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| Blackie Lawless, was born Steven Duren on 4th September 1956. He lived in Staten Island, New York, where he hung out with Ace Freley of Kiss Fame. At the age of 13, Blackie was stabbed in a fight and at 14 he was sent to Military School to learn discipline. After 18 months o |
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Blackie Lawless, was born Steven Duren on 4th September 1956. He lived in Staten Island, New York, where he hung out with Ace Freley of Kiss Fame. At the age of 13, Blackie was stabbed in a fight and at 14 he was sent to Military School to learn discipline. After 18 months of a two year sentence he was thrown out after beating up a Sargent Major.
Blackie was nine when he got his first guitar and in that same year he earned 16 dollars and 35 cents in his first band called THE UNDERSIDE. At the age of 16 Blackie played with an East Coast band called BLACK RABBIT, tauting his talents around local bars. Another early band was called ORFAX RAINBOW in which he played for quite a while. When a singing vacancy came up with the legendary NEW YORK DOLLS, after Johnny Thunders leaves, Blackie takes it up - he had just turned 18.
After six months playing with the then dying NEW YORK DOLLS, Blackie and fellow DOLLS bassist Arthur Kane decide to leave New York and head to L.A. They form a band called KILLER KANE and release a 33 ½ EP. This includes the tracks MR COOL on Side 1, LONGHAIRED WOMAN and DONT NEED YOU on Side 2. Blackie is known at this time as "Blackie Gooseman". Eventually KILLER KANE breaks up, Arthur decides to go back to New York and Blackie stays in L.A.
In 1977, Blackie and Randy Piper join together to form a band called SISTER. SISTER where amongst the first groups in L.A. to experiment with occult symbolism and face make up. It is also believed that Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue) also played in the band for a while. Out of the SISTER experience Blackie meets up with Chris Holmes. While browsing through the "Beaver Hunt" section of Hustler magazine, Blackie spots ex - U.S. Marine Chris and decides to contact him.
Unfortunately, the late 1970's were a bad time for Heavy Metal and SISTER failed to generate record company interest despite their loyal club following. Other bands that Blackie had played in around this time were CIRCUS CIRCUS and LONDON.
Blackie and Randy stayed in contact and in 1982, when Blackie felt that he had good enough material to form a new band he contacted Randy. Chris and Tony Richards were also added to the line up. The band also dabbled with bassist Don Costa for a while before he joined Ozzy.
W.A.S.P were now formed and in late 1982, they started live gigging. Their first gig was at a place called "The Woodstock" in Orange Country, and by May 1983, they were able to sell out the then 3000 seated "Santa Monica Civic Hall". Momentum continued with a number of sold out gigs at the "Troubador".
Late in 1983, Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood went to see the band. He was extremely impressed with the music and outrageous live performances he decided to get involved. A substantial recording contract was agreed with Capitol Records in early 1984 and the band started to record their debut album "W.A.S.P".
The bands first single "ANIMAL" was not included on the album as it would have meant it being banned from major chain stores. Capitol planned to release it as a single only in Europe, in a black plastic bag with a sticker warning of offensive lyrics. At last minute Capitol backs out and the single is salvaged when W.A.S.P strikes a one off deal with "Music For Nations", who release it in its original sleeve in April of 1984.
In August the album "W.A.S.P" (the original title was planned to be "Winged Assassins") is issued followed by the single "I Wanna Be Somebody" in September. Just before the start of their British Tour, Tony Richards decides to leaves the band. He is replaced by ex-Keel drummer Steve Riley. After the tour a further single "School Daze" is issued.
In May 1985, work begins on the bands second album "THE LAST COMMAND", working with Spensor Proffer at Pasha Studio's in L.A. The band also goes on tour without their signature of blood and guts stage show and open for such major acts as Kiss. The album is released in September, with the first track off the album called "BLIND IN TEXAS" being released in October.
Wild Child is issued in June of 1986. Around this time the band comes up with two major inconveniences. Firstly Randy Piper leaves the band and is replaced by bassist Johnny Rod (King Kobra). This enables Blackie to switch back to playing rythum guitar. Also the band starts to run up against on organisation called the P.M.R.C. This was run by U.S. senators wives and wannabes trying to protect decent society from Rock Music. They referred to Blackie as being sick.
The summer of 1986 was spent recording in L.A, with plans to return to Europe to do an Autumn tour. Their first single from the new sessions "9.5. N.A.S.T.Y." was released in September and the tour began in October. To co-inside with the tour, the bands third album called "INSIDE THE ELECTRIC CIRCUS" was released.
Before the start of their British Tour, W.A.S.P fly into London a few days early to appear live at the "Town and Country Club" for a BBC2 special called "Rock Around The Clock". Their usual grand finale with Blackie's cod piece exploding in a shower of sparks was deemed to be unsuitable and was not filmed. Also around this time there were bomb threats at arenas were W.A.S.P were playing and Blackie had his life threatened by gunshots.
In 1987 W.A.S.P were listed fifth on the bill of the Castle Donington, "Monsters Of Rock" festival in the U.K, which was headlined by Bon Jovi. Their act included the return of the "Torture Routine" in all its glory. The week before the festival, "SCREAM UNTIL YOU LIKE IT", the theme tune to the horror movie"Ghoules 2" was released. This was then followed by the release of the bands forth album called "LIVE..... IN THE RAW". February 1988 leads to Music for Nations following up the original "ANIMAL" release with a live version.
By the end of the year the band were putting finishing touches to their forth studio album called "THE HEADLESS CHILDREN" in Baby O Studios in L.A. Before recording had began, Steve Riley leaves the band and Frankie Banali drummer from Quiet Riot was borrowed for the album sessions. The finished record had a better sound than its predecessors, with the addition of Ken Hensley (ex-Uriah Heep) on keyboards and string arrangements being used on certain tracks.
Mean man was issued at the end of February 1989 and becomes the bands first U.K. Top 30 Hit. The actual album was issued in April and they planed to tour that month too, but the bands inability to find a suitable drummer lead to the tour being re-scheduled for May, when Frankie was free to join the band after finishing touring with Quiet Riot. Their British tour was supported by Zed Yago and was completed at the end of May. Also in May "THE REAL ME" (a cover of The Who's classic from Quadrophenia) was issued. FOREVER FREE was also released and gets to number 25 in the U.K. singles chart.
Rumours start to amount that Chris Holmes has left the band and this is confirmed. Blackie announces that he is working on a new project, a rock opera, which is to be called "THE CRIMSON IDOL" without Chris.
In March of 1992 the single "CHAINSAW CHARLIE" (the first single in three years) is released followed by the album "THE CRIMSON IDOL" in June. It was recorded at Blackie's Fort Apache studios and was written and produced by the man himself.. Frankie Banalli left the band during the recording sessions and Stret Howland took over on drums, also Johnny Rod does not play on the album, but he is later re-recruited for the tour . Bob Kulluck is included and takes over on guitar for studio work only.
August 1992 W.A.S.P play Castle Donington, Monster of Rock festival in the U.K, headlined by Iron Maiden, and also tour later that year. The touring line up included Blackie, Johnny Rod, Stret Howland and Doug Blair.
The single "SUNSET AND BABYLON" is issued in October 1993, followed by the release of the album "FIRST BLOOD….LAST CUTS" in the same month. Around this time Blackie declares that he has disbanded W.A.S.P to pursue a solo career.
Blackie signs a new record deal with Castle records and in June 1995, the album "STILL NOT BLACK ENOUGH" is released still under the name W.A.S.P. Blackie stated that at the time that he had began writing the album, he had intended to put W.A.S.P behind him, but as the album come together there were songs in the classic W.A.S.P style and it seemed natural to call it a W.A.S.P album, anything else would not have been true to the many legions of W.A.S.P fans who had shared the experiences. "BLACK FOREVER" a CD single was also issued too. W.A.S.P do not tour, but Blackie makes personal appearances to promote the record.
March 1997 leads to the release of "KILL FUCK DIE" through Raw Power and a one track limited edition CD of the same name was released a month earlier. The album has a much darker mood to it and has included the return of guitar player Chris Holmes to the band. Stret Howland is also in the band and Mike Duda is added on bass guitar. The band tours and their stage show is very outrageous, it included the raping of a nun and the cutting up of a pig.
W.A.S.P sign a new deal with CMC International Records and Blackie wins a court case against Capitol and contains full control of the W.A.S.P back-catalogue. He re-masters the catalogue and re-issues them with B sides and live performances added.
"DOUBLE LIVE ASSASSINS" is released in the U.K. in February 1998 and in the U.S. in June. This is a live album which was recorded on their world tour in 1997. They join the Metal Manics tour with Iron Maiden, but due to problems with the tour they pull out.
In January of 1999 Blackie announces the name of the new album which is called "HELLDORADO" it is to be released in May followed by a European tour.
After completing a successful European Tour in June 1999. Blackie at to postpone the U.S. Tour due to a injury on his elbow.
February 2000, W.A.S.P embark on their long awaited American Tour. A Best Of CD entitled 'The Best Of The Best' is released in March. The CD included classic songs such as Animal, L.O.V.E Machine and Wild Child. Also there were two extra tracks on the CD, a version of the Elton John hit 'Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting' and a new track entitled 'Unreal'.
The band play a show at the Key Club in Los Angeles on April 22nd 2000. This show was broadcasted live all around the world via the internet. This was an historic event in W.A.S.P history and fans came together from all over the world to watch the same show. It was amazing.
In May of 2000 W.A.S.P took part in charity show sponsored by Concreate Marking in which all proceeds of the ticket sales went to the T.J. Mashal foundation. Other bands that took part in this event where Great White and Megadeath. Parts of this show was also recorded for an Hollywood film.
October 2000 saw the release of a CD called 'The Sting'. This CD is a recording of the Netcast show that took place at the Key Club Los Angeles on April 22nd 2000.
W.A.S.P. released Unholy Terror through the Metal-is label, on April 9th 2001. It was Recorded in Los Angeles with W.A.S.P main man Blackie Lawless at the production helm, 'UNHOLY TERROR' dealt with many issues that Blackie sees in the world today, and never being afraid to comment on these issues through his music said: ''One subject that this album deals with is socio, religious, and political hypocrisy. I had a fundamentalist Christian upbringing and I grew up seeing the world through a different pair of eyes''. In the song 'Charisma', Lawless, who has constantly been the target of religious zealots throughout his career, explains: ''There's a dark side of charisma that mesmerizes all of us when we look at the world figures who possess that dark gift. In the song there's a line that goes 'Preaching fear and using religion with the Bible and Koran', as often organised religions wield a mighty power over it's congregations in the name of God''. That said, this is still a Rock n' Roll record, and sees W.A.S.P's trademark high octane brand of relentless, driving rock, standing shoulder to shoulder with songs about Disaffected Youth and Dictators, Popes and Politicians, and will surely go down as one of their most accomplished albums to date.
They played some European festivals in June, July & August of 2001, before returning to the U.S.A to do an Autumn Tour.
On June 11th, shock rock innovators W.A.S.P. will release their most inspired effort to date through Sanctuary/Metal-Is Records.. On the heals of 2001's critically acclaimed Unholy Terror (heralded as an "…excuse to flay your carcass more ruthlessly than anyone else can…" by L.A. Weekly and "…hard, nasty and loud…" by Hit Parader Magazine), Blackie Lawless and company are unleashing a 10-track demonstration of inspiration through aggression entitled Dying For The World.
With a lineup that currently consists of vocalist/guitarist/ringleader Blackie Lawless, longtime contributing drummer Frankie Banali and bassist Mike Duda, and newcomer Darrell Roberts (who joined the band just prior to the Unholy Terror U.S. Tour), Dying For The World was recorded and mixed at Blackie's studio in Los Angeles. The album was actually inspired by letters received from troops who fought in the Gulf War.
Blackie explains: "Our motivation for this record was prefaced by letters sent to us from the tank divisions during the Gulf War, where the troops would actually go into battle blaring 'Fuck Like A Beast' and 'Wild Child.' After the events on 9/11, we felt we would give them a fresh batch; in essence, we've literally made an album to go kill people by."
Consisting of songs entitled "Shadow Man," "Hell For Eternity," "Trail Of Tears," "Rubberman," "My Wicked Heart," "Stone Cold Killers," "Hallowed Ground," "Hallowed Ground #5 (acoustic)," "Black Bone Torso," and "Revengence," Dying For The World emphasizes a method of dealing with anger.
A native of Staten Island, Blackie elaborates: "This problem isn't going to go away; we WILL have to deal with the Middle East eventually. There is no longer an 'if', it's 'when'!"s 'when'!"
W.A.S.P. have cancel their U.S. tour scheduled for fall 2002, due to the fact that the band are continuing work on the forthcoming studio album, which will be a double record set scheduled for release in the fall of 2004
Due to the enormity and the complexities of what will be a concept/ opera, the band feel that they will need as much time as possible in effort to make this forthcoming release everything that it can possibly be.
Source: http://www.waspnation.com/history.html |
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Creator
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The Neon God - Part 1: The
Rise (2004)
1. Overture
(instrumental)
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Replys
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Listener
| 2. Why Am I Here
[Jesse to God]
Oh tell me Lord, why am I here?
Lost in all our pain and sorrow
Are we to live in pain and fear?
Oh tell me Lord, why am I here? | riff_master | 3. Wishing Well
[Jesse to Self]
There's place where I'm
Oh - with sorrowed lives
And all the souls
Oh - they're wishing they could die
Take me down
And drown this the orphan forever
Ya know I do
Wish away the pain
And wash away my life
Find me down inside a shallow pool
Down a wishing well
No more bleeding
No more screaming tonight
Wash away my pain
Oh - in the well of sighs
For I have no face - oh
Abandoned for all, for all time
[Jesse thinking of his mother]
Why, why am I nothing?
Oh mamma why, why'd you leave me
A throw away for life
Oh - oh why, why am I nothing
Oh and mamma why
Can you feel me there
Oh God I wanna die | riff_master | 4. Sister Sadie (And The Black Habits)
[Sister Sadie to Jesse]
Strip off your things
And bow to your queen
And cleanse the sins of your life
Get on your knees
Gonna beg and bleed
No one hears you - you belong to me
Reaper of your sorrow's seed
Black habits tonight
Your only sin
Was coming into Sadie's life
[Jesse to Sister Sadie]
Sister of No Mercy please
I'm praying to die
Can I cleanse my orphan sins
And save my soul tonight - when
I don't believe
I don't believe
In a God of love
I won't deceive
I don't conceive at all
I don't believe
I don't believe
In a God above
I don't believe
I won't receive no more
[Sister Sadie to Jesse]
What I do to thee
Is what was done to me
Sins of the fathers lives
And do you feel
There's a God for real
Ooh your only God is me
[Jesse to Sister Sadie]
Reaper of my sorrow's seed
And my screams in the night
My only sin was coming into Sadie's life
Sister of No Mercy please
I'm praying to die
Can I cleanse my orphan sins
And save my soul tonight - when
I'm fucked for life
Blind and tied nobody sees
I'm fucked for life
I'm the child no mother needs
I'm fucked for life
The cries of night for all Sadie's needs
I'm fucked for life
I'm the child nobody sees
[Sister Sadie to Jesse]
Oh you, I'll make you think you're
dying
This room cleansing time again
I'll take you to this House of Sorrows
I'll break your Neon Heart of sin
[Jesse to Sister Sadie]
Oh are you mad
I'm going fast
Habits in black
No coming back
No Mercy me
This Hell is real
Why me ya see
She's here killing me | riff_master | 5. The Rise
[Jesse to the Invisible Circus]
Welcome to my world
To my kingdom of make believe
I'm your new Messiah
You'll worship at my feet
Welcome Kingdom Come
To disciples that I preach
Will ya, bow down before me and
Will you remember me?
[Invisible Circus] Dying for you
[Jesse] Will I lie to thousands
[Invisible Circus] Our God is you
[Jesse] Am I deceit?
[Invisible Circus] Falling for you
[Jesse] I am the God man
[Invisible Circus] Our God is you
[Jesse] You're all at my feet
[Jesse to the Invisible Circus]
Take me
Change me
Love me
A crown of thorns on my heart
Change me
Save me
Will you love me?
Forever nailed to your cross | riff_master | 6. (Why Am) I Nothing
[Jesse to God]
Why, why am I nothing, no more
Oh, why was I never
One worthy of Love
Oh why, why amd i nothing to you
Tell me why, was I ever
Born in this World, here at all
Tell me why | riff_master | 7. Asylum #9
[Doctor "D" to Jesse]
Are you insane?
Welcome to the Asylum
House of true enchanted minds
It's the happiest place on earth
For the violent
We almost lost ya
But we caught ya in time
[The Nurses] You're here for life - life
[Doctor "D"] I'll fix ya
right - right
[The Nurses] Gimme your life - life
[Doctor "D"] It's all you
gotta do
[The Nurses] I'll give you life - life
[Doctor "D"] I'll make it
right - right
[The Nurses] You're here for life - life
[Doctor "D"] I wanna welcome
you
[Doctor "D" to Jesse]
Are you in pain
Or just merely misguided?
Tell me of the demons you've inside
I'll shrink where you think
Till you're fears are subsiding
I'm your physician slash
Magician of minds
[The Nurses] Asylum # 9
[Doctor "D"]
Oh - no running away
There ain't no place to hide
[The Nurses] Asylum # 9
[Doctor "D"]
Oh- I'm your physician with a mission
in mind
Oh- I'm your healer I'm your stealer
of minds | riff_master | 8. Red Room Of The Rising Sun
[BIlly to Jesse]
We are the lost of timeless
Hazes never found
We walk the new rays of the rising sun
In here's a heaven where no pain is found
[Jesse to Billy]
Take away the pain of life for me
Take me where I'm numb
Take me tripping to the light I see
With magic colors of the rising sun
[BIlly to Jesse]
In here are the doors of blindness
Trails of rainbows round
Lost asylums of forgotten sons
Will you rise up will you touch your God.
The sky's slip into the rising seas
And drown your Neon One
Come touch the faces of the Gods you seek
In the Red Room of the Rising Sun
[Jesse to Billy]
Is there love to save me
Or just illusion
Is there none to claim me
Just delusion
[BIlly to Jesse]
Open the doors to your mind
And hide in your dreams
The Red Room is laughing
The Red Sun is happy
Close the holes here inside
Don't believe all you think
The Red Room is crying
The Red Sun is rising
Hold on, hold on
Touch the faces of God and roll on
Into the Red Room
And free your Neon One
Hold on, can you roll on
Fly the haze's along
Into the Rising Sun
And feel your Neon love
Hold on, can you hold on
Oh - can you feel it shining
See it rising with the sun
Hold on, can you hold on
Oh - can you feel shining
See it rising
With this love | riff_master | 9. What I'll Never Find
[BIlly to Jesse]
Time to go away
Down a road I cannot hide
Will I have no name
For destiny's I cannot find
Will I wander alone
Forever's lonely road of time
Am I looking for what
I'll never find
Did you call my name
I will be leaving from this dream
Can you feel the pain
Slowly leaving me
Will you hold my hand
And ease me to the other side
Am I looking for what
I'll never find
Can you hear me
Can you hear me in the night
Will you feel me
If you leave me will I cry?
Can you hear me
Can you feel me say goodbye | riff_master | 10. Someone To Love Me
Oh All I need was someone to love me
Oh, all I needed was one
There's no one who cares
Oh All I need was someone to love me
Oh, all I needed was one
There's no one who cares | riff_master | 11. X.T.C. Riders
[Judah to Jesse]
You'll be so far out of control
You'll be out of your mind
You'll feel nothing, it's taking a hold
of you
Won't ya leave all your pain behind
XTC Riders , Riders out of control
Get you higher, higher
Oh yeah
XTC Riders , Riders
Ain't never going home
Oh, just let it ride
You'll feel my X is taking control
You'll be numb and blind
Come kneel and pray for me, for a little
while
To the Neon God that's in your mind
I'm your Messiah
Dresses all in black
Are you the chosen one
I'll get you higher, no turning back
My Neon Son
Riding the XTC
Riding the XTC | riff_master | 12. Me And The Devil
Me and the Devil
Me and the Devil
Me and the Devil
Me and the Devil
Me and the Devil
Me and the Devil
Me and the Devil
Me and the Devil | riff_master | 13. The Running Man
[Judah to Jesse]
You'll be so far out of control
You know, the ones you saved
[Jesse to Judah]
Look in my eye cause somehow you
You don't realize what I made
[Judah to Jesse]
You can't run away from me
Don't deny your blind believers
And hide your Devil's keeper
[Jesse to Judah]
Take your love away from me
Cause I will blind your heathen reason
And ride us on your broken wings for love
[Judah to Jesse]
True we are disciples lost
You know the promise you made
Look in my eyes and tell me why
You realize the price that you'll pay?
[Jesse]
# 9, # 9, # 9
I'm still inside of
The 9 asylums
Am I Messiah?
[Judah to Jesse]
You're the only God they know
What are you running from
Wasn't this enough
Aren't you satisfied?
They're all at your feet
The Lord to sheep
Oh, are you sanctified? | riff_master | 14. The Raging Storm
[Jesse to God]
A storm is come
One war of sun and rain - within me
A raging storm
Lost crossroads thundering - in the wind
Dark and son
Who's the only one
To lay claim of me
Altars of store
Righteous temptations
Here at my feet
Give me love
To rage in me can you see?
Only love
Is saving me
Give me love, oh love
That rage in me
It rages on
Of mourn and memories
In the wind
A warring storm
My soul is bargaining - in the end
Is there no sun?
With only love in vain - and it's pain
Hear me oh Lord
Cleanse me evermore with
Your blood of rain
Holy war for my soul
Scares of memories remain
Oh, tell me why am I here
Storms of crossroads are rage | riff_master | | | |
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