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Shock-rockers W.A.S.P. are one of the most enduring acts to come out of the early '80s metal scene in Los Angeles, recording and touring well into the 2010s and 2020s. Earning a polarizing reputation for their wildly transgressive live acts and overall debauchery -- including throwing raw meat into the audience -- W.A.S.P. continue to represent music at its most provocative and theatrical.??
W.A.S.P. formed in 1982 in Los Angeles. The original lineup included Blackie Lawless, Randy Piper, Rik Fox, and Tony Richards. Their debut single was "Animal (F*** Like A Beast)." Soon, however, Fox left and was replaced by Don Costa, and later Brayden Parker on bass.?
Around this time, guitarist Chris Holmes joined the band. With their lineup intact, W.A.S.P. signed to Capitol Records and released their 1984 self-titled debut album. "Animal (F*** Like A Beast)" was omitted from the album to prevent it from being banned in most major chain stores. W.A.S.P. also embarked on their first major world tour and were joined by a number of era-specific acts, such as KISS, Iron Maiden, Quiet Riot, and Metallica.
Their sophomore album, The Last Command, came out in 1985 and featured the Lawless-penned song "Blind in Texas." It also became W.A.S.P.'s highest-charting album, peaking at No. 47 on the Billboard 200. The Last Command also featured a new drummer, Steve Riley.
After The Last Command tour, Piper left the band and was replaced by former King Kobra bassist Johnny Rod. The mid-'80s were likewise a dangerous time to be a member of W.A.S.P., as Tipper Gore's Parents Music Resource Center made them a target of criticism for their overtly sexual lyrics and violent stage antics. This reached such a fever pitch that venues would receive bomb threats and Lawless was shot at twice.
Still, W.A.S.P. kept going and released their third album, 1986's Inside the Electric Circus, and toured with peers like Iron Maiden, Slayer, Raven, and Saxon. The following year, they released the live album Live...In the Raw.?
A low point hit when W.A.S.P. appeared in Penelope Spheeris' 1988 heavy metal documentary, The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years, where Holmes is shown wasted and belligerent, floating in his mother's pool. Many music critics have since attributed this scene -- and the film in general -- to glam metal's overall decline in popular culture, which would come to embrace grunge and thrash.
In 1989, W.A.S.P. released The Headless Children, but they collectively felt that their popularity had cratered. They disbanded soon after, and Lawless pursued a solo career. In 1990, a greatest hits album, First Blood... Last Cuts was released.
Eventually, the band reunited. In 1996, Lawless and Holmes recruited bassist Mike Duda and drummer Stet Howland for 1996's Still Not Black Enough. Together, they recorded 1997's K.F.D., 1999's Helldorado, 2001's Unholy Terror, and 2002's Dying For The World.?
In 2006, Howland left the band and was replaced by drummer Mike Dupke, who played with the band for nearly the next decade. Throughout that time, W.A.S.P. would release another spate of albums, including 2004's conceptual The Neon God, Pt. 1: The Rise and The Neon God: Part 2 - The Demise, 2006's Dominator, 2009's Babylon, and 2015's Golgotha. In 2018, Napalm Records released ReIdolized: The Soundtrack to the Crimson Idol, which featured the DVD/Blu-ray film and the original LP plus four previously unreleased songs. In 2022, W.A.S.P. embarked on their 40th anniversary tour: 40 Years World Tour 2022.
At least I got through one show- which was more than GREAT!!! But! I needed MORE!!!! More of W.A.S.P. the band I love live in concert!!! I immediately set myself up for MONTREAL. WOW!!! Yeah, it took a lot to set up. But I did it! Making me happy twice in a week. That's what I love about Hard Rock from that time in the 80s. Those two nights were GREAT.
Nobody like ME. I needed more than ONE show to attend as this is why I went to Toronto and Montreal. Both shows were excitable for me and different in ways. I waited too long for back to back shows.
I was absolutely excited to see W.A.S.P. Amazing band, Blackie Lawless is better than ever, the venue was excellent, the band was tight. I enjoyed every second of it!
I just got back from Toronto's W.A.S.P. show and decided I needed more. Ended up g oing to Montreal. Loved every minute of it.
Show was great, band sounded good. Blackie’s voice was very good. It was 1985 all over again
I liked this young group and their new first album. I hope they will achieve great success in the next 30 years!
Wasp was great! Blackies voice was awesome. Merch was also great.!
Last saw them in 1985 the actual last time they were in Toronto. I was blown away with how good they performed! Highly recommend seeing them if you ever get the chance again!
Armored Saint brought it tonight! They were excelent. W.A.S.P. was Excellent. Blackie sounded great. It was great to see both people in their 20's to 50's loving the show. The Filmore is a great place for a show. Will definitely go there for more!
Been a W.A.S.P. fan for 40+ years. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to see them live until last year (2023) and now again just last week. 2023 was a great show although Blackie’s back trouble was evident. Now, here in 2024 with his back surgery completed, Blackie brought the Album One Alive tour and despite what appeared to be the majority of the show having recorded vocals, the band kicked ass… the songs were still the raw essence of what rock is all about, and the great time with friends & family in attendance will forever be remembered. Exiting the show and learning the 2024 electoral results made the event even more memorable and forever cemented the notion of “where were you when….”
Paramount theater in Denver Colorado is a beautiful theater. Wasp and Armored Saint put on a great show. It was easy to get in to and easy to find the parking garage. It was theater seating so the view was great from where ever you sat.
Blackie Lawless and company never failed to impress! The songs were impressive and loud! I felt like the 80’s relived for a couple hours! The crowd was full of metal heads and the kids of metal heads experiencing what their parents were able to witness 40 years ago! If you are just reading the review and didn’t see the show? If they come back don’t hesitate to watch them live! W.A.S.P. Won’t disappoint!
This was a good show. Although I don't know a lot of Armored Saints music, what I do know I like. Armored Saint should get off of relying on backing tracks so much. John Bush is a great singer, but I could clearly hear a bassline when the bass player wasn't touching the strings. On the W.A.S.P side, there were a few technical difficulties, which Blackie explained would happen. That wasn't a huge deal. What was a huge deal to me, and why I downgraded my rating was they didn't play Animal. One could argue that it wasn't on the first album as released but it should have been. Another argument was that they played Headless Children and The Real Me, so they should have put Animal in. Maybe it was a censorship thing, IDK, but if anyone from the W.A.S.P. camp reads these, PLAY ANIMAL live.
While not a major fan of them, Armored Saint was incredible... Thanks to John Bush. lol WASP was impeccable. Musically, they were phenomenal. Vocally, I'd heard concerns that maybe there were vocal backing tracks, but I dunno. As a musician myself (well, a drummer), I've been in bands that ran vocals in our backing tracks. I didn't get that vibe. Maybe it's because all 3 dudes up front were singing, and that may have thrown me off? Again, I dunno. All I know is that it was an incredible night. At 49 years old, my inner 8 year old (the age I was when I first heard WASP) was in absolute heaven.
The security saw me with my cane and found me a place to sit right next to the stage! I had a wonderful time and had a nice close up view of everything! I enjoyed hearing all the old songs from my teenage years, brought back great memories for me! They were so fun and entertaining! Great show!
I was excited to finally see W.A.S.P. again. I grew up in LA and these guys were awesome back then especially in the clubs. I last saw them perform this album at the Long Beach Arena in 84 when they opened for Keokus. I have seen them several times since. This time was a new venue the depot. This club reminded me of the Troubador. Show opened and the mood was electric. Blackie comes on stage and bam I Wanna Be Somebody cranks out. This took me back to the day. Blackie was all over the stage and up and down off Elvis. They didn't play the songs in order they mixed them around. Blackie still has a good voice still. The crowd was chill and not rowdy. The show was perfect and I am thankful to Blackie for bringing it and still rocking.
Wasp is always been on my bucket list since a teenager. I invited some old high school friends and we made a reunion out of it. We even all had wigs that matched our old hairstyle, cause most of us are now bald and fat. It was a good time.
Wasp was great, Blackie has a great voice still, and Doug blair is amazing on guitar.
I didn't get to see W.A.S.P. as a teenager growing up listening to them and lots of hair bands and metal during the 80's. So when I saw they were going to be local and in Boise, ID, and right around my birthday, I knew what I was getting myself for my birthday! They played at a small venue, which I love, because you can see the band so much better than the big stadiums, plus it was nice to be able to get a balcony seat at a table, so I can be sure to SEE the band. Being only 5' tall, I usually struggle being able to see down in the pit. So the extra money spent for that at the Knitting Factory was well worth it. I got a few video clips of my favorite songs, and a few pics of Blackie and him at his crazy cool mic stand. I was very happy to hear Blackie still be able to sing after 42 years! Great show and glad he played all his old hits! Thank you Blackie and WASP!
Great WASP concert. Crowd was energized, Blackie and the band played their tails off. The venue was nice(Boise Knitting Factory). Great Show, and Great time.
