Blackie Lawless, was born Steven Duren on 4th September 1956. He lived in Staten Island, New York, where he hung out with Ace Frehley of Kiss fame. 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, touting 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 left, 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 1 EP. Blackie is known at this time as "Blackie Gooseman". Eventually Killer Kane breaks up, but Blackie stays in L.A. In 1977, Blackie and Randy Piper join together to form a band called Sister. Sister were amongst the first groups in L.A. to experiment with occult symbolism and face make up. It is also believed that Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe) also played in the band for a while. Out of the Sister experience Blackie meets up with Chris Holmes. 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. Late in 1983, after gaining a reputation as a noticeable live act, 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. 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.

W.A.S.P. (1984, 1997) SANCTUARY (Original Masters Reissue)

Animal (F**k Like A Beast) * I Wanna Be Somebody L.O.V.E. Machine The Flame B.A.D. School Daze Hellion Sleeping (In The Fire) On Your Knees Tormentor The Torture Never Stops Show No Mercy * Paint It Black *

Line-up: Blackie Lawless - Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar Chris Holmes - Lead & Rhythm Guitars Randy Piper - Lead & Rhythm Guitars & Vocals Tony Richards - Drums & Vocals   * = bonus tracks

W.A.S.P. really showed up all guns blazing from first get go. Their debut album was the most shocking metal album in 1984, maybe only rivaled by Venom. But unlike the British black metal pioneers, L.A.'s W.A.S.P. managed to get a much bigger audience for their music. I'm sure the first EP helped to sell the band, but the fact is, W.A.S.P. also had some great tunes! Say what you want about the shock value, and stage antics, but Blackie is one heck of a songwriter too. And it is very apparent here. Most of these tracks are classics today, and are still very much a part of their live set. "I Wanna Be Somebody", "L.O.V.E. Machine" and "Hellion" are but 3 of the songs that forever put W.A.S.P. on the heavy metal map. This reissue also includes the infamous "Animal (F**k Like A Beast)" as the first song, the way Blackie intended it all along, but was back then stopped by the record company. Isn't it funny that this particular track is one of the biggest reasons for the hype this band caught on? Also included are 2 more bonus tracks, whereas "Paint It Black" is a cover of The Rolling Stones.

Killer tracks: All of them are classics.

Rock trivia: This album was initially going to be named 'Winged Assassins'. There have always been quite the controversy about what the letters in their name stands for. Blackie himself says this is deliberate, but that it never was meant to mean anything special. But I have heard interviews where he claims it stands for White Anglo Saxon Protestants, which sort of stands for the population in the world that has the most power, wealth etc. However, if you have the vinyl version of this album, and take a look at the part of it that is closest to the centre, but without the music reels, it clearly states "We Are Sexual Perverts". Another "popular" version claims it stands for "We Are Satan's People"!!! No wonder why rumors fled about the meaning of the band name.

THE LAST COMMAND (1985, 1997) SANCTUARY (Original Masters Reissue)

W.A.S.P. had instant success with their debut release. Whether this was caused by the controversy, and the PMRC, or the quality of the music, was all up to the second album to show us. And of course it was the music that kept the band gaining more and more fans. The shock value was a part of it all, just like it was when KISS painted their faces, and Alice Cooper was beheaded on stage. W.A.S.P. only took it one step further. But as said, I believe that Blackie tunes are what made this band last. He is simply great at writing those biting metal anthems. And the man has a unique voice, that is harsh and smooth, raspy and soft all at the same time. 'The Last Command' is almost everything as good as it's predecessor. But I have to confess that I put my money on the debut. There is a certain rawness that 'The Last Command' lacks. Maybe it was the record company that constantly wanted to commercialize the bands sound, and the compromises that had to be made took away something from Blackie and company. Still, this is also a classic release, filed with many of the bands trademark songs. "Wild Child" and "Blind In Texas" were the 2 singles released from the album, and stand as standout tracks. The song "Running Wild In The Streets" was originally written by Spencer
Proffer & Kick Axe, but was never released on a Kick Axe album. "Mississippi Queen" is a Mountain cover. This reissue comes with 7 bonus tracks , where 5 of them are live.

Killer tracks: Wild Child, Ballcrusher, Fistful Of Diamonds, Widowmaker, Blind In Texas

LIVE... IN THE RAW (1987, 1997) SANCTUARY (Original Masters Reissue)

Hailed as one of the most outrageous live acts ever, it was only a matter of time before we got treated with a live disc from W.A.S.P.. Without the visual part of the show though, we can actually determine whether or not the music can stand on it's own. And you betcha, it can! This is a greatest hits fest like no other, and Blackie and band is ripping through their set like there was no tomorrow. This is probably one live album that never got the recognition it deserves. One can always argue about what songs are missing, and which that made the cut. Personally I could do without the non-album track, "Harder Faster", and would love to hear "Hellion". But this is a minor complaint. The live versions of tracks like "L.O.V.E. Machine" and "Wild Child" are awesome. Most of the songs stay pretty close to the originals, but the raw live feeling is always present. The crowd interactions could  have been integrated more. But all in all, this is a great live offering. This album also contains the theme songs from the movie "Ghoulies II", called "Scream Until you Like It". Bonus tracks on the reissue includes more live tracks, and an semi-acoustic version of "Sleeping (In The Fire)". "The Manimal" and "Harder Faster" were both written and performed specifically for this live album.

THE HEADLESS CHILDREN (1989, 1998) SANCTUARY (Original Masters Reissue)

The Heretic (The Lost Child) The Real Me The Headless Children Thunderhead Mean Man The Neutron Bomber Mephisto Waltz Forever Free Maneater Rebel In The F.D.G. Locomotive Breath * For Whom The Bell Tolls * Lake Of Fools * War Cry * L.O.V.E. Machine (Live at Hammersmith '89) * Blind In Texas (Live at Hammersmith '89) *

Line-up: Blackie Lawless - Lead Vocals and Guitar Chris Holmes - Lead  Guitar Johnny Rod - Bass and Vocals Additional musicians: Frankie Banali - Drums & Percussion Ken Hensley - Keyboards   * = bonus tracks

'The Headless Children' marks a new era in the bands career. This time they appear as a 3 piece, with Steve Riley out, and Frankie Banali making the first of many appearances in W.A.S.P.. Also on board for the recording of the album was Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep, Blackfoot), and you can really hear it is him playing too! The most noticeable change though is within the music itself. Blackie decided to ditch the gimmick, and go for the music. So out with the raw meat and chainsaw codpiece, and in with honest and thought-provocative lyrics. Sure, Blackie & Co. will still give you a song or two that will still make the PMRC see red, and this time around it was "Mean Man", a song Blackie write about Chris Holmes. 'The Headless Children' was the bands most dynamic album to date. It's like they grew up, but still did it their own way. I find the album to be far more true to themselves then 'Inside The Electric Circus' ever was, so don't confuse the "serious" material with a band that sold out. Because that is simply not the case. Blackie wanted to get away from the freakshow he created, and concentrate on the skills and talent these musicians really had. The result was breathtaking. In the metal world the word progressive have become synonymous with bands that are showing off musical virtuosity. But when it comes to 'The Headless Children' I want to use the word in it's original form. This is a band that have progressed as musicians, writers, performers etc. The entire album is flawless, and regarded by many as the bands pinnacle. It is surely amongst my favorite albums from Blackie, and "Forever Free" is a personal favorite as far as W.A.S.P. songs go. "The Real Me" is a cover of a The Who original. This reissue comes with 6 bonus tracks. This is the way all re-releases should be done! Not only do all of them include all the b-sides from the original singles, but they have very nice booklets, with extensive liner notes as well. And the songs have been remastered. "Locomotive Breath" was originally recorded by Jethro Tull.

Killer tracks: All of them

THE CRIMSON IDOL (1992, 1998) SANCTUARY (2CD) (Original Masters Reissue)

How do you even begin to write about one of the finest pieces of classic heavy metal ever made? By the time Blackie was ready to put his guts out, and deliver the magnum opus of his career, W.A.S.P. were no longer a band per se. All of the previous members had left, and even long time friend, Chris Holmes felt that Blackie was steering his ship into a much too soft territory. But all this doesn't stop Blackie from pursuing what he wanted, and creating his first concept story. He brought with him Stet Howland and Frankie Banali on drums, and session musician extraordinaire, Bob Kulick (yes, the brother of Kiss-famed, Bruce), on guitar. The result is the most mind-blowing album from this dark and disturbed metal musician to date. Many people have tried to link Blackie himself up with the Jonathan character in the storyline for this album. And I guess in some parts they are similar. Jonathan goes from being a tortured kid, to becoming a troubled rock star, with all the traps and fame that the music business have to offer. The story is a huge part of this album, but when all is said and done, it is the music that people remember the best. And the music here is phenomenal. Blackie was heavily influenced by The Who, and Pete Townsend, at this point. So add that to his previous rowdy music, and you get 'The Crimson Idol'. Blackie is showing all his sides, at their best, on this album. He delivers one of my all time favorite ballads, in the honest "Hold On To My Heart".

The bonus disc, featured on this re-issue, contains no more then 12 extra tracks. Most of them are live offerings. But we also get the Led Zeppelin cover, "When The Levee Breaks". And finally the narrated "The Story Of Jonathan (Prologue)" is added at the end of CD1.

Killer tracks: Every single one of them.

SUNSET & BABYLON (1993) CAPITOL (EP)

'Sunset & Babylon' was 1 of 2 unreleased tracks included on the 'First Blood, Last Cuts'-compilation album released in 1993. This sweet little EP with, 3 demo tracks included, was released to coincide with the compilation. These demos where recorded before the first album, and it is thought that Ace Frehley from Kiss produced these tracks. Different demo-tracks were available on the various versions of this single. So if you had the 12", the 7" and the picture disc, you also had these tracks: "School Daze", "On Your Knees", "Hellion" and "Show No Mercy".

STILL NOT BLACK ENOUGH (1995) SANCTUARY/RAW POWER

It took 3 years before Blackie delivered a new album after the phenomenal 'The Crimson Idol'. 'Still Not Black Enough' is musically very close to it's predecessor, and the title-track could undoubtedly have been apart of that album too. Seeing that it is the same musicians who recorded this album, this might not seem so strange after all. Unfortunately though, the CD also contains some fillers here and there. The cover of Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody To Love" is one of them. Blackie have always delivered some great covers, but this simply isn't the case with this particular track. Still, this album is more then good enough as a whole, and it was to be the last "serious" album by W.A.S.P. for almost a decade! This album is also released in a different version for the US marked. That version has the addition of the AC/DC cover "Whole Lotta Rosie", the Queen cover "Tie Your Mother Down", and the 2 originals, "One Tribe" and "Skinwalker". It does omit the ballad, "Breathe" though.

Killer tracks: Still Not Black Enough, Black Forever, Scared To Death, Goodbye America, Breathe

K.F.D. (1997) SANCTUARY/RAW POWER

'K.F.D.' sees the return of Chris Holmes, and the addition of Mike Duda on bass. Needless to say, this was also a return to the shock rock, and W.A.S.P.'s live show was never more outrageous then it was to be on the tour for this album. Blackie decided to put Marilyn Manson and the likes in their place, showing them how it's supposed to be done. It's a bit sad then that this album sounds more like he's copying Manson, rather then coming up with something of his own. Sure, the songs are still very much in Blackie's trademark sound, but the production just ruins it for me. "Little Death" would be an awesome song, hadn't it been for the industrial production. And when was repeating the f-word a hundred times over become so overtly shocking? Stupid, is more like it! 'K.F.D.' is not the bands worst moment, and as said, we get treated to some great tunes here as well, but this is not the way I want to remember the band, so I rarely put this CD in the player. The CD comes in a nifty digi-pack, where half of the front opens up, so it looks like you're opening the refrigerator pictured on the cover, to reveal what's inside.

Killer tracks: Kill Fuck Die, My Tortured Eyes, Little Death, The Horror

DOUBLE LIVE ASSASSINS(1998) SANCTUARY/SNAPPER MUSIC (2CD)

The second live album form Blackie & Co. came after the "revitalized" W.A.S.P. had finished their most outrageous tour in over a decade. The result is a mixed affair. The sound is pretty sterile for a live recording, and I suspect that much have been brushed up in the studio. And what a shame it is to open with an uninspiring medley consisting of so different material. Most of the tracks in the medley should be performed in their entirety anyhow. There are plenty of songs from 'K.F.D.' that could have been ditched instead, although I like some of them better live than on the album itself. It is only natural that they are here, though. as it was the 'K.F.D.' album W.A.S.P. were touring for. On the second CD we get treated to one heck of a monster medley though. And this 'Crimson Idol Medley" is worth the CD price alone! The double CD is packed with W.A.S.P. classics, and all in all it is a decent live effort, but it cannot even begin to touch the top live albums, like 'Alive', 'Alive II' and 'Live After Death'.

HELLDORADO (1999) CMC INTERNATIONAL/BMG

Drive By - intro Helldorado Don't Cry (Just Suck) Damnation Angels Dirty Balls High On The Flames Cocaine Cowboys Can't Die Tonight Saturday Night Cockfight Hot Rods To Hell (Helldorado Reprise)

Line-up: Blackie Lawless - Vocals, Guitars Chris Holmes - Lead Guitar Stet Howland - Drums, Vocals Mike Duda - Bass, Vocals

'Helldorado' is in every thinkable way the worst W.A.S.P. album to date. Getting Chris Holmes back fueled Blackie's most childish sides, and brought out the worst of the man. This album seems tailor made to shock>; it's raunchy and it's lyrically ridiculous (sex, drugs, hell and fast cars/motorcycles). It might be a stretch to blame Chris, but the fact is that he left again when Blackie wanted to do leave the antics behind him again. But that is further down the road. Musically this album is more straight ahead rock 'n' roll then anything else this band has ever done. Imagine a high octane AC/DC, but with Blackie's signature vocals of course. Musically it's decent album, but the juvenile lyrics just ruins it for me. Using the same explications over and over gets real old, real fast!

Killer tracks: Nah, not really.

THE BEST OF THE BEST 1984-2000 (2000) SNAPPER

Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting Animal (Fuck Like A Beast) I Wanna Be Somebody L.O.V.E. Machine On Your Knees Show No Mercy Blind In Texas Wild Child Sex Drive 9-5 N.A.S.T.Y. Mean Man Chainsaw Charlie (Murders In The New Morgue) Unreal Helldorado Dirty Balls

A cover of Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" as well as a new song called "Unreal" are released exclusively for this compilation. And this had to be absolute crucial to even manage to sell copies of this CD. 5 of the tracks are from the debut, including 1 b-side. 3 tracks are from 'The Last Command'. 'Inside The Electric Circus' have only 1 track represented, while 'The Crimson Idol' and 'K.F.D.' have none! Add to that the addition of 2 tracks from the awful 'Helldorado' album, and you got a single CD collection of at least some of the bands most familiar hits. My tip is, buy the regular albums instead.

UNHOLY TERROR (2001) METAL-IS/SANCTUARY

Blackie inhabits one tortured soul, and once again he's honest enough to tell us about it! 'Unholy Terror' is yet another one of his albums where he deals with spiritual and social issues. But it also deals with a lot of Stephen Duren and Chris Holmes' Christian upbringing. "Mom and daddy made me who I am", he sings in "Hate To Love Me", pointing to the fact that he was forced to be a part of a belief he felt wasn't true, and that he became quite torn between who he felt he was, and what he felt was expected of him to become. Musically this is a throwback to 'The Crimson Idol' and, even more so, 'The Headless Cross'. Mid-paced heavy metal, with plenty of feeling, and Blackie's charismatic voice, pouring his guts out. And I dare to say that this is when Blackie is at his best. "Charisma" f.ex., is a tune that just grabs me, and pulls me into his world. So even though it doesn't speak that much to me lyrically, it is still a personal favorite of mine. 'Unholy Terror' is a return to the W.A.S.P. that I am proud to be a fan of. "Evermore" is based on ideas to a song initially entitled "Circle Of Legend", written for 'The Headless Children', and was supposed to act as a reprise to "Forever Free" from that album.

Killer tracks: Let It Roar, Loco-Motive Man, Charisma, Raven Heart, Evermore

DYING FOR THE WORLD (2002) METAL-IS/SANCTUARY

Ah, Blackie is back in his serious mode, and Chris Holmes is once again gone. 'Dying For The World' was one of the first post-9-11 albums I bought. Blackie heard that the UN Forces were blasting heavy metal through loud speakers on the outside of their tanks, to cause fear and stress when they rolled into battle, during the Gulf war. He thought he'd send the boys some new songs to crank, so he recorded 'Dying For The World'. As such, this is Blackie's political worldviews on a CD. The majority of the tracks are written with the 9-11 incident in mind, but there are some exceptions. "Black Bone Torso" deals with the Catholic Church, and the fact that they try to hide their scandals, and the priests who are being caught molesting children. "Trail Of Tears" is about how the U.S. government treated the Cherokee Nation, when they made them march from the south East of the USA to Oklahoma, where the reservations and interment camps awaited them. With little food, water or medical help, 4000 people died during the 10 month march, and over 5000 people died soon after in the camps. "My Wicked Heart" is a prayer (!!), asking for forgiveness for the things Blackie knows he is doing wrong. 'Dying For The World' is yet another album where Blackie is more Stephen Duren than Blackie, meaning it's a totally honest album. Musically it ranks nicely alongside "The Headless Children" and "Unholy Terror", and this is another stellar CD from one of the most interesting artists in the heavy metal arena. If I had to highlight anything negative about this release, it would be that most of the tracks seem familiar already upon first listen. It seems that the songs are based on already used ideas. But then again, that is what makes it sound like W.A.S.P.. As a side note, I find it fascinating that the word "God" appears in 9 of the 10 tracks on this album.

Killer tracks: My Wicked Heart, Hell For Eternity, Hallowed Ground, Revengeance, Stone Cold Killers

THE NEON GOD: PART I - THE RISE (2004) METAL-IS/NOISE

'The Neon God' was supposed to be a double album, but ended up as 2 separate CD's instead. I remember when the rumors of a new concept album from Blackie started to circulate. W.A.S.P. even cancelled their tour for 'Dying for The World' for Blackie to start the work with this story. The parallels to 'The Crimson Idol' are many. Here is the story in short: 'The Neon God' is about Jesse Slane, a troubled young man who "survives" an upbringing, consisting of an alcoholic mom, who eventually sends him away to a monastery. There he gets tortured by the head nun to a point of never healing mental scars. When he finally manages to get out of that place, after years in an asylum as well, he finds himself homeless, and turns to other people in the same situation as himself. Drugged out, and with no place to go, he ends up under the wings of a "magician", who teaches him the art of mind manipulating. together they gather a sect of other abused children, where Jesse becomes the leader. Hailed as a new messiah, he runs his flock using mind games. Drugs, alcohol and sex are the key ingredients. The first part of the story ends with Jesse questioning his existence (like he always have done), and the one question remains in his mind; Why am I here? 'The Neon God' is once again a W.A.S.P. album at it's best. If you are a fan of 'The Crimson Idol', you'll surely like this one too. I can't say it's as good as 'The Crimson Idol', but it is on par with all the other "serious" albums from Blackie. He seems to be on a spiritual awareness trip lately, and I love how he ends his comments on this album with; "Guide us all, O'Lord!" I'm not sure how much of this story relates to Blackie's own childhood, but I'm afraid that it might be quite the reflection of what he has gone through. I know he had a Christian upbringing, that went way bad. And Jesse's rise to become a "messiah" can also be like a metaphor for Blackie's own success with W.A.S.P.. It would be fun to one day get to meet Blackie, and ask him all these questions face to face.

Killer tracks: Sister Sadie (And The Black Habits), Why Am I Nothing, Asylum #9, The Running Man, The Raging Storm

DOMINATOR (2007) DEMOLITION (Limited Edition digipak w/3D cover)

Blackie Lawless and his W.A.S.P. never fails to excite and/or surprise. After yet another batch of conceptual albums, the man is back doing a political album again. And low and behold, the man have totally changed his political views from the 'Dying For The World' days. I'm not going to go deep into the anti-American-government lyrics on the album, nor will I do an in depth we-told-you-so comment, based on my own European stance on the matter, on the war he is obviously now so frustrated about. I'll rather concentrate on the music. Because that is what matters in the end. Musically we're once again treated to the now classic W.A.S.P. sound. Easily on par with 'Unholy Terror', 'Dying For The World' and even touching on the greatness of 'The Headless Children', I'd say that Blackie is in rare form these days! The perfect dynamics in his music creates a mood that I enjoy so immensely. I've always been a fan of the more serious side of the man anyways. And the only significant "outsider" here is the last track, entitled "Deal With The Devil". It actually helps to end off the CD on a lighter note, and it would have fitted in perfectly on albums such as 'The Last Command' and 'Inside The Electric Circus'. The more I listen to this album, the more I am loving it. "The Burning Man" might just be one of the better tracks the band has ever recorded. This is just a great album that will rank high on my list of favorite 2007 releases.

Killer tracks: Every one of them!

Blackie Lawless guest appearances:

V/A - 'Hear 'n Aid: Stars'

Chris Holmes guest appearances:

V/A - 'Hear 'n Aid: Stars'

Related artists:

Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Impellitteri, Jack Frost, Vicious Rumors