Poetic Justice was their most successful album, which hit the streets in January of 1992. Fueled by the hit single, "True Believer" and followed by their cover of the Badfinger classic, "No Matter What", Poetic Justice reached the upper 100 of the Billboard album charts. The bands first album, on MCA Records, was produced by Ratts's Robbin Crosby in 1988.
The band disbanded in 1995, and re-united in 1999. However, Fall 2004 brought the resignation of vocalist Ron Taylor and the introduction of new vocalist Derrick LeFevre. In May 2006 Darrin DeLatte decided to leave and commit himself full-time to his band Lowside. Replacing him was bassist Eric Morris.
After several line-up changes, the band recruited as lead vocalist Derrick LeFevre, who appeared on Waters Rising (2007), Sad Day on Planet Earth (2009) and Deep Red Shadows (2010). On June 23, 2010, Ronny Munroe, formerly of Metal Church, replaced LeFevre, but he departed four months later before recording any material with the band. On March 7, 2011 Munroe was replaced by Brian C. Jones, who can be heard on the album XI The Days Before Tomorrow (2012).
In 2010, Lillian Axe was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, as the first hard rock band to be inducted. In 2011 it was announced that the original lineup of Steve Blaze, Johnny Vines, Danny King and Michael "Maxx" Darby would reunite to record an album of classic unreleased songs from the band's early days. The project, entitled Circle of Light, was named for one those early songs. The album was released in 2012. Lillian Axe released One Night in the Temple, an acoustic live album, early in 2014.
On November 29, 2014, former guitarist Jon Ster died from heart failure at the age of 52.
On January 12, 2017 Lillian Axe received the 2017 Jackson Indie Music Week Icon Award at Duling Hall in Jackson, Mississippi. On June 4, 2017, Steve Blaze announced that the band was recording a new song entitled "The Weeping Moon", which was to be featured on the album The Forgotten Art of Melancholy. According to Blaze, the album would feature "the best of the epic ballads" and was scheduled to be released in the fall of 2017.
On November 30, 2018 Steve Blaze announced the next Lillian Axe album is in the works, tentatively entitled From Womb to Tomb, and it will be in large part an autobiographical work. Blaze also states the album will feature "strings, piano, big vocals" and describes it as a "celebration type record - of life - good and bad." The album, however, was not released until August 19, 2022.
On February 13, 2020, Steve Blaze announced that Lillian Axe were amicably parting ways with lead vocalist Brian Jones. The announcement also stated that Jones would still be a part of the Lillian Axe family in many capacities, and Blaze wished Jones luck in his solo career. On February 21, 2020, Blaze announced the new singer would be Brent Graham. Graham was the original vocalist for Blaze's side project "Sledgehammer," and vocalist of the New Orleans-based band Supercharger.
In September 2021, Lillian Axe announced that they had signed to the newly-formed label Global Rock Records, and had started recording their first studio album in nearly a decade, entitled From Womb to Tomb. In October 2021, the entire Lillian Axe catalogue (with the exception of the first 2 records on MCA) were re-released on all digital formats worldwide by Global Rock. On November5, 2021 Steve Blaze was inducted for the second time into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame for his contributions as a guitarist and songwriter.
August of 2022 saw new horizons for Lillian Axe and an influx of fans old and new. The band performed and continues to perform at many huge festivals across the Unites States and embarked on their first UK tour in decades. The band currently consists of Steve Blaze - band founder, songwriter and lead guitarist, Brent Graham - lead vocals, Sam Poitevent - guitar, Michael Maxx Darby - Bass, and Wayne Stokley - drums.
Steve describes the band's latest effort, "From Womb to Tomb" as his personal opus. Stating the effort would be best listened to in one sitting, as it brings you on a journey through life - from birth to ascention - and is based on life lessons he has experienced. The band recorded a video for "I Am Beyond" and is currently on tour.
Discography
1988 Lillian Axe — MCA
1989 Love + War — MCA
1992 Poetic Justice - I.R.S. Records
1993 Psychoschizophrenia - I.R.S. Records
1999 Fields of Yesterday - Z Records
2007 Waters Rising — Locomotive Records
2009 Sad Day on Planet Earth — Blistering Records
2010 Deep Red Shadows — Love and War Records
2012 XI The Days Before Tomorrow - AFM Records
2022 From Womb to Tomb - Global Rock Records
Crucified
Lillian Axe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little black mark in the book of your life
Could bring a change of your affection,
Got an one track mind, it's a sign of the times,
Find a whole new revelation,
Prime time, any time, pay the bailiff for your crime,
Don't lose your concentration,
Got a heavy cross to bear when there's salt in your lacerations
At least when I die I can look 'em in the eye,
See them off to eternal damnation,
See the bloodstained curtains in the temple of love
Where the true is a state of your mind,
Kneel down, kiss the ground,
Better never make a sound
How can they see when they're so damn blind
[Chorus]
Can you believe in something
Not fit for their consumption
Hold on strong to the end
Use the force in the back of your mind
I can't accept what they say
I choose to go my own way
I don't want to be crucified
Flying high, sanctify, living a lie
By the hand of intoxication,
Under attack, see the scars on my back,
Think it's time for a needed vacation
No, No,No, I don't want to be crucified
The lyrics of "Crucified" by Lillian Axe talk about rebellion against conformity and the desire to break free from the constraints of society. The singer urges the listener to join them in defying the norm and to take control of their lives. They suggest that making a small change in one's life can lead to a significant transformation. The references to the temple of love and bloodstained curtains suggest a critique of organized religion and its corrupt practices.
The chorus calls for the listener to believe in something that is not meant for consumption by those in power. The singer encourages the listener to remain strong and use their inner strength to overcome the challenges that come with rebellion. The second verse suggests the singer's struggles with addiction and the scars they have accumulated as a result. The singer suggests that perhaps it's time for a break from the chaos.
The overall message of the song is one of empowerment and resistance. The lyrics encourage listeners to take control of their lives and not let society dictate their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Come a little closer with your thoughts of an insurrection,
Approach with your ideas of rebellion,
A little black mark in the book of your life
A small mistake in your life's story
Could bring a change of your affection,
Could change your feelings
Got an one track mind, it's a sign of the times,
Focused on one thing, a symptom of the current era
Find a whole new revelation,
Discover something entirely new
Prime time, any time, pay the bailiff for your crime,
It's always the right time to pay for your mistakes
Don't lose your concentration,
Stay focused
No, No,No, I don't want to be crucified
I don't want to be punished harshly
Got a heavy cross to bear when there's salt in your lacerations
It's hard to carry on when you're wounded and hurting
At least when I die I can look 'em in the eye,
At least I can die with my dignity intact
See them off to eternal damnation,
They will be condemned forever
See the bloodstained curtains in the temple of love
Witness the evidence of destruction in a place of worship
Where the true is a state of your mind,
Truth is subjective
Kneel down, kiss the ground,
Show subservience and respect
Better never make a sound
Stay silent
How can they see when they're so damn blind
How can they understand when they're so ignorant
Can you believe in something
Can you have faith in something
Not fit for their consumption
Not suitable for their use
Hold on strong to the end
Don't give up
Use the force in the back of your mind
Use your inner strength
I can't accept what they say
I don't agree with their words
I choose to go my own way
I choose to follow my own path
Flying high, sanctify, living a lie
Feels great, holy and pure, but it's not true
By the hand of intoxication,
By the influence of drugs or alcohol
Under attack, see the scars on my back,
Being attacked and wounded
Think it's time for a needed vacation
It's time to take a break
No, No,No, I don't want to be crucified
I don't want to be punished harshly
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: STEVIE BLAZE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jesse McCurry
This band should have been at the top of the heap only came out too late. I know that they are one of my favorite bands, especially with this lineup. Great band!
Anthony Ditta Jr
Great band! Great song. I will always be a Lillian fan.
patrick kasmir
bad ass song, very underplayed in Chicago back in the day
Myles Lipari
How doe this not get air time???
Ronny Haden
Dam good song
Kevin Baker
2020 and I was in need...
Anthony Ditta Jr
I feel ya bro. Me2!! 👍☮️
Evan Ham
Warmed these dudes up in Detroit took notice. Great record.
alfr9999
2:09 Back street kids - Black Sabbath
Evan Infante
Right