Madness Information Service Online Newsletter Issue Number: 780 – Sunday 20th April to Saturday 26th April 2014
Record Store Day began in 2007 when over 700 independent stores in the United States came together to help celebrate their distinctive culture. The UK soon followed suit, and yesterday (Saturday 19th April) played host to the seventh celebration of the UK’s independent music retail sector.
To celebrate Record Store Day, Cooking Vinyl are auctioning off white label test pressings of some of their recent output, including this little gem, a double vinyl 12 inch test pressing of Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da.
At the time of putting this intro text together the auction was currently at £62.00, but it’s all for a very worthy charity, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
So, if you’d like to add one of these beauties to the collection dig deep and get bidding. Note that due to the nature of test pressings they could be subject to audio imperfections.
To bid, simply click on the link below:
In other news, and this Bank Holiday weekend saw Take it or Leave it being screened in London’s Leicester Square. Naturally, the MIS team (in the form of Jonathan) were there, and you can find out just what went on elsewhere in this very MIS.
Now, on with the issue.
Jon Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams
SHOWTIMES
See below for all forthcoming Madness and Madness related gigs and events. If there’s something we’ve missed off or you feel should be added then please let us know.
Madness
June 2014
June 28th, Night in the Park, Den Haagm Netherlands, http://www.nightatthepark.nl/
June 27th Jiwapop Festival, Montcada, Spain
June 29th, Tivoli Utrecht, Netherlands http://tivoli.nl/
July 2014
July 3rd, Vienna Arena, Austria
July 31st – 3rd August, Reggae Sun Festival, Bordeaux, France
August 2014
August 2nd, Suikerrock, Belgium
August 12th Mallorca Rocks
August 13th Ibiza Rocks
August 18th, Kubana Festival, Krasnodar, Vesolovka
November 2014
November 21st – 24th 2014 – Minehead – Earlybird tickets can be ordered here: http://www.bigweekends.com/splash-pages/madness2014.aspx
For tickets also see links via: www.madness.co.uk
Suggs Live
April 2014
22nd – Chelmsford Civic Theatre
23rd – Stevenage Gordon Craig Theatre
24th – Redditch Palace Theatre
25th – Malvern Forum Theatre
26th – Margate Winter Gardens
27th – Northampton Derngate
29th – Bolton Albert Halls
30th – Darlington Civic Theatre
May 2014
1st – Newark Palace Theatre
2nd – Redhill Harlequin Theatre
3rd – Watford Colosseum
4th – Yeovil Octagon Theatre
10th – Dublin Olympia Theatre
13th – Harlow Playhouse
14th – Lowestoft Marina Theatre
15th – Eastbourne – Royal Hippodrome
16th – Leamington Royal Spa Centre
17th – Jersey Opera House
19th – Milton Keynes The Stables
20th – Winchester Theatre Royal
21st – Epsom Playhouse
22nd – Kettering Lighthouse Theatre
23rd May at Cardiff College of Music and Drama
27th May at Bury St Edmunds The Apex
29th May at Derry Millennium Forum
30th May at Belfast Ulster Hall
June 2014
1st June, The Garrick, London
Suggs Book Reading Appearance
May 24th Hay Festival, Wales
https://www.hayfestival.com/p-8077-suggs.aspx
*** NEW *** Songs in the Key of London (Featuring a Suggs guest appearance)
Please see article below in the “Sign of The Times” section for more information.
The Magic Brothers
Thursday 24th April, Dublin Castle, Camden, London
Ticket info at: http://www.bugbearbookings.com/dublin-castle/
Magic Brother Friday Headline set:
November 14th. The Big One 3. Park Dean, Sandford Dorset.
The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra
May 2014
May 25 Strummer Camp Manchester
June 2014
June 1st, Wychwood Festival
June 29th Glastonbury Festival
July 2014
July 12th Lewisham’s People Day – Free!
July 26th Wickerman Festival
Note: The previously listed Swindon Breeze Festival is an event the band will no longer be appearing at.
August 2014
(Unconfirmed) August 16th, Newham, Under The Stars – Free!
August 31st, The Big Feastival, Alex James’ Farm, Cotswolds
More festival dates to follow.
Ska Orchestra web site: www.ltso.mis-online.net
The Lee Thompson Band (Lee’s other band, with Daley)
April 25th. The Hop Poles. Enfield
https://www.facebook.com/events/1387868218100592/
April 26th, The Black Horse, Barnet
Deaf School
August
9th, The Islington, North London
10th, Rebellion Festival, Blackpool
For details of future gigs keep an eye on http://deafschoolmusic.com for more information.
Near Jazz Experience
April 29th, Indo, Whitechapel, London
BUY IT
If money’s currently burning a hole in your pocket then perhaps we can help with your dilemma.
LTSO, Bangarang, Featuring Dawn Penn & Sharon Shannon
*** Date changed again *** Single release download date moved to May 26th. iTunes and Amazon links are now active.
itunes http://tinyurl.com/p2bquak
Amazon http://tinyurl.com/pwg6du2
Check out the Bangarang-Anim-ad here…
*** NEW *** Madstore Easter Sale
MadStore Easter Sale now on. Take a look…
http://www.madstore.co.uk pic.twitter.com/9XCRike0y6
Suggs “That Close” – Audio Book
Having plugged Suggs’s first autobiography, for some weeks, since it’s release last year, we now change our focus to the audio book which we haven’t really touched on before. It’s available as a download, and also as a plastic cased CD set. So you physical collectors could do well at add it to you collections, and you modern gizmo ipad types or mp3 player on the go users etc can get it fairly instantly.
What’s brilliant about the audio edition is, it’s the closest version yet to the Live Suggs solo show being released. Suggs himself reads the text over seven hours and is as hilarious as he is in his one man show. The focus of humour within is brought out to the full. And the performed accents are so amusing to hear him do at times, that even the man himself has an Eddie Izzard moment, breaking down during the reading and chuckling at his own performance. That they left this in, is perfect, it’s like an old Hancock TV sitcom episode where live filming means no going back.
A nice subversive touch for an audiobook to take. The rest of the book is of course exactly what was in the printed version so our review of that remains pretty much the same, While pronounced lyrics that appear in the book are rendered into poetry here as a result of the spoken word approach.
No one can tell Suggs story better than Suggs. The audio book is ultimately more pleasing than the paperback. 7 hours of fun that has to be cut up into a couple of days to really get through it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/That-Close-Unabridged/dp/B00G7GTHRI
New Official Crunch Merchandise
Crunch! Magic Carpet Record Polo shirts. £17.99 large only (More sizes soon)
Crunch! Beanie hats one size £ 8.99 limited stock + £3 p&p on shirt – beanie free!
To get yours, send a message to the official band facebook page to order:
https://www.facebook.com/crunchbandofficial
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT AT THE CINEMA
It’s a classic film, probably owned by everyone who might be reading this, whether you are a vintage VHS viewer or a newly discovered DVD owner of the recent soundtrack combo package, (Indeed that’s the source of this screening copy today too). This tale of how the band came to be, acted by the band themselves in the middle of their 80’s highest point is a treasure to view that only deepens in nostalgia as the years roll on. As my good friend Duff Kelly puts it…
“Take It Or Leave It on the big screen in Leicester Square today. Thanks to the brilliant vision of Dave Robinson we have this little gem of a film that captured such a great part of British music history. Now they need to bring back Dance Craze!”
So, there is little point in telling you what you already enjoy, just a few lines then to mark the occasion, of how much it was a joy to witness this on such a big screen, and with good quality cinema sound. It made me wish, in the absence of a time machine, that we could all witness a band of say 17 year olds jumping around on a stage as excited about this music as Madness appear to be as a gang back then.
Watching the film again, post having read THAT CLOSE by Suggs the events on display take on a deeper understanding, the scene with Suggs and Chalky first playing pool now has echoes in my mind of the chapters where Suggs spoke about their boyhood friendship and first meeting the band. Equally Clive Langer’s first appearance arrives at a crucial point for the band, and comes to me now with the context of the Deaf School book. I recommend reading/watching all in a relatively short time to enrich the enjoyment of each other.
We arrived at this London international Ska Festival event, to witness runner Sean Flowerdew over seeing proceedings, the cinema was near half full, and myself Duff, Andy and Simon joined the “All Things Madness” girl’s in the front row seating kinda mock barrier hugging I suppose, to take this trip through those re-enacted early Madness gig moments, blown up large scale, you notice little background details, such as the rehearsal room graffiti all the more when seen this large.
The film still pulls in audience laughs, mostly on knowing character moments like the band arguments, or comedic fails, like the plastering, van driving and packed lunch eating. There was the occasional sing a long and also there was a round of applause over the credits. Rightly so.
Well done to the LISF for putting this on. It’s a film that Madness fans will always choose the option to “Take”.
Jonathan Young
SIGN OF THE TIMES
A collection of articles that have caught our eye over the course of the past week or so.
Suggs Brings Our House Down
Source: http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/what-s-on/out-about/suggs-brings-our-house-down-1-6563067
The legendary Ska musician had just popped in for a drink or two at Leeming Street’s andwhynot after performing at the Palace Theatre.
Suggs’ backing singer was performing a few numbers with the bar and restaurant’s resident guitarist James Clark. But senior general manager Kevin Rogers said madness erupted in the room when the star jumped up on stage and joined in.
“It was absolutely brilliant,” said Kevin. “He is a musical hero of mine.
“But what happened that night was one of those once-in-a-lifetime things.
“He is such a charming guy and a really nice chap – very down to earth.”
Suggs performed a few tracks, including My Girl and Cecilia to a delighted Mansfield audience.
“He started with Cecilia,” said Kevin, “but messed that up at the end, so launched straight into My Girl, which everybody sang along to.
Carlisle United Swap Suggs for Bono
Source: http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
Graham Kavanagh today revealed his plan to get Carlisle United back on song – by swapping Suggs for Bono at Brunton Park.
Kavanagh has ditched the Blues’ familiar pre-match song – Madness’ One Step Beyond – because he found it uninspiring.
The manager has replaced it with Elevation by U2, which he believes can fire up United’s players and fans.
Carlisle came out of the tunnel to the 2001 song for the first time last Saturday and went on to beat Swindon to claim their first win in nine games.
Kavanagh said: “The previous song didn’t inspire me or make me feel like I was going into battle when I was walking out.
MIS NOTE: It’s ironic that this writer doesn’t know it’s “CARL” in One Step Beyond for “CARL-ISLE UNITED!”. Would it be wrong of us to point out that the first match following the dropping of Madness as the team’s intro song was a defeat by Preston! Who beat them 6 goals to just “One” step beyond the goal line by Carlisle. Unlucky.
Songs in the Key of London
Source: http://openairtheatre.com/production/home-coming-festival
“Home House’s inaugural Home Coming festival in aid of the Elton John Aids Foundation at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre on the evening of Sunday June 1, from 5pm. Paloma Faith, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Suggs, among others, will be belting out songs about the beloved capital during an evening entitled Songs in the Key of London.”
Sunday June 1 2014 at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1
5pm gates | 6pm show
Tickets: £156.75*
Home House is proud to announce its inaugural Home Coming music event, Songs in the Key of London, to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and in partnership with English luxury mobile phone brand, Vertu.
For one night only, guests will be treated to a string of performances from an exciting and eclectic selection of artists. These will include Paloma Faith, The Strypes, Ed Harcourt, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Suggs, Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford of Squeeze and Dennis Greaves from 9 Below Zero, who will all perform tracks that celebrate London. Songs in The Key of London is hosted by Chris Difford, a dedicated lifelong member of Home House. A backing band put together by Guy Barker will form part of the house band for the evening.
In between sets, celebrity guest DJ’s will spin the decks creating a relaxed summer vibe, whilst Home House, London’s most exclusive private members club, will serve a sumptuous mix of delicious food and cool cocktails (included in the ticket price).
Join Home House for the most exclusive and prestigious music event London has ever seen. Tickets are strictly limited, with £150 per ticket to benefit the Elton John
AIDS Foundation.
Other special guests are to be announced.
SPECIALIZED – MEET THE ARTISTS
Specialized are very chuffed to announce the return of Specialized stalwart and hardcore supporter Andrew Crayford who will be appearing on Specialized 3-Mad Not Cancer! Andrew will be performing “The Harder They Come”.
Andrew Crayford is a singer-songwriter from London, U.K. A professional musician for over 20 years, His songs cover an eclectic mix of genres encompassing rock, indie, ska/reggae, blues and folk/jazz. He has been artistically acclaimed around the world. ‘So in love’ first attracted the attention of U.S based Harvest Music, who featured the song on ‘Dig Music Vol 1′ in 2008. It was hailed by Recordsmith:
’The perfect pop song, a roller coaster ride into the 60s’.. Other offers came flooding in from Vespa Scooters to use the song for a proposed advert, and tour promoters in the U.S & South America.
In 2012 Andrew was invited to record ‘Message to you Rudy’ for ‘Specialized – A Modern Take On Specials Classics’, a second CD was released in 2013 ‘Specialized Beat Cancer’, for which Andrew recorded the Smokey Robinson classic ‘The Tears Of A Clown’, in a Ska/Two tone style. A third cd ‘Specialized – Mad Not Cancer’ is due for release May 2014, with Andrew Crayford recording ‘The Harder They Come’ – Jimmy Cliff, one of his all time favourite songs.
…
Coventry’s long standing skankers SPECIAL BREW will be performing on Specialized 3- Mad Not Cancer! The guy…s will be turning it on for the track “Forever Young”. 2 Tone Ska band. 8/9 piece band from Coventry playing the music they grew up with. They have been together over 8 years and gig all round the country. Catch them at a scooter do near you.
These guys are no strangers to Specialized either after putting on a cracker of a gig and raising the most singlehandedly from one gig in 2012 at The Arches, Coventry with fellow Specializers Bluebird Parade AND their spectacular album highlight from the first Specialized album “Little Bitch”
…
Specialized are always chuffed and very pleased to announce the return to Specialized action for ESPERANZA who will be appearing on Spec…ialized 3 – Mad Not Cancer! The guys will be performing that Madness cracker “On The Town”. We’ve heard it and its superbly done.
Esperanza is a nine-piece ska collective from Glasgow famed for live shows where their infectious rhythm has the crowd involuntarily jumping in time. In hectic years of gigging around Scotland, they have honed and perfected a high-tempo set, combining superb self-penned songs with a selection of ska classics, so that there isn’t an ounce of fat left on it.
I REMEMBER WAY BACK WHEN
This week, MIS co-editor Rob Hazelby, goes back 5 years to issue 520, and the week of Sunday 19th April to Saturday 25th April 2009, and then back 10 years to issue 258 and the week of Sunday 18th April to Saturday 24th April 2004.
5 years ago…
Issue 520 – Sunday 19th April to Saturday 25th April 2009
It’d been a while since we were last treated to a new Madness video, but this week, those of us who purchased the Madness box set (and were then given access to ‘M’) were given access to their latest production – the video to the single of ‘Dust Devil’.
Naturally, views and opinions of the vid had been bouncing around the net since it was uploaded to ‘M’, and you could read a selection of them in this very issue.
Clearly not tiring of an already hectic recording, PR and live performance schedule, the band continued to add yet more gigs to this already packed year.
The day before this issue went out tickets went on sale for Ireland’s “Electric Picnic” – a three day festival that was due to take place over September 4th to the 6th. Madness were booked to appear alongside bands such as Orbital, Echo and the Bunnymen, Billy Bragg, MGMT, Basement Jaxx, Billy Bragg, The Flaming Lips, and many more.
At present only full weekend tickets are available, so if Madness were the only band you were interested in seeing then it was probably not worth your while in spending the pennies.
In this week’s selection of articles we reported on the Sun newspaper’s coverage of the cast of the new Dust Devil single, news of Suggs’ appearance on Australian TV channel ABC, and presented live coverage from the premiere of The Liberty of Norton Folgate film.
We brought this issue to a close with the news that Woody’s Just Giving Page had so far raised £2,437 prior to has taking part in the London Marathon where he was raising funds for the Macmillan Cancer charity. You were urged to donate, and be in with the chance of winning a set of signed Woody drumstick.s
Issue 258 – Sunday 18th April to Saturday 24th April 2004
Soo, Madness and Morrissey were to appear on the same bill for the first time in 12
years! OK, so admittedly Madness would appear on the Thursday of the Move Festival, and it wouldn’t be until Sunday that Morrissey was due to take to the stage. Perhaps memories of the original Madstock meant that different dates were chosen. We could only speculate.
In last week’s edition of the MIS we reported that The Specials would be playing a gig in the Bristol area. We obtained this information in good faith from the Bristol Evening Post’s `Entertainment` section.
Since then M.O.T drummer and MIS subscriber Dan Fossard had made further enquiries and it turned out that it was only Neville Staples who would be performing.
Regular readers will no doubt be aware that we’d been charting the life of the `M40NSS` number plate Ebay auction. Well, it seemed that like The Terminator the seller “Absolutely would not stop” putting the auction up until someone bought it. With a `buy now` of £15,750, we thought the seller would have a long wait.
Articles in this week’s issue covered the discovery that Jack Dee was a Madness fan, as he took over that week’s edition of Top of The Pops 2 and played “One Step Beyond”, and the heads-up that Suggs’ appearance on The Danny Baker radio show some months back had now been converted into MP3 format and was available for download.
Elsewhere we reported that a new book, “The Chequred Past of 2Tone”, had been released, and featured an intro penned by none other than Mr. Mark Bedford himelf. With a Record Collector magazine review of 5 out of 5, this was one piece of literature you were advised to add to the collection.
This issue rounded-off with links to two video tracks taken at the previous years’ Christmas tour. What was special about these was how unusual it was for the band to perform them. The tracks in question? March of The Gherkins and Wonderful World, Beautiful People.
Rob Hazelby
TWEETS OF A DOVE & THAT FACEBOOK
Recent nutty posting from Twitter, Facebook and other online sources.
SUGGS (@SuggsMcPherson)
I’ve come to bury st. Edmunds. ‘But I’m not dead yet!’ Thanks for another! Great night.
Been round out fayre Isles these last few weeks doing one man show and ‘whatever’ ‘shit going down.’ It’s a fuckin GREAT place!!
“Was Disappear thought of as a single?”
It very nearly was. We played it at ally pally recently, which was great, as it was the subject of song. It was john peels favourite.
Bedders @I_Be_Mark_B
Meanwhile in Hollywood, the pitch for NOAH 2: ‘…and the thing is, Noah’s wife hates pet hair…’
“That’s an old rehearsal tape of ours from April 1979. Probably from around the time when we first met you lot at The Hope?”
Mark posted this twitter picture pic.twitter.com/v6pJLIpZVp Of the cassette to Horace Panther who paints old cassettes as pictures.
Woody (@Magicbrothers3)
There seems to be a Madness song about everything. Even Sunday Morning.
TIME…
We leave you this week with the first Two Tone record released in 21 years! Yes, we kid you not.
It’s out this week, in time for this year’s Record Day, and features two previously unreleased Dub mixed from The Specials.
Sock It To Em JB (Dub)
http://youtu.be/jGGTY2I-Xtc
Rat Race (Dub)
http://youtu.be/P_ySCf29sPU
Until next week, take care,
Jon Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams
(With thanks to Owen Collins and the UK Record Store Day web site)
The Author
