1 – THIS IS WHERE THE MADNESS BEGINS – The obligatory intro.

2 – THE GOOD THE MAD AND THE QUEEN – 02 LONDON – By far the most
memorable moment at the 02 gig, as the tour arrives in London to
end with the first of two concerts in the capital, was the royal
guest. Jonathan Young reports.

3 – LIVERPOOL ECHO ARENA REVIEW ECHO NEWS – THE party’s been rocking,
on and off, for more than three decades now – and as 2012 comes to
a close it’s most definitely on again.Catherine Jones. Liverpool
Echo.

4 – CHRIS’ CUPBOARD CHATS – Chris talks deluxe album, next single, the
tour, The jubilympics and more in his regular cupboard replies.

5 – SUGGS ON THE JOHN MURRAY SHOW – Dublin based radio show John
Murray, talks to Suggs at the sound check of the Irish gig, on the
tour. Taken from irish radio. With thanks to Vince Carden.

6 – NEWCASTLE METRO ARENA – THE summer of 2012 saw Madness confirmed
as national treasures. Their appearance on the roof of Buckingham
Palace in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert, and then at the
London Olympics closing ceremony, saw their profile at a career
high. From The Newcastle Chronicle.

7 – MADNESS REVIEW SECC, GLASGOW – Apart from Madness, how many bands
can claim to support an ancillary micro industry in comedy
headgear? The SECC is ringed by enterprising vendors doing a
roaring trade in Nutty Boy signature hats – be it rude boy
pork-pie numbers with a two-tone checked trim, or the trademark
fez favoured by sax man Lee Thompson, tonight clad in a garish
yellow tartan suit. Malcolm Jack. The Guardian.

8 – THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS – This week MIS co-editor, Rob Hazelby
goes back 5 years to issue number 450, and the week of Sunday 16th
December to Saturday 22nd December 2007, and then back 10 years
to issue number 188 and the week of Sunday 15th December to
Saturday 21st December 2002.

9 – MIDDLE AGED MADNESS HITS GLASGOW – Hosting a congregation of ‘the
lads’, and topped with more fezzes than a Tommy Cooper convention,
British ska veterans returned to the modern day for their own hour
and a half of Madness. Kirstin Lynn STV entertainment.

10 – MICK ALLEN’S MINEHEAD HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS – Mick reveals his
weekender highlights in NO particular order.

11 – CARL’S CHARGE OF THE MAD BRIGADE TOUR DIARY – Carl’s been keeping
a regularly updated blog during this year’s Christmas tour, and
it’s been a fascinating read. For those who missed the postings,
here they are.

12 – THAT’S YER LOT – A few last minute words before we finish for the
week.

[1] – THIS IS WHERE THE MADNESS BEGINS

Hello, and a very warm welcome to this week’s edition of the MIS.

This week we’ve learned that the next single, “Never Knew Your Name”, will be released some time in January, and that an official video for the song is now available for viewing on YouTube.

Shot in black and white, using footage from recent gigs, the production looks extremely professional and extremely stylish.

The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/y87J7u65R6c

Once you’ve had chance to watch the 3 and a half minute production get yourselves back here as there’s a bumper edition of the MIS waiting for you.

Enjoy the read!

Jonathan Young, Liz Maher, Simon Roberts, Rob Hazelby
Email us at: jonathan, liz, simon, robert @mis-online.net

[2] – THE GOOD THE MAD AND THE QUEEN – 02 LONDON

By far the most memorable moment at the 02 gig, as the tour arrives in London to end with the first of two concerts in the capital, was the royal guest.

Announcing her royal highness The Queen, as having popped over to ours this time, Suggs reunited himself and the band, with the monarch whose roof the band played on in this, the most memorable to years. She even joined them onstage during Night Boat.

Here’s some footage we captured to this amazing moment.

Of course beyond the guest, the music was as majestic as ever. This version of the set list tonight showcased…

One Step Beyond
Embarrassment
The Prince
NW5
My Girl
My Girl II
Take it or leave it
Sun and the Rain
How Can I Tell You
Grey Day
Wings Of a Dove
Never Knew Your Name
Shut Up
Bed and Breakfast Man
Misery
Michael Caine
Leon
House Of Fun
Baggy Trousers
Our House
It Must Be Love

Death of a Rude Boy
Madness
Night Boat To Cairo

A fine selection of classic singles (some recently returned to the
set) and new album songs, makes for a great crowd pleasing show and a promotional push for the Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da era. As advertised beforehand with the TV advert, and on ballons thrown at the crowd near concert end.

Next single Never Knew Your Name, was being mentioned outside the venue with fans being urged to capture the song on the night, so that the footage and angles might be utilised later.

Jonathan Young

[3] – LIVERPOOL ECHO ARENA REVIEW ECHO NEWS

THE party’s been rocking, on and off, for more than three decades now – and as 2012 comes to a close it’s most definitely on again.

And it’s been quite a year for the boys from Madness.

First they performed on the roof of Buckingham Palace as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Then there was the appearance at the London Olympics’ closing ceremony, followed by them popping up at the V Festival.

Now the kings of 2-Tone ska are on the road with their Charge of the Mad Brigade tour to showcase their new album Oui Oui Si Si Da Da Ya Ya, with the party faithful out and in pogo-ing form at the ECHO arena last night.

With the entire arena floor a seething swell of fez-wearing fans of all ages (“it’s very nice to see a lot of balding heads but also lots of young people,” said Suggs) it didn’t take much to get the party started – just the opening bars of One Step Beyond, in fact.

Madness has a vast body of work to choose from, albeit mostly from the golden years between 1979 and 1984, and sensibly slotted a handful of new songs in among the classics in a set list that stretched to more than 20 numbers.

The pick of the latest numbers on show is Misery – its jaunty beat and delivery belying its title, and accompanied by a Mr Benn-style cartoon on the giant screen behind the band.

In fact, there was nifty lighting and crisp visuals throughout the 90-minute show.

Of the other new numbers, both My Girl 2 and Never Knew Your Name have a nostalgic whiff of Embarrassment about them, but musically don’t really go anywhere, while the dirgey Death of a Rude Boy seemed an odd choice with which to open the encore.

Still, it wasn’t enough to dampen the sheer joyousness of the party going on in the arena where you could feel the floor reverberating to
10,000 pairs of dancing feet.

Suggs, looking trim in a striped T-shirt, jacket and regulation Madness shades, also kept the happy atmosphere going with regular chatty asides.

But it’s the music that speaks for itself; Lovestruck, My Girl, The Sun and the Rain, Wings of a Dove – each a sing-a-long hit with another one queuing up right behind it.

There was the first public performance of Michael Caine in almost 20 years, and it all came to a glorious crescendo with a quartet of singalong classics – House of Fun, Baggy Trousers, Our House and It Must Be Love.

It must indeed.

9 oui oui

Catherine Jones. Liverpool Echo.

Editor’s note: Despite what Catherine Jones states in the above article, Lovestruck wasn’t performed at this gig. Our thanks go to Looby for the info.

[4] – CHRIS’ CUPBOARD CHATS

Chris talks deluxe album, next single, the tour, The jubilympics and more in his regular cupboard replies.

Which did you find the most thrilling, was it the Jubilee Concert or the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games?

Chris: The Jubilee was most enjoyable to do. Olympics. My initial reaction was, how much are we getting paid? Not a lot but we liked it. Had a chat with Roger Daltrey he is really top class. He told us some great stories and he said the Who got turned down by Butlins back in the day, I was in hysterics

What do you think of the new album?

Chris: It’s very good, easily up there with our best. Sort of “7″ era in a way, different to “Norton”. We had a lot of good songs that didn’t make the grade, most of which I wrote – ha ha.

I tried for 20 tracks to be on the album, it was never going to happen.

(Asked about 5 of the tracks from the live gigs not yet released – 1978, Dollally, Cant Keep a good thing down, Big Time Sister and
Crying)

Chris: They are all on their way next year – around May. Deluxe version. Next year. April/May. (In reply to a question about releasing butlins dvd 2011/12 Chris replied this is close to what’s
happening)

What do you think of the album title?

Chris: I’ve never known such consternation over a title. Our manager Garry, came up with “Si Si etc”. Which was the only one we all more or less agreed on.

Whats the next single?

Chris: “Never Knew Your Name”. Out in January.

Are you enjoying the tour?

Chris: How good was Glasgow? Top night I think. I really enjoyed it.
Hope you enjoyed Liverpool, I did. Cardiff was great.

Would you ever do an acoustic tour?

Chris: Acoustic set would be nice to do but involves a lot of time.

How many guitars do you have?

Chris: Er I’ve got 3 Stratocasters, two Telecasters, one Les Paul and one SG.

Who are your influences?

Chris: Mmm . In no particular order:

Chuck Berry, Duane Eddy, Cliff Gallup [Gene Vincent] Eddy Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Wilko Johnson, Marc Ribot, Dick Dale, Angus Young…to be continued..

Taken from Chris’s Cupboard.

[5] – SUGGS ON THE JOHN MURRAY SHOW

Dublin based radio show John Murray, talks to Suggs at the sound check of the Irish gig, on the tour. This morning John speaks to Suggs, whose real name is Graham McPherson, the lead singer of ska-pop band Madness about his life & career. Madness have produced many successful singles over a period of 20 years, with such hits as Baggy Trousers, It Must be Love, & Our House.

http://www.rte.ie/radio1/thejohnmurrayshow/2012-11-29.html

The interview begins by talking about The Dublin Castle, and the fact the landlord is currently drinking in Ireland with them.

Samuel Beckett is talked about as an early influence on the band.
Suggs explaining the Max Wall and music hall were a shared theme, with Beckett.

The film the “Summer of 42” is mentioned, again in relation to the song “House of Fun”, and condom and the controversy of that is mentioned.

Suggs talks about travelling with the band a young man, and the ups and downs of the band, including the ructions of making the new album.

Suggs talks about the Olympics and the Jubilee being different but both fitted Our house.

Suggs talks about his father, launching into a bit from his solo show.

He talks about the “Useless Information Society”.

Taken from irish radio. With thanks to Vince Carden.

[6] – NEWCASTLE METRO ARENA

THE summer of 2012 saw Madness confirmed as national treasures.

Their appearance on the roof of Buckingham Palace in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert, and then at the London Olympics closing ceremony, saw their profile at a career high.

Saturday saw the cheeky-chappy septet at a near sold-out Arena on the last night of their current tour.

The lively, pre-Christmas crowd were in the mood to party with many decked out in a Madness-style fez or a rude-boy suit.

The band kicked off with a triple salvo of numbers from ska heaven with One Step Beyond, Embarrassment and The Prince.

The last few years have seen chart success and critical acclaim for Madness with the albums The Liberty of Norton Folgate and Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da, so the new numbers, like How Can I Tell You, went down well. But it was songs from the late-70s/early-80s that the audience had come to see, with the likes of My Girl, Wings of a Dove and Shut Up turning the Arena’s bouncing crowd into something akin to Newcastle United’s Gallowgate End circa 1983.

Suggs was full of chat in between numbers, remembering the band’s early shows at Newcastle’s City Hall.

And indeed, the impressive light show, lasers and giant video screens at the Arena reminded you how far Madness had come.

The show culminated in a flurry of greatest hits that brought the house down, with House of Fun, Baggy Trousers, Our House, and It Must Be Love all rolling back the years.

There was a breathless encore section, including the manic Night Boat To Cairo, and it was goodnight Madness. We’ll no doubt see you next December.

The chronicle

[7] – Madness review SECC, Glasgow

Apart from Madness, how many bands can claim to support an ancillary micro industry in comedy headgear? The SECC is ringed by enterprising vendors doing a roaring trade in Nutty Boy signature hats – be it rude boy pork-pie numbers with a two-tone checked trim, or the trademark fez favoured by sax man Lee Thompson, tonight clad in a garish yellow tartan suit.

Having this summer performed everywhere from the rooftop of Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s diamond jubilee to the back of a flatbed truck circuiting the Olympic Stadium at the closing concert for this summer’s London games, Madness’s pre-Christmas Charge of the Mad Brigade tour returns them to more sensible stages. It caps a year that has enshrined their status as a national treasure, more than three decades after their formation – back when, as Suggs puts it, “Muse were just a twinkle in their granpappy’s eyes”.

Enjoying their shows is a well-established ritual. Chas Smash’s echo-bathed “Hey you! Don’t watch that, watch this …” spiel at the start of opener One Step Beyond is finished by the crowd at volume, before a mass rash of skanking demonstrates how Madness fans once managed to trigger a small earthquake in London. Viewed from the stands at the back of the arena, it looks curiously like several thousand people furiously hammering away on gym cross-trainers.

The release of Madness’s 10th album Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da might have been somewhat overshadowed by their primetime televised glories, but it serves notice of rude boys in rude health. The likes of My Girl
2 – which practically borrows the stabbing chords from Tainted Love – and Misery signal a band in easy and willing command of their music’s most identifiable and joyful qualities: goodtime horns, clicking rhythms and Suggs’s pubby witticisms. “If you keep misery as your company,” he half-sings during the latter tune, “you might as well be dead.”

House of Fun, Baggy Trousers, Our House and It Must Be Love is as remarkable run of indelible pop songs as you’ll hear any British band string together. The energy levels haven’t been as high all set – we could have been done without Thompson cobbling through an a cappella Alex Harvey number. But it only heightens the delirium of the hit-studded finale, culminating with the daft honk of Night Boat to Cairo, Suggs lifting Thompson’s fez to theatrically mop his brow during the sax solo as knees and elbows fly, and Richter-scale needles tremble ever so slightly one last time.

Malcolm Jack. The Guardian.

Meanwhile, the responses to the above flooded in…

At school in the early 80s you were correctly classed as a certified w*nker if you liked Madness. What on earth does that make grown adults who still like them now? – posted by think not.

In Glasgow, Madness chose not to perform Cardiac Arrest, Yesterday’s Men or You’re an Embarrassment. Wonder why… – posted by Charlie piper

Charlie – they played Embarrassment. Nice try though. Signed, A Certified W*nker – Posted by Maceoid.

Thank you Maceoid, for that timely and accurate contribution. Yours A Lifelong W*nker – Posted by MrDonkDank.

——-

[8] – THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS

This week MIS co-editor, Rob Hazelby goes back 5 years to issue number 450, and the week of Sunday 16th December to Saturday 22nd December 2007, and then back 10 years to issue number 188 and the week of Sunday 15th December to Saturday 21st December 2002.

5 years ago…

Issue number 450 – Sunday 16th December – Saturday 22nd December 2007

We kicked off this issue with the news that Madness had been booked to perform at The Palace Nightclub on January 8th, to celebrate the life of former Sedgemoor musician Joe Strummer.

The event, organised by the Strummerville charity, would coincide with the fifth anniversary of the death of former The Clash legend Strummer and would also be held as part of a fundraiser for the redevelopment of Bridgewater Town Hall.

Next, it was over to Concert Live, who announced that they’d be recording Madness’ London O2 Arena show, which was due to take place on the 14th of December. Not only that, but the company were now taking pre-orders for the CD album via their web site.

Like all Concert Live productions this would be a limited edition affair, so you were advised to get your order in ASAP.

With the legendary Hammersmith Palais having closed its doors back in April of this year, the BBC had decided to screen a documentary on Christmas Eve, charting the history of the legendary venue.

Interviewees included Dame Vera Lynn, Mick Jones, Andy Summers, Phil Jupitus and father and son Ross MacManus and Elvis Costello. Pauline Black and Robert Elms, both of whose parents met at the Hammersmith Palais, also contribute.

The documentary included fantastic archive footage from throughout the venue’s history and was narrated by Suggs, who himself had performed and attended memorable gigs at the Palais.

Moving on, and it was over to Gavin Allen of the South Wales Echo, as he interviewed Suggs and Carl prior to their Cardiff International Arena gig.

Carl commented at the time;

“We are a great live band. I’m not Stevie Wonder
and neither is Suggs but when you put us all
together we’ve got something, although I’ve no
idea what that thing is.”

We continued with gig coverage for the next article, as reporter Mark Langford reported on Madness’ recent gig (13th Dec) at the Birmingham National Indoor Arena;

“Madness were on fine form and seemed to be enjoying
themselves too, Suggs waxing lyrical between numbers
and even recalling an early gig at the New Street
Odeon where a posse of bouncers jumped on anyone
daring to dance in the aisles.

But last night the crowd were up and dancing from
the off. With one of Britain’s best bands of recent
decades in this kind of form it would have been
madness not to”.

We passed things over to Steve Saunders over for the next article, who, as part of work, had to journey down to Camden Town. While he was there he picked up a DVD of the current tour’s Astoria gig.
Nothing too special about that you might add, but in an effort to beat the bootlegger and share the Madness love he’d ripped the footage and had made it available for free on The Pirate Bay.

In other news, Darren “Dicka” gave us the heads-up that the Madness “Our House” musical was due to go on tour. Not only that, but the dates for the Birmingham run of the show had now been announced.

Elsewhere, we had a fan review of the O2 Arena gig from Tony Stratton with Jonathan following-up with a lowdown of the aftershow gig, which took place at Indigo O2;

“All in a very eclectic mix of artists, I’m sure
some people thought the whole thing was a load
of crap, but I found it a very enjoyable variety.
I mean nothing was ever going to be able to
really follow Madness in a big way anyway, but
some of this was very entertaining.

From the start in the lobby to the point we left
the 02 we had had around 15 hours of fun, it felt
like a Madstock day in reverse in many ways”.

We brought this week’s issue to a close with the news that Steve Turner’s wife had given birth only a day or so beforehand. It looked like they’d have an eventful Christmas ahead!

10 years ago…

Issue number 188 – Sunday 15th December – Saturday 21st December 2002

Whilst many fans were well enjoying the 2002 tour, we started off this issue with a lookback a decade to 1992, when The Man in The Mad Suit tour was in full swing. As usual, this was all made possible thanks to Jermaine and his wonderful ‘Tour Madness’ tour bible.

Moving firmly back to the present (2002), we then went into a full transcription of an article from the latest issue of GNER’s free in train magazine, which had been painstakingly typed-up by subscriber Iain Mason. Interviewed was one Chris Foreman, who kindly gave a year by year lowdown on what the band had been up to from 1984 to the present date.

Elsewhere in the issue we featured a lowdown of the band’s recent performance in Graham Whitfield’s wonderful lowdown of the Manchester gig, which took place on the 13th of December. As he knew many fans were still waiting to get along to subsequent dates, he issued spoiler warnings before his review got underway.

Chris Byrne wrote in with his lowdown of this tour’s selection of merchandise, and warned fans that if they found something for sale they particularly wanted they should buy it before the performance starts, as many items were selling out by the end of the evening, meaning many went away empty handed.

MIS co-editor and massive comedy fan, Jonathan Young took a look at the recently released Stateside DVD box sets, The Young Ones – Every Stoopid Epidsode, which featured both Madness appearances, and the Blackadder DVD, which contained an interview with writer Richard Curtis who talked briefly about the lost Madness sitcom.

Rob Hazelby

[9] – MIDDLE AGED MADNESS HITS GLASGOW

Hosting a congregation of ‘the lads’, and topped with more fezzes than a Tommy Cooper convention, British ska veterans returned to the modern day for their own hour and a half of Madness.

Aside from the absence of a good spread, obligatory sausage rolls, and some Rosy Lee, there was something terribly British about last night’s affair in Glasgow’s SECC. Passing by any royal connections from this summer, the cartoonish stereotype of the nation as a whole was raised in a, generally, beer-bellied skanking frenzy.

With more hats then bald patches, there were all stages of the hair-transplant flyer amongst the dad-dancing, the crowd shaping up in time for all those festive opportunities to rip it up on makeshift dance floors of work Christmas parties. The band, in turn, couldn’t have been more buoyant, with good old Suggs keeping a sharp appearance, taking on the ringmaster role. Although, throughout the set, I half expected him to produce a bill for the seat, as he babbled between tracks in the booming voice of a London cabbie.

With the rest of the band in Blues Brother attire and effortlessly bopping around to their Tom and Jerry chase soundtrack, the extent of the show’s pyrotechnics stretched to a revolving platform for long-serving saxophonist, El Thommo, who managed to sport two types of tartan, as well as a fez.

Showing off their new album, How Can I Tell You, and Death Of A Rude Boy continue on the same E-number infused pattern of Madness, the lurching swagger of their sound layered up like a trifle for fan satisfaction.

The set bobbed along nicely, though the wonky chromatic scales of the piano began to chafe slightly as one track merged into the next, the laid-back reggae influenced jams turning the crowd lethargic (or perhaps that was the over-exertion). The general dirge of wind instruments blew over in a bizarre bad-dad karaoke rendition of Highway To Hell, with guitarist, Chris Foreman supping up the spotlight, as other band members downed tools, allowing him to get on with his mid-life crisis solo.

The 2-Tone dance to the finish line jumped on a hit ride, elbowing any yawns out of the arena as House Of Fun led to Baggy Trousers, and onto the bounding singalong of Our House. With images of Glasgow projected on to the backdrop, albeit images that look like they had been taken en route to the venue from a West End hotel, the quirk and attention to detail went down well with the puffed-up chests of fans.

Keeping up the crowd-pleasing, the band’s encore kicked off with a lone piper, who would return for the overzealous sweat-jewelled skank to the end – it turned out Madness were not to be the only ones throwing white balls into the crowd.

With no song from a fat lady, but the curtain drawn, and Monty Python’s Bright Side Of Life playing, Madness and their longevity have proven themselves as unexpected national treasures – perhaps this is why they had a close brush with the crown jewels last night.

Kirstin Lynn STV entertainment.

[10] – MICK ALLEN’S MINEHEAD HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS

Here are my weekender highlights in NO particular order :

The Cuban Brothers, Madness x 2, LTSO, Buster Shuffle, Swagga, walking to the cinema with Chrissy Boy, MIS film, Being heckled (albiet
briefly) by Kevin McCarthy, Some Like It Hot at the cinema, Brief chat with Suggs on the new manager of Chelsea FC, Peter Cain (comedian), Westworld on the in house TV, Sex and Drugs and Rock n Roll

Lowlights in NO particular order :
Australian comedian called Benny (I think !!) died a slow death in Centre Stage ) The skints, Man Like Me, the rain, noisy seagulls, Darren Fordham’s silver trousers !!, Service in Jaks on the Friday, My own inability to keep away from the Merch. stand, the rain (such a biggy I thought I’d mention it twice ), NO Nutty Charge , Failing to spot Carl, Woody and Mike if they were walking about, having to leave !!!!! …..

I think that’s about it

Yours

Mick Allen

[11] – CARL’S CHARGE OF THE MAD BRIGADE TOUR DIARY

Carl’s been keeping a regularly updated blog during this year’s Christmas tour, and it’s been a fascinating read. For those who missed the postings, here they are.

12/12/12

It’s late and an old mate called seeing if I was in Londinium and out on the tiles..no in Sheffield say’s I, in a rather drowsy way as I had just stepped put of bed…still an old mate or should I say good friend…

I had been dozing off thinking about the last two shows, Glasgow was sensational the crowd excelled themselves as only Glasgow do..Owen Morris who had worked with us on the album had turned up with his wife and it was actually the first time he had seen us live and he felt that he know understood us..its a live thing..I wiped a tear from his face as he choked on words of British Pop, beauty, emotion and such…
he’s a right softy.a good time had chatty chat chatting, nuff respect & ting…

next morning after a hearty breakfast the mad brigade set of by penny farthing, train, charabanc and bus….our travel arrangements mean that neither act of god nor random event can take out the whole of the band at any one time…we even use doubles at airports. You never know when a band member could be abducted. Am I rambling and whats in the cocoa?

So Sheffield tonight…after the show Suggs, Myself and Dad watched the production being broken down. Seeing the riggers up in the gods on the girders, what a balancing act, all the gear in its allotted containers being humped out by a small army. It takes about two and a half hours to break it all down and pack it away. Surreal and mystifying after having had so many people in the room.. I’m not sure how many of you were there tonight, maybe 8 thousand? I hope you had as much fun as I did, I had some lovely thoughts up on the stage..
Incredible to think that these moments become memories so quickly and that all that emotion and energy that has been shared and involved so many..I hope we can hold on to the beautiful moments, keep having the good times and create some more meaningful memories. nite nite

10/12/12/

Well Newcastle rocked, no other word for it. The crowd were fantastic and so far probably the best we’ve had, what a night, a great reaction to the set. A whole heap of joy in the house. Very impressed, elated, pleased, satisfied and indeed grateful. Thank you everyone for making it so enjoyable. It’s moments like this that make it all worthwhile.

Brilliant.

8/12/12

It’s the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me…..so said The Dubliner’s….so many good and yes fabulous memories of the City ….been keeping it tidy and keeping a sensible head on which means that after the show I’ve been getting back to the hotel asap..the old boy got to pace himself!!! which means that I have missed saying hello to many good friends..my apologies and I hope to get to spend some quality time in the future over a jar…love to all…and once again thank you for coming.x

7/12/12

Nottingham was another good night. I’m rather knackered right now..
well its exhausting having fun isn’t it? I hope all who came along had a good time. Thank you for coming along. Seriously have a good Christmas..I loved the vibe in the house for It Must Be Love…
excellent…good night all. peace

3/12/12

Had a cracking time in Cardiff, thought it all went very well, especially Tom Jones and Chrissy Boy’s Show Time..Delilah, what a tune! Great to hear everyone singing along.

I had a bit of a late night as the old adrenaline was pumping…tho left the bar by 2a,.. Thats enough of that. I’m trying not to have too many late nights as the vocal chords really suffer. Still great to see Hector & Linda and their fabulous daughter Ellie. What a character. The Prince of Wales Boxing Club were in the area and The Gentle Company of Richard, Wayne, John and Brian.

Felt it a bit next morning but was back on form for the matinee show in Brighton. Kicked it up a gear in the evening and the audience were brilliant which made the night… amazing vibe ..Had a day of silence in Brighton, which was good and the day was truly beautiful…..
tonight its Bournemouth……

I hope you all enjoyed Cardiff and Brighton as much as I did..

28/11/12

We are in Dublin and soon to be onstage at the O2 Centre, all are in good spirits and many friends are here with us. Henry Conlon of The Dublin Castle in Camden Town, Seamus Greany from Swinford, Joe Lowrey who ran The Crown & Goose in Camden. Frank Murray from back in the day, The Morrissey’s, The Byrne’s, The Mallermans. The Gilmours, Michael Farmer will be in the house I am sure and my darlin daughter is over with me as she is filming at the weekend.

Life is simply a beautiful thing. We are graced to have so much love and friendship around us. Here’s to a feckin great night and for all of us a better tomorrow.

25/11/12

I have to say that I enjoyed the weekender tremendously. I’m sure I can say that all the band did too. A great atmosphere in the House of Fun and such a lovely vibe from the audience at both the shows. Great days & good memories..Thanks everyone for braving the elements, for overcoming all the obstacles and horrendous weather to make it, I hope everyone got home safely and with a smile in their hearts…
love to all.

x Love & Strength.

Chas Smash

[12] – THAT’S YER LOT

We’re almost done for this week, but before we go there are a few final bits of information to pass in your general direction.

Last week we reported that Madness had been booked to perform at next year’s Byron Bay Festival, Australia.

The latest development is that Madness have now been removed from the line-up displayed on the event’s web site.

If we hear anything further on this we’ll sure to let you know.

Next, and if you missed the recent email-shot, you may not have caught the 2013 dates for Suggs’ One Man Show. Well, not to worry as they’re all available online, along with booking numbers.

Get over to: http://bit.ly/Wgef0A

Moving on, and tomorrow evening members of the band will be attending an evening at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, to be presented with Medals of Gratitude by the European Centre, Poland. These are to acknowledge the band’s efforts for the Polish Solidarity cause for freedom and democracy throughout the 1980s.

We don’t really know much about these medals or the work the band were have meant to have done to earn them, but we may know more by next week’s issue. If we do we’ll pass on the details.

And finally, earlier this week we were contacted by MIS subscriber Steve Farthing, who gave us a heads-up on an established Facebook group, going under the name “Mad Chat”.

To join the group you’ll need to have a Facebook account, and then you just need to point your browser over to:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/177902688939112/

Once you sign up you’ll need to wait for your subscription to be confirmed.

Until next week, take care,

Jon, Rob, Simon, Liz

(With special thanks to Steve Farthing, Chas Smash, Mick Allen, Vince Carden, and Looby)