British Lion: The Hard Rock Side Project
British Lion is a British hard rock band formed by Iron Maiden bassist and founder Steve Harris. The project serves as a distinct creative outlet for Harris, exploring classic rock and hard rock influences separate from his legendary work with the heavy metal titans.
Early career
The origins of British Lion trace back to the late 1990s when Steve Harris began collaborating with singer Richard Taylor and guitarist Grahame Leslie. Initially working on material for a solo album, Harris eventually decided to form a proper band around the project, bringing in drummer Simon Dawson and later guitarist David Hawkins to solidify the lineup.
Breakthrough
After years of development and live warm-up shows, British Lion officially debuted with their self-titled album in 2012, released via EMI. While not achieving the colossal chart numbers of Iron Maiden, the album entered the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart at number 16, demonstrating a dedicated fanbase eager to hear Harris's other musical passions.
Key tracks
This Is My God — The opening track from their debut album immediately established the band's anthemic, melodic hard rock sound.
Lost Worlds — A fan favorite showcasing the band's knack for building epic, narrative-driven rock songs with strong vocal harmonies.
The Burning — This track exemplifies the band's heavier, more driving side, often serving as a powerful set opener during live performances.
Legend — Featured on their second album, this song highlights the band's evolution towards a more progressive rock-influenced structure.
Spit Fire — A high-energy track that has become a staple of their live shows, emphasizing the band's raw and direct rock approach.
The band built momentum through consistent touring, supporting their debut album across Europe. They returned with their second studio album, The Burning, in early 2020, just before global live events paused. This album showcased a more cohesive and developed band sound, with songwriting contributions from across the lineup.
Fans of Steve Harris's signature bass style will find familiar elements in British Lion's music, but framed within a different context. The band's sound is often compared to classic 1970s and early 1980s rock acts, focusing on strong melodies, twin guitar harmonies, and straightforward, powerful songwriting. The project allows Harris to explore musical territories that complement, rather than replicate, his primary band's legacy.
For listeners who enjoy the melodic hard rock of British Lion, our station also features artists like Thin Lizzy for their twin-guitar harmonies and storytelling. UFO shares a similar foundation in classic British rock with a hard-edged delivery. The anthemic qualities can be heard in the work of Iron Maiden, of course, though in a more metal context. The straightforward rock approach also aligns with Airrace and their brand of AOR-influenced hard rock.
The music of British Lion receives regular airplay across a variety of rock-focused stations on our network. Classic rock FM stations and dedicated online rock radio streams frequently feature tracks from both their debut and sophomore albums, especially within blocks highlighting side projects from major artists or new classic rock releases.
You can hear the powerful hard rock of British Lion on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Explore our curated selection of classic rock and alternative rock radio stations to discover and listen to the distinct sound of Steve Harris's long-running side project.
