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
True Believer
Lillian Axe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I lose my reason and my rhyme
Everything around me's getting clearer
Seasons changing quickly
My attitude is strictly here and now
The time is getting nearer
But it's all right now to run along with me
A true believer baby anytime or anyplace at all
No matter what you heard before
You never know just what's in store until
You've found the road you're taking
But even now I'm killing time
Believing you were only mine I guess
That rules were made for breaking
Maybe time will tell if you learn your lessons well
So have some faith in me, I'm a true believer
A true believer baby anytime or anyplace at all
I'm a true believer baby anytime or anyplace at all
Then in your sleep I saw you crying
But I knew those tears were not for me
But it's all right now to ride along with me
Maybe I'll make you see I'm a true believer
A true believer baby anytime or anyplace at all
I'm a true believer
A true believer baby anytime or anyplace
I turn around and I see your face
Anytime or anyplace at all
True believer, true believer, true believer
The lyrics of Lillian Axe's song "True Believer" convey a sense of urgency and devotion. The singer seems to be caught up in the moment, experiencing a heightened sense of awareness as the seasons change quickly. Despite the fleeting nature of time, the singer expresses his commitment to the person he is addressing. He asks them to run along with him and have faith in him because he is a "true believer," meaning someone who holds steadfast to his beliefs or ideals without wavering.
The chorus of the song reiterates this idea, with the singer proclaiming himself a "true believer baby" and inviting the other person to join him "anytime or anyplace at all." The verses, in contrast, offer more introspection as the singer grapples with insecurity and doubts about the relationship. He acknowledges that he is "killing time" but urges the other person to have faith in him nonetheless.
The bridge of the song introduces a note of sadness as the singer describes seeing the other person crying in their sleep. He is aware that their tears are not for him but still wants to be there for them as a true believer. Overall, the song seems to be about the intense emotions that can accompany a new relationship, with the singer eager to prove his worth and devotion despite his own fears and uncertainties.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyday about this time
At this specific time each day, the singer experiences an emotional shift.
I lose my reason and my rhyme
The singer's thoughts become disordered and chaotic during their emotional shift.
Everything around me's getting clearer
Despite the internal chaos, external circumstances seem to become more evident.
Seasons changing quickly
Time is passing swiftly and change is happening quickly.
My attitude is strictly here and now
The artist is focused solely on the present situation and not concerned with the past or future.
The time is getting nearer
A significant event is approaching.
But it's all right now to run along with me
The singer wants someone to accompany them despite uncertainties.
Maybe I'll make you see I'm a true believer
The artist hopes to convince their companion that their beliefs and intentions are genuine.
No matter what you heard before
The artist refutes any prior negative perceptions or rumors about them.
You never know just what's in store until
Life's journey is unpredictable and one can never be certain of what lies ahead.
You've found the road you're taking
Once a direction has been chosen, the destination may become clearer.
But even now I'm killing time
Despite being on a path, the artist feels like they are waiting for something.
Believing you were only mine I guess
The singer may have been overly possessive, assuming exclusivity in a relationship.
That rules were made for breaking
The singer may live outside societal norms and expectations.
Maybe time will tell if you learn your lessons well
The singer suggests that their companion may grow from the experience, regardless of the final outcome.
So have some faith in me, I'm a true believer
The artist reiterates their sincerity and commitment to their beliefs.
Then in your sleep I saw you crying
The artist witnessed their companion's emotional vulnerability.
But I knew those tears were not for me
Despite being close, the singer understands that their companion's tears are unrelated to them.
I turn around and I see your face
The singer is aware of their companion's presence.
True believer, true believer, true believer
Repetition reinforces the artist's stance as a true believer.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind