Formed in Arganil in 1994 by Artur (aka Tua, drums, ex-Tusa Lusa and CTN), José Moreira (guitar, ex-Tusa Lusa and CTN), João (vocals, guitar, ex-CTN), Nuno de Santa Maria (bass, ex-Tusa Lusa) and Eduardo Elias (accordion), Mau Maria aimed to record a long duration, something they had not achieved through their previous projects.
They then closed themselves in their garage, which was their rehearsal space, and during the year they dedicated themselves to composing, finally recording a model. In 1995, after an attempt by José Moreira to present their work to several publishers, Mau Maria received news that three publishing labels were interested in their work: Edisom, Ovação and Vidisco.
After contractual negotiations and discussion of mutual interests, Mau Maria chose Edisom. After the first moments of enthusiasm in preparing the work, something doesn’t go as planned. Edisom refused to move forward because, at the time, it had two new groups in its portfolio to launch and found it risky to bet on both, with Mau Maria being passed over.
The group then opts for Vidisco. He enters the studio with Ramiro Martins chosen as producer of the sessions taking place at Edit Studio and, in the group’s opinion, the work was satisfactory. In terms of agency for shows, they opt for Encore represented by Ana Moitinho after a live performance that took place at FIL in Lisbon.
This is how the group works together with bands like Bizarra Locomotiva and Ramp, two other projects represented by the manager. To the absolutely strong and devastating sound of these bands comes the folkloric pop-rock of Mau Maria, something strange. Mau Maria were, perhaps, one of the bands that, in Portugal, gave the most importance to local radio stations, having toured the country from north to south, visiting more than 90 national radio stations, always with the presence of two musicians for several interviews and others. events.
In addition to television, where they were present on a wide range of general programs, they performed more than 180 concerts in two years. Vidisco then demands new themes for the group’s new CD, but later refuses the material as it requires the band to create themes with a more popular nature, which its members flatly refuse.
Meanwhile Ramiro Martins, the producer, created a label and chose to edit them, preparing the second album. But in the meantime, the former Beatnicks musician passed away with leukemia that had attacked him profoundly and severely.
The group voluntarily renounced the contract it had with the publisher and with the resignation they end their activities. José Moreira, with his peculiar persistence, still tries to contact other publishers, but this time no one has accepted the job.
