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
Mercy
Lillian Axe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say to you, I must be burnin' out.
One night, a long, long time ago,
My mother told me I should go to you,
Please, please tell me,
What you gonna do, when every princess comes to you singin'?
Lord have mercy, mercy on my soul,
Please have mercy, salvation for my soul.
It's just that I can't justify
How you can let them do the things they do.
Well, I'd let them have it good.
They laugh and totally forget,
That all creation is because of you,
How do you do such things?
Please, please tell me,
What you gonna do when all the losers cling to you, singin'?
Lord have mercy, mercy on my soul,
Please have mercy, salvation and some mercy, mercy, mercy
Mercy on my soul.
Lord have mercy, mercy on my soul,
Please have mercy, salvation for my soul.
Lord have mercy, mercy on my soul,
Please have mercy, salvation and some mercy, mercy, mercy,
Mercy on my soul.
The lyrics of Lillian Axe's song "Mercy" portray the singer's frustration with the state of the world and his inability to express himself adequately. He feels burned out and unable to find the right words to express his thoughts and dreams. He recalls his mother advising him to turn to a higher power, but even that seems insufficient as he questions how such a power could allow the injustices and cruelties he witnesses.
The chorus of the song calls for mercy on the singer's soul, and he pleads for salvation and understanding. He expresses his confusion and anger towards those who commit wrongdoings and seem to forget the importance of the higher power that created everything. The final repetition of the chorus emphasizes his need for mercy and delivers a powerful message of hope.
Overall, "Mercy" is a poignant and thought-provoking song that examines themes like faith, justice, and the human condition. It's a plea for compassion and a call to action to make the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't seem to find the words to say the things I want to say to you, I must be burnin' out.
I am struggling to express my thoughts and feelings to you, which is stressing and exhausting me.
One night, a long, long time ago, my mother told me I should go to you, with all my thoughts and dreams.
My mother encouraged me to share my aspirations and desires with you a while back.
Please, please tell me, what you gonna do, when every princess comes to you singin'?
I am curious to know how you will act when surrounded by many attractive women who desire your attention.
Lord have mercy, mercy on my soul, please have mercy, salvation for my soul.
I am asking for God's mercy and spiritual redemption.
It's just that I can't justify how you can let them do the things they do. Well, I'd let them have it good.
I can't comprehend your tolerance for people's immoral behavior, but if it were me, I'd allow them to enjoy their lives to the fullest.
They laugh and totally forget that all creation is because of you, how do you do such things?
People often overlook the fact that you are responsible for everything in existence, and I am wondering how you are capable of this feat.
Please, please tell me, what you gonna do when all the losers cling to you, singin'?
I am curious to know how you will handle situations when people with lowly status and undesirable qualities seek your attention.
Lord have mercy, mercy on my soul, please have mercy, salvation and some mercy, mercy, mercy, mercy on my soul.
I am reiterating my plea for divine mercy, salvation, and grace.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVIE BLAZE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind