History of W.A.S.P.
In this section you'll find a Discography and Lyrics and
background information.
W.A.S.P. - INSIDE THE ELECTRIC CIRCUS
W.A.S.P. - THE HEADLESS CHILDREN
W.A.S.P. - STILL NOT BLACK ENOUGH
W.A.S.P. Double Live Assassina-
Wasp was first released August, 17, 1984 by Capitol Records
produced by Blackie Lawless and Mike Varney, except
The Flame, On Your Knees and Tormentor which were
produced by Blackie Lawless.
The line up that recorded this album was Blackie
Lawless on Lead Vocals & Bass Guitar, Chris Holmes on
Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Randy Richards on Lead & Rhythm
Guitars & Vocals, and Tony Richards on Drums & Vocals.
This line-up was to change for the next album.
The original release was supposed to have Animal (Fuck Like
a beast) on but Capitol Records were shall we say
uncomfortable with the idea. A deal was struck for Animal
to be released through the UK independent label Music For
Nations.
After the album was released W.A.S.P. start their first World
Tour. The video Live at the Lyceum was recorded on this tour.
The Last Command was released November, 9th, 1985.
Produced by Spencer Proffer.
The new line-up for this record was Blackie Lawless on Lead Vocals &
Bass Guitar, Chris Holmes on Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Randy Piper on Lead
& Rhythm Guitars & Vocals and the new member of the band Steve Riley on
Drums & Vocals (replacing Tony Richards from the first record).
The track list for this record is as follows.
Wild Child
Ballcrusher
Fistful Of Diamonds
Jack Action
Widowmaker
Blind In Texas
Cries In The Night
The Last Command
Running Wild In The Streets
Sex Drive
Inside The Electric Circus was released November, 8th, 1986 on Capitol Records,
Produced by Blackie Lawless.
The Line up for this record changed as well with Blackie Lawless
on Guitar & Lead Vocals, Chris Holmes on Lead Guitar, Johnny Rod on
Bass Guitar & Vocals, and Steve Riley on Drums & Vocals.
This album was written, rehearsed, recorded and mixed in 9 weeks.
After the album was released W.A.S.P. were once again back out on the road
touring. During this tour W.A.S.P. did some live recordings for the BBC. It
was from these records that W.A.S.P. decided to release a live album
Live...In The Raw was released November, 26th, 1987 on Capitol Records.
Again produced by Blackie Lawless.
The lineup was the same as that which recorded 'Inside The Electric Circus'.
This release was recorded at San Bernadino, San Diego and Long Beach Arena,
which was the last night of the tour and the last gig Steve Riley was to play with W.A.S.P.
On this release 'Scream Until You Like It' was recorded and used for the Ghoulies II sound track.
Also during this tour W.A.S.P. played their first appearance at Donnington, Monsters Of Rock.
Where they trashed the stage after getting pissed off at the bottles of
piss being thrown at them.
The Headless Children was released April, 15th. 1989 on Capital Records.
Produced by Blackie Lawless.
The line up changed for this recording. Steve Riley was replaced by Frankie Banali
(IMHO the best drummer W.A.S.P. have had to date) and also saw Ken Hensley on Keyboards.
The Headless Children saw a slight change in direction for W.A.S.P.
Who started writing songs about common day problems like Drug Addiction
and Alchol.
The Crimson Idol was released in 1992.
Produced by Blackie Lawless And Frankie Banali sharing drum credits with Stet Howland, who played on the tour. Also Blackie play bothed Rythm and Bass guitar on this recording, Johnny Rod did play on the tour for this release. This is an epic of a release, a 'rock opera' as it has been called. The story behind the CD is of a a boy who grew up to be 'the idol of a million eyes' and told the story of his childhood pain and growth into adult life and finally the death of 'Jonathon Arron Steel'. This CD is a must have of any metal fan.
This release by W.A.S.P. took 2 years to make and saw the departure of Chris Holmes replaced by Bob Kulick
Still Not Black Enough was released in 1995 on the Raw Power record label (a division of Castle Communications PLC).
Produced by Blackie Lawless.
with Frankie Banali and Stet Howland sharing the drumming between them and Bob Kulick
playing lead guitar and no Johnny Rod on bass, with Blackie playing bass and rythm again,
plus other instruments. This is around the time I met Blackie, as he did a promotional appearence
at my local 'Metal' club. He was a really cool from what I remember ( I wasnt sober at the time :o)).
Kill Fuck Die was released in March 1997 on the Raw Power label.
Produced by Blackie Lawless.
of Frankie Banali, with Stet Howland now taking command of the drums for W.A.S.P. and the departure of Johnny Rod, who was replaced by Mike Duda. This release has a very dark pissed off attitude. It was record digitally.
Double Live Assassins was released in 1998 on the Snapper Music PLC label
Produced by Blackie Lawless.
saw W.A.S.P. returning to their old 'shock' stage shows of their early careers, with Nuns being raped
and a pig having its head chopped off. The track list reads like a W.A.S.P. fans wish list.
This was also the first double CD that W.A.S.P. had released. Shortly after this release W.A.S.P.
reissued W.A.S.P., The Last Command, Inside The Electric Circus, Live in The Raw, The Headless
Children and The Crimson Idol all with new added tracks from the B-sides of the singles taken from them.
These include some live recordings and tracks previously hard to track down.
This was the follow up to 'The Crimson Idol' and was recorded with the same line up,W.A.S.P. - Kill Fuck Die
This recording saw the return of Chris Holmes, replacing Bob Kulick and the departures W.A.S.P. - Double Live Assassins
This is the second of W.A.S.P.'s live CDs and was recorded on their Kill Fuck Die Tour. This tourW.A.S.P. - Helldardo