W.A.S.P. – Live ... in the Raw 12" Vinyl LP Album
- The Explosive 1987 Silver Label Edition Capturing W.A.S.P.’s Wildest Live Performances

Album Front Cover Photo of W.A.S.P. – Live ... in the Raw Visit: https://vinyl-records.nl/

"Live ... in the Raw" is W.A.S.P.’s first live album, released in 1987 at the height of their explosive career. Captured across fiery performances in California and Los Angeles, it immortalizes the band’s raw energy and theatrical power. Produced by frontman Blackie Lawless, this record distills everything that made W.A.S.P. infamous: shock, precision, and pure heavy metal adrenaline.

Album Description
Production & Recording Information
Additional Information
Band Members / Musicians
Complete Track-listing
Video: W.A.S.P. Wild Child 1985 Official Music Video
Video: W.A.S.P. I Wanna Be Somebody 1984 Official Music Video
Album Photo Gallery

"WASP Live ... in the Raw" Album Description:

"Live... in the Raw", a captivating live album by the American heavy metal band W.A.S.P., continues to enthuse fans with its energetic performances and raw intensity. Released in 1987, the album showcases the band's powerful stage presence and their ability to engage and entertain audiences worldwide. With its original custom inner sleeve containing album details and band photos, this Silver Label 12" Vinyl LP offers a tangible connection to W.A.S.P.'s electrifying live performances.

Produced by the band's frontman Blackie Lawless, "Live... in the Raw" captures the essence of W.A.S.P.'s live shows, which were renowned for their high-octane energy and theatrical flair. The album was recorded at the California Theatre in San Diego and the Long Beach Arena in Los Angeles, two iconic venues that played host to countless legendary performances. These locations provided the perfect backdrop for W.A.S.P. to deliver their distinctive brand of heavy metal music.

The album's production quality is top-notch, allowing the listener to experience the raw power of W.A.S.P.'s live performances. The guitars soar with blistering solos and thunderous riffs, while the rhythm section lays down a solid foundation, propelling the music forward with unyielding force. Blackie Lawless' commanding vocals cut through the mix, delivering each lyric with conviction and intensity. The album captures the essence of a live W.A.S.P. show, delivering an immersive and authentic experience to fans and newcomers alike.

"Live... in the Raw" was published by Zombe Enterprises / Warner Tamerlane, showcasing the band's collaboration with these respected entities in the music industry. The album's French production further highlights the band's global appeal and their ability to connect with audiences worldwide.

Decades after its release, "Live... in the Raw" remains a cherished piece of W.A.S.P.'s discography. Its Silver Label 12" Vinyl LP format serves as a testament to the enduring popularity of physical media and the desire of fans to own a tangible piece of their favorite band's history. The original custom inner sleeve, adorned with album details and band photos, adds an extra layer of authenticity and nostalgia to this remarkable release.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Heavy Metal

Heavy Metal — the dominant hard-edged sound of the 1980s — pushed amplification, theatrics, and rebellion into mainstream music. W.A.S.P. embodied that spectacle, fusing shock-rock performance with fierce, melodic aggression.

Label & Catalognr:

Capitol Records 7480531 / Sanctuary Records

Album Packaging

This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details and photos of the W.A.S.P. band.

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Record – DMM (Direct Metal Mastering)

Year & Country:

1987 – Made in France

Producers:

Blackie Lawless – Producer
Founder and creative force behind W.A.S.P., Blackie Lawless led the band to global fame with his blend of provocative imagery and anthemic songwriting, defining the band’s theatrical sound through the 1980s.

Sound & Recording Engineers:

Duane Baron – Engineer and Mixer
Duane Baron is a renowned sound engineer known for shaping the sound of iconic rock and metal albums. With expertise in engineering and mixing, he has worked with legendary artists like Mötley Crüe, Ozzy Osbourne, Heart, and Alice Cooper. His contributions to music production have left a lasting impact on the industry. Learn more about his career and works on Duane Baron - Sound Engineer.
Richard McKernan – Additional Engineering
John Purdell – Technical Assistance
Later acclaimed for co-producing Ozzy Osbourne’s “No More Tears,” Purdell brought a refined balance between analog warmth and heavy-metal intensity to live recordings.

Recording Location:

California Theatre, San Diego, and Long Beach Arena, Los Angeles

Mobile Recording Unit by Westwood One Mutual Broadcasting

Mixing Studio & Location:

Conway Studios, Los Angeles

Mastering Engineer & Location:

George Marino – Mastering Engineer at Sterling Sound, N.Y.C.
George Marino was a legendary mastering engineer whose expertise shaped the sound of countless iconic albums. Born in 1947, he honed his craft at Capitol Records before joining Sterling Sound in 1973. His mastering work on albums by AC/DC, Metallica, and Guns N' Roses defined rock and metal's sonic power. His legacy endures through his meticulous audio craftsmanship. Learn more

Management:

Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor for Sanctuary Music, Inc.

Smallwood, and Taylor best known for managing Iron Maiden, helped elevate W.A.S.P. into the international touring circuit, combining British management precision with American excess.

Road Crew:

Russell Wallace, Graham Thornton, Jerry Snyder, Ted O'Dell, Tony “Druid” Simpson, Bill Jones

Security:

Wally Glover, Mike Andy

Photography:

Chris Walter
Veteran rock photographer who chronicled Britain’s hard rock scene from the 1970s onward, capturing both candid and stage moments of numerous metal acts.
Ross Halfin
Ross Halfin is a British rock photographer renowned for capturing legendary bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Led Zeppelin. Since the 1970s, his dynamic images have defined rock photography, appearing in album covers, magazines, and books. Halfin’s work offers an intimate glimpse into the raw energy of live performances and backstage moments. Discover more about his legacy on this page .

Album Cover Design & Artwork:

Blackie Lawless – Concept & Design
Rod Smallwood – Design

Additional Information:

Blackie Lawless and Johnny Rod play B.C. Rich Guitars. Chris Holmes plays Jackson/Charvel. Steve Riley plays Tama Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Pro-Mark Sticks, Simmons Drums, and Drum Workshop Pedals.

Fan Club Information:
“SMERCH,” P.O. Box 1AP, London, W1A 1AP, England

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:

Blackie Lawless – Vocals, Guitar, Producer
As the founder and frontman of W.A.S.P., Blackie Lawless became one of heavy metal’s most flamboyant and controversial figures. Known for his commanding stage presence and songwriting, he drove the band’s success through the 1980s with platinum-selling albums and international tours.
Chris Holmes – Guitar
A fiery guitarist whose aggressive tone defined W.A.S.P.’s early sound, Holmes gained fame for his wild performances and technical precision, later collaborating on solo projects and guesting across the L.A. metal scene.

Band Line-up (continued)

Johnny Rod – Bass
Formerly of King Kobra, Johnny Rod joined W.A.S.P. in the mid-80s, bringing strong stage charisma and tight basslines that complemented Lawless’s songwriting on “Live ... in the Raw” and other key releases.
Steve Riley – Drums
Before joining W.A.S.P., Riley made his mark drumming for Keel and later found lasting success with L.A. Guns. His crisp timing and showmanship made him a cornerstone of the 1980s Sunset Strip metal sound.

Complete Track-listing: (Corrected 12" LP)

Tracklisting Side One:

Inside The Electric Circus (4:32)
I Don't Need No Doctor (3:35)Cover
Cover of Ray Charles’ 1966 classic blues-rock anthem, reimagined with W.A.S.P.’s heavy metal intensity.
L.O.V.E. Machine (4:31)Single
Released as one of the band’s signature singles, this track became a staple of their live shows.
Wild Child (6:02)Single
A fan-favorite single known for its melodic power and cinematic video that embodied 1980s metal aesthetics.
9.5. - N.A.S.T.Y. (5:11)
Sleeping (In the Fire) (5:23)

Video: W.A.S.P. Wild Child 1985 Official Music Video

Tracklisting Side Two:

The Manimal (4:43)
I Wanna Be Somebody (6:43)Single
One of W.A.S.P.’s breakthrough singles, embodying their defiant spirit and establishing them as heavy metal icons.
Harder Faster (7:19)
Blind In Texas (5:40)Single
A raucous single celebrating Southern rock excess, frequently featured in the band’s live encores.
Scream Until You Like It (3:26)Single
Originally recorded for the “Ghoulies II” soundtrack, this single became a cult favorite beyond the film’s legacy.

Video: W.A.S.P. I Wanna Be Somebody 1984 Official Music Video

Disclaimer: Track durations shown are approximate and may vary slightly between different country editions or reissues. Variations can result from alternate masterings, pressing plant differences, or regional production adjustments.

W.A.S.P. – Live ... in the Raw Album Photo Gallery:

Album Front Cover Photo

Front cover of W.A.S.P.'s 'Live ... in the Raw' 12-inch vinyl album, showing a fiery stage-like scene drenched in red and orange lighting. The album title appears in dripping blood-red letters above a chaotic display featuring guitars, skulls, chains, and a screaming reflection of frontman Blackie Lawless in a cracked mirror. A poster, a skull mural, and props reading 'RAW MEAT' amplify the band’s theatrical shock-metal aesthetic. — The front cover of *W.A.S.P.’s “Live ... in the Raw”* explodes with the sensory overload of 1980s heavy metal excess. Bathed in violent red and molten orange light, the scene resembles a backstage dungeon crossed with a horror set. Dominating the image is a mirror reflecting the fierce face of *Blackie Lawless*, his mouth wide open in a primal scream, his energy mirrored by the chaos of metal scaffolding, cracked glass, and scattered stage debris.

Around him are props emblematic of W.A.S.P.’s shock-rock identity — a black axe-shaped guitar, a skull with a top hat and chain, and a blood-red plank scrawled with the words *“RAW MEAT”*. On one side, a concert poster advertises the band’s earlier shows, grounding this nightmarish imagery in their real-life performances. To the right, a giant skull mural looms in shadow, its stitched mouth hinting at danger and theatrical violence.

The title, *“Live ... in the Raw”*, bleeds across the top in red dripping letters, almost as if scrawled in fresh paint or blood. The Capitol Records silver-label edition preserves the original’s rich saturation and textural intensity, making this cover both a visual assault and a perfect encapsulation of W.A.S.P.’s provocative stage persona — part performance art, part metallic ritual.

Album Back Cover Photo

Back cover of W.A.S.P.'s 'Live ... in the Raw' 12-inch vinyl album, featuring a dripping blood-red design with seven live concert photos of the band in full stage frenzy. The tracklist appears in yellow capital letters, split into two sides, with production and label credits printed below and the EMI and Capitol logos marking this French Silver Label edition. — The back cover of *W.A.S.P.’s “Live ... in the Raw”* is a blood-red spectacle dripping into black shadows, perfectly mirroring the album’s violent theatricality. Across the top, seven rectangular photographs capture the band in full performance fury — from *Blackie Lawless* screaming into the mic under searing lights to *Chris Holmes* slashing chords mid-leap, sweat and adrenaline spilling into the lens.

Each image glows in intense amber and crimson hues, suggesting heat, motion, and the chaos of their stage show. Between the band photos, mock-demonic props and pyrotechnics flash from the background, reinforcing W.A.S.P.’s reputation for provocation and spectacle. Beneath the photo montage, the song list runs in clean yellow capital letters: *Side One* and *Side Two* separated by a simple dividing line of typography precision.

At the bottom edge, credits confirm production by *Blackie Lawless* and distribution through EMI France, alongside the silver Capitol logo and the “Explicit Lyrics / Parental Advisory” warning — a hallmark of the late 1980s heavy metal rebellion. The dripping blood effect frames the entire design, uniting shock aesthetics with bold graphic control, creating one of the most memorable back covers of its era.

First Photo of Custom Inner Sleeve

The inner sleeve of W.A.S.P.’s “Live ... in the Raw” bursts with energy, designed as a chaotic mosaic of the band’s most electrifying live moments. Arranged in a photo-grid layout, each frame captures the flamboyant spectacle of 1980s metal performance — screaming vocals, explosive pyrotechnics, and lightning bursts of color reflecting off sweat and leather. It’s a visual diary of W.A.S.P.’s stage identity, frozen mid-riff.

Against black and neon backdrops, Blackie Lawless, Chris Holmes, Johnny Rod, and Steve Riley dominate the composition with raw charisma. Flames shoot from stage props, guitars are raised like weapons, and the audience’s unseen roar seems to reverberate through the frame. The infamous skull imagery and “Who Dares Wins” banner underline the band’s fusion of danger, parody, and power.

Splashes of red paint — resembling blood — streak across the collage, uniting the images into one feverish explosion of motion and noise. At the lower left, the red Capitol emblem and EMI manufacturing note ground the chaos in the reality of production, but everything else feels feral, uncontained, and defiant. This inner sleeve doesn’t merely document the band — it immortalizes their live ferocity.

Reverse side of W.A.S.P.’s 'Live ... in the Raw' inner sleeve featuring a collage of vivid live photographs, production credits, and blood-red splatter graphics. The layout blends performance shots, instruments, and stage scenes with the full crew and production listings, presented in yellow text on a dark background typical of the 1987 French Silver Label edition. — The reverse side of *W.A.S.P.’s “Live ... in the Raw”* inner sleeve erupts into a visual storm of metallic energy, combining live concert photos with exhaustive production credits. The right half is drenched in a black backdrop streaked with blood-red paint splatters, where lines of yellow type list everyone from *producer Blackie Lawless* to engineers, road crew, and photographers, giving the piece both artistic flair and archival completeness.

The left and lower sections burst with performance stills showing *Blackie Lawless* mid-scream at the microphone, *Chris Holmes* shredding with his Jackson guitar, and *Steve Riley* commanding the drums under a wash of golden lights. Other shots include the band wielding skulls, posing theatrically, and basking in stage pyrotechnics, evoking the full shock-rock chaos that made W.A.S.P.’s concerts legendary.

In the lower corner, a massive stage panorama grounds the composition, revealing the band performing beneath towering lights and flame effects — a cathedral of noise and spectacle. The overall layout bridges performance and production: half raw emotion, half behind-the-scenes recognition. The design’s visceral mix of fire, motion, and blood-red symbolism immortalizes the ferocity of W.A.S.P.’s 1987 touring era.

Close up of Side One record’s label

Close-up of Side One label for W.A.S.P. 'Live ... in the Raw' French Silver Label edition, featuring the metallic silver Capitol Records label with flame border design and red handwritten album title. The label displays tracklisting, publishing details, catalog number 7480531, DMM Direct Metal Mastering mark, and SACEM rights box, typical of late-1980s EMI France pressings. — This close-up shows the *Side One* label of *W.A.S.P.’s “Live ... in the Raw”* French Silver Label vinyl pressing. The surface shimmers in metallic silver-gray, encircled by a jagged flame border design — a visual echo of the band’s fiery stage persona and album’s title theme. Across the top, the **W.A.S.P.** logo and album name appear in blood-red handwritten script, their rough edges simulating dripping paint or molten metal.

The label is printed with clean, precise black text listing all six Side One tracks, production credits, and songwriter initials. On the right side, the **Direct Metal Mastering (DMM)** logo indicates a high-fidelity mastering process used by EMI France in the late 1980s, ensuring enhanced clarity and reduced surface noise. Below the catalog number *7480531* appears the French **SACEM** rights society box, confirming the pressing’s European copyright registration.

The lower edge bears circular rim text in English and French, crediting *Capitol Records* and EMI distribution. The label’s center hole sits cleanly within the symmetrical layout, maintaining the professional standards of French EMI production plants of the era. This edition’s minimalist yet aggressive flame motif and silver finish distinguish it from other European variants, symbolizing the fusion of precision and danger at the heart of W.A.S.P.’s live sound.

Capitol Records, France Label

The French Silver Label design for Capitol Records was introduced in the mid-1980s for premium heavy metal and rock releases. Its metallic tones and clean typography reflected a modernized visual identity while maintaining legibility and technical elegance. This particular label design was used by Capitol Records between 1985 and 1989.

Colours: Metallic silver-gray background, red title text, black printed track information
Design & Layout: Circular layout with jagged flame border, upper-centered album logo, side-specific track list below spindle hole
Record company logo: Classic Capitol Records dome logo, printed in black near top center
Band/Performer logo: Handwritten-style “W.A.S.P.” in blood-red letters, designed to appear molten and dripping
Unique features: Flame-edge silver border symbolizing heat and energy; DMM mastering mark; SACEM rights box for French legal identification
Side designation: Side One printed on left above catalog number
Rights society: SACEM / SDRM / SGDL / SACD (France)
Catalogue number: 7480531
Rim text language: English and French
Track list layout: Centered in stacked order beneath title, song durations aligned right
Rights info placement: Lower half, beneath track list and DMM logo
Pressing info: Pressed in France by EMI Pathé Marconi S.A., Chatou
Background image: Subtle metallic flame ring gradient surrounding the label perimeter

Collector’s Note: French Silver vs. Blue Label Variants – Record Label Differences

Both the Silver and Blue label versions of W.A.S.P. – “Live ... in the Raw” were pressed by EMI Pathé Marconi in France, yet close inspection reveals several subtle but telling production differences. These variations arose from mid-run changes in EMI’s label printing process during 1987–1988.

The Silver Label pressing uses a high-reflective metallic surface with bold, dark text. Its ink density gives the tracklist stronger visual contrast, while the rim text is tightly condensed in small block capitals. The catalog number “7480531 / 7480531 A” is closely aligned beneath the Side One mark. This edition typically includes a crisp “DMM” logo and heavier vinyl stock, averaging 140–145g.

The Blue Label pressing replaces the silver tone with a cool metallic-blue gradient and slightly thinner, lighter typeface. The same catalog number appears, but the spacing between lines is greater, and the rim text is set in wider lettering. While it still displays the Direct Metal Mastering logo, some blue labels were pressed from reused stampers without the DMM engraving in the runout area. The vinyl weight is marginally lower, around 135–138g, and the matte finish reflects EMI’s transition to a new label stock.

Both variants retain identical track listings, layout structure, and SACEM rights markings, confirming they were produced from the same artwork master. However, collectors distinguish them by the reflective tone: the Silver Label has a sharp mirror sheen and higher contrast, while the Blue Label shows a softer metallic depth. Each represents a legitimate French pressing—two visually distinct snapshots of EMI Pathé Marconi’s evolving label production at the close of the 1980s.