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| MANIAX |
Gregg Mitchell-vocals
Rob Mitchell-vocals
Nick Urbina-guitar
Eric Dansby-drums
Started in 1980 by the Mitchell twins, Gregg and Rob, MANIAX caught the attention of Maximumrocknroll
radio after sending in their homemade tapes. Even though they were recorded on just small handheld
recorders a lot of people liked their pure punk spirit . And they weren't afraid to voice their opinions. Here's a
quote from '82, "The boring, rock, mainstream society in which we live in is what I hate most! Punk is hot! I
love to thrash and my idol is Joe Strummer." It didn't matter they had no bass player. They made up for it with
an all-out rat-a-tat-tat, dual-vocalist lyrical delivery. Only 14 years old it was so cool and charming to see such
young kids playing such good and furious punk rock. They were a welcome change from the bloated, old
rockstars of the day. But, it wasn't just their youthfulness that was so refreshing. They were unusually bright
and wrote some good social commentary and anti-war punk lyrics. Along with the three other Fresno punk
bands, MANIAX got a song on the MRR Not so quiet compilation in '82. Here's Off to war from that album:
Off to war
Off to war I'm gonna die
Off to war your gonna cry
Off to war in a rut
Off to war kick your butt
Off to war blood and gore
Off to war more and more
Off to war on the floor
Off to war out the door
july '81
The doors opened quickly for these young guys. They were invited to go on tour with FLIPPER and BLACK
FLAG but were unable as they were just too young.
There actually was some pre-MANIAX activity. When Gregg was 12 and 13 he worked with Nick and Eric on
the INSANEZ. It didn't quite get out of the garage but they did write some of the songs ('Dead Puppy' and
'Barbie Doll') that were used just a few months later in the MANIAX.
The MANIAX were the first Fresno punk band to get played on Maximumrocknroll. I had listened to the
program and had been playing in some bands but never really thought about sending a demo. Gregg and Rob
made that connection first and after that we other Fresno punk bands began to send in our homemade tapes.
To our surprise we got airplay! Contacts were made and Tim Yohannon kept in touch with us. Some months
later Tim put on a show at the Mabuhay Gardens nightclub in San Francisco featuring the Fresno punk bands
including the MANIAX.
It was a fantastic start for the budding Fresno punk scene in 1982!
By '83 MANIAX broke up and Gregg formed THINK TANK. They continued on with the same thoughtful lyrics
but with a new direction in the music. I thought it sounded post-punk ala JOY DIVISION but still with a similar
political/social commentary.
From nice families from the nice side of town these bands seemed a little out of place with the thuggish
bands from the poor side of town. But it showed the validity of punk through the wide variety of class
represented in the local scene.
Throughout my travels I saw a lot of other punk scenes like Fresno. Mostly poor kids trying to better
themselves by learning to play an instrument. But, there were some rich kids, too. And some older folks as
well. Sometimes it was the rich kids and the older ones who provided the leadership to make the scene
happen.
Making contacts, renting halls, putting out fanzines and forming record labels. Through punk rock a door of
opportunity opened for a lot of disadvantaged people to get up on a stage. To at least have a chance at a job
as a musician/performer or a writer or gig promoter.
Dale Stewart punksnax at hotmail dot com
| A new MANIAX CD of recordings made in 1980-1982. THE LOST TAPES - 34 songs of teen punk angst! www.maniaxmusic.com |
