Steve Harris, Brian Wheat, Dave Rude & Justin Hawkins
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Eddie Trunk kicks off a four-week series from the Monsters of Rock Cruise 2026 with a triple-header of legendary rock figures: Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, Brian Wheat and Dave Rude of Tesla, and Justin Hawkins of The Darkness. Harris reflects on 50 years of Iron Maiden, the upcoming 'Run For Your Lives' U.S. tour, and the new documentary 'Burning Ambition,' which he acknowledges was made without band control but still offers a compelling look at the band’s legacy. He also discusses his side project British Lion, emphasizing the joy of playing smaller shows and the importance of staying active. Tesla’s Brian Wheat and Dave Rude share insights into their new album 'Homage,' a tribute to legendary vocalists with a new original track 'Never Alone,' and reveal the emotional reunion with former guitarist Tommy Skiho, turning past tensions into a new band called Terminal. Justin Hawkins, known for The Darkness’s flamboyant style, discusses the band’s international fan disparity, the challenges of breaking into the U.S. market, and his excitement for a new Hollywood opportunity. He also expresses optimism about rock’s future, advocating for innovation and reinvention beyond nostalgia. The episode captures the energy of a live cruise broadcast, blending deep fan appreciation with candid reflections on legacy, collaboration, and the evolving music industry.
Iron Maiden’s 'Run For Your Lives' tour features a groundbreaking, location-based stage production with no backdrops, using digital screens to tell the band’s story from East London roots.
Steve Harris reveals that British Lion allows him to stay creatively active and physically fit, balancing massive Maiden tours with intimate performances.
Tesla’s new album 'Homage' honors legendary vocalists like Freddie Mercury and Elvis Presley, with a brand-new song 'Never Alone' co-written by Brian Wheat and Jeff Keith.
The reunion of Tesla guitarist Tommy Skiho and Brian Wheat on the cruise, after years of tension, exemplifies healing through music and mutual respect.
Justin Hawkins emphasizes that rock’s future lies in innovation—challenging traditional time signatures and embracing new sounds like microtonal math rock to stay relevant.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to the Monsters of Rock Cruise 2026
Eddie Trunk introduces the four-week series from the Monsters of Rock Cruise, explaining how live interviews from the ship will be shared weekly. He highlights the unique live audience experience, the cruise’s role as a music festival at sea, and teases the first day’s guests: Steve Harris, Brian Wheat & Dave Rude, and Justin Hawkins.
Steve Harris on Iron Maiden’s Legacy and British Lion
“I'm scared to stop, if I'm honest. But we'll see. I mean, I don't know. I think it looks like it's going to be a year or so. If that's the case, then I don't want to sit around twiddling my thumbs for a year.”
Tesla’s Homage: Tribute, Reunion, and New Beginnings
“When you're in a band like Tesla, it's a family. And Dave can attest to that. And we're brothers and sometimes brothers fight. And, you know, it's well documented the problems Tommy had when he was in Tesla.”
Justin Hawkins on The Darkness, U.S. Challenges, and Rock’s Future
“We need to reinvent. We need to move. We need to challenge people. And we need to beat rap. We need to start being competitive. And I know it's not always fun to be mainstream. It's nice to be the outsider, but it's time the outsiders fucking won for a change.”
Closing Thoughts and Tour Announcements
Trunk wraps up the episode with a heartfelt thank you to all guests, previews the upcoming days of the cruise, and shares tour dates for his own appearances in Texas and Illinois. He emphasizes the unique value of the cruise as a creative and social hub for rock musicians and fans alike.
“We need to reinvent. We need to move. We need to challenge people. And we need to beat rap. We need to start being competitive. And I know it's not always fun to be mainstream. It's nice to be the outsider, but it's time the outsiders fucking won for a change.”
“I'm scared to stop, if I'm honest. But we'll see. I mean, I don't know. I think it looks like it's going to be a year or so. If that's the case, then I don't want to sit around twiddling my thumbs for a year.”
“When you're in a band like Tesla, it's a family. And Dave can attest to that. And we're brothers and sometimes brothers fight. And, you know, it's well documented the problems Tommy had when he was in Tesla.”
Host
Guests
Iron Maiden
other
Monsters of Rock Cruise
other
British Lion
other
Tesla
other
Eddie Trunk
person
Steve Harris
person
The Darkness
other
Brian Wheat
person
Dave Rude
person
Justin Hawkins
person
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