Madness Information Service Online Newsletter Issue Number: 815 – Sunday 21st December to Saturday 27th December 2014
Hello Madheads!
After touring the length and breadth of the United Kingdom over this past month the band brought their tour to a close last night at London’s O2 Arena.
This means that by the time this issue of the MIS newsletter lands in your mailbox this year’s “All for the Madhead Tour” will be nothing more than a collection of fading memories, blog posts, Tweets and photos.
Clearly well rehearsed and enjoying themselves, the band (minus Carl) performed a blinding set. Lee seemed to have been brought closer to the front of the stage to stand alongside Suggs and Chris, and for much of the performance our favourite saxophonist stole the limelight with his costume changes, random wanderings around the stage, playing up to the crowd, and clearly having the time of his life.
The atmosphere in the Arena was one of a massive Christmas party. Those who attended and were in the standing sections were, at different points during the evening, showered with paper love hearts, fake snow, and treated to the ultimate game of crowd volleyball when umpteen inflatable balls were hurdled into the crowd.
The section of songs, ranging from the new, not so new and even One Step Beyond album tracks ensured fans were treated to a show that took a decent trek through the entire musical history of the band, and with only one false start the group were sounding tighter than ever.
Madness may currently be down a member, and we hope that they’ll be back up to full strength soon. Last night’s show however, demonstrated that that the remaining six can pull out all the stops and put on a show where you’d be extremely hard pressed to notice that the line-up wasn’t complete.
The band have been without other members during their long history and it’s not stopped them from performing or recording. If last night’s show was anything to go by we’ve got nothing to worry about in 2015, regardless of whether they’re six or seven members in strength.
Enjoy the read,
Jon Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams
SHOWTIMES
See below for all forthcoming Madness and Madness related gigs and events. If there’s something we’ve missed off or you feel should be added then please let us know.
Madness
2015
Operation Grand Slam… Summer 2015
http://madness.co.uk/grandslam/
Do you expect us to talk? More information coming soon from Madness.co.uk on a large number of events, subscribe to official madnews with your email and hear first.
November 2015
November 20th – 23rd 2014 – Minehead – The House Of Fun Weekender Five
Early bird tickets on sale now
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
January 27th
27 – NEAR JAZZ EXPERIENCE + Support + DJ
Indo 133 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1DT *Free*
Visit: https://www.facebook.com/NearJazzExperience
BUY IT
If money’s currently burning a hole in your pocket then perhaps we can help with your dilemma.
Brand new T-Shirts, Merchandise and XMAS Jumpers!
MIS Note: The XMAS Jumper is being advertised as a ‘jumper’, but in the small text it explains that it’s actually a sweatshirt. A number of fans have confirmed that this is indeed a sweatshirt. If you’re after a Madness jumper then do not order this item!
A whole new range of cool merchandise for the tour was unveiled first at The House of Fun Weekender. The official shop now has Christmas jumper design sweat tops in stock. These were the most wanted item at the weekender.
There are laurel leaf official polo’s. In White, Navy and Black.T-shirts for all three beers. Night Boat. Lovestruck. Gladness.
There are black laurel Beanie hats, with the M crown logo, nice ‘cus there haven’t been beanie hats available for a while.
A new royal logo like Fez for gigs.Blue and Charcoal House Of Fun T-Shirts. A mad head design mug.
The black and red Dangermen Vs Invaders shirts are brilliant, half designed on the original 2004 Dangermen poster look with added flying saucers on making a really nice retro feel to the whole design.
There is a blue Madhead Picture T-shirt now with a slogan on.
You will find all previous lines reduced, and some Oui Oui Si Si merchandise still available.
Terry Edwards – One Step Beyond Book
It’s 35 years this year. Time to plug Terry Edwards Definitive book on the album. Get it for Christmas. It’s brilliant.
30% off “One Step Beyond…” – Terry’s book on Madness:
UK – http://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/madness-one-step-beyond-9780826429063/
USA – http://www.bloomsbury.com/us/madness-one-step-beyond-9780826429063/
Australia – http://www.bloomsbury.com/au/madness-one-step-beyond-9780826429063/
SIGN OF THE TIMES
Items in the press that have caught our eye over the past week or so…
Madness, Brighton Centre, Kings Road, Saturday, December 6
From The Argus web site. Written by Jenny Tregoning.
“It’s nearly Christmas, which must mean it’s time for… Madness”
As festive traditions go, a night out with Suggs and Co bouncing to the likes of Night Boat to Cairo sure beats drunkenly screeching along to Slade after too many mulled wines at the work Christmas part.
Full article;
Scotsman Hydro Review from The Scotsman.com web site
Minus his long-term sparring partner Chas Smash – who quit the band shortly before this tour, leaving a nutty dancing-shaped void stage left – Suggs had some filling to do, delivered in the form of droll, oddly poetic scripted intros to their numerous perceptive kitchen sink vignettes, such as My Girl (guy wants a simple life), Lovestruck (guy gets mortal drunk and navigates home by lampposts) and the irrepressible House Of Fun (young guy attempts to purchase prophylactic on reaching age of majority).
Full article;
http://m.scotsman.com/what-s-on/music/gig-review-madness-sse-hydro-glasgow-1-3639530
MIS reader Michael Cowan writes…
The last time my wife, (My Girl) Michelle, and I saw Madness live was at Belsonic in August 2012. I was slightly disappointed – with the crowd – many were milling around and chatting as if they were there by mistake. She was very disappointed – at being sober – as she was seven months pregnant with our daughter, (My Girl 2) Erin.
Roll on two years and we now spend a lot less time down the pub and going to concerts, and a lot more time in the aisles of Tesco. But every cloud has a silver lining as the saying goes, and all that money spent on nappies and baby food means we had enough Clubcard points to exchange on Ticketmaster for tickets to Madness on Monday night.
Other things have also changed in the interim. Yes, Madness are 7. Yes, it was disappointing that Carl was not there. But Madness 6 still gave their all. And, I have now been to so many concerts or bought live CDs that open with One Step Beyond, that it was very refreshing to hear Madness open with a fantastic rendition of Night Boat To Cairo. Even though Suggs announced during the false ending “Thank You Very Much, Belfast. Good night”.
Suggs sang “It was a party” over the instrumental parts. Maybe it was as a result of all the cider we were downing (Erin was enjoying a sleepover at her granny’s before anyone contacts Social Services). Sadly there was no Gladness available. And, perhaps it was the alcohol, or the fact it is close to Christmas, but there really was a party atmosphere to proceedings.
Night Boat was followed up by Embarrassment, NW5 and then both My Girl and My Girl 2. We then went back in time for a great version of Take It or Leave It and Sun and the Rain.
Then it was fast forward to the brand spanking new Rag and Bone Man which really sounded good live and gave the fans a much needed breather.
The crowd was of one mind – jumping around and singing in union, with strangers dancing together and shaking hands – as we were taken backwards and forwards through the back catalogue from Dust Devil, to Los Palmos, The Prince, and Lovestruck.
We then had a fantastic version of You Said, followed by Bed and Breakfast Man and Shut Up. At this point, Lee (who ran round the stage like a demon all night) was lying on the ground playing the sax, and Suggs burst out laughing and asked “Is he dead?”
The next song was Girl Why Don’t You – another fantastic version – which I personally don’t recall hearing at any previous concert I have attended. This was followed by Wings of A Dove, at which point Suggs got the camera to do a close up of the bearded Woody who he described as a “vicious animal”! We then had Leon, Chris sang Big Spender, and then there was a great version of House Of Fun with a very young sax player joining the band on stage, followed by Baggy Trousers.
The visuals were great from the Grand slam video, clips of Cleopatra before Night Boat, the gallery of Madheads, the close ups of band and fans, to the clips of the Mary Poppins and the Tin Man. The latter made us both laugh as Erin insists on watching The Wizard of Oz several times a day. Best of all was Our House which included visuals of local institutions, from the Grand Opera House, Europa Hotel, the Crown Bar, to Longs fish and chip shop.
A fantastic (am I overusing this word) version of It Must Be Love rounded off the main concert, with the encore consisting of One Step Beyond and Madness.
It was a spectacular spectacle. It was Madness at their very best. So many bands only tour round Great Britain. I love that Madness regularly include Belfast as part of their tours. This was truly a night to remember.
And it did not end there. A nearby bar to the Odyssey (Bar Mono) had a DJ set consisting of Madness, The Beat, The Bodysnatchers, The Selecter, The Specials with a few tracks from the likes of The Jam and The Clash thrown into the mix. A healthy number of people headed straight here after the Madness concert and kept the party going for a few more hours.
Q Magazine
Madness are also in Q Magazine Cash for Questions. January cover date issue.
LIVE & INTENSIFIED – THE TOUR COMES TO A MADHEAD
With the Christmas 2014 tour now at an end we cover some of the final gigs.
Monday 15th December, Odyssey Arena, Belfast
MIS readers Michael Cowan writes…
The last time my wife, (My Girl) Michelle, and I saw Madness live was at Belsonic in August 2012. I was slightly disappointed – with the crowd – many were milling around and chatting as if they were there by mistake. She was very disappointed – at being sober – as she was seven months pregnant with our daughter, (My Girl 2) Erin.
Roll on two years and we now spend a lot less time down the pub and going to concerts, and a lot more time in the aisles of Tesco. But every cloud has a silver lining as the saying goes, and all that money spent on nappies and baby food means we had enough Clubcard points to exchange on Ticketmaster for tickets to Madness on Monday night.
Other things have also changed in the interim. Yes, Madness are 7. Yes, it was disappointing that Carl was not there. But Madness 6 still gave their all. And, I have now been to so many concerts or bought live CDs that open with One Step Beyond, that it was very refreshing to hear Madness open with a fantastic rendition of Night Boat To Cairo. Even though Suggs announced during the false ending “Thank You Very Much, Belfast. Good night”.
Suggs sang “It was a party” over the instrumental parts. Maybe it was as a result of all the cider we were downing (Erin was enjoying a sleepover at her granny’s before anyone contacts Social Services). Sadly there was no Gladness available. And, perhaps it was the alcohol, or the fact it is close to Christmas, but there really was a party atmosphere to proceedings.
Night Boat was followed up by Embarrassment, NW5 and then both My Girl and My Girl 2. We then went back in time for a great version of Take It or Leave It and Sun and the Rain.
Then it was fast forward to the brand spanking new Rag and Bone Man which really sounded good live and gave the fans a much needed breather.
The crowd was of one mind – jumping around and singing in union, with strangers dancing together and shaking hands – as we were taken backwards and forwards through the back catalogue from Dust Devil, to Los Palmos, The Prince, and Lovestruck.
We then had a fantastic version of You Said, followed by Bed and Breakfast Man and Shut Up. At this point, Lee (who ran round the stage like a demon all night) was lying on the ground playing the sax, and Suggs burst out laughing and asked “Is he dead?”
The next song was Girl Why Don’t You – another fantastic version – which I personally don’t recall hearing at any previous concert I have attended. This was followed by Wings of A Dove, at which point Suggs got the camera to do a close up of the bearded Woody who he described as a “vicious animal”! We then had Leon, Chris sang Big Spender, and then there was a great version of House Of Fun with a very young sax player joining the band on stage, followed by Baggy Trousers.
The visuals were great from the Grand slam video, clips of Cleopatra before Night Boat, the gallery of Madheads, the close ups of band and fans, to the clips of the Mary Poppins and the Tin Man. The latter made us both laugh as Erin insists on watching The Wizard of Oz several times a day. Best of all was Our House which included visuals of local institutions, from the Grand Opera House, Europa Hotel, the Crown Bar, to Longs fish and chip shop.
A fantastic (am I overusing this word) version of It Must Be Love rounded off the main concert, with the encore consisting of One Step Beyond and Madness.
It was a spectacular spectacle. It was Madness at their very best. So many bands only tour round Great Britain. I love that Madness regularly include Belfast as part of their tours. This was truly a night to remember.
And it did not end there. A nearby bar to the Odyssey (Bar Mono) had a DJ set consisting of Madness, The Beat, The Bodysnatchers, The Selecter, The Specials with a few tracks from the likes of The Jam and The Clash thrown into the mix. A healthy number of people headed straight here after the Madness concert and kept the party going for a few more hours.
Tuesday 16th December , The O2 Dublin, Dublin
Shannan McBride says excitedly….
“F***in amazing! Definately in my top 2 gigs
It was jus’ phhhooowwwrrrrrrrrrr and [I literally] kept goin’ “arrrrrrggghhhhh I’m gonna ‘cry when this is finished. out…
Well, it started with Nightboat (as with previous recent gigs, due to Chas not being available) but it wasn’t just “thrown together”. I think Chas will be proud at how they do it with taste…….
Darren Bennett’s set is much better than Jerry Dammers doing it, by the way.
I was so proud because beyond the band it was only really me, Vikki (and Lynn and Nicky Evans who I didn’t see til’ OSB when they got on stage) who knew the words to The Last Rag and Bone Man.
We got tracks that I have never heard played before…. Mummy’s Boy… Lovestruck (which I was so proud of them playing, it was like the first song I liked that I heard through Youtube).
If anyone has seen the recent post from myself to Chrissy boy in the cupboard (which by the way ITS NOT A BLOG ITS A CUPBOARD…IT WAS ALWAYS A CUPBOARD AND ALWAYS WILL BE!) anyway I mention about maybe playing some of the newer stuff on a fender telecaster (the white one played a recent gigs) and he replied he just bought one…. well the banter was flowin’ thru mime and smile and thumbs up hand gestures, at the gig. .i.e. me pointin’ at it giving the circle signal (used in Lil’ Rascall’s film) and him tuggin’ it towards me and me miming to him “jammy b**t*d I want one” to which he proper laughed. …and pulls the neck of the guitar twords him and kisses it).
Show time was big spender. The last song madness. Seriously, Bulmers morning stomach is well worth it all.”
Next, it’s over to Stephen Prendergast with his thoughts on the recent Dublin gig;
“What a night we had in Dublin on a wet Tuesday night.
It didn’t dampen the atmosphere of a packed 3Arena, with both Madness and their Irish fans
in Top form. Madness have always had a special relationship with Ireland, and after another
Fantastic Live show, long may it continue. Even without Chas, who,s stage presence was missed
I can honestly say it was as good as I,ve heard Live Madness over the years.
Starting with N B T Cairo, Embarrassment, My girl, My girl 2, Nw5, Take it or leave it, Sun & the rain,
Last rag and bone man, dust devil, Return of Los Palma’s 7, Lovestruck, Shut up, Bed& breakfast man, Mummy’s boy, Leon, John Jones.. Chrissy Boy’s Showtime !!! House of fun, Wings of a dove, Baggy trousers, Our house, It must be Love. ENCORE One step beyond, Madness.
The roof nearly lifted off the 3Arena when they played the final song ,appropriately Madness, madness, they call it Madness..
And off everyone went home happy ( and very stiff the next morning)!!!
It’s on nights like this, you realise why Madness continue to pack out Arena’s over 30 odd years
Since they started out.. Long may it last.
Cheers,
Prende”
Thursday 18th December, The SSE Hydro, Glasgow
“I have to be honest. I thought it was a distinctly average performance from them last night. Felt like they were on autopilot to me”
Peter Gardner via the Facebook Invaders group
“Great gig last night at the Hydro. Lee is enjoying himself up front with Suggs. And the bed and breakfast man was on stage with them.”
Phil Morris
MIS FEATURE – CHAS SMASH’S XMAS SONG
“Dear Friends,
I would have loved to have been with you to celebrate this the 35th anniversary of the release of One Step Beyond but sadly it was not to be. Here’s a little something for your Christmas stocking. Have a joyful and Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all.
With love and in light
Chas
X
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=378899892183804”
Visit Mr. Smash’s page for links to his Xmas song, I wish I could wake up. The download link can be found under Mr. Smash’s snow globe picture.
We’ve had chance to have a listen to the track and feel it’s a suitably nutty tune to come out under his Chas Smash name. This is like those nutty B-sides or flexis of old that Madness used to put out. “Brrrrrrr, brrrrr” sings a snowy Mr. Smash, with a wonderful little ditty that feels like the antidote to Wham’s last Christmas.
Wham’s track was a Christmas break up song. This is a Christmas song that says lets forget the past and love again, like we did before.
“It’s been a couple of years”, he sings to the song’s girl or friends for reconciliation for Christmas time. Warm and fuzzy, it’s got a sound not dissimilar to Suggs’ Sleigh Ride cover from so many years ago.
Another nice present for all madheads this Yule, let the sleigh bells ring, and it’s good to talk. The song ends with elf like distorted voices wishing everyone a Bowie gnome like happy holiday.
Merry Chasmus everyone.
Jonathan Young
I Wish I Could Wake Up – Chas Smash
Lyrics (with thanks to Scott Lightfoot)
No we haven’t spoken for a year or two
I can’t remember what I did or did not do
I wish I could wake up, and it’s Christmas
Yes it’s true we loved each other in the past
Who can say how long a love will ever last
I wish I could wake up, and it’s Christmas
I wish I could wake up, and it’s Christmas time
So what about forgiveness
Is there a welcome at your door
Does it matter why we did this
I’m not that person anymore, so come on and listen
There’s something you’re missing
If they were with us, tell me what you think they’d say
Would they remind us to be grateful for each day
I wish I could wake up, and it’s Christmas
If they told us we should learn to live in peace
To practise kindness, and to turn the other cheek
I wish I could wake up, and it’s Christmas
I wish I could wake up, and it’s Christmas time
I wish I could wake up, and it’s Christmas time
So what about forgiveness
Is there a welcome at your door
Why speak words without some sweetness
What a world were heading for, so come on and listen
There’s something you’re missing
No it’s not too late for you to make a start
Open up your arms, c’mon open up your heart
I wish I could wake up, and it’s Christmas
I wish I could wake up, and it’s Christmas time
I wish I could wake up, and it’s Christmas time
Merry Christmas everybody!
I REMEMBER WAY BACK WHEN
This week, MIS co-editor Rob Hazelby, goes back in time to report on what was going on in the world of Madness 5 years, 10 and 15 years ago this week.
5 years ago…
Issue Number 555 – Sunday 20th December – Saturday 26th December 2009
For 35 Madness fans, Christmas came early, as on Friday they became guests of the band when they boarded the ‘Total Madness’ tour bus.
This bus took them on a journey, from The Dublin Castle to the O2 Arena, where the band were performing that night.
Setting off at approximately 2:30pm, the hour long journey took them across London, while on board Total Madness hits and videos were be playing.
With such short notice and limited numbers, it wasn’t possible for many fans to participate in such a fantastic event. However, Chris Carter-Pegg (who was unable to attend, but phoned someone on the bus) and Patrick Clifford, submitted their reviews of the afternoon, which were published on the Madness Central forums.
This week our articles kicked-off with an interview Venue magazine conducted with Mike. While it wasn’t a lengthy interview by any means it still proved to be an interesting and light-hearted read, thanks to the transcription efforts of MIS Map Man David Moody.
We moved on to “special deal” news next, as Retro Madness announced their special deal for MIS readers. This week they actually had two deals, not one. The first was for the original black and white enamel MIS fan club badge from the early 1980s. Some eBay sellers were flogging this for £24.99. Retro Madness were selling off their limited stash for a mere £4.99 a pop!
The second offer followed a recent deal they’d manage to strike with Ber Muirhead, author of the highlighy acclaimed Stiff Records books “The Story of a Record Label”, published in 1983. The cheapest copy on Amazon was selling for £44.50. Retro Madness were selling their copies for £13.50 including postage and packing in the UK. Bargain!
This week saw us publish part 1 of our lookback at 2009, which we took a quick look at the highs and lows that took place in the first half of the year. With so much having gone on it proved difficult to keep the article short and concise.
Moving on, and it was over to the News of The World, and a report from our very own Iain Mason. Iain reviewed the recent O2 gig at the Glasgow Academy, giving the concert a whopping 5/5.
Elsewhere in the issue we reported on Like Father Like Son and their performance of the song “No Lights on the Christmas Tree”, which was originally by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Docked out in a Jailhouse Rock prisoner shirt as Lee often was at solo gigs, it was a dark rock song played for fun.
We brought this issue to a close with a brief write-up of Madness’ forthcoming appearance on the Catherine Tate show, due to be aired on BBC1 on Christmas Day, reported on Chris’ recent Axe Cam exploits, and got the fanbase a little excited when we passed on a snippet from Rob Wardlaw, who informed us that he’d heard that Langer and Winstanley had been booked early next year for some new tracks.
We could only hope.
10 years ago…
Issue number 293 – Sunday 19th December to Saturday 25th December 2004
We started off this issue with news, courtesy of Rich over at remembertheeighties.com, who emailed in to tell us that Duran Duran, The Cure, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Lloyd Cole & The Commotions, MADNESS, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The Human League, Madonna and New Order were among artists short listed for the ‘100 Greatest Albums’ list being compiled by UK TV station Channel 4. A panel of music industry professionals had drawn up a short list of 125 records and were now collecting votes from the public to decide the final top ten.
Naturally, we were hoping that MIS readers would vote for Madness and their debut album “One Step Beyond”, so pointed fellow fans directly to the voting link in the hope that their clicks would see our favourite band climb up the charts.
How did they get on? Only time would tell.
Moving on, and it was straight into part one of the 2004 lookback. In this first part we looked at the first 6 months of the year, and attempted to refresh those ageing memories with a collection of Madness related highs and lows. Part two would follow next week.
For those of you who somehow had some spare pennies kicking around in your bank accounts, even after all that present buying, we gave the heads-up on the latest sale being held over at the Warrior Clothing web site. Items included Harrington jackets for an amazing £19.95, Lambretta t-shirts for £17.95, and desert boots for £15.95. Time to get that credit/debit card warmed-up!
Another avenue to spend your money was with Chris Carter-Pegg, who had decided to take advantage of the recent free listing day on Ebay, and had uploaded a mountain of rare Madness items. This ‘mountain’ consisted over over 350 items!
15 years ago…
Issue number 31 – Sunday 19th December to Saturday 25th December 1999
As this issue hit the net ‘The Maddest Show on Earth’ tour was in full swing. Our advice to those still waiting to get along to one of the shows and were hoping to buy all available merchandise was that you needed to take over £100 (remember, this is 10 years ago!) with you as there was so much to buy, and some items were certainly on the expensive side. If we only know what we know now!
Those unable to get along to one of the shows were told not to panic too much, as we had news later in this issue indicating that Finsbury Park may once again be filled with 35,000 Madness fans shouting and singing along to some of their favourite songs.
Onto this issue, and Vince Foley made a welcome return to the MIS with a cracking article from the MUSIC365 website, whilst subscriber Fiona Linnell had kindly typed up an interview with Mr. Smash from a recent edition of The Southampton Daily Echo.
As well as that we also had the lowdown on the two Madmeets planned for Wembley in the coming week whilst elsewhere we had a vintage article from none other than Peter Gardner. If that wasn’t enough, Vince Foley was back with some news surrounding `Madstock 2000`.
What was Vince’s Madstock 2000 news? Well, it turned out that he’d received a phone call to tell him that Madness were now refunding those who had bought tickets for the ill-fated Point gig. Not only were you going to get the cash back, but also a FREE ticket would be sent to you for Madstock 5/2000.
Only time would tell if these tickets would actually arrive.
Rob Hazelby
SPECIALIZED CALLING – COMBAT CANCER
2015’s. 4th Specialized covers album
Is. The clash.
The response we’ve had for this has been incredible and somewhat overwhelming.
We’ve had enough requests to fill a four CD box within 48 hours. If you’ve not been contacted yet please don’t worry as there’s a lot for us to get through.
If you are interested, contacted us without reply or have already been offered a track can you keep something in mind please. We need to make a great album so just smashing out a quick punky cover version isn’t really in the spirit of it and doesn’t cut it. Thousands of bands have already covered The Clash so there’s nothing remarkable in what we’re doing so let’s have some considered interpretations of these songs.
The Clash where groundbreaking, experimental and they keep on influencing generations of musicians and that sort of merit isn’t achieved easily. They were not a mere band among the 70’s punk revolution; they created great fusions of Rockabilly, Blues, Reggae, Funk, Soul and Rock with careful arrangements and sharp lyricism.
We ask you to not just approach this as fans but also as musicians. Please be just as considered, sophisticated and clever. We know you can do it
Specialized would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for all your support over the last 3 years and we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year. See you on the other side!
Massive thanks to Stephen McCaffrey whose bid of £600 won the Madness meet and greet auction. You sir are a legend!
Paul Willo
TWEETS OF A DOVE & THAT FACEBOOK
Madness related Tweets and Facebook posts that have caught our eye over the past week or so.
Chrissy Boy @CBoyForeman
“Plectrum for sale : as used by @Scouting4Girls”
“On the way to Dublin. Instant Mullets gonna get ya!”
Mark Bedford @I_be_MarkB
“The Roman God of Rest, Dayoffus, has spoken and allowed to the tour to stop for a moment. Neptune willing, will we then cross the sea…”
“Santa came to the tour today and gave out lovely presents. He was helped by Elf and Safety…”
“So…. London – in the words of Mel Tormé, ‘I’m coming home now baby, I’m coming home….’”
Woody Woodgate @woodymadness
“Just want to say thank you to everyone who made the Madness tour so memorable. Loving the love”
Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra @leethompsonska
Thanks to ALL that made this an enjoyable tour. Hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas. See you next year El Tx”
Darren Fordham @fordie_tltso
“I’m cooking Xmas dinner this year for the in-laws. I like Chicken & Lamb, they like Turkey & Beef. We’re having Turkey & Beef. Happy Xmas.”
Terry Edwards (via Facebook)
“Season’s Greetings everyone”
Darren Bennett
Oh well, another Madness tour over. Always a great honour to be involved. I’m a very lucky man. Been to some great cities, met some great people….
Big thank you to all the management, the crew, techie people, caterers, coach drivers, the fans (even the abusive ones), Scouting for Girls (sniffing for fanny as they called them in Glasgow, oh how we laughed) and everyone who looked after me, we had some brilliant laughs, always sad to leave them, see you next year…..and obviously a huge THANK YOU to the greatest f***ing band in the world….
TIME…
That’s just about it for this week.
We’d like to bring this issue to a close by wishing you all a very merry Christmas, and hope that you get what you’ve asked for. Enjoy yourselves.
Best wishes,
Jon Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams
(With thanks to Scott Lightfoot for the Chas lyrics and all
those who have had their quotes featured in this issue)
The Author
