This week Clive Langer appeared on Bug Bear’s Rock and Roll High School Radio Show on Shoreditch Radio. Amongst the chat he mentioned that he’s been asked to produce the next Madness album. Whether this ends up being the entire album or not is too early in the project to say for definite, he alluded, but he did confirm that he had been asked.

Clive also mentioned recently working with Suggs on some ideas and this comment didn’t necessarily sound as if it was related to this forthcoming Madness album. Perhaps we can look forward to a future of some separate destiny.

The radio appearance came ahead of his Clangeratti solo gig that took place this week at The Dublin Castle. This went down a storm, and was attended by a sizeable chunk of the Madness line-up. We’ll have more on that in next week’s issue.

You can hear the Radio show again in one of a few radio shows we link to for this week’s Sign of the Times section, including also, Live Lee Thompson tracks from Ronnie Scott’s club, an excellent chat with Woody all about the Seven era on Croydon Radio, and Suggs appearing on Radio 4’s loose ends show yesterday. As you can see, there’s plenty to listen back to if you can during the next few days.

This week Madness return to Europe. As usual, we ask that tf you get along to any shows please write in and let us know how it went.

In the meantime, enjoy this week’s issue,

Jonathan Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams

SHOWTIMES

See below for all forthcoming Madness and Madness related gigs and events. If there’s something we’ve missed off or you feel should be added then please let us know.

Madness

June 2014

June 27th Jiwapop Festival, Montcada, Barcelona, Spain http://www.jiwapop.com/
June 28th, Night in the Park, Den Haagm Netherlands, http://www.nightatthepark.nl/
June 29th, Tivoli Utrecht, Netherlands http://tivoli.nl/

July 2014

July 3rd, Vienna Arena, Austria
July 31st – 3rd August, Reggae Sun Festival, Bordeaux, France

August 2014

August 2nd, Suikerrock, Belgium
August 12th Mallorca Rocks
August 13th Ibiza Rocks
August 18th, Kubana Festival, Krasnodar, Vesolovka

November 2014

November 21st – 24th 2014 – Minehead – Earlybird tickets can be ordered here: http://www.bigweekends.com/splash-pages/madness2014.aspx

December 2014

All for the M.A.D.H.E.A.D Tour

Thursday 4th, Capital FM Arena, Nottingham
Friday 5th, Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Saturday 6th, Brighton Centre, Brighton, Matinee
Saturday 6th, Brighton Centre, Brighton * SOLD OUT *
Monday 8th, Plymouth Pavillions, Plymouth
Tuesday 9th, Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth Thursday 11th, First Direct Arena, Leeds
Friday 12th, Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Saturday 13th, LG Arena, The NEC, Birmingham
Monday 15th, Odyssey Arena, Belfast
Tuesday 16th, The O2 Dublin, Dublin
Thursday 18th, The SSE Hydro, Glasgow
Friday 19th, Phones 4u Arena, Manchester
Saturday 20th, The O2 Arena, London

Links to purchase tickets for the above tour can be found at: http://madness.seetickets.com/tour/madness/?pre=premad&src=madnesspre

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

The Magic Brothers

Magic Brother Friday Headline set:
November 14th.  The Big One 3.  Park Dean, Sandford Dorset.

The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra

June 2014

June 29th Glastonbury Festival

July 2014

July 12th Lewisham’s People Day – Free!
July18th Brixton Jamm, London. Tickets from Skiddle.com

July 26th Wickerman Festival

August 2014

August 31st, The Big Feastival, Alex James’ Farm, Cotswolds

October 2014

October 2nd, The Jazz Café, Camden Town

More festival dates to follow.

Ska Orchestra web site: www.ltso.mis-online.net

The Lee Thompson Ska Band

An appearance at the Boom town festival, Hampshire’s pop up city four day event begins on August 7th into the weekend.

Chinatown district is full of Ska and more bands this year, but we can confirm that this won’t be playing host to the Ska Orchestra

http://www.boomtownfair.co.uk/news/chinatown-district-line-up-released-199

The Silencerz (Featuring Lee Thompson)

July

July 6th Lee Thompson closes the Barnet Music Festival, at The Builders Arms

November 2014

16th November – Confirmed in the Sunday Lineup of bands at Specialized The Big One 3. In Dorset.

Lee will be doing a photo signing session too.

Deaf School

August

9th, The Islington, North London
10th, Rebellion Festival, Blackpool (SOLD OUT)

For details of future gigs keep an eye on http://deafschoolmusic.com for more information.

November

*** New *** Thursday 20 – Borderline, London
*** New *** Friday 21 – Trades Club, Hebden Bridge
*** New *** Saturday 22 – Academy, Manchester
*** New *** Sunday 23 – Floral Pavilion, New Brighton

Clangeratti

June 19th. Dublin Castle – Clive Langer’s new band featuring members of Deaf School.

BUY IT

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

The M.A.D.H.E.A.D Tour T-shirt – Get it now.

What does any self respecting Madhead wear? The only true fan clothing of choice right now is surely the brand new Madhead T-shirt. Available now at least five months ahead of the tour, this T-shirt is so NOW!

The brand new 2014 picture of all seven of the band next to their happiness machine and ready to bring joy. You can look stylish in it in a range of sizes, you can promote this summer, the forthcoming tour and help your heroes and of course in this day and age by buying the bands official clothing you are putting your money into the future new album project pot etc of the band who exist these days on their own self produced record label.

We’re very happy with this move to give out the T-shirt ahead of the tour as it makes so much sense to us. The T-shirt is relevant and current for a longer period of time for the fan.  Steer clear of knock off clothing and get the official Madhead T-shirt. Support your favourite band directly, like a true Madhead.

Available here… Via See Tickets and Madness.co.uk

http://tinyurl.com/nzy6ybm

SPECIALIZED: Mad Not Cancer. 4CD covers album for Teenage Cancer Trust – Pre-Order Now

Over 70 tracks. 4 CDs.  Cover versions of Madness by not just Ska bands but lots of young up and coming acts of many genres including a few famous pop stars and Bedders on one track, too. All for Teenage Cancer.

http://www.specializedproject.co.uk/#!shop/c1atu

The Suggs Selection.

The new compilation album of tunes chosen especially by Suggs.

It features one Madness track It must be love, and one solo track – So Tired. Alongside one self produced track The Farm’s – Stepping Stone.

The rest of the 60 track 3 CD album contains his own personal music joys.

Signed copies are available from record store.

http://www.recordstore.co.uk/recordstore/Signed/The-Suggs-Selection-Signed/3C6C02BP000

LTSO, Bangarang, Featuring Dawn Penn & Sharon Shannon

Out now.

itunes  http://tinyurl.com/p2bquak

Amazon http://tinyurl.com/pwg6du2

SIGN OF THE TIMES

A collection of articles that have caught our eye over the course of the past week or so.

The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra –  Live from Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club @ Robert Elm’s 20th Anniversary Show on BBC LONDON (Listen Again)

Celebrating a worthy party of Robert Elms having broadcast for 20 years now on GRL/BBC London radio. Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra performed live from Ronnie Scott’s legendary Jazz club.

Tunnel One.

Bangarang

Hello Josephine.

It’s a must listen again delight. Hear it here for the next week….

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p020k103

Woody on Croydon Radio – Listen Again.

http://www.croydonradio.com/podcast/show.php?HistoryID=07f9cdae-df27-49ad-8f22-4ef205bfce26

Part 2 Of the music of MADNESS! with special Woody (from Madness) and super fan Lynn Lawlor. This week we get to the 7 and Rise & Fall albums, featuring some tracks chosen by her guests!  Featuring Woody from Madness and long term fan Lynn Lawlor.

It’s really interesting to hear Woody talk about Missing you, and the drum rhythms. Paradiddle is our new favourite word Woody!!! An extensive Mid Madness era chat with Guest Lynn Lawlor and friend of MIS, who was around in the 80’s watching gigs at this point in time. Woody and Lynn choose the tracks played from the Seven era into the Rise and Fall era.

Playlist.  Grey Day, Memories, Shut Up, A Town with no name, Missing You, Tomorrow’s Dream, Promises Promises, Benny Bullfrog, Opium Eaters, It must be Love, Shadow on the house, Cardiac Arrest, In the City, Rise and Fall, house of fun, don’t look back, driving in my car, Sunday morning, our house, tomorrows just another day.

Clive Langer on Rock and Roll High School – Shoreditch Radio. – Madness music and more discussed.

“Clive Langer, the man who put the MMMMMMMM  into Madness.”

An entertaining and enlightening forum brimming with illuminated discourse and seriously good music. The arterial pulse of this show may well be British pop music institution Madness. Why? Here we have Mr Clive Langer, uber producer (Dexy’s, Teardrops, Morrissey etc) and songwriter, notably with the excellent 1970s Liverpool artpop cabaret swingers Deaf School, but lest we forget also the chap who co-wrote the peerless Shipbuilding with Elvis Costello for Robert Wyatt. His work with Madness is the very oolite of the post punk British pop bedrock. Plus Graham Lambert from Specialised (Fight Teenage Cancer) shines a light on Mad Not Cancer. Artists cover Madness- natch- to fill the coffers of a very deserving cause. Absolutely

Suggs on Loose Ends – Radio Four.

Suggs chats to Arthur Smith about his book That Close, now out in paperback.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0474xd3

Madness 10 of the best. Guardian Music blog.

http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/jun/18/madness-ska-10-of-the-best

Norton Folgate was a lesson in how ambition need not suffocate a band’s innate playful tunefulness, and, what’s more, how a band so rooted in the joyful anarchy of youth could glide successfully into maturity without losing the very qualities that made them precious. Perhaps the peak of the remarkable second act of Madness’ career (though last year’s Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da was also a keeper), Norton Folgate’s literate, lunatic sprawl was introduced by this 10-minute overture, a fine introduction to the larger body of work. If you ever loved a Madness tune (and shame on you if you haven’t), you need to hear it.

The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra – BBC Glastonbury Coverage

Expect Madness

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Formed by Lee Thompson, saxophonist for Madness, the Ska Orchestra was designed with the aims to entertain and celebrate reggae and ska. The group was pulled together in 2011 with the help of Madness bassist Mark Bedford.

Quite simply, the Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra was purpose built for festivals, with an always changing line-up bringing sunshine vibes on every stage they step on. In 2013, the band released their debut album, The Benevolence Of Sister Mary Ignatius, and marked the occasion with a UK tour and a performance on Later… with Jools Holland.

At the 2012 Olympic closing ceremony, you may have seen Lee suspended in mid-air in a kilt with sax in hand. While we can’t promise that for Worthy Farm, we’re sure the levels of entertainment will run it pretty close.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/errnc8/acts/abf4wh

SPECIALIZED 3 – MAD NOT CANCER FOUR DISC PREVEIWS – PRE-ORDER NOW

The third Specialized album “Specialized 3 – Mad Not Cancer” is moving closer to being released and is available to pre-order now.

The actual release date for the album is still being finalised but is expected to be around the end of June, early July at the latest. The 4CD’s are Mastered.

The artwork is being finalised.

The album weighs in at a whopping great 4 CD’s, which gets you over 70 covers of Madness tracks by bands/artists from all corners of the globe and runs to over 4 hours of music!! All proceeds will go to Teenage Cancer Trust for whom the Specialized project has raised over £50,000 in just over 18 months – this year looks set to blow the doors off!!

Get in with those pre-orders fast though, the CD package is limited edition and will sell out quickly.

Priced at £15.99 plus postage you can pre-order at the following link:

http://www.specializedproject.co.uk/#!shop/c1atu

DISC ONE PREVIEW – http://youtu.be/H385Yhv7u9k

DISC TWO PREVIEW – http://youtu.be/OcEePjTthmc

DISC THREE PREVIEW – http://youtu.be/4PnxwPcm67o

DISC FOUR PREVIEW – http://youtu.be/xjpf7ygQgZs

For a list of artists/songs go here:

http://www.specializedproject.co.uk/#!artists/c1qyc

For any information relating to Specialized generally you can go to any of the following:

Web: http://www.specializedproject.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/specialized3madnotcancer

Twitter: @specializeduk1

LIVE AND INTENSIFIED

The Silencerz Live at The Dublin Castle – Father’s Day Afternoon

Slightly hung over, in drowned sorrows from the disappointment of England’s first world cup football match the night before, myself and Darren West venture to celebrate instead a different team of heroes today, Lee Thompson’s pub band 11 in it’s latest formation line up under the new team name “The Silencerz”.  We’ve been reviewing this particular Daley fronted incarnation under names like Lee Thompson Band, The Bee Band or The Reverend Green since Barnet Music festival last year.  Lee has a longer history of solo covers bands stretching back over a decade and a half now, and he’s been even longer than that a complete band whore, going back even further than we have previously documented it turns out…

…as I meet Thommo in the pub and reunite him with Robert Smith from The Skiff Skatt’s today. This is a band Lee performed in, in the mid 80’s alongside his time in Madness, a band that featured John Hasler in it’s regular line up too. We all chat about the old line ups Lee has been in and some old 80’s gigs stories to much amusement as tales often are when told with Lee in pubs. Robert was there to offer Lee a musical idea today, and he was also meeting us at MIS for a future article about The Skiff Skatt’s that we will be detailing in a forthcoming issue. Lynn Lawlor was equally delighted to see an old 80’s veteran turn up to witness todays gig, having followed The Skiff Skatt’s around in the 80’s.

So why the name The Silencerz ?   Well it’s a cool hit man styled title for the band (the stylized silent sleeping Z to differentiate from another similar named long running Scottish band), and a new title that can hopefully remove the confusion that previous titles were causing some punters, as Lee’s solo bands continue to splinter and multiply this year it seems (he’s got 4 on the go!)    I suspect he’s trying to keep his Dublin Castle Sunday shows (and there will likely be more, this one having been a success) as a separate and distinct thing from the Ska Orchestra’s Camden Jazz Café Appearance too later this year up the road.

Myself and Darren W sit down with Lynn and Sharon, and share a drink with singer Haiki  who is returning for this gig.  She has worked with Thommo on her forthcoming solo album out this year on PMX music.

Message to you Rudi. (Studio Version Video)

And it’s fun chatting to her, I let slip the news that Darren replaced Haiki on stage at the bands last gig at The Black Horse and she finds this so amusing she vows to share the stage with him at Todays gigs.  The Silencerz’s debut though under the name was actually Last Night in Barnet at the White Lion it turns out, a gig we missed hearing about.

The atmosphere at The Dublin Castle was rather brilliant once we all woke up fittingly to the first Ian Dury cover of “Wake up and make love.”   We did  wake up and have a great time loving the great music.  The addition of Message to you Rudy to the set made this 26 songs for 7quid. Smashing the Enfield gig for length of entertainment. Outstanding value for money, and a gig you could travel home from without the need to rush. Just amazingly good.  The gig was performed in two sets.   The running order was a little more rejigged from The Enfield gig.

Wake Up and Make Love

Hey Bulldog

Itchining in My Heart

Sunny Afternoon

In My Life

The Prince

No Lights (On The Christmas Tree Mother)

Stuck In The Middle With You

Wonderful One

Lola

Swan Lake

Clever Trevor

These Boots Are Made For Walking

Monkberry Moon Delight

My Girl

—

Midnight Rider

One Step Beyond

No No No

Message to you Rudy

Freedom Street

Fu Man Chu

Mother & Child Reunion

Bangarang

Hello Josephine

More Than Fair

Soon You’ll Be Gone

The rock power and sound levels though entertained majestically, this matched with a relaxed happy and full crowd on the Sunday afternoon and a nice mix of people made for a cool danceable time with out any sense of urgency, it was all very right on the button really. Thommo particularly happy mooded on stage. The banter between Father and Son for Father’s day made for the most perfect team up I’ve seen the two do together, reaching banter levels of a double act rather than disjointed leadership of some previous gigs. A present Lee had said he had got for Daley was jokingly then inserted into his saxophone blocking the instrument, in a mimed out comedic routine.

Most of the Benevolence of Sister Mary Ignatius related songs were in the second set and Haiki joined for most of the second set, performing again on No No No, the lyrical parts of Bangarang, and more etc. She did indeed drag Darren up for No No No as well, mainly in the role of her second vocalist and for a dance, this made Lee leave the stage!  entirely this time so any stage push was avoided! Darren respectfully letting Haiki perform most of the song, knowing young talent when he sees it, and the guitarist even gave him a thank you on the microphone as he departed and Thommo returned to the stage with a mocking handshake turned thumb to the nose.

It was a great sing a long day too. Particularly the Kink’s tracks were well received as well as of course a few of the Madness related tracks. My Girl was amusingly introduced by telling the tale of Mike Barson having recently checked out this band, and Thommo described Mike’s face as that of sucking a Lemon, when this band played that particular tune!

A joke about a sausage was told to much amusement, it’s far too dirty to repeat in these pages though so you’ll just have to go to a gig wont you! More than fair, is a song played near the end of the set and Lee scans the crowd for anyone underage incase the lyrics are too hot for an afternoon.

Daley’s Vocals on Freedom Street is the track that is staying with me the most since the gig, I find myself occasionally singing or humming that tune now, it’s sinking in as a newly noticed favourite.  Monkberry Moon Delight though is still my highlight, a barked and cherished McCartney number.  Fellow beatles fan Sharon was delighted to finally get to hear this track done by Lee too, after previously being told about it.  Like hey bulldog and no lights there are certain songs that really vocally suit not just singing but a “Performed Character” and these are track Lee Excel’s at.

The Silencerz are now well placed to storm The Big One Specialized at Dorset in November. Get along to that one, if you can travel or if you are in the west of England.   Next stop is the builders arms to close the Barnet music festival in July, one year on from their initial local formation as a band in this mode.

If this was the sound of Silence then I definitely want to hear more.

Jonathan Young

Monkberry Moon Delight

In November 2005 we reviewed a band called The Camden Cowboys, featuring Lee, Woody and Bedders playing for charity. It was the first time I had heard Lee cover Paul McCartney’s Monkberry Moon Delight song from the RAM album.  It was just one of those tunes that suited lee. Sung, Barked and performed eccentrically. Nine years later I’ve finally managed to capture the song on a video. Here it is. Raise a glass of Monkberry Moon Delight to the inimitable Mr Thompson.

Monkberry Moon Delight – http://youtu.be/86bAJQPSiwM

Jonathan Young

TWEETS OF A DOVE

Various posts from Facebook and Twitter that have caught our eye over the past week or so.

@SuggsMcpherson

“Ray Davies: I’m still waiting to get the call to do another vocal on Waterloo Sunset. I went to his first ever solo show.”

“The highly collectible Suggs selection CD. Wot fun, I feel another trip up that there attic!”

@cBoyForeman

“Just saw Clive Langer rock out the Dublin Castle. Much more fun than the football..CB”

“Really sad news. Rik Mayall 1958-2014.”

PAUL RODGERS’ STATS, FACTS & FIGURES

This arrived just a little too late for inclusion in last week’s issue, but we couldn’t let all his efforts go to waste, so here it is, albeit slightly delayed…

Welcome to your bonus buy Madness chart special special. Following the success of Suggs’ compilation album the week before last I totally forgot to look at the other charts. Had I done so I’d have realised that Total Madness had zoomed up the indie albums chart to number 19 from number 41 and that Ultimate Madness had re-entered the same chart at number 46.

The full charts arriving on Thursday before last, saw Total Madness re-enter the albums chart at number 108 for its 39th week in the top 200.

This week’s charts see even better news all round. Suggs’ album rises to number 3 on the compilations chart in its second week. Total Madness re-enters the top 100 at number 94 (in its 21st week in the top 100) which is its highest chart position since it was number 93 on 6 October 2012. In the indie album chart it rises to number 14. Meanwhile Ultimate Madness soars to number 23, giving it a chance of appearing in the main top 200 for the first time since it was number 189 on 8 September 2012.

Finally I doubt Jon Young would be pleased if I closed this report without mentioning that the late Rik Mayall has achieved his first posthumous number one with his 4 year old football single Noble England reaching the top spot in the indie singles chart last week and number 7 in the main singles chart.

That’s your lot for now….

Paul Rodgers.

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 529 – Sunday 21st June – Saturday 27th June 2009

It was all-change today, as we bade a fond farewell to Lee ‘Looby’  Buckley, who had been helping to co-edit the MIS for the past couple of years.

Looby had done an absolutely fantastic job on the MIS team, but with also working as a very active member of Madness Central, she’d been finding it difficult to find time for both. So, she decided to leave the MIS team to concentrate with her Madness Central projects.

With Jonathan and Looby both leaving, the MIS the editorial team was looking much smaller in size. However, we had little time to worry, as this week Paul Muscat and Liz Maher both kindly stepped-up, and become the newest additions to the MIS roster.

In this week’s articles we reported back from AEG, who were kind enough to provide fans with an update on their Madstock 5 tickets. Apparently tickets had been posted out only a day or so earlier, and those with gold wristbands would be receiving theirs some time after the 29th of June when AEG were hoping to take delivery of them.

The campaign to give Madness a Brit Award continued this week as we noticed a Facebook group dedicated to the cause had now been set up. Although started for a bit of fun maintainer Jamie Feeley reported that it had now reached almost 500 members. Very impressive for such a short time active.

In a transcript from the This Is London web site the publication reported on the Camden Crawl, and Busking With Cancer, which now reached its third birthday, and whose organizers were hoping to raise £100,000 in the coming week.

Book news next, and we gave readers a heads-up on Disappearing London, a new book from Suggs, which was due to hit stores on the 20th August. Spanning 320 pages, the hardcover book saw Suggs taking us on a journey through the main drags and side streets of his beloved London town, uncovering the city’s hidden treasures as he went.

Elsewhere we featured another transcript, and this time it was from the Evening News 24 web site who were covering the recent Norfolk Showground gig. The review was a glowing one, and the only grumble was that it was over all too quickly.

In chart news Paul Rodgers entertained us with another one of his famous reports, and reported that Dust Devil had dropped from 8th to 10th position on the Independent charts, and that The Liberty of Norton Folgate had finally dipped out of the Irish charts.

Between the 16th and the 18th of June, the band crossed the channel, and took part in a number of radio interviews, as well as a small private concert. Always on the ball, the Skanews guys and gals were kind enough to provide us all with links galore, so you had no excuse to miss what went on over in France.

Finally, we brought this issue to a close wit the news that someone had made an almighty cock-up which was then posted to bargain web site Hot UK Deals. What was the mistake? Someone had accidentally priced the digital version of Complete Madness for a mere 29p! It turned out this was a pricing error, with Complete and other non Madness albums selling at a vastly reduced price for a short time.

10 years ago…

Issue 267 – Sunday 20th June – Saturday 26th June 2004

We knew it was too good to be true. Following week after week where masses of news items came our way, things took a rather more sedate turn, with the flood transformed to a trickle.

Naturally, this drop in news was reflected in the issue, which was certainly a lot shorter than ones of recent weeks and months.

Still, not wanting to disappoint, we managed to trawl the various news sources, digging out anything we could find.

News in from Andy Clayden reported that the Costello/Madness version of Tomorrow`s Just Another Day was to be included on the new re-issued 2CD version of Elvis` Goodbye Cruel World album. The release date was set for July 27th in the UK, and a week earlier in the US.

We had no doubt that the hardcore collectors subscribed to the MIS already had this on download.

Continuing on the subject of re-releases, and Chas Smash told us (via his official forum over at chassmash.com), that;

“We will be recording the covers album this year. That is, Acts of God aside a definite”.

As we all know, this album of covers would eventually become The Dangermen Sessions.

Elsewhere in the issue, co-editor, Jonathan Young reported on Suggs’ brief appearance in TV Show “Celebrity Class”, which showed how the idea of a celebrity in the UK has evolved since the end of the Second World War.

It featured many a famous commentator, from those famous from the 60’s up to present day celebs, including Eric Clapton and Badly Drawn Boy. The show studied topics from 60’s beat boom music through punk to pop idol, identifying the social trends and attitudes changing along the way.

Suggs’ comments appeared in a section of the show talking about the 60’s and how pop groups like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were mixing with upper class people like Princess Margaret, for the first time as they became famous and the cult of celebrity began to be of interest to the English upper class.

Following on from comments made by Brett Anderson of Suede, Suggs spoke about how working class lads had an escape route from inevitable dead end factory jobs into pop music for the first time. He described it as an escape from a world of “Iron filings, dust, soot and broom bristles.”

Later in a section about fame today and the likes of shows like Big Brother, Suggs commented:  “Everyone wants fame now they stick their heads above the parapet for five minutes because they want to be told yes you exist and you are special.”

With Madness news thin on the ground we decided it was about time we ran another lowdown on forthcoming gigs from Madness tribute bands.

Titled “Mimicks of Madness”, this article gave gig dates for One Step Behind, Los Palmas 6, 1 Step Below, and Ultimate Madness.

With so many dates listed, you’d have to live in a really remote part of the UK to have difficulty in attending at least one performance.

15 years ago…

Issue 5 – Sunday 20th June – Saturday 26th June 1999

The proposed August concerts were getting ever closer by the week, and yet we were still sat waiting for the tickets to finally go on sale.

We’d since heard from a reliable source that the talks and arrangements for the two shows (we’d discovered the band would NOT be doing a week’s worth!) were still going ahead so hopefully it wouldn’t be too long before we knew if the concerts were going ahead or not.

Bedders also found time to drop us a quick update this week, with the following;

“First up is that `Lovestruck` will be released  on Monday 26th July and will be available in three different formats. These are, cassette single, CD single, and enhanced CD single (this will be of most interest to you PC buffs out there). Both CD versions should include two b-sides.

London’s Capital FM and Virgin Radio are both airing `Lovestruck` throughout the day, so this is the place where you can hear it before the single hits the streets”.

In last week’s MIS Bulletin we included an album track-by-track listing which had originally appeared on the TMML a few week’s beforehand. TMML Co-maintainer, Steve Bringe, had since been in touch to explain that the list was now a little out of date and that Culture Vulture would not be on the album. This was confirmed by Bedders in his recent mail.

Mark also told us that the track ‘Remembering Oh So Clear’, which was listed for the new album in the TMML post is a track which he says he doesn’t know of.

At the moment the album was pencilled in to be an 11 track release. 14 tracks had been recorded and the band were still trying to decide which 3 tracks would not be making it onto the album.

As for the album title, `Runaway Train` did not seem to be in the running for selection. The lads had come up with four album titles but couldn’t decide which one to use. We weren’t able to tell you which ones were listed for possible selection as Mark said he would have to kill us etc.

All being well, the album was planned to be released on or around the 4th of October (give or take a week either side).

Moving away from album coverage and onto the rumoured internet chat the lads were meant to be holding on the day of the first single release. Mark tells us that 3 members of the band will be online, but at this moment in time it is not known which members would take part.

Articles in this week’s issue included a comprehensive review from subscriber Stuart Howie, who gave us a track by track lowdown on the recently released bootleg ‘Nutty Sounds Volumes 1 and 2’. Featuring such tracks as ‘Perfect Place’, ‘Alligator With a Stanley Knife’, and many more, this was something that die hard Madness fans couldn’t afford to be without.

With those of us on dial-up, or extremely slow broadband connections, the best way to distribute recordings was still via the traditional postal network. So, with the recent ‘Total Madness’ Radio 2 broadcast going down so well with the fans, a number of kind people were offering UK and US based Madness fans ways in which they could purchase a CD recording of the show at cost price. What nice people.

Rob Hazelby

THE MAD HEADER! – Group Rounds Begin (Prizes to be Won)

“The Mad Header!”   Yes, It’s time again to ask the question, “What’s the best Mad album?”

Previously Absolutely won the title in 2006 in head tohHead album voting.  But now in 2014 can one of the new albums take the title?  Can Folgate take the title as so beloved by the broadsheet press as album of their career. Or can one of the other albums make a comeback in fans eyes?

The Grand Stand Stadium over at “All Things Madness” which is hosting the voting has swelled to over 13,000 members.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/249838181711283/

GROUP RESULTS IN FULL

Well all the solo album are out of the competition. Proving you cant beat the main team. Wonderful and Seven have also gone the way of English football team and are going home early. Its Now 8 Madness albums for the quarter finals. Great prizes if you donate or preorder the specialized album. Which of these deserve to enter the top four Madness albums of all time for The Finals in the head to head battles in the Madheader music competition. Vote now in the pinned post at ALL THINGS MADNESS.

Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da  has already claimed it’s place in the Semi Finals by beating off the Dangermen.

Next up now Absolutely is facing Mad Not Mad. Then it’s One Step Beyond Vs Rise and Fall followed by Norton Folgate Vs Keep Moving voting this week.

Which 4 can make in through.  Your vote will secure the top 4 Madness albums.  Semi finals is when it gets really serious and the prize get well worth winning.

PRIZE WINNERS AND PRIZES

Judge Fredd was announced First winner. Winning a vintage Peel Sessions CD, and a brand new Crunch! polo shirt, thanks to Swanny runner of the Crunch! facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/crunchbandofficial

Fredd is now Joined by Natalie FitzGerald, Winning a vintage My Old Man Promo CD for Fathers days. Kevin Filsell Winning a unique Alan Flynn designed Madness Clock.

With a further winner of a Magic  Brothers T-shirt of choice thanks to the Magic Brothers themselves, goes to Robert Wardlaw.

8 more prizes are due to be given away. Be a voter and preorder the album to be in with a chance of winning.

http://www.magicbrothers.com/all-music-and-merchandise/

We can now announce that the prize for the grand final match, will be an impressive bundle of Specialized items, Paul Willo has announced.

While Darren Jones has a separate prize draw added into the finals.

THE SPECIALIZED CUP PRIZE. 1LP 2CD 1DVD 2EP 2 Singles, & 5 Downloads. + 4 Badges. [Specialized LP – (Specials Covers white vinyl album) – Beat Teenage Cancer CD Album. – The Big one 2 Live at Sandford DVD. – The ska vinyl EP – The non ska vinyl ep – Dave Wakeling Red New version of Mirror in the bathroom vinyl single – Ranking Roger new version of two swords Red vinyl single – 2tone stars red vinyl single – Specialive- download of concert – plus vari…ous download specialized singles – Prayer- nick welsh – it must be love- sanna Pekonen – andy keys clark- skank for England/king Hammond- Friday night satirday morning (punch n judy mix) badges x 4 (difff designs) Plus a New sealed copy of Suggs Selection 3cd album by Suggs Music company to Specialized.

Final prizes.  That Close Hardback – Signed by Suggs.  Signed Drum Sticks from Woody. Madstock Vintage Madness football shirt.  Suggs Selection CD’s

Unique Madness Deisgn Clocks, Signed Magic Brothers Album. Sealed NW5 German CD and More. A chance to win a Vintage hard to get THE MADNESS CD

MATCH FEES

With our focus on Specialized for Teenage Cancer this year, prize draws require a Pre-order/buy The Specialized – Mad Not Cancer Album.

To enter the prize draw, though voting is free and open to all to take part. Or we will be asking you to just bung us a few quid in match fees sponsorship into the back of the net here, particularly in the finals when the prizes reach Trophy level.

https://www.justgiving.com/misthemadcharts

F*ck Football!  Let’s Dance. As the Mad Header continues!

And our thanks to Musical Madheads, Warren Moyle,  Hazel Foster, Alan Flynn, Monika Cooper, & Geo Adam, Darren Jones,  Maria Ashe, Clare Marshall.

Jonathan F Young

TIME…

It’s that regular section where just before we sign-off for the week we shoe-horn in a final few bits and pieces that we couldn’t really fit anywhere else.

This week we spoke briefly with Chrissy Boy on the subject of his involvement with Gorgeous George.

Chris said of the band…

“I was put in touch with the band via an old mate [Noel Watson]. I met them last summer, then eventually we went into a rehearsal studio and I re arranged a few of the songs then we recorded them earlier this year and I think the new single “Girls Night Out” is Now available.

This is a previous single which I really like. I like a lot of their songs, really.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgtJbZ0Zq2Y”

Next, and a week today The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestera play Glastonbury, from 17.30 to 18.30 on the West Holts stage.  It’s worth watching the BBC online service here and on the iplayer, as they are recording acts on this stage, and may broadcast online a full set or some of the stage on one of it’s four online full broadcast channels.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/errnc8

If you are actually at Glastonbury it’s worth noting the news Darren Dixon has put up, that the band will be signing their album in the arranged signing area around this time on Sunday, before or after their set. Have a great gig boys.

And finally, we’d like to pass on our best wishes and congratulations to Madness fans Suggsylia and Richard Pountney who tie the knot later today. They’ve certainly picked the weather for it, and we wish them all the very best in their future lives together. Keep it nutty!

Until next week, take care,

Jon Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams

(With thanks to Paul Rodgers Mark Adamson and Lynn Lawlor)