History
In 1977, Blackie and Randy formed Sister. They were one of the first bands to use the pentagram and face makeup. While browsing Hustler magazine he comes across Chris and contacts him. Unfortuately, Sister broke up but Blackie and Randy kept in contact.
In 1982, W.A.S.P. was formed and Blackie contacted Chris and Randy. Tony Richards was recruited for the band.
In May 1983, W.A.S.P. sold out the Santa Monica Civic Hall, which at the time was 3,000 seats. In late 1983, Rod Smallwood, Iron Maiden manager, seen the W.A.S.P. and was impressed with their music and stage show..
In 1984, a recording contract was settled and the band started recording their first album, W.A.S.P.
W.A.S.P.'s first single, "Animal", was not included on the album because it would of meant the album being banned, so Capitol Records decided to release it as a single only in Europe in a black plastic bag with a warning sticker. However, Capitol backed out of it but in April 1984, W.A.S.P. releases it in its original cover with "Music For Nations"
In August 1984, W.A.S.P. is released. Their first single "I Wanna Be Somebody" is release in September. Just before starting their British tour, Tony decides to leave. He is replaced by Steve Riley.
In May 1985, the band starts work on their second album, The Last Command. The Album is released in September. The first single off the album, "Blind In Texas", is released in October.
In June 1986, "Wild Child" is released. At this same time, Randy decided to leave the band. He was replace by Johnny Rod from King Kobra. Blackie made the decision to go back to playing guitar.
In October 1986, their third album, Inside the Electic Circus was released.
In 1987, played the Monsters Of Rock in the U.K. Their act included the torture routine. A week before "Scream Until You Like it" (theme from the Ghoulies 2) was released. The band's fourth album, Live...In The Raw, was then released.
In April 1989, The Headless Children, the fifth album, was released and in February "Mean Man" was released, which became the band's first U.K. Top 30 hit. In May, "The Real Me" was released, "Forever Free" was also released and went to number 25 on the U.K. singles chart.
Rumours started going around the Chris has left the band, which was confirmed. Blackie announces that he was working on a new project, which would become the Crimson Idol, without Chris.
In March 1992, "Chainsaw Charlie" was released as a single. and is followed by the Released of their sixth album, The Crimson Idol in June. The album was recorded in Blackie's Fort Apache studios. The entire album was written and produced by him.
In August 1992, WASP played Castle Donnington at the Monsters Of Rock festival in the U.K.
In October 1993, "Sunset and Babylon" is released followed by the band's seventh album, First Blood...Last Cuts. Blackie announces that is has left WASP to follow a solo career.
In 1995, Blackie signs a new record contract with Castle Records and in June, the eighth album, Still Not Black Enough is released, however, still under the name WASP.
In March 1997, Kill Fuck Die, the ninth album, is released and a one track disk, "Kill Fuck Die", is released. Chris returns to WASP. The band line up includes Blackie, Chris, Stret Howland and Mike Duda.
The band signs a new contract with CMC International Records and Blackie wins a court case against Capitol Records to gain full control over the WASP back catalogue. He remasters them and reissues the catalogue with B-sides and live songs.
In February 1998, Double Live Assassins, the tenth album, is released in the U.K. and is released in the U.S. in June.
In May 1999, the eleventh album, Helldorado is released and is followed by a European tour.
In March 2000, their twelveth album, The Best Of The Best is released. The disk includes "Animal", "L.O.V.E. Machine", and "Wild Child".
In May 2000, WASP took part in a charity show where all proceeds of the ticket sales went to the T.J. Mashal Foundation. In October of the same year, The Sting, the thirteenth album, was released.
In April 2001, Unholy Terror, WASP's fourteenth album, was released.
It is now 2002. What kind of surprises does W.A.S.P. have in store for all us fans?! We shall wait and see.