Jon Butcher Axis - 'Holy War'

From their 1987 album 'Wishes'.
This song was my introduction to Jon Butcher, and it must have taken me all of about an hour to get off my ass after seeing it and go buy the 'Wishes' album. Unfortunately they only had it on cassette that day, and I wasn't going to wait, so that's what I got stuck with. The album is brilliant, but sadly out of print now. If you can find a copy, grab it.

[@timetowatch2142]

I saw Jon Butcher and band perform this song in Dallas back in the 1980’s (when it first came out). A Great show. The song is as relevant today as it was then.

[@jamesfields2916]

Probably more so. Entire middle east is an anarchic mess

[@pc760]

Absolutely!!!!

[@shannonbenson8921]

How prescient is this now! One of my guitar heroes and his message (sadly) holds true.

[@tonirodriguez6649]

Perhaps this should be the rally call to the peace loving people of earth. I WON'T FIGHT A HOLY WAR! Ceasefire now and freedom for the oppressed people of Palastine 🙏

[@WillowRaven7]

Isn't it amazing that this song was released in 1987 and it's just as relevant today as it was back then.... and with primarily the same countries, too. You would think that in 35 years or so, we'd have learned enough from that, to have it not continue now.

[@kpb27]

This song is incredible. Someone should push this back out on the airwaves. Jon Butcher has always played top notch rock & roll.

[@garywalker5865]

Saw JBA in Boston early 80s and he immediately caught my ear and eye. As a professional musician myself, I really appreciated his talent. His band and sound was HEAVY! I'd say heavier than a ton of bricks! The real deal.

[@lorelee531]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TJScruffi]

I went to college with Jon in Boston. We went out a couple of times. I remember him more than he remembers me, but all is good. :) That was a lifetime ago......

[@aza8800]

thank you for sharing :) i hope he treated you well!

[@jxxybxxy2002]

It is amazing how pertinent this song is today. Rock on JB. It's such a shame that the industry pushes the flavor of the month. This song would of burned up I-tunes. Maybe it still will.

[@Rosem-zf3bb]

Jon Butcher. Holy War. old school. 1980 heavens knocking at my door. but I won't fight a Holy War. Peace. !#Loyal

[@drew65sep]

This one and "Life Takes a Life" got a good bit of play on my local radio station back in the day (when radio was actually worth a sh*t).

[@jonserkspawn7776]

It was a great album!!! Got it on cassette also.

[@truckerdavehenniker]

Should go in the Rock & Roll Hall of fame. Killer guitar!

[@susanbjones5824]

Nominated for a Grammy!

[@frederickcooper8811]

saw him in person I absolutely agree

[@harvywarlock]

Great song and musician

[@justsotired4022]

Another under appreciated artist... a great voice and a nice, clean sound that compliment each other perfectly. Still stands the test of time 37 years later.

[@paulettecolvert]

I loved this back in the 80's and still do!! makes me want more of him!!!!!

[@japicic]

and i loved you back in 70's and i still do.

[@donaldharrison751]

So true with Israel in the middle of hatred it will be a holy war when are on eventually attacks them with their nuclear weapons the end of days 💔

[@ldolphin34]

Jon does movie scores and such in LA now. He only did five rock albums like this, and the others are electric blues (as Barefoot Servants) and instrumentals. Wishes is the best album America forgot to buy. This album and David Baerwald's Bedtime Stories (1990) are two of the most overlooked gems in rock history.

[@pn2543]

I bought it!

[@msh6865]

I bought both. I actually bought Wishes on cassette when it came out.

[@sh4rkbyt3]

Still one of the best Album/CD's to ever come out of the 80's!!!!!! 2022

[@dragonflygurl4u]

I also liked Good Bye Saving Grace, from the Wishes vinyl. And his cover of RED HOUSE is one of my favourites, Thanks Noctural Vagabond for posting . JB is very under rated and under appreciated.

[@diamondunicorn1983]

thanks so much for posting this....jon should have been as big as eddie or dimebag....so much talent

[@redhead5150]

Much thanks for new BUTCHER video!!!! Jon is my favorite guitar player/musician!!! I seen him so many times in the Boston area.

[@riker2011]

after all these years I finally found this song I been blessed

[@tomballbrown1]

I graduated from H.S. in 1987 & this guy was on my musical radar!!!!

[@donaldharrison751]

A great song then and even now ! 💀🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@collin355]

I saw him last night in Marlboro Ma..The guy is a bonafide rockstar..He was jammin hard..great show

[@Dragonfly33]

This song still kicks ass. The snake slithering out of the collection basket -brilliant.

[@devinstone72]

Great music from someone like Jon Butcher.... I liked his stuff from the first moments of hearing this album.... I picked it up in cassette and listened to it so many times. Great stuff and I wish he had more.

[@huckbarry579]

My jam!!! So underrated!!!

[@ggshewolf8681]

this is the best i ever heard i first heard it in TXS and i have been trying to find it ever sence now that i have god i hope it never goes a way please you tube keep this on here!!

[@daneboca4499]

Killer track. So underrated talent.

[@CaericArcLight]

Don't think I've ever seen the video before but I remember hearing the song on the radio and going out and getting the tape that weekend. Have to pull the CD out and give it a spin...

[@Ecosse57]

i saw jba in 1986 along with blue oyster cult, blackfoot, and outlaws in nh- and awesome show! i always thought this guy was underrated. thanks for posting.

[@rgwilliamson]

Just bumbed into Jon as he was leaving the studio. He was on crutches with a broken leg but damn he is still making music.

[@brnrik500]

How’d he break a leg? i must know!!!! Lol

[@rgwilliamson]

@@brnrik500 I haven't a clue but he was determined to descend a flight of concrete stairs without any help so I'd say he was doing alright, even in a cast.

[@hannag.7813]

Great songs are ones and stand the test of time, and this one proves exaclty that! John Butcher, you are awesome, where are musicians like you today????

[@alanrossner7343]

I saw him many times at the Mohawk Club in Shirley Mass before he went National

[@bestplans9051]

Just picked up the 'Pictures from the Front' CD, what a gem!!! 'Wishes' is on the way too ;) !

[@deanjeas5394]

He came SO close....Timing is everything..Maybe another time another place, yes? So many have made it huge that didnt have the talent of Jon..

[@tomvband]

I always like material that starts out like this.....interesting,.....culturally diverse. Great vid. Well done. Intense.

[@brnrik500]

He picked up where hendrix left off. took it to a whole nother level!!!

[@michaelpal7641]

The man still has it!!! Always had it! Anyone who does the child like look-alike comments and/or comparisons with Prince or Hendrix is not even listening to his music ! Been a fan since Johana Wild.

[@JoeQuirarteSr]

One of my favorite albums of the 80,s😎🎸

[@redavide1]

Saw him live in Boston in the early 80s many times . . . he always had a great rockin' tone and great grooves -- like this one . . .

[@robfilippone1349]

saw jon in pawtucket ri on saturday, just as good as ever

[@msbevins101]

+rob filippone Damn,I'm jealous...lol

[@lisaburgess7103]

rob filippone how long ago

[@josephphillips9485]

When I was 13 I played gig,this guy was an egotistical ass HOLE to us kids we played first than this guy that claimed to be better than Hendrix, I forgive him but not saying much of his guitar playing

[@neilouellette3004]

Jon Butcher was real big and still is here in New England. Still on the touring circuit and keeping busy behind the music scene. Hell of a guitarist and great, great guy.

[@aliensporebomb]

Saw Jon around this time at a club in Minneapolis that burned down a week after he played there. He played a red ESP neckthru superstrat thru a stack of Marshalls and was on fire that night. Great underrated player.

[@B3burner]

Never knew who did this, I just vaguely remember it from the 80's. So it's good to hear it again. Thank you for the upload! ;)

[@LunaticTim]

Saw him play last night in Portland Maine with FBI (Farren Buctcher Inc.). Put on a great show!

[@EstebanSanbora]

I saw him once in 1987 open concert ..great show thanks for the post

[@RozitaVideo]

Loved this album!!! Wish I could get this on iTunes.

[@jimpuliafico]

Yep. Some of Jon’s amazing stuff is available on Apple Music, but not this album, frustratingly.

[@MissHoov]

Jon Butcher is sadly underrated. A great guitarist and vocalist, and a genuinely nice person. I've been listening to him and the Axis since jr. high. Thanks for posting this great vid. BTW, someone asked why he was wearing a "Hamas" scarf... Did you listen to the song???

[@larslevinberget9558]

"Hamas scarf" ;D that was a good one!

[@donaldzeigler]

Kick ass tune. 91X in San Diego gave this heavy airplay back in the day.

[@FredFukkinBear]

One of those rare, hard to find gems of the 80's.

[@diamondunicorn1983]

thank you for posting this video....been a fan of his for years

[@BostonRock1]

For Me, I was fortunate to be around before they John Butcher's Axis were Signed for their 1st album. Yes, Sadly underrated and yet John always seemed to have the Resolve to let go and move onward and Forward, He's an Artist that is able to wear many hats and still excel. Try finding a Bio or his history.You'll see some of his accomplishments when he was on The West Coast for awhile. We can add him to The Boston Classic Rock List.

[@danawest6434]

Found this vid and had to watch. I grew up learning how it's done from watching Jon sing and play with reckless abandon. This song always kicked my derriere!

[@geneleonard4368]

Wishes & Pictures from the Front should be of Spotify both Great Albums

[@bestplans9051]

Completely agree! Both were and ARE iconic gems!

[@geneleonard4368]

AGREED!

[@baddad59]

One of my favorite players of all time..Had the privalige of seeing him I Kansas City in the eightys and have been a die hard fan every since !!

[@mcharron8358]

Great tune, a classic.

[@astromario1055]

the best band i completely forgot about..he did get substantial airplay on our local airwaves, however a casualty of the grunge invasion...again thanks to rockers and youtube fans

[@redlabel69]

Loved this album! Still have it on cassette. Need to get it in digital.

[@cherielynnae]

Sure do miss seeing him.... was one of my favorites to go see, remembering the Jon Ansen Ford amphitheatre in Hollywood/Brubank? CA he rocked the place to the ground..

[@LadyHOCR12]

Love this video! Jon is an awesome muscian & artist. Thrilled to catch his performance with Charlie Farren - FBI, Inc.

[@juliadennehy]

Man I haven't heard this since that days of the Big Mattress on 'BCN. Good deal!!!

[@GunnyWallen]

Friggin awesome!

[@softhotty]

Brudda, thanks for posting this. I had this CD and I saw this guy live. He was awesome. Love this guy's music .

[@wildkrrd]

If you've been listening to him since Junior High, I'm guessing you're from MA? I saw him in 1981 in the old Garden backing up J.Geils. He was great then and I was glad when this album came out because he finally got some national exposure. Remember the WCOZ version of "New Man?" GREAT song.

[@timford3599]

When I heard this song on FM back in the day I immediately went out a bought (like you, no vinyl available) the cassette. To really appreciate this song, it must be played at Very High Volume!!! ***COMBAT ROCK*** (Seems appropriate at this time.)

[@jxxybxxy2002]

so ahead of his time

[@justincase7937]

The boys marching with the glasses...why do they remind me of Michael Douglas in "Falling Down?"

[@Joaqrock]

@LunaticTim Cool! Can't say that I've ever had that pleasure! But hope 2 in the near future! Thanx 4 the up-date!

[@jameswakeland1868]

This entire album is great!!!

[@donaldharrison751]

The hatred of cousins go back so far that I don't believe these people even know why they hate each other anymore.....💀✡️💀✝️💀☪️💀💔

[@waitwhat6882]

Agreed. All three major religions are Abrahamic, we all have that in common. You would think that would make a difference

[@mikehill7587]

We all come from Adam and Eve all connected God bless you and your family 🙏❤️ Michael

[@massholejeff]

Anyone from Boston or the New England area thats over 30 years old remembers the Channel! That place was the best. The Rat was a cool dingy place too :)

[@LadyHOCR12]

Jon Butcher is STILL ROCKIN' the Boston scene with Charlie Farren. Catch Farren Butcher, Inc. (FBI). Playing at Showcase Live on Sept 29th.

[@LadyHOCR12]

Jon Butcher is a master!

[@johnoflaherty2598]

Great stuff.

[@krelbar]

Well, Im a little bit south now, too. LOL I failed to mention that I have lived in RI for the last 33 years. Moved here when I was 8. I DID see John Butcher in 1990 at the old Living Room. I should have mentioned that, too...LOL

[@matiasromero328]

I so dig this tune!

[@Joaqrock]

80's @ it's finest!

[@chaallus]

ROCKIN! LOVE IT!!

[@RebelStangII]

Good Tune! Good Band! Rock-On!

[@ggshewolf8681]

i love this song wish i could get the lp again i lost it in a fire

[@tenofivelips]

He still plays locally in Massachusetts....when we're lucky.

[@mdwayne741]

So good. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@jmac5058]

I remember Joh Bucher playing in his band before this, JohanaWild they played all over but I remember them playing a club just over the Bourne bridge rite at the rotary forget the name but it too burned to the ground.

[@StudioAtyos]

EXELENT

[@kingdiamondfan4032]

Heavens knocking at my door!!

Excelente! Parabéns!

[@NocturnalVagabond]

Sadly no. Doesn't seem they got much airplay here in Australia. I only ever remember seeing this clip a handful of times, 3 or 4 maybe, in the past 20 years!!! Might see if there are any video compilations available, if I can find one I will certainly upload a few.

[@studio910]

sweet !

[@jahnaroth669]

Hahahaha I got a copy but ma cher...... it's in my memory 1991 Jax FL the Uda and brother Dennis who apparently sent the passengers to Boston too you happy DOB lovely

[@japicic]

did not know much about tis cat but the guy is goooooooooooooood.

[@justincase8425]

japicic great band i the early to mid eighties outta boston. this song wad from late 80s when he dropped the axis and got new musicians. interestingly the keyboardist, who played live w him but was uncredited on albums, also played with Foreigner.

[@fitnessguru8012]

I used to see this guy's picture around back in the 90s, but never heard him until now. This is what I missed...really?

[@redhead5150]

Anthony, I've seen and sat down with Jon and this guy is a guitar legend. Look up Atom records and they have Jon Butcher CD's for sale.

[@fitnessguru8012]

I hear you. If he is a legend, then what level would you put Malmsteen, Holdsworth, Gambale, or Garssed? If you've never heard them, when you do, you Wilt hear where I'm coming from.

[@eetchit6034]

this was 80s the 90s sucked choad

[@donaldharrison8281]

The song that's so prevalent today

[@DariusLawson-n5z]

When i first saw this video, I thought it was Philo Lynot of Thin Lizzy, until I heard him sing. Still, all in all, its a great tune.

[@jeniferwilde-mcmurtrie9970]

WHY do I have to keep bringing up the past that I have already protested???? NO MORE WAR!!!

[@48mastadon]

With just a few tweaks to the lyrics, this song could be more relevant today that when it was released.

[@TimBlackyBlack]

@104262191867163727571 So Damn Relevant to exactly what's still going on in the Middle East today. No song written today even comes close to what these Boston Based Dudes were saying in the 80's. Here in MA. in the late 70's and 80's, we had a Radio Station 94 1/2 WCOZ.. Not too many digital tuners back then, just a Dial.. ... Their Logo was " Kick Ass Rock n Roll " I still have a Bumper Sticker. A small, cool slice of Boston Nostalgia.

[@48mastadon]

***** Back in the bay area, we had KOME. "There's KOME on your dial...don't wipe it off." Even the radio stations were better back then. God I'm old.

[@TimBlackyBlack]

***** Dude that's an Awesome Fucking Logo.. Definitely better than Coz's ... I hear ya about the getting Old stuff too. Man, you blink and the Next thing you know you're turning 50. Ha, Ha.. I'm sure you had your fun back in the day. Too bad we can't go back !! ttyl, T.B.

[@48mastadon]

***** Back in the day, you could have more fun than is legally allowed nowadays. Our parties, in the suburbs, with live bands, would go well into the morning and seldom would police shut them down, and when they did, they were nice about it. It is amazing that we could do that. Good times...

[@TimBlackyBlack]

***** Ya,,, No Doubt it's Totally different nowadays. I was a city boy myself. You know, lived in an apartment where they'd cut the Lawn with a pair of scissors. Because there really wasn't a lawn. We still partied hard though and you're right... If the Cops came, they would shut ya down without incident in most cases. Dump the booze, and pills out. Now, if you drink more than a beer in an hour an you get pulled over and hit with a breathalyzer. You don't pass and you now have a record for life. Sorry bout the other post.. My wife interrupted me and I hit send on my cell. I had to tear it down... Ha, Ha.. there's the age thing for ya !

[@wildkrrd]

Too bad we'll never hear the studio version of It Takes a New Man. GREAT song from 81.

[@paulie2tanks]

Thanks Nocturnal!

[@krelbar]

I was born in Shirley Mass, home of the Mohawk Club, where he played all the time. Unfortunately, I was underage at the time...

[@NocturnalVagabond]

@none02910 I think you misunderstood me - I am in Australia, and it had little airplay *here*, so I am rather envious of your radio stations now :(

[@brianbaker8246]

This was a great album.