IN THIS ISSUE ...

1 - THE EDITOR WRITES - This weeks news and information in brief.

2 - SUMMER IN LONDON - Since last week, the postings have continued
    to flood the Total Madness Mailing List with suggestions and
    resulting feedback for the idea of holding a massive Madmeet in
    the summer of 2001.

3 - CHANGING ROOMS WITH SIMON ROBERTS - Last weekend saw the grand
    re-opening of our most favourite drinking hole, and long time
    MIS and TMML subscriber, Simon Roberts went along.

4 - NEW BAND PLANNED - Competent with a musical instrument, and
    want to team up with a number of like minded Maddies with the
    possibility of writing your own tunes, then Dominic Kearney may
    have something to interest you.

5 - IT'S MADNESS DOWN AT EBAY - Want to get hold of some classic
    Madness items at rock-bottom prices? Well, get yourself down to
    Ebay, sign up and start browsing!

6 - NUT INC ISSUE 16 - Penned by Madness veteran, Stuart Wright,
    regular subscribers will know that Stuart is a hardcore fan who
    knows his stuff and is more than happy to share his extensive
    knowledge of the band with others. So, with that in mind, lets
    see what he's put together for the latest issue.

7 - IT'S RAINING AGAIN - Thanks and closing words.

[1] - THE EDITOR WRITES

Hello Maddies,

Hope everyone is well and looking forward to the weekend!

As promised in last weeks' edition of the MIS, this issue would be
arriving in your mailboxes a little earlier than the usual Sunday
evening as per the norm, as I'm off on a short break and won't be
back in front of the computer till late Thursday (24th).

Compiling this issue has been a bit of a rush job. I normally put
the majority of each issue together on the weekend it's due to go
out on, but obviously it's not been possible this week, and so I've
had to try and type it out in dribs and drabs over the course of the
last few evenings.

I hope this issue doesn't feel too rushed!!

First off, and it's time to announce the appearance of another
Madness website that's burst forth onto the unsuspecting internet.
Designed and maintained by Simon Walshe, it's so new that I've not
even had chance to have a look myself. If you'd like to beat me to
it, please point your browser at: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/swalshe
and have a rummage round. Once you've had a look, feel free to drop
Simon some comments and suggestions at: swalshe at ntlworld.com

Continuing on the website theme, and TMML subscriber, Becky Lane
tells us;

     "Without saying too much, you may like to check
      out the Crunch! website (regularly). For those
      not in the know, you can find it at:
      http://www.crunch.uk.com

      Hopefully there may be some new photos and other
      stuff coming soon."

Thanks for that one Becky, better go and add it to your bookmarks
right away. (If you've not done so already, that is!)

Time for all you UK-based Maddies to get the blank videotapes at the
ready once more as this Monday (21st Aug) at 10:30PM ITV are showing
the `Roots of Rock` documentary as mentioned on both here and the
TMML. A number of people in the know have been reported to saying
that something Lee lets out during the programme signifies the end of
Madness!! Obviously this is something you cannot afford to miss.

On a slightly jollier note. Fans of a certain Cathal Smyth will need
to rush along to his personal website (http://www.chassmash.co.uk) as
fast as possible due to the fact that the picture archive is now up
and running. This features not only pictures of the band from times
gone by, but also snaps of Mr. Smyth when he was just a small chappie.
Obviously this may appeal to more of the female fan base, but I'd
advise everyone to wander over, even if it's for only a couple of
minutes. Many thanks to Simon Roberts for passing on the news.

And with that shorter than usual intro, lets get on with this week's
selection of articles.

Enjoy the read,

Robert Hazelby (MIS Online Editor)

[2] - SUMMER (MADMEET) IN LONDON

Since last week, the postings have continued to flood the Total
Madness Mailing List with suggestions and resulting feedback for the
idea of holding a massive Madmeet in the summer of 2001.

As you will probably be aware, there has been some strong support for
the Blackpool weekend idea, but many people have pointed out that it
would be unwise to stage the event during high season due to the
inflated hotel prices.

The TMML's Simsey also points out that the end of May could also be a
bad time to stage the event as it's a bank holiday weekend.

Other ideas that have also been bounced around involve the
possibility of holding some kind of Christmas get together involving
a meal and a Madness tribute band.

So, as you can see, there's a lot of great suggestions flying around
at the moment, but it's too far away to put anything definite down
for people to plan around.

Further suggestions are still appreciated and expected. If you have
some stunning suggestions, or maybe just a few simple ideas, drop
them in an email to Mr Paul Scatt at: saintscatty at supanet.com and let
him know we sent you.

Should anything further happen over the coming months, we'll be sure
to let you know in the MIS.

Robert Hazelby

[3] - CHANGING ROOMS WITH SIMON ROBERTS

Since the major overhaul of the Dublin Castle was announced during
the Ian Dury Tribute weekend some months back, Camden's most sacred
of pubs has been closed whilst the workmen have been busy beavering
away inside.

Well, last weekend saw the grand re-opening of our most favourite
drinking hole, and long time MIS and TMML subscriber, Simon Roberts
went along.

Here's Simon to talk us through the new decor...

The DC hasn't changed too much. The new floor is the striking feature
- those fake floorboard panel things! Very bright and clinical.

There are also new seats and tables (in the same design of the
original 70s idea!) not red anymore, but green with a funny pattern
on it.

Not many casualties - the telly is one I think - there are double
doors where it once used to be, and the pews to the left of it have
disappeared (some fire regulation) so less room to sit. More room
to stand though - no tables to the left .(!)

Walls painted a funny pinkish red (I think) - only 3 surviving
pictures left - you guessed! The Madness ones!

The juke box was out of commission for some reason or another....
The roof is still the same... the circa 1965 red chandeliers still
in service... maybe they have put in new light bulbs? who knows?

Swanny informs me that the back room is still the same.

Contrary to recent rumours, Simon won't be hosting the next series
of the BBC's "Changing Rooms".

[4] - NEW BAND PLANNED

MIS Online subscriber Dominic Kearney informed me in a recent mail,
that he is looking to form a band, and decided that the MIS was
probably the best place to start his search for members.

Dominic is keen to point out that this will NOT be a Madness covers
band, nor will it be a ska band, but he thinks that having band
members that are Maddies would mean that they would be all coming
from the same direction.

All that is required is that you live in the Manchester area and are
reasonably competent with your instrument.

If you like the prospect of future fame and fortune, or just the
opportunity to do something you enjoy, please get in touch with
Dominic at: Dominic at creggan.globalnet.co.uk

[5] - IT'S MADNESS DOWN AT EBAY

Fancy adding to your Madness collection but are a little short on
money? Well, why not pop along to Ebay at either:
www.ebay.co.uk or www.ebay.com and start rummaging through the
Madness merchandise that seems to be up for grabs on an almost
continual basis?

It's easy to get signed up, and for browsers and buyers, it's all
free to use. Items are arranged in categories, but if it's Madness
merchandise you're after, simply typing the keyword `Madness` in the
search box is enough to bring back some excellent results.

Earlier this week I saw a mint condition Madness T-shirt in the
replica 1966 England football kit go for approximately 10 pounds,
whilst below are listed a few other Madness items which caught my
eye after only a minute or so's browsing.

MADNESS - ONE STEP BEYOND LP - £3.00

MADNESS - KEEP MOVING SHEET MUSIC - £4.99

JOHNNY THE HORSE 1 TRACK PROMO - £3.00

I have to admit to being a newcomer to Ebay, but I have to say that
although it's taken me this long, I'm glad I've finally found it.
The prices for some of the items are quite amazingly low, and half
the fun is bidding against someone else hoping to lay your hands on
that elusive piece of merchandise at a rock-bottom price.

If you're a little unsure, why not log-on and browse the site? You
don't even have to sign up to do that, and you'll get the opportunity
to see what's available before passing over your details.

One word of warning. Shopping on Ebay can become very addictive
indeed, so watch your spending!

Happy shopping!!!

[6] - NUT INC ISSUE 16

Sporting a fantastic Ian Dury cover, this edition of the excellent
Madness fanzine, `Nut Inc` looks every bit as fantastic as issues
that have gone before it.

Penned by Madness veteran, Stuart Wright, regular subscribers will
know that Stuart is a hardcore fan who knows his stuff, and is more
than happy to share his extensive knowledge of the band with others.

As mentioned in last week's edition of the MIS, issue 16 of Nut Inc
has been delayed slightly. As this is the first issue since the sad
passing of Ian Dury,  this edition is a tribute to the Blockheads
frontman.

Being a tribute edition, Stuart has seen fit to get the issue
underway with a fantastic four-and-a-half-page trip down memory lane
highlighting the high and low points of Ian's life, from his birth,
right up until the funeral where many past and present stars,
celebrities and family members gathered to pay their last respects.

Moving on, and we find that we're into bootleg territory where the
fantastic `First Step Beyond` CD gets a good going over. If you've
not got yourself a copy - keep those eyes peeled when you're
looking round those record fairs and second-hand book shops.

`Zines on The Scene` provides the reader with small bite-sized
reviews of Ian Taylor's `Mad Not Mad` and Kevin Flowerdew's `Do The
Dog`. I've not managed to get hold of a copy of `Do The Dog`, but can
personally recommend Mad Not Mad. Stuart raves about both of the
above `zines, so the both must be worth shelling out your hard-earned
readies on then.

It's another issue of Nut Inc, which must also mean that we're
treated to the continuing saga of `The Madness Story`. Now up to part
15 we finally witness the release of Madness' debut album, `One Step
Beyond`. As usual, it's a fantastic walk down memory lane, but I
can't help thinking that I'll be in my 80's before this series
finishes. But when it's as interesting and enjoyable to read as this,
who cares how long it takes?

Thumbing over to the centre spread and we're treated with `Drivin'
Movies`, an article from yesteryear which follows the lads as they
attempt to film the video of 1982's `Driving in My Car`. A must read!

Further on and we reach story one (so I assume there will be others)
of `Nut Inc Profiles`, this issue featuring none other than a certain
Cathal Smyth who is given a whopping 10 pages of the fanzine. For
all fans of the newest member of Madness, this is essential reading!!

And finally, no issue of Nut Inc would be complete without the near
legendary `Madness Record Library`, which features `Driving in my
Car/ Animal Farm`.

What else can I say? As usual, this issue is a little late in seeing
a release, but as with every Nut Inc, when it does arrive, it's well
worth the extra month it took to come out.

If you're already subscribed to the zine and are awaiting your copy,
you are going to be in for a right-old treat. If you're not
subscribed, then you are missing out on some classic Madness
coverage.

For more details, please visit the fanzines section of the MIS
website at: http://www.jabba.demon.co.uk/mis/

Or write to:

     Nut Inc,
     C/O Stuart Wright,
     29 Hollidge Way,
     Dagenham, Essex,
     RM10 9SP,
     ENGLAND

[7] - IT'S RAINING AGAIN...

Right, that's about your lot for this week.

Apologies if you were a bit cheesed-off that so many of this week's
articles were typed-in by yours truly, but the online Madness
community seem to have been rather on the quiet side this week -
wake up!!!

I'm off to get my stuff packed for a short break down South. Let's
hope the weather improves!

Until next week, please keep the articles coming in, and I promise
to answer all the emails that have piled-up in my mailbox just as
soon as I get back.

Speak to you soon,

Robert Hazelby
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