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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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Unholy Terror (2001)
1. Let It Roar
OH GET UP on your feet
It's time to rumble
It's all ya got
It's all that you're living for
Oh, It'll drive your crazy
You're gonna feel like Superman
You feel the rush
You know you're gonna feel the roar
Thunder at your feet
Are you praying
Kneel to your Gods
Gonna roar - oh - oh
Crank up what you need
That drives you crazy
Come and bring the noise
You've been dying for
Oh get down on your knees
And bow to thunder
And whose your God
An what are you praying for
Oh it's a killer baby
Oh are you gonna die in vain
Will you cry oh no
You gotta let it roar
Let it Roar, oh what's it gonna be
Come on and stand for what you believe
Oh you gotta get up on your feet
Or die on your knees
Let it Roar, cause I wanna be oh yeah
Cause I , cause I believe in something
Oh, Give me thunder Oh I'm gonna
Let it Roar
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2. Hate To Love Me
YOU KNOW I deceived ya
You see it's all in my eyes
A marquee of madness
DeSade I claim that you're mine
The mad eyes of your lover
In through my eyes you see
No you'll never run
I know your emotions
Are slaves I've bound and I've tied
You'll never be free
Cause you Master's chained to your life
The mad eyes of your lover
In through your soul I see
No you'll never run
I got no face
But I've a name
I'll touch, and add you to my fame
I'll set you free but understand
Mom and daddy made me what I am
The mad eyes of your lover
In through your soul I see
No you'll never run
I know you hate to
Love me, love me
No matter what you do
I know you hate to love me, love me
Oh no you got nothing to lose no, no | riff_master |
3. Loco-Motive Man
I WRITE TO claim a lost identity, of me
Ooh - I leave a message for you all
Written here the fear that are my
Destiny you see
Come behold madness you never saw
No love for killer babies
My blood is written on your walls
Oh it's time I leave ya now
My locomotive rages
Oh no you never heard me call
Oh I know you'll hear me now
I feel the rage that brings
The fame of that I need
I've now a face forever more
Living with the fears
That hear those fantasies in me
Come an see sadness you never saw
No love for killer babies
My pain is written on your walls
Oh it's time I leave you now
Mama look what you made me
Your locomotive killer calls
Oh I know you hear me now
Don't wait for me
Don't hate for me
Don't ask of what went wrong
Don't pray for me or wonder why
You've known this all along
I've sinned for you
I envy you
Your pain I'll know
I wanted love, you gave me none
I've come to take you home
Cause I've gone to meet my maker
I'm locomotive man
One killer baby's come to call
Cause I've gone to meet my maker
I am you Loco Man
I'm coming down to take you all
Oh God I'm coming
Read my words I'm coming
I got a gun I'm coming
You won't hear me coming | riff_master |
4. Unholy Terror
I WAS HERE when time began
I was in them all
A wicked one magician's hand
I'm what John had saw
I'm a thing that lives and breathers
With slaves to worship me
There are many that are born of me
Anytime there are many me's
Crowned messiah, I crucified him
And still ya don't believe
I am Kings - I am queens
Unholy terrors me
I'm the feces of the species
Still you're all in awe
I'm something a prophet saw
Hister with a rise all fall
Obsessed with Lennon
Manifested Marx
I'm incest in the hearts of dark
I'm riding on some atomic bomb -
To blind you all into King-dom-come--
I am - I am - I am - I am | riff_master |
5. Charisma
I'VE A BREATH in minds of men
With the lies I breath
No man's ever ruled the world
Not knowing the curse of me
I'm some of the seven sins
Vanity in the lust of men
I'm the Alfa - omega man
I'll show you who I am
Hypnotic charm, mesmerizing face
My soul has a dark embrace
doctrine that it was the destiny of the US to
A magic tongue, I'll seduce
you all
expand across N America - to enslave &
destroy Till I'm your king
till ya know my charisma
I'm a liar blinding your vision
Vatican Man
Preaching fear and using religion
With the bible and Koran
I wrap myself in the American Flag
And tell people I'm for which it stands
I'm coming back till you know I'm God
Till you believe, till you know my charisma
I'm a fear from a shadow land
I seduce you all
Here I come new messiah man
To bow to me, make me your God
I got them all marching to the rhythm
Believing me, oh yeah, their new religion
I'm a racist with a waving flag
Of domination with a fascist plan
I'm gonna be the new world leader
I got a lot of 9 millimeter baby eaters
I'm coming back til you know I'm God
Till you belive, till you know I'm
charisma
Charisma - do you know my name
I'm the God that you pray
When you worship my name
Charisma - are you idolizing me?
I'm a dangerous thing
Your new messiah's me | riff_master |
6. Who Slayed Baby Jane?
TELL ME NOW who slayed oh my
Little Baby Jane
Rolling down the stairs
Her Little head has rolled away
Put it in my hands
Cause it feels so bizarre
Can Baby Jane come out to play?
Show me all you got
You don't wanna know - No you don't
wanna know
No you don't wanna know -
No you don't wanna know
It wasn't me I know -
No you don't wanna know
Who slayed Baby Jane I know-
No you don't wanna know
No you don't wanna know -
No you don't wanna know
I wasn't me I know -
No you don't wanna know
Who slayed Baby Jane
Can I rock your cradle?
Oh, I love it when you scream
Oh, I love that fixed and dilated
Look that's in your eyes
I'll make you worse and more perverse
Than when you were alive
Oh, I'll wear her face
With a big demonic smile
If only she could scream
The she'd get me off tonight
No You don't wanna know -
No You don't wanna know
No You don't wanna know -
No You don't wanna know
I wasn't me I know -
No You don't wanna know
Who slayed Baby Jane I know -
No You don't wanna know
No You don't wanna know -
No You don't wanna know
I wasn't me I know -
No You don't wanna know
Who slayed Baby Jane
Can I rock your cradle
Oh, I'll love it when you scream
Goodbye Baby Jane
Who slayed Baby Jane
She's all right, it's alright oh my
Janie
No it ain't so strange
You got no pain Baby Jane
So goodbye, goodbye oh my baby | riff_master |
7. Euphoria | riff_master |
8. Raven Heart
ANGEL OF ORLEANS in me
I'll tell you no lies
Ravens have bore me wings to fly
King of the night time forever
It's all I'm living for
I'll embrace my immortal
Forever night
One crimson kiss is bleeding
My raven heart
Tales of the darkside here is all right
Bring me the nighttime forever
It's all you're dying for
Take me hand and I'll show ya
Forever night
Raven - say you want me to
Rain the dark on forever you
Raven heart
No there ain't nothing dark that I
won't do
My raven heart'll bleed all over you | riff_master |
9. Evermore
YOU STAND OUTSIDE the circle lonely
Here in darkness' eyes
Are the lives realized all the same
Or are they magic of mind
Ooh if I leave
Will I - be here again
Ooh what remains
Is Evermore in the wind
Do the shadows of my memory
From a long ago time
Lead a path to the other lives of me
Souls of past great divides
Ooh, give me wings
Will I be here again
Ooh and its embrace
Is in the arms of the wind
And only those who stand within
Can hold the keys that let us in
But if the magic in us dies
Ooh then the souls within us cries
Beyond the wall of tears we wander
Evermore in the wind
Beyond the wall of tears we wonder
Will I be here again
The magic of the circle lays
Somewhere between the dark and light
The magic circle never dies
Ooh, Evermore winds of change
Will I be here again
Ooh, will I rise on my wings
Evermore in the wind
Ooh, am I ever the same
Will I come back again
Ooh, give me wings for my change
Evermore in the wind
Oh will I come back again
Ever free in the end
Ooh, will I be here again
Into the arms of the wind | riff_master |
10. Wasted White Boys
GIVE ME A LINE
And pour me wine
I'll do the Devil's daughter
Fill my glass and kick your ass
I'll do it any time
Oh, I don't want no Holy rollers
On you knees
There's no time to waste tonight
No don't hold me rollers
I don't need
Cause I might die tonight
It's come down to blows
With a bloody nose
I am - wasted and out of order
Demon swill with a thirst to kill
I'll do it anytime
Oh I don't want no Holy rollers
On your knees
There's no time to waste tonight
No don't hold me rollers
I don't need
Cause I might die tonight
Wasted boys feeling no pain
Howl at the moon in the night
Just give me shooters and that demon cocaine
I'm the devil alright
I'm a wasted white
White boys better
Run for you lives
It's do or die, die
I'll tell you why
Wasted white boys ride free and I'd
Rather die that get civilized
Oh let me ride | riff_master | | | |
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