Steve Harris

The gig yesterday, in the suburb of Lyon, was really great. Voodoo Six are fine, their music is really bass driven, and Newton is quite a showman, so the opening act was fine. As for British Lion, they really are a cohesive band now, and sound quite heavy. I had arrived very early at the gig, and we were just 8 or 9 waiting under the rain. Steve, who was in his tour bus, came to see us twice in the afternoon, and was more relaxed than usually. He confirmed that a live album is to be expected soon, and a second studio album next year. All the other guys showed up at some point, and talked to us. There are really nice. During the gig, I was at the very front row, center-right of the stage, just in front of the man, who was really into it, as usual : singing along looking the fans in the eyes (I could hear him scream and sing, and God, it's horrible :p) and we've been machine-guned many times (my favorite stage gimmic from him). Obviously, after the show, Harry signed more stuff and had pics taken with him and some of his guys. It was a long trip, but, as usual, it's worth the time and money.
 
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Forostar said:
Wow. So nice you saw Steve before the gig with not that much of a crowd around you.
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Yes, I think it was because of the rain and the cold. He saw those guys waiting and thought that he should do something. That was really great. He called me "mate" at some point, and I was over the moon. I love this side project for the moment it allows us to live.
 
Just a quick story to add, just to show how straightforward he was that day. Among the people waiting, there was a man from Marseille, who uses to promote metal gigs, for tribute and local bands. He told me that he wanted to talk to Steve and have his band play Marseille. I politely listened to him but thought he was crazy. When Steve came for the first time, he presented him his project, told him he would like to have BL play Marseille. And Steve went : "Yeah, I like southern France. It's a long time since I have played Marseille. Come to see me after the gig, I will give you the email of the guy that books our tour; he will tell you the price". And so he did later. So, for those going to the gigs (@Forostar), it's really worth the wait. Most of the audience come very late and being there early can be a very good occasion. When they have a gig the night before, they sleep while travelling in the tour bus, and spend the morning in it, next to the hall. I don't know what the plan is when they have a day-off before. And you can have a quick conversation with Michael Kenney, which is great too; most of the fans don't care about him, so it's easy to get a chat.
 
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Good to know!

Yes, I talked to Michael Kenney last time. The weird thing is that there were several people near, and no one seemed to know/recognize him, or at least they didn't show it. He just sat outside, and others walked by or talked in groups, without paying much attention. I walked to him and asked if he was indeed Michael Kenney. Sounds silly, but at that moment I had no other idea of how to start a short chat. Didn't know well what to ask either. With 'Arry it could be the same, even if it was in your situation. Lost for Words? ;) I have some very specific nerdy things that I'd like to know but they are so detailed and Maiden, that I'm not sure if he's interested to answer them. Perhaps he doesn't even remember the answers.

I'm afraid I can't arrive very early this time, since the gig is on a Tuesday.
 
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It doesn't seem Kenney is keen on answering specific questions. Anyway, his answers are really short. As for Steve, he is even more laconic, but he actually listens to people, and looks them straight in the eyes. I think I've been helped by the terrible weather. In Paris, back in july 2014, there were dozens of people all the afternoon, but last year in London, under a heavy rain, we were just 6 or so. Now I'm ill, but I'm almost happy to have got a cold.
 
Kenney looked far too grumpy to talk to anyone when I saw him in York. He walked past a load of fans at one point and nobody recognised him.
 
Brigantium said:
Kenney looked far too grumpy to talk to anyone when I saw him in York. He walked past a load of fans at one point and nobody recognised him.
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I didn't know the word, but that's it. The first time I talked to him and asked for a photo he asked why I wanted that, that he was not a star, that his boss was. And I answered that he played keyboards for Maiden and he accepted that as a valid reason. So I had a series of pics of him smiling next to me. But most fans don't knw him, or even Rod Smallwood, who could walk unbothered during BL gig last year in London.
 
harrisdevot said:
Yes, I think it was because of the rain and the cold. He saw those guys waiting and thought that he should do something. That was really great. He called me "mate" at some point, and I was over the moon. I love this side project for the moment it allows us to live.
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Lucky you! I have not met Steve yet. The closest I was was back in 2000, when 10 fans (including me) were waiting near the backstage entrance in Madrid before the Iron Maiden gig on the Brave New World tour. All Maiden members arrived in vans and went straight to the venue... Adrian waved at us, but that was it. They all seemed to be in a hurry and did not have any time for us (by the way, I am not implying they should have stopped to have a chat with us).

After that I decided not to waste my time waiting for them to stop when they are on their way to their day job. :lol: Thankfully I have met Bruce 3 times and he has always been nice.
 
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