IN THIS ISSUE ...

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

2 - NUTTY SOUNDS 1 AND 2 - When, in 1986 I completed my Madness
    CD collection, I started to look for new stuff only available
    on bootlegs, live concerts, rarities, etc, but unfortunately
    I had no luck.  I ended up paying lots of money to buy CDs
    such as "Madstock 2" with only 1 "new" song (Lola).

3 - DIVINE MADNESS 2000 - Calling all Madness completists.
    Worried that after the release of `Drip Fed Fred` you'll not
    have any Madness releases to look forward to? Well, fear not,
    because come March, you'll have something else to spend your
    heard-earned cash on.

4 - SKA MAD - This article will shortly be appearing in the
    `Fanzines` section of the MIS Online website. In the meantime,
    you can find it here with details of how to subscribe and just
    what features you can expect to find in each issue of the zine.
    Issue 8 is out now and IN FULL COLOUR!

5 - SUGGS ON... IAN DURY AND THE BLOCKHEADS - Taken from the London
    Evening Standard newspaper and typed-up by Chris Byrne.

6 - IT'S MADNESS AT MUSIC CAPITAL - Complete your Madness collection
    by ordering online at the Music Capital website.

7 - THEY'RE A MAD LOTT - The loony antics of bosses at the Beeb know
    no bounds. I'm told the powers-that-be at The National Lottery
    Show had a number of 'problems' with guest band Madness. Taken
    from The Daily Mirror (Feb 5th) and kindly typed-up by Iain Mason.

8 - NUTTY SOUNDS 3 AND 4 - The latest Madness rarities CD's from the
    editor of `Madness Unsugged`, Vince Carden are now available.

9 - Thanks, closing words and next week.

[1] - THE EDITOR WRITES

The biggest news this week has to be that Virgin are planning to
re-release an updated version of the 1992 singles album, `Divine
Madness` featuring digitally re-mastered tracks and new sleeve
artwork. Whilst it would be nice to have these re-mastered tracks,
I can't help thinking that Virgin would be better off spending their
money elsewhere rather than regurgitating old material in an effort
to squeeze more money out of the die-hard fans who will buy any new
release just to add it to their collection.

How about putting together `Divine Madness` on DVD with digitally
re-mastered video and sound? Make use of that extra storage space
with interviews, lyrics, and out-takes. Perhaps if Virgin are feeling
particularly generous, why don't they actually help the lads out and
give them some promotion for their forthcoming single. Has no one at
Virgin realised that the reason `Johnny The Horse` and `Wonderful`
did so poorly was because only the online Madness community knew they
were released!!

Virgin, stop faffing around with things like this and give us
something that really is worth shelling out for!

You can find Virgin's press release elsewhere in this issue.

Everyone out there who's also subscribed to the Total Madness Mailing
List may have noticed a quiet period during the early part of last
week. Well, don't fret, there's nothing wrong with your internet
connection. `Sponge`, the server which the TMML runs on has been
playing proverbial `silly buggers`. The problem was quickly sorted
out, and a large chunk of the online Madness community were kept up
to date with the progress thanks to Jenny Payne and her emergency
information list she seems to have set up.

With the prospect of a new Madness single released, you would of
course expect a promo to be doing the rounds a few weeks before the
official single release. Well, you'll be pleased to know that `Drip
Fed Fred` is no different. Here's Complete and Utter Madness with
some more information...

     "Despite concerns over the marketing by Virgin of the
      new Madness single 'Drip Fed Fred' featuring Ian Dury
      on lead vocals, there is nothing to fear.

      It seems that the usual `wheels` are in motion. Today
      drops into my mailbox the regular pattern of promotional
      material from Virgin. First is the Test CD pressing for
      the single and then the usual PROMO single.

      The PROMO (VSCDJ1768) is a 2-track featuring Elysium.
      Strange to have two tracks on the PROMO but, this leads
      me to believe that there will be more than just the two
      tracks on the official release due later in the month.

      Like the other PROMOS it comes in a unique card sleeve
      with a photo of a Camden Cafe and in my opinion this
      one is the best sleeve yet!"

Thanks to www.nuttyboys.com for the info.

News just in from Simon Roberts is that a repeat of the 'Planet Rock'
profiles on Madness is to been shown on 'Tara' at 11pm tonight
(Sunday).

It includes an in-depth interview with Woody & Suggs during their
recent visit to Dublin.

Well worth a watch - so set the videos. I'm not sure how many people
can receive Tara (Irish Station) but its definitely on Sky Digital

Thanks to Simon for the info.

Many of you have taken Vince Carden up on his offer of a free copy
of his excellent Madness fanzine, `Madness Unsugged` with numerous
e-mails of praise being posted on the Total Madness Mailing List.
If you're one of those people who have been sent a promo copy of the
`zine, please send your comments back to Vince so he knows what you
think of his publication. You can drop Vince an e-mail at:
dripfedvin at yahoo.com

This week, Vince has been keeping himself busy by putting the final
touches to his next two Madness CD's - `Nutty Sounds` volumes 3 and
4. You can read more about these two releases elsewhere in this
issue.

Those of you taking part in the `Drip Fed Fred` promotion campaign
organised by a number of `Total Madness Mailing List` subscribers,
may like to know that an updated flier is now available. This may be
too late for those people who have run-off loads already, but you
may want to take a look anyway as the new flier has an updated
release date and cutting guidelines. For more information, please
get in touch with Simsey at: simesy.wimesy at currantbun.com

Get those diaries out and scribble in the following dates courtesy
of Mike Hearne and Adele Hargreaves.

February 9 Madrid - Musica Si TV (Johnny The Horse)
February 10 Madrid TVE 1 JTH Live Midnight
February 11th BBC Radio 3 @ 7pm (?) 30 mins live, 4 new songs, 2 old
February 18th  TFI Friday Drip Fed Fred
February 19th CD:UK (to be confirmed)
February 25th Suggs - A Question Of Pop

Now you've jotted that little lot down, you've no excuse for not
catching Madness at least once on the TV or radio sometmime this
month!

And finally, the release date for `Drip Fed Fred` has been altered
by Virgin Records. If all goes to plan, DFF should see the light
of day on Monday 28th February. Apparently the delay is due to
Virgin deciding to actually promote this single. Lets hope it gets
the chart position it deserves!!

Thanks to Nigel Ward for the information.

Onto this weeks' edition of the bulletin and we have a brief review
of Nutty Sounds 1 and 2 from Nahuel Foppoli, details from Virgin
regarding the re-vamped release of `Divine Madness` due to hit the
record stores sometime in March, fanzine information from Juliet
`Ska-Mad`, Suggs chatting about Ian Dury and The Blockheads, details
of the current stock of Madness goodies for sale on the Music Capital
website, and a review of the recent `events` that took place during
the airing of `Drip Fed Fred` on the BBC's `National Lottery Show`.

And with that, I'll let you get stuck in!

All the nutty best,

Robert Hazelby (MIS Online Editor)

[2] - NUTTY SOUNDS 1 AND 2

When, in 1986 I completed my Madness CD collection, I started to look
for new stuff only available on bootlegs, live concerts, rarities,
etc, but unfortunately I had no luck.  I ended up paying lots of
money to buy CDs such as "Madstock 2" with only 1 "new" song (Lola).

Well, thanks to Vincent Carden and the release of `Nutty Sounds`
volumes 1,2,3 and 4, my search was over.  I feel that I have wasted
my time during these years. Everything I was looking for, I found
on these CDs. How can it be possible that people can produce
something so good? It is really amazing the work they've done. It
makes things easier for people like myself who are not so close to
your reality (I mean, living in the UK).

Everything was really easy; I sent an e-mail 2 weeks ago and now I
have `Nutty Sounds`, here with me.... Unbelievable!!!.

Whilst trying to find songs such as "Perfect Place",  "Winter in
Wonderland", "Natural Act (of love)", etc, many of my English friends
told me that they were not interested in Bootleg CDs because they're
expensive and the quality of the sound is not as good as the price
suggests it should be. This is exactly what I meant when I said that
these Cd's I have now are better than any bootleg stuff.  The quality
is just perfect, the sound is perfectly clear, and you can hear the
voices just fine.

What else can I tell you about these great CD's?

Nutty sounds 1: All the historic Madness hits in extended versions
                and extended mix versions. Perfect for those who love
                to listen to "Our House" for hours on end.

Nutty sounds 2: Who wouldn't pay to listen to a Carl Smyth solo or
                Suggs doing covers of "Suedehead" and "I Should be
                so Lucky". Who wouldn't be curious about the
                Starvation band or the cover of "Tomorrow's Just
                Another day" by Elvis Costello.

Friends, D'you think that's it?  You're wrong...  The release of
`Nutty Sounds` 3 and 4 are just around the corner containing around
30 more new or rare tracks!!!

I'd like to publicly congratulate Vincent Carden on his outstanding
job.  I was amazed by these Cd's and I couldn't help thanking him
by sending extra money. I think there nothing else I have to say,
just take advantage of this great opportunity.

Let me finish by saying, how can it be possible that people like
these can produce something so well?

Nahuel Foppoli

[3] - DIVINE MADNESS 2000

Calling all Madness completists. Worried that after the release of
`Drip Fed Fred` you'll not have any Madness releases to look forward
to? Well, fear not, because come March, you'll have something else
to spend your heard-earned cash on.

Here's Virgin Records', Tom Wegg-prosser with some more information.

     "We here at Virgin Records are in the process of
      reworking Divine Madness for the 21st Century.
      Featuring entirely digitally re mastered tracks
      and new artwork this definitive madness
      re-release is scheduled for March 27th 2000.
      As I'm sure you know, the recent "Lot" Box set
      was also a re mastered affair, however the
      following singles were not featured in pure
      music form on "The Lot"
           - It Must Be Love
             Driving In My Car
             House Of Fun
             The Sun & The Rain
             Wings Of A Dove
             (Waiting For The) Ghost Train
      and thus this release represents the first
      time these tunes have been available in re mastered
      form.

      Tom

Now all we need is a DVD release of `Divine Madness` then we really
can die happy!

[4] - SKA MAD

This article will shortly be appearing in the `Fanzines` section of
the MIS Online website. In the meantime, you can find it here with
details of how to subscribe and just what features you can expect
to find in each issue of the zine. Issue 8 is out now and IN FULL
COLOUR!

   Editor: Juliet

   Ska-Mad established: 1994
   Contents: Madness, Madness tribute bands, ska bands and bands
             associated with Madness.

   Subscription Price: Issues are £2.50 each or £10.00 for 5 issues.

If you live outside UK please include extra postage costs of 20p per
issue ordered. Please pay by postal order or cheque - sterling
payable to Juliet Bulmer.  Sending cash not recommended, but if you
send cash we do not except responsibility for loss in the post.

     Madness are back and Ska-Mad would like to share the
     Wonderful fun with you.

     Ska-Mad started out as a letter in 1994, stopped, then
     re-appeared as a booklet in 1997.  Now in 2000 it has
     been updated to colour from issue 8 onwards.

     Ska-Mad is a fanzine of Madness and related music, so you
     will find reviews and information on Madness, Madness
     tribute bands, ska bands and people linked to Madness in
     some way, like Ian Dury.  The issues also include crosswords
     and puzzles usually provided by the readers, and gig lists.

To order issues or for more information please contact Juliet at

     Ska-Mad
     21 Altdam Farm,
     Park View Road,
     Salfords,
     Surrey,
     RH1 5DN England

E-mail juliet at Ska-Mad.freeserve.co.uk

[5] - SUGGS ON... IAN DURY AND THE BLOCKHEADS

Hi,

Taken from the London Evening Standard newspaper:

Suggs on... Ian Dury and the Blockheads

"I joined Madness a few years later than the others and they were
always talking about Kilburn And The High Roads, who played in a
Kentish Town pub, the Tally Ho.  Our sax player, Lee Thompson, got
me the album, Handsome, which was a huge influence.  Punk was the
prevalent musical force then but here was a band who had attitude,
yet also used saxophone and piano - all elements that later became
Madness.

We used to go and see them when they became the Blockheads.  When
we left 2-Tone we didn't want to sign to a major label and so Stiff
Records, which Ian Dury was on, was the obvious choice.  No matter
how successful you became, there are always people you remember who
had an impact before you made it - he was one of those, so we were
nervous about meeting him.

The Blockheads had a massive influence on us.  Ian's lyrical
quirkiness was a big factor.  We liked 'Razzle In My Pocket'
[flip-side of 'Sex And Drugs And Rock And Roll'] because it was
about stealing magazines from newsagents. 'Baggy Trousers', the first
song I ever wrote, was supposed to sound like Ian.  I liked all the
details he put in, and the aspects of ordinary London life.

We did a charity cancer thing for Ian which we were very happy about.
Our sound man has always worked with him, so he's the intermediary,
and our ex-manager now looks after him - strange coincidences.  He
sings a song, 'Drip Fred Fed', on our album, which Lee wrote.  Lee
was in an Amsterdam hotel foyer when Ian walked in.  It is a very
Ian Dury title but Lee didn't intend him to sing it, he just wrote
it with his voice in mind.  Lee gave him the demo and Ian thought
the title, because of his current predicament, was taking the piss.
He sang it anyway.

There's also talk of Madness contributing to an Ian Dury tribute
album. We've been doing 'My Old Man', one of our favourites.  So
that's in the pipeline.  When he plays at the Palladium there's
every chance we'll be on stage for a couple of numbers.  It will
be a pleasure."

Kindly typed up by Chris Byrne

[6] - IT'S MADNESS AT MUSIC CAPITAL

Taken from the `Music Capital` website at:
http://www.musiccapital.com and passed on to me by www.nuttyboys.com.

`Drip Fed Fred' is the second single from Madness' latest album
`Wonderful' and we've got it for just 11.99. If that wasn't enough,
check out the rest of our great Madness offers....

Madness
`Wonderful'
CD: 12.99 11.99

Madness are a British institution. They have been around for over
20 years and in that time released some of the most memorable songs
to ever hit the charts and have continued to maintain a huge fanbase
of all ages. Madstock, their annual festival in Finsbury Park, is
in its fifth year despite being conceived as a one off event -
impressive stuff indeed. They continue the legacy with their latest
release `Wonderful'. This, their tenth studio album, illustrates
perfectly why the band are still having hits. Kicking off with the
first single `Lovestruck', it's classic Madness all the way. Suggs'
trademark vocal style is as distinctive as ever as are the witty
lyrics and brass section, particularly on the forthcoming single
`Drip Fed Fred' - a real knees-up of a song featuring fellow Londoner
Ian Dury. If you're already a fan then this album will not disappoint
and if you're new to the band then this is a great introduction to
one of the most successful British bands of all time.

Madness
`Heavy Heavy Hits'
CD: 12.99 11.99

The ultimate hits album, they're all here on one disc. Who could
forget classics like `Baggy Trousers', `It Must Be Love' and
`Our House'? A fine example of the strength of their material which
perfectly illustrates why the band have remained so successful.
These nutty boys sure know how to write a tune. One listen and it's
guaranteed you'll be singing along in no time. Even if you haven't
heard them for a while, the songs are so familiar that you'll wonder
why you don't already own this great album. Now's your chance! You
can get the CD now for just 11.99 - just hit that `Buy It' button.

Madness
`The Lot'
CD: 22.99 21.99

Now this really is something special! `The Lot' is a box set that
contains all six of the bands studio albums - re mastered for the
first time. They have been specially packaged in three gatefold
cases and are accompanied by a 32 page booklet .And that's not all!
Each CD is enhanced with four Madness videos - making a total of 24
in all, that's EVERY promo video the band have ever made! And let's
face it, the boys have made some of the most memorable vids ever.
They certainly didn't bother with `filler' tracks on their albums
either as each song could have been a possible single, just check
out `Primrose Hill' and `Missing You'. All for just 21.99 making
this very hard to resist.

Postage and Packing adds just 1 pound on orders of any size. Please
allow three working days for UK delivery.

[7] - THEY'RE A MAD LOTT

>From today's (5th Feb) Matthew Wright column in The Mirror, Page 19,
under a picture of Suggs:

THEY'RE A MAD LOTT

The loony antics of bosses at the Beeb know no bounds.

I'm told the powers-that-be at The National Lottery Show had a number
of 'problems' with guest band Madness.

First, they wanted the nutty boys to drop the line: 'Will (sic) take
pity on your souls and only clap (sic) your knees,' when they played
their new single `Drip Fed Fred`.

Why? They decided, for some reason, that the lyrics supported the
IRA. Secondly, lead singer Suggs was rapped for waving some cash
around as it was deemed offensive to the poor.

The producers had a fit when sax player Lee Thompson strolled on
stage dressed as a bishop - he wasn't in costume at the dress
rehearsal. Madness indeed!

Thanks to Iain Mason for the typing.

[8] - NUTTY SOUNDS 3 AND 4 - NOW AVAIALBLE TO ORDER

Nutty Sounds 3 and 4 are now available to purchase. Both discs come
complete with rather nice covers (!) and here is the tracklisting:

NUTTY SOUNDS 3

1. SHOPAROUND (LIVE CIRCA '86)
2. OUR HOUSE (EXTENDED DANCE VERSION)
3. BLUE BEAT (WARP MIX)
4. MY GUY'S MAD AT ME (TRACEY "I'M NOT EVEN SLIGHTLY FUNNY" ULLMAN)
5. MADNESS (8/8/92) WITH PRINCE BUSTER
6. GREEN EYES (WITH JOOLS '95) SUGGS
7. OFF ON HOLIDAY (WITH JOOLS '95)SUGGS
8. TICKET TO (LIVE IN LONDON '93) NUTTY BOYS
9. NIGHTBOAT.... (BRIT AWARDS '93)
10.CAMDEN TOWN (LIVE RICKETY WHEEL) - SUGGS
11.BOY IN THE BOX (LIVE IN LONDON '93) - NUTTY BOYS
12.HOUSE OF FUN (JUNGLE VERSION) - SUGGS
13.STRAIGHT BANANA (DEMO VERSION) - SUGGS
14.MY OLD MAN (LIVE IN SHEFFIELD '99)
15.THE PRINCE (WUBBLE U MIX WITH DUBS)
16.ONE STEP BEYOND (RIP'S GET SAXY MIX)
17.ONE STEP BEYOND (RIP'S MAD SKA INSTRUMENTAL MIX)

NUTTY SOUNDS 4

1. OUR HOUSE (MADHOUSE INSTRUMENTAL DUB)
2. LISTEN TO YOUR FATHER (LIVE 24/11/85) WITH F. SHARKEY
3. PATIENCE - THE MADNESS
4. I'M ONLY SLEEPING (LIVE DANNY BAKER) - SUGGS
5. SAINTS AND SINNERS (DEMO - CRUNCH!)
6. MY GIRL (LIVE - DON'T FORGET YOUR TOOTHBRUSH '95) - SUGGS
7. MOONDANCE (LIVE IN BIRMINGHAM 12/92) - MADNESS
8. SUNSHINE BOYS (LIVE IN LONDON '93) - THE NUTTY BOYS
9. GOING SOLO (LIVE IN LONDON '93) - THE NUTTY BOYS
10.CULTURE VULTURE (MADSTOCK III)
11.IT MUST BE LOVE (ACOUSTIC LIVE '96) - SUGGS
12.BLACKBERRY WAY (LIVE BEN ELTON '98) - SUGGS
13.HOUSE OF FUN (LIVE NIGHT FEVER 31/12/98) - SUGGS WITH UTTER MADNESS
14.LOVESTRUCK (LIVE TFI FRIDAY)
15.THE PRINCE (WUBBLE U MIX NO DUBS)
16.ONE STEP BEYOND....(RIP'S MAD SKA RADIO MIX)
17.ONE STEP BEYOND....(RIP'S GET SAXY INSTRUMENTAL MIX).

Each disc costs 14 pounds + 2 pounds postage and packaging. If you
are ordering outside England or Ireland, please add an extra 2 pounds
on top of that.

The closing date for receiept of monies is 28th February. After this
date the orders will be sent out as they are being dealt with in
batches. Each disc is made on receipt of order, so please do not mail
me asking to keep you a copy.

Because the closing date is 28th February, you should receive your
disc(s) on or around March 10th.

Please leave 4-5 days for postage so that your money gets to me by
28th February.

Please make all cheques all payable to Vincent Carden.

My address is : Vincent Carden,
                5 Hudson Road,
                Glasthule,
                Dublin,
                Ireland (no postcode)

Vince Carden
Madness Unsugged

[9] - GOODNIGHT

That's it for another week. Hope you found something of interest.

Thanks to everyone who sent material for this week's edition of the
bulletin. Please keep it coming.

The latest edition of `Ska-Mad` arrived in my mailbox just the other
day, and although it arrived too late to review it for this weeks'
MIS Bulletin, if all goes to plan, you'll be able to read all about
it when next week's edition is released.

I've also had a couple of tapes in from Vince Foley and Vince Carden
in the form of last year's Electric Ballroom concert and `Nutty
Sounds 3 and 4`. Reviews of these should also be appearing in the
next edition of the bulletin if everything goes according to plan.

As usual, if you have ANYTHING you think may be of interest to
other Maddies out there, please send it my way and I'll make sure
it appears in the next MIS.

Until next week.

All the nutty best,

Robert Hazelby