James Andrews

Tonight I did something I wish I had done a lot sooner. I went to see a band that has been a part of my album collection for 30 years. I first started listening to W.A.S.P. when my uncle introduced me to their debut album. Being an impressionable 10 year old I instantly fell for “School Daze”, a song that compares a child’s need to go to school to that of a person imprisoned for no reason for just being what they are and what they have no control over. With introduction W.A.S.P. seeds were sown. Seeds of free thinking, of rebellion, and of personal desire to make something of myself.

I arrived at Showcase Live at 5:15pm, early enough to grab my spot in line with my friend Laurie who had been waiting for me there. The doors opened and we were offered a place to sit. Stage right. The venue is INCREDIBLE. Being able to sit at a table, order a gourmet burger and fries, or a New York Sirloin steak to eat while watching the opening act. Having a spectacular view of the stage. It blew my mind.

The opening band was War Machine. The singer/guitarist reminded me of Dio for some reason. They had a solid sound, and were enjoyable to listen too. If I were more familiar with their music I probably would have gotten more involved in watching them. I plan on give them a fair listening too, and maybe if they are around again I’ll go and check them out.

The lights were down low. One by one the members of W.A.S.P came out onto the stage starting with their drummer, and soon the stage was set. Blackie started off the show with “On your Knees”. A classic from their first album. Starting the show off right. They ran through a series of songs from that album. The ones I influenced me as a child and drove my mother mad. Blackie though looking his age, sounded exactly as if it were straight off the CD.

Now I have to admit over the years I have lost touch with many bands I had once listened too. W.A.S.P was one of those bands. The songs I was unfamiliar with, like those from “The Crimson Idol” showed me that Blackie’s writing style had grown in a way I wouldn’t have expected. One example is the song they opened their finale with “Heaven’s Hung in Black”, which is a modified quote from Abraham Lincoln. Behind the band on a screen shown images of dead soldiers from the civil war, slowly the images moved to a more recent time period. The lyrics talking about the loneliness on the battlefield waiting to die. It was very touching, and it has been a while since a metal song has moved me so. It was highly unexpected. At the end, Blackie actually looked up to the sky and said a prayer. I don’t know what was said as he wasn’t mic-ed at the time, but he ended it with the symbol of the cross, which was equally unexpected.

The final song of the night, was also my favorite W.A.S.P song. A song about alcohol and debauchery. Blind in Texas. It was so wonderful to hear it live.

If you are a metal head and have never heard W.A.S.P. you should give them a try, they are a fun band to listen too. If you get the chance to see them live, I recommend you take it.