W.A.S.P. (album)
Encyclopedia
W.A.S.P. is the debut eponymous album by W.A.S.P., released August 17, 1984 (see 1984 in music
). The album has been known under three different names. The spine
of the vinyl release
has Winged Assassins printed on it. Cassette
releases of the album had the first track of the album, I Wanna Be Somebody printed in bold letters, as was common for albums named after the first track. The album is now usually referred to as W.A.S.P..
On its original release, iconic track "Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)" was removed after record company objections. It was released on an independent label in the UK as a single, then re-instated for the 1998 reissue. Songs are written and composed by Lawless, except "Tormentor" by Lawless & Holmes and "The Flame" by Lawless, Holmes & J. Marquez. The song "School Daze" has been noted to be an adaptation of Alice Cooper
’s "School’s Out
".
Their song "I Wanna Be Somebody" achieved such success that it was ranked No. 84 on VH1
's list of the top 100 hard rock songs.
This album is regarded among fans as the best W.A.S.P album, along with The Headless Children
.
The song "Sleeping (In the Fire)" has been covered by Tiamat
and Anders Manga
, "Hellion" by Children of Bodom
, "L.O.V.E. Machine" by Fallen Man in 2007, Lullacry
and Fozzy
, "I Wanna Be Somebody" by Sentenced, Catamenia
, Witchery
, and Gates of Ishtar, and "The Torture Never Stops" by the death metal group Torture Division.
The song "Tormentor" was heard in The Dungeonmaster
, TerrorVision
, and Ghost Warrior
.
The Parents Music Resource Center
labeled the tune "Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)" as one of its "Filthy Fifteen", songs that the group found most morally objectionable.
1984 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1984.-Janury-March:*January 21 – "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood reaches number one in the UK singles chart, despite being banned by the BBC; it spends a total of forty-two weeks in the Top 40.*January 27 – Michael Jackson's...
). The album has been known under three different names. The spine
Bookbinding
Bookbinding is the process of physically assembling a book from a number of folded or unfolded sheets of paper or other material. It usually involves attaching covers to the resulting text-block.-Origins of the book:...
of the vinyl release
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
has Winged Assassins printed on it. Cassette
Compact Cassette
The Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
releases of the album had the first track of the album, I Wanna Be Somebody printed in bold letters, as was common for albums named after the first track. The album is now usually referred to as W.A.S.P..
On its original release, iconic track "Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)" was removed after record company objections. It was released on an independent label in the UK as a single, then re-instated for the 1998 reissue. Songs are written and composed by Lawless, except "Tormentor" by Lawless & Holmes and "The Flame" by Lawless, Holmes & J. Marquez. The song "School Daze" has been noted to be an adaptation of Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
’s "School’s Out
School's Out (song)
Female pop duo Daphne & Celeste, released a cover of the song in 2000. The chorus is based on Alice Cooper's hit of the same name, and some other elements of that song have been retained, although much of the song is "original", in a pop-rap style...
".
Their song "I Wanna Be Somebody" achieved such success that it was ranked No. 84 on VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
's list of the top 100 hard rock songs.
This album is regarded among fans as the best W.A.S.P album, along with The Headless Children
The Headless Children
The Headless Children is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band W.A.S.P., released by Capitol Records in 1989. It is now the highest selling W.A.S.P. album to date , producing 3 UK Top 40 hit singles, with 'Mean Man' missing the top 20 by one spot...
.
The song "Sleeping (In the Fire)" has been covered by Tiamat
Tiamat (band)
-Biography:Initially, the band played straightforward black metal under the name Treblinka. After having recorded the album Sumerian Cry in 1989, vocalist/guitarist Johan Edlund and bassist Jörgen Thullberg parted ways with the other two founding members, and subsequently changed the name to Tiamat...
and Anders Manga
Anders Manga
Anders Manga is an American recording artist with a loyal underground following of fans worldwide. He was nominated for "Best Band" in 2006 by Gothic Beauty Magazine and has released 6 albums since 2005, most recently, "Infinite Gaze to the Sun" in winter 2009.-Personal life:Anders' father, Jerry...
, "Hellion" by Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
, "L.O.V.E. Machine" by Fallen Man in 2007, Lullacry
Lullacry
Lullacry is a melodic band with gothic metal influences that hails from Helsinki, Finland. The band recorded their first demo in 1998 and in a short time they had enough of a following to safely attempt a full-length album – Sweet Desire – recorded in 1999. This got the attention of Spinefarm...
and Fozzy
Fozzy
Fozzy is an American heavy metal/hard rock band, formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 1999. Lead singer Chris Jericho , who is also a professional wrestler, resides in Florida, while the rest of the band lives in Georgia. The band is currently signed to Riot! Entertainment...
, "I Wanna Be Somebody" by Sentenced, Catamenia
Catamenia
Catamenia is a melodic black metal band from Finland, founded in 1995 by original members Riku Hopeakoski and Mika Tönning in Oulu. They have been signed to Massacre Records ever since their first full-length, Halls of Frozen North in 1998. As of 2010, they have released nine albums, 1 EP, and one...
, Witchery
Witchery
Witchery is a Swedish thrash/speed metal band, formed by former members of Satanic Slaughter in 1997. The current lineup consists of vocalist Emperor Magus Caligula , ex-Devian), guitarists Patrik Jensen and Rickard "Richard Corpse" Rimfält, bassist Sharlee D'Angelo, and drummer Martin Axenrot...
, and Gates of Ishtar, and "The Torture Never Stops" by the death metal group Torture Division.
The song "Tormentor" was heard in The Dungeonmaster
The Dungeonmaster
The Dungeonmaster, , is a 1984 low-budget science fiction/fantasy film, rated PG-13, starring Jeffrey Byron, Charles Moll and Leslie Wing...
, TerrorVision
TerrorVision
TerrorVision is an American horror-comedy film released in 1986.The film was directed by Ted Nicolaou, produced and written by Albert and Charles Band and composed by Richard Band, all of whom would go on to found and work with Full Moon Features in 1989...
, and Ghost Warrior
Ghost Warrior
Ghost Warrior, Lozen of the Apaches is a 2002 historical novel by Lucia St. Clair Robson. This novel was the runner-up for the Golden Spur Award in 2002....
.
The Parents Music Resource Center
Parents Music Resource Center
The Parents Music Resource Center was an American committee formed in 1985 with the goal of increasing parental control over the access of children to music deemed to be violent, have drug use or be sexual.The committee was founded by four women: Tipper Gore, wife of Senator and later Vice...
labeled the tune "Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)" as one of its "Filthy Fifteen", songs that the group found most morally objectionable.
Original
- All songs written by Blackie LawlessBlackie LawlessBlackie Lawless , is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, bassist and actor, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for heavy metal band W.A.S.P..In an interview, Blackie claims to have been born in the kitchen of the Rainbow Bar and Grill in Hollywood,...
, except where noted.
1997 CD Reissue track listing
Album
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
74 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | Gold | June 4, 1998 | 500,000 |
Personnel
- Blackie LawlessBlackie LawlessBlackie Lawless , is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, bassist and actor, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for heavy metal band W.A.S.P..In an interview, Blackie claims to have been born in the kitchen of the Rainbow Bar and Grill in Hollywood,...
– lead vocals, bass guitar - Chris HolmesChris HolmesChris Holmes may refer to:* Chris Holmes , US musician and member of the band W.A.S.P.* Chris Holmes , British Paralympian* Chris Holmes, American musician and producer who toured with The Smashing Pumpkins...
– lead & rhythm guitars - Randy PiperRandy PiperRandy Piper is an American musician, rock guitarist, songwriter, and singer best known as the co-founder and original guitarist of the heavy metal band, W.A.S.P....
– lead & rhythm guitars, vocals - Tony RichardsTony RichardsTony Richards born Anthony Richard Orlando. He is an American musician and drummer. He was the original drummer from the Heavy Metal band W.A.S.P. 1982-1984....
– drums, vocals
Production
- Produced by Blackie LawlessBlackie LawlessBlackie Lawless , is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, bassist and actor, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for heavy metal band W.A.S.P..In an interview, Blackie claims to have been born in the kitchen of the Rainbow Bar and Grill in Hollywood,...
and Mike VarneyMike VarneyMike Varney is an American musician, record producer, music publisher and impresario. He is the founder of the Shrapnel Label Group, which includes Shrapnel Records, Tone Center Records and Blues Bureau International. He also has a 50% stake in Magna Carta Records, a New York-based label... - Engineered by Duane BaronDuane BaronDuane Baron is a record producer who is credited on albums such as the 1991 Ozzy Osbourne heavy metal album No More Tears and Dream Theater's Awake.-References:...
and Stephen M. Fontano - Mixed by Duane BaronDuane BaronDuane Baron is a record producer who is credited on albums such as the 1991 Ozzy Osbourne heavy metal album No More Tears and Dream Theater's Awake.-References:...
- Jim ScottJim ScottJim Scott is a guitarist, singer/songwriter and composer in the genres of jazz, classical and folk music.-Life:Jim Scott has made it his business to create and perform music that celebrates peace, justice and the earth. He co-wrote the celebrated Missa Gaia - Earth Mass and many other pieces with...
and Hanspeter Huber – assistant engineers - Pre-production by David Tarling