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
Stop The Hate
Lillian Axe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Adam: Yeah, little brother, but that was then and this is now.
Read the story that I'm sure you've heard before,
Watch the signs come every day,
A turn of your back, it slips away.
See the vultures as they climb all over you,
In the blinking of an eye,
Taken for granted, kiss me good-bye
Make believe come true
I'll be protecting you
You're all I have
[Chorus]
We're just wasting time
While we're running blind
Stop the hate, before it's too late,
We're just losing time,
Seeing colorblind
Stop the hate, one more chance before we go,
I'm so sick and tired of your complaining,
Tie your hands behind your back,
With your eyes shut, we fade to black.
Their promises are lies
And smiles behind their lying eyes
Take your money for the cause
They crush you with their vicious jaws,
What happened to integrity, with me for you
And you for me
It's all a dream so kiss your life good-bye
If wishes did come true I'd be protecting you
You're all I have
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
The lyrics of Lillian Axe's Stop The Hate could be interpreted as a call to end discrimination and hatred. The song speaks of the dangers of turning a blind eye to the signs of hatred and complacency that leads to its rise. The opening lines "Hey, Adam, remember when we were real little and everything seemed so perfect like a fairy tale?" highlight the sense of nostalgia for a time when things were simpler and harmony was present. But the next line "Yeah, little brother, but that was then and this is now," shows the contrast between how things used to be and how they are now.
The singer asks the listener to pay attention to the signs of hatred, which may come in different forms such as discrimination, racism, or intolerance. The vultures climbing over one's back are a metaphor for people who take advantage of others and thrive on their weaknesses. The song urges people to stop wasting time and take action against hate to prevent any further damage. The bridge emphasizes the importance of integrity and trust, and how without these values, our dreams and hopes will never come true, and we will all be left with nothing.
Overall, Lillian Axe's Stop the Hate is a call to action against hate, urging people to open their eyes, take action, and promote love, unity, and harmony.
Line by Line Meaning
Read the story that I'm sure you've heard before,
Reflect on the history and experiences that you have undoubtedly already encountered
Watch the signs come every day,
Stay alert and aware of the signs around you that can act as warnings or indicators of danger
A turn of your back, it slips away.
Even when we let our guard down or become complacent, things can quickly fall apart or slip away from us
See the vultures as they climb all over you,
Be aware of those who seek to take advantage of you or prey on your vulnerabilities
In the blinking of an eye,
Instantaneously or without warning
Taken for granted, kiss me good-bye
When things are not appreciated or valued, they are easily lost or taken away
Make believe come true
Bring fiction or fantasy to life
I'll be protecting you
I will provide security and support for you
You're all I have
You are the only person or thing I have left to rely on
We're just wasting time
We are not making the most of the time we have
While we're running blind
We are moving forward without a clear understanding of our surroundings or direction
Stop the hate, before it's too late,
It is important to address and eliminate hateful attitudes or behaviors before they cause irreparable harm
Seeing colorblind
Treating everyone equally, regardless of race or ethnicity
Stop the hate, one more chance before we go,
We need to seize one last opportunity to eliminate hate before it is too late
I'm so sick and tired of your complaining,
I am exhausted and weary of hearing your constant grievances
Tie your hands behind your back,
Limit your ability to act or defend yourself
With your eyes shut, we fade to black.
By ignoring the truth or refusing to see things as they are, we will face negative consequences
Their promises are lies
Those who make assurances or guarantees are not trustworthy
And smiles behind their lying eyes
People often conceal deceit or ill intentions behind a facade of friendliness or charm
Take your money for the cause
Use your financial contributions for their own selfish purposes
They crush you with their vicious jaws,
They exploit or harm you with great force or severity
What happened to integrity, with me for you
Where did the trust and honor go in our relationship?
And you for me
We used to have mutual respect and support for each other
It's all a dream so kiss your life good-bye
Reality is harsh and unforgiving, so it is time to relinquish any illusions or fantasies
If wishes did come true I'd be protecting you
If we could make our desires a reality, I would provide safety and support for you
You're all I have
You are the only person or thing I have left to rely on
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
These are the repeated, central messages of the song
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: STEVIE BLAZE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kevin Baker
What a great song from a perfect piece of music... I love this release..
Shekhar Sharma
Kevin Baker , you mean perfect band
P GD
Que canción! Pasan los años y la calidad que emana de este track sigue intacta. Album irrepetible.
jose luis martinez
Increible!
Danny Bravin
What happened to fucking music?
Paul Elsy
Great band, would've loved to have seen them live
Shekhar Sharma
Beautiful song, beautiful music, beautiful band !!!!! Love Lilian Axe
Raider Badlands
Such an underrated band.
mark duncan
THIS ROCKS!!!!!!!
Mash Walaki
This is so Lillian Axe, so good...