WASP by Ross Halfin from Rufus Publications
1st September 2022“It’s time to meet the group who the moral majority would most like to murder and the only group I can remember who’ve had a record banned by their own label… this is WASP!” Andy Kershaw.
Having sold over 12 million albums worldwide, WASP were one of the pre-eminent major label American Heavy Metal bands of the 1980’s. Formed in 1982 in Los Angeles California, the band built a large and dedicated global following with their eponymous debut album and subsequent releases including The Last Command, Into The Electric Circus, The Headless Children and more.
Managed by Legendary Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood, the band played some of the seminal concerts of the era including multiple visits to the renowned Donington Monsters of Rock festival in England in 1987 and 1992 and also toured the globe with other seminal acts such as Kiss, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Metallica, Dokken and many more.
WASP by Ross Halfin starts at the very beginning in Hollywood CA where Ross shot the band for the first time at The Troubadour – the famous club on Santa Monica Blvd which launched the careers of many artists including Motley Crüe, Guns N Roses and Elton John to name just a few. Ross would work with the band right the way through this period from the small clubs to headlining venues such as Long Beach Arena and Hammersmith Odeon.
This book offers a unique insight into the classic period of WASP with an array of Ross’ fantastic dramatic live photos, coupled with candid offstage reportage capturing the humour and spirit of the characters behind the instruments, as well as studio sessions that would become iconic and defining for the band.
In addition to the photography, former WASP guitarist and co-songwriter Chris Holmes provides anecdotes and memories throughout the book, sharing insights and stories for the very first time that provide a truly exceptional commentary that is an absolute must for all fans of the band.
There are also forewords from the band’s original manager Rod Smallwood and Photographer Ross Halfin sharing their own perspectives and experiences with one of America’s most notorious and influential Metal bands of that era.
This 300 page plus coffee table book features a 3D lenticular cover, is bound in red recycled leather and presented in a protective slipcase. Only 300 numbered copies are available worldwide and each copy is personally signed by guitarist and songwriter Chris Holmes. The book costs £275 plus shipping worldwide.
Pre-orders start on Friday September 2nd, 3pm UK time and the book will ship at the end of November 2022.
A 10% pre-order discount can be claimed with the code WASP2022 at the checkout.
