Hello and very warm welcome to this final MIS of 2013.

As is tradition at MIS Towers at this time of the year, this week’s issue features the first part of our annual look back on the last 12 months. Naturally, we can’t include everything that took place in the world of Madness during the past year, but we hope the article helps to bring back a few memories from what was an extremely eventful year.

On a more exciting note, from tonight’s issue Paul “Willo” Williams joins the MIS fold. Paul will be part of the MIS team for the year ahead, reporting regularly on The Specialized Project, the “Mad Not Cancer” album. He’ll also keep us updated on subsequent related events plus The Big One and the House of Fun Weekender, all for the Teenage Cancer Trust charity.

We’re really excited to have Paul come aboard for the year ahead, and hope that you enjoy his articles, this first of which appears in this very issue.

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

December 31st – Dublin – www.nyedublin.ie

July 13th, 2014 Festival Musilac, France http://www.musilac.com/

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

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

Suggs Live

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

December 22nd  – Garrick Theatre, London’s West End.

April 2014

2nd – Newbury Corn Exchange
3rd – Loughborough Town Hall
4th – Wakefield Theatre Royal
5th – Southport The Atkinson Theatre
6th – Runcorn The Brindley
8th – Mansfield Palace Theatre
9th – Stamford Corn Exchange
11th – Isle of Wight Shaklin Theatre
12th – Aldershot Princes Hall
13th – Wimborne Tivoli Theatre
15th – Bury St Edmonds The Apex
16th – Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall
17th – Stroud Subscription Rooms
22nd – Chelmsford Civic Theatre
23rd – Stevenage Gordon Craig Theatre
24th – Redditch Palace Theatre
25th – Malvern Forum Theatre
26th – Margate Winter Gardens
27th – Northampton Derngate
29th – Bolton Albert Halls
30th – Darlington Civic Theatre

May 2014

1st – Newark Palace Theatre
2nd – Redhill Harlequin Theatre
3rd – Watford Colosseum
4th – Yeovil Octagon Theatre
10th – DUBLIN Olympia Theatre
13th – Harlow Playhouse
14th – Lowestoft Marina Theatre
16th – Leamington Royal Spa Centre
17th – Jersey Opera House

Suggs and Friends

The charity fund raising evening “Suggs and Friends” makes a welcome return this coming March.  The 2014 fundraiser takes place on March 20th at 6.30pm, with champagne reception and auction.

The £150 donation tickets for pancreatic cancer gain entry to the Porchester Hall event in London W2. There’s no announcement yet as to who is joining Suggs at the exclusive event.

The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra

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

Deaf School

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

BUY IT

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

The Specialized EP  Featuring Lee Thompson

A 4 track vinyl EP featuring Lee’s track from the first specialized album and tracks by the Valves, Rhoda Dakar and Nick Welsh.

Should be in stock this coming week.

Thanks go to Chuck Wren and Jump Up Records, Stan from A&R Texas (pressing plant), and Mike Schneider of Indigo Iguana (design).

LOOK SO GOOD YA COULD LICK EM…. Will be available via

www.specializedproject.co.uk

The Specialized Big One 2. Live DVD.

For those wanting a copy of the DVD of the Big One 2 event we can reveal that you can now pre-order your copy. This will be limited edition and available into the new year. As is the normal spec with Specialized, all proceeds go to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Welcome to Specialized Project official website

LTSO, Bangarang, Featuring Dawn Penn

Single release date mid February.

The Magic Line Album * Out Now! *

Signed T-shirt packages and a deluxe edition.

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

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

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

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

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

Our thanks go to Paul Smart for the above

Suggs “The Close” Signed Book

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

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

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

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

Louis Vause – Midnight in Havana

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

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

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

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

Deaf School – the story is told at last!

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

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

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

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

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

LIVE INTENSIFIED

Hootenanny Line-Up

A host of musical stars, from Ray Davies to Rudimental, join Jools Holland as he reflects on 2013 and celebrates the arrival of the new year.

Rock veteran Davies joins Jools and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra for classic singalongs, while east London outfit Rudimental, one of the big success stories of 2013, bring songs from their debut LP, Home. They are joined by guest vocalists including Ella Eyre and Emeli Sandé.

Jools and his Orchestra accompany singer Charlie Wilson, while soul voices Laura Mvula and Lisa Stansfield also take to the stage.

Californian indie pop band Haim perform songs from their debut album Days Are Gone along with their take on a Fleetwood Mac number, while there are stomping anthems courtesy of The Proclaimers.

John Newman, another star that emerged in 2013, joins Jools and his R&B Orchestra, as does Melanie C who performs a couple of numbers, including a Stevie Wonder classic with soul singer Ruby Turner.

Jamaican singer Dawn Penn joins forces with Madness saxophonist Lee Thompson and his Ska Orchestra, and The Lumineers present tracks from their self-titled debut LP.

The Pipes & Drums of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards lead the way into the new year.

(Our thanks to Dicka for passing on the above. Original article from joolsholland.com)

SIGN OF THE TIMES

Dublin Calling For Ska Legend

Source: www.herald.ie

“The driver was talking about it last night coming in from the airport,” says Suggs,

“he said, ‘ah sure, it’s a lot of old nonsense’. . .but all I can say is my wife’s Irish, Carl in the band is Irish and we love coming to Ireland. We’re clinging to whatever Irish straws we have, if it makes you feel any better. But it’ll be a great night – whichever part of the planet you fancy you’re from…”

Full article: http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/music/dublin-calling-for-ska-legend-29861828.html

Suggs Courtesy of Steve Conway Films

Suggs talks about his early years in this 5 minute YouTube documentary produced by Steve Conway Films.

Our thanks to Andy Shoultz for passing on the above link to us.

I REMEMBER WAY BACK WHEN

This week, MIS co-editor Rob Hazelby, goes back 5 years to issue 504, and the week of Sunday 28th December 2008 to Saturday 3rd January 2009, and then back 10 years to issue 242 and the week of Sunday 28th December 2003 to Saturday 3rd January 2004.

5 years ago…

Issue 504 – Sunday 28th December 2008 to Saturday 3rd January 2009

We began this final issue of 2008 with a brief message from Suggs who was quoted in the Manchester Evening News as saying;

“I’d love a garden shed. I’ve got pretty much everything I could ever want, but I’ve never had a garden shed.”

We never did find out if his wish came true or not.

Now, those of you who’d forked out for Madstock 5 tickets only to find that the web page and ticket link had been removed had no need to panic, as this snippet from the most recent Madblog posting indicated:

“You may have heard, Madstock is back and now fully confirmed for the 17th July at Victoria Park in London! Ticket details and all of the news as it breaks will follow soon.

For a short time tickets were actually made available to purchase by one of the ticket websites.

Clearly, someone at the website must have got a little over excited and accidentally     pressed the ‘Put On Sale’ Button by mistake!

We can assure you, if you’ve bought a ticket, your purchase will stand! For everyone else, tickets will officially be made available soon”.

So, the message was clear – if you’d already bought your tickets you could sit back and relax, safe in the knowledge you’d secured your place at next year’s Madstock. The rest of us meanwhile, would have to wait until tickets came back on sale.

Continuing on the subject of Madstock 5, and with the concert poster declaring ‘special’ guests, many were under the assumption that The Specials would be appear in the line up. It was Paul Willo of thespecials.com who was able to shine some light on the rumour. After speaking to The Specials’ management he was informed that The Specials had not been booked.

We reported on something for the Madness die-hard/anorak next, as Mister B revealed that he’d created some unofficial artwork for those of us who had downloaded the Liberty of Norton Folgate tracks prior to us receiving the physical versions in the new year. What a nice chap.

With the ‘Liberty of Norton Folgate’ album now on sale, MIS co-editor Lee Buckley had painstakingly transcribed the full lyrics to album tracks ‘That Close’ and ‘Rainbows’, and these were both featured in this issue.

Next, and while many of us were happy to stump-up £40 to cover the cost of the Norton Folgate limited edition box set, it wasn’t too surprising that many were asking if it was worth the asking price. It was over to Paul Rodgers, who hoped to convince those who were unsure as to just what the purpose of this release was.

Here’s Paul;

“I think the idea here is for Madness fans to fund a few little bits of recording and marketing costs for the album. As far as I know the band have financed this project themselves, including the production of film clips and the stage show at Hackney. Funds are probably running a little low. I’d imagine they’d expect no more than 5000 people to buy this box set, but if they sell that many they can recoup £200k for cashflow, which they can then use to manufacture as many box sets as have been pre-ordered in February and in the meantime we get a 12 track download of their first decent new album is 9 years. As far as I can see everyone wins.

Are the 12 tracks worth £40? No. Does it feel good to think that I’ve contributed £40 towards Madness being able to fund new material? Yes. Would I do it again given the chance in 2 years? Like a shot.

No-one is forcing us to buy the box set version, but it is good value for collectors. It will also stop a few people making a killing selling promos on eBay.”

We brought this issue to a close with part one of our lookback at 2008, and revealed that the Ian Dury stage show, The Life and Rhymes of Ian Dury would be staged from the 6th of January to the 15th of February at the Leicester Square Theatre.

10 years ago…

Issue 242 – Sunday 28th December 2003 to Saturday 3rd January 2004

The first post-Christmas issue of the MIS is always a short one, and this one was no exception.  Lets face it, we’ve all have far more important things to be doing than browsing the net and staring at our computer screens.

Starting off this issue was subscriber Andy Clayden, who took the time to review the recently released Madness singles box set, and his opinion was that it was far from the essential collector’s item we were all hoping for.

Unfortunately incorrect versions of numerous tracks were used on this compilation, meaning that this was an incredibly flawed collection of Madness singles.

Here’s just some of what Andy had to say;

“Given that this is intended as a CD replica of the original singles, the errors listed are unforgivable in my book. This is the umpteenth Madness compilation featuring the singles tracks, so by now you would expect Virgin to get it right with the mixes.

I`m sorry to be so down on this, but as much as I want to like it, I`m ultimately disappointed. For that I don’t blame the band, (although Bedders really should have used a picture from the correct era on the box art), as I’m unaware how much input they had into the actual product.

I was rather hoping that my original misgivings against the re-issue of these songs yet again would be dispelled when I finally got my grubby paws on it, but the bottom line is, it feels slightly shoddy”.

“Calling all web site designers” was the message that went out this issue, when it was revealed that Madness tribute outfit One Step Behind were looking for someone to revamp their web site. The band were after someone to either give the pages a one off revamp, or take up the challenge of giving the site a new lick of paint, and staying on board to keep the pages updated.

Moving on, and was it an April fools joke or someone getting the wrong end of the stick? We’re not quite sure, but the news that reached us announcing that Suggs would soon have a permanent role in BBC TV series Eastenders didn’t sound very likely.

Subscriber Sarah Beamish reported that Mr. McPherson would have a one off part in the Christmas Eve edition, but that was as far as concrete information could take us.

Thankfully we’d discover that these ruours would remain just that!

Rob Hazelby

A LOOKBACK AT 2013 – PART 1

With 2013 almost behind us it’s time to look back at the year gone by in this first of three articles charting the highs and lows of the past 12 months.

As you’ll see, it’s been a busy year in the world of Madness!

January

This was the month when we received the sad news that The Blockheads’ Wilko Johnson had been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the pancreas.

Wilko, we were informed, was due to fly out to Japan, and on his return to the UK, would be completing a CD before performing at a small series of farewell gigs.

Our thoughts went out to Wilko, his family and friends, and we promised to keep you up-to-date with news of any developments.

On a happier note, “Never Knew Your Name” entered the BBC Radio 2 A playlist. This made it the band’s biggest airplay since 1999’s “Lovestruck”.

Remember the Suggs autobiography “That Close”? The release date kept on slipping, and it was in January that we learned the book was now due to hit the shops on October 29th or October 31st. We still weren’t 100% sure!

On the 19th the band appeared on ITV’s The Jonathan Ross Show. Madness performed One Step Beyond and Never Knew Your Name, with Suggs and Carl taking time out from singing duties to be interviewed by Jonathan Ross.

Wildlife and Madness aren’t normally featured together, but this was the month when wildlife researcher/presenter Chris Packham managed to slip in the names of 22 Madness songs into his commentary. Naturally, the MIS team were on hand to highlight all of them, and we were even kind enough to feature them in a specially edited video containing all the mentions.

Towards the end of the month a special mid-week issue went out in an effort to encourage fans to purchase “Never Knew Your Name” and get it into the top 75 singles. Unfortunately, the single only got to number 88, but did reach 7 in the indie charts.

Also this month, the band revealed that they’d been booked to play Haydock Racecourse on Saturday 20th July. This was sadly one of the shows in 2012 that had to be cancelled because the weather was simply too bad to hold the event.

February

This month French Madness fans were treated to a France only release of the Oui, Oui album featuring “Crying”, a version of a Thommo penned track about a dog who cries wolf.

This latest appearance of the little doggie was due to a redistribution of the album in France. The Andy Weatherall remix of Death of a Rude Boy, previously a bonus track here on the UK preview-single-thingy-download, has been added, as well as Crying. Perhaps the thinking was that this would sweeten and bump up the deal for the TV promoted push of the album in France, just after their Midem appearance and before March in Paris.

Gig news, and in February we learned that the band had been booked to perform at Rockness on Sunday 9th June. The band would be appearing alongside acts such as Dance-rap act Example, singer Ellie Goulding and Basement Jaxx, among others.

If that wasn’t enough, the band had also just been booked to perform at à L’Olympia de Paris on Monday 16th September. Those gigs were certainly starting to mount up!

On to solo stuff, and in February Lee appeared at London’s trendy Hoxton area, where he played a DJ set at a club, hosted by Scroobius Pip (no, we’ve no idea either).

There was also sad news this month when we learned that legendary London music venue The Bull and Gate had been given closing orders. Releasing an official statement, promotors Club Fandango revealed that gastropub chain Youngs would reopen the venue in the summer.

The statement read: “The Bull and Gate, that north London bastion of alternative rock and indie-pop rumblings for over 30 years, will cease operating as a live venue on Saturday May 4 2013. The  entire building has been sold to the Youngs chain and will be closed for refurbishment. It is expected to reopen as a pub restaurant in the summer.”

The end of the month brought yet more gig news. It’d been announced that Madness would be headlining the Friday night of the 5 day Henley Festival, appearing on a floating stage, on the 12th of July.

If that wasn’t enough, news also reached us announcing that The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra would be touring in May.

March

The wait was over as March was the month when those who’d ordered the Oui, Oui box set finally found the package landing on their doormats. Was it worth the money? Our in-depth review of the box set would hopefully give you a good idea as to whether it was or not.

Spanning a whopping 3 CDs and 1 DVD, this package contained a staggering 70 tracks, including:

– 9 Exclusive Band Demos,

– 7 Exclusive New Album Tracks,

– 4 Exclusive Alternate Version Tracks,

– 1st ever Live performance of the album (DVD)

Along with that the band had also packed in:

– 32 Page Booklet,

– Oui Oui Ouija Board Game Artwork

– Oui Si Ja Da – The full story unravelled before your eyes and ears

On to single news, and this month we discovered that the next single to be released was “How Can I Tell You”, which was a 3-version download, due for release on April 7th.

The single was available for pre-order now, and previews were up for you to listen to online.

After years of being hated and scorned by many at the BBC it came as a pleasant surprise when this month we learned that the band would be performing live in front of BBC Television Centre as part of an evening of entertainment, bidding farewell to the much loved venue.

Celebrating its 53 year history, BBC Four were planning to produce an hour-long programme to be shown on 22 March, nine days before TV Centre was due to close its doors.

It wasn’t all good news as this month fans discovered that the legendary “Kelloggs” had sadly passed away. A number of online tributes from friends were posted online, and we directed you to them for further reading.

Also this month we learned that the first Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra single would be “Fu Man Chu”, and French fans had reason to celebrate when a slew of France based gigs were announced, due to take place during June, July, August and September.

If that wasn’t enough, tickets went on sale to see Madness at The Alexandra Palace on Saturday 28th September, and were selling fast!

April

The month got underway with the sad news that Wilko Johnson’s performance with Madness at the BBC TV Centre had been his last. (Note: It looks as if he now has a final few gigs planned for Feb 2014)

Wilko was due to perform two final gigs at Canvey Island, but due to failing health had to cancel. Talking about his performance with Madness at the Beeb, he commented;

“I only performed one song but it was freezing and the wind was blowing up an absolute gale. It was whipping into my face and how Madness performed for an hour I have no idea. It was very very very cold and I think this is why I feel down.”

On a much happier note, we were pleased to bring you details of the full tracklisting from the forthcoming Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra. The album was due out on June 3rd.

The end of the month brought with it a massive revamp, as the old MIS format was brushed aside, ready for the new look you see today. Gig and merchandise sections would appear in every issue, alongside sections we could add and remove as and when necessary. The new format made it easier for readers to get to the information they wanted and for the editorial team, each issue proved easier to compile.

Rob Hazelby

TWEETS OF A DOVE

Various snippets from Facebook, the Twitterverse, and this week, The Irish Mirror

Suggs (on Bedders returning to the band)

“Our bass player has just come back – we didn’t even realise for six months. He just appeared one night out of the blue, no questions asked.”

Suggs (on the new album)

“We are thinking about it and I think we will. Everyone is talking about doing a new record so hopefully some time in 2014 it will happen. And I’d like to carry on making good albums or even great albums.”

Chas Smash

“Wishing you all the Happiest of New Years. may joy and harmony fill your homes and hearts in the year ahead. love to all. X”

“Those of you who will be at The Gathering, enjoy the show and may the spirit be with you x chas smash”

Chrissy Boy

“Ah well, all over soon. Must get the hang of this camera. Have a great one. CB x pic.twitter.com/WTzjHhbjDa”

Suggs Mcpherson

25 December at 03:31 via Twitter ·

“The very merriest of christmasses to one and all! X”

“Thanks to all who came to the garrick. Unbelievable. Aftershow went a bit wonky, phoenix bar shut! Ended up mine-sweeping in wetherspoons!”

Bedders

“…Behind you! ‘Puss in Boots’ panto at the Hackney Empire this afternoon where they did a lovely Miaow-ed version of ‘It Must be Love’.”

“The Ska Orch, ‘Midnight Rider’ on the @RobertElms show. Lovely

http://youtu.be/VuaPkVY-vQc”

Darren Fordham

“Don’t forget you can catch El Thommo, Dawn Penn and myself on Jools’ Annual Hootenanny, BBC2 11.30pm New Year’s Eve.”

Our thanks go to Vince Carden for passing on a number of the above Suggs quotes which originally appeared in The Irish Mirror.

MIS FEATURE

The Specials2 & Specialized Charitable Music Project Presents…

“SPECIALIZED 3 – MAD NOT CANCER”

ALL PROCEEDS TO TEENAGE CANCER TRUST

www.specializedproject.co.uk

TCTCD003- Specials2 Records

Released June 23rd 2014

Over the last eighteen months the “Specialized” charitable music project has used its unique crowd-funded, not-for-profit philosophy to raise over £40,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust.  In 2012 the project released its first album, the critically acclaimed “Specialized-A Modern take on Specials Classics” which comprised a double album of tracks covering the back catalogue of The Specials. Each track was covered by a band who volunteered their time and energy to the album for free. The funding to get the album printed was raised by these same bands and others wishing to support the project, donating their time to playing gigs up and down the country (and indeed the world) and shaking buckets in the name of the cause. The project was so successful that in 2013 the second album was conceived and “Beat Teenage Cancer”, covering tracks of The Beat/English Beat came into fruition.

Both albums have been used as a showcase for unsigned modern bands influenced by the respective artists to pay their respect in form of tribute. A few of the established 2Tone stars have also made it onto the recordings including Lee Thompson of Madness who has been a long-time supporter.  100% of the sale price of these albums was donated to Teenage Cancer Trust as did money raised at intimate gigs up and down the UK and also shows in USA & Australia. The project has attracted much attention from people in the scene, who have donated their skills and talents to the project free of charge and helped design and manufacture the albums and merchandise that has helped grow the Specialized project.

Each year the project has culminated in a successful three day music festival in Dorset where bands involved in the project have again donated their time and energy to play their contribution to the album plus their own material to Specialized supporters. The festival has been a heart-warming experience for all those involved, acts and festival goers alike, and due to the unique donation/funding aspect has swelled the final cash total for the charity.

The BBC featured the project on their flagship World Service programme “News Hour” and the project has had other coverage in Scootering Magazine, The Sun, various local papers and BBC/Independent/Internet radio shows. WolfMan Radio, a renowned internet radio station, has adopted the Specialized project with regular Specialized features, fund raising and interviews.

The whole enterprise has moved on considerably from its unassuming beginnings in the mind of its founder Paul Willo, and in 2014 the Specialized project is applying for charitable status. In doing so the project also announces some big names from 2Tone and Ska music as its supporters. Lynval Golding of the Specials is the enthusiastic project Patron along with Roddy Byers of The Specials as its President. Dave Wakeling of The Beat/English Beat will be Ambassador, bringing with him a great deal of experience and ideas to the fund raising field after previously working with Greenpeace and other projects. Mr Wakeling is intending to spread the Specialized influence into the USA and work with its Teen Cancer agencies stateside. Dave is touring the country in March 2014 and is spreading the Specialized message across the UK.

In 2014 phase 3 of the project commences with a new album of covers by modern artists. This time, the subject can only be the musical juggernaut that is North London’s finest, MADNESS. Madness have few equals in the pop world as regards their sheer likeability and crafted songs. Their rhythms are infectious, their lyrics personal and adaptable and with the most extensive catalogue of tunes in the business.  These brilliant tracks will undoubtedly raise interest, people’s spirits and money for the charity.

The album “Mad Not Cancer” is destined for release in June 2014 and as Specialized grows, so does its international appeal with acts from the Philippines, France, Germany, Australia, USA, Spain & Argentina lining up to take part.

Visit the official website:  www.specializedproject.co.uk for check for a promo tour of the UK based Specialized acts or to purchase the previous album. Keep up to date with the fast moving project which will commence in March and will culminate in a 3 day festival in November at Parkdean Sandford, Dorset. PLEASE NOTE THE PROJECT IS TOTALLY NON PROFIT,  ALL MONIES RAISED GOT TO TEENAGE CANCER TRUST CHARITY. Thank you all for your continued support and hope to see old and new faces at our events

The Specialized patrons

“This is far bigger than anything.  It’s not about us, it’s about helping others, giving something to others who are unfortunate to find themselves in hospital or home ill with cancer. We can’t rely on governments so it comes down to us as people and Specialized helps bring us together for one fantastic cause through the medium of music.” LYNVAL GOLDING (THE SPECIALS)

“I know people say it’s only Rock ’n’ Roll, but I’ve always believed music can change things for the good of everyone.” RODDY BYERS (THE SPECIALS)

We help ourselves when we help each other. You listen to your favourite tunes, while your money helps a teenager with cancer; couldn’t be simpler! Proud as punch to be a part of this thank you..” DAVE WAKELING ( THE BEAT/ ENGLISH BEAT)

Links

Specialized Beat Teenage Cancer Facebook-

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Specialized-2-Beat-Teenage-Cancer/471972376177786

Specialized Beat teenage Cancer Twitter

www.twitter.com/specializeduk1

Paul “Willo” Williams

TIME…

That just about wraps it up for this issue and 2013.

With rumours of a new album being in the works and the band taking time out from touring to work on that, it seems as if the year ahead could feature few gigs from our favourite band.

Naturally, as with all things Madness you never quite know what the band are going to get up to. So, as we’ve always done, as soon as we hear anything newsworthy related to The Magnificent Seven we’ll be sure to let you know.

Happy new year and bring on 2014

Jon Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams

(with thanks to Dicka, Andy Shoultz and Vince Carden)