How did America miss this band? Lillian Axe, Ranking the Albums

[@brianjeffriesredsharksdagg3245]

Been listening to Lillian since late 80s when I got out of the military. Love this Band!!!!!!!

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks for your service! I did 22 years in the Army Guard, including deployments to Iraq and Kosovo. Thanks for watching and commenting--episode #6 coming later this week!

[@LillianAxeOfficial]

@@HairMetalGuru419 Thank you for your service.

[@wadepitre579]

I’m from Louisiana we love Lillian axe !! Can’t believe you covered them !!

[@HairMetalGuru419]

I'm from North Dakota, and I love 'em, too! ;-) Thanks for watching!

[@williamgroves6252]

This is AWESOME!! I love Lillian Axe! I would love it if you did a video about Saigon Kick.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Hey, thanks for watching and commenting! And, for the record, I love Saigon Kick--who knows, they might show up in a video in the future! Episode #6 coming later this week!

[@badhabitz69]

Absolutely superb band!!! Those first four albums are a must have in any collection.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Completely agreed. Thanks for watching--episode #6 coming later this week!

[@80sglammetalcast]

Great video! Great band! So many valid points made here. You can tell that with Love and War and Psycho especially- Steve was so in the zone with the lyrics. Glad you read some of them. Ron Taylor’s voice just makes it all work so well. Underrated….

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, brotha! Yeah, man, lyrically the guy is on another level. Appreciate all your support, man!

[@iceWaterProductions1]

Over here in Houston, TX Lillian Axe would drive over and play this place called Club Backstage at least once every 3 months in between their tours and recording. They always put on a killer show. I’m glad I was able to see them several times between 1987-1995

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Hey, sorry it took me so long to respond. Thanks for sharing that--I have NEVER seen them live. Uggh. Hopefully some day. Really appreciate you watching.

[@tigioma3761]

OMG I loved Lillian Axe ! ! ! Ghost of Winter? Hands down probably my favorite song of Lillian's... shut the front door....

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Amazing song! Hey, thanks for taking the time to comment... and for watching. Seriously.

[@brettblain1336]

One of my favorites, seen them eight times and met them on a few occasions. Great guys and put on a great live show.

[@martintrottaaiello5367]

Love Lillian Axe!!!! I think that "Love+ War" should have been a hit.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Completely agree. Thanks for watching, I really appreciate it.

[@LillianAxeOfficial]

Thank you for this cool video review and acknowledgment. We appreciate the time you put into this and for being a great fan. All our best to you.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thank you for the music. You've done more for me than I'll ever get to do for you.

[@Brooke80srockstarlet]

@Lillianaxeoffical hi there I am a 14 year old girl who loves your type of music and is very interested in u guys and i have a board of u guys on pintrest 😍😃🥰😊😉❤️💓🤟

[@waynestokelyofficial]

Thanks for this, we appreciate it!

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Absolutely, brother!

[@ingogrun2971]

i agree with you on about 90 percent of your rankings,but what really surprised me is your opinion on Mercy,which i would give a 10+.it's a fan fave and every show when it was played it got huge reactions.but anyway...you did great on reviewing those four masterpieces of the genre!

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Hey, thanks for watching and the comment! I do like "Mercy," but it just doesn't measure up to the others... just my opinion. Thanks a lot for the compliment and watching--episode #6 coming later this week!

[@greglatiolais8947]

Needle & Your Pain is actually about a friend of the band, whose young son was hospitalized & eventually died from an illness. It’s imagining that father having to sit by his child’s bedside helpless to do anything but watch him fade and wishing he could take the disease and suffer so his child could flourish.

[@frankrotunno8227]

I believe it was cancer. Beautiful song!

[@marcmarciano4276]

Saw Lillian Axe in 89/90 in South Jersey. Those first four albums are epic. Great guitar, drums, lyrics, vocals. Couldn’t believe they didn’t hit it big in the late 80’s

[@Royalbliss206]

Love these videos Will say I'm in Canada and I'd never heard of this band till now, so thank you😊 first time ever that I'm listening One thing 🤪 did you miss picture perfect song 4 on debut album, or did I just miss it

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Hey, thanks for watching! And now I look back, and you are RIGHT. Uggh, I did miss it. Nice catch! And it's a damn good song--easily an 8. ;-) Keep an eye out for episode #6 later this week!

[@VigilanteMan32]

Lillian Axe is in my top 10 favorite band list. Last Album is magnificent too

[@zacharyleffler]

They still sound absolutely great live too with current lineup as well.

[@EricBryant-h4m]

As a former guitar tech for some of these bands and studio musician I couldn’t agree more about this band..the first 3 albums were amazing despite record label crap. Love the content. Thanks !

[@FreddyGarza-gn7ze]

They had it all. I saw them many many times in Houston and can’t figure out why they didn’t make it big.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

NEVER saw them... I wish. But you're right, they should've been huge.

[@robhtwo]

I've been rocking to LA since I was about 14 in the early 80s when they were playing in clubs. They deserved 1000% more than what they received!!

[@davehall8280]

Hell-o! You mentioned MCA several times. They put out only the first 2 of these 4 records. I, with my partner, Brian McEvoy, owned the Grand Slamm label from 1985-93. When we had found out that a major label only sold 30,000 copies of their debut and follow-up, we signed the band and sold 100,000 each of #s 3 and 4, Not 'massive' quantities, BUT...at least we felt that this band deserved more than what MCA did (or obviously DIDN'T do--sheesh!). Thanx for listenin'!! dbh PS--Stevie Blaze and the guys were/are SUPER nice, I'm happy to relay...

[@timothyfote]

Were the Grand Slam albums distributed by MCA?

[@davehall8280]

@@timothyfote Never an affiliation there. We had 'independent' distributors to get our product into retail stores (Relativity/Caroline/JEM/etc). When the IRS label, via CEMA (major label Capitol) came along, they helped only with certain of our signings--Cry Wolf/Lillian Axe/Non-Fiction....... dbh

[@timothyfote]

@@davehall8280 Thanks for the info!

[@DeepBlueAndRedShadows]

The best and most underrated band ever! Been a fan since 1989 and as much as I love all of the previous albums, their latest, From Womb To Tomb, is such a powerful and epic masterpiece, it’s my fave. Steve Blaze’s amazing songwriting gets better and better all the time. And, you’ll never meet a nice band that appreciates their fans so much.

[@robertacampbell5382]

Ron Taylor is one of the best vocalist ever. I have known Ron since I saw him play in a band Bittersweet, then the band Stiff, then that is when the record company took 3 of the members and put them into Lillian Axe which was the only thing the record label did right. They were also one of the best live groups too. I am so glad u found them and r lettingva new generation of people to know of a geeat treasure that didn't get to reach the success they deserved. But Ron Taylor is truly a great vocalist and great performer. By the way a great person. Thank u very much.

[@lonniemeyer7232]

Damn,I thought I was the only one. Huge fan since hearing Love and war in 1990. Agree 150%. I want to say my tape jacket said Needle and your pain was about someone with cancer. I could be wrong. Need to find it again. Love and war is also my favorite. Excellent video brother.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks, man, I really appreciate that. Seriously. Oh, and I think I heard that about Needle and Your Pain as well... after I put out the video. Makes sense. Thanks again!

[@doncardinal912]

Remember seeing the early versions of this band playing in small clubs in LA, they were a regional band that played at every club around. Obvious from the first song on that they had something. The look, the sound, the music, great live, everything but the golden ring push needed to make it to that top level. Great review.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Hey, thanks for commenting. Sorry it took me so long to respond. Thanks for watching, I really appreciate it.

[@robertacampbell5382]

I agree with u with Ron Taylor. He had one of the greatest voices and and great showman and great performer. One of the nicest people u would ever meet. Ron still sounds great still today. Thank u very much 4 bringing a whole new generation into one of the best bands ever.

[@mitchleblanc1905]

I’ve been seeing Lillian Axe since the first album met the guys and hung out with them many night in fat city in Metairie, Louisiana. We traveled all over to go see them. They were my favorite band. They still are great memories. It’s a damn shame that Lillian did not make it bigger than they were best band ever not to make it big.

[@darkstitches7712]

Thank you for covering Axe! I subscribed just for that! I've been a fan since 87 and I still go see them today as well as listen to them on regular rotation..

[@eddieandry3520]

Well done sir , 🤘😃🤘⚜️ the rest of there albums in my opinion are just as good ! And they are still going !!!

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Thanks for watching! I really appreciate it!

[@joshuascott3428]

Finally someone talking about Lillian Axe!So melodic and genuinely well written riffs .I am not generally a hair metal guy (I was far more into Thash,Speed and Death metal )but love+war is one of my all time favorite albums.

[@weird_cds8206]

My favorite band of all time. Saw them so many times growing up in Mississippi. Love + war tour was the shit! I saw them prior to Ron joining the band.

[@kylee8672]

I was raised on Lillian and recently saw my first show and it was awesome! Not to mention that the band members are good people. You can't ask for better than that.

[@newforestexplorer]

Great to see someone giving this band some true praise! Along with Queensryche , Lillian Axe are my all time favourite band

[@stevenfilley7631]

True words, been a fan from the self titled album. Seen them so many times. Still have a autographed shirt from fall tour 1991. Unfortunately after Ron left, I fell off. But lately been checking them out again and digging the later material. LOVE AND WAR is one of the best albums EVER!

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Hey, thanks for commenting. Sorry it took me so long to respond. Yes, LOVE and WAR is amazing. Appreciate you watching, seriously.

[@chrisdunnettmusic]

NAILED IT! Very well done. Steve has been a good friend for years (was hanging with him 2 weeks ago) but even before that I always thought these guys should have been MUCH BIGGER! Every bit as melodic as any other band from those years but yes...much deeper and better written lyrics. "No Matter What" was the first single because of the label decision and I agree...should have been True Believer. If you're bored, read the Special Thanks on the Psychoschizophrenia album ;). Lillian Axe had a great song they never "officially" released called "Last Goodbye" Such a great song when Steve told me they would never release it I asked if my band Character could record it and he said sure... Feel free to check it out we're on all the streaming services. While you're at it, you can hear Steve singing back up vocals on our song "I Am Willing To Do" which he also co-produced. Hope you enjoy it and again, thanks for doing this video on such a fantastic band and great group of guys. Oh...and there's something non Lillian Axe with Ron involved in the works...but I can't talk about it yet ;)

[@joeytrosclair4253]

My all time favorite band. Lillian Axe means the world to me. I’ve seen them countless times and still love going seeing them. Steve Blaze is a severely underrated guitarist/songwriter.

[@gl1363]

Poetic justice was given a bit of airwave during my high school days here in singapore. Still have a place in my heart❤

[@JeremyBilbrey-kr6fz]

The Ron era were amazing...

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Absolutely. Thanks for watching, I really appreciate it.

[@angryagain3801]

MCA Records is why Americans didn't notice them. Nobody on that record label received a proper push plus they didn't have a big name manager to open doors for them. The Lillian Axe story is proof that you can have talent and the look but if you don't have the big corporation behind you the talent and look won't be enough to carry you to stardom

[@lh1678]

Met them all at one time. One of the best unknown bands.

[@AlphaAstraAqua]

“True Believer” was the first single... it just didn’t have an accompanying music video.

[@dougjordi8730]

I've always put the at the top of my favorite bands in the Era. Criminally underrated. Stevie Blazes solos and melodies are 2nd to none

[@Clarence2Worley]

First song I ever heard was All's Fair in Love and War. Holy shit, I was blown away. Still listen to them all the time.

[@jonschaefer405]

Needle and your pain. Is about a friend that went through chemo and past away

[@robertbrown5194]

Very cool review of Lillian's early stuff. I first heard them in the mid 80's before they got their first record contract. Local clubs in New Orleans area mixing covers and originals in their sets. Had many weekend nights enjoying their shows back then. Still remember seeing their first cd and wondering "Who the hell is Ron Taylor?" Found out MCA changed members- combined 2 bands- Lillian and Stiff. So singer was new to me.Didn't take long for me to appreciate his skills

[@Koriian]

Been listening since 1990, very underrated

[@keithbond9423]

I've loved Lillian Axe since 88 when i was in high school. Phenomenal musicians and great writing. Imho what sets them apart from other hair metal band is the music is more sophisticated. Love and war is my fav but i would put psycho as my second. My all time fav song from them is World Stopped Turning.

[@timothyfote]

just saw them in Pittsburgh 2 weeks ago...Awesome!!!!!

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Awesome... fuck, I have never seen them. I hope there was a decent crowd there.

[@timothyfote]

@@HairMetalGuru419 There was a really good crowd there that night. I was lucky enough 17 years ago to have my band at the time open for them in Buffalo. One of the highlights of my life. They were so kind and fun to hang with for a day

[@jasondorst13]

My favorite band from that late 80’s to early 90’s without a doubt. Taylor’s voice is so soulful at times and Blaze is the best guitarist that nobody knows. His solos are perfect and you can hum along as if they are being sung. You are spot on with the lyrics. For the most part, they are emotional and deep.

[@mikeyland668]

Bro. I know Ron,and John Stir (R.I.P. BROTHER) You did a great job,but if you read the liner notes about Needle n the Pain you would have known it is NOT about Substance abuse. It's about one of their friend's battle with CANCER and the pain associated with Chemotherapy. And as a Cancer survivor myself brings me to my knees every time in tears. I love n miss you Ron, Rob,and John. Don't get me wrong,I KNOW FIRST HAND...them boys knew the party side WELL!! Crown Royal rivers! I know am five years Sober and ten years cancer free. The song is bad ass just not about shooting Dope. Cancer.

[@RichardEBurchSr.]

Awesome band.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Amen, brother.

[@joel6221]

My FAVORITE band ... ever

[@TerryR-de7uz]

Ron Taylor's voice is awesome! True believer is a killer tune! I got it repeat!

[@robertacampbell5382]

I truly hope u can start a new cult following for a band that their music is timeless and never tired listening to it. Ron Taylor definitely one of the best ever. Thank u very much.

[@boqueronsocarrao696]

Thank God, I'm not alone.

[@jamestaylor7106]

Been a fan from day 1. Saw them play Sweden Rock, Ron Taylor's last show with them and again at Firefest. Just got the 2 box sets.

[@ebony8231]

I agree such a great band that never got the respect they deserved. The song writing was far better than other bands who sold millions and were in constant rotation in MTV. Enuff Z’Nuff was another band who had many great albums and never got respect either.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Completely agree about Enuff Z'nuff. Thanks for watching, I really appreciate it.

[@angryagain3801]

Enuff came out too late and their over the top glam image at a time when bands like Poison and GnR had already started abandoning the glam look and I think their image hurt their credibility with the masses. They had Mtv on their side for the first album but it just was not enough.

[@michaeldaniel4270]

Saw them opening night of their first tour. They were opening up for Krokus. Me and my friend Tommy in the front row.🤘

[@brianjeffriesredsharksdagg3245]

Try to do an episode on Mystic Force from Baltimore. They never hit it big but the music is incredible.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Hey, thanks for the comment and recommendation! Gonna check out Mystic Force soon. I appreciate you watching!

[@charliemac64]

I saw these dudes in a bar in Bezerkeley in '88 or so, opening for Krokus.

[@ladystrange4769]

Poetic Justice is one of the best albums ever made. Lillian Axe has been in my top 10 since they came out

[@stevefilley9765]

Had all their CD's loved them.

[@darkstitches7712]

Needle and your pain is not about addiction, Steve wrote it when someone close to him battled cancer.

[@88vandal1]

Steve is a dear friend of mine. My former band and I opened for Lillian numerous times, unfortunately after Ron left. We did a show in Galveston a few years ago and Steve got up and played guitar on our cover of metal health by quiet riot. Great times. Lillian Axe will always be my favorite band.

[@chrisdulak9503]

You couldn’t be more wrong about the meaning of “The Needle and Your Pain” it has nothing to do with illegal drug use. The band wrote it after visiting a hospital pediatric cancer ward. I remember reading that in the liner notes of the cassette I use to own.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

I never claimed to be perfect. Thanks for the info, though.

[@elijahmorris9864]

Give me the other video second, I think I should check out this band because I really like the other bands that you listen to

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Awesome, man, thanks a lot for watching!

[@ScottCHamblee]

I agree with on most of ratings . If you haven’t listen to there 2002 live album , I would encourage you to . There are not many live albums I prefer , but Lillian axe live , Awesome!!

[@gustirock]

One of the best bands from the 80´s

[@soonerthrawn1362]

Diana awesome song friend of mine got on Lillian axe , he stop long time but I never did they are great band

[@davidcoudriet6618]

Have you checked out the new stuff like No Problem? Still great as always.

[@robertacampbell5382]

U r right about love&war yes the best. Plus with the right record company I believe they would have been bigger then some of the other too metal bands. Thank u very very much

[@PaulCBickford1977]

fell in love with this band when i got poetic justice by mistake w bmg / columbia house music

[@winstonslone2797]

You are right. I've looked through the MCA roster from 88-93 and 99%, of the hard rock/metal band on the label eather had no promotion or support from the label and if the record sold the one sided contract left the band broke with a gold album

[@williamreiser3118]

You're freaking 100% right my man I met this band back in 1988 met 3 timesI think it was during love and war and during next years tour the album with psycho schizophrenia they had so many damn great songs that wasn't funny

[@1992YR]

I agree that Lillian Axe’s best album is Love & War. Steve Blaze’s best guitar solo is on Nobody Knows.

[@MikeMcD-sm2ds]

My band got to open for them in a dumpy club in Phoenix arizona during their psychoschizophrenia tour

[@bthere100]

The problem is and no disrespect to anyone but most people are casual fans. Diehards support bands throughout their career and they research and support bands that may not be on the charts. They don't let just radio influence them. I actually think streaming has made music even more disposable

[@DreamscapesMusicCinema]

Awesome channel! Thank you for your awesome content. I lived in Dallas when Poetic Justice came out. One of the best written melodic rock albums ever! I don't really know why they never caught on. Shitty management id guess. Plus from then on the L and A albums just got worse 😪. I listened to parts of one from 2022 or so....just awful, the production just plain sucks.. Thanks again for your killer presentations. Mark Bensette Aux Bois 🇨🇦.

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Hey, Brother, thank you so much for the kind words and for watching, seriously, I appreciate it. LOVE Poetic Justice, and, yeah, I'll admit, I haven't spent much time with the newer Lillian albums. Thanks again, Mark!

[@michaelchristopher3600]

under the radar for sure. I was hip

[@salamwati9281]

Show a little love.. subscribe Show a little more love..buy the albums of Lilian 🪓

[@Artrocks77]

UNDERRATED BAND!!!!

[@krystalraihannahwinkfield2507]

Black n Blue & Hurricane would be a couple of great bands for this.

[@ashesantics]

🎉🎉🎉

[@aaronberg5638]

Needle and Your Pain isn't about drug use, it's about having Cancer.

[@aaronberg5638]

Namely childhood cancer

[@Overlorde79]

Misery Love's Company has one of the best riffs in the story of Hard Rock!!

[@howardgillingham4763]

I didn't miss it, they showed up at the grunge era

[@Andrea-IS6IS]

Lillian Axe wasn't a True Hair Metal Band. The Hair Metal Sound wasn't in Lillian Axe. Because they weren't a TRUE Hair Metal Band!

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Semantics, but I hear you.

[@brianchoi3944]

Poetic Justice was their best album in my opinion.

[@lh1678]

11:20 I thought that was Traci Guns? or was that his real name?

[@soonerthrawn1362]

Great band alls fair in love and war great

[@patrickreeves4650]

Lillian Axe was a total victim of one of the WORST label's in music history, IRS records. No promotion, poor management, and signing over the rights to their music to bad management. This band had all the right things going for it, but just couldn't catch a good break.

[@timothyfote]

Your correct on bad management but the two IRS albums sold very well compared to the MCA major label albums. by the early 90s Grundge came in and the music scene changed!

[@patrickreeves4650]

@@timothyfote again, i agree, bad management and they did sell well enough to attract major label attention, but the problem was bad management.

[@mitchleblanc1905]

Louisiana music, Hall of Famers

[@therockbeast6214]

Can you do a bon Jovi video

[@HairMetalGuru419]

Sorry the late response. I HAVE done a Bon Jovi video where I put the Slippery When Wet album up against Def Leppard's Pyromania and did a comparison. Thanks for watching!

[@therockbeast6214]

@@HairMetalGuru419 but album reviews even if it's up to certain era past first 5

[@ladystrange4769]

You underrated most of the songs on Poetic Justice 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@TOMM.E.COCKVOMIT666]

Hell Yeah I just checked out TRUE BELIEVER and gawwwwdammit anyhooo last time i had chillz up my spine was at my proctoligist Im definitely gonna check out more I knew of em but just never listened sucks i wish i did when i was young but what can ya dooo..CHEERZ 🥃🍻🤘🏻LOVE ,, TOEMOSS COCKVOMIT AND POO BAH🐶🦴