There are clear boundaries in the debate over the use of backing tracks in live performances, and many artists are firmly on their side. Earlier this week we learned that LA Guns’ Tracii Guns is adamantly against backing tracks. John 5 of Mötley Crüe recently had to prove to his fans that he doesn’t use backing tracks. But in the backing track camp, few are as staunchly in favor of their use as WASP frontman Blackie Lawless.
Lawless defended his use of backing tracks in a 2022 interview, but now he’s vehemently doubling down in a recent interview with Ultimate Classic Rock. In the interview, Lawless addressed fans who believe that WASP shows are not live at all, saying:
“Well, if they’re crazy enough to think that, that’s their business. But if they really think that, don’t go. Listen, God blessed me with this foghorn in my throat. Like anyone who has one, we like to show it off – and I’m no different. I’m sorry if this sounds arrogant, but there will be moments when I’m standing up there and hearing what comes out of me when I hold a note or something. I think to myself, ‘Wow, that’s pretty cool.’ I’m not sure most people get the chance to experience something like that in their lives. So from my point of view, I’m pretty grateful for it. Like I said, when you’ve got something that really not many people can do, you like to show it off. (laughs) Let me add one more thing. I grew up listening to Live at Leeds (by The Who). Even though I didn’t know it at the time, there are overdubs on it.
“But it’s pretty raw. It sounds like it was done by a three-piece band. For the most part, it’s pretty realistic. But that’s not how they do it anymore. They gave you a reflection of 1970 back then. They gave you a snapshot of that time frame. And that’s what bands did. But when technology changed and we had the ability to make it sound bigger and better, who wouldn’t do that? I mean, you can do the live version of Leeds. We used to do that. Was it good? For what it was, it was OK. But you know, when I watch a show – and this is my personal opinion – I want the thing to sound like the record. I don’t care what Queen or any of those other bands say: ‘Oh, we’re doing it live.’ No, you don’t have 20 people backstage singing. (laughs) You just don’t do that. You get all the help out there. The important thing is to give the audience a good show. Who cares how they get there?”
The part where he brags about his voice sounds a bit arrogant, but there is some logic to what he says. Have you ever been to a band that refuses to use backing tracks, even though they use tons of effects and extra musicians in the studio? That’s a really disappointing live show. While I don’t want to see a band that does nothing but play backing tracks, I agree with Blackie that the live show should sound like the album.
This fall, WASP will be going on tour playing their self-titled debut album in full. And now that you know the live show will sound just like the album itself, here’s how to catch them on tour:
10/26, San Luis Obispo, CA, Fremont Theater (WASP only) (Tickets)
28.10., Portland, OR, Roseland Theater (tickets)
29.10., Seattle, WA, Moore Theatre (tickets)
30.10., Vancouver, BC, Vogue Theatre (tickets)
01.11. Calgary, AB The Palace Theatre (tickets)
02.11., Spokane, WA, Knitting Factory (tickets)
03.11. Boise, ID Knitting Factory (tickets)
04.11., Salt Lake City, Utah, The Depot (tickets)
05.11., Denver, CO, Paramount Theater (tickets)
07.11. Minneapolis, MN The Fillmore (tickets)
08.11., St. Charles, Illinois, Arcada Theatre (tickets)
10.11. Detroit, MI Royal Oak Music Theatre (tickets)
11/11 Toronto, ON History (Tickets)
13.11. Montreal, QC MTELUS (tickets)
14.11. Quebec City, QC Theatre Capitole (tickets)
15.11., Boston, MA, Orpheum Theatre (tickets)
16.11., New York, NY, Hammerstein Ballroom at Manhattan Center (Tickets)
17.11., Philadelphia, PA, Franklin Music Hall (tickets)
19.11. Cleveland, Ohio, The Agora Theater (Tickets)
20.11. Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE (Tickets)
21.11. Stroudsburg, PA, The Sherman Theater (Tickets)
22.11. Silver Spring, MD The Fillmore (tickets)
23.11. Charlotte, NC The Fillmore (tickets)
24.11., Orlando, FL, The Plaza Live (tickets)
26.11., Nashville, Tennessee, Ryman Auditorium (tickets)
27.11., Atlanta, GA, The Eastern (tickets)
29.11., Houston, TX, House Of Blues (tickets)
30.11., San Antonio, TX, Aztec Theatre (tickets)
01.12. Dallas, TX The Factory in Deep Ellum (Tickets)
03.12. Little Rock, AR The Hall (tickets)
04.12., Wichita, Kansas, The Cotillion (tickets)
06.12. Albuquerque, NM REVEL (Tickets)
07.12., Tempe, AZ, The Marquee Theatre (tickets)
09.12. Tucson, AZ, The Rialto Theatre (tickets)
10.12., San Diego, California, House Of Blues (tickets)
11.12., Reno, NV, Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (tickets)
12/12 Las Vegas, NV Brooklyn Bowl (Tickets)
13.12., San Francisco, CA The Warfield (without Death Angel) (Tickets)
14.12., Los Angeles, CA, Hollywood Palladium (no Death Angel) (Tickets)
