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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.
It was great seeing Blackie and W.A. S. P. for the first time in over a decade. They looked and sounded amazing! The set was packed with hits and I loved seeing their old videos from the ‘80’s in the background.
W.A.S.P. is my favorite band and I’ve never seen Armored Saint. This was a perfect bill. Both bands delivered the goods.
Overall great experience! Staff was cool the bartenders were cool
The metal loving fanbase is alive and well, and we WANT MORE SHOWS. W.A.S.P. and Armored Saint rocked the house! Now let's work on getting more of the revenue to the actual artists rather than paying a bloated ticket management agency.
They were awesome !! I would love to see them again !!
I loved it! It was so nostalgic, and they played so many good songs. It did not disappoint! Blackie sure can still sing!
The show, the venue. All good. The access and time works perfect.
Great classic band. I am glad I finally got to see them. Everything was solid sound was just like the albums. True professionals I hope we can get a few more years from them.
Armored Saint was great W.A.S.P. Was awesome love blackie great set list great stage setup great venue come back blackie
Blackie and the band put on a great show! Excellent musicianship, awesome to hear their classic metal songs!
Amazing show and Blacys voice still great. Just would have liked more selection of the band shirts.
I had been wanting to see WASP for decades. With the announcement of the 2022 US tour I finally had my opportunity. I was not disappointed. It was an amazing performance. The band was awesome! I will definitely see them again if I have the chance.
Excellent gig! Blackie & Co were in fine form & DID NOT disappoint. Cheers to Kent from Utah & Sherri & Patty who all rocked out with me. Personal highlight: The Torture Never Stops
This show was one of the best metal shows I’ve seen in quite some time. Armored Saint set the stage and beyond killed it they were bad ass and then W.A.S.P put an stamp on the nigh with a show stopping performance an everyone left that venue talking about how great that show was 🤟🤟🤟 And continue to sell out their shows speaks volumes. 🔥🔥🔥🔥😎😎✌️
Both bands were amazing and the meet & greet was worth every penny. This was definitely a must see show and experience. Thanks to everyone that made this tour a reality!
It's been several years since WASP had toured the USA, and due to the extensive and heartwarming online campaign that fans put together, which included contacting promoters throughout the country, the band has finally once again become a touring force on these shores. Many shows have been sold out, including the one I went to on Nov 29th at the Tally Ho Theater in Leesburg VA. Another legendary band, Armored Saint, are the openers for this tour, making it a solid lineup. Both bands started around the same time in the 80s, and have toured together before. Armored Saint was great as expected, and they played songs from my fave album of theirs, "Symbol of Salvation." Pure class, execution, and crowd-interaction throughout. Due to space limitations, WASP couldn't include all of their stage props, but the setup and light-show were impressive. The video screen really complemented the experience, playing the original music videos. The setlist, although short in my view (10 songs), reminded everyone of the many classics the band has. Blackie Lawless sounded good, although the pre-recorded additional vocals took a bit away from the complete "realness" of his performance. Blackie has admitted to the use of that type of enhancement, so this is not a dig at the band. Doug Blair was great on guitar, Mike Duda has been a trooper for this band and his backing vocals were great per usual, and it was a treat to finally see Aquiles Priester playing live with the band, as he's a monster on the drums. Overall, a great show with both hints of nostalgia and the still relevancy of the band. See this show if you get a chance, but at a decent club though, which leads me to... Avoid this venue. Period. That simple. Doors opened late... NO security check whatsoever... so I just hoped that no armed idiot made it through... no signs warning about the steps leading to the floor area... I counted at least SIX people that fell on their way up or down those steps... and they have the rudest power-tripping personnel I've ever seen... and I go to dozens of shows every year. First and done with this venue. Long Live WASP & Armored Saint (they deserve the four stars). Tally Ho... you need to get into one of those reality shows where they turn around a badly run place.
As someone who saw W.A.S.P. back in the early days and several times throughout their 40 year history, I was really excited by the promise of a tour that was going to take it right back to the start, with all of the theatrics that went along with a vintage W.A.S.P. show. It was a little disappointing to have an empty stage but for the video screens showing old promo videos from back in the day. However, I would say that Blackie and the current band performed really well, loved hearing all the old music live again. It was a nice touch, acknowledging the contributions of all the former members of the band on the screens during the encore, and if the opportunity presents itself I would go again, the only barrier is that time is running out.
Great to see W.A.S.P. at it again. Expect a lot of backing tracks.
What awesome show.I drove 7 hours to see wasp.Anytime they where in the area i would see them.Since the 80's i went to see the band play.Can't believe it's been 40 years.Blackie still going strong.Can't wait to see them again
Even after all these years and not touring the U.S. for a decade W.A.S.P. was on my bucket list to see. From the opening of On your knees to the finale of I wanna be somebody it was a great show. The Tally Ho theatre was a great venue to see a legend. Not a bad seat in the house! I’ve been to countless concerts and this was in my top 3 only behind Ozzfest and Metallica .and don’t forget an awesome job by Armored Saint to open for Wasp. Go if you get the chance.
