British Lion roars through the Ottawa valley

The Brass Monkey was bound to be packed as it hosted a sold out show to one of the world’s most iconic bass player’s, Steve Harris’ side project British Lion on Saturday night. I don’t think there’s question about which band he normally plays for as his name alone stands for itself, but if you’ve been hiding under a rock for thirty years, that band would be Iron Maiden.

Seeing Harris and British Lion in a smaller venue alone would have been epic enough, but the band had also brought along the Canadian rock legends and good friends of Harris’, Toronto’s loudest rock band Coney Hatch. The two connected in 1983 when Coney Hatch were noticed by Harris, and asked them to open for Iron Maiden’s ‘World Piece Tour’, so it’s very fitting that they were also asked to open for Harris’ British Lion on their very first Canadian Tour.

Guitarist Carl Dixon, vocalist and bassist Andy Curran, and the original drummer Steve Shelski along with Lee Aaron’s guitarist Sean Kelly hit the stage with youthful, energetic excitement and big smiles on their faces.  Dixon’s guitar sounded crunchy and hard as a rock, and Kelly’s solos were fierce with a look on his face that meant serious business. Curran’s bass was heavy and tight, while Shelski’s drums were hard hitting and on point, while Dixon and Curran both belted out vocals on variety of tracks from all four of the band’s albums.

Curran asked the crowd if anyone was born after 1985 which received minimal reaction meaning the old school crowd was definitely out in abundance and having a great time. The band finished their set with the hit song ‘Monkey Bars’ with everyone chanting right along and got a massive cheers from the audience.

British Lion’s crew didn’t take long to switch the set over to get ready to rock, and adorned the stage with band’s banners in front of the amps and behind the drums to make it look as if they were playing an arena show. There is no real side stage at The Brass Monkey, so the bands generally hang out in the back room of the bar while waiting to hit the stage, which means walking through the crowded house to get to the stage. Once the band started making their way towards the stage, the venue got filled with hollers and cheer and got even louder once Harris walked on the stage. Once underway into their first song “This is My God” , a great portion of the crowd were singing along and the rest were banging their heads to the loud British rock metal.

The guitarists Grahame Leslie and David Hawkins provided some tactful guitar riffs that blended melodic chunkiness and lead licks that fit each song perfectly. Simon Dawson’s drumming was thunderous, loud and precisely what I would expect to hear from someone keeping the rhythm with the one and only Steve Harris.  Keeping in what seems a long heavy metal rock tradition, the lead singer Richard Taylor’s huge voice was absolutely impeccable, and able to hit a very wide array of ranges all while keeping an incredible stage presence.

Then there is the iconic Mr.Harris.  Still as energetic as ever, banging his head, running around the stage sweating his ass off pointing his bass guitar at the crowd like it was a machine gun, singing along to every word just like he does in his regular day job. His trademark bass tone, which most players want to emulate, was pummeling and sounded true as always, and as usual, he had the biggest grin on his face.

The band played almost every song they had in their arsenal,  and when it came time for the encore, the band joked that since they have nowhere side stage to go they’re going to stay put. Taylor introduced the band, the crowd erupted into a huge cheer, and the band busted into a couple more tunes back to back and ended a great night of heavy metal and rocknroll.

It’s not every day you get to see one of your favorite rockers in an intimate venue like this instead of a big stadium or arena, so if you get a chance, do buy a ticket and go check out British Lion. Just don’t expect to go and see Iron Maiden, as that’s not what you are going to see.

By Brian Vince