Evening all,

We’re a third of the way through November now, meaning Christmas is only just around the corner. If friends or relatives are asking you what you’d like and you’re struggling to think of gifts to suggest then why not check out the Buy It section of this week’s issue?

With a selection of books and albums listed in that section there’s surely something there that you’d be pleased to receive on Christmas morning. Go on – have a look!

Taking place much closer to today than Christmas is what is now becoming the annual Madness Weekender in Minehead. Although much of the line-up and guests have changed little since the very first Weekender we’re certain that those of you who are going will have a fantastic time.

With part of the MIS team reporting directly from the event and the remainder poised in front of their keyboards you can be sure that the weekend’s issue will go out without delay, and will feature the most up-to-date news from the Weekender possible. So, if you’re one of the many Madness fans not attending then don’t panic. We’ll do our best to bring you as much coverage from there as we can.

Enjoy the read,

Jon Young, Liz Hazelby, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts

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

November 22nd – 25th House Of Fun Weekender, Minehead, UK

December 31st – Dublin – www.nyedublin.ie

For tickets see links via: www.madness.co.uk

Suggs Live

Suggs My Life Story, the West End of London December Run.

http://www.nimaxtheatres.com/garrick-theatre/suggs_my_life_story_in_words_and_music

December 1st     – Garrick Theatre, London’s West End.
December 8th     – Garrick Theatre, London’s West End.
December 15th  – Garrick Theatre, London’s West End.
December 22nd  – Garrick Theatre, London’s West End.

April 2014

2nd – Newbury Corn Exchange
3rd – Loughborough Town Hall
4th – Wakefield Theatre Royal
5th – Southport The Atkinson Theatre
6th – Runcorn The Brindley
8th – Mansfield Palace Theatre
9th – Stamford Corn Exchange
11th – Isle of Wight Shaklin Theatre
12th – Aldershot Princes Hall
13th – Wimborne Tivoli Theatre
15th – Bury St Edmonds The Apex
16th – Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall
17th – Stroud Subscription Rooms
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
16th – Leamington Royal Spa Centre
17th – Jersey Opera House

The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra

No further gigs at present. Keep an eye on: www.ltso.mis-online.net

Deaf School

No further gigs or events at present. Keep an eye on http://deafschoolmusic.com for more information.

BUY IT

If money’s currently burning a hole in your pocket then perhaps we can help with your dilemma.

*** NEW *** LTSO, Bangarang, Featuring Dawn Penn

Single release date December 16th.

The Magic Line Album * Out Now! *

Signed T-shirt packages and a deluxe edition.

http://www.magicbrothers.com/topspin-store/all/

A range of Magic Brothers T-shirts, Polo Shirts are now available to buy.

The CD album is available via Amazon and the download via iTunes contains an interview with Phil Jupitus talking to Woody about the album.  But if you buy the album via the official band site you can choose a signed option or bundle.

If you’ve a spare £75 and are really into the magic, then there are 25 packs going fast that include all of this….

The Magic Line Collectors Pack – Limited Edition of 25 includes; The Magic Line Signed CD Album. The Magic Line Digital Download. The Magic Line T Shirt. Woodys Drumsticks Signed. Nicks Guitar Paick Signed. Copy of Album Lyrics. “Thank You” Phone Call From Woody & Nick.

Our thanks go to Paul Smart for the above

The Liberty Of Norton Folgate – Reissue on Salvo

This edition is retailing at just over £5.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Liberty-Of-Norton-Folgate/dp/B00DB51OTM/ref=ntt_mus_dp_dpt_1

Suggs “The Close” Signed Book

Suggs is one of pop music’s most enduring and likeable figures. Written with the assured style and wit of a natural raconteur, this hugely entertaining and insightful autobiography takes you from his colourful early life on a North London council estate, through the heady early days of Punk and 2-Tone, to the eighties, where Madness became the biggest selling singles band of the decade. Along the way he tells you what it’s like to grow up in sixties Soho, go globetrotting with your best mates, to make a dead pigeon fly and cause an earthquake in Finsbury Park.

Suggs is a singer, songwriter, DJ, actor and TV presenter. He is perhaps best known as lead singer with Madness, who have had 24 top-twenty hits and continue to tour. Suggs lives in Camden, London.

– Features unseen and exclusive lyrics.
- 352 pages.
- Hardback.

http://www.recordstore.co.uk/search.html?term=suggs

Louis Vause – Midnight in Havana

“Oh dear. I’m alive..!” Pianist Louis Vause has always said that his albums are “Gouged out of him by circumstance” but his third album ‘Midnight In Havana’really is a case in point.

Recorded as a valedictory set, a swansong if you like, after he was told that the onset of cancer meant that he had mere months to live, the completion of the work coincided with his liver transplant and the all clear. He was in the pink. The same could not be said for his credit cards which had covered Louis’ uncharacteristically cavalier spending on recording costs.

http://www.cadizmusic.com/2007/index.php?location=/web/Catalogue/CADIZCD119

Mark Adamson of the Deaf School Website gives us an exclusive quote or two from Suggs, on the forthcoming Deaf School Book.

Deaf School – the story is told at last!

“For me, the gigs Deaf School have done recently have been some of the best I’ve seen by any band.”

So writes Suggs in his foreword to a book, published this month amid a flurry of Deaf School gigs and other Book Launch events, charting the creation and career of a band that influenced so many artists that followed – and that still fills venues 40 years after their debut at the Liverpool School of Art Christmas Dance.

Deaf School had a huge impact on Madness (Suggs: “Back in my youth I met some characters who were a right bunch, but what we had in common was that we loved Deaf School.”) – not least, of course, because guitarist Clive Langer’s became Madness producer and because Suggs married Deaf School singer Bette Bright!

Written by leading rock music writer, author and broadcaster Paul du Noyer, a lifetime Deaf School fan, Deaf School: The Non-Stop Pop Art Punk Rock Party, is published later this month by the Liverpool University Press, priced at £14.99. Accompanying the publication of the book is a Deaf School exhibition, featuring original art works by band members, posters, photos, rare films of live performances, band stage costumes and much more.

The book is available from Deaf School’s website at www.deafschoolmusic.com

MIS FEATURE

Mark Bedford’s Tuba Exam for Children in Crossfire

Some months ago I was asked by fellow musician, Jo Watt, to take part in the Grade-One-a-thon and raise money for Children in Crossfire. It’s where musicians learn an instrument that they have never played before and then take an ABRSM Grade One exam. I chose the tuba!

It’s been a great experience: sometimes I’ve been amazed at making such a sweet sound and sometimes depressed by making such an unholy racket (my neighbours have been very understanding). Most of all, by starting from scratch again, it’s made me look at making music in a different way.

My exam is on December 6th, 2013.

Pass or fail, I hope to raise some money for Children in Crossfire and the outstanding work they do, mainly in Africa, in promoting early childhood care and development. (www.childrenincrossfire.org/home).

Any donation is gratefully received and much appreciated.

I’ll keep you updated along the way – I’m now off to practise.

Thanks for your support,

Mark Bedford.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

http://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Bedford-tuba

SIGN OF THE TIMES

Sir Tom Jones, Madness for BBC Children in Need Rocks Concert

Published Thursday, Nov 7th 2013

Source: Digital Spy

“Sir Tom Jones and Madness will perform at this year’s BBC Children in Need Rocks concert.

The annual show is curated by Gary Barlow and will this year take place at London’s Hammersmith Apollo on November 12 and 13.”

Full article: http://bit.ly/1ftu3H7

For tickets: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01hfnst/profiles/rocks2013tickets

Radcliffe and Maconie

Published: Friday, Nov 8th 2013

Source: BBC 6 Music

“Madness frontman Suggs on his new autobiography That Close”

Link to show on iPlayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03ftk8f

Suggs Doesn’t Regret Madness Split

Published: Sunday, Nov 10th 2013

Source: Belfast Telegraph.co.uk

“Madness frontman Suggs says it was a good thing that the band split up when they did.”

Full article: http://bit.ly/HOkQ0P

The Magic Brothers Interview – Sunrise Sky News 9th November 2013

Thanks go to Dicka for the upload.

Glastonbury: The Complete History of The Festival

Source: Chris Carter-Pegg / Emma Southerby

Earlier this year we were asked to write about Madness’s performance at Glastonbury in 1986 for a new book that was being written about the festival. We submitted quite a long review including setting the scene about festival, Maradona’s hand of god (the infamous match coincided with their set) and the author of this new Glastonbury book liked it so much that he’s published the whole thing word for word plus various pictures which we supplied, taking up a massive 4 pages in the book – twice the amount of space given to any other band, include Bowie, who has been given just one page, Paul McC who has been given just one paragraph and Coldplay who are merely mentioned in a few footnotes !!!

Anyone reading the book would think that Madness are the most important band to have ever played the festival! [Of course they would be right ] Only a few years ago Madness getting this sort of high profile exposure would be a small miracle, but after the Buck House roof performance its now more or less expected!

The new book is available on Amazon…

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Glastonbury-Complete-Festival-John-Bailey/dp/0857042173/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383130087&sr=1-1&keywords=Glastonbury

…but at £16 unless you’re also a big Glasto fan (to whom I would say rush out now and buy a copy) you may simply want to read what we’ve written here for free:

http://retro-madness.co.uk/glasto.php

Chris & Emma x

Review of Goodbye Planet Earth (plus lyrics)

Source: Shannan Mcbride

This song is probably one of if not the most honest and truthful songs I have ever heard.

It’s by Cáthal Mo Chroí which for those of you who don’t know is actually the name Carl Smyth is using for his solo work, In Irish it breaks down as “Cathal, My heart” personally I think he is trying to say “This is me where as Chas is Madness” and to be honest, I don’t think that’s a bad thing, everybody needs a break and to try different things at different times, it’s what he enjoys.

As for the song “goodbye planet earth” (which Smyth performed recently at the No.^ festival along with John Duddell and the No.6 Ensemble. Put simply it is a work of art, the closest thing I have heard to it would be  that of Andre Rieu (Violinist of a classical genre) in a sense of the path Carl has chosen to take.

It’s so soft but yet grabs you with Smyth’s honesty, it’s a real smack in the mouth for me but it’s one I’d happily take over and over again and not retaliate.

“Half the planet’s burning, we humans we’re all learning the world is leaking oil and dad has gone”. This can be taken either way. Sadly Carl lost his father some years ago so he could be either talking about this or the unfortunate split with his wife and it could be a message to his children.

It’s a song about the national mess of the world, about how loosing people is so unfair.

“Goodbye planet earth”, this could be Carl’s way of saying so-long to days of old when everyone knew everyone and there was no such thing as Facebook and Twitter etc. (Scary-times!) and the generation he grew up with and learned to love was quickly changing

It’s a ripping yet gripping track that you can’t help but rewind over and over again due to how much of a connection it makes as well a its relevance, an amazing track you must check it out if you already haven’t

Goodbye Planet Earth

(Verse) Half the planet’s burning, we humans we’re all learning the world is leaking oil and dad has gone.

Tomorrow we’ll go looking for the sun.

I see ash clouds over head, I hear Rumours of some dead, for some time now we thought the end has come.

What the hell d’you think is really going on?.

Across Japan’s great nation, they’ve got the radiation and sadly now there’s nowhere left to run.

I hope there’s room on board for everyone.

(Chorus)            Ohh..Ohh..Ohhh.. Goodbye Planet earth

Ohh..Ohh..Oh… Goodbye …Planet earth.

(Verse) The icecap it is melting, the troops they have been sent in

And mother earth is crying out in pain.

My brother’s they are dying off again

Children they run screaming, as their sister’s lie there bleeding, when all they ever wanted was to live.

Now they’ve nothing left at all that they can give

(Chorus)            Ohh..Ohh..Oh goodbye Planet earth

Ohh..Ohh..Oh… Goodbye …Planet earth.

(Verse) The arc is way up high I can see it in the sky and just then all the lucky ones turned away

They’re so happy and relieved they’ve been saved

They’re flying into space to find another place and just then mother earth it starts to crack.

I don’t think that they’re ever coming back

(Chorus)            Ohh..Ohh..Oh goodbye Planet earth

Ohh..Ohh..Oh… Goodbye …Planet earth.

(Outro)                        Ohh..Ohh..Oh goodbye

Ohh..Ohh..Oh… Goodbye …Planet earth.

Shannan Mcbride

Suggs and Woody, Soccer AM, 9th November 2013

Uploaded by Dicka.

LIVE INTENSIFIED

The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra Halloween Gig

There can be various reasons for enjoying yourself. Be it meeting up with a mate you haven’t seen for a while, having a few drinks, the dj the spinning some of your favourite ska tunes alongside some more brilliant obscure ones, the crowd anticipation of a band, or maybe it’s just the 2 or 3 pints of Gladness. When these elements come together you just know you could be about to witness something very special indeed.

So having been to the Dublin Castle catching up with my pal, we get into the Camden Jazz Café around half 8. The crowd are already buzzing, being entertained by cracking slabs of vinyl that are spinning non-stop for the next hour until the Ska Orchestra finally arrive on stage, bang on 9.30pm. The band are all in place, then Lee makes his way down the steps to the stage and as it’s Hallowe’en what else would you expect other than him to be dressed in full pirate attire. He’s got a zany, colourful tunic, eye patch, pirate hat and he looks like Captain Pugwash on acid. Oh and he’s wearing a blatantly ill-fitting wig. The man is a legend, the crowd are in raptures and he hasn’t even done anything yet!

“Why are pirates called pirates?” Lee asks the crowd, “Cos they arrrrre”. The old ones are the oldest, Lee!

“Let’s start with G-G-G-G-Gun’s Fever” is Lee’s prompt for the magic that LTSO bring to kickstart this audio visual evening of entertainment. The band are slicker than ever, this being the 4th time I’ve seen them. Throughout the evening Bedders combines intense concentration looking at his faithful bass, alongside lengthy grins. He’s in his element, enjoying everything that these old tunes offer. Both the keyboardists are on the top of their game. “Get your organ out!”, Lee barks at one point to his faithful tinkling twosome. The drumming holds the band together and the brass section are as usual playing superbly.

I get to hear Four Winds again and it fits in very well with the set. A number of tunes get extended treatment tonight – a bit of dub reverb is applied to both Bangarang and Mission Impossible as well as bringing the sound right down before blasting with a full on finish.

For the 3rd gig I’ve attending 2 weeks, Mike Barson is in attendance, standing nearby to me. Each time I notice him, he is looking on observing in his usual unnassuming way. I’m wondering if he’s making mental notes of appreciation of what this magnificent band has to offer. Our standpoint is nearer the brass section with the keyboardists on the other side. Clearly, Mike is not threatened by these two competant and highly talented pianists!!

Back to the non-stop frenzied show and we have our 1st guest of the night. Yes, we’ve got Bitty McLean and he sings 2 tunes for us tonight firstly, Midnight Rider. He then states “Yes, it’s for Mister Desmond Dekker” then Bitty delivers a silky, slick, soulful falsetto delivery of Fu Man Chu. He’s loving it, so is Darren Fordham movin’ and a groovin’ throughout, as well as Lee’s son Daley, in admiration of the song they also sing so well and as Daley says, he loves so much. Daley is smartly suited tonight and wearing eyeliner and heavy black make up for an eccentric twist on Hallowe’en. Like Father, Like Son.

The show continues apace and later we are introduced to another star guest. Ladies and gentlemen, Dawn Penn. She sings Bangarang before Lee’s prompts of “Yes, Yes, Yes”. Dawn has a lovely voice and sings a perfect No, No, No much to the delight of the crowd singing back every word of the chorus!!!! Later we are introduced to Jake who will be playing trombone at the Komedia gig the next night.

The show has been absolutely brilliant. I’ve been to hundreds of gigs: most memorably Oasis at Le Palais in December 1994 before they got big; The Cure at Wembley Arena in July 1989 on the hottest day of that year, Hugh Cornwell’s last tour with The Stranglers at Brixton in February and March 1990 and my 2 favourites which will surely never be bettered, both Finsbury Park Madstock events in August 1992. I can now add The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra, Thursday 31st October 2013 into my selection of best ever gigs.

As soon as the band are off stage, I notice a punter has got a small set list as a souvenir. Gutted. But wait! On the far side of the stage someone else has gathered 2, maybe 3 set lists and he’s now lying on the stage stretching to reach the further set list near to the now empty keyboard area. By the time I’ve briskly walked on stage he’s just got there first. “I’ll have that one mate!” I say to him “Here you are then” he obliges. “Cheers mate”. The things I do for an MIS gig review!  :o)

I make my way back to my mate with a fully laminated set list the size of a newspaper. It’s not tonights playing order however I’ve replicated it at the end of this review, word-for-word the predominantly typed out list as it gives a little insight into how the band operate with their added liner notes.

I stay for a post gig drink. I speak to Daley saying how brilliant the band were tonight. I thank DJ Darren Bennett and his female DJ colleague for their great set. I’m now ready to leave and as I turn back I see a gentleman carrying his bass guitar over his shoulder.

“Mark…Bedders…you’re one of my heroes. I love Madness and you played great tonight. Can you sign my gig ticket please?”. “Thankyou. Yeah of course I can”. He signs it ‘Best Wishes Bedders M’. What a great end to a fantastic gig!

The (acquired) Set List (word-for-word). Note = Many Rivers not played; No No No not listed. The set list here is not in the order of tonights gig!

L.T.S.O menu

F       Guns Fever              Bridge Bb/Eb/C Slow build end

Eb      Hot Reggae (Wah)        C/E/F/F# x4 GGGGG… Tequila after solo Eb tag

Eb      Bangarang               1 4 5 1 {Fm Eb Fm Eb Fmaj Bb Fmaj Bb} end on Eb

2 bar piano solo then dub drop out

Am      Fu Man Chu              Comes in on the 4

AbmMission Impossible   solo echo’d shit ‘n all right down low and back in

Eb      Four Winds              Fats Domino

Eb      Heatwave                1 4 1 5 4 1 End has turn arounds

G Solo AFTER LEE’S WAILING SOLO

Bb      Sit Down and Wonder     Live fade and stab on the Bb

Chorus Bb…. Bb…. F…. F…. Bb…. Bb….

Bb      Hello Josephine         End goes FULL swing

G       Napoleon Solo           G/G/C x2 D DD   1/4 End 2x D DD

F       Ali Baba                {F/Eb x2}  1 4 1 1 4 1 {Eb/Fx2}

{F/Eb x2} x4 after first solo 4th drop out for me.

G       Soul Serenade           1 and 4   C and F  D… C… Bb…  C and F

F       Eastern Std Time        111141 Dm 151 {F/Eb F/Eb}

C       Soooon Ya’ll b off      Solo over Chorus stops!! Endish

Use Al Green 6ths on the C!!

G       Broadway Jungle Stab on G sharp stop end

Ab      Midnight Rider          B/C#/E/F# . F#/f#/ Ab x2

D       Many Riverrrrs          D C Bm Am G AAAAA

Daren West

I REMEMBER WAY BACK WHEN

This week, MIS co-editor Rob Hazelby, goes back 5 years to issue 497, and the week of Sunday 9th November to Saturday 15th November 2008, and then back 10 years to issue 235 and the week of Sunday 9th November to Saturday 15th November 2003.

5 years ago…

Issue 497 – Sunday 9th November to Saturday 15th November 2008

We began with part of the MIS team finding himself sadly lacking in sleep, as he was awoken from his slumber by a phone call at around 1:30am.

In a rather drunken state, two MIS subscribers decided to phone up one of the editorial team, and proceed to drunkenly sing the unreleased classic “Perfect Place”, down the line.

We could only assume that what they’d been drinking was pretty potent stuff, as they also wished the recipient of the call a “Happy New Year”. Most odd.

On to the articles, and we began with the news that the Arlington House  project was facing a handover of the historic building and a probe into its landlord. The enquiry came on the heels of the revelation that landloard Novas Scarman planned to sell the hostel on Arlington Road.

Next, it was a slightly non Madness related article, as we published forthcoming UK and European tour dates for dirty reggae favourites the LA based Aggrolites. The Euro tour would kick off on the 12th of November in Newcastle, and finish on the 28th of November in Moscow.

Moving on, and news reached us earlier this week revealing that long running music duo, The Pet Shop Boys, would be presented with an Outstanding Contribution to Music award at the following year’s Brits.

Like many of us, MIS subscriber Chris Carter-Pegg was none too impressed with Madness once again being snubbed when it came to being recognized for their achievements. So much so that he decided to knock up an email and send it to the organisers.

Elsewhere we had a review of the recent Damaged Goods gig, courtesy of Jonathan Young, and we brought the issue to a close with the news that Bristol Madness tribute act 1 Step Below had changed their name to NUTTYnes to avoid confusion between themselves and One Step Behind.

10 years ago…

Issue 235 – Sunday 9th November to Saturday 15th November 2003

After a few weeks where we had very few small snippets for our intro, it was nice to see that things had made a dramatic turn and we were once again blessed with tiny nuggets of Madness info.

News from MIS subscriber John Thorpe was that Carl had left his ‘Mean Country’ DJ job. Here’s what John had to say;

“I telephoned the company up a few days ago and some woman from receptionist training school informed me that he has ‘left our organisation’.

For the past few weeks his slot has had nobody replace him at all”.

News for the collectors out there was that a promo version of the recently released ‘Madness Singles Box Set’ was now doing the rounds. Featuring al the tracks from the forthcoming box set, split on to 2 CDs, the discs were stored in plastic wallets, with basic track listing info written on to white card inserts.

Elsewhere in the issue we decided to take a look at Dancing Stage Fever for the PlayStation 2. Well, it turned out that Konami’s latest offering featured the classic Madness track ‘One Step Beyond’.

Not only that, but for Eighties fans tracks by Dexy’s Midnight Runners and Squeeze were also on the disc.

Here’s Jonathan;

“I haven’t tried it myself but for all the Madness fans reading that don’t own a PS2      I’ll let you into a secret. The same effect can probably be achieved with a copy of Divine Madness on DVD, 3 cans of white lightning cider and the play mat from a      Twister board game”.

Next up we had some Suggs news, as we discovered that our favourite front man had collaborated with the legendary Jools Holland on his third big band album. The track in question was non other than ‘Jack ‘o The Green’.

Moving on, and there was a cryptic message behind Lee’s door over on the official Madness web site, which read as follows;

“Next Offering – Desperately seeking someone to film next Madness video. If you know of anyone point them in our direction & we would be forever grateful. Must not       have anything to do with the f*ckin’ record industry.

Pay good if on ‘Rock n’Roll’ but not if – A stinkin’ student ponce.xL”

We finished off this week’s issue with a heads-up to warn people that DVD-R copies of the film ‘Dance Craze’, featuring Madness, were doing the rounds on ebay. With an official DVD of the film yet to see the light of day we advised people to avoid these knock offs.

Rob Hazelby

TIME…

That’s just about it for the week.

Before we go we’d just like to remind you to visit Bedders’ Just Giving page and making a donation towards his fundraising efforts.

Currently Mark is on a very respectable £565, but we know that with your help he can raise a whole lot more.

For more information and to make a donation, go to:

https://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Bedford-tuba

Until next week, take care,

Simon Roberts, Jon Young, Liz Hazelby, Rob Hazelby

(with thanks to Emma Southerby, Chris Carter-Pegg, Daren West)