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
Innocence
Lillian Axe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like an angel blowing kisses from the sky
Cool, cool, Innocence
In a way that takes my breath away, no lie
It's a sin, I know
Cool, cool, Innocence
Like an answered prayer, put my thoughts to shame
Cool, cool, Innocence
Virgin, untouched animal you can never tame
Can't believe my lyin' eyes
No matter how I try
Beauty, surround me, release me, astound me
Innocence, Decadence, Innocence
Breaks me down.
Cool, cool, Innocence
I can taste the sweet surrender on her lips
Cold, hard, Decadence
She's a lonely face that launched a thousand ships
Pure and white as the driven snow
Well, she don't know
The wicked ways of the world have not found her
Young, restless heart, blind to darkness
Around her
Cool, cool, Innocence,
Cool, cool, Innocence,
Cool, cool, Innocence.
The lyrics to Lillian Axe's song "Innocence" describe the singer's fascination with a woman who embodies innocence and purity. He describes her as being "like an angel blowing kisses from the sky" and having a beauty that takes his breath away. However, he also admits that her innocence is a sin and acknowledges that he cannot believe his "lyin' eyes" when he sees her.
The second half of the song introduces the theme of decadence, which is the opposite of innocence. The woman is described as having the ability to "launch a thousand ships," but also being "cold, hard decadence." The singer is torn between his attraction to both innocence and decadence, which are both mesmerizing to him.
Overall, the lyrics to "Innocence" capture the complex emotions of desire and temptation. The dichotomy between innocence and decadence is explored in a way that is both poetic and relatable. The chorus of "cool, cool, innocence" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the captivating nature of innocence and the singer's inability to resist it.
Line by Line Meaning
Cool, cool, Innocence
The singer emphasizes the innocence of the subject, which is cool and refreshing.
Like an angel blowing kisses from the sky
The subject is described as angelic and pure, evoking a sense of heavenly beauty and innocence.
In a way that takes my breath away, no lie
The singer is enamored with the subject's beauty and purity, which leaves them speechless.
Pure and white as the driven snow
The artist describes the subject's innocence as pure and untouched, like freshly fallen snow.
It's a sin, I know
Despite recognizing the subject's innocence as virtuous, the artist alludes to the temptation to corrupt it, which is sinful.
Virgin, untouched animal you can never tame
The subject is compared to a wild and untamed animal that is pure and untouched, which makes them unattainable.
Can't believe my lyin' eyes, no matter how I try
The singer is astonished by the subject's purity and beauty, finding it hard to believe that such innocence exists.
Beauty, surround me, release me, astound me
The artist is overwhelmed by the subject's beauty, which both captivates and frees them.
Innocence, Decadence, Innocence
The artist contrasts innocence with decadence, suggesting a temptation to corrupt and destroy innocence before recognizing its true value once again.
Breaks me down
The beauty and purity of the subject breaks down the artist's defenses, leaving them vulnerable.
I can taste the sweet surrender on her lips
The singer is tempted by the subject's purity and innocence, suggesting a desire to submit to their beauty and temptation.
She's a lonely face that launched a thousand ships
The subject's beauty and purity, while unattainable, are enough to inspire great desire and longing.
Well, she don't know
The singer suggests that the subject is unaware of their own purity and innocence, making it all the more vulnerable to corruption.
The wicked ways of the world have not found her
The subject remains pure and innocent because they have yet to encounter the corruption and wickedness of the world.
Young, restless heart, blind to darkness around her
The subject's youth and innocence make them oblivious to the dangers and darkness surrounding them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL JONATHAN STERN, RON TAYLOR, STEVIE BLAZE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind