Lauren Harris (photos) — daughter of IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris — recently spoke to Herts & Essex News Online about her own music career.

Lauren recognizes she will be a target for lazy criticism from those convinced her achievements are purely down to dad, Steve, bass player and main songwriter with the heavy metal legends.

She was taking a philosophical approach to the inevitable barbs and said: "It did worry me at first, but now I'm trying to put it out of my mind. People are going to put me down and say, 'She's just doing this because of her dad', or, 'She's not as good as her dad', but I can't compete with that so I'm really not going to try. If people like it, they like it."

Judging from the battering her MySpace site has been getting, people do like Lauren's own brand of hook-laden pop-rock, which is set to reach an even wider audience during a hectic summer of gigs including the major festivals Download, Rock am Ring and Rock im Park.

She said: "I remember going to see my dad at Download, so for me to play there is just, 'Wow'."

That run of shows kicks off with a double-header locally, Harlow Square on Saturday and Hertford Marquee on June 7.

Saturday's show is set to be a family affair with Lauren's 15-year-old brother, George, opening proceedings with his band BURN IN REASON and a possible appearance from their dad.

Lauren said: "All my family and friends will be there, which is much scarier than playing in front of strangers, but I'm looking forward to getting the home support and it's good to be able to show people what I've been up to. With George playing as well, the pressure might even be off me a little!"

Lauren has been working with the American management company Monstro and is building towards the release of a debut single.