Macaxe was a short-lived project by ex-Silverwing guitarist Stuart MacFarlane all the way back in 1981 as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal was at its peak.
It had looked good for Silverwing after bagging a profile support slot with Diamond Head. Add that to the “not quite worked out” tab as the ‘Wing wanted to go pop and Stuart did not.
Thus he put together the Macaxe project which also included his brother on drums and the recording studio owner Ian Bone on bass here and there.
The style is a little rough and ready due to “budgetary constraints” generally being short, sharp and to the point. Up-tempo rockers with some meaty chords, riffs and soloing. All done with a sense of fun and a general “feel good factor”. Highly enjoyable.
Take for example Hot in my Chevy, Havin’ a Good Time and the gloriously tongue in cheek Satin and Spandex which must surely be a bit of a humorous swipe at Saxon’s Denim and leather.
Have a listen to Satin and Spandex and you’ll get a flavour of what Macaxe was all about.
https://youtu.be/NBZqCHLAufE
Apparently the recordings were not intended to be released, however legendary Sounds journalist Geoff Barton championed the band prompting a hastily put together (i.e. cheap…….) cassette release on a limited basis which sold out rapidly but was not added to given those aforementioned “budgetary constraints”.
Some further demos were cut – known as “egos in the studio” though not released. Those five songs are in the same vein as the cassette and equally as enjoyable. Perhaps Headin’ for the USA is either unrequited ambition or a bit of a dig at the Silverwing situation.
Macxe went nowhere and MacFarlane would re-join Silverwing.
Now with further thanks to those nice people at Skol Records we can hear for ourselves how good Macaxe could have been with a little more money behind them. The label has put the original cassette songs and “egos in the studio” on to CD.
So good to have a “lost” promising NWOBHM band with a sense of humour and with songs which stand up today well almost four decades later.
I bought my copy via Sonic Age Records. Why don’t you do the same?
Understand it’s the usual limited run of 500 so don’t hang about: https://sonicagerecords.com
Satin and Spandex indeed…….
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