W.A.S.P.
Whenever those middle class matrons, the P.M.R.C., trot out their hysterically harebrained case for censoring rock music, W.A.S.P. usually turns up at the top of their hit list, whether it’s because the band’s name is an acronym of WE ARE SEXUAL PERVERTS or their songs glorify violence, drinking, sexual perversions and drug abuse.
The CREEM Archive presents the magazine as originally created. Digital text has been scanned from its original print format and may contain formatting quirks and inconsistencies.
W.A.S.P.
Whenever those middle class matrons, the P.M.R.C., trot out their hysterically harebrained case for censoring rock music, W.A.S.P. usually turns up at the top of their hit list, whether it’s because the band’s name is an acronym of WE ARE SEXUAL PERVERTS or their songs glorify violence, drinking, sexual perversions and drug abuse. Their stage show (sometimes featuring the throwing of raw meat into the audience, drinking blood from a skull, and, at one time, the simulated rape and murder of a topless woman!!) doesn’t help their case much, nor does the ominous buzz saw and exploding cod piece Blackie struts the stage with.
Ever since their non-virgin birth in 1982, conceived by the agile but definitely damaged brain of guitarist/singer/leader Blackie Lawless, WA.S.R has consisted of guitar partner Chris Holmes, drummer Steve Riley—and the recent addition of bassist Johnny Rod to replace guitarist Randy Piper. Off to a roaring start, WA.S.R’s famous “Fuck Like A Beast”— intended as their first release—was banned by the group’s own record label (Capitol). Released on the independent Music For Nations label, the song has sold over 150,000 copies, steaming the band to superstardom despite considerable cringing and protesting. Selling an easy excess of a million records per release, WA.S.P.’s third album, Inside The Electric Circus, featuring “95 Nasty,” has made them the dreaded household name every Washington wife fears. Blackie appears on the album cover naked (eat your heart out John and Yoko), and both the record and supporting WA.S.R tour has been called “a multi-dimensional imagination run riot; the National Enquirer approach to rock ’n’ roll.” Says Lawless: “When I formed this band, I was looking for the closest thing to penitentiary inmates I could find. So we’re only doing what comes natural!”
