True Believer

The song "True Believer" from Lillian Axe's 1992 album Poetic Justice is a standout track that fueled the album’s success, peaking at No. 28 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart. According to a fan comment on Amps and Green Screens, the song’s raw emotion and jaded tone resonated deeply, with its infectious hard rock energy making it a staple for fans. Lead guitarist Steve Blaze, in a post on the band’s Facebook page, described the track as one of the band’s most defining moments, selected for the 2022 compilation Psalms for Eternity to represent their “Earth” theme. Fans on the Lillian Axe Fan Club group often share stories of how the song’s lyrics, like “I lose my reason and my rhyme,” captured their personal struggles, making it a timeless anthem for the “Zoo Freaks” tuning into THE ZOO.

Another piece of trivia comes from a 2014 review on Amps and Green Screens, which noted that “True Believer” was a personal favorite for many due to its relatable themes of heartbreak and resilience. The reviewer mentioned hitting the rewind button repeatedly for the track’s powerful guitar riffs and Ron Taylor’s soaring vocals. On Instagram, Blaze once shared a throwback photo from the Poetic Justice tour, captioning it with a nod to the song’s live energy, which often had crowds singing along. The song’s music video, available on YouTube, showcases the band’s early ’90s glam metal aesthetic, a hit among fans who post clips on X to celebrate its nostalgic vibe.

Lillian Axe began in New Orleans in 1983, born from the ashes of a band called Oz, which guitarist Steve Blaze joined in the early ’80s. According to the band’s bio on their official website, Blaze came up with the name “Lillian Axe” while driving home after watching the horror anthology film Creepshow. A scene featuring a skeleton in a bridesmaid dress inspired the eerie yet catchy name, which Blaze finalized at a red light on Houma Boulevard. The early lineup included Rick Bohrer (vocals), Orlando “Ace” Palacio (guitar), Michael “Maxx” Darby (bass), and Jeff Savelle (drums). When Palacio left, Blaze stepped up as lead guitarist, and the band gigged locally under the Oz name until rebranding.

By 1987, the classic lineup formed with Ron Taylor (vocals), Jon Ster (rhythm guitar), Rob Stratton (bass), Blaze, and Danny King (drums). Their big break came at a Dallas show, catching the eye of MCA Records and Ratt’s management, as detailed in a Wikipedia entry. This led to a deal with MCA, with Ratt’s Robbin Crosby producing their 1988 self-titled debut. Though their first two albums didn’t meet commercial expectations, the band’s persistence paid off with Poetic Justice on I.R.S. Records, driven by “True Believer.” Fans can connect with the band’s ongoing journey through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, or join discussions on the Lillian Axe Fan Club on Facebook.