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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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The Headless Children (1989)
1. The Heretic (The Lost Child)
These fits of depression are torturing me
The lives that I seen won't breath again
A sad child of madness, they'll never be
free
Born again to die, the agonies begin
And soldiers keep coming - like warriors they
die
But gang land's alive when mothers cry
Cause hate's blind addictions, a killing
machine
And it burns on the fuel of shattered lives -
lost child, lost child
The seeds of all evil are sown in their
minds
And harvest the sad fields of woe
Cause dead boys are martyr
That live on forever
But now it's too late for their souls
Standing on sanities too fragile edge
And worship the "Lord of
Flies"
And wade through the slaughter
You've made of the brother
And drown in his blood then when he dies
You see in their eyes
They're the lost child
See in their eyes
You see in their eyes
They're the lost child
See in their eyes
Don't turn out the lights
Cause there's demons in the night
And they prey on the fears in us all
They hide inside and wait
And they shun the light of day
The screams in their dreams fill us all
Children of a night
Such a sad tune they rhyme
The bloody boys that sing a wicked song
And for all of them they're just memories
in the wind
Rise and see
It's the down of insanity
Keeper of the gates of fire
And the Heretic has said
You don't have to be afraid
Till I - till I come to get ya
And child in time
On the swords edge you ride
And cast a spell of Heresy
And die in vain
Like a wild dog in chains
And no-one can save
Or set you free
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Replys
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Listener
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2. The Real Me
[Originally performed by The Who]
I wend back to the doctor to get another
shrink
I sit and tell him about my weekend,
but he never can change what he thinks
Can you see the real me, doctor-doctor
Can you see the real me, doctor, ooh, doctor
I went back to my mother, I said I'm crazy
ma help me
She said I know how it feels son
Cause it runs in the family
Come on tell me can you see the real me
mother mother
Can you see the real me mother whoa mother
Can you see can you see
Can you see the real me
Can you see, can you see the real me
The real me, the real me, the real me
The cracks between the pavement stones
Like rivers of flowing rain
Strange people who know me
From behind every window pane
The girl I used to love
Lives in the yellow house
Yesterday she passed me by she don't want
to know me now
Can you see the real me, can ya, can ya
Can you see the real me whoa ya
I ended up with the Preacher full of lies and
hate
I seemed to scare him a little ha ha
So he showed me to the golden gate
Whoa can you sse the real me, Preacher
Preacher, can you see the real me Preacher
whoa ya
Can you see, can you see, can you see, whoa
ya
Can you see the real me doctor, doctor
Can you see the real me mama
Can you see the real me me me me | riff_master |
3. The Headless Children
Father come save us from this
Madness we're under
God of creation are we blind?
Cause some here are slaves
That worship guns that spit thunder
The children that you've made
Have lost the minds
This monster that we call the earth
Is bleeding
Cause the children have been
Left along too long
This thing that we've made is fat
And feeds on the hate
Of the millions that it's taught to sing
The song
The headless children
The screams that fill the night
Fill the night fill the night fill the night
Oh the headless children
The madness steals the light
Steals the light steals the light steals the
light
Time bombs in the hands of all the wicked
warbabies
Light the fuse of temptation and we all burn
Four horsemen sit high up in the saddle
And waiting are ride the bloody trail of no
return
Sleeping in the arms of a nightmare and
Wake to find we've been away too long
This Frankenstein of flash
Stitched together back from death
And preying on the souls of everyone
The headless children
The screams that fill the night
Fill the night fill the night fill the night
Oh the headless children
The madness steals the light
Steals the light steals the light steals the
light | riff_master |
4. Thunderhead
Oh Thunderhead, you're a man with a
problem
Ahh - old habits too hard to break
And soon you'll be dead from that poison
that you're on
Oh - the venom that's worse that the
snakes
And I say, hey, hey, hey
Oh no, hey-hey-hey
Oh no, hey-hey-hey: white thunder
Needles and pins a dead man you're in
So deep you'll never climb out
Hey-hey-hey
Oh no, hey-hey-hey
Oh no, hey-hey-hey white thunder
A gun to your head, the trigger you're
dead
It's quicker and there ain't no doubt
Oh thunderhead, tie it off you're in
heaven'
Oh you'll drown in the Heroin flood
And die in your bed and sweat and detox
You are leaving this world
Oh your epitaph's written in blood
And I said
Hey-hey-hey
Oh no, hey-hey-hey
Oh no, hey-hey-hey - white thunder
Needles and pins
A dead man you're in so deep you'll
never climb out
Hey-hey-hey
Oh no, hey-hey-hey
Oh no, hey-hey-hey - white thunder
A gun to your head, the trigger you're
dead
It's quicker and there ain't no doubt
Killer - ya scream and ya bleed
Thriller - you spread you disease
Watch out, watch out
Thunderhead - yes I am your master
Will you steal for me - yes
Will you ruin yourself and give everything
unto me - yes
Will you lie, cheat, deceive, dishonor
everything
And even kill thy brother for me, yes - yes
Will you worship only me as your true master.
Yes
Thunderhead, will you die for me, yes master
Hey-hey-hey
Oh no, hey-hey-hey
Oh no, hey-hey-hey white thunder
Needles and pins
A dead man you're in
So deep you'll never climb out
Hey-hey-hey
Oh no, hey-hey-hey
Oh no, hey-hey-hey white thunder
A gun to your head
The trigger you're dead
It's quicker and there ain't no doubt,
no no | riff_master |
5. Mean Man
A tattooed madman, I am hell on wheels
Born a wicked child left alone in the fields
My father was the wind, my mother was fire
Raised by the wolves and I grew up wild
A kamakazi man, a hollering
"Banzai"
Never crash and born, never donna die
Cannibal is me, ya squeal and shout
I chew ya up and spit ya out
Storms a c-c-coming and it's gonna be me
Here comes Trouble, with a capital
"T"
Cause I'm a mean mother fucking man,
riding the wind
And know I'll be damned
All the way, all the way
All the way
Chewbacca in the rye
The water of fire,
A terror in the flesh, a killer for hire
California man
I'm white line,"Homer"
The unruly one they call the "Blond
Bomber"
Scooter gypsy, I'm a renegade
An orphan of the road
A live hand grenade
Never gonna quit before my time
When the moon gets high, then I'll be
blind
Mad dog 20-20's king
I drink that stuff and start getting obscene
Cause I'm a mean mother fucking man
I gotta scream that's what I am
All the way all the way
Cause I'm a mean mother fucking man
Riding the wind and know I'll be damned
All the way, all the way, all the way
I'm a motorcycle man
Don't never give a damn
I lie when the truth serves better
The Marquis De Sade
I cheat and steal and rob
A Heavy Metal Creature
Cause I'm a mean mother fucking man
I gotta scream, that's what I am
All the way, all the way
Cause I'm a mean mother fucking man
I gotta scream, that's what I am
All the way, all the way
Cause I'm a mean mother fucking man
Riding the wind and know I'll be damned
All the way, all the way | riff_master |
6. The Neutron Bomber
He came from the East
They called him a beast
This king of terror insane
Neutron Ronnie, the people would whisper his
name
Dangerous and mad
A torch in his hand
Spread fire by the light of the moon
Ooh, pyrotechnical wizard of doom
Oh no here comes Ronnie
Ah the bombers insane
Ah till he dies it'll burn in his eyes
A phantom so cool
A midnight would rule
And molotov cocktail would rain
Babies screamin'
And house would go up in flames
When next Ronnie goes, nobody knows
But inside him's where Lucifer hides
Ooh, he's the boy with the bombs at his
side
Ooh no here comes Ronnie, ah the boy with the
flame
Ah his life has been burning inside
Oh no no here comes Ronnie
Ah the bombers insane
Ah till he dies the burning in his eyes
Oh no here comes Ronnie
Ah the boy with the flame
Ah his life has been burning inside
Oh no no here comes Ronnie
Ah the bombers insane
As till he dies the burning in his eyes | riff_master |
7. Mephisto Waltz
[INSTRUMENTAL] | riff_master |
8. Forever Free
I ride all alone and can't see
The road to nowhere anymore
And shadows whispers are calling me
To forbidden forests by the shore
And there she fell, deep in the night
One breath away from heavens light
And she said - don't cry for me I'm
leaving you
The wind cries her name in the breeze
But I can't hold her anymore /no, no, no/
Some fallen angel had come to me
And fell too heavy on my soul
And stole from me the love that I heard
Lords of time say never die
And she sad - don't cry for me, because
I'll be
Riding the wind forever free
High in the wind forever free
I'll ride the wind forever free
High in the wind forever free
Forever in my hearts a fire, a fire burning
I wake up nights and hear her crying, crying
my name | riff_master |
9. Maneater
Turn loose the lightning metal hawgs
And set me free
Turn loose my crying metal hearts'
1200 C.C.
Cold steel forever I'm gonna ride
And burn the flame
That breaths the fire - breaths the fire
And can't be tamed
Thunder rolling down the highway
These wheels of fire eat you alive - them
Outlaw riders going my way
A Harley child until I die
Maneater - born free I ride
Maneater - wings of freedom
Born the line for metal minds
Run to the scorching desert sun
V-twins will scream
Into the blackness of the night, at twisting
speed
High on the hawg I'm riding on
Engines explode
It feels like thunder it's breathing fire
It rules the road
Milwaukee metal on the highway
These wheels of fire eat you alive - them
Outlaw riders going my way
Only the strong here will survive
Maneater - born free I ride
Maneater - wings of freedom
Born the line for metal minds
Them bad boys riding on forever
When they die they ride in Harley heaven
Maneater - born free I ride
Maneater - wings of freedom
Born the line for metal minds
Maneater - born free I ride
Maneater - wings of freedom
Born the line for metal minds | riff_master |
10. Rebel In The F.D.G.
I live my life like
A shot in the wind
If tomorrow don't come I know
I stole me share of fun for me
Cause I'm too fast, too rad
I'm going wasted when I go
The cost of freedom's never free
It's the deep six it's my fix
It's my best friend
Cause it's my way, or the highway
I tell ya it's the living end
I'm a rebel in the F.D.G.
And I say only God in the heaven knows
I'm a bad child, come and love me
And I say oh, yeah
I'm a rebel in the F.D.G.
And I say only God in the heaven knows
I'm a bad child, come and love me
And I say oh, yeah
If you're fast ya might last
Show ya gotta go
A wild one in the decadent zoo
Ooh, I lick up all my seven deadly sins
Cause I'm too hot, too cool
I might burn, but I'll burn in the wind
It's the deep six it's my fix
Cause it's my way or the highway
I'll tell ya what I am
Oh I, I feel the heat and I
I touch the flesh and bone
And I feel the kiss of fire
Too fast to live, too fast to die
Mom and Daddy say,"I'm dancing in
the fire"
Sometimes I feel like an animal in a cage
I pace back and forth, and look around
For something to sink my teeth into
But nobody knows what's going on inside
me. | riff_master | | | |
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