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
Deep Blue Shadows
Lillian Axe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But wandering eyes catch a glimpse of what's hidden below
Does there always have to be this complication?
Do you have to live by selfish motivation?
[Chorus]
Take my hand, we'll hide away,
We'll sleep beneath the open skies,
They're always gonna criticize
Make your fantasies the drive
It seem that just the strong survive
So whenever you can feel it
Keep your deep blue shadows alive
I'm watching your steps, I've got eyes in the back of my head
Don't make the wrong moves, if they see you
You're better off dead, yeah,
Do I always have to give some explanation?
To the critics who can't understand expression?
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
The lyrics of Lillian Axe's "Deep Blue Shadows" describe the desire to hide away from the world and its judgmental eyes. The singer wants to keep their true self hidden, living a life of secrecy and anonymity. They are tired of the complications that come with living in the public eye and being subjected to the criticism of others. The chorus presents an alternative, where the singer invites someone to join them in hiding away from the world, sleeping under the open sky. The song encourages listeners to pursue their fantasies and to keep their true selves alive, even if it means living in the shadows.
The verses describe the difficulty of living in the public eye, where one's every move is scrutinized by the media and the public. The singer wants to avoid this scrutiny and keep their true self hidden, but they are aware of how difficult this can be. They watch their surroundings with caution, making sure not to make any wrong moves that would expose them to the judgment of others. The singer is frustrated by the fact that they have to constantly explain themselves to critics who don't understand their need for self-expression.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm walking alone incognito so no one will know
I'm walking alone without revealing my true identity, so that nobody recognizes or judges me.
But wandering eyes catch a glimpse of what's hidden below
Despite my efforts to remain unnoticed, some people seem to catch a glimpse of my true self.
Does there always have to be this complication?
Why does every situation in life have to be complicated and difficult to navigate?
Do you have to live by selfish motivation?
Do people always have to be driven by their selfish desires and motives, without caring about others?
[Chorus] Take my hand, we'll hide away, We'll sleep beneath the open skies, What you say and what you do They're always gonna criticize Make your fantasies the drive It seem that just the strong survive So whenever you can feel it Keep your deep blue shadows alive
Let's escape from the judgmental world and live our dreams under the open skies, despite the criticism we will face. Let's keep our imagination and resilience alive amidst the harsh realities of life.
I'm watching your steps, I've got eyes in the back of my head
I'm keeping a watchful eye on you, even from behind, to ensure that you don't make any move that could be harmful to yourself.
Don't make the wrong moves, if they see you You're better off dead, yeah,
Be extremely cautious with your actions, as any misstep could lead to severe consequences and harm.
Do I always have to give some explanation?
Why do I always have to justify my actions to others, who don't seem to understand my way of expression?
To the critics who can't understand expression?
To the people who criticize and judge my actions, without understanding or appreciating the way I express myself?
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Let's escape from the judgmental world and live our dreams under the open skies, despite the criticism we will face. Let's keep our imagination and resilience alive amidst the harsh realities of life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: STEVIE BLAZE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind