thunder Bay at Crocs. That's going to be a great show. Winnipeg. hometown show. Burton Cummings Theater. What a prestigious venue. Very, very cool first to play there. That's on December 1st. December 2nd. Regina. Things changed. That has sold out. Get a lot of increase from Regina. We're sorry. We're sold out. Come to Winnipeg. Maybe it's only five
hours away. Edmonton at the Starlight on December 3rd. And the last show of the Judas Rising Tour. The entire tour is in Calgary. December 4th at the Gateway. Come join us. Jared James Nichols is going to be their Deadset Society. The Dave Spivak Project. Join us for the last four days of the tour. Fazirock.com for all the ticket information, including how to buy tickets for one of Fazis legendary VIP meet and greets. One of the best of the business. We play a mini concert for you.
We take pictures. We sign stuff. We hang out with you. You don't want to miss it. You will get your money. So I guarantee it. Fazirock.com for all details on VIPs and tickets. All right. One personal hero today in Steve Harris from Rock and Roll Friday. Another personal hero, Ricky the Dragon Steamboat. Wow. Can't believe it. One of my biggest three teenage wrestling heroes. It was a live podcast in Chris Jericho's Rock and Wrestling Ranger at C. I've been waiting five
years to talk to Ricky Steamboat. I got him on the cruise. It's a great conversation with one of the legends in the biz. So be here on Friday. Ricky the Dragon Steamboat. I'm so excited. I just can't hide it. I know. I know. I know. I don't need to be. I'm happy Thanksgiving. By the way, all the sexy beast American talk is Jericho listeners. I am in Canada. We're having lobster. It's lobster turkey day here for all of us on the talk is Jericho staff, which is me. Those
stacey is in the state. Should we have in Turkey? I'll be on the lobster. There you go. And thanks to everyone who listens all over the world. We appreciate you being here. Thanks to Steve Harris. And we'll see you on Friday for Ricky the Dragon Steamboat. You're going to love it. In the meantime, stay hard. Stay hungry. Peace, love of hugs and a big, big boy. Happy Thanksgiving.