On the 40th Anniversary of their classic debut self-titled album in 1984, W.A.S.P. came back to Seattle for the first time in 20 years on their “Album ONE Alive!” Tour. The last time they played Seattle was August 31, 2004 on the Neon Gods World Tour at The Fenix (RIP) club.
Now in my world lets go back to 1984 with W.A.S.P. - I was cassette tape trading around the world and had the first demos before the album was recorded and knew they were gonna be huge! I remember when their Capital Records debut was released and I bought the vinyl. I was scared to listen to it because most of the time back then you'd hear demos and they were so raw and awesome you knew the major label's would over polish the productions. Good example was the hailed (and we thought for sure) the next Judas Priest - LA's Malice. That Atlantic Records debut "In The Beginning" was a polished turd compared to the raw demos! But with W.A.S.P. Capital let Blackie Lawless produce with Mike Varney and boom! No messing around there, it was AWESOME! Now 40 years later it's still one of the greatest debut albums to ever come out of the 80s.
These 10 tracks from the debut LP opening the show...legendary!
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.
It's been so long since W.A.S.P. have been to town the crowd was just so into it every song the whole night! If just hearing the whole debut album though live wasn't enough, the band took a 5min break before coming back out and hitting home runs with 2 compilations of other album catalog hits: "Inside the Electric Circus / I Don't Need No Doctor / Scream Until You Like It" and "The Real Me / Forever Free / The Headless Children". Then they ended the night with two full track classics of "Wild Child" and "Blind in Texas" that finished the crowd off.
The energy was awesome! There was even a fan in the upper theatre crevasses waving their debut album cover tapestry! W.A.S.P. was fantastic from start to finish. Blackie Lawless looked and sounded great still even at 68 years old. As the last original member and songwriter still carrying the W.A.S.P. flag from the beginning, the live band (they were tight) included Mike Duda (bass since 1995), Doug Blair (guitar since 2006) and Aquiles Priester (drum since 2017).
Let's talk about Blackie's incredible mic stand named "Elvis". I finally got to see this thing in person. It's true it takes 4 guys to carry this 1,000lb piece of metal art and put it in it's weight box connector. Connected to a heavy loaded spring, it handles Blackie's weight to spring it back and ride and then go right back in it's upright singing position.
Since this is the beginning of the 2nd leg of the U.S.A. tour check out the remaining schedule across America till December 14th at https://www.waspnation.com/tour - you won't be disappointed!
Opening the show was the mighty Armored Saint. They also released their debut major label release "March of the Saint" in 1984. Now here's a crazy fact. Nearly 40 years ago on 3.7.85 I was in this very theatre seeing Armored Saint open up for Metallica! It was also the night I met the band for the first time and have been friends ever since! Supporting their latest classic album release "Punching The Sky", the band ripped through a set of Saint classics with that newer stuff.
"End of the Attention Span / Chemical Euphoria / Last Train Home / March of the Saint / Left Hook From Right Field / Standing on the Shoulders of Giants / Win Hands Down / Can U Deliver / Reign of Fire" was a perfect newar hour set for us fans!
Armored Saint singer Jon Bush still has the vocal pipes that defy age! Did you know Metallica asked him to join the band in the 80s? Read that article HERE.
For both bands I'm gladded he turned it down cause it would've changed the course of Metal history most likely with Metallica and Armored Saint. For all Armored Saint info check out their website: https://www.armoredsaint.com/
For full show galleries visit my page links below:
W.A.S.P. Full Show Photo Gallery - Click Here
Armored Saint Full Show Gallery - Click Here