Madness Information Service Online Newsletter Issue Number: 901 – Sunday 14th August to Saturday 20th August 2016
The Madness Information Service Online Newsletter
Issue Number: 901 – Sunday 14th August to Saturday 20th August 2016
Web: www.mis-online.net | Twitter: @MIS_Online | iOS: https://goo.gl/7goj5z LinkedIn: Click here
The release of the next Madness studio album is getting ever closer, with Amazon announcing its release as the 28th October. The web site has also released an image of the cover artwork which takes the form of a montage of various images with the band positioned firmly in the centre.
St Paul’s Cathedral takes up a good portion of the cover, and is reminiscent of the gatefold Forever Young single. A £25 box set with bonus disc, and theatre game, and a vinyl edition have also been announced. Untouchable Madheads have been sent more details and a discount for this option.
So, what of the tracklisting? Well, Amazon confirm the inclusion of Mr. Apples, Blackbird, Mumbo Jumbo, and the title track Can’t Touch us Now, but as yet a full listing, described by the press as numbering between 12 and 16 isn’t available.
You can find the Amazon entry at:
Moving on, and this week it was revealed that the band had been shooting a video for their next single. We kid you not!
Thommo commented on the experience;
“Just completed filming of Mr Apples video. What a most enjoyable experience. Fantastic crew & director,Chris gave him a few tips!”
The band were filming in Lewisham, London, for the first “filmed” video by the band since 2009’s Sugar and Spice
Since then we’ve had nutty videos for recent tours, gigs or albums, but videos for the last album came only in the form of gig footage, colourful animation backdrops, or clever compilation clip videos for singles.
After seven years it’s fantastic to see that Mr. Apples is getting something visual to go with it as it’s a character song. We can’t wait to see it!
This has now got us wondering if previews of the video or a first full look will form part of the promised exclusive treats Untouchable Madhead Status bestowed upon thosee fans signed up to the band’s emails, having pre-ordered the new Can’t Touch Us Now album. We shall see.
Now, on with the read!
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
August
Friday 19th – Cyfartha Castle, Merthyr Tydfil
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/37005067CAE570E4?tpab=-1
Saturday 20th – Titanic Belfast, Belsonic
http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Titanic-Belfast-tickets-Belfast/venue/461375
Monday 29th – House of Common, Clapham Common
More info at: http://www.madness.co.uk/houseofcommon/
September
Sunday 3rd – Crammerock Festival, Belgium
Sunday 4th – Jersey Live Festival, Jersey
Sunday 11th – Hyde Park. Radio 2’s Festival in a Day
Friday 30th – Sweden, Grona Lund Amusement Park
October
Saturday 1st – Norway – Rockefeller Music Hall
Monday 3rd – Germany – Berlin – Tempodrom
Tuesday 4th – Germany – Bochum – Ruhrcongress
Thursday 6th – Dubai, Duty Free Tennis Stadium, UAE
November
Friday 18th – Monday 21st – Madness Weekender 6, Minehead
December
Thursday 1st – Bournemouth – Can’t Touch us Now
Friday 2nd – Cardiff – Can’t Touch us Now
Saturday 3rd – Brighton – Matinee – Can’t Touch us Now
Saturday 3rd – Brighton – Can’t Touch us Now ** Sold Out **
Monday 5th – Groningen, The Netherlands ** Sold Out **
http://www.de-oosterpoort.nl/programma/madness/
Tuesday 6th – Tilburg, The Netherlands
Thursday 8th – Newcastle – Can’t Touch us Now
Friday 9th – Sheffield – Can’t Touch us Now
Saturday 10th – London – Can’t Touch us Now
Monday 12th – Nottingham – Can’t Touch us Now
Tuesday 13th – Bridlington – Can’t Touch us Now
Thursday 15th – Glasgow – Can’t Touch us Now
Friday 16th – Manchester – Can’t Touch us Now
Saturday 17th – Birmingham – Can’t Touch us Now
Can’t Touch us Now tickets from: http://www.gigsandtours.com/tour/madness/
Suggs
August
Saturday 27th – Bangor, Northern Ireland – Talking Musical Revolutions. Part of the “Open House Festival”
The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra
August
Thursday 18th, Newham Free Festival
Thursday 25th – Album Launch Party – Bite The Bullet – 100 Club Oxford Street London
Sunday 28th – DJ set @ Commoners Against Cancer – Dublin Castle. Noon
November
House of Fun Weekender
Rhoda Dakar
Saturday 10th – The Lo Tek EP Vol 1. launch party at the Official Trojan Records Club Night at The Social in London
Also appearing at The House of Fun Weekender this year.
BUY IT
Madness – New Album – You Can’t Touch Us Now – Pre Order – October 21st
Pre order now – and get “Untouchable Madhead” Status.
http://www.madness.co.uk/cant-touch-us-now/
Potential Tracks, Based on last year’s House of Fun set, Glastonbury, and Mojo – Grandslam, I Believe, Soul Denying, Mumbo Jumbo. Where Did All The Good Times Go, Herbet, Mr Apples, Blackbird On The Wing, Dont Leave The Past Behind You, Whistling In The Dark, Can’t Touch Us Now, Given The Opportunity, Another Version of Me. Kooks. Pam The Hawk
The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra – Bite The Bullet – August 25th (available Signed from the 100 club launch on the 25th)
Vinyl £13.55 (Includes free mp3 version)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FEA9NYE
CD £11.37 (includes free mp3 version)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FEA9NTY
Mp3 album also available on its own for £7.99
Tracks – Based on Amazon – Step It Up Sister, Bite The Bullet, Western Standard Time, Cuss Cuss, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Feel a Little Better, Hongry, The Wickerman, 30,60,90 , I am King, Cry To Me, I’ll be back again.
HEAR TRACKS IN PREVIEW
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01GM41SM6/ref=dm_ws_ap_tlw_alb7
The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra – Feel a Little Better (Luke Solomon Radio Single) ** New **
“Pre order our lead single from Bite The Bullet. It’s a radio mix of Feel A Little Better, and at 99p it’s a bargain! Buy NOW!!” Fordie
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01JOCV2ME
Dance Crazy – The Best of Specialized Ska Live ** Now Shipping Orders **
Our copy of Dance Crazy, arrived with us this week. It’s a lovely looking CD that manages to feel like a link between Specialized’s own covers albums of Specialized, Beat Teenage Cancer, Mad not Cancer & Combat Cancer. (And it brings together some bands from those albums too Live) At the same time of course it looks like a perfect tribute to Dance Craze 35 years on from that original 2tone film soundtrack album linked together music by Madness, The Specials, Bad Manners and The Body-snatchers, The Selecter. and The Beat.
It sounds wonderful. A very clean production for an album made of so many bands and recorded live you wouldn’t know it sometimes on the tracks, as the audience aren’t annoyingly present over the music and the instruments and notes are very clear.
There is a version of One Step Beyond here that favours the trumpet in the band Skapital. The Prince live cover has the wonderful intro of “Do you want to be on an album in Europe? Well sing up you will be.” While Swan Lake, we can tell you, was recorded live in Ireland, as The Service features our friend Vince Foley. He tells us they did it on St Patrick’s Day.
DANCE CRAIC-ZY!!!!
It’s a party and a celebration of long lived music, and of current Skabands on the scene that followed stepping like a large boot in a very long cast black and white shadow. No it’s not essential in terms of musical content, and yes some of the Ska and approach is somewhat tribute band predictable in its approach, when faced with the notion that some of these songs were already covers in the early 80’s when the original was made stretches this point only further that this is no reinvention. But it is NOW, and it has a sense of community about it, that is already pushing this limited release towards sell out and a profit for the charity. It’s about where you are now, but will later been seen as a little snapshot of a time. Are you going out Tonight?. I’m off to dance in the Nite Club with Special Kinda Madness. Track 11. See you there.
http://www.specializedproject.co.uk/shop/
SIGN OF THE TIMES
Lee Thompson Interviewed by Record Collection. The Uncut Version.
Lee spoke to Record Collector magazine ahead of Bite the bullet being released. The magazine is in the shops now, but here we present, exclusive to the band’s website and MIS, the uncut full transcript of the interview, with additional questions and answers.
1) Tell us about your latest projects and, if it’s an album, to which movie could it be the soundtrack?
Lee thompson Ska Orchestra have their second album ‘Bite The Bullet’ due for release in August, whilst Madness are presently in the final stages of recording their yet to be named 16 track album. Also a film’ by Jeff Baynes, who filmed early Madness pop promos, has just completed his ‘Mockumentry’ title ‘Who is Lee Thompson?’ Just need some people funding.
2) you could re-sequence/re-record any of your albums, what would you change, and why?
The Nutty Boys by Crunch! the album was recorded Arse about face really. Chris Foreman & myself, along with engineer Kevin Petre went in to Liquidator Studios,(Madness’)in or around early 89’ & used the tools that were around at the time i.e. Samples 808 drum machine Roland’s Drumatix/Bassline It was a great experience, we worked tirelessly on sequencing arrangements etc. However, we got a real band together the following year & took the songs out to perform Live,as one does. We realised there were so many things we would like to add & take out.It’s something I would definitely like to record with a real band. Though I’m not sure If Chris would like to put the time in he does keep threatening to though.
3) Is there anything unreleased in the archive, including tapes/acetates etc. from school bands?
I’m sure there is. Over the years we have recorded many bits & bobs.They would be with our Management & accountancy team stored under Tottenham Court Road’s Archive.
4) Have you done any ads/jingles, collaborations or uncredited appearances fans may not know about?
A few.Bette Brights ‘Hello This is Your Heart’ on Warners.More Specials I played on ‘Hey Little Rich Girl’
5) If you were to make a split 7” single with another artist/band, who would it be, and why?
The Aggrolittes,a west coast reggae band. They have a particular sound that my Sax might compliment.
6) If you were to produce/remix another artist/band, who would it be, and why?
The Silencerz from north London. They have written some songs with unusual subject matter & need a leg up on the production side.
7) Where were you when you first heard one of your own songs on vinyl?
I was painting a Victorian cast iron bed frame in Gospel Oak for an old girl, who had just brought me up a strong cup of tea with those Rich Tea Biscuit’s that would break up in your tea. You had to be really quick with the dunk. Yes,Madness came on my radio. The Prince was the single, but the flip side Madness was played by this particular DJ. Some dj’s just have no taste….
8) What was your favourite record shop when you started out, and did you make any great ‘find’?
Woolworth’s & Yes, over a staggered period.
9) What was your first record bought with your own money?
Framed by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
10) What’s the last album that you bought?
I was wondering around the side streets in Hasting’s recently & found a vintage vinyl shop, they had a mint Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders album. No Brainer.
11) Is there anyone in your family history who was a musician?
No. My son Daley play’s drums & I play Sax whilst he Lead vocals in a band called ‘The Silencerz’ So he is carrying the flame.
12) Did you ever write songs under the influence of any ‘substances’?
Yes, of course. But rarely as, I found I didn’t need it. Samantha from the ‘Keep Moving’ album, I wrote on a Disco Biscuit back in 82’ I then went for a long walk over Parliament Hill in the wee small hours, & realised the reason my trousers were so tight was, because I had put my wife’s on in all the excitement. With many lady item’s in the pocket, that I do not wish to reveal.
13) Have you kept studio notebooks of your albums or other such memorabilia/photos?
Loads of flea infested crap, I keep meaning to chuck it out, mainly lyric scribbled here & there. The photos I’ll keep, they are quite touching. Some sweet ones of the band recording 7 in Nassau in 81’
14) What would you ask your own living music hero/the person you admire most in music, and who is that?
I’ve many heroes in the music arena, but I would say Chuck Berry I admire. Some of the hoops & shyte he’s had to go through since the beginning of Rock n’ Roll time. And rode it to come up smelling of Rosie’s. I caught him live 20 year or so ago. I threw my son up on stage, security were told to chill & Chuck sang to him, I was in tears. Priceless.I would have to ask him if he ever caught up with ‘Nadine’
15) What’s the oddest place or circumstance in which you’ve had inspiration for a song?
On Mike Barson’s House Boat in Holland, that rocked every time a boat went by. A track that Ian Dury vocalled on Called Drip Fed Fred. The odd thing was that when I returned to my hotel, via Vondel park, Parked up in the lobby was Mr Ian Dury carrying out promo duties. I basically asked him If he would vocal on a track that I thought he would enjoy. I told him the theme & next thing I know, I’m at his flat going over the arrangement with him.
16) Who’s taken music forward in the last 10 years or so?
Muse.Period.
17) Do you or have you ever collected the music of anyone, and what’s your most prized item?
No, Just my album collection that I’ve recently returned to after many years. I’m in the process of putting some tunes up on you tube once I finish this. My first tenor sax would be my most prized item. My wife bought this, or raised the cash, for me to buy this, which was very handy looking back.
18) What record are you looking for, if any?
Lee Perry’s,1969 release, Return Of Django
19) Is there any unusual/interesting story surrounding a record/records that have come into your possession?
Nothing really worth bragging about as, most of my record collection was pinched from Woolworths & various shops that would, have the albums sealed in their packaging which was the norm, back then. Cameras were virtually non-existent or, were those massive ‘DALEK Head’ type dome eye sores, that were normally positioned over by more desirable items like electrical goods. I was once hoisting along with Chris, Mike & an old ring leader John Johnes. John & myself grabbed a chocolate mouse each, I climbed on JJ shoulders & put the mouse cups over the eyes of the DALEK’s., Fun & games in South Kennsigton via ‘Shop lifters dream’ Biba. The power cuts of Christmas 73’? (Or was it 74’) must have cost the economy, pound notes that winter.
20) If you could have anyone cover one of your songs, which song, and who would you want doing it?
Pinky & Perky. Sing-a- Long with Pinky & Perky to Ali Baba by The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra, from the album ‘Benevolence Of Sister Mary Ignatious’ 21) Which of your songs is the most personally meaningful to you, and why? Embarrassment. This was written about my sister, who had a baby that was half caste. And all the stigma that went with this at the time.
22) Of all the people you’ve worked with, who taught you the most, and in what way?
The Madness band & the friends & family that surround us, that have been & gone by the way, & way side. Keeping our feet pretty much on the ground, as stable as possible.
23) What backstage incident/anecdote that fans won’t know about makes you laugh/cringe the most?
We returned to play a postponed gig in Hull, after the show we returned to a small dressing room & I stood to close the door, the door opened rather abruptly & the handle dug me in the back so, my reaction was to kick it shut. How was I to know Chris was on the other side with his evening supper & now wearing it! He came at me like a bat out of hell, brandishing a knife & fork, plastic. The situation was defused within seconds as I made a peace offering of my spotted dick & custard. All’s well that ends well.
24) What fact about you/pastime may surprise fans/what record that you own may surprise fans?
I used to Fly Poster in Camden & surrounding areas in the dead of night, for a company in 1990-2.A game of cat & mouse with the Police that was was cut short as Madstock beckoned. Nursery Cryme by Genesis(Check out Harold the Barrel)
25) If you were to hold a record-listening party, which vintage record would you play, and who would you invite to discuss it?
I Gotta Woman Ray Charles. Robert Elms(He knows his black american R&B/Soul artists.Could teach me a thing or two.
26) Do you keep a diary, and do you plan a book?
No diary, just as it comes. I have been approached by my management to write a book.What about, most of it’s in this interview!
27) Which band would you most like to have been in and why?
ELO. He write’s fantastic songs with a Beatles edge, great string arrangements, beautiful backing vocals. We’d have a giggle, I’m sure.
28) (Other than this one) Which question do you wish people would stop asking you?
Can I have a photo please? I just need to find my phone in the bottom of this trunk of junk, & power it up…….F*ck right off!!
29) Who would you most like to record with, and what unfulfilled ambitions do you have, music or otherwise?
Van Morrison, I hear he is one difficult slave driving, hot head.My kind of guy. Just as we’d be about to start a world tour, or recording session. Then impromptu, I’d fulfil my ambition of Motor para gliding & take off…
30) If you had a rock’n’roll headstone epitaph, what would you like it to say?
How could he have died of that? He rarely bought a packet.
Koast Train Interview with Darren Fordham.
Fordie joined Mr Scurf this Wednesday to discuss Bite the Bullet. Check out the link above to listen to the show packed with various random tangents.
THE BULLET POINTS PART 4 – BOB DOWELL
In this fourth part of our series talking to musicians in The Ska Orchestra we sit down with trombone player Bob “The Bone” Dowell.
- How were the recording sessions for you?
Being a biggish band, it can take a few attempts to get it feeling just right. Hopefully we all peaked at the same time. As the horn section were locked in a cupboard, I had to watch my mouth between takes incase the mics are still live.
2 Which song/s did you write and what was your approach?
I wrote Western Standard Time. Although the title refers to Don Drummond’s Eastern Standard Time, it was actually inspired the the theme from the 1960 theme from ‘Exodus’, which incidentally was covered by the Skatelites. Thanks to Andy Neal’s guitar, WST became a journey into the Wild West.
- Which cover version did you choose for the album or which did you have the most hand in colaboration to how it turned out?
I didn’t choose any tunes to cover, although I did love ‘At Her Majesty’s Service’ (or ‘Pleasure’ as I usually refer to it). Double-tracking the trombones on this gave it a smooth nod to John Barry.
- Which track is your favourite on the album, and why?
WST. Easy.
- Which tune has been the best to play live from this album?
Any tune where Fordie does the birdie dance.
- If you had 1 bullet to sort a problem who or what would you shoot?
The cats who have been shagging underneath my house in Mississippi. One of them, anyway.
- Bite the Bullet means to “take action now.” What do you need to bite the bullet on next?
Breakfast.
- Who is a big inspiration from Ska or beyond?
Rico Rodriguez. I worked with him once on ‘Later’ and he showed me how to phrase a melody we had to play together. I learned something.
- What’s the best scene from the movies featuring a bullet?
The end of Scarface.
- Which music genre/style do you like most apart from Ska
Jazz.
Bonus Question:. Which song from the first album sister mary, still wows you after years of hearing it?
I have it on vinyl but don’t have a record player. I love the artwork though.
Thanks Bob.
MIS FEATURE – THE DOG ON THE ALBUM COVER
There’s lot to look at on the cover of the forthcoming “Can’t Touch us Now” album, including St Paul’s, Wormwood Scrubs, Madness and other characters.
But here’s who we think the dog is. Say “Hello Pickles”.
The Football world cup, Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen in early 1966 in England during an exhibition where it was on display. A ransom was demanded by the culprits.
7 days later, and following an arrest, Pickles the dog (Owned by Thames Lighterman David Corbett) discovery the trophy wrapped in paper and hidden at the bottom of a suburban garden hedgerow in South London.
When England won the trophy, as a reward, Pickles was invited to the celebration banquet and was allowed to lick his owner’s bowl.
Pickles went on to be named “Dog of the Year”. A true Madhead among pups we think.
And he looks resplendent, remembered on the front of the new Madness album. The whole album cover looks really nice.
In fact, it’s the dog’s B….
Jonathan Young
LIVE AND INTENSIFIED
Boomtown Photos From Gigwise
http://www.gigwise.com/photos/107878/madness-at-boomtown
Madness played the Lion’s Den stage at Boomtown Saturday night in front of a huge crowd. Belting out classics as well as some of their newer stuff they had 10s of thousands dancing and singing along in what was the biggest performance of the festival so far.
Trailblazers of Pop
Sky Arts August 19th 21.00
Sir Peter Waterman said that Stiff’s boss, Dave Robinson, got it into his head that records always sounded too slow on the radio so would always speed them up. Waterman, eventually decided to counter this by deliberately mixing the records he produced for him too slow in the first place so when he sped them up they’d be at the intended tempo.
Even today the wireless remains the most important place to break new acts and here’s a tribute to that, with Annie Nightingale among those examining what makes something stand out on the air.
THE BULLET POINTS PART 5 – ANDY NEAL
Next up is the new guitarist in the Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra, Andy Neal. Andy joined the line-up following the first album, and has contributed new tracks including the single.
- How were the recording sessions for you?
Sessions was good. Most enjoyable.
- Which song/s did you write and what was your approach
I am King/Feel a little Better/ and a splatter of Wickerman . Just tried to write what I thought Lee could deliver that was believable. Then it would be entertaining? That was the plan.
- Which track is your favourite on the album, and why?
See answer 2.
- Which tune has been the best to play live from this album
On Her Majesty’s secret service & western standard time.
- Bite the Bullet means to “take action now.” What do you need to bite the bullet on next?
Leaving this band and realising my true vocation in a marching band.
- What’s been the best moment of being in the Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra so far for you?
The sweeties Lee gives out at rehearsal.
- Who is a big inspiration from Ska o7r beyond?
Gary Dove. Dove the love, lovable Gal, Lovable lummux.
- What’s the best scene from the movies featuring a bullet?
The car chase. (We think he’s got confused here with the Steve McQueen film Bullet!)
- Which music genre/style do you like most apart from Ska
60’s period soul.
- Which ska song or song to ska up, do you think should be on album 3?
Maxine Nightingales “Get Right Back”
Bonus question :- Which song from the first album sister mary, still wows you after years of hearing it?
Hello Josephine. Louis Vause’s solo makes the hairs stand up every time. It’s so so cool and exactly the same every single time!
CAMPAIGN FOR “THE MADNESS” @ CHERRY RED
Cherry Red Records, the lovely folks behinds the brilliant Suggs Lone Ranger Deluxe Reissue want suggestions for albums to reissue/remaster.
I think we should all email them showing our admiration for “The Madness” using the email address suggestions@cherryred.co.uk letting them know that there is interest in having The Madness re-released.
They have released albums from Virgin before and always include as many bonus tracks as they can find. They did a cracking job on The Lone Ranger and they are in the early stages of requesting a license to reissue The Three Pyramids Club with other Suggs tracks from that period.
Let’s give it a go, and maybe we’ll finally have The Madness available to purchase again in all its glory.
Regards
Craig Taylor
I REMEMBER WAY BACK WHEN
This week, MIS co-editor Rob Hazelby, goes back in time to report on what was going on in the world of Madness 5 years, 10 and 15 years ago this week.
5 years ago…
Issue Number 640 – Sunday 14th August – Saturday 20th August 2011
With wall to wall coverage on the TV, internet and printed media, you couldn’t have failed to have noticed the riots that took place in multiple cities up and down the UK over the previous week.
When news of trouble in Camden Town reached us we were worried, not only for the people and businesses in the area, but also for the wellbeing of famous Madness related locations.
There were reports detailing attacks on Camden’s famous Electric Ballroom by rioters, but the extent of the damage was unclear. Well, Jonathan Young was pleased to tell us that the night before this issue was sent out the venue was well and truly open for business.
Our thoughts went out to Madness’ label USM, which reportedly had some storage in the Sony warehouse which went up in smoke. Only the worst kind of scum would burn a Madness album.
We continued our riot coverage with our first article, which originally appeared on the Digital Spy web site.
Suggs said: “I’m not too bothered really. There’s a lot of stupidity. I think there’s a lot of hysteria about it. I’m 50 now and I’ve seen three waves of riots in my life. I’ve seen three recessions – really bad, worse than this, in the ’70s and ’80s.
When times are hard and people are skint and there’s a lot of unemployment and there’s a hot summer it’s more likely than not that there’s going to be some sort of riot.”
Suggs added: “I’m not justifying it and I’m not saying that you can ever justify these things, but it seems to me also that when you get quite historical perspective, there’s no great surprise that you get a riot at this particular time.
London’s been going for 2,000 years and there’s been riots pretty much on a regular basis every 10, 20 years since the Romans were here, so it didn’t really surprise me too much.”
Moving on, and we reported on much jollier subject matter. This time we were giving you the chance to name a venue at the forthcoming House of Fun Weekender.
At the House of Fun Weekender, there were of course several different venues on-site. They already had their own Butlins names but we wanted you to help us re-name some of them to be more akin to the nutty shenanigans that will take place there!
We had a few ideas knocking around ourselves but we thought it would be good to get some of yours.
If you had something suitable we wanted you to send your ideas in.
Elsewhere, and Madness off-shoot bands were the subject matter as Steve Allen from Deaf School posted the set list of the show by the super group RoxyMadSchool, which played last week, featuring members of Roxy Music, Madness and Deaf School.
“That charity we did on Sunday.. with Roxy Music was… cracking show with Suggs, Bette B and me filling in for mr Ferry – some fun covers kicking off with Sunny Afternoon and I got to sing Virginia Plain! One of my all time faves of course.
Bette Bright did a corking Shoorah Shoorah and Vanessa C-Q rocked it with La Bamba – good fun had by all! Keep your eyes peeled for news of DS show in December
Opened with Sunny Afternoon, Suggs on lead vox worked really well..”
In last week’s edition of the MIS we reported how the pre-order link to the Madness Box Set in a recent official Madness email broadcast didn’t work. Well, things had improved slightly since then.
The link now (sort of) worked, and instead took you to a ‘no article specified’ page. However, from there you could get to the shop, and the page to pre-order the forthcoming box set.
OK, so it wasn’t ideal, but there ‘was’ a workaround!
We brought this issue to a close with the news that Deaf School were planning a gig for 23rd December in Birkenhead, and that the Lee Thomposon Ska Orchestra were planning a T-shirt run, but needed you to show your interest first.
10 years ago…
Issue 380 – Sunday 13th August to Saturday 19th August 2006
This was a rather special issue as we not only celebrated Chris Foreman reaching the big five-oh, but on the 7th he also became a father again, following the birth of his daughter, Elfy Foreman.
Naturally, congratulations from well wishers had been flooding into the various Madness forums over the past few days, and you could read a selection of some of the best in this issue.
It wasn’t just native English speaking Maddies who were excited about the news. The Online Dutch Maddie contingent had also been talking about these latest nutty developments. If you could read Dutch then the SkaPeople forums were somewhere you should have visited.
Next, and we featured an excerpt from an online blog by photographer Danny Clifford, who was born in London’s East end, but who had since made a bit of a name for himself with work regularly published in the UK music press.
This latest excerpt was from day one at the Fuji Rock Festival, and his snapping of Madness.
It was over to the Official Madness Messageboard for the next article as we featured some words of cheer from happy Belgian Maddies who had seen the band perform at the Lokerse Feesten gig.
Following this we moved over to a short review of July’s Spanish Benicassim festival from the Gigwise festival.
Continuing on the concert theme we moved on to a review of Madness at Shibuya AX, Japan, on the 27th of July. Madness fan Jamie, from Smashinmag.com was lucky enough to get along, and it was he who let the rest of us know just what we’d missed.
Further on, it was over to Suggs, who was interviewed by Tony Keys on English speaking Spanish radio Central DM. Not only were we able to point readers to an mp3 link, but we also had a full transcript, too.
Being unable to find any English language reviews of the recent Monaco and Marbella gigs, we brought this issue to a close with a selection of posts from the Official Madness Messageboard by fans who had managed to catch the bands at these two locations.
15 years ago…
Issue 118 – Sunday 12th August to Saturday 18th August 2001
We began this issue by going down under, as we’d recently received an e-mail from Australian based Madness fan William Temple, who informed us that he’d heard rumours that the lads were due to stage a tour of Oz in the not too distant future, and did we have any further information regarding this.
We asked William where he had heard these rumours, and he passed us the URL of the `Skankin Down Under` website. A rummage around the net revealed nothing, and so a short email was sent over to Bedders.
A day went by, and a reply landed in the MIS mailbox. Mark confirmed that there would be no tour down under, and so we passed the info over to the Skankin Down Under web site.
Next…
Music, television, radio and now Films; was there no beginning to this mans talents! Only joking. Following the news the previous week that Suggs’ 1998 film appearance could now be seen on Sky Movie channels, missing most Cinemas and Video shops out on the way no doubt, Jonathan Young was kind enough to knock-up a review for our reading pleasure.
How much screentime did Suggs get? A massive one minute and ten seconds.
Moving on…
We took a look at just some of the Madness and Madness related stock currently for sale on the Vinyldisc web site. There was a real mix of stuff up for grabs. Some cheap, some pricey, some common and some rarities. Certainly a big enough selection for every pocket.
Calling all Madness site owners…
Were you a maintainer of a Madness or Madness related web site? Did you think yours deserved some recognition? Well, if that was the case perhaps you took part in the forthcoming DOTMusic.com Online Music Awards. The previous year a whopping 2,221 sites were nominated, and this year it was expected to increase even further.
With the end of summer fast approaching we took a look at the forthcoming slew of record fairs that were due to take place up and down the country over the autumn and winter months. Not only that, but the VIP Events web site were pleased to announce that their site now listed over half a million items of stock. Very impressive.
For Crunch fans our next article was one that would have filled them with excitement, as we revealed that on Friday 14th of October, the band would be playing at the 100 Club, Oxford Street. Tickets were priced at a very reasonable £10, and support would come from The Scrutineers who had supported them in the past.
We brought this issue to a close with Jonathan Young’s detailed review of One Step Behind in Walthamstow, followed by a full lowdown of forthcoming Madness tribute act dates for the rest of the month.
Rob Hazelby
MADNESS THE MUSICAL
Biston Operatic Company presents The Madness Musical, Our House, staged at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from the 15th – 19th November 2016.
Our House, by Tim Firth. Music and lyrics by Madness.
It’s Joe Casey’s sixteenth birthday and he’s treating his girlfriend Sarah to an evening in a brand new luxury apartment – the only problem is they have to break in. When the police turn up, Joe has to decide – run away, or face the music – a choice that will set the course of his life, and his love, forever.
With the songs of Madness – Our House, Baggy Trousers, My Girl, Embarrassment, Driving in My Car, The Wings of a Dove, Night Boat to Cairo and the all-time classic It Must Be Love.
Tuesday to Saturday evenings from 7:30pm. Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2:30pm.
Ticket prices range from £9.00 to £19.50, with a box priced at £55.00.
Tickets may be purchased from the Grand Theatre Box Office: TEL: 01902 429212 OR VISIT WWW.GRANDTHEATRE.CO.UK
Exclusive Discount for MIS Online Readers – If MIS readers order their tickets via bilstonoperatic@hotmail.co.uk they will receive a £2 discount off all tickets.
You can also order tickets over the phone by calling Mr Paul Inns on 01902 721021 or 07719683287.
TIME…
We’re almost at the end of this issue of the MIS, but before we go…
Robert Smith of The Cure hosted a special two-hour countdown of his top 30 favourite songs from the ‘80s on Sirius XM’s 1st Wave channel on Friday.
What does this have to do with Madness? Well, he chose Return of the Los Palmas seven amongst his faves from that decade.
A very worthy choice.
Until next week, take care.
All the best,
Jon Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams
(With thanks to Craig Taylor)
The Author
