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Maniac Squat are an art punk band from Colchester principally active between 1991 and 1996. They first played at the Arts Centre in 1992 and were immediately banned for using an industrial grinder in their performance and for making a hole in the stage while smashing up a guitar. They are really sorry and have spent the last 25 years begging to come back.
Playing angry, direct, music in the indie/Britpop era was clearly ill-judged as singer Tom Wilcox (known as Tom Urzi) recalls: “Our compound of DaDa, punk and nihilism had been explored comprehensively by other artists – many times – but we had something distinct. Only a few people got it, however, and the punch I received from a biker at Wivenhoe May Fair in 1993 is perhaps representative of our public reception. There again, I did throw a can of Special Brew in his direction. At least no audience could ever have hated us more than we hated ourselves”.
Their story isn’t unremittingly dystopian, however. Maniac Squat achieved the much coveted ‘Single of the Week’ accolade from Kerrang! Magazine for the single ‘F**k Off’. They played over 200 gigs in their career – including tours of Germany and the Czech Republic - also releasing two singles and an album, and being the support act for popular beat combos visiting Colchester such as Babes In Toyland and Zodiac Mindwarp.
Tom Wilcox (vocals) and Michael Giaquinto (bass) remain in the band from its definitive 90’s line-up which included Scott Pearce (guitar) who is unavailable and Did (drums) who has declined to play because of theological differences with the rest of the band concerning the nature of the Eucharist.
Colchester Arts Centre - the little church with the big attitude deep in the heart of Essex.
Well that's how we describe it anyway. It sort of works, it at least gives a flavour of what we're about.
Because just how do you describe a venue that can put children's entertainer Palfi the Clown on, on the same day as Cradle of Filth?
Where a Farmer's Market in the morning becomes a comedy club in the evening, where folk enthusiasts can sit happily knitting (and they do!) in the exact same spot a ferocious mosh pit of teenage dancing takes place the following night?
And where the beautiful historic architecture of St Mary's Church dating back over a thousand years, plays host to some of the newest comics, most modern choreographers, some of the coolest DJ's and some of the freshest talent in Britain.
Over the years we've promoted Coldplay, Eddie Izzard, Graham Norton, Harry Hill, Catherine Tate, Jo Brand, The Libertines, Ash, The Killers, The Strokes, Phill Jupitus, Mick Jones, Bill Bailey, Jack Dee, Count Arthur Strong - all before anyone had ever heard of them of course - plus the likes of jazz legend Ronnie Scott and even the late lamented and much loved Brian Johnston the cricket commentator.
Our passion to present new work bring great bands and comics to Colchester burns more brightly than ever. Our business is all about fresh ideas, new acts, new art forms and vibrant new ways of working. We can't stand still. We embrace the new, the quirky the original and yes, the surreal.
Support from legendary Colchester indie types THE DRUIDS and Grunge acolytes BALLOOON SAMWIDGE.
This gig is for a standing audience
Church Street,
Colchester,
Essex,
England,
CO1 1NF.
01206 500 900
