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<< Interviews this month
file under hardrock / aor
One of the characters that caught my eye on the last Bang Your Head Festival was a guy called Steve Blaze. I was surprised to see this man perform with two different bands on one of the festival days. The first show he played was with the legendary band called Angel and the second performance was with his own baby Lillian Axe. A few weeks after those gigs I did some emailing with him to show him the pictures I made of him at those shows. It came to my mind that it would be fun to ask him some questions about his career, the singer who had left the band and more.
Text: Eddy
Hi Steve, it would be nice to start of with a little introduction of Lillian Axe to the Dutch readers. Please tell us some more about how the band started, how you all find each other and who is in the band right now?
I started the band in 1984 with Johnny Vines, Mike Maxx, and Danny King. We played the circuit for several years until I was signed to M.C.A. records. The label required some member changes at that time. Then our first release came out in 1988. The line-up was myself on guitar, Ron Taylor on vocals, Danny King on drums, Jon Ster on rhythm guitar, Rob Stratton on bass. Seven albums later, we are recording again! The line-up has altered a bit since 1988. Derrick Lefevre has replaced Ron Taylor for this album, Darrin Delatte on bass (he joined in 1992), Ken Koudelka on drums (joined in 1999), Sam Poitevendt on rhythm guitar (joined in 1999) and me.
How did you come up with a name as Lillian Axe and does it have a deeper meaning?
It just popped into my head while driving one night. A scene in the movie Creep Show inspired it.
The band hails from New Orleans, can you describe how it is for a rock band to be based in New Orleans, and did this city have a good rock scene in the time you started?
When we started, the scene was amazing. Lots of rock clubs everywhere. You could play a different place in Louisiana every night and not play the same place twice in two months! People used to come out to see live bands in droves. It was awesome how people used to go out. We were one of the first local bands to play metal and originals as well.
Do you think Lillian Axe would have grown bigger if you had relocated the band to a city like L.A. or New York City?
I don’t know if relocating would have helped. You never know what circumstances can affect outcomes in any situation.
For you personal, how did you find out that you were going to be a musician and which musicians and bands influenced you to this decision?
My parents bought me a guitar for my seventh birthday. I began lessons immediately. I have always had a passion for music since that age. I used to listen to the radio as a child. Then I heard Alice Cooper, and my life was changed. I was reared on classical and flamenco guitar, and then I became a rock fanatic.
I always wonder how an artist writes his songs. How do you come up with musical ideas and how do you work on them to get them ready for a CD?
A song can stem from an idea that can be of musical or lyrical origin. It can be a sound, a phrase, and a rhythm pattern. I take an initial idea and allow it to evolve in my head for a while. I then record it and take it to the band. Sometimes, the process is quick; a day...sometimes it is months.
One of the saddest news items a few months ago was the departure from long time singer Ron Taylor. Did you expected this move from Ron, how did you react when he first told you and how did you see the future of the band on the moment you first heard the news?
I had seen it coming for a while. Ron just wasn't into it anymore. I respect that and wish him the best. He and I are a great team, but time moves on. I still will write the best songs I can, and the band will still be Lillian Axe. We have a new singer, Derrick Lefevre, and he is amazing. He is doing his vocals now for the new record, and I am very pleased. The fans will be very happy.
When I heard the news of Ron leaving the band I was already making plans for my trip to the Bang Your Head Festival in Germany. I was really surprised that Lillian Axe did not cancel the show because of Ron plans. Did it still feel the same being on stage with a singer that was leaving as in the past?
It was a bit strange, but a fitting way for Ron to leave in front of such a large crowd. It felt the same as usual from a performance standpoint.
And was it difficult to manage to get this broken line up to still do a show in Europe?
It was easy to get the band to do the show, He was very cooperative.
Okay, enough about Ron, does Lillian Axe already has done some auditions for a new singer and if you could imagine anyone from the business that you would like to see in that job, who would that be?
The singer for Eleven.... or Matt Kramer for Saigon Kick...many others.... but the guy we have is great...he will make a name for himself soon.
Your debut album was produced by Robbin Crosby from Ratt. How did you get in touch with this guy and what do you think of the work he did for that album?
I met Robbin when we were asked to play with Ratt and Queensryche on several shows even though we were unsigned. He wanted to produce us, and I was very happy with his contribution. He was a wonderful human being.
Do you still remember how the first tours with the more famous acts went along? Can you share some fun stories about those days with the readers?
We toured with Lita Ford, Krokus, and did lots of other one off shows with various bands. Back at this time, we were just having the best time travelling the country spreading the word. It was our first tour on a bus, so needless to say we had a blast.
Your second album Love & War is a classic in the genre yet still so underrated. If you look back at that period doesn’t it frustrate you a bit that this album didn’t do better as it deserved?
It is frustrating that this album was so well received but our label dropped the ball completely. I am very pleased that so many people consider it a classic.
Still ‘Show A Little Love’ was played a lot on MTV as I recall. Why didn’t that help in the process of getting bigger?
There seemed to be a great difficulty in the promotion and distribution of our albums at that time. Once again, lack of label support in the area of touring as well.
With all the CD’s you recorded and the projects you play in is it safe to say you can make a good living from making music or do you still have a regular job to take care of the bills?
I am involved in many projects musically and a few outside of music that keep me paying the bills. So far, things have been flowing smoothly.
It would be fun to know from you how it felt to see your band and your music for the first time on television or hear it on the radio?
The first time MTV played ‘Dream of a Lifetime’, I was watching Head banger’s Ball at my parents house. I'll never forget how excited my Dad, who died two and a half years ago, was when it came on. Every time I hear a song on the radio, I still become very intent on listening. I love what radio compression does to a song. I still get excited.
Like I was very surprised to see Lillian Axe on The Bang Your Head Festival still with Ron Taylor I was very surprised to see you for a second time on stage with the legendary band Angel. How did you manage to get that job and wasn’t it strange to do two shows with two different bands on a same day?
I auditioned for Angel a few years ago. I was being interviewed by the guy who was playing keys at the time. I told him I was a huge fan since I was a kid, and he suggested I go to N.Y. I did so, and we clicked immediately. They asked me to join. It was not so strange to play in both bands; it was just too early in the day. I was exhausted from driving all night from Switzerland.
Are you a fulltime member of Angel too, or was it just a temporary job?
Yes, I am a fulltime member of Angel. We plan on touring Europe in December.
Although Michael T. Ross (who I interviewed a few months ago) was doing a great job, I still missed Greg Giuffria in this line up. Do you know what the reason was he why he didn’t rejoin with Angel?
Not really. I think Greg is busy with other things. We don’t really talk about it.
You recently released a solo album called ‘Random Acts Of Blindness’. Can you tell the readers a bit more about what to expect on that album and can we recognize some Lillian Axe in it or is the style different?
My solo album is dedicated to my Dad, who passed away two and half years ago. It consists of mainly acoustic ballads, filled with string and piano. It is very melodic in a beautifully melancholy way. It is different in that it explores a side of my emotions that is unafraid to be expressed, that might not be represented the same way as a Lillian or Near Life song. There are some melodic similarities, and of course the guitar playing as well.
Who are the musicians that stood you by on that solo album?
I played everything except for drums on the track called "5". My drummer in NLE, Rob Hovey, played drums on that.
If there would be one famous band that had a job opening for a guitar player and they should ask you, which band would be that dream for you to be in?
Ozzy, Sabbath, Scorpions, Aerosmith, Type O Negative, Queen, Marilyn Manson, to name but a few. Probably Alice Cooper or Ozzy.
You are very busy with music as I can see on the website, does it still leaves an opening for non-music related hobbies and if so, what are your other hobbies?
I play basketball in two organized leagues. I work out, love going to movies, shop like a beast, and never sleep.
One question I always ask my ‘victims’ is about their thoughts about the Internet and what it means for the music business. Please include your thoughts about the illegal copying and downloading.
The Internet has allowed information to quickly be administered worldwide. However, it has taken the excitement and mystery out of everything. It's too easy to find out anything about anything. Artists are suffering in the way of album sales whether we want to admit it or not. This prevents bands from the ability to tour and proceed further with their careers. Illegal copying is unfair and only hurts the artists; in turn the fans get hurt as well because the bands cannot continue.
To end I love to hear some first thoughts about some names and subjects I mention below…
Lillian Axe: My child, the band that was so close that didn’t get it's just due, but will eventually.
Music: The backbone of my life.
Love: My girlfriend, family, friends- the only reason we are here, and the basis for what our lives should gear towards.
War: Ignorant, however necessary sometimes, man's downfall is his inconsiderance. selfishness
Love & War: Classic, especially appreciate by the European fans.
Ron Taylor: Partner, great singer, many years on the road.
Robbin Crosby: A tragedy, kind soul, missed.
Angel: As a kid, one of my favourites, an honour to play in this band.
Guitar: An extension of my soul, can’t imagine not having this art form in my life.
Touring: Many memories, I still love it, maybe even more now.
Steve Blaze: Forever trying to understand the eternal truths.
Okay Steve, that’s it, do you like to add something or say something to your European fans?
Thanks so much to you and all of the European fans. You have all been so supportive regardless of our changes and obstacles. Hope to see you very soon with a new album. Peace.
http://www.lillianaxe.com
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