Blackie Lawless Defends W.A.S.P. Using Backing Tracks, ’It’s For The Fans’

In a recent interview with Guitar World, W.A.S.P. rocker Blackie Lawless responded to the claims that they have been using backing tracks during their shows. The rocker has admitted to using it, however, claimed that it is ‘for the fans.’

“It’s because we don’t have the personnel. We were doing stuff from ‘The Crimson Idol,’ and there’s a 100-piece orchestra going on there; taking that on tour would be impossible financially,” he explained. “The first time we did ‘Crimson Idol’ live, we did it without the orchestration. Did it sound good? Yeah. But when we did it with the orchestration, I stood in the middle of the room in rehearsal, and I swear to you, it was like a religious experience. I thought to myself, ‘If I’m a fan, this is what I want to hear.’”

“So that’s the reason I do it. It enhances the experience. I want people to hear the records the way they were intended to be heard, not like a facsimile version,” Lawless continued.

“All somebody has to do is record it and listen to all the mistakes! Then they would understand,” the rocker added when the interviewer said people thought W.A.S.P. was using tracks to simulate his voice and the guitars. “You can try as hard as you can, man, but you’re gonna screw up. Rock ’n’ roll was never meant to be perfect. And even if you try, it ain’t gonna be.”

Lawless also addressed claims that he wasn’t singing at the band’s shows in different interviews. He has repeatedly made it clear that they used backing tracks just to enhance the performances, not to replace live vocals.

“Well, if they’re crazy enough to believe it, that’s their business,” the frontman said of those who don’t believe he sings live. “But if they genuinely feel like that, then don’t go. Listen, God blessed me with this foghorn in my throat. Like anybody who’s got one, we like showing ‘em off — and I’m no different.”

“I’m sorry if this sounds arrogant, but there will be times where I’m up there and I hear what’s coming out of me, when I’m sustaining a note or something. I’m thinking to myself, ‘Wow, that’s pretty cool. I’m not sure most people would have the opportunity to experience something like that in their lives.’ So from my perspective, I’m pretty appreciative of it. As I said, when you’ve got this thing that really not a lot of people can do, you like to show it,” he continued.

In other news, W.A.S.P. is getting ready to go on tour. The tour starts on October 26 in San Luis Obispo, California, and wraps up on December 14 in Reno, Nevada.