50SHR #40: Mainiax (South Carolina)

50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #40: SOUTH CAROLINA

Band: Mainiax
Release: Boys Night Out
Year: 1986
Line-up: Don Garrison (vocals), Richie Smith (guitars), Tony Ray (bass), James the Bulldozer (drums).

Track Listing:

1. Life of Crime 03:46   2. Boys Night Out 04:11   3. Love Machine 03:01   4. Night of the Polizei 04:32   5. What You See Is What You Get     05:31   6. The Witching Hour 09:34   7. Yellow Star 07:08   8. One Size 02:31

Fletchanator's comment: Mainiax, a heavy metal band from Spartanburg, South Carolina, were active from 1981 until 1990 and released just this one album, Boys Night Out.
Mainiax can best be described as traditional heavy metal, but they have enough melodic flourishes to warrant inclusion on this blog. Everything from Deep Purple to Dio and Dokken can be heard in their sound. Singer Garrison shrieks like Rob Halford one moment and sings more melodically the next - his voice isn't super strong but it does the job. What You See Is What You Get is the most "melodic hard rock" of the tracks and as such is my favourite on the album. The Witching Hour is another great song, mixing creepy Addams Family-esque keyboards with a nice guitar riff.
I can't rave about this album but it's a good listen, especially if you're in the mood for some heavy metal to break up your sleaze and glam playlist.

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