The current lineup of Lillian Axe, all of whom played on the new album, includes lead guitarist/songwriter Steve Blaze (who wrote all the songs on the new album) and bassist Michael “Maxx” Darby (both of whom remain from the band’s original line-up.) The current line-up is completed by Brent Graham – lead vocals, Sam Poitevent – guitar / vocals, and Wayne Stokely – drums
From Womb to Tomb is the band’s first new album in ten years and continues the band’s commitment to the melodic hard rock they’ve been performing and recording since their inception in 1988.
The band’s origins are based in the New Orleans based band Oz which guitarist Steve Blaze joined in the early 1980s. The band played gigs under the Oz moniker until Blaze came up with the name Lillian Axe when driving home from seeing the movie Creepshow. Blaze was inspired by a scene in the movie where a skeleton in a bridesmaid dress was floating in a window. Says Blaze, ““So, it’s like a skeleton with a veil, and it inspired me. What would that apparition’s name be? The name ‘Lillian’ came to mind as a ‘creepy sounding, old lady name’ along with the word Axe to complete the name. I thought it was the perfect name.”
They eventually became one of the top touring bands on the southern U.S. club circuit. Within three years, the band’s live show was becoming legendary throughout the south. While performing an opening stint with Ratt, Poison and Queensryche, the guys caught the eye of both MCA Records and Marshall Berle (nephew of legendary comedian Milton Berle) who, at the time, was managing Ratt.
In August of 1987, Blaze and drummer Danny King of Lillian Axe joined forces with vocalist Ron Taylor, guitarist Jon Ster, and bassist Rob Stratton of another popular regional touring band, Stiff.
One month later a deal with MCA Records was in place, and in April of 1988, the band’s self-titled debut album (produced by Ratt guitaritst Robbin Crosby) was released. Spawning the MTV and radio hit, “Dream Of A Lifetime”, the band hit the touring trail, supporting the likes of Krokus, Stryper and Lita Ford, as well as headlining shows of their own.
In November of 1988, the quintet re-entered the studio with legendary engineer/producer Tony Platt to begin work on the Love & War album – one which many hold in high regard as one of the most underrated hard rock albums of that time period. Once again, radio and MTV supported the first single, “Show A Little Love”, propelling Lillian Axe even closer to becoming one of the most up-and- coming and respected bands of the day. However, the band’s soaring momentum came to a halt when their label failed to sustain the support and in early 1990 the band and MCA Records parted ways.
Four studio recordings were released (Lillian Axe, Love + War, Poetic Justice, and Psychoschizophrenia) before they disbanded in 1995.
In 1999, Lillian Axe released Fields of Yesterday, consisting of unreleased demos and album outtakes, followed by Live 2002, recorded in May 2002 in Houston, with only Taylor and Blaze remaining from the classic MCA line-up.
Undergoing several line-up changes over the next few years, the band released four albums between 2007 and 2012.
In 2010, Lillian Axe was the first hard rock band to be inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
In September 2021, Lillian Axe announced that they had signed to the newly-formed label Global Rock Records, and had started recording From Womb to Tomb.
In October 2021, the entire Lillian Axe catalogue was rereleased on all digital formats worldwide by Global Rock.
On November 5, 2021, Steve Blaze was inducted for the second time into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame for his contributions as a guitarist and songwriter.
Their best known songs are “Dream Of A Lifetime”, “Misery Loves Company” and “Nobody Knows” from their 1988 self-titled debut album, “Show A Little Love”, “All’s Fair In Love And War”, “She Likes It On Top”, “Ghost Of Winter” and “My Number” from their 1989 album Love + War, “True Believer”, “No Matter What” (a Badfinger cover), “Body Double” and “See You Someday” from their 1992 album, Poetic Justice which peaked on the Billboard Top Heatseekers at #28 and “Crucified”, “Deepfreeze” and “Moonlight In Your Blood” from their 1993 album Psychoschizophrenia.
Link to Lillian Axe website: https://www.lillianaxe.com
Link to the Lillian Axe Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lillianaxemusic