Madpost February 1999 – Last edition
[1] – MONTH IN VIEW –
A lookback over the past four weeks on the mailing list and a few predictions as to what the coming month may hold.
[2] – MADNESS BY MADNESS –
Taken from `No 1 Magazine` (Feb 1984). Lee Thompson documents his younger days before Madness.
[3] – NAME THAT LYRIC TROUBLES –
Apparently a few of you have been having problems when you’ve been sending your answers to Luke and Andrea. Luke’s here with a few pointers.
[4] – MADNESS ITEMS FOR SALE –
What, you’ve got a few gaps in your collection? Take a look and see if Terry Rowland’s got what you’re looking for, then make him an offer.
[5] – DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART –
Alex Ingram is here with news on Suggs’ forthcoming movie appearance. Will this be yet another cameo role, or can we expect to see the Madness frontman in more than one scene?
[6] – IT’S NUT ART –
IWhat do you mean you can’t draw?! That’s no excuse for not submitting some work to Paul Wassell’s new section on his website. It really is mad!
[7] – CAMDEN TOWN –
Tour the local pubs and see the sites which inspired those great Suggs tracks.
[8] – MADSTOCK IV IN REAL AUDIO –
What, you couldn’t make it to the concert and you missed the radio show? Have no fear, Simon Roberts has kindly uploaded the entire gig for your listening pleasure!
[9] – COMPLETE AND UTTER MADNESS –
A few snippets detailing website news and forthcoming features.
[10] – TIME FOR MADNESS –
Taken from the Daily Mirror – November 1992
[11] – A US SOURCE FOR MADNESS VIDEOS –
Stephie’s here with the details. Find what you want and get ordering.
[12] – CATHAL J.P. SMYTH AT 40…. –
Cracking article lovingly typed up by MML subscriber – Vince Foley.
[13] – A TOUCH OF HORN TOOTING –
Take a look at Paul Andrew’s handy work, and once you’ve read through it, give him some feedback.
[14] – SHUT UP –
Original song lyrics and a foreward by none other than Chris Foreman.
[15] – ESPRIT SPONSORS MADNESS WEBSITE –
Complete and Utter Madness have just announced that one of the largest internet music stores has agreed to sponsor their website. Full story – section 15!
[16] – THREE NEON PYRAMIDS ABOVE THE DOOR –
Thanks and closing words.
[1] – MONTH IN VIEW
Hello, and welcome to yet another edition of the Madness Mailing List Madpost.
For those of you have joined the list in the past 2-3 weeks, you probably won’t be familiar with the Mapdost. Basically, it’s a type of online monthly newsletter consisting of events that have happened on and off the list during the past month, website and band news.
Some of the stuff you may have already read on the list, whilst other items are being shown for the first time in this newsletter.
As always, we’re after your submissions, so if you think you’ve got anything Madness related to tell the list, please get in touch with us (address at the bottom) and we’ll be happy to put your material up for inclusion.
In the meantime, grab yourself a drink, some biscuits and relax with the February Madpost.
Well, it’s been a really busy month both on and off the list. I think we’ve broken a few more records with the number of postings to the MML. Obviously Simon Roberts will be able to give you the exact statistics, but it’s nice to see that everyone can come up with some really interesting stuff if the subject content is there to push the buttons and get people talking.
Off list, Simon, Suggsylia and myself have been snowed under with people asking for more information about the list, Madness news, and other questions and queries. You may have noticed that the MML website (http://www.jabba.demon.co.uk/madness/) wasn’t updated very often during the month of January. This extra workload is partly to blame for this! Is soon as everything calms down a little and we can get the opportunity for a breather, the website will be receiving regular updates once more.
Other exciting news if you didn’t already know is that Madness drummer – Daniel (Woody) Woodgate has been in touch with us and has been exchanging e-mails for the past month or so. Woody has only just got himself on the internet and is still finding his feet. However, he tells us that he’s keen to contribute to the official Madness website (www.madness.co.uk) and is asking for suggestions. If you’d like to see something of Woody’s up on the site, please mail us and we’ll send him the suggestions.
On a slightly sadder note, I’m sure you can’t have failed to read the rumours and mumblings surrounding Suggs’ removal from the WEA artists listing. Insiders tell us that it’s due to poor sales of `I am` and the recent album `The Three Pyramids Club`. What do WEA expect when they give the album SOD ALL publicity?! If we hear any more surrounding this, we’ll post it up to the list right away. Right, time to pass you over to Simon Roberts
Sorry for delay in the MAdPosT people.
Holding on for last minute info from the powers that be, that only send us emails via the gift of light using prisms that are strategically placed around the countryside and the missing op codes in the Zilog 80A processor that have caused me to have a cold.
And why the band only email Robert & Suggsylia is beyond me!
No news, ah- yes! But I’ve been censored!!!
Shit happens, you see.
It’s been a hectic time for yours truly, we’ve had a massive 121 (is that a typo? – RH) new subscribers this month smashing us through the 300 barrier. We put most of this down to the webrings, as they are the biggest ska rings of the net, and we even have a ringmaster on the list! We are very privileged to be a part of the rings as it’s a dog to get in!!
We’ve also lost about 25 this is due to the sheer volume of mails to the list, thanks to them for pointing this out. We are going to overcome this problem by setting up a separate ‘closed’ list, in which subscribers will only receive Madness announcements concerning tour-dates, new releases etc… every now and again, plus it wont be a discussion group so only the moderator will post- Me, Rob and Suggsylia have enough on our plate, but if you wish to run this MML co-list email me, and if I’m happy I’ll let you loose on our server, this is of course an idea by the ‘ex’ members.
Sorry! no exact post details!! – my mail program has gone ‘belly-up’, we are still well up on last year.
I’ve got the near complete MML post archive and it is a very interesting read!! – You wouldn’t believe how the threads haven’t changed!!, this should be up on the MML site soon.
The MML homepage is undergoing a major-revamp (Geordie Al knows what I’m talking about!!, we know something you webmasters dont!!, Its our highest guarded secret!!, well its a web-engine.. blah.. blahh..) so it wont be up for some time!- I’m off work for a while so I’ll get working on it! I have loads of new pics to put up etc…
It’s February and nothing has happened (in the sense we haven’t seen anything)
So what are these mysterious events?
So far reading from the mails it seems pretty bog-standard, Madstock V July, East Coast US tour August ( see the hints in www.madness.co.uk) New material Album, the infamous 20 Years video, Christmas US tour, and a few singles thrown in.
So what is going on?? I demand to know!!!
Fortunately I should know more for Sunday !! *smirk*
On the ITV Network (UK) the other night there was a full program on the mysterious UFO sightings that plagued Bolton (where I live) in August 1998, these ‘craft’ where expertly tracked above the Pennines to Yorkshire and so called fool-proof photo evidence was taken. It is a fact that Bolton has a strange atmospheric/meteorological phenomena, and we are used to seeing strange things in the sky!!! In the pub during the break, an old chap slammed down his pint and said ‘Sheer f*ckin Madness’ when he did, the Brooke Bond Coffee advert featuring the ‘Just another day’ soundtrack came on’ – Is this a case for Mulder and Skully? I’m off to take my tablets for my head!!, at least I’m not sneezing anymore!!
All the best,
[2] ‘Madness by Madness’ (No.1 mag, February 1984)
LEE THOMPSON
“In the 57 years me dad was alive he spent 25 in prison. I’ve been nicked a lot too…”
– Lee ‘Kix’ Thompson is not just one of the most improved musicians in Madness but also a reformed character. After a past that could singe your eyebrows, Lee is getting married in America if he can afford to buy Debbie’s wedding dress… –
‘I was born on October 5, 1957 in St Pancras, London. I spent my childhood in Kentish Town until we were moved to Holly Lodge Estate on a very posh road.’
‘I was a very cheeky boy, a ringleader according to the parents of my mates, Chrissy Boy, Mike Barson, Paul… They thought I was a lout. We used to go back-packing, jumping freight trains, go on various little shop lifting sprees. Everything went downhill when we moved. In the 57 years me dad was alive he spent 25 in prison, so mum didn’t have much control. I’ve been nicked a lot too, clocked up 13 court appearances in my heyday.’
Teenage rampage
‘Between the ages of ten and 14 I was in and out of trouble. There was an estate near me at Brookfield Park being knocked down. We’d wait for the removal vans to go, then wallop! Through the window and off with the old meters. That’d get you through a couple of weeks, pair of dogtooth, loafers, a jar of Brylcreem… I was meant to be at Ackland Burleigh school but I didn’t go much.’
‘On my birthday in 1971 I bunked games and went to Whitton Hospital, opened a locker and nicked a bag. When I opened it there was 130 pounds inside, which worried me. That was big time. I gave my mates at the local youth centre a lot of 50 pence pieces and 5 days later I was grassed up and taken to the station. They took six other charges into consideration and gave me a good hiding, which I deserved. I was put away from November ’71 until January 1973. I wanted to go back to Burleigh but the bastards wouldn’t let me! I was remanded in Stamford House and then Chafford School, where I had a breakdown. I was in a dorm with these right heavy blokes. I’ve got some fond memories of the place, but I never want to go back.’
The joy of sax
‘I started listening to music at Chafford, Roxy Music’s Andy Mackay was a big influence. Had pictures of him all over the wall. After I left we started bunking into gigs like Gary Glitter and Ian Dury And The Kilburns who were great.’ ‘The first sax I got I swapped for a clarinet. Then I bought a cheap Selmer Mk6. My parents had moved to Luton by then, so I used to go out the back of the house into the cornfield with a blanket and a few rolls and make a right racket. Meantime I had my one and only lesson at Highbury School. Unfortunately the geezer noticed the number was scratched off my sax – I never went back.’
‘I couldn’t stand all the travelling from Luton to London so I started squatting. We didn’t have a name then, we were variously called The Soft Shoe Shufflers, Big Dippers, Morris and the Minors, The North London Invaders. It was Chrissy Boy who suggested taking the name Madness from the song. After rehearsals we’d adjourn to the Holly Bush in Hampstead for a few jars. I don’t think we’d considered making it until we were snapped up in 1979.’
Love in the ladies
‘These days I like to go running every other morning, do six miles over Kenwood Way when I start tightening up. I take my baby Tuesday out over Waterlow Park with my girlfriend Deborah. We’ve been going out since February 6, 1974. I remember taking her to the Hampstead Classic and telling her not to dress smart cos we were going to bunk in. I went through the skylight and dropped 12 feet into the ladies’ toilet. A woman walked in and ran out screaming. All for the sake of 50 pence! Our first date too! We’re getting married in Las Vegas soon, somewhere where they do it quick. Deb saw the dress she wanted the other day. Turns out it costs two grand!’
‘I try not to think about the future much, but the atmosphere is still very good. You couldn’t find better geezers to have in a band. When we did the ‘Michael Caine’ video Dave Robinson had to stop us putting all the funnies in because it was supposed to be a serious video. While we’re enjoying ourselves I can’t think of anything better to do.’
LEE
[3] Name That Lyric Troubles
Hiya, My “Name That Lyric” mateys,
I’ve received some problem reports concearning The Name that lyric e-mail address (ntl@madniverse.intervisors.nl). I’m not quite sure what’s going wrong so to be safe I have also put up an address ntl@intervisors.nl which will work under all circumstances.
I’ll let you know what’s going wrong as soon as I know.
Of course you can always submit your answer to each week’s NTL by entering the from on http://www.madniverse.intervisors.nl/ntl
Cheers,
Luke
[4] Madness Items for Sale!!!
It’s been a while since anyone sold anything in an issue of the Madpost, so it came as a bit of a shock when Terry Rowland got in touch with me with his huge list of items for sale. Naturally, we were only too happy to make them available for public viewing.
There are no set prices for each item. Terry would prefer it if you decide what items you would like and e-mail him with an offer.
Terry can be contacted on: postmaster@trowlakila.demon.co.uk
Now, get hunting!!!
Hello fellow rudies here is a list of availables;
1.MY GIRL 12″
2.MY GIRL 7″
3.THE PRINCE TWO TONE LABEL 7″
4.ONE STEP BEYOND 7″
5.NIGHT BOAT TO CAIRO E.P. 7″
6.EMBARRASSMENT 7″
7.LOS PALMOS 7 12″
8.LOS PALMOS 7 7″
9 SHUT UP 12″
10.SHUT UP 7″
11.GREY DAY JAP IMPORT VERY RARE 12″
12 GREY DAY 7″
13.BAGGY TROUSERS 7″
14.IT MUST BE LOVE JAP IMPORT VERY RARE 12″
15.IT MUST BE LOVE 12″
16.IT MUST BE LOVE 7″
17.CARDIAC ARREST 12″
18.CARDIAC ARREST 7″
19.HOUSE OF FUN 7″
20 WORK REST AND PLAY E.P. 12″
21.DRIVING IN MY CAR 12″
22 DRIVING IN MY CAR 7″
23.DRIVING IN MY CAR PICTURE DISC 7″
24.OUR HOUSE 12″
25.OUR HOUSE 7″
26.OUR HOUSE PICTURE DISC 7″
27.TOMORROWS JUST ANOTHER DAY 12″
28. ” ” ” ” ” ” 7″
29. ” ” ” ” ” ” PICTURE DISC 7″
30.WINGS OF A DOVE 12″
31.WINGS OF A DOVE 7″
32.THE SUN AND THE RAIN 12″
33.THE SUN AND THE RAIN 7″
34.MICHAEL CAINE 12″
35 MICHAEL CAINE 7″
36 ONE STEP BEYOND L.P.
37.ABSOLUTELY L.P.
38.SEVEN L.P.
39.COMPLETE MADNESS L.P.
40.COMPLETE MADNESS V.H.S. VIDEO
41.UTTER MADNESS V.H.S. VIDEO
Please note that all these records are in used condition. If anybody has any ska wants, please let me know and I shall see what I can do.
Regards,
Terry. (postmaster@trowlakila.demon.co.uk)
[5] Don’t go Breaking My Heart
You may remember a few rumours circulating the list a while ago regarding Suggs’ appearance in a forthcoming movie.
Well, nothing more was heard until recently when Alex Ingram appeared with the following details. Although it’s still not much to go on, it is a bit more information than we had previously.
Take it away Alex…
‘evening,
Suggs is to appear in a cameo role in the new film called “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” which is due for release in February.
It stars Jenny Seagrove and Anthony Edwards as the two leads with Charles Dance and Tom Conti supporting and cameos from Suggs and Linford Christie. It’s a romantic comedy and is being tipped for success on release (14th of February).
Cheers,
Alex Ingram
[6] It’s … Nut Art!!
Some of you may have visited Paul Wassell‘s website in its early days? It was the one with the day-glo colours which required use of a pair of dark glasses before you entered the site.
Well, not anymore. Paul has revamped his site and has decided to incorporate something that no other site holds – Nut Art!!
Want to see what the Mona Lisa may have looked like if she was a Maddie? Here’s Paul with the details.
Hello Nutty Nutters,
I have to introduce something new, and pretty crazy. NUT ART, yes a new type of art. Forget art, and get Moaning Lee-sa, yes – Nut Art is a mixture between Madness and Art, and will only be available on my site.
Why don’t you send some of your own creations to me, and I’ll put them on! If you would like an example of Nut-Art go to: http://www.btinternet.com/~david.wassell/index2.html
The full “Nut-Art” site will be up shortly, oh and my name isn’t the baron anymore, it’s
MR WHEEZE
So remember to call me it!
Mr. Wheeze (a.k.a Paul Wassell)
If you don’t fit in you’ll fit in here, take your glass and have a beer –
http://listen.to/suggs For Suggs – Mad(e in Lock)ness – The Nut-art gallery – And More!
Now Operational – Uploaded every week.
[7] Camden Town
BAR GANSA
2 Inverness Street, NW1. tel. 0171 267 8909
A vibrant Spanish tapas bar, whose large windows and outside tables offer an excellent view of one of the most rock’n’roll streets in Camden.
Even though Bar Gansa has been popular with local media types since it first opened in 1988, it remained surprisingly unscathed by Britpop. If you do see rock’n’roll types here, they’re more likely to be the enduring Camden variety, such as John Lydon
, Shane MacGowan or Suggs. Lydon has been known to hangout here with his mates when he is in London, while MacGowan says, “I practically lived in Bar Gansa for a couple of years,” which explains why this was the venue for The Pogues’ post-Wembley Stadium Hell’s Ditch party in 1990.
“I remember seeing Shane in here a few years ago,” says Suggs, “and he just said, ‘I can’t talk now, I’m doing an interview with The Sunday Times.” The next thing I saw was a few of Shane’s cronies coming in and 3 hours later I saw this poor bloke come staggering out, having been drowned in about 19 bottles of wine, with his bag hanging open and absolutely f**k all in his notebook.”
Suggs is still a Bar Gansa regular and wrote his 1995 solo single, Camden Town, after years of staring out onto Inverness Street through these windows. “Part of the song is about things I’ve seen while just sitting here,” he says. “I once saw this old drunken busker fall over and trip up these tourists, who immediately dropped their hot dogs. I’ve also seen lots of other surreal things, such as the geezer who comes along and empties out a tin of baked beans for his Alsatian. He does the same thing every day – empties a tin of baked beans on the pavement for his dog. He’s an old dosser kind of geezer, but why it isn’t dog food and why he empties it on the pavement, I really don’t know. Another thing about here is that, when you go up the stairs to the toilet, you have a brilliant view of Arlington House, you see the three columns of that great massive thing which dominates the whole area.”
THE CROWN & GOOSE
100 Arlington Road, NW1. tel. 0171 485 2342
Owned by the same people as Bar Gansa, this pub usually resembles an overcrowded living room with art deco on the walls and comfortable sofas. The room upstairs has established itself as something of a media haunt and it was here that Madness took their first step towards reforming in order to play 2 shows at Finsbury Park in june 1992. “I met Suggs and Carl in the Crown & Goose, ” says Vince Power, who promoted those shows. I offered them X amount of money and one of them said, ‘You think we can make that much? OK, we’ll go for it’, and they ended up making a lot more money out of it than that.”
[8] Madstock IV in Real Audio
Hi all…
Madstock IV real audio….
Open your real player and open the URL below, -dont click on it or else it will all download!! (about 14 Megs!!)
www.simonr.u-net.com/ms4/ms4.ra
It’s in stereo and 40kps optimized. It’s from the digital R2 Master- so no hiss or crackles (cut down version- no DJ.. missing tracks.. etc..)
Anyone wanting a copy mail me, but you have to show up for the mini meet in February!!!
I’ve done this for the people who mail me from far off places (I haven’t heard of!) and get little or no Madness material.
So this one is for you.
Enjoy.
cheersNbeers
Simon.
[9] Complete and Utter Madness
Welcome to the 20 years anniversary celebrations on Complete & Utter Madness.
http://madness7.home.mindspring.com
We thought hard about what we wanted to do and what would be fun to follow the time line theme we are now running. The idea?
Well Madness must have been listening to their influences right up to their first release and of course beyond. We know they were into Prince Buster, Ian Dury, Roxy Music among others, so we thought “Why don’t we get into their musical inner thoughts and see what they were inspired by when they started to write those classic tunes?”
We are going to continue / enhance our inspirations chapter on Complete & Utter Madness and give you monthly spotlights on each of their inspirations and include original tracks from the artist.
Fun eh!?
Here is the monthly schedule of artists we are going to spotlight… stay tuned for more festivities and updates!*
Month Artist Track
Feb Smokey Robinson Shop Around
Mar Fats Domino I’m Walkin’
Apr Prince Buster (Pt 1) One Step Beyond
May Jimmy Cliff The Harder They Come
Jun Kilburn & The Highroads Rough Kids
Jul Prince Buster (Pt 2) Madness
* Subject to change.
Darren Bowen – Complete and Utter Madness Website Maintainer
[10] Time For Madness
Seeing as we’ve had this talk of the old Sekonda adverts from way back in 1992, I thought I’d have a rummage around the old Madness archive I’ve got at home and see what the newspapers had to say about all this.
The following article is taken from the Daily Mirror sometime in `92. Enjoy!!
MADNESS, the North London group who serve up their smash hits with a large helping of humour, are doing time – on TV.
Suggs and Co, the boys from the band, have been snapped up by Sekonda Watches for the firm’s latest telly commercial.
It’s being screened nationwide as part of Sekonda’s seasonal Christmas Campaign.
Award winning agency GGT – famous for the Leslie Nielsen Red Rock ads for Taunton Cider – is behind the 1 million pound Sekonda campaign.
The agency says it chose Madness because “the band fits the product profile hand-in-glove. Both Sekonda and Madness share the same zany sense of fun and keen style-consciousness.”
When it comes to durability the band themselves haven’t got a bad track record, either. Since 1979 they have run up a string of hits like `Baggy Trousers`, `House of Fun` and `Our House`.
Thirteen years on, they’re still going the business in record shops with a new album, `Madstock`
[11] A US Source for Madness Videos
Aloha nutters!
Whilst surfing the net, I found another company that sells Madness videos in NTSC (VHS) format. All come with covers, are PAL to NTSC conversions, and are of good quality. The company specializes in getting rare music concerts and films from Europe.
“Dance Craze” with Madness, The Specials, Bad Manners, Selecter… is currently listed in their catalog for $24.99. Other Madness videos are listed in their Collectors’ Catalog. To view these, just e-mail them for a user name and password. They reply promptly.
Madness videos listed in the Collectors’ catalog are:
Complete Madness $19.99
Utter Madness 19.99
Madstock 24.99
TIOLI 24.99
The URL is: http://videobeat.com/Catalogs
Have fun,
Stephie
[12] Cathal J.P Smyth at 40 – Oh What Fun We Had
Earlier in the month the list celebrated the birthday of the one and only Cathal Smyth, but whilst most were happy to wish the usual `Happy Birthday`, Vince Foley went one step beyond as it were.
I thought this was so good that it was worth repeating in the Madpost…
HEY ALL
Today we celebrate the 40th Birthday of our esteemed hero and friend; Cathal Smyth (aka. Chas Smash). Since 1979 we have all seen him come from mere nutty dancer of the nutty seven to perhaps the most crucial member of the lot.
As he once said “they didn’t want me at the start , but they had to have me!”. And aren’t we glad.
Carl always seems to enjoy himself in Madness. Always at the forefront in gigs ,videos, albums and interviews. Mr. Smash epitomises the essence of the group; “strength, happiness and comaradoury”.
From the early days of One Step Beyond, it’s interesting to see the development of his talents.
Soon enough he was playing trumpet and adding his own vocal talents which only enhanced the group’s sound. Within a short time he had jumped to the forefront of the group. Along with Suggs I think it’s fair to say that he was the most recognised member of the group.
A Smyth composition would always be a classic (Michael Caine ,Time, Wings of a Dove) and when they decided to call it a day in 1986 we knew that he would somehow return again. If anything it could be argued that he was the main man of the short lived The Madness (as proven in the track listing).
When in 1992 Virgin decided to release a comprehensive compilation of the bands singles it was him who felt it necessary to get involved in order to produce a fitting record. with its phenomenal success and his contacts in the music business , soon enough he was scouting around and sussing out the possibility of a reunion……..Madstock!
When on that Saturday Night 8th august 1992 arrived nobody was more proud that Cathal as the seven young men from Camden basked in their well deserved glory. Another Tour arrived and 3 more as well as a few Madstock’s, and now with bated breath, the return of Madness to the studio(fingers crossed!).
Thus today we celebrate the life of one Carl Smyth in that time we have received so much and look forward to more. I hope one day that some afternoon I’ll be walking along Camden Lock and meet this man and try to sum up how much he has meant to me and thank him for what he has given.
If life begins at 40; well we’ve only started to experience the greatness of this dearly loved man!
All the best,
Vince!
[13] A Touch of Horn Tooting!
Hey Mads all,
Just a little self-promoting horn tooting. I have a short Madness article on the “All Music Guide” (allmusic.com). It’s just a passionate out-pouring of my love for the lads, in the `musicview` section.
Just go to Madness in the guide and go all the way to the bottom.
Or not. It’s not gonna win me a Pulitzer or anything.
Any thoughts would be welcomed.
Cheers,
Paul Andrews
Denison Memorial Library- ILL Lending
University of Colorado Health Sciences Centre
paul.andrews@uchsc.edu
[14] Shut Up
Chris Foreman: “Many people say ‘Why Shut Up?’ when ‘Shut Up’ is not in the verse or anywhere else, well, now I can tell. When Suggs originally wrote the lyrics it was a ten minute opus and it had the words ‘Shut up’ in the chorus, these were surgically removed to give the song three minute classic value but kept as a title for sentimental reasons.”
These were the orginal lyrics:
I tell you I didn’t do it, cause I wasn’t there,
Don’t blame me it isn’t fair,
You listened to their side now listen to mine,
Can’t think of a story, sure you’ll find me sometime.
Now pass the blame, don’t blame me,
Just close your eyes and count to three,
Then I’ll be gone and you’ll forget,
The broken back window, the TV set.
It wasn’t me either, I’m just his mate,
Told me to stand here and watch the gate,
I’ve got a wife and three kids, you know,
They’ll tell you I’m straight, at least I think so,
I’m honest and straight as the day is long,
The longer the daylight the less I do wrong,
Go on, ask me no questions, I’ll tell you no lie,
Just look over there and I’ll say goodbye.
The past is behind me, officer, you see,
For one TV see you do not need three,
No, I was just passing when I saw an old mate,
Struggling to open his garden gate,
I ran up to help him but slid on the floor,
Went straight past the gate and bashed in the back door,
Just look down at your boots and you’ll see us no more,
Just one missing telly and a smashed up back door.
Shut up!!
[15] Esprit Sponsors Madness Website
`Esprit International Limited`, the world’s largest specialists in rare and collectable records has become an official sponsor of `Complete and Utter Madness`.
Together, `Complete & Utter Madness` and `Esprit International` provide, the most comprehensive and complete guide to Madness on the Internet, loads of really rare Madness related items held in stock including imports, promos, deletions and other special items for the collector, exclusive news, interviews, full discography listings to help you complete your collections, complete lyrics archive with all the lyrics, concert guides and picture history.
http://madness7.home.mindspring.com
[16] THREE NEON PYRAMIDS ABOVE THE DOOR
So, that’s it for another month.
Don’t forget to check out the new layout of the official Madness website (http://www.madness.co.uk), and if there’s anything you have always wanted to ask the band, don’t miss the chance to send your questions to Chris Foreman. The site is mostly done by Chris and Mark, so your questions will definitely reach the lads themselves!
If you have got some time to spend, you can download the latest Real Audio Player and listen to Madstock IV at http://www.simonr.u-net.com/ms4/ms4.ra or Suggs’ ‘Access All Areas’ interview at http://www.madmml.force9.co.uk/audio/suggs.ra . And while you are listening to it, don’t forget to do some ‘nutart’ and send it to Paul Wassell via e-mail or ICQ.
Those of you living in the UK can look forward to seeing Lord Suggs in the new film ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ later this month. Hopefully his cameo role will be a bit longer than the one he had in ‘The Tall Guy’…
A few Maddies will get together in Camden Town this coming weekend (6th/7th Feb), if you would like to join us: we will meet at Camden Town tube station – right hand exit – at about 12.30.
And finally, many thanks to everyone who knowingly or unknowingly contributed to this issue. Your help is most appreciated!
See you all next month!
A lookback over the past four weeks on the mailing list and a few predictions as to what the coming month may hold.
[2] – MADNESS BY MADNESS –
Taken from `No 1 Magazine` (Feb 1984). Lee Thompson documents his younger days before Madness.
[3] – NAME THAT LYRIC TROUBLES –
Apparently a few of you have been having problems when you’ve been sending your answers to Luke and Andrea. Luke’s here with a few pointers.
[4] – MADNESS ITEMS FOR SALE –
What, you’ve got a few gaps in your collection? Take a look and see if Terry Rowland’s got what you’re looking for, then make him an offer.
[5] – DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART –
Alex Ingram is here with news on Suggs’ forthcoming movie appearance. Will this be yet another cameo role, or can we expect to see the Madness frontman in more than one scene?
[6] – IT’S NUT ART –
IWhat do you mean you can’t draw?! That’s no excuse for not submitting some work to Paul Wassell’s new section on his website. It really is mad!
[7] – CAMDEN TOWN –
Tour the local pubs and see the sites which inspired those great Suggs tracks.
[8] – MADSTOCK IV IN REAL AUDIO –
What, you couldn’t make it to the concert and you missed the radio show? Have no fear, Simon Roberts has kindly uploaded the entire gig for your listening pleasure!
[9] – COMPLETE AND UTTER MADNESS –
A few snippets detailing website news and forthcoming features.
[10] – TIME FOR MADNESS –
Taken from the Daily Mirror – November 1992
[11] – A US SOURCE FOR MADNESS VIDEOS –
Stephie’s here with the details. Find what you want and get ordering.
[12] – CATHAL J.P. SMYTH AT 40…. –
Cracking article lovingly typed up by MML subscriber – Vince Foley.
[13] – A TOUCH OF HORN TOOTING –
Take a look at Paul Andrew’s handy work, and once you’ve read through it, give him some feedback.
[14] – SHUT UP –
Original song lyrics and a foreward by none other than Chris Foreman.
[15] – ESPRIT SPONSORS MADNESS WEBSITE –
Complete and Utter Madness have just announced that one of the largest internet music stores has agreed to sponsor their website. Full story – section 15!
[16] – THREE NEON PYRAMIDS ABOVE THE DOOR –
Thanks and closing words.
[1] – MONTH IN VIEW
Hello, and welcome to yet another edition of the Madness Mailing List Madpost.
For those of you have joined the list in the past 2-3 weeks, you probably won’t be familiar with the Mapdost. Basically, it’s a type of online monthly newsletter consisting of events that have happened on and off the list during the past month, website and band news.
Some of the stuff you may have already read on the list, whilst other items are being shown for the first time in this newsletter.
As always, we’re after your submissions, so if you think you’ve got anything Madness related to tell the list, please get in touch with us (address at the bottom) and we’ll be happy to put your material up for inclusion.
In the meantime, grab yourself a drink, some biscuits and relax with the February Madpost.
Well, it’s been a really busy month both on and off the list. I think we’ve broken a few more records with the number of postings to the MML. Obviously Simon Roberts will be able to give you the exact statistics, but it’s nice to see that everyone can come up with some really interesting stuff if the subject content is there to push the buttons and get people talking.
Off list, Simon, Suggsylia and myself have been snowed under with people asking for more information about the list, Madness news, and other questions and queries. You may have noticed that the MML website (http://www.jabba.demon.co.uk/madness/) wasn’t updated very often during the month of January. This extra workload is partly to blame for this! Is soon as everything calms down a little and we can get the opportunity for a breather, the website will be receiving regular updates once more.
Other exciting news if you didn’t already know is that Madness drummer – Daniel (Woody) Woodgate has been in touch with us and has been exchanging e-mails for the past month or so. Woody has only just got himself on the internet and is still finding his feet. However, he tells us that he’s keen to contribute to the official Madness website (www.madness.co.uk) and is asking for suggestions. If you’d like to see something of Woody’s up on the site, please mail us and we’ll send him the suggestions.
On a slightly sadder note, I’m sure you can’t have failed to read the rumours and mumblings surrounding Suggs’ removal from the WEA artists listing. Insiders tell us that it’s due to poor sales of `I am` and the recent album `The Three Pyramids Club`. What do WEA expect when they give the album SOD ALL publicity?! If we hear any more surrounding this, we’ll post it up to the list right away. Right, time to pass you over to Simon Roberts
Sorry for delay in the MAdPosT people.
Holding on for last minute info from the powers that be, that only send us emails via the gift of light using prisms that are strategically placed around the countryside and the missing op codes in the Zilog 80A processor that have caused me to have a cold.
And why the band only email Robert & Suggsylia is beyond me!
No news, ah- yes! But I’ve been censored!!!
Shit happens, you see.
It’s been a hectic time for yours truly, we’ve had a massive 121 (is that a typo? – RH) new subscribers this month smashing us through the 300 barrier. We put most of this down to the webrings, as they are the biggest ska rings of the net, and we even have a ringmaster on the list! We are very privileged to be a part of the rings as it’s a dog to get in!!
We’ve also lost about 25 this is due to the sheer volume of mails to the list, thanks to them for pointing this out. We are going to overcome this problem by setting up a separate ‘closed’ list, in which subscribers will only receive Madness announcements concerning tour-dates, new releases etc… every now and again, plus it wont be a discussion group so only the moderator will post- Me, Rob and Suggsylia have enough on our plate, but if you wish to run this MML co-list email me, and if I’m happy I’ll let you loose on our server, this is of course an idea by the ‘ex’ members.
Sorry! no exact post details!! – my mail program has gone ‘belly-up’, we are still well up on last year.
I’ve got the near complete MML post archive and it is a very interesting read!! – You wouldn’t believe how the threads haven’t changed!!, this should be up on the MML site soon.
The MML homepage is undergoing a major-revamp (Geordie Al knows what I’m talking about!!, we know something you webmasters dont!!, Its our highest guarded secret!!, well its a web-engine.. blah.. blahh..) so it wont be up for some time!- I’m off work for a while so I’ll get working on it! I have loads of new pics to put up etc…
It’s February and nothing has happened (in the sense we haven’t seen anything)
So what are these mysterious events?
So far reading from the mails it seems pretty bog-standard, Madstock V July, East Coast US tour August ( see the hints in www.madness.co.uk) New material Album, the infamous 20 Years video, Christmas US tour, and a few singles thrown in.
So what is going on?? I demand to know!!!
Fortunately I should know more for Sunday !! *smirk*
On the ITV Network (UK) the other night there was a full program on the mysterious UFO sightings that plagued Bolton (where I live) in August 1998, these ‘craft’ where expertly tracked above the Pennines to Yorkshire and so called fool-proof photo evidence was taken. It is a fact that Bolton has a strange atmospheric/meteorological phenomena, and we are used to seeing strange things in the sky!!! In the pub during the break, an old chap slammed down his pint and said ‘Sheer f*ckin Madness’ when he did, the Brooke Bond Coffee advert featuring the ‘Just another day’ soundtrack came on’ – Is this a case for Mulder and Skully? I’m off to take my tablets for my head!!, at least I’m not sneezing anymore!!
All the best,
[2] ‘Madness by Madness’ (No.1 mag, February 1984)
LEE THOMPSON
“In the 57 years me dad was alive he spent 25 in prison. I’ve been nicked a lot too…”
– Lee ‘Kix’ Thompson is not just one of the most improved musicians in Madness but also a reformed character. After a past that could singe your eyebrows, Lee is getting married in America if he can afford to buy Debbie’s wedding dress… –
‘I was born on October 5, 1957 in St Pancras, London. I spent my childhood in Kentish Town until we were moved to Holly Lodge Estate on a very posh road.’
‘I was a very cheeky boy, a ringleader according to the parents of my mates, Chrissy Boy, Mike Barson, Paul… They thought I was a lout. We used to go back-packing, jumping freight trains, go on various little shop lifting sprees. Everything went downhill when we moved. In the 57 years me dad was alive he spent 25 in prison, so mum didn’t have much control. I’ve been nicked a lot too, clocked up 13 court appearances in my heyday.’
Teenage rampage
‘Between the ages of ten and 14 I was in and out of trouble. There was an estate near me at Brookfield Park being knocked down. We’d wait for the removal vans to go, then wallop! Through the window and off with the old meters. That’d get you through a couple of weeks, pair of dogtooth, loafers, a jar of Brylcreem… I was meant to be at Ackland Burleigh school but I didn’t go much.’
‘On my birthday in 1971 I bunked games and went to Whitton Hospital, opened a locker and nicked a bag. When I opened it there was 130 pounds inside, which worried me. That was big time. I gave my mates at the local youth centre a lot of 50 pence pieces and 5 days later I was grassed up and taken to the station. They took six other charges into consideration and gave me a good hiding, which I deserved. I was put away from November ’71 until January 1973. I wanted to go back to Burleigh but the bastards wouldn’t let me! I was remanded in Stamford House and then Chafford School, where I had a breakdown. I was in a dorm with these right heavy blokes. I’ve got some fond memories of the place, but I never want to go back.’
The joy of sax
‘I started listening to music at Chafford, Roxy Music’s Andy Mackay was a big influence. Had pictures of him all over the wall. After I left we started bunking into gigs like Gary Glitter and Ian Dury And The Kilburns who were great.’ ‘The first sax I got I swapped for a clarinet. Then I bought a cheap Selmer Mk6. My parents had moved to Luton by then, so I used to go out the back of the house into the cornfield with a blanket and a few rolls and make a right racket. Meantime I had my one and only lesson at Highbury School. Unfortunately the geezer noticed the number was scratched off my sax – I never went back.’
‘I couldn’t stand all the travelling from Luton to London so I started squatting. We didn’t have a name then, we were variously called The Soft Shoe Shufflers, Big Dippers, Morris and the Minors, The North London Invaders. It was Chrissy Boy who suggested taking the name Madness from the song. After rehearsals we’d adjourn to the Holly Bush in Hampstead for a few jars. I don’t think we’d considered making it until we were snapped up in 1979.’
Love in the ladies
‘These days I like to go running every other morning, do six miles over Kenwood Way when I start tightening up. I take my baby Tuesday out over Waterlow Park with my girlfriend Deborah. We’ve been going out since February 6, 1974. I remember taking her to the Hampstead Classic and telling her not to dress smart cos we were going to bunk in. I went through the skylight and dropped 12 feet into the ladies’ toilet. A woman walked in and ran out screaming. All for the sake of 50 pence! Our first date too! We’re getting married in Las Vegas soon, somewhere where they do it quick. Deb saw the dress she wanted the other day. Turns out it costs two grand!’
‘I try not to think about the future much, but the atmosphere is still very good. You couldn’t find better geezers to have in a band. When we did the ‘Michael Caine’ video Dave Robinson had to stop us putting all the funnies in because it was supposed to be a serious video. While we’re enjoying ourselves I can’t think of anything better to do.’
LEE
[3] Name That Lyric Troubles
Hiya, My “Name That Lyric” mateys,
I’ve received some problem reports concearning The Name that lyric e-mail address (ntl@madniverse.intervisors.nl). I’m not quite sure what’s going wrong so to be safe I have also put up an address ntl@intervisors.nl which will work under all circumstances.
I’ll let you know what’s going wrong as soon as I know.
Of course you can always submit your answer to each week’s NTL by entering the from on http://www.madniverse.intervisors.nl/ntl
Cheers,
Luke
[4] Madness Items for Sale!!!
It’s been a while since anyone sold anything in an issue of the Madpost, so it came as a bit of a shock when Terry Rowland got in touch with me with his huge list of items for sale. Naturally, we were only too happy to make them available for public viewing.
There are no set prices for each item. Terry would prefer it if you decide what items you would like and e-mail him with an offer.
Terry can be contacted on: postmaster@trowlakila.demon.co.uk
Now, get hunting!!!
Hello fellow rudies here is a list of availables;
1.MY GIRL 12″
2.MY GIRL 7″
3.THE PRINCE TWO TONE LABEL 7″
4.ONE STEP BEYOND 7″
5.NIGHT BOAT TO CAIRO E.P. 7″
6.EMBARRASSMENT 7″
7.LOS PALMOS 7 12″
8.LOS PALMOS 7 7″
9 SHUT UP 12″
10.SHUT UP 7″
11.GREY DAY JAP IMPORT VERY RARE 12″
12 GREY DAY 7″
13.BAGGY TROUSERS 7″
14.IT MUST BE LOVE JAP IMPORT VERY RARE 12″
15.IT MUST BE LOVE 12″
16.IT MUST BE LOVE 7″
17.CARDIAC ARREST 12″
18.CARDIAC ARREST 7″
19.HOUSE OF FUN 7″
20 WORK REST AND PLAY E.P. 12″
21.DRIVING IN MY CAR 12″
22 DRIVING IN MY CAR 7″
23.DRIVING IN MY CAR PICTURE DISC 7″
24.OUR HOUSE 12″
25.OUR HOUSE 7″
26.OUR HOUSE PICTURE DISC 7″
27.TOMORROWS JUST ANOTHER DAY 12″
28. ” ” ” ” ” ” 7″
29. ” ” ” ” ” ” PICTURE DISC 7″
30.WINGS OF A DOVE 12″
31.WINGS OF A DOVE 7″
32.THE SUN AND THE RAIN 12″
33.THE SUN AND THE RAIN 7″
34.MICHAEL CAINE 12″
35 MICHAEL CAINE 7″
36 ONE STEP BEYOND L.P.
37.ABSOLUTELY L.P.
38.SEVEN L.P.
39.COMPLETE MADNESS L.P.
40.COMPLETE MADNESS V.H.S. VIDEO
41.UTTER MADNESS V.H.S. VIDEO
Please note that all these records are in used condition. If anybody has any ska wants, please let me know and I shall see what I can do.
Regards,
Terry. (postmaster@trowlakila.demon.co.uk)
[5] Don’t go Breaking My Heart
You may remember a few rumours circulating the list a while ago regarding Suggs’ appearance in a forthcoming movie.
Well, nothing more was heard until recently when Alex Ingram appeared with the following details. Although it’s still not much to go on, it is a bit more information than we had previously.
Take it away Alex…
‘evening,
Suggs is to appear in a cameo role in the new film called “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” which is due for release in February.
It stars Jenny Seagrove and Anthony Edwards as the two leads with Charles Dance and Tom Conti supporting and cameos from Suggs and Linford Christie. It’s a romantic comedy and is being tipped for success on release (14th of February).
Cheers,
Alex Ingram
[6] It’s … Nut Art!!
Some of you may have visited Paul Wassell‘s website in its early days? It was the one with the day-glo colours which required use of a pair of dark glasses before you entered the site.
Well, not anymore. Paul has revamped his site and has decided to incorporate something that no other site holds – Nut Art!!
Want to see what the Mona Lisa may have looked like if she was a Maddie? Here’s Paul with the details.
Hello Nutty Nutters,
I have to introduce something new, and pretty crazy. NUT ART, yes a new type of art. Forget art, and get Moaning Lee-sa, yes – Nut Art is a mixture between Madness and Art, and will only be available on my site.
Why don’t you send some of your own creations to me, and I’ll put them on! If you would like an example of Nut-Art go to: http://www.btinternet.com/~david.wassell/index2.html
The full “Nut-Art” site will be up shortly, oh and my name isn’t the baron anymore, it’s
MR WHEEZE
So remember to call me it!
Mr. Wheeze (a.k.a Paul Wassell)
If you don’t fit in you’ll fit in here, take your glass and have a beer –
http://listen.to/suggs For Suggs – Mad(e in Lock)ness – The Nut-art gallery – And More!
Now Operational – Uploaded every week.
[7] Camden Town
BAR GANSA
2 Inverness Street, NW1. tel. 0171 267 8909
A vibrant Spanish tapas bar, whose large windows and outside tables offer an excellent view of one of the most rock’n’roll streets in Camden.
Even though Bar Gansa has been popular with local media types since it first opened in 1988, it remained surprisingly unscathed by Britpop. If you do see rock’n’roll types here, they’re more likely to be the enduring Camden variety, such as John Lydon
, Shane MacGowan or Suggs. Lydon has been known to hangout here with his mates when he is in London, while MacGowan says, “I practically lived in Bar Gansa for a couple of years,” which explains why this was the venue for The Pogues’ post-Wembley Stadium Hell’s Ditch party in 1990.
“I remember seeing Shane in here a few years ago,” says Suggs, “and he just said, ‘I can’t talk now, I’m doing an interview with The Sunday Times.” The next thing I saw was a few of Shane’s cronies coming in and 3 hours later I saw this poor bloke come staggering out, having been drowned in about 19 bottles of wine, with his bag hanging open and absolutely f**k all in his notebook.”
Suggs is still a Bar Gansa regular and wrote his 1995 solo single, Camden Town, after years of staring out onto Inverness Street through these windows. “Part of the song is about things I’ve seen while just sitting here,” he says. “I once saw this old drunken busker fall over and trip up these tourists, who immediately dropped their hot dogs. I’ve also seen lots of other surreal things, such as the geezer who comes along and empties out a tin of baked beans for his Alsatian. He does the same thing every day – empties a tin of baked beans on the pavement for his dog. He’s an old dosser kind of geezer, but why it isn’t dog food and why he empties it on the pavement, I really don’t know. Another thing about here is that, when you go up the stairs to the toilet, you have a brilliant view of Arlington House, you see the three columns of that great massive thing which dominates the whole area.”
THE CROWN & GOOSE
100 Arlington Road, NW1. tel. 0171 485 2342
Owned by the same people as Bar Gansa, this pub usually resembles an overcrowded living room with art deco on the walls and comfortable sofas. The room upstairs has established itself as something of a media haunt and it was here that Madness took their first step towards reforming in order to play 2 shows at Finsbury Park in june 1992. “I met Suggs and Carl in the Crown & Goose, ” says Vince Power, who promoted those shows. I offered them X amount of money and one of them said, ‘You think we can make that much? OK, we’ll go for it’, and they ended up making a lot more money out of it than that.”
[8] Madstock IV in Real Audio
Hi all…
Madstock IV real audio….
Open your real player and open the URL below, -dont click on it or else it will all download!! (about 14 Megs!!)
www.simonr.u-net.com/ms4/ms4.ra
It’s in stereo and 40kps optimized. It’s from the digital R2 Master- so no hiss or crackles (cut down version- no DJ.. missing tracks.. etc..)
Anyone wanting a copy mail me, but you have to show up for the mini meet in February!!!
I’ve done this for the people who mail me from far off places (I haven’t heard of!) and get little or no Madness material.
So this one is for you.
Enjoy.
cheersNbeers
Simon.
[9] Complete and Utter Madness
Welcome to the 20 years anniversary celebrations on Complete & Utter Madness.
http://madness7.home.mindspring.com
We thought hard about what we wanted to do and what would be fun to follow the time line theme we are now running. The idea?
Well Madness must have been listening to their influences right up to their first release and of course beyond. We know they were into Prince Buster, Ian Dury, Roxy Music among others, so we thought “Why don’t we get into their musical inner thoughts and see what they were inspired by when they started to write those classic tunes?”
We are going to continue / enhance our inspirations chapter on Complete & Utter Madness and give you monthly spotlights on each of their inspirations and include original tracks from the artist.
Fun eh!?
Here is the monthly schedule of artists we are going to spotlight… stay tuned for more festivities and updates!*
Month Artist Track
Feb Smokey Robinson Shop Around
Mar Fats Domino I’m Walkin’
Apr Prince Buster (Pt 1) One Step Beyond
May Jimmy Cliff The Harder They Come
Jun Kilburn & The Highroads Rough Kids
Jul Prince Buster (Pt 2) Madness
* Subject to change.
Darren Bowen – Complete and Utter Madness Website Maintainer
[10] Time For Madness
Seeing as we’ve had this talk of the old Sekonda adverts from way back in 1992, I thought I’d have a rummage around the old Madness archive I’ve got at home and see what the newspapers had to say about all this.
The following article is taken from the Daily Mirror sometime in `92. Enjoy!!
MADNESS, the North London group who serve up their smash hits with a large helping of humour, are doing time – on TV.
Suggs and Co, the boys from the band, have been snapped up by Sekonda Watches for the firm’s latest telly commercial.
It’s being screened nationwide as part of Sekonda’s seasonal Christmas Campaign.
Award winning agency GGT – famous for the Leslie Nielsen Red Rock ads for Taunton Cider – is behind the 1 million pound Sekonda campaign.
The agency says it chose Madness because “the band fits the product profile hand-in-glove. Both Sekonda and Madness share the same zany sense of fun and keen style-consciousness.”
When it comes to durability the band themselves haven’t got a bad track record, either. Since 1979 they have run up a string of hits like `Baggy Trousers`, `House of Fun` and `Our House`.
Thirteen years on, they’re still going the business in record shops with a new album, `Madstock`
[11] A US Source for Madness Videos
Aloha nutters!
Whilst surfing the net, I found another company that sells Madness videos in NTSC (VHS) format. All come with covers, are PAL to NTSC conversions, and are of good quality. The company specializes in getting rare music concerts and films from Europe.
“Dance Craze” with Madness, The Specials, Bad Manners, Selecter… is currently listed in their catalog for $24.99. Other Madness videos are listed in their Collectors’ Catalog. To view these, just e-mail them for a user name and password. They reply promptly.
Madness videos listed in the Collectors’ catalog are:
Complete Madness $19.99
Utter Madness 19.99
Madstock 24.99
TIOLI 24.99
The URL is: http://videobeat.com/Catalogs
Have fun,
Stephie
[12] Cathal J.P Smyth at 40 – Oh What Fun We Had
Earlier in the month the list celebrated the birthday of the one and only Cathal Smyth, but whilst most were happy to wish the usual `Happy Birthday`, Vince Foley went one step beyond as it were.
I thought this was so good that it was worth repeating in the Madpost…
HEY ALL
Today we celebrate the 40th Birthday of our esteemed hero and friend; Cathal Smyth (aka. Chas Smash). Since 1979 we have all seen him come from mere nutty dancer of the nutty seven to perhaps the most crucial member of the lot.
As he once said “they didn’t want me at the start , but they had to have me!”. And aren’t we glad.
Carl always seems to enjoy himself in Madness. Always at the forefront in gigs ,videos, albums and interviews. Mr. Smash epitomises the essence of the group; “strength, happiness and comaradoury”.
From the early days of One Step Beyond, it’s interesting to see the development of his talents.
Soon enough he was playing trumpet and adding his own vocal talents which only enhanced the group’s sound. Within a short time he had jumped to the forefront of the group. Along with Suggs I think it’s fair to say that he was the most recognised member of the group.
A Smyth composition would always be a classic (Michael Caine ,Time, Wings of a Dove) and when they decided to call it a day in 1986 we knew that he would somehow return again. If anything it could be argued that he was the main man of the short lived The Madness (as proven in the track listing).
When in 1992 Virgin decided to release a comprehensive compilation of the bands singles it was him who felt it necessary to get involved in order to produce a fitting record. with its phenomenal success and his contacts in the music business , soon enough he was scouting around and sussing out the possibility of a reunion……..Madstock!
When on that Saturday Night 8th august 1992 arrived nobody was more proud that Cathal as the seven young men from Camden basked in their well deserved glory. Another Tour arrived and 3 more as well as a few Madstock’s, and now with bated breath, the return of Madness to the studio(fingers crossed!).
Thus today we celebrate the life of one Carl Smyth in that time we have received so much and look forward to more. I hope one day that some afternoon I’ll be walking along Camden Lock and meet this man and try to sum up how much he has meant to me and thank him for what he has given.
If life begins at 40; well we’ve only started to experience the greatness of this dearly loved man!
All the best,
Vince!
[13] A Touch of Horn Tooting!
Hey Mads all,
Just a little self-promoting horn tooting. I have a short Madness article on the “All Music Guide” (allmusic.com). It’s just a passionate out-pouring of my love for the lads, in the `musicview` section.
Just go to Madness in the guide and go all the way to the bottom.
Or not. It’s not gonna win me a Pulitzer or anything.
Any thoughts would be welcomed.
Cheers,
Paul Andrews
Denison Memorial Library- ILL Lending
University of Colorado Health Sciences Centre
paul.andrews@uchsc.edu
[14] Shut Up
Chris Foreman: “Many people say ‘Why Shut Up?’ when ‘Shut Up’ is not in the verse or anywhere else, well, now I can tell. When Suggs originally wrote the lyrics it was a ten minute opus and it had the words ‘Shut up’ in the chorus, these were surgically removed to give the song three minute classic value but kept as a title for sentimental reasons.”
These were the orginal lyrics:
I tell you I didn’t do it, cause I wasn’t there,
Don’t blame me it isn’t fair,
You listened to their side now listen to mine,
Can’t think of a story, sure you’ll find me sometime.
Now pass the blame, don’t blame me,
Just close your eyes and count to three,
Then I’ll be gone and you’ll forget,
The broken back window, the TV set.
It wasn’t me either, I’m just his mate,
Told me to stand here and watch the gate,
I’ve got a wife and three kids, you know,
They’ll tell you I’m straight, at least I think so,
I’m honest and straight as the day is long,
The longer the daylight the less I do wrong,
Go on, ask me no questions, I’ll tell you no lie,
Just look over there and I’ll say goodbye.
The past is behind me, officer, you see,
For one TV see you do not need three,
No, I was just passing when I saw an old mate,
Struggling to open his garden gate,
I ran up to help him but slid on the floor,
Went straight past the gate and bashed in the back door,
Just look down at your boots and you’ll see us no more,
Just one missing telly and a smashed up back door.
Shut up!!
[15] Esprit Sponsors Madness Website
`Esprit International Limited`, the world’s largest specialists in rare and collectable records has become an official sponsor of `Complete and Utter Madness`.
Together, `Complete & Utter Madness` and `Esprit International` provide, the most comprehensive and complete guide to Madness on the Internet, loads of really rare Madness related items held in stock including imports, promos, deletions and other special items for the collector, exclusive news, interviews, full discography listings to help you complete your collections, complete lyrics archive with all the lyrics, concert guides and picture history.
http://madness7.home.mindspring.com
[16] THREE NEON PYRAMIDS ABOVE THE DOOR
So, that’s it for another month.
Don’t forget to check out the new layout of the official Madness website (http://www.madness.co.uk), and if there’s anything you have always wanted to ask the band, don’t miss the chance to send your questions to Chris Foreman. The site is mostly done by Chris and Mark, so your questions will definitely reach the lads themselves!
If you have got some time to spend, you can download the latest Real Audio Player and listen to Madstock IV at http://www.simonr.u-net.com/ms4/ms4.ra or Suggs’ ‘Access All Areas’ interview at http://www.madmml.force9.co.uk/audio/suggs.ra . And while you are listening to it, don’t forget to do some ‘nutart’ and send it to Paul Wassell via e-mail or ICQ.
Those of you living in the UK can look forward to seeing Lord Suggs in the new film ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ later this month. Hopefully his cameo role will be a bit longer than the one he had in ‘The Tall Guy’…
A few Maddies will get together in Camden Town this coming weekend (6th/7th Feb), if you would like to join us: we will meet at Camden Town tube station – right hand exit – at about 12.30.
And finally, many thanks to everyone who knowingly or unknowingly contributed to this issue. Your help is most appreciated!
See you all next month!
The Author
