The latest episode of the 80’s Glam Metalcast features an interview with drummer Mike Dupke, who played with W.A.S.P and Dee Snider, he talks about Blackie Lawless, KISS, concept albums, and more.
If he was a W.A.S.P. fan growing up, he said:
“I was… but I have to admit I was a little younger and I was trying to be a good Catholic School boy. I thought W.A.S.P. were a little bit dangerous and they had profanity in their lyrics! I listened to Stryper and they were like the good side of metal, but the more I listened to W.A.S.P. they lured me to the dark side. Then when I got to play those songs that I had been listening to for years, it was just unbelievable! I had those guys on my wall when I was a kid – so it was hard to get past that Wayne’s World type of attitude about being in the band.”
Asked if Blackie is hard one to work with:
“I don’t think so. I know a lot of people ask that because he has the mystique of being a hard nosed business man and a task master. All he ever asked of anyone he worked with is that you gave it your all. I learned so much from him and I will always be grateful for my time in the band.”
On the lack of US touring for W.A.S.P:
“When I was in the band we toured the states in 2008 and 2010 and that was it. Why? I really can’t tell you. Hopefully he will again. I would bet before he bows out for good he will as a tribute to the fans. I’m not sure what line up he would bring out for something like that. I think it’s fair to say there was never one single quintessential W.A.S.P. lineup.”