Description
The origins of Hailmary go back to the early 1980’s. Formed in 1981, a young heavy metal band from Huntington Beach named Leatherwolf emerged on the scene sharing bills with fellow Southern California metal acts such as Metallica, Witch, and Slayer at venues like the Woodstock and Radio City. The group was also nicknamed the Triple Axe Attack for pioneering the use of a 3-guitar line-up. Leatherwolf quickly caught the attention of Enigma Records affiliated indie label, Tropical Records, who financed the band’s eponymous 1984 five-song EP, produced by Randy Burns. Leatherwolf would eventually sign a major label record deal with Island Records. Over the next several years, Leatherwolf would release Leatherwolf in 1987, and then Street Ready in 1989 with Kevin Beamish producing. Shortly after the release of their third album Street Ready, the legendary Leatherwolf and their Triple Axe Attack of Geoffrey Gayer, Michael Olivieri, and Carey Howe sensed that their rhythm section was becoming indifferent towards the band. The decision was taken by the trio to start afresh and after acquiring the dynamic duo of Marco Forcone on drums and Patrick Guyton on bass, continued to work and perform as Leatherwolf until legal issues arose with a former bandmate over the name. This rift caused the quintet to seek out a new moniker and feel the need to throw the long-ball into the end zone, the re-birth of Leatherwolf as Hailmary was used as the launchpad to thrust the band into a new musical direction. With fists clenched and a relentless take no prisoners attitude, Hailmary would either live triumphantly or leave a hell of a scar trying. Calling Huntington Beach, California home, Hailmary saw the raw energy from a lot of the new bands coming through as a refreshing change to the bombastic glitter of the eighties, but this outfit also had another weapon in their armory – a rabid existing fan base. In fact, when the line-up of Leatherwolf that would go on to become Hailmary booked their return performance, the show at the Marquee Club in Westminster, California would break records. Having put out mountains of fliers for the show with just the venue, date, and a line-up photo, but no actual band name, when Geoffrey, Michael, Carey, Marco, and Patrick arrived on the day of the gig, they were shocked to see that the line to get in was wrapped completely around the building, five people deep. And that was only those who couldn’t gain entry due to the sold-out venue already being overfilled to capacity. Amazingly, the amassed throng outside stayed to listen through the walls, and that night The Marquee ended up shattering its all-time attendance record, which had formerly been held by Skid Row. With a loyal fan base, a new name and more shows the band would soon become regulars on KNAC radio and local TV. With magazines such as BAM, Screamer, and RAW all getting behind them, all Hailmary lacked to take them over the top was that ever-elusive record deal. With anything up to a dozen A&R reps being a regular sight at their shows, the five-piece entered talks and even went into pre-production with both Epic Records and MCA. But with grunge acts becoming more and more prevalent on every label’s roster, both pulled the plug on Hailmary halfway through recording. The band did, however, track multiple pro demos, including a development deal with Epic alongside producer Tom Fletcher. However, the breakthrough never did quite materialize in the way their music was deserved and the core guitar trio of the band instead reformed the much-loved Leatherwolf in 1999. Looking back now it could be said that Hailmary was ahead of their time and maybe that explains why it’s taken the best part of thirty years for this outstanding album to see the light of day.
Track list:
1. Mr. Keeper
2. The Way I Am
3. Media Lobotomy
4. Be My Suicide
5. This Kid
6. Friends
7. Killing My Dreams
8. Crush Of Love
9. D.A.D.
10. I Don’t Understand-demo
11. What’s Your Civilization-demo