W.A.S.P. 40 Years Live Tour – Cleveland, Ohio

W.A.S.P. are out on tour and proving nay-sayers completely wrong. Blackie Lawless and bandmates have been selling out and cramming in the crowds all across the United States on their 40 Years Live World Tour.

After a nearly 12 year gap from the last time W.A.S.P. toured the states, they have come back with a vengeance it seems. Many critics and self proclaimed experts had told vocalist and founding member, Blackie Lawless, that there was very little interest to see the band live and they doubted the band’s ability to sell many tickets. Well, the masses have gathered and made a joke of those that said otherwise. Not only have tickets been selling out, the merch table has been left a tad light by the time the show ends.

We caught the show at the Agora Theater in Cleveland, Ohio on a cold Saturday night in November. Armored Saint opened the set, notably, singer John Bush apologized to the audience for his not feeling well yet he undoubtedly sang with all his heart. The crowd exploded with excitement as the crew set up Lawless’ iconic microphone stand. They went on at 9:30pm starting the set off with a 4 song medley, On Your Knees / The Flame / The Torture Never Stops / Inside the Electric Circus, that the anxious crowd ate up. Sadly, they dropped 3 songs off the setlist compared to some earlier dates, but the band was still delivered a solid set packed full of fan favorites, including the controversial Animal {Fuck like a Beast}. A song that gained much attention during the height of the censorship movement of the 80’s.

It may be hard to believe it has been 40 years since W.A.S.P. entered the world, however it might also just be denial for some of us that we remember 1982 so clearly. Either way, the crowd matched the band’s energy that evening and everyone in the venue proved despite all the years gone by, the rock rolls on. Personally, I hope this tour, with all its success, plots out a second leg.

Sharing the stage with Lawless are guitarist Doug Blair, bassist Mike Duda and newest member drummer Aquiles Priester.

• On Your Knees / The Flame / The Torture Never Stops / Inside the Electric Circus
• L.O.V.E. Machine
• Wild Child
• The Idol
• The Great Misconceptions of Me
• Chainsaw Charlie {Murders in the New Morgue}
• Blind in Texas
• Animal {Fuck Like a Beast}
• The Real Me {Who cover}
• I Wanna Be Somebody