Lillian Axe is an American hard rock band formed in 1983 in New Orleans, United States. The group is known for its releases "Lillian Axe", "Love + War", "Poetic Justice" and "Psychoschizophrenia". Although the lineup has changed frequently, guitarist Steve Blaze and bassist Michael Maxx Darby have remained associated with the band since its early period. The band developed from the New Orleans group Oz, which included Blaze alongside vocalist Rick Bohrer, guitarist Orlando Ace Palacio, bassist Darby, and drummer Jeff Savelle. After Palacio’s departure, Blaze became lead guitarist and later proposed the name Lillian Axe after viewing Creepshow, drawing inspiration from imagery in the film. Lineup changes followed, including the replacement of Bohrer and another departing member by Johnny Vines and Danny King. During the mid-1980s the band toured extensively, performing as an opening act for groups such as Ratt, Poison, and Queensryche. A performance in Dallas led to attention from MCA Records and manager Marshall Berle, nephew of entertainer Milton Berle. Amid internal tensions, Blaze continued the project and considered potential vocalists, including Jani Lane of Warrant, who ultimately remained with his own group, then negotiating with Columbia Records. A lineup formed in 1987 with vocalist Ron Taylor, guitarist and keyboardist Jon Ster, bassist Rob Stratton, Blaze, and drummer King recorded the band’s debut album "Lillian Axe", produced by Robbin Crosby. Its follow-up, "Love + War", produced by Tony Platt, also did not achieve major commercial success, and the band departed MCA soon afterward. A compilation titled "Out of the Darkness – Into the Light" appeared in 1991. The group signed to I R S Records and released "Poetic Justice" in 1992 with new members including bassist Darrin DeLatte and drummer Gene Barnett, formerly of Dirty Looks. The album reached number 28 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and featured the single "True Believer". With producer Leif Mases, the band issued "Psychoschizophrenia" in 1993, introducing drummer Tommy Scott. Following declining momentum, the band disbanded in 1995. Taylor later formed The Bridge, while Scott performed under the name Tommy Stewart with Godsmack. Activity resumed with releases including "Fields of Yesterday" in 1999 and the live album "Live 2002". Subsequent lineup changes led to vocalist Derrick LeFevre recording "Waters Rising", "Sad Day on Planet Earth", and "Deep Red Shadows". Later vocalists included Ronny Munroe and Brian C. Jones, who appeared on "XI: The Days Before Tomorrow". In 2010 the band was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. A reunion of early members recorded "Circle of Light" in 2012, and the group issued the acoustic live release "One Night in the Temple" in 2014. Guitarist Jon Ster died that year. The band received the Jackson Indie Music Week Icon Award in 2017 and continued recording, releasing material including "The Forgotten Art of Melancholy". In 2020 the band parted with vocalist Brian Jones and recruited Brent Graham. In 2021 Lillian Axe signed with Global Rock Records and released the album "From Womb to Tomb" in 2022, alongside reissues of earlier catalog material. Blaze was inducted again into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in recognition of his songwriting and guitar work. In 2023 the band signed to BraveWords Records and released archival box sets "Lillian Axe: The Box, Volume One – Resurrection" and "Lillian Axe: The Box Volume Two – The Quickening". In February 2025 the band entered the studio to begin recording its eleventh studio album, provisionally titled "The 10 Commandments". Studio albums Lillian Axe (1988) Love + War (1989) Poetic Justice (1992) Psychoschizophrenia (1993) Fields of Yesterday (1999) Waters Rising (2007) Sad Day on Planet Earth (2009) Deep Red Shadows (2010) XI: The Days Before Tomorrow (2012) From Womb to Tomb (2022)