The Maniacs were formed in 1976 by Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter Alan Lee Shaw who, joined by Drummer Rod Latter, was influenced by the Stooges, Lou Reed, MC5 and the Ramones. The Maniacs, Alan and Rod, played the London pub circuit in 1976, just as the Punk Rock scene was beginning to emerge. 1977 saw guitarist Robert Crash on bass. A deal with United Artists Records saw the Maniacs release the now seminal Shaw penned single Chelsea 77 b/w Ain't No Legend and a performance at the 2nd Punk Rock Festival with the Clash, the Damned, the Jam and the Police, in Mont de Marsan, France. August 1977. The line up was was augmented by on and off guitarist Henri Paul, for live shows but not studio recordings. The Maniacs went on to perform at many of the Punk Rock venues around London, including the now legendary Roxy Club. Recording two tracks You Don't Break My Heart and I Ain't Gonna Be History on the Live At The Vortex album. Like Punk itself, the Maniacs were short lived. Robert Crash left late 77. The Maniacs carried on with a new bass player until the band finally split after appearing at the Gibus Club in Paris in January 78. Alan Lee Shaw went on to form the Physicals and then on to work with Brian James, Paul Cook, Glen Matlock, Dee Dee Ramone, the Damned, and Wicked Gravity. Rod Latter went on to join the Adverts. Henri Paul joined Johnny Thunders Band and Robert Crash worked with the Eurythmics and Robert Plant. Although short lived the Maniacs were true to the spirit of 77's loud and raw Punk Rock and were one of the original Punk Rock bands of the day. A compilation of their recorded material was released on Overground Records entitled So Far...So Loud in 1998
