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
No Matter What
Lillian Axe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will always be with you
Doesn't matter what you do girl
Ooh girl, with you
No matter what you do
I will always be around
Won't you tell me what you've found girl ?
Knock down the old grey wall
Be a part of it all.
Nothing to say, nothing to see, nothing to do
If you would give me all
I would you give it to you.
Nothing would be, nothing would be, nothing would be
No matter where you go
There will always be a place
Can't you see it in my face, girl ?
Ooh girl want you
Knock down the old grey wall
Be a part of it all.
Nothing to say, nothing to see, nothing to do
If you would give me all
I would you give it to you.
Nothing would be, nothing would be, nothing would be
No matter what you are
I will always be with you
Doesn't matter what you do girl
Ooh girl, with you
No matter what you do
I will always be around
Won't you tell me what you've found girl ?
Ooh girl, won't you ?
Ooh girl
You girl
Want you
The lyrics of Lillian Axe's song "No Matter What" speak to a deep sense of loyalty and devotion that transcends outcome and circumstance. The opening lines of the song assert the singer's unwavering commitment to the person he is speaking to, declaring that no matter what, he will always be with her. This sense of steadfastness is repeated throughout the song, as the singer claims that he will always be around no matter what she does or where she goes. The chorus is a powerful expression of this devotion, repeating the lines "No matter what you are / I will always be with you / Doesn't matter what you do girl / Ooh girl, with you."
The song takes on a more intense tone in the second verse, as the singer urges the listener to "knock down the old grey wall" and become a part of everything. The idea here seems to be that the person he is addressing needs to break free from any barriers or limitations that are holding her back and fully embrace life. The chorus repeats again, and the song ends with a simple, direct appeal: "Ooh girl / You girl / Want you." Ultimately, the lyrics of "No Matter What" convey a sense of unconditional love and commitment, rooted in a belief that two people can weather any storm as long as they are together.
Line by Line Meaning
No matter what you are
I will stand by you regardless of who you are
I will always be with you
I will never abandon you
Doesn't matter what you do girl
Your actions won't affect my commitment to you, my dear
Ooh girl, with you
I will always be there to support you, my love
No matter what you do
I will not leave despite your choices
I will always be around
I am here for you, always
Won't you tell me what you've found girl ?
Please share your experiences with me, dearest
Ooh girl, won't you ?
I am eager to understand you better, my love
Knock down the old grey wall
Break down barriers
Be a part of it all.
Participate in all that life has to offer
Nothing to say, nothing to see, nothing to do
Life is dull without experiencing it fully
If you would give me all
If you trust me with your all
I would you give it to you.
I will reciprocate with kindness and loyalty
Nothing would be, nothing would be, nothing would be
Our love would not lack anything
No matter where you go
You will always have a home in me
There will always be a place
My heart is open for you
Can't you see it in my face, girl ?
My love for you is evident on my face, sweetheart
Ooh girl want you
I desire you deeply, darling
You girl
It's you, my love
Want you
I want you more than anything
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Mary J. Blige, Troy C. Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christine Bainbridge Bell
I loved this album and this cover. One of my favorite, underrated, melodic hard rock bands.
Андрей Нелюбин
I agree with you. This is very cool!
Aaron Berg
How this band didn't reach stardom is one of the saddest stories of the late 80's early 90's. So happy I saw them live. From start to finish Psycho schizophrenia is awesome 👍
Lalnunpuia. Ralte.
It's a mystery that this band didn't make it to the top especially with Love & War and Poetic Justice albums.
miguel luna
Saw these guy's playing in a small club in Gulf port, LA in 92. I was totally blown away on how good this band was! I was in awe! They blew the house down. I felt very lucky to have witnessed them that night! Love this band!
Ted Nourse
Such an amazing band. This song does nothing for them. I saw them in Minneapolis. So freaking good. Oh my gosh. 🤘
Geerladenlad
This is a really great cover!! I love the original but this is really good too!!!
Angel knightmidnight
One of the best Hard Rock Bands of the '80s, awesome version Yeah!!!
Salomea Reminiec
knight,metal bands covered rock songs... doesn't mean that Lilian Axe was/is a hard rock band.... I'd say that Lilian axe is closer to being a melodic metal Band
Chris Coudrain
An old freind of mine is the bass player in this video....early 90's..... Steve blaze is definetly one of the great lead players of this era and from New Orleans.... great cover here!