Forgotten Gems: Maineeaxe-Going For Gold Reissue

Lemon Records 2010

Today's forgotten gem is a real hidden treasure. I would wager to say very few people have ever heard of Maineeaxe. I can honestly say I had never heard of them until a month or so ago when I came across a YouTube clip of "Get Up, Get Down" and had my curiosity peeked. After some quick searching I located a copy of Going For Gold on Ebay and the rest is history. Originally released in 1985 Going For Gold was Maineeaxe's 2nd full length release. Hailing from North Yorkshire Maineeaxe had caused some buzz earlier in 1984 with there debut album "Shout It Out". By the time this record came out (only nine months later) the band's line up had been torn apart and pieced back together. Joining original members Mick Adamson (vocals) and Zeff Stewart (guitars) were members of underground favorites (and label mates at the time) Syar. Despite the fact that the album was recorded in bits (with the new group members not actually meeting each other until well into the recording process) Going For Gold is a superb album. From the opening moments of "Rock is the World" your treated to top notch nwobhm/hard rock. With it's tight rhythm section and flashy guitars you would think this band crafted their skills together over the years. I suppose you'd be partly right. This does bring to mind what made Syar so great. Thundering metal. You can certainly see their input in the sound. But there are moments though when I am reminded of early Van Halen-like on tracks "The Score" and "Infatuation". It's not flat out worship though as Stewart and fellow guitarist Grant Kirkhope can hold their own. The solos on this disc are amazing. Classic metal at it's finest. Speaking of which "Ride The Storm" is cut from the same mold as Saxon. "Get Up, Get Down" is catchy and rocks in 80's heavy metal glory like something Keel and the like used to do. "Alone Again" reminded me something Don Dokken would write while "Gimmie Your Love" comes across as AC/DC meets Motley Crue (at least to my ears-man, it just flat out slays!). Going For Gold ends on a high note with the cheese fest "The Best is Yet to Come" an ode to rock and roll. Again something straight off of a Keel or Helix record. The reissue adds on the amazing "The Hour Of Thunder" EP and single "Gimmie Your Love" (both from 1985 as well). The title track is great nwobhm again with some flashy guitar playing. "Call Of The Wild" and "Spark To The Flame" are crunchy hard rock in the vien of mid period Scorpions (without the German accent of course). "Lady From The Light" had me thinking of L.A. strip metal and the same goes for "Misgivings". The single "Gimmie Your Love" is a sing-a-long hard rock number and enjoyable if nothing earth shattering. This reissue is digitally remastered and comes with a nice booklet (brief bio,pictures,etc.). Apparently this was a long sought after LP before Lemon records dusted off this golden oldie and gave it the deluxe treatment. So, what ever happened to Maineeaxe you ask? While on tour with Magnum (who had released the breakout album "On A Storyteller's Night") the band broke up over a misunderstanding. Apparently vocalist Mick Adamson was backstage with several groupies on his knee when his wife came strolling in. After a huge blowup she told Mick it was her or the band. Mick choose his wife and Maineeaxe went from a band on the rise to just another group lost in the annals of time. Really a shame because Maineeaxe had a golden ticket in their hand with "Going For Gold" but never got to use it. According to the story pouring salt into an open wound is the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Adamson would split up anyway down the road. While there has been talks of a reunion the fact is that Mineeaxe blew it. But for you and I there is this 2010 reissue to enjoy. This disc has been in heavy rotation for me over the past few weeks. I can't be blamed for never having heard of them as Maineeaxe would not have been a band you could find at your local Mom & Pop music store back in the 80s. But with the digital age treasures like this are given new life. This disc is easily found on Ebay and Amazon and Itunes has it for download. I'd pick up a copy of the actual disc though as it's a fun little read with some pictures that have to be seen to be believed (I have no idea what they were thinking with the matching red outfits!). A must have and then some for nwobhm fans as well as 1980s hard rock collectors!