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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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Inside The Electric Circus
(1986)
1. The Big Welcome
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Replys
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Listener
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2. Inside The Electric Circus
A scream unlock the cage
The roars rock the stage
Hunger of the animals are calling
Thrive upon the rage
Raw prints on the page
The room's going wild, walls are falling
Lights shine illumination bright
Reveal all the madness here tonight
[REFRAIN:]
Welcome, I bid your welcome, to live
Inside the electric circus
Hang on,hang on to your life
The animals are all insane - God help us
Electricity to burn
Amplifiers churn
Three ring madhouse calls the action
It's life upon the road
Insane asylum grows
Night after night, the main attraction
A strange world that you might wanna know
When it comes alive - crank, crank, crank,
crank the show
[REFRAIN:] | riff_master |
3. I Don't Need No Doctor
I don't need no doctor
'Cause I know what's ailing me
I don't need no doctor
'Cause I know what's ailing me (yes, I
do)
All I need is my baby
You don't know I'm in misery
I don't need no doctor
I don't need no doctor
My prescription tells me that
I don't need no doctor
My prescription tells me that
I don't need no doctor
All I need is my baby
You don't know I'm in misery
I don't need no doctor
Well, the doctor said I need the rest - ooh,
ooh
He put me on the critical list - ooh, ooh
Keeping me safe from harm - ooh, ooh
All I need is her sweet charm - ooh, ooh
He gave me a medical option, that wouldn't
do
Ooh, yeah, my motion, oh, yeah, no doctor,
no
I don't need no doctor | riff_master |
4. 9. 5. - N.A.S.T.Y.
One woman down my street is too hot for the
average man
Hard to handle, a fire in her eyes
Wants the hot rocks right in her hand
I know she's burning, hot with love
A come-on look and she ain't fooling
And she knows just what it does
She gave me a number to make me feel fine
Said call me up baby
It's gonna 9.5. - N.A.S.T.Y.
You're everything I need
'Cause I want what you're giving
I'm yours to do with what you please
N.A.S.T.Y., you're everything I need
'Cause I want what you're giving
I'm yours to do with what you please
Ooh - no mama's baby, this child
She's a killer wrapped in high-heel shoes
Touch the skin - it burns like fire
I don't even care if I'm being used
Threw me down and then she tore off my jeans
She said, come on, babe, I mean business
I'm gonna show you what liberation means
Do it to me baby
I'm losing my mind
Said call me up honey
Tonight I'm 9.5. - N.A.S.T.Y.
You're everything I need
'Cause I want what you're giving
I'm yours to do with what you please
N.A.S.T.Y., you're everything I need
'Cause I want what you're giving
I'm yours to do with what you please
Some bad habits are hard to break
Like an earthquake coming
I got to shake, shake, shake
9.5. - N.A.S.T.Y.
You're everything I need
'Cause I want what you're giving
I'm yours to do with what you please | riff_master |
5. Restless Gypsy
For so long now, I'm racing on in the
wind
On this road, I'm moving on
I feel her heat, the desert sun burning skin
Never stopping, always on the run
Ooh, forever all I want is you here by my
side
But I can't wait too long, no
Holding me is like taming the seven seas
[REFRAIN:]
I want restless gypsy, all I need
Is to catch the wind, where my heart's in
And I'm riding in the breeze
Call me restless gypsy, to the end
Riding free - is all I need
My spirit's in the wind
Move too fast no never hold me down
Catch me if you really think you can
Feel my touch, two lovers, cry that sound
Never ever knowing who I am
Ooh, I want you closer, baby, don't you
take too long
'Cause tomorrow I'll be gone, yeah
And holding me is like holding the seven
seas
[REFRAIN:]
Easy rider on the highway
Got the wind in my hair
Come on, you can touch me where I lay
Running free without a care
Come on, restless gypsy, all I need
Is to catch the wind, where my heart's in
And I'm riding in the breeze
Call me, restless gypsy, to the end
Riding free - is all I need
My spirit's in the wind | riff_master |
6. Shoot From The Hip
All my life I've taken what I want
Give an inch, take a mile
Always on the hunt
Ooh - sex, money, fast cars, never get my
fill
I ride hard and die free
Paying for my thrills
Fire, water, moonshine, going to my head
He and my pistols loaded
Go out and knock'em dead
[REFRAIN:]
I'm gonna shoot it, bang-boom
Shoot it from the hip
Got it loaded bang, pull the trigger boom
I don't never miss
I'm gonna shoot it, bang-boom
Shoot it from the hip
Got it loaded bang, pull the trigger boom
I don't never miss
Hot sweaty steel, a woman's finger's on
my gun
Pull it hard, touch the trigger
Squeeze it when I'm gone
Ooh, come, woman, touch me, put it in your
hand
Take a hold heart and soul
Honey, I'm your man
Cock the hammer slowly and aim it at your
love
Put my barrel in your holster
Like a velvet glove
[REFRAIN:]
Hot and sticky, here it comes
Emotion you can't tame
Kind a tricky watch it run
Smoking like a flame, flame, flame
Hot and sticky, here it comes
I got the bullet, load it up
Slide it into place
My emotions
Coming down all across your face
[REFRAIN:] | riff_master |
7. I'm Alive
The target is me, a monster you flee
I hate what you say and you do
A mirror is there and look if you dare
The fool that you see's only you
Oh, no, you won't nail me to your tree
Or hang my head up high
No kingdom reigns over me
Despise all the liars I see
Don't give me your
"Save my soul" cure
[REFRAIN:]
I - I'm still alive, and I am soul
survivor
You can't understand, why
I - I'm still alive, and I am soul
survivor
Damn your holy man - alive
Can't understand, the lord of the land
Your heart and your head made of stone
Lay in the sand my blood on your hands
For God's sake just leave me alone
Oh, no, you won't nail me to your tree
Or hang my head up high
Restless is all I can be
Ruthless and reckless you see
I don't need your
"Save my soul" cure
[REFRAIN:]
Force suppression, that's what you do
Feel me, what's in it for you
Listen, I'm on to your game
All your lies are the same
[REFRAIN:] | riff_master |
8. Easy Living
This is a thing I've never known before
It's called easy living
This is a place I've never seen before
And I've been forgiven
[REFRAIN:]
Easy living, and I've been forgiven
Since you're taking your place in my
heart
Somewhere along the lonely road
I had tried to find you
Day after day on the winding road
I have walked behind you
[REFRAIN:]
Waiting, watching, wishing my whole life
away
Feeling, fainting, ready for my happy day
Somewhere along the lonely road
I had tried to find you
Day after day on the winding road
I have walked behind you
[REFRAIN:] | riff_master |
9. Sweet Cheetah
One night as I rolled down some long winding
road
I saw you and I knew I couldn't let you
go
Half child and all woman, vision fantasy
Lost against the moonlight bathed in ecstasy
Leopard's skin and cat's eyes
Has the jungle made you wild
The prey you're after, is you faster
Will it make you smile
Ride with me, I'll set you free
Chains can't hold us down
I need you, if you want me
Lovers we are bound
[REFRAIN:]
Sweet cheetah, cheetah
I love it when your claws run through me
Fever, fever, I love it, babe
Come do it to me
Cheetah, cheetah
I love it when your claws run through me
Fever, fever, I love it, babe
Come do it to me now
Skin tight you move in so slowly to thrill
Waiting for the nightmare then you're in
for the kill
Amazon so sleekly you know what to do
Eat the flesh, and save my heart
And leave it when you're through
Pain and pleasures all mine
Untamed and running wild
Sink your teeth into me
Lick your lips and smile
Take my hand and ride the land
Forever you and me
Hold on tight to me all night
And set your spirit free
[REFRAIN:] | riff_master |
10. Mantrollic
You see me, a man and machine
All my life so hungry and lean
Watch me bleed and I feel no pain
I'm going wild, and slowly insane
[REFRAIN:]
Mantrollic, I'm on the loose
Bionic, my neck in the noose
Mantrollic, I'm still the king
Bionic, half man and machine
One fast lane on top of the world
Balls of steel, mechanical pearls
I pay my dues and suffer alone
Feels like hell and cut to the bone
[REFRAIN:]
Be careful now
Because what you wish for
May just come true
If you look
Behind that door
[REFRAIN:] | riff_master |
11. King Of Sodom And Gomorrah
So you wanna know what's going on
When we get wild, and we're up until dawn
The parties and the stories, they're all
true
Ain't nothing left when we're through
One distant land where it's all sin and
sand
[REFRAIN:]
King of Sodom, I want the flesh
Gotta have it, I love it to death
King of Sodom, I eat'em alive
Like a savage, the strong will survive
Wicked souls, a hunger for lust
You lay it down, we're goin' for bust
We live a life, that's hell of wheels
You don't know how it feels
Ride the wind, and soon you'll all be in
[REFRAIN:]
Sodom and Gomorrah - ooh, sweet Gomorrah
We're the present tribe - the present
tribe
Children of the fire - of the fire
Burning up alive, alive, alive, alive
[REFRAIN:] | riff_master |
12. The Rock Rolls On
There's never a day, that's passing my
way
That I never need it
My hands on the wheel, my foot's on the
steel
'Cause I gotta feel it
[REFRAIN:]
The rock rolls forever on - ooh, forever on
Like thunder - coming down, ooh, yeah
The rock rolls forever on - ooh, forever on
Like thunder - coming down, ooh, yeah
It blows through my veins like thunder and
rain
And I can't live without it
I scream for the crowds, and turn it up loud
'Cause I gotta feel it
[REFRAIN:]
Six string and lightning strikes
Come make me blind
Ooh burn it up
Bring down the pedal to the metal
[REFRAIN:]
Forever never stop | riff_master | | | |
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