Former W.A.S.P. Guitarist Chris Holmes Says Both W.A.S.P. Live Albums He Played on, Were Not Really Live

The Metal Voice recently interviewed with former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes on a live youtube stream/ chat. In the interview Holmes talked about his upcoming Canadian East tour and his exclusive W.A.S.P. setlist in select cities, as well as talked about the W.A.S.P. live and studio albums he played and did not play on.

Chris Holmes was asked by a fan (Charles) why he doesn’t perform live any of the songs from the three reunion (WASP) albums (K.F.D 1997, Helldorado 1999, Unholy Terror 2001). Holmes said, “I didn’t write any of the songs, I didn’t play any of the music there. I didn’t play any of the guitar. I think I played a solo on one of the songs. Blackie thought he could play guitar good. You can listen to the guitar work, it’s not me. Why is my name there I don’t know? But I didn’t play guitar on those albums. ” He continued,” There was a live one. I obviously played the live one, the Double Live Assassins (1998). I had to play on that but I hate to tell you this if you believe me or not it wasn’t live. None of it was live. We recorded it in the studio. They just put it in a loop (Audience sound). Do you think WASP is going to play that perfect, no mistakes, live come on. Live albums you’re going to hear mistakes no matter what. If you’re a professional and you play guitar, professionals will make a mistake but it will be covered it up so you don’t know. He continued,” You think the first (WASP LIVE ALBUM, Live in the Raw 1987) was live? You got another thing coming dude. Before the San Diego show, the drums were live but we were not in front of an audience. We came into soundcheck with a mobile recording unit, recorded everything straight. So we got the drums and we went and recorded everything after that (in studio), the crowd was on a loop. I’m telling you the truth.”

Live… in the Raw is the first live album released in 1987
Double Live Assassins released in 1998

Canadian EAST 2025 Tour

March
19 – Piranha Bar, Montreal, QC (V.I.P. Clinic and Live Q and A, exclusive short set )
20 – La Maison – Cornwall, ON
21 – The Rockpile, Toronto, ON
22 – The Rockpile, Toronto, ON (Special W.A.S.P. Show)
27 – L’Anti, Quebec, QC
28 – Piranha, Montreal, QC Full Show W.A.S.P. Set List
29 – Elks Lodge, North Bay, ON
30 – Brass Monkey, Ottawa, ON