Guitar & Bass Tabs
W.A.S.P.
Learn W.A.S.P.'s Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how W.A.S.P. developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
W.A.S.P. burst onto the Los Angeles metal scene in 1982, led by Blackie Lawless, quickly becoming one of hard rock's most explosive live acts. Their early records fused punchy riffs, theatrical stagecraft, and shock-rock imagery that challenged what a metal show could be. With albums like The Last Command (1985) and Inside the Electric Circus (1986), they fused aggressive guitar work with hook-heavy choruses and a flair for drama that would influence later bands in metal and punk circles.
Over the years, W.A.S.P. navigated lineup changes while Blackie Lawless remained the constant creative force, pushing the band's sound from lean, riff-driven rock to ambitious concept albums. The Crimson Idol (1992) is widely regarded as their masterpiece, a narrative-driven record that paired blistering riffs with melodic storytelling. Through MTV-era videos, international tours, and a lasting catalog of 19 lesson tracks on DadRock Tabs, W.A.S.P. has left an enduring imprint on rock guitar, showing that metal can be theatrical, technical, and irresistibly anthemic.
From blistering, tritone-laced riffs to big, sing-along choruses, W.A.S.P.'s catalog provides fertile ground for rhythm development, lead phrasing, and live-performance confidence.
🎸 Want to know what gear W.A.S.P. used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
Watch the Lesson
Wild Child
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Love Machine
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I Wanna Be Somebody
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The Flame
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School Daze
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Hellion
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On Your Knees
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Tormentor
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The Torture Never Stops
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Blind In Texas
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The Headless Children
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Mean Man
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Ballcrusher
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Cries In The Night
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Jack Action
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Running Wild In The Streets
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The Last Command
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Sex Drive
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Inside The Electric Circus
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View Tab →Playing Style
W.A.S.P.'s guitar sound is built on punchy, down-picked riffs and agile lead lines that blend aggression with memorable hooks. Their obvious strengths lie in tight rhythm parts—power chords, palm-muting, and rapid alternate-picking—that lock in with the drums for a driving backbone. Blackie Lawless also explores melodic interludes and soaring solos, using bluesy bends and careful phrasing to contrast tremolo-picked barnstorms with singable choruses. The overall vibe balances hard-edged menace with melodic accessibility, making their tracks ideal for practicing tight rhythm, precise picking, and dynamic lead work.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic W.A.S.P. gear centers on a heavy, mid-forward guitar tone achieved with humbucker-equipped guitars (often Les Paul-style) through bright, high-gain amps and a practical effects chain. Expect staples like distortion or overdrive, wah-wah for expressive solos, chorus or phase for width, and delay to widen riffs and melodies. The band’s live sound has routinely relied on solid-state and tube Marshall-style amplification, generous stage dynamics, and pedalboards that sustain punchy rhythms with big, cinematic atmospherics.
Why Learn W.A.S.P. Songs?
Learning W.A.S.P. tracks helps players lock in rhythm fundamentals—power chords, palm-muted riffs, and tight alternate-picking—while exposing melodic lead ideas and dramatic, chorus-ready hooks. The catalog spans accessible rhythm parts and more intricate leads, giving intermediate players a clear path to mastery and confidence on stage. These songs cultivate solid technique, precision, and an ear for dynamic contrasts that translate to any rock or metal repertoire.
Did You Know?
- 1Blackie Lawless has been the band's constant member since its 1982 inception.
- 2The Crimson Idol (1992) is widely regarded as W.A.S.P.'s masterpiece and a landmark concept album in metal.
- 3W.A.S.P. helped pioneer theatrical, pyrotechnic-laden live shows in the 1980s, influencing countless bands.
- 4Their blend of brutal riffs and catchy melodies helped shape the sound of 80s hard rock guitar.
19 W.A.S.P. lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn to Play W.A.S.P. Guitar
Explore W.A.S.P. guitar and bass lessons with a focus on riffs, rhythm parts, classic rock techniques, and practice-friendly video lessons.
Start Here
Begin with the most recognizable riffs and rhythm parts before moving into harder songs.
Techniques
Practice power chords, timing, picking control, bends, vibrato, and classic rock phrasing.
Next Step
Use the lessons below to build a practice path from easier songs to more advanced parts.
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