Chris Holmes has once again poured cold water on any speculation about a possible reunion with W.A.S.P., making it abundantly clear that, as far as he’s concerned, that chapter of his life is permanently closed.
During a recent appearance on the Rock Interview Series with Thomas S. Orwat, Jr., Holmes was asked whether he would ever entertain the idea of rejoining the band if Blackie Lawless reached out with an offer. The guitarist didn’t mince words.
“No. No,” he responded (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “Do you know what happened with my publishing? Why would I play with [Blackie] again? It’d be pretty stupid, wouldn’t it? He’d have to pay me my publishing [before I would even consider going back], and he’s not gonna do that. I’d be an idiot. I’d be an idiot to go back.”
Holmes went on to explain that his frustration stems from what he describes as years of broken trust and unresolved financial issues dating back to his time on the road with the band: “Listen, we’re on the road, and [then-W.A.S.P. drummer] Frankie Banali‘s not gonna tour unless he gets $1,850 [a week], okay? And I’m getting $500 a week, okay? I went to Blackie, ‘Well, it doesn’t seem right.
“I’m one of the guys, main guys that people come to see, and Banali‘s not. But he’s getting $1,850. I get five [hundred]? That’s almost four times as much.’ Blackie grabs me and puts his arm around me and he goes, ‘You’re gonna make more off your publishing. What are you worried about?’ When he knew he was taking my money. When he knew they already wrote me down as a session player. What kind of person is that? You think I’d ever wanna even sit in a room with that guy? No. No. No.
“So it’s not worth it; it’s not worth it to me. And plus — how can you say it? He’s a malignant narcissist, and I don’t wanna be around people like that anymore. There’s no money in the world that’s [gonna make wanna be around people like that]. I wanna be happy. I wanna be around people I enjoy being with, that make me smile, that crack jokes. I don’t need to be around people like that. Plus, from [1997’s] Kill Fuck Die on, W.A.S.P. was nothing but a depression to play with live because they were sampling, and it’s not live to me. And it hurt me in my heart to be playing, knowing that I was faking it to p[eople] — or the band was faking it. I wasn’t. But knowing that it was faking it. I really hated myself doing that.”
For Holmes, the resentment clearly hasn’t faded with time. He also revealed that even signing old W.A.S.P. albums remains difficult for him because of what he says he lost: “Why do you think I don’t like signing the [W.A.S.P. records]? I never got a penny of my publishing. I can’t stand that band. I can’t stand the band. I can’t stand what he’s done. So, that’s the way it is. And that’s why I wanna play with people I enjoy.”
Holmes first joined W.A.S.P. in 1982 and remained with the group until 1990 before returning for a second stint in 1996. He stayed until 2001, and judging by his latest comments, fans shouldn’t expect a third run anytime soon.
