 |
     |
|
|
| 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 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
| |
|  |
|
Discussion Topic
|
Creator
|
I Wanna Be Somebody (1984)
1. I Wanna Be Somebody
You say you don't wanna run and hide
A face that no-one knows
And everyone ya meet, you're gonna show
You're nobody's slave, nobody's
chains are holdin' you
You hold your fist up high,
And rule the zoo
Oh, you just got to be
Up high where the whole world's watchin
me
Cos I, I got the guts to be somebody
To cry out
I wanna be somebody,
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too
You say you don't wanna starve
Or take the table crumbs that fall
You don't wanna beg or plead at all
You don't want no nine to five
Your fingers to the bone
You don't want the rock piles' bloody
stones
Oh, you just got to be
Up high where the whole world's watchin
me
Cos I, I got the guts to be somebody
To cry out
I wanna be somebody,
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too
I want shiny cars and dirty money
Lotsa rock and roll
I will live in fame and die in flames
I'm NEVER gettin' old
I wanna be somebody,
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too
I'm gonna be somebody,
I'm gonna be somebody
|
riff_master |
| |
Replys
|
Listener
|
2. L.O.V.E. Machine
"Lady, have you known me,
the perfect L.O.V.E. Machine?
There goes (Virgo's?) my Leo's rising,
Venus make me King!
That chain of broken hearts,
They all belong to me!
Magic runs through my fingers,
One touch you'll see!
[CHORUS:]
L.O. - V.E.
All I need's my L.O.V.E. Machine, oh
L.O. - V.E.
All I need's my L.O.V.E. Machine, oh
L.O.- V.E.
All I need's my L.O.V.E. Machine, oh
L.O.- V.E.
All I need's my L.O.V.E.
Machine...Tonight!
L.O. - V.E.
All I need's my L.O.V.E Machine, oh
L.O. - V.E.
All I need's my L.O.V.E. Machine, oh
L.O. - V.E.
All I need's my L.O.V.E. Machine, oh
L.O. - V.E.
All I need's my L.O.V.E. Machine
...tonight! Tonight!
What can I do for you?
Am I your wildest dream?
What do I move in you?, and
How would I seem?
My eyes - they lie -
and you cry,
"Love brings you pain!"
And if you try to love me,
You'll not be the same!
[Chorus]
[Guitar Solo]
[Chorus] | riff_master |
3. The Flame
Give me a ticket on a jet airplane!
I'm a going to take it up!
I lead my life in the fast lane
The only way to make it
It might keep me going all night long
Cause that's the way I like it
And with what you've got
In the heat of the night
I know we've got to try it
Until the flame burns out!
Until the flame burns out!
So turn it up,
Your radio
Everybody shake it
I'm a 100 degrees
With wild fantasies
And I need someone to make it
Out!
Show Me a place where love is sweet
I ain't going to take it
I need a girl
Who just wants my love
Cause now is the time to make it
Before the flame burns out!
Before the flame burns out!
Before the flame burns out!
Before the flame burns out!
Out! Out! Out! Out! Out!
I'm gonna make
Your hips on fire
It's so hot, I've got to try it
Show me the spot
And I'll hit the mark
Baby, I've got the gasoline
if you've got the spark
Yeah, before the flame burns out!
Until the flame burns out! | riff_master |
4. B.A.D.
You hear
The cries of love
The sad tone
And feel the softly stinging
Love's wound
But, those tears you cry
Being of love's fame
They fall to love
Crying like a sweet rain
Cause bad girls
They do...
B.A.D.
BAD! Make your mommy and daddy say,
B.A.D.
BAD! It's the bloody fix you do
Oh look out!
You see what it's in your head
Only what you see
And need
But you can have B.A.D.
Call a spade a spade
Only if you want to
Cause by any other name
It's taboo!
Case bad girls, they do...
The bloody fix you do! Yeah?
B.A.D.
BAD! Make your mommy and daddy say
B.A.D.
BAD! Don't it drive your women mad!
Wow! | riff_master |
5. School Daze
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of
the United States of American. And
to the republic for which it stands. One
nation under gob,
indivisible... with liberty and justice for
all!"
My eyes are burning
Bells are ringing in my ears
Alarm clock's wailing
Class bells screaming
I can't hear!
A text book mad house
Twelve years
I'm here in a rage
A juvenile jail
And I'm here locked up
In their cage!
School daze! School daze!
I'm here doing time
School daze! School daze!
My age is a crime
School daze! School daze!
I'm here doing time
School daze! School daze!
I'm attending "Hell high"
A blackboard jungle tows the line
The rulers made
A homework hellhouse
Screams at me
Yes, it's a grave!
Tick-tock, 3 o'clock
I'm sitting here
I'm counting off the days
A fire bell's ringing hell
And I'd sure like to see the blaze!
Write it down!
School daze! School daze!
I'm here doing time
School daze! School daze!
My age is a crime
School daze! School daze!
I'm here doing time
School daze! School daze!
I'm attending "Hell high"
I pledge no allegiance
And I bet
They're gonna drive me craze yet
Nobody here
Is understanding me
I pledge no allegiance
And I bet
They're gonna drive me craze yet
I'm dying here
And trying to get free!
Wow! | riff_master |
6. Hellion
Hell-hound, hot leather on your legs
That smokin powder keg
You're riding on is hell-bound
And you're the one they claim
Is going down in flames
You're riding Hades' rails
Hellion - The devil's Hellion child
Hellion - will never have to die
Well child, you're sweatin' and
you're stoned
That alcohol you downed
Makes you crazy -
All night, you damn the hurt and pain
And drink the devils rain
It's screaming out your name
Hellion - The devil's Hellion child
Hellion - will never have to die
The Gods you worship are steel
At the altar of rock 'n' roll you
kneel
A slave who forever rocks
Is chained in the devil's locks
And slain by the bloody axe I wail..
Hellion - The devil's Hellion child
Hellion - will never have to die | riff_master |
7. Sleeping (In The Fire)
Touch, touch in the flame's desires
Feeling the pain's denial,
And your fingers in the fire
Look, look in the candle light
See in the flame of life
And my spell is our lie
[Chorus:]
Taste the love
The Lucifer's magic that makes you numb
The passion and all the pain are one
You're sleeping in the fire
Taste the love
The Lucifer's magic that makes you numb
You feel what it does and you're drunk on
love
You're sleeping in the fire
I gaze at the flame and fire burn
And cry out the name of which I yearn
[Chorus]
Taste the love
The Lucifer's magic that makes you numb
The passion and all the pain are one
You're sleeping in the fire | riff_master |
8. On Your Knees
Dancing with danger right until dawn
The sin that you buy and you sell
Mom and daddy said "the life that
you've led,
You'll party your way straight to
hell"
On Your knees,
You shall be on your knees
Cos I want you on your knees
You shall be on your knees
And I need you on your knees
You shall be on your knees
Cos I want you on your knees
You shall be on your knees
Playing with fire, lust in you burns
Reflecting the flames in your eyes
Sex and pain insane, they're really the
same
Misused and confused, bound and tied
On Your knees,
You shall be on your knees
Cos I want you on your knees
You shall be on your knees
And I need you on your knees
You shall be on your knees
Cos I want you on your knees
You shall be on your knees
On your knees that's where you all shall
be
Well I bid you come taste your first deadly
sin
Riding the wild wind and the door to
submission
Will open and you shall fall in
On Your knees,
You shall be on your knees
Cos I want you on your knees
You shall be on your knees
And I need you on your knees
You shall be on your knees
Cos I want you on your knees
You shall be on your knees
On your knees
On your knees
On your knees
On your knees
(what in the fuck was that?) | riff_master |
9. Tormentor
Well, I'm a liar
And I'm a cheat
I have no morals
Since I'm a thief!
I believe in plunder
Hurt souls in winter
I am the killer and the
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Well, I am a sinner
I kiss the breast
I am the sadist
That whips the flesh
I'm paid to witness
Hurt souls in winter
I am the killer and the
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
I am the Lord
Of lying
And I command
The sword of fire!
Fire! Fire!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor!
Tormentor! | riff_master |
10. The Torture Never Stops
Bang, bang, banging in your head
You're banging on the wall
Hand, hand, handing up yourself
You're handing by your balls
And you...
You die but no one hears
Or cares!
And hope's the rope that keeps you
Tied in knots
The torture never stops!
The torture never stops!
Suck, suck, sucking out the life
Your master sucks the juice
Shoot, shoot, shooting at you
And the handman's noose is loose
And you...
You cry but no one hears
Or cares
And hope's the rope that
Keeps you tied in knots
The torture never stops!
The torture never stops!
Your master blends you dead
Still you're running back for more
And every day
You lie down for further more
The torture never stops!
The torture never stops! | riff_master | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
Add to Profile
