Buffalo News' Jeff Miers spoke with Iron Maiden bassist/founder Steve Harris on the phone this week, just as he walked off stage following a soundcheck prior to that evening’s show in Quebec City. An excerpt from the interview follows:

Q: This set list is like a dream set for many fans, but Maiden has never been a band content to live in the past. Was it difficult to come up with a repertoire that was a career retrospective and still packed the element of surprise?

Harris: "I actually didn’t come up with the set list this time - it was (manager) Rod (Smallwood), but I liked it right away. There’s some things that will be challenging for the audience, somewhat - longer, epic pieces and so forth. That makes it a little bit more challenging and interesting for us. But there are songs in there that people definitely want to hear - particularly on this side of the pond, where some of the more epic things weren’t quite as popular as they were in the rest of the world. It’s a strong, well-paced set and it’s enjoyable to play."

Read more at Buffalo News.

Iron Maiden are performing not just one, but TWO shows at the Budweiser stage in Toronto this weekend - tonight, Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10. Put on your drinking cap because prior to the band hitting the stage, Iron Maiden’s Trooper Beer and BraveWords are hosting pre-party bashes at the Bovine Sex Club’s Tiki Bar in downtown Toronto from 4 PM to 7 PM on both days.

Get there early because there will be lots of prizes and Trooper swag!

What: Iron Maiden Trooper Beer Pre-Party

When: Friday, August 9 + Saturday, August 10

Time: 4 PM to 7 PM

Where: Bovine Sex Club’s Tiki Bar (542 Queen St. West downtown Toronto)

For more info visit the event page Facebook and Trooper beer here.