Former W.A.S.P. Guitarist Holmes Claims He Was Docked $ for Changing-up Solo Live: 'I like To Feel It From My Heart'

Updated: Aug 13

The Metal Voice recently spoke to Former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes about his upcoming Scandinavian and U.K. Tours.

Photo credit Chris Holmes Facebook

Chris Holmes was also asked how he likes to play his solos live.

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When asked about how he likes to plays his solos live

"I play the structure but I play what I feel that's what I've always done all my life. I used to get in a lot of trouble. I used to go out and do a solo and do a completely different one thank the song and I'd get screamed at for it. All the time. And then finally once I was getting docked money for doing that. You got to play close to the strong (They Said). So I started playing close to the song and once I did that it was like it was boring to me. It was like walking down the street. It's boring, I like to feel it (Solo) from my heart. I always love to go see a band and they don't sound exactly like the record, they play their parts a lot differently, I just love that. One thing couldn't stand about W.A.S.P. everything had to sound like the record."

When asked if they really docked him for not playing like the record

"Oh yeah $500 bucks, they just just took out my pay. It'll straighten you up pretty fast."

When asked if there was a contract where he had to play the solo note for note

"No. You just got to be in the situation."

When asked about the 40 year anniversary all W.A.S.P. setlist for Scandinavian tour 2024

"These shows are completely different. I haven't done this in years. I am not singing those shows. I'm playing on the normal side that I play (on stage). I got a guy called Sleazy (guitarist) who is taking the Randy (Piper) side doing exactly what Randy did. And our bass player is in the middle singing and we are doing the "London Lyceum' (W.A.S.P. video Recorded at London's Lyceum on 24th October 1984) songs. Except School Days and The Flame I took those out and put 'Wild Child' and '9-5 Nasty' and 'I don't need no doctor'. And I'm going to play what I did in the Live Lyceum (in London) show 40 years ago. Kind of what Blackie is doing, Blackie is doing the first record. I'm not. I'm doing the live Lyceum show without all the torture and blood and stuff (production ). But we are going to do the songs. Another song we put in there is 'Blind In Texas' which was not on the Lyceum (performance) but I put that in too. Also the last song will be Rockin in the Free World (cover) at the end which i always do. These shows coming up will be something I have never done. I am only doing it in Scandinavia. When I get back to London (U.K. Tour) I will be doing the Mean Man stuff (setlist).