Madness Information Service Online Newsletter Issue Number: 807 – Sunday 26th October to Saturday 1st November 2014
“New Madheads for old!” comes the loud cry into your inboxes.
The 35th anniversary version of the One Step Beyond album took us back three and a half decades last week, especially with all those recently uncovered rehearsal song downloads from 1979. This week we zoom back to the present with the public re-emergence of Madness in the UK for the first time in nearly a year. Suggs, Mike, Bedders, Lee, (with a little help from Ska Orchestra’s drummer Mez) performed an acoustic set of tunes on Radio Two’ Chris Evans Show.
The group unveiled in session, a brand new track, “The Last Rag and Bone Man”.
Here’s our video tribute version….
The Last Rag and Bone Man (Chris Evans Session)
Now, read on for all this week’s Mad News.
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
November 2014
November 21st – 24th 2014 – Minehead – Last places on sale (4 person plus) 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 Silencerz (Featuring Lee Thompson)
November 2014
November 8th – Hertford Corn Exchange. 39 Fore St. Herts. SG14 1AL With support. The Skammers.
November 16th – Confirmed in the Sunday Lineup of bands at Specialized The Big One 3. In Dorset.
Lee will also be doing a photo signing session.
Suggs
March 2015
12th March – An Evening With Suggs and Friends, in aid of Pancreatic Cancer UK. Held at The Emirates Stadium. At £160 a ticket we’re not sure if many MIS readers will be attending! http://www.thegigcompany.org/events/pcuk2015/
Near Jazz Experience
November
November 4th – NEAR JAZZ EXPERIENCE + support & guest DJ set – Indo 133 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1DT *Free*
Deaf School
November
Thursday 20 November, The Borderline, London
Friday 21 November, Academy, Manchester
Saturday 22 November, Trades, Hebden Bridge
Sunday 23 November, Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton
BUY IT
If money’s currently burning a hole in your pocket then perhaps we can help with your dilemma.
Madness – One Step Beyond 35th Anniversary edition CD.
You can now order the new edition of One Step Beyond 35th Anniversary, from Salvo Sound & Vision:
This Anniversary edition has been digitally re-mastered from the original 1⁄4 inch tapes by Tim Turan, and comes with recently unearthed rehearsal recordings from 1979, including two songs that have never appeared anywhere before. “Lost my head” and “Sunshine Voice”. It’s also very interesting to see Absolutely album track “You Said” on the rehearsal tape and Grey Day B-side “Memories” as well as hearing versions of tracks that made the album some 5 months before the debut LP was recorded.
Hear previews of these tracks, and help yourself to a free download. You can even re-name the album, creating pictures you can share with people. Visit the mini site to do all this: http://www.madness.co.uk/one-step-beyond-35/
There is a DVD of videos and Top of the Pops/Old Grey Whistle Test appearances, that includes the Young Guns documentary, and a 24 page booklet that speaks to Clive, Alan and Chris about the album.
FAB TOONES EXTRA APRIL 1979 Rehearsal DOWNLOADS
iTunes Exclusive Tracks. – There’s Always Something There to Remind Me. Shop Around.
Amazon.co.uk Exclusive Tracks. – Swan Lake. Rockin in Ab.
Madness.co.uk Exclusive Free Downloads. Madness. My Mates.
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! 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.
Available here… Via See Tickets and Madness.co.uk
Cathal Smyth – A Comfortable Man – Limited Vinyl
Numbered 1 to 1000, this is a limited edition vinyl of “A Comfortable Man”, with a download code for the mp3 album. Available end of September from Cathal’s website. The album will also be available from Amazon and iTunes soon.
SPECIALIZED: Mad Not Cancer. 4CD covers album for Teenage Cancer Trust
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.specialized-project.co.uk/#!shop/c1atu (remove hyphen from URL)
*New Book* BE STIFF. The Stiff Records Story. Richard Balls.
Product ID: ISBN_978-0957570061
£16.99 New (see below for press release)
SIGN OF THE TIMES
Madness Session on Chris Evans – Radio 2
Talking about the forthcoming MADHEAD tour, Suggs, Mike, Bedders, and Lee (with dep drummer Mez) performed a session for Chris Evans live on Radio 2.
The band performed two classics, a Dangermen returning tune for House of Fun, and a brand new song.
My Girl
Embarrassment
The Last Rag and Bone Man
You Keep Me Hanging on.
They joked that The House of Fun weekender was sold out, but checking online there are still a few 4-places left.
Suggs mocked the weather presenter on the show for not knowing the weather after years of investment and spoke about the new Madness beers.
Chris Evans, a long time supporter, confessed he had never seen the band in concert, whilst trying to persuade Suggs to appear at Carfest.
Of the new song, Suggs said he wrote it a couple of years ago, and they were talking about doing a new recording, to promote the new tour.
You can listen again to the interview here… around the last 45 minute mark.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04kslcm
You can grab the session over at Madness Bootlegs run by Scot Lightfoot.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/531420560298637
Lee Thompson was pictured on the BBC2 website as planking – asleep upon the studio’s grand piano.
Wilko Johnson is ‘cancer free’
Wilko Johnson announced he is cancer free at the Q Awards today (22.10.14).
The legendary guitarist was presented with the Icon Award at the ceremony held at the Grosvenor House hotel in London and told the crowd during his acceptance speech that he has been ”cured” of terminal pancreatic cancer after undergoing radical surgery in April.
Upon being presented with his award by Madness singer Suggs, the 67-year-old star said: ”It’s been an extraordinary couple of years. At the beginning of last year I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I had about two months to live.”
http://www.tv3.ie/entertainment_article.php?locID=1.803.810&article=148932
”So I had an 11-hour operation and they took this tumour out of me, it weighed three kilos, that’s the size of a baby, I was carrying it on stage every night. They got it all and cured me, so thank you Addenbrooke’s. I spent several weeks in hospital and I remember people telling me, ‘The Roger Daltrey album is doing really well.’ But I missed all that! A few weeks ago, I came home and I’m hoping to regain my strength completely soon and get back on the road. If there’s a moral to this story it’s that you never know what can happen.”
The Return of Gladness
“Madness they call it Gladness! Say cheers with our new craft lager,” Announced the beers facebook page. Now in a new bottle
design reflecting the Madness Brewing Company logo. The beer is back available in Tesco’s Suggs mentioned on Radio 2.
https://www.faceboo1k.com/MadnessBrewingCo
At Last, The Full Story Of The World’s Most Flexible Record Label
Started in 1976 by maverick music entrepreneurs Jake Riviera and Dave Robinson, Stiff tore up the rulebook and changed the landscape of a moribund record industry.
Stiff were amazing marketeers, with their wealth of slogans (most famously “If It Ain’t Stiff, It Ain’t Worth A Fuck”), use of coloured vinyl and different packaging for the same records, appealing to the completest market. Riviera left Stiff in 1977, but Robinson carried on, signing Madness and The Pogues amongst others. The label went spectacularly bust in 1987, but was resurrected in 2006 by Trevor Horn’s ZTT operation, and is still going strong to this day. Stiff has kindly allowed us to use the legendary logo, plus badges and other memorabilia. In addition, the book features some rare and previously unseen photos – with ex-Stiff press officer Nigel Dick sharing some from his personal collection, which will delight the label’s army of fans.
Richard Balls (author of the bestselling Sex & Drugs & Rock ‘N’ Roll: The Life of Ian Dury,Omnibus Press) interviewed over 50 people who were there at the time – both record company staff and artists. Rat Scabies, Lene Lovich, Jona Lewie, Graham Parker, Shane MacGowan, Larry Wallis, Wreckless Eric and many more, help trace the highs and lows of this revolutionary record label, where there was never a dull moment. Their stories are, by turns, funny, moving and shed light on what life was like at a small record label that was trying to carve out its own niche on limited funds.
As a fun tribute to the marketing genius of Stiff, Soundcheck Books will be publishing the book with five different limited edition coloured covers.
Nutty Bar Weddings
WEDDINGS at The Nutty Bar!! As rumoured by Suggsy on Friday, we are pleased to announce that The Reverend Toon shall be Marrying any Madness fans out there who wish to tie the knot in Sunny Marbella on The Costa Del Sol when we reopen in December!
The Rev, lead singer extraordinaire and all round showman with the fabulous Looney Toonz Band is a certified Humanist Minister who is authorised to conduct all types of ceremonies on the same stage where 2Tone legends, Lee Thompson, Rhoda Dakar and most recently the inimitable King Hammond graced us with their presence! Guaranteed to be “The Nuttiest Wedding In Town!” where The Rev and his band shall not only play “It Must Be Love” for the happy couple to serenade each other on the dance floor but also put a set together of Ska and Reggae classics for all your guests to party to into the early hours of the morning!
Wandsworth Harry.
MIS PRESENTS…
In just three weeks time MIS will begin our weekender connector tour. As we head off to DJ, The Big One 3 Specialized: Mad Not Cancer Weekender, and then on to The House of Fun weekender, with our Mad Chart Show. See you there, if you are attending either, come and say hello to us.
You can vote which songs become the TOP 40 in the MAD CHART’S presented rundown at the weekenders by voting you top 40 here.
http://www.opinionstage.com/polls/2205126 Voting closes in 1 week.
We are just £28 off our target for raising £1k this year for Specialized. If you can help with a few last quid.
http://www.opinionstage.com/polls/2205126
This week, there was more news posted by our bands who are appearing at Jaks Bar Sunday Night with us at The House Of Fun Weekender.
Tony Bass posted about The Inflatables…
“As I’m sure you will know The Inflatables will be playing HOF weekend, Sunday night in Jaks. We will be playing a mix of your favorite Ska tunes, with 35 years of 2Tone being the main theme. Tell us your fav songs,Non Madness,we will do our very best to include the most requested ones. Look forward to your selections.”
Posted in All thing Madness group.
Ray Gudge Posted about Swagga….
A mix of new track Bully in a Monkey Suit went up. For a day. And Ray asked about recording the video for his single at The House of Fun event. “I’m looking to make a proper video & need 3 lunatics to dress up in boiler suits & monkey masks (which I have) & be filmed horsing around House Of Fun Weekender, climbing trees, dancing etc etc etc. Who’s up for it?”
Darren Fordham posted about Reece….
“What will Reece be bringing to The House of Fun weekender? Classic hits from the likes of…The Jam, The Police, The Clash, The Zutons, The Killers, Squeeze, and of course a Madness track, as well as a couple of our own originals. Jaks bar Sunday at 7pm”
While we are pleased to announce long term fan Harry Wandsworth will be joining us presenting The Mad Chart Show.
Along with myself and regulars Mr Scruf, And Owen Collins, with short Specialized DJ sets. Harry will help us make Jaks a truly Nutty Bar on the Sunday night, and may well be bringing The Reverend Toon along for a guest appearance.
Jonathan Young
MIS FEATURE – THE LAST RAG AND BONE MAN
(McPherson/Barson) (Copyright Control)
A brown fedora on the side of his head
And interesting metals brass, copper and lead
Colombian cigar, always on the go
He scoured the streets, high and low
Pushing his cart sometimes 15 mile a day
Round Kentish Town up Highgate way
Woah Woah he calls, ringing an old school bell
But the words he’s shouting, nobody can tell
Lucky his terrier, like a figurehead
Up the front of the cart, red hanky round her head
As Alf sails his ship of precious goods,
Up hill and dale through your neighbourhood
Anything unwanted, almost anything will do
But if it’s a nice piece, you might get a cigar too.
Woah woah, ding ding, he’s coming up your road
The cart loaded with everything from chairs to an old commode
With a nice bit of spode
A radiator ascot, he’ll take the awkward things.
A bucket, an easel, a set of gas rings
Rusty lawnmower, a pair of bulls horns,
Then he’s off down the scrap yard to make a bit of corn
He knows all your business
Everything you do
Who’s going where
And who’s seeing who
Who’s not well
Everyone’s afflictions
He knows more than the council about the parking restrictions
Spends ever day pounding the street
In the freezing cold and the baking heat
The only time off, he ever sees,
Is when he’s down at Newmarket betting on the GG’s
He looked like an OX,
Skipped like a flea
He pushed that old cart like a busy bumble bee
But now he’s gone
I swear I still can.
Hear the ghost of the last rag and bone man
But now he’s gone
I swear I still can.
Hear the ghost of the last rag and bone man
The last rag and bone man
The very last rag and bone man
*Spode is a type of English pottery.
Camden Rag and Bond Man Passes Away (From MIS 430 – 2007)
During his ‘Disappearing London’ show, Suggs highlighted the small number of rag and bone men still left in London, and he spoke at the time with local Camden character Alf, about his life and the job.
Sadly, this week Alf lost his recent battle with cancer
Celebrity tributes as much-loved character of the streets dies.
OUTSIDE the house in Kentish Town, a green handcart half-loaded with scrap sits on the road, a poignant reminder of the life and times of the man who once lived there.
Alf Masterson, one of London’s last rag-and-bone men, lost his battle with cancer on Saturday and died peacefully in the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead with his sister, Valerie, by his side. He was a few weeks short of his 64th birthday.
The old-fashioned “totter” had pounded the streets of Camden for more than 50 years with his wooden handcart, bell and faithful Jack Russell terrier in tow, becoming a familiar, and much-loved sight to many in the borough.
Among those paying tribute to him this week were former Madness frontman Suggs, the journalist and broadcaster Joan Bakewell, and David Bailey, who photographed him for the Guardian last year.
Speaking on the phone from Italy, Suggs, who described the news as a tragedy, said: “He was a really tremendous person. I met him when he used to come down my road. I gave him my old wardrobe and he used to leave me cigars. He was a bright spark, a really inspiring person in this world of blandness.”
His daughter, Siobhan, who had visited him regularly in the hospice with brother Damian and mum Phyllis, said her father had kept his sense of humour to the end. She said: “That meant a lot to us. He had been in a lot of pain but on the day he died, he said he wasn’t in pain for the first time”.
She added: “Dad had the time of day for everyone – for the poor people and the homeless on the streets. “He’d go and make them a sandwich and mix with them. He would also be mixing with the rich and famous. But he never forgot where he came from. He always kept his feet firmly on the ground.”
Her brother Damian said: “He always loved his job even though he’d been doing it for 50 years. He fulfilled a lot of his dreams and ambitions.”
Alf will be cremated at Golder’s Green Crematorium on Tuesday, with a convoy starting from his home in Montpelier Grove, Kentish Town.
Camden New Journal / Jonathan Young
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 547 – Sunday 25th October – Saturday 31st October 2009
We weren’t sure if we we’re gifted with some strange type of sixth sense, but even before we learned of Morrissey’s poor health (which half of the MIS team witnessed first hand!) on Saturday night, we’d already chosen our first article for this issue.
If you’d ever wanted to know what the whole Madstock / Morrissey incident was like from the eyes and ears of a Mozza fan, then you’d want to give this issue read. It certainly shed new light on one of Madness’ most famous gigs.
On the subject of Morrissey, fans of the ex-Smiths singer were no doubt pleased to learn that he was now out of hospital, and although he had to cancel a forthcoming date or two, he hoped to be back on stage towards the end of the week.
Elsewhere Paul Rodgers once again graced us with his writing talents with yet another of his brilliant chart lowdown articles. This week Total Madness slipped to number 36 in the album charts, and was a non mover at number 3 in the indie charts.
Over in Chris’ cupboard Chris was asked if any tracks penciled in for the follow up to the Mad Not Mad album were completed and if they’d see the light of day.
Chris responded by saying;
“Some of the songs ended up on ‘The Madness’. Gabriels Horn, Be Good Boy, Song In Red and 11th Hour were recorded at this time, then re recorded.
If I can find them, they should see the light of day. I think they were really good versions, with Mark and Woody playing on them”
Next, it was over to another Chris – Chris Carter-Pegg, who explained that following him unknowingly being put forward by a number of other Madness fans, a Madness Special in the December 2009 issue of Record Collector Magazine grew by an extra 4 pages thanks to last minute typing writing/typing work by Chris. Chris even managed to get a full-page Norton Folgate DIY advert into the magazine, which had been kindly snapped by his wife, Emma.
We brought this issue to a close with the news that we’d been approached by a representative of ticket trading web site Viagogo, asking us to link to their site from the MIS.
Offering a service of “Real tickets for real fans”, it was basically a site where ‘fans’ could buy and sell tickets. We say ‘fans’, but it was quite clearly a site where those who got in early attempted to fleece proper fans dying to see their favourite band on stage.
Tickets for the forthcoming Madness tour were all listed, and the prices were absolutely laughable. If you thought the £90.40 for a single ticket to Bournemouth was bad enough, once you’d added the fees, handling and VAT it came to a whopping £112.88!
We advised you to wallets, and give sites like this a miss.
10 years ago…
Issue number 285 – Sunday 24th October to Saturday 30th October 2004
Just to be different we decided to start off this issue with some non-Madness news, as we felt that many of our subscribers wouldn’t be aware that Neville Staples had just released a solo album called ‘The Rude Boy Returns’. Teletext described the album as “joyous and bouncy”, or at least words to that effect. Another album to add to the collection, perhaps?
On to Madness related news, and rather exciting news at that. Tour Madness editor, Jermaine, contacted us to say that it was nearing completion, and he was just saving up for the ink cartridges so he could print it out and send over a copy. If all went to plan he expected to send it to us around mid December.
It didn’t really tell us anything we didn’t already know, but Graham Whitfield felt it was something a little different. What are we referring to? Well, the Sun newspaper (dated 20th October 04) featured a short article concerning Madness’ name change to The Dangermen. What got Graham’s attention was that it was the first article he’d seen that wasn’t highly critical or mocking of an “Eighties” band working today.
Every two years Record Collector Magazine produces a price guide book. The latest edition, “The Rare Record price guide 2006”, had been released and was valid up until winter 2006 year as their official guide to the record market.
This new edition aimed to list ever UK release with the following exceptions. Singles below 5 pounds in value, EP’s below 7 pounds in value, CD singles below 8 pounds in value, LP’s below 10 pound in value and CD albums below 15 pounds in value. Values stated were for mint condition. If you couldn’t see a Madness record in the list it must have been priced less than these amounts or was not a UK issue.
High priced items in this list included the Absolutely LP in the 1st edition sleeve for £30, and a whopping £350 for the Tomorrow’s Just Another Day test pressing on pink & blue vinyl! Only serious collectors needed to apply!
And on the subject of serious collectors, this issue featured an item that really was one for serious Madness collectors – A Madness fruit machine! Fully working and as good as new, this was a major Madness collectors item, and it was up for sale!
We finished off this week’s issue with news in from Graham Whitfield who reported that the latest Walkers Crisps TV commercial featured (yet again!) ex-footballer Gary Lineker, but legendary Madness track “One Step Beyond”. It was a shame the band members themselves failed to make an appearance.
15 years ago…
Issue number 23 – Sunday 24th October to Saturday 30th October 1999
After much shuffling of release dates the Madness fanbase was expecting to get its hands on the new single, Johnny The Horse, on Monday the 18th of December. However, that was not to be.
Many ventured off to their local music stores on the Monday, in an effort to get their hands on the latest Madness release, but quickly discovered that it was nowhere to be found.
Speaking to a member of staff at the Bristol Virgin Megastore (remember them?), we were told that it wouldn’t be released on the 18th, and that they thought it had now been put back to Monday the 8th of November. However, with all the release date changes, they admitted that they weren’t 100% sure either.
It seemed that the ever-changing release dates had confused the music retail industry as much as the Madness fanbase.
The ever-helpful Carl Smyth was quick to keep the fans posted, and announced that “Johhny The Horse” would be released on Monday the 25th, with “Wonderful” final hitting music store shelves on Monday the 1st of November. We decided to keep our fingers crossed, hoping that this would be the last of the changes.
More release news – this time from Suggsylia and Chris Carter-Pegg, both revealing that the Madstock 4 concert was now available to buy.
A quick wander down to our local Virgin Megastore saw racks of videos but not a single copy of the DVD release. We advised those who had decided to upgrade to the recently released DVD format to hold out for the disc release.
With two Madness releases just around the corner this last week saw the Mads appear on both ITV and BBC breakfast TV slots where the forthcoming single, Johnny The Horse was aired. Absent from both appearances was a certain Mr. Thompson who many were saying decided to have a lie-in rather than get up at the crack of dawn.
Later in the week ITV aired a special cut-down (only an hour long) version of last year’s Madstock 4 concert which included clips of the sadly defunct Madness Mailing List, on their last full-scale Madmeet outside the Dublin Castle in Camden.
If the band weren’t busy enough, we also discovered that they’d been back in the studio – this time to record their version of the Abba classic “Money, Money, Money”. Don’t panic. It was all in aid of charity!
Moving on, and subscriber Nigel Ward reported that at a recent Queen’s Park Ranger game, the promo of “Johnny The Horse” was played over the tannoy system on a number of occasions. Last approximately 1 minute, the promotional snippet detailed the release this coming Monday, and featured a sizeable chunk of the new track.
Our favourite band have always been keen to embrace the power of the internet, and a decade ago this was no different. With the new album due to be released on November the 1st, the band announced that they’d be releasing the full album online a week earlier. Sure, the sound quality wouldn’t be A1, but this was a fantastic way to keep the die hard fans happy, and to drum up interest from those who may not have purchased the release otherwise.
As well as featuring numerous reviews (taken from various web sites, newspapers and magazines), this issue featured the 3rd and final part of Suzanne Gilmour’s massive Radio 2 transcription fest.
Above and beyond the call of duty really didn’t go far enough to quite sum up just how much effort she’d put in!
Rob Hazelby
LIVE AND INTENSIFIED
The Clang – The Dublin Castle October 22nd
Line Up…
Clive Langer,
Steve Lindsey – Bass, Reverend Max Ripple – Keys, Gregg Braden – Drums)
Andy Mackay (Roxy Music)
Set list…
Breaking Out
Had a Nice Night
Places and Things
Splash
Rhoda
Ship Building
I Want The Whole World
Duff Kelly
The Blox, 16th October, Billericay, Chequers
“Good evening ,I’m from Essex, as if you could not tell”…………………
Thursday night in Billericay and the Chequers pub is buzzing. And it’s very warm too for an October night. Its a small pub but it has a good feel about the place with the sound of Madness, Specials, Dexys and The Jam filling the air. That’s a good start for me!
This is the Blox’ 34th gig here so it’s a bit of home from home as most of the band come from Surrey. Straight into Clever Trevor, the band are a really tight knit unit, with bassist Norman Watt-Nots facial expressions a joy to see. Iain`t Dury on vocals looks and sounds great with his cockney cheese grater voice and red DMs.
Highlight of the night for the crowd, I think, was Billericay Dickie, oi! oi!,but for me I love their version of Madness. In fact I think their version of What a Waste is better than the original ,listen to the band on their facebook page. The Blox are more than just a tribute band ,these are real fans who are adding something special to these fantastic songs. If you were lucky enough to see Ian Dury and the Blockheads you wont be disappointed with the Blox. Close your eyes ,feel the energy, love, the passion.
Set 1
Clever Trevor
Abracadabra
Clever Bastards
Madness
Greed
Billericay Dickie
Lullaby for Francis
What a Waste
Itinerant Child
Whats the deal moma
Sex & drugs& rock&roll
Set 2
Wake up
The passing show
More than fair
Jack shit George
Reasons
My old man
Mash it up Harry
Spasticus
One love
Sweet Gene Vincent
Rhythm stick
I head off into the night with my alarm set for 4.45am but its been well worth it, in fact “I’m doing very well”.
Paul Hardisty.
SPECIALIZED
GET SPECIALIZED – The New Single.
Ladies & Gentlemen!
The trailer to the new anthemic creation that is ” Get Specialized!”
a superb track by ” 3 Men” aka Nick Welsh (King Hammond), Roddy Radiation (The Specials)& Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers).
To be played only at LOUD… volume
The Ep will be available at The Big One 3 event and then on general release
November 18th!
SHARE MY FRIENDS SHARE AWAY! LETS MAKE THIS HAPPEN!
The Big One – Additional acts.
In a special one off performance, straight out of Coventry – from its highly successful run at the Belgrade Theatre – Specialized present The Cast of “Three Minute Heroes” & house band Ruder Than You at The Big One 3 on Friday November 14th. Get your tickets now 0844 335 3501 or day tickets which go on sale November 1st
We at Specialized are never one to fall short on pushing the boundaries….
This year we aired a youtube internet sensation video that had more than 7 million hits and is championed on the world Ska scene despite its overtly Christian ska theme.
Sonseed were an 80s Christian ska band who remained anonymous for years until the advent of youtube. The track ” Jesus Is a friend of mine” has been played by bands of many genres (punk/metal folk/ska etc..) and has now got fervent cultish fame. The religious aspect is somewhat overlooked these days and its become a great dance tune.
On a thread this year a few people, said “you have to get them for The Big One..”..
well….. that set us thinking……. and not one to shirk a challenge we can exclusively bring you for one night only! The one and only Sal Polichetti of Sonseed to Sandford direct from the USA will be playing his famous track on his first EVER visit to England with Ska Face.
Paul Willo
TWEETS OF A DOVE
Mike Barson @Mikey108
“Early morning at wonderful BBC Radio 2, all being well we’ll be ruining the Chris Evans show shortly!. Still time to turn on Radio 1”
Magic Brothers @magicbrothers3
No good following me here anymore. Try @woodymadness
Mark Bedford @I_be_MarkB
Today’s Soundtrack: RIP John Holt, ‘Ali Baba’. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCP5HvTnZo4 …
TIME…
As usual we’ve got a few last minute bits and pieces to pass in your general direction.
First-up, and Clive’s new band has signed a recording deal and is the studio recording an EP for release in November. Check out http://www.theclanggroup.com/
Charlie Andrew is mixing the tracks.
Next, if you’d like to attend Reece’s warm up gig for the House of Fun Weekender, it’s at The Dublin Castle on November 8th.
Pop over to https://www.facebook.com/groups/MadnessChat. It’s free to guestlisted members of Mad Chat.
And finally…
Remember. The Dangermen are returning… House of Fun. Be there or miss out.
Until next week, take care,
Jon Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams
(With thanks to Paul Hardisty, Daren West, Duff Kelly
and Mark Adamson of the Deaf School Music Website)
The Author
