Here are 29 bands and artists which come from Colchester

And thanks to its brilliant live venues, such as Colchester Arts Centre, Coda, Three Wise Monkeys, The Bull, Roots & Grooves, Queen Street Brewhouse and many more, music is readily available almost every night.

Many of these fantastic establishments, along with the likes Cups and the Twist before them, helped kick-start the careers of many of bands, giving some of them their very first gig.

With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the bands which you may not have known formed in Colchester: 

Blur

Iconic - the members of Blur (Image: Blur)

Everyone in Colchester has heard of Blur, the famous brit-pop band which battled against Oasis during the 90s.

Frontman Damon Albarn met guitarist Graham Coxon during his days at The Stanway School.

They formed Blur with Alex James and Dave Rowntree whilst studying together at Goldsmith's College, London.

Originally known as ‘Seymour' they performed at venues across the city, later moving to London and changing their name to Blur in the process.

Their most famous tracks include Song 2, Girls & Boys, Coffee & TV and dozens more which hit the charts.

Modern English

Legends - Modern English (Image: Modern English)

Modern English is a new wave or post-punk band which formed in 1979. 

Originally known as The Lepers, they are best known for their songs I Melt with You, Hands Across the Sea, and Ink and Paper.

The band is made up of Robbie Grey (vocals), Gary McDowell (guitar, vocals), and Michael Conroy (bass, vocals).

It expanded to Modern English from The Lepers after Richard Brown (drums) and Stephen Walker (keyboards) were added to the line-up.

Cleaners From Venus

Legend - Martin Newell from Cleaners From Venus (Image: Newsquest)

Cleaners From Venus is a post-punk band made up of Lol Elliott and Martin Newell.

The band was formed in Wivenhoe in 1980 and released their first album, Blow Away Your Troubles, in 1981. 

They recorded their music on minimal equipment, using cheap and sometimes home-made instruments. 

Martin nowadays refuses to tour or play rock venues but does agree to occasional performances in less-orthodox places.

New Town Kings

Amazing - the New Town Kings crew (Image: New Town Kings)

New Town Kings is a reggae and ska band which formed in 2006.

The eight-piece band is best known for tracks like Luna Rose, Something More and Reach Out, but the reggae group has lots more hits.

They have travelled to venues and festivals across the UK, Germany, France, Holland, Croatia, Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland.

Monster Florence

Strut - the guys from Monster Florence (Image: Monster Florence)

Monster Florence are an experimental hip-hop group which have been creating music since 2015.

The group is composed of six members: vocalists Dream Mclean, Alex Osiris and Wallace Rice, and instrumentalists Tom Donovan, Jonny Poole and Cameron Morrell.

They are most famous for songs such as 26 Ghosts, Deck of Cards and Peepin'.

Special Duties

Punk - Special Duties (Image: Special Duties)

Special Duties are a punk band which formed in 1977, inspired after they watched the "first mainstream punk band", The Adverts.

The band is made up of Steve Green (aka Arrogant) on vocals, Steve Norris (aka Duty) on guitar and Nigel Baker (aka Baker) on bass.

Originally going to be named X-pelled, they are known for songs such as 'Colchester Council', 'Mutt' and 'Up the U's'.

The band played their first show underneath the shopping precinct in Colchester before spreading the word through the punk grapevine.

The band is still touring today after signing to Jailhouse Records in 2014.

Pet Needs

Icon - the lads from Pet Needs (Image: Pet Needs)

Pet Needs are a pop-punk band which formed a few years ago.

The band was made up of brothers Johnny (vocals) and George (guitar) Marriott before they were joined by Jack (drums) and Ryan (bass).

However, Jack recently left the band to return to teaching sports. 

Their most recent album, Intermittent Fast Living, reached number four on the UK's official midweek charts.

The Meffs

Pair - Lily and Lewis (Image: The Meffs)

The Meffs are a two-piece punk band made up of Lewis and Lily. 

Their first single, No. 10PM, was released in 2019 and more singles and EPs followed after that. 

This year the pair are set to go on tour with rock legend Alice Cooper and they even hosted Meff Fest this year.

Koopa

Trio - Joe Murphy (front) with Koopa bandmates Stu and Olly Cooper (Image: Koopa)

Koopa are the only UK unsigned band to break into the Top 40, with their single, Blag, Steal & Borrow debuting at number 31 in January 2007.

Formed in 2000, the band have an array of tracks such as 500 Miles, No Trend and their unofficial anthem for England, Stand Up 4 England.

It was first released for the 2006 World Cup, with all proceeds going to children’s charity Barnardo’s.

Its video featured former England stars like Gazza and Les Ferdinand as well as celebrities like Danny Dyer.

The band is made up of Joe Murphy, of Colchester, and brothers Oli and Stu Cooper, of Sible Hedingham. 

Paul Allender

Metal - Paul Allender from Cradle Of Filth (Image: Cradle of Filth)

Paul Allender has been a part of the famous extreme metal band, Cradle of Filth, for a combined total of 15 years. 

The guitarist was a long-time member of the band from 1992 to 1995 and then again from 1999 to 2014.

The band's musical style evolved originally from black metal to a cleaner mix of gothic metal and symphonic metal. 

They are most famous for songs such as Nymphetamine Fix, Hallowed Be Thy Name and Her Ghost in the Fog. 

Although not a solo artist, the guitarist is well worth a mention.

Absent Kid

Band - Absent Kid (Image: Absent Kid)

Absent Kid, fronted by brothers Martin and Richard Williams, are an indie and alternative rock back formed in the early 2000s. 

Named after a South Park character, they have toured with The Subways, Art Brut, Kasabian and Queen Adreena.

April 2010 saw Absent Kid record a version of Up the U's which is still played at home games at the club's Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The band is best known for singles like She's a Liability, Quiet Playground and Shoot on Sight. 

Generation Feral

Stage - Izzy Liddamore performing live (Image: Generation Feral)

Generation Feral is the stage name of Izzy Liddamore, a solo artist who creates indie-acoustic ukulele music. 

She is best known for songs such as Newborn Adult, The Kids Are Not Alright and Political Climate. 

Inspired by the likes of Kae Tempest and Fiona Apple, Generation Feral continues to impress with every new release, she’s also been championed by BBC Radio 6 and performed gigs across the UK.

She's In Parties 

Gig - She's In Parties performing live (Image: She's In Parties)

She's In Parties are a shoegaze and dream-pop four-piece made up of Katie Dillon (vocals), Herbie Wiseman (guitar), Matt Carman (drums) and Charlie Johnson (bass).

The band are best known for songs such as Cherish, Summer Haze and L Word.

Porteous 

Blinds - the local artist Porteous (Image: Porteous)

Porteous is the name of Benjamin Ridley Porteous-Butler's solo pop act.

He creates danceable pop with influences from non-pop artists such as Stevie Wonder, Radiohead and Led Zeppelin. 

Porteous is best known for songs such as Break the Cycle, Angelo and Inside, Outside.

Animal Noise

Trio - the Animal Noise group (Image: Newsquest)

Animal Noise is a three-piece alternative rock band made up of Josh Sandifer, Jack Gordon and Michael Bird.

Their debut album, Run Loose, came out in 2012 and holds hits such as Terminator, Burn and Everyday Everyone. 

Fraser Morgan

Energy - Fraser Morgan (Image: Public)

Fraser Morgan is an acoustic-folk-punk singer-songwriter who has been in the music game for many years. 

Although originating from Braintree, Fraser bolstered his career while performing on the streets of Colchester when he moved here aged 17. 

He is also set to play his 1,000th gig at Colchester Arts Centre on June 8. 

Fraser is best known for songs such as Fell In Love Again, Mistakes Don't Define You and Home Is Where The Heart Is. 

Colette Van Sertima 

Voice - Colette Van Sertima (Image: Colette Van Sertima)Colette is an incredible vocalist who originates from Tiptree and is the voice of many well-known house and club hits.

She sings on O.T. Quartet’s ‘Hold That Sucker Down' as well as Sister Bliss' 'Can’t Get a Man, Can’t Get a Job (Life’s A Bitch)', and 'Oh! What A World'.

She moved from house and dance to acoustic rhythm and blues with a solo career in the industry where her album was unfortunately not released due to not finding the right producer.

She is planning on touring the world with her club classics this year. 

Bridget 

Upcoming - Bridget (Image: Bridget)

Bridget creates grunge and punk-fuelled music and performs energetic shows all over the city.

The 22-year-old has also gained support from BBC Radio 1 and BBC Introducing.

She is best known for tracks such as Teeth, Throw Me In The Pit and Reason. 

Bridget will also be playing at the VIP Serpent's Lair at this year's Bloodstock Open Air Festival.

James HunterSoul - James Hunter (Image: James Hunter)

James Hunter is an R&B musician and soul singer who has been in the scene for over 30 years. 

From providing backup vocals and guitar for Van Morrison to playing at clubs around the world, James has been up to it all. 

He is best known for tracks like Carina, Chicken Switch and No Smoke Without Fire. 

He is now a part of The James Hunter Six, which formed in 2013. 

Steve Travis

Country - Steve and his daughter Emma (Image: Newsquest)

Steve Travis was a pop singer throughout the 1970s and he made many appearances alongside ELO, Genesis, Slade and Thin Lizzy.

He then moved on to country music with the 1982 single Ghost Riders in the Sky / Moonlight on the Trail.

Sea shanties, rock, pop and country were genres Steve liked to dabble in and he has a large collection of 30 albums.

He has since retired to Tenerife to help out at his daughter's animal rescue centre.

Flores Blue

Musician - Flores Blue (Image: Flores Blue)
Flores Blue is the solo moniker of Emma Sampson who creates fun indie rock tracks. 

She is expected to release her debut EP this year. 

The artist has been recording the project with the famous musician Jesse Quin from Keane.

Will Foley

Pink - Will Foley (Image: Will Foley)
Will Foley is an upcoming indie rock artist with a unique way with words.

The 28-year-old went to Colchester Sixth Form from 2011 to 2013 and sold out a headline show at Three Wise Monkeys last year.

He is most well known for his tracks Last Chance Saloon, Star In Your Own Movie and Talking Through Walls. 

Ramon Goose

Ramon Goose created unique blues music during his solo career.

He was also a part of the hip-hop blues band, NuBlues, and West African Blues Project, where Ramon worked with Modou Touré.

Goose went on to produce, perform on and co-write critically acclaimed albums for other blues artists.

Twink

Twink is the name of the psychedelic and proto-punk legend John Alder.

The Fairies

The Fairies were a rhythm and blues band led by drummer John Alder.

It was made up of Dane Stephens (vocals/blues harp), John 'Akky' Acutt (lead guitar), Mick 'Wimps' Weaver (rhythm guitar/fiddle), John Frederick 'Freddy' Gandy (bass) and John 'Twink' Alder (drums).

They recorded their first single, a cover of Bob Dylan's Don't Think Twice It's Alright, in 1964, short after this they were arrested for climbing up a statue.

The Fairies split at some date before 1967, with each member moving on to a different band. 

The Blood Divine

The Blood Divine was a gothic metal band founded by Paul Allender, who is currently a part of Cradle of Filth. 

It was made up of brothers Paul and Benjamin Ryan, who were also both in Cradle of Filth, Darren White, William Sarginson and Steve Maloney.

Their debut album Awaken was recorded in early 1996.

In 1997, they recorded Mystica before Paul decided to leave the band to spend more time with his family.

A Bribe For The Ferryman

A Bribe For The Ferryman is a thrash and groove metal band formed in 2015.

The four-piece is made up of Jonny Derrick (guitar) and Chris May (bass), Rob Norrington (vocals) and James Nicholls (drums).

The band broke up in 2019. 

Polly Scattergood  

Polly Scattergood is a solo singer-songwriter who grew up in Wivenhoe. 

Her songs range from ethereal, slow and unique tracks to more upbeat electropop. 

She is most famous for her songs Colours Colliding, Perpetual Light and I Hate The Way. 

In This Moment, her fourth studio album, charted at number 23 in the Official UK Independent Charts

Ray Keith

Ray Keith is a DJ and producer who was big in the scene during the 80s and 90s. 

From playing acid-house to hardcore to jungle, Ray's first breakthrough was playing house music at Oscar's in Clacton.

He has since formed three separate labels, Penny Black, Dread, UFO and Dub Dread.

If you know of a band which formed in Colchester and is not on this list please let us know by emailing grace.capel@newsquest.co.uk.