Published on Mar 13, 1999
Why did Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P. choose to release Live…
In The Raw in 1987, at the height of their popularity? Was it
because Lawless wanted to capture the band in their glory days? Was
it because he wanted to recharge his batteries after
Inside The Electric Circus and a whirlwind tour?
I don’t claim to know the answers, and I don’t feel like
bothering Blackie at home just to write the opening to this review.
(I’m sure he appreciates that.) But whatever the reason,
Live… In The Raw was just the thing W.A.S.P. needed at
that juncture in their career.
I’ve gone on the record saying that I didn’t particularly like
Inside The Electric Circus, and I have not changed my
opinion of that album. But what this night in Long Beach,
California does is convince me that there was indeed some life in
songs from that album. Opening with “Inside The Electric Circus,”
Lawless, guitarist Chris Holmes (who is absolutely on fire on this
record), bassist Johnny Rod and drummer Steve Riley do a number on
the crowd, who love every minute of it.
What is a pleasant surprise on
Live… In The Raw is the inclusion of brand new material,
like “The Manimal”. While the “classics” (can that word be used for
a band that had only three albums out to that point?) are just as
rewarding, the hint of new material was enough to keep the hounds
drooling for more. (It would be two years later that W.A.S.P. would
deliver the goods, with
The Headless Children.)
Live albums are always difficult, because it’s hard to re-create
the mastery of the studio (where parts are often layered one on top
of the other) in the live show. But W.A.S.P. successfully makes the
translation – even down to the harmony vocals, which really
impressed me. Hearing songs that I grew up banging my head to
again, such as “Blind In Texas,” “Wild Child” and “L.O.V.E.
Machine” is still a thrill.
Live… In The Raw was also noted for the inclusion of the
studio track “Scream Until You Like It” (from
Ghoulies II). This is an okay track, but it’s still fun to
listen to now and again. The re-release of this album also includes
a treasure chest of b-side live tracks and an acoustic performance
of “Sleeping (In The Fire)”, a track I wish had gone on longer. Of
the three additional live tracks, only “Sex Drive” disappoints,
sounding a bit sloppy. The other two, “Shoot From The Hip” and
“Widowmaker,” are excellent additions.
Live… In The Raw may have been W.A.S.P.’s first attempt at
a live album, but it was a very successful experiment – and is an
album that still produces smiles today, 12 years after its
release.