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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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Helldorado (1999)
1. Drive By
I guess you didn't make it
Do you wanna go now?
This ain't no joyride
It ain't your Daddy's Oldsmobile
neither
Welcome to Hell!!!
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2. Helldorado
I hear the motor running
Burning up the road
Tail-pipes-a-draggin'
Fire in the smoke
And I say "Hell yeah!!"
I say "Hell yeah!!"
Ooh she's a monster
Take me on home
This ain't no joyride
Do you wanna go?
This ain't your Daddy's Oldsmobile,
no!
I hear the beast a-coming
To get another load
Of fire and brimstone
Do you wanna go?
And I say - Hell yeah!!
I say - Hell yeah!!
Ooh it's a monster
Rolling me (on) home
This ain't no joyride
No, no oh
Do we get a driver?
You bet your ass we do!
Tonight - It's all over now
Ooh, Hell's just one mile down the road
Goodbye - it's all over now (so long)
My Helldorado's goin home
Take me to Hell
Cause I'm going there
Hot rods to Hell
Helldorado
Take me to Hell
I'm going where
The Devil's there
In Helldorado | riff_master |
3. Don't Cry (Just Suck)
Tell me are you nasty
Then I got what you need
I'll show ya something dirty
Cause I'm perverse you see
Don't cry for mercy no, no
Cause I don't wanna know
No, not for nothing
I'll never let ya go
I'm gonna make you nasty
You'll be my little whore
Come on and do me until I'm red
Like a dick on a dog
Don't stop for nothing no, no
Cause I don't wanna know
No, not for nothing
I gotta let it go
Don't cry, just suck
And don't get no cramps in your tongue
Oh come on and do nasty, yeah!
Don't cry, it ain't much
No you're never too young
Oh do your nasty
All over me
I know, I know
Where you wanna be
Oh yeah
It's down on, down on
Down on your knees
I know, I know
You're no baby
Oh yeah
It's what you need | riff_master |
4. Damnation Angels
Deliver me
To the bad I was born
I'm a sinner in flames
I was schooled by Lucifier's horn
And bad religion all along the way
Play with me
I won't do you no harm
No - I ain't been a saint
If I
Do the time - then I'll do the crime
I'll be raising hell in flames
If there's a hell
Then I'll buy a round
Cause I'm going anyway
No don't let
Five minutes with the Devil fool ya'
Oh yeah ya' got some hell to pay
Damnation angels
Yeah I'm going
Down with the angels
Into the fire
Damnation angels
Yeah I'm going
Down with the angels
To the flames I'm bound
Ooh I'm on the road to hell you see
The road to terror dome is calling me | riff_master |
5. Dirty Balls
I wanna ride you
Like the animal you are
I wanna ride you til you're raw
I wanna slide up all inside
All over you
I wanna do you like
The wicked bitch you are
Call me a bastard
A real bad attitude
Shove it in their faces
Show my dirty ooh
I'm gonna do you like
The savages you are
I wanna do ya til you die
I'm gonna ride 'em cowboy style
For all to see
Make 'em all my bitches
Take 'em all and make 'em cry
Oh am I nasty?
Do you think I'm rude?
I just wanna see ya'
Hold my dirty ooh
Dirty balls, balls, balls
Is all I need
Hang 'em high oh tonight
So the world can see
Dirty - balls, balls, balls
Is all I need
So dirty oh Lord a' mercy
All I want to see
I'm gonna hold, gonna hold em'
High, high, high
So dirty, oh so dirty oh
Til I die, die, die | riff_master |
6. High On The Flames
Guess I've been bad all my life
Yeah I've sinned - bad all the time
I should have never learned
To play with fire - Oh, no, no
I got my front seat in hell
That my momma said I would get
And all us dirty devils there
Are high tonight
Yeah I know that I should have learned
If ya play with fire ya burn
No deposit, no return
On my life
Oh but there's a party down in flames
And I got no time to waste
No I ain't feeling no pain
Too high to die
Oh, I'm getting - high on the flames
Oh, I'm gonna - ride on the flames
Oh, I'm getting - high on the flames
Oh, tonight
Too high to die | riff_master |
7. Cocaine Cowboys
Oh gotta go, cowboys and blow
High in the saddle again
Hell or high water, I'll do what I wanna
On my horse and I'm on my way
Do some toots, pull on my boots
Oh, I gonna ride away
High on the plains, high on the reigns
White lightning lines I'll be
Riding high, oh so high
Oh gotta yell, cowboys from hell
Oh I'm in a Devil's haze
I'm on the trail and I'm riding the
rails
Oh I'm getting blown away
I do the juice, I'm Eastwood and the Duke
Oh I'm gonna ride the range
High on the plains, high on the reigns
White lightning lines I'll be
Riding high, oh so high
I'm gonna ride
Cocaine cowboys
I'll be riding high tonight
Cocaine cowboys never die
Ride
Ride 'em cowboys
High in the saddle every night
Cocaine cowboys gotta ride | riff_master |
8. Can't Die Tonight
Oh yeah, here I go again
Trading my sould to the night - but it's
Alright, I got no pain tonight
My demon alcohol's alive
Oh no I can't stand
Trading nine lives for tonight
But it don't matter much
Cause I don't give a fuck
Hell on wheels I wanna ride
But tonight
No I can't die tonight
Maybe I'll live forever
I just can't die tonight
Tonight
No I can't die tonight
So high I'll live forever
No I can't die tonight
Whiskey bar superman
I don't give a damn
Oh it's alright
I'm too numb to stand
And I don't give a damn
Oh too high to die
Can't die tonight
No, no not tonight
Can't die tonight
Oh no tonight | riff_master |
9. Saturday Night Cockfight
Alright, all of you bloody bastards
Better hold tight
Oh yeah
It's Saturday night
Cockfighting rumbles
Going all night, alright
Tonight
Oh yeah it's cockfighting saturday
And I say Oh say Oh
All right, I'm gonna fuck or fight
It's my way, it's alright tonight
Oh it's saturday night
Oh I'm getting high and I say
Alright so high
At midnight
I'm out for blood and I say
Oh yeah, it's alright tonight
Give me your life
I'll give you mine
Oh a rumbles on tonight
It's do or die
An eye for an eye
Oh it's alright tonight | riff_master |
10. Hot Rods To Hell
Pitch fork in my hands
Horns in my head
There ain't no more to say
I sold my soul a long time ago
That's the price I paid
It's alright, it's alright
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I made a deal
Signed and sealed
He took my soul to go
I met him down by the crossroads
Oh so long ago
It's alright, it's alright
Hot rods to hell take me to where
The Devil's there, Helldorado
Hot rods to hell, I'm going down
Forever there, Helldorado
I'm on the road yeah
I gotta go yeah
Gotta roll it down the way
I got it rolling yeah I say
It's alright, it's alright
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
On the road to Hell, gotta roll it
Helldorado gotta roll it
Yeah, yeah
Oh yeah I'm gonna roll it
It's alright, it's alright
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Gonna roll it baby, gonna roll it
Helldorado I'll roll it
Yeah, yeah
It's alright, it's alright | riff_master | | | |
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