What an epic. This song was actually fun to record. I used my Ibanez Explorer to record this session. You can just hear the difference in my playing style which is much more melodic than BL's. -Rik-
@Dempsey1919 : Thanks for your letter and comments. Your life is great, you get to hear all the great material we recorded back then. Just as much fun for me to hear how much you enjoy it as it was to record and play it. It's just too bad that Blackie refuses to acknowledge it all. Look for Darren Upton's upcoming book 'W.A.S.P. Sting in the Tale', for more about the story of WASP. That's ALL me on the WASP demo and Steeler album. Cheers! Rik
I don't think this demo had an official name. I had this on cassette back in the early 80s. At the time I think Blackie was still in a band called Sister or London don't recall which. Late 70s and early 80s was the birth of what became 80s metal era. I remember hanging out at the Starwood club. in LA. Man was I young then.
Gotta hand it to ya, these guys inspired me to start playing guitar and now I can play the intro to this song...its hard work but it pays off. Thanks Rik and everyone else.
I just wish Blackie would swollow his pride and finally admit the truth regarding WASP and Rik's involvement.. It does anger me that Blackie denys it even though several members corroborate Rik's story. Rik's a cool guy....
Randy Hawkins there are Rik Fox videos somewhere on TH-cam I watched some years back. As I remember Rik tells of the days when he and Blackie lived together, and something about a wasp coming into the apartment and annoying the hell out of them, and Rik saying something like “hey WASP, why don’t we call ourselves WASP, and then Blackie realizing how good at name it was and naturally wanting to claim it as his own and therefore adding the dots to become W.A.S.P. .That already being a ‘thing’, as in White Anglo Saxon Protestant in the same way as ‘J.A.P.’/ Jap meaning ‘Jewish American Princess’ is a thing too. With W.A.S.P. Blackie could have easily shared the story as his and Riks, but then it would have been even harder to write Rik out of the WASP history. So adding the dots then brought a whole new narrative to the now W.A.S.P. History/timeline that Blackie could then write as his own. Further, and smartly Blackie could then and did start all the rumors of what W.A.S.P. actually stood for, as in “We Ain’t Sure Pal” as he did as good promotion in most of his early international interviews by the time the band broke. Poor Rik, he played with the best of them in their early days, Yngwie Malmsteen et al, and couldn’t quite crack the big time himself. But he knows the truth and a lot of WASP fans still salute him. He is a good guy and a great bass player too. Take care fella, :-)
hi there Rik Fox. As I understand, it is you that came up with the name W.A.S.P. with the dots, and you knew the original an-acronym. Please tell what it is. Why does Blackie try to hide so much? I read that his publicist told him to play the secret about the dots so more and more people would ask about it, when really it did not mean anything at all, it was just mystery to create controversy. I am such a fan, especially of the old stuff, and just beg for the creases to be ironed out.Thx. :-)
What an epic. This song was actually fun to record. I used my Ibanez Explorer to record this session. You can just hear the difference in my playing style which is much more melodic than BL's.
-Rik-
Better version than album version. Great job!
Ibanez Explorer bass sounds killer it's very audible on the demos
Chris Holmes guitar work really brought this number alive in the studio.
@Dempsey1919 : Thanks for your letter and comments. Your life is great, you get to hear all the great material we recorded back then. Just as much fun for me to hear how much you enjoy it as it was to record and play it. It's just too bad that Blackie refuses to acknowledge it all. Look for Darren Upton's upcoming book 'W.A.S.P. Sting in the Tale', for more about the story of WASP. That's ALL me on the WASP demo and Steeler album.
Cheers!
Rik
The Ron Keel reunion show was epic. Cold Day was amazing you 2 still had magic.
Great version! Been a fan since 82 and never heard this.
Very raw & rare to here a young Blackie Lawless. Nice listen to for W.A.S.P.'s 30 Anniversary!
I don't think this demo had an official name. I had this on cassette back in the early 80s. At the time I think Blackie was still in a band called Sister or London don't recall which. Late 70s and early 80s was the birth of what became 80s metal era. I remember hanging out at the Starwood club. in LA. Man was I young then.
Great version indeed! Best version, due to best solo trade off match done perfectly by Randy and Chris, is from Live at the Lyceum, Sept 1984.
Live at the Lyceum was October 24 1984 not Sept. They secured the gig in September but played as above mentioned.
I prefer Blackie's voice on this demo, compared to the album version. It sounds more natural and pretty.
I think I read somewhere he had a major issue with his voice in between, that's why his voice is so different here compared to the '84 album.
Gotta hand it to ya, these guys inspired me to start playing guitar and now I can play the intro to this song...its hard work but it pays off. Thanks Rik and everyone else.
leatherrebel: YOU have posted some great stuff! I'm truly amazed!!!!
KILLER.!!! One of the best DEBUT albums of all times.!!!
Boy, I sure would love to be able to get my original demo and box art back from whomever it was that stole this from me.
-Rik-
La mejor de las voces de todos los tiempos
Amazing vocals.
I just wish Blackie would swollow his pride and finally admit the truth regarding WASP and Rik's involvement.. It does anger me that Blackie denys it even though several members corroborate Rik's story. Rik's a cool guy....
I am a Huge Blackie/WASP fan, and I don't know how I missed this one..do u have a minute to tell me what went on?? Much thanks n ROCK ON
Randy Hawkins there are Rik Fox videos somewhere on TH-cam I watched some years back. As I remember Rik tells of the days when he and Blackie lived together, and something about a wasp coming into the apartment and annoying the hell out of them, and Rik saying something like “hey WASP, why don’t we call ourselves WASP, and then Blackie realizing how good at name it was and naturally wanting to claim it as his own and therefore adding the dots to become W.A.S.P. .That already being a ‘thing’, as in White Anglo Saxon Protestant in the same way as ‘J.A.P.’/ Jap meaning ‘Jewish American Princess’ is a thing too. With W.A.S.P. Blackie could have easily shared the story as his and Riks, but then it would have been even harder to write Rik out of the WASP history. So adding the dots then brought a whole new narrative to the now W.A.S.P. History/timeline that Blackie could then write as his own. Further, and smartly Blackie could then and did start all the rumors of what W.A.S.P. actually stood for, as in “We Ain’t Sure Pal” as he did as good promotion in most of his early international interviews by the time the band broke. Poor Rik, he played with the best of them in their early days, Yngwie Malmsteen et al, and couldn’t quite crack the big time himself. But he knows the truth and a lot of WASP fans still salute him. He is a good guy and a great bass player too. Take care fella, :-)
@@randyhawkins8238 just finished reading a book called Sting in the tail by Darren Upton he talks to rik fox about his time in wasp
So weird that WASP was a band before Chris Holmes joined!! ..it's so weird to see an old picture of them without him in it! Haha
Awesome demo!!
I agree.Rik is a very cool guy indeed
Omg, this song is amazing
Never disappointed
What a voice man...
great song
one of my fav song
Randy Piper ia a badass player!!!
RIK FOX IS a BEAST IN WASP !!+!!
this is better than the album version
Know it's not Jack off.
Great version, but it sounds like it's half time. I prefer the vocals on the album version... Sounds more tortured and hurting!
better than original demo is better
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hi there Rik Fox. As I understand, it is you that came up with the name W.A.S.P. with the dots, and you knew the original an-acronym. Please tell what it is. Why does Blackie try to hide so much? I read that his publicist told him to play the secret about the dots so more and more people would ask about it, when really it did not mean anything at all, it was just mystery to create controversy. I am such a fan, especially of the old stuff, and just beg for the creases to be ironed out.Thx. :-)
Melhor que a música original ❤👹
🖤
Me sinto muito doido quando essa porra toca
sorry but while these demos may be raw, They do Not met up to the quality & ear candy of the 1st album imo.
Woah blackies voice