In 1994 The Spikey Things With Curves was an occupied building across the road from Hackney Town Hall. Many people lived there and its residents created a cafe, workshops and exhibition space for artists, and a music/party venue. It was named after some eccentric sculptures that were placed by the windows by one of its residents. As the video makes clear, Spikey Things With Curves was very much focussed on being a creative community space and most people seem to agree that it was briefly a happening hub for some innovative art and great parties. After the eviction, a mural painted on the building by local artists remained a feature of Mare street until a Wetherspoons pub was built in the vacant lot next-door, opening in February 2003, Although the mural disappeared when the pub was built, a picture of it was hung in the pub. Wetherspoons decided to close the pub, Baxter's Court on November 2 2025, so I went along for a pint.