Madness Information Service Online Newsletter Issue Number: 794 – Sunday 27th July to Saturday 2nd August 2014
Hello Madheads.
This week, on the House of Fun Weekender page, the band announced the “Madhead Golden Ticket”.
“At this years House of Fun Weekender, those judged to be the most distinguished fancy dressers shall receive that most coverted of Prizes. The Madhead Golden Ticket.”
So, what does this give you? Free entry for two to every gig of the Madhead tour, that’s what. To win this you need to be voted the best fancy dressed at the weekender.
Remember, that the fancy dress theme this year is Madhead. So even if you come as yourself you’ll be in costume (but that’s no way to win!). Just think of a madhead from history and pop culture, whose a worthy artist, thinker, nutter, innovator, crazy genius or role model that in your considered opinion befits the lineage of Madness. The only limit is your imagination and personal perspective. Open your mind, Open your madhead and ask the question “who do you want to portray in a madhead gallery?” Good luck.
In the meantime, while those of you going to the weekender have your thinking caps on, others of you, have fun if you are going to the August Madness concerts from next weekend and send us in your reviews if you make it along to any of the shows from France through to Russia next month.
With work hotting up on his highly anticipated solo album project “A comfortable man”, we hear rumours Carl may not make some of the current summer shows, taking time out to sort things long in the works. We can’t wait to hear or attend the next Cathal Mo Chroi output, and hope if he’s out a short while, he’s back in full for the Madhead.
Thirdly, if you are attending the Crunch Set of songs at Kentish Town next Sunday, we will see you there. It’s just £10 on the door, and we will be bringing you all the news from that the following week. The Magic Carpet ride is not one to miss.
Fourthly, The Near Jazz Experience are back on Resonance FM Clear Spot. 8-9pm on Wednesday July 30th. The special guest is Emma Bennett from Dear Thief, appearing in the latest installment of their “Why are we musicians?” series of discussions.
Finally, if you happen to be reading this at The Secret Garden Party festival, Suggs is currently there hosting events at The Secret Salon.
Enjoy the read,
Jonathan Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams
SHOWTIMES
See below for all forthcoming Madness and Madness related gigs and events. If there’s something we’ve missed off or you feel should be added then please let us know.
Madness
July 2014
July 31st – 3rd August, Reggae Sun Festival, Bordeaux, France
August 2014
August 2nd, Suikerrock, Belgium
August 12th Mallorca Rocks
August 13th Ibiza Rocks
August 18th, Kubana Festival, Krasnodar, Vesolovka
November 2014
November 21st – 24th 2014 – Minehead – Earlybird tickets can be ordered here: http://www.bigweekends.com/splash-pages/madness2014.aspx
December 2014
All for the M.A.D.H.E.A.D Tour
Thursday 4th, Capital FM Arena, Nottingham
Friday 5th, Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Saturday 6th, Brighton Centre, Brighton, Matinee
Saturday 6th, Brighton Centre, Brighton * SOLD OUT *
Monday 8th, Plymouth Pavillions, Plymouth
Tuesday 9th, Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth Thursday 11th, First Direct Arena, Leeds
Friday 12th, Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Saturday 13th, LG Arena, The NEC, Birmingham
Monday 15th, Odyssey Arena, Belfast
Tuesday 16th, The O2 Dublin, Dublin
Thursday 18th, The SSE Hydro, Glasgow
Friday 19th, Phones 4u Arena, Manchester
Saturday 20th, The O2 Arena, London
Links to purchase tickets for the above tour can be found at: http://madness.seetickets.com/tour/madness/?pre=premad&src=madnesspre
For tickets also see links via: www.madness.co.uk
The Magic Brothers
November 1st. Blakes @ The Custard House – Birmingham
Magic Brother Friday Headline set:
November 14th. The Big One 3. Park Dean, Sandford Dorset.
The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra
July 2014
July18th Brixton Jamm, London. Tickets from Skiddle.com
July 26th Wickerman Festival
August 2014
August 31st, The Big Feastival, Alex James’ Farm, Cotswolds
October 2014
October 2nd, The Jazz Café, Camden Town
More festival dates to follow.
Ska Orchestra web site: www.ltso.mis-online.net
The Lee Thompson Ska Band – (The Nutty Boy – A Crunch! Set of Songs)
August 3rd – The Fidler’s Elbow. Kentish Town. 8pm – (Crunch! Songs Set)
https://www.facebook.com/events/648549731907550/?fref=ts7
(The warm up gig for Boom Town appearance.)
August 7th – 10th An appearance at the Boom town festival, Hampshire’s pop up city four day event begins on August 7th into the weekend. Chinatown district is full of Ska and more bands this year, but we can confirm that this won’t be playing host to the Ska Orchestra. Yes we’ve hinted for weeks at something different for Boom Town. It’s A Crunch! set of Songs. See MIS feature below.
http://www.boomtownfair.co.uk/news/chinatown-district-line-up-released-199
The Silencerz (Featuring Lee Thompson)
November 2014
16th November – Confirmed in the Sunday Lineup of bands at Specialized The Big One 3. In Dorset.
Lee will be doing a photo signing session too.
Near Jazz Experience
July 29th – NEAR JAZZ EXPERIENCE + The Aftershave + Guest DJ set Indo 133 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1DT *Free*
Deaf School
August
8th, The Islington, North London
9th, The Islington, North London (SOLD OUT)
10th, Rebellion Festival, Blackpool (SOLD OUT)
For details of future gigs keep an eye on http://deafschoolmusic.com for more information.
November
Thursday 20 – Borderline, London
Friday 21 – Trades Club, Hebden Bridge
Saturday 22 – Academy, Manchester
Sunday 23 – Floral Pavilion, New Brighton
BUY IT
If money’s currently burning a hole in your pocket then perhaps we can help with your dilemma.
New Madness T-shirts.
Over on the Madstore, at http://madness.sandbaghq.com/left-menu-madness/clothing/t-shirts.html/ a selection of new official T-shirts for you to buy, have been unveiled.
The most mentionable among the new designs is a summer white palms t-shirt, depicting a tropical sunset beach seen through an outlined Madness crowned M. Very Nice. It has a very Nassau Madness Seven mode we feel.
Other New Shirts include a ringer, showing a crowned M with a laurel ring around it, and an orange Madness London Logo on grey. See below for details of the tour T-shirt which can be bought on its on separately.
The M.A.D.H.E.A.D Tour T-shirt – Get it now.
What does any self respecting Madhead wear? The only true fan clothing of choice right now is surely the brand new Madhead T-shirt. Available now at least five months ahead of the tour, this T-shirt is so NOW!
The brand new 2014 picture of all seven of the band next to their happiness machine and ready to bring joy. You can look stylish in it in a range of sizes, you can promote this summer, the forthcoming tour and help your heroes and of course in this day and age by buying the bands official clothing you are putting your money into the future new album project pot etc of the band who exist these days on their own self produced record label.
We’re very happy with this move to give out the T-shirt ahead of the tour as it makes so much sense to us. The T-shirt is relevant and current for a longer period of time for the fan. Steer clear of knock off clothing and get the official Madhead T-shirt. Support your favourite band directly, like a true Madhead.
Available here… Via See Tickets and Madness.co.uk
SPECIALIZED: Mad Not Cancer. 4CD covers album for Teenage Cancer Trust – Pre-Order Now
Over 70 tracks. 4 CDs. Cover versions of Madness by not just Ska bands but lots of young up and coming acts of many genres including a few famous pop stars and Bedders on one track, too. All for Teenage Cancer.
http://www.specializedproject.co.uk/#!shop/c1atu
The Suggs Selection.
The new compilation album of tunes chosen especially by Suggs.
It features one Madness track It must be love, and one solo track – So Tired. Alongside one self produced track The Farm’s – Stepping Stone.
The rest of the 60 track 3 CD album contains his own personal music joys.
Signed copies are available from record store.
http://www.recordstore.co.uk/recordstore/Signed/The-Suggs-Selection-Signed/3C6C02BP000
LTSO, Bangarang, Featuring Dawn Penn & Sharon Shannon
Out now.
itunes http://tinyurl.com/p2bquak
Amazon http://tinyurl.com/pwg6du2
LIVE AND INTENSIFIED
TLTSO Brixton Jamm 18.07.14
A late decision took 3 of us to Brixton Jamm to see The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra on Friday 18 July. Not having been to the Jamm before, coupled with not a great deal of thought or research as to exactly where the venue is, our journey en route from Brixton tube takes in a meandering detour – even the cabbie we asked took us the wrong way! Upon arrival we are thirsty, gagging for a jimmy riddle and decidly warm on this balmy summer evening.
Outside the venue we pay our £10 admission and get a customary saxaphone ink stamp on our arm to show we’ve paid. We head in to the venue itself which in temperature terms is like being in the freezer section of a supermarket. What a contrast! I can hear a couple of people call out my name to say hello to me – apologies for now but I need the gents! I’m then stopped in my tracks. “So you made it then” says a certain top bloke. This particular person has got familiar with my presence at many ‘local’ gigs and events that he’s played at – yes folks – it’s the legendary Lee ‘Kix’ Thompson! “Yeah late decision! Where’s the bogs?”. As Lee replied, “That way!”, my mate has asked me “Westy – wot’ya drinking?”. I reply “Easy Rider”. Lee is still with us and responds “Shouldn’t that be a Midnight Rider?”. This man is never off stage!
There are many familiar faces, particularly regular attendees of recent Madness related events at the Dublin Castle. I also get to speak with a father and son, Paul and Lee; the Essex Boys. We have met before but it’s good to get better acquainted with like-minded people and share views and offer opinions. Good times. The guy at the merchandise stall recognises me from the LTSO gig at St Albans and is selling some good quality stuff including a signed poster of tonight’s gig with Lee holding a sax above his head ready to smash it to pieces; it mocks the The Clash ‘London Calling’ cover, including the type setting, which itself was a pastiche of an Elvis Presley album. The merch guy says Daley took the (top quality) picture of Lee. I also pick up a flyer but more of that later.
The venue is apparently of 600 capacity yet the room we’re in would be uncomfortable at 300; I reckon there must be another gig area in the building. Tonight I would estimate around 200 here and the venue has a bar along much of the right side with the stage at the far end packed with a dozen Ska Orchestra personnel, although is not too cramped for them compared to some previous shows. No Bedders tonight but we have Kevin Burdett who has deputised for Madness on occasions.
They attack the gig with Guns Fever; their signature opening track which heralds a show much in the same way as One Step Beyond does with Madness. The band, as ever, sound great. “Whose idea was it to put on this show on the hottest day of the year?” says Thommo early on. There might be air-conditioning yet it must still be hard work actively performing in these conditions. No matter, Heatwave is next (what else in these temperatures?) and the band play brilliantly – I love Ali Baba – what a tune! Tunnel One, which I’d only heard once or twice before is a mellow groove that is still stamped with that cracking LTSO sound. For No No No we have a different guest vocalist which changes the dynamic of the usual show. Cry To Me is another tune I’m unfamiliar with and I have to admit I’m past caring how the songs sound for review purposes – sorry! – cos I’m just grinning, drinking and dancing my way through another amazing show.
As always, Thommo and his crew have done superbly and I look forward to seeing Thommo next time. Which ties in nicely to the flyer I mentioned. It’s been advertised in MIS; not having Twitter or The Facebook or whatever it’s called I get solid confirmation that the Crunch! gig is fast approaching. It reads: “Lee Kix (orig. Nutty Boy) of the Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra (& Madness) performs songs from the album Crunch! Tickets only available on the door! Limited numbers 3rd August 2014 Doors 7pm £10 Fiddler’s Elbow NW5. I think I might have to start queuing now to make sure I get in…
Set List
Guns Fever
Heatwave
Ali Baba
Eastern Standard Time
Hot Reggae Sit & Wonder
Tunnel One
Fun Man Chu
Mission Impossible
Hello Josephine
Bangarang
No No No
Broadway Jungle
****************
Cry To Me
Midnight Rider
Soon You’ll Be Gone
Daren West.
TWEETS OF A DOVE
Various posts from Facebook and Twitter that have caught our eye over the past week or so.
Chrissy Boy @CBoyForeman
Ok. The weather has been fantastic. So how long until a hosepipe ban? Usually brings a deluge.
Mike Barson. Facebook.
I came across this wonderful & appropriate little spot in Battersea. The Peace Pagoda. This what it said on it… The Pagoda is dedicated to the realisation of Universal Peace. It is a symbol of light in the darkness of the present day world, a visible prayer to awaken humanity to peace. The Pagoda is a sanctuary of refuge for all beings. It is built to further humanity’s quest and prayer that the world may be saved from nuclear annihilation, our oneness and sacredness revealed by our act of reverence and worship. …Civilisation is neither to have electric lights, nor airplanes, nor to produce nuclear bombs. Civilisation is not to kill human beings, not to destroy things, nor to make war; civilisation is to hold mutual affection and to respect each other.
Mark Bedford @I_be_MarkB
Bass-tastic! “@designtaxi: Man plays 100 memorable bass lines in one epic medley http://ow.ly/z7bnq ”
SPECIALIZED 3 – MAD NOT CANCER – MORE SPECIALIZED SONG REVIEWS
With three full tracks from the forthcoming Mad Not Cancer compilation now ready for review, Graham Yates gives us an initial lowdown…
Graham Yates returns with the lowdown on more tracks from the forthcoming Mad Not Cancer album…
Uncle Sam – Ska Dogs
One of the joys of the Specialized project this year is that a lot of the bands involved have avoided the big hits and picked something a little more obscure from the Madness catalogue – and that’s the case with Ska Dogs from Southampton/Portsmouth area and their cover of Uncle Sam. Not that the song won’t be familiar to most fans, but it wouldn’t be the first track most would think of if asked to name a Madness song on the spur of the moment either. Rather than the subdued Night Boat-esque foghorn of the original, the Ska Dogs version starts with the Reveille bugle call that was used by The Specials and The Beat (to kick off Longshot Kick De Bucket and Jackpot respectively) and then slowly builds with the rhythm section starting things off before the brass section joins in to set the tone for the song – and a very good tone it is. Melodically each instrument plays it’s own part and the song essentially ends up as a series of overlapping and interwoven exchanges between the various brass components, all held together nicely throughout by the rhythm section. Add to that a laid back vocal from lead singer Wayne Kannessaa that polishes the track off nicely, and you have a totally different version from the somewhat manic at times original….and I like it!! The band have put together a simple and yet quite funny video to accompany the track on YouTube that’s worth watching too.
Judge for yourself here: http://youtu.be/cnbs3Q2GICM
House Of Fun – Cartoon Violence
So from the more obscure to a “Showtime” favourite and Madness’ only number one, performed here by Cartoon Violence from mid-Wales and already on their second album to much acclaim. After a slightly creepy start (well the video is anyway with it’s Victorian dolls and dark Hammer-esque lighting), the song bursts into life and it’s like someone slipped the original some speed whilst it wasn’t looking!! The tempo has been upped a notch or two from the original (if that was possible)!! Not that that’s a bad thing, it just makes the song that bit more manic than it already was. Stylistically it’s not too different from the original (apart from the tempo!!) although there’s a clever touch in a lot of the vocals that become an interplay between the lead singer Chuzz and sax player Sash which works really well. The accompanying YouTube video is just as manic as the song itself with what appears to be that party you missed and wished you hadn’t going on. This one will definitely have you up and skanked to within an inch of your life – if you can take the pace that is!!
Judge for yourself here: http://youtu.be/ZmYi21VMxsA
Death Of A Rude Boy – Spahni’s Dub Dancers (featuring Dennis Bovell)
I’ll be honest and say upfront that I’m not a fan of the original – don’t hate it, but it doesn’t do a great deal for me, although I couldn’t quite put my finger on why until now. Spahni’s Dub Dancers hail from Switzerland and were founded by Daniel Spahni, who has worked with LKJ, Lee “Scratch” Perry and Dennis Bovell as well as many more. Dennis Bovell is probably best known to Madness fans as the producer behind 2005’s “Dangermen Sessions” album and is again at the producing helm here as well as appearing on the track. In honesty this version isn’t that different from the original, but where this version succeeds for me is that it lets the music/dub drive it, whereas the original relied on the vocal and the “ah cha cha cha” refrain. Sure there’s a strong vocal on this – particularly when Mr Bovell kicks in with his solo vocal towards the end of the track, which again works better than it did on the original in my opinion. There are some great dub beats and a nice brass hook throughout this cover that lead me to say something I don’t say often – this may well be a cover that’s better than the song it’s covering. All flames, letters of abject disbelief at someone daring to say such a thing should go on a postcard to the usual address 
Judge for yourself here: http://mx3.ch/spahnis_dub_dancers
Graham Yates
Priced at £15.99 plus postage you can pre-order at the following link:
http://www.specializedproject.co.uk/#!shop/c1atu
DISC ONE PREVIEW – http://youtu.be/H385Yhv7u9k DISC TWO PREVIEW – http://youtu.be/OcEePjTthmc DISC THREE PREVIEW – http://youtu.be/4PnxwPcm67o DISC FOUR PREVIEW – http://youtu.be/xjpf7ygQgZs
For a list of artists/songs go here: http://www.specializedproject.co.uk/#!artists/c1qyc
For any information relating to Specialized generally you can go to any of the following:
Web: http://www.specializedproject.co.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/specialized3madnotcancer
Twitter: @specializeduk1
It’s nearly with us, and reviews will be landing shortly!
Paul Willo
SPECIALIZED 3 – MAD NOT CANCER – FREE LIVE BED & BREAKFAST MAN
Specialized are very pleased to announce that his Royal highness KING HAMMOND is releasing yet another free download of a fantastic track in aid of Specialized/TCT. Everyone knows that KH has recorded “Bed & Br…eakfast Man” for Specialized 3 and to coincide with that he has donated the track ” Bed & Breakfast Man- LIVE”.
The track comes from his set which has been released as his superb new album ” Riot In Coventry” which was recorded at the July 2014 Godiva Festival in Coventry!
THIS TRACK IS NOT AVAILABLE ON THAT ALBUM.
We thank Nick Welsh for all his hard work and time for the Specialized cause. Please enjoy your download
AVAILABLE FROM HOME PAGE AT WWW.SPECIALIZEDPROJECT.CO.UK
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 534 – Sunday 26th July – Saturday 1st August 2009
Originally devised and run by Madness fan Andrew Langmead, and subsequently kept alive and kickng by the one and only Paul Musct, the batton had once again been passed on and this latest Madchart was being run by the Madness Central team.
Getting things underway was the ever capable Lee Buckley, who announced the start of this latest in the long running series of Madcharts.
Next, we handed proceedings over to Chris Carter-Pegg, who brought part 3 (of 3) of his series, covering Madness’ appearances at Glastonbury from 1986 to 2009. This week he covered their most recent of performances at the legendary music festival, which took place at 6:00pm on Sunday 28th June at The Pyramid Stage.
On to sightseeing news, and this week Google Maps launched an international initiative across several cities including London and New York, highlighting venues such as restaurants and clubs recommended by celebrities.
Dubbed ‘My Favorite Places’, the London version included recommendations from former mayor Ken Livingstone, novelist Sarah Waters, Lastminute.com founder Martha Lane Fox, comedian, writer and broadcaster Mark Thomas, and Madness frontman Suggs.
It was sad news for collectors as this week we learned that the Sugar and Spice single wouldn’t be receiving a physical release. Instead, it would be available as a download single only.
At present the single was on Radio 2’s C-list, and on Absolute Radio’s daytime playlist.
With no physical release planned fans were of the opinion that it was unlikely a video would be made for the single.
Madness stat-lovers were well catered this week as Paul Rodgers was here with yet another one of his Madness chart lowdowns. In the official album chart, The Liberty Of Norton Folgate climbed from 74 to 68 this week, with only the small matter of 10 Michael Jackson albums above it, stopping it from being number 58.
Following his excellent help co-hosting the 02 XMISCast the previous year for MIS, Owen “The Nutter” Collins took over the full controls of the MISCast Machine to bring you his mad funfair-ride through Madstock, with plenty of fans along for the ride with him too. He found time to be silly with Clive Langer, joke with Bedders, and had an aside with a friend of Jerry Dammers.
His crowning glory though came at the end of the day with a poignant seven minute interview where Lee Thompson considered retirement or taking time out of the band, reflected on the great songwriters in Madness and told us all what’s his favourite cheese was.
We brought this issue to a close with the news that the band would be appearing on GMTV Breakfast on Friday 31st July. We were told that there would be an interview as well as a performance of their single “Sugar and Spice”.
10 years ago…
Issue 272 – Sunday 25th July – Saturday 31st July 2004
With the list server suffering major problems since the previous issue went out, issue 272 proved to be a short one, as the MIS team had been spending most of their time trying to get the outages resolved and normal service resumed.
Those already subscribed to other Madness news sources would have been aware that on the night the MIS went out, The Dangermen were once again taking to the stage in the Dublin Castle. To those only subscribed to the MIS we offered our apologies, as although we’d issued two special editions to let subscribers know about the gig, the list server issues meant they’d failed to get through.
This short issue of the MIS focused on Bedders affiliation with The World Wrestling Federation (it must be true – it was on the official site!), and how you could win a prize winning competition by completing the following tie-breaker:
‘I love the WWF because. . .’
Elsewhere in the issue we had news in from The Sun newspaper, revealing that The Specials were hoping to reform to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
The report read as follows:
“THE SPECIALS hope to reform for their 25th anniversary this year.
Founder JERRY DAMMERS has met lead singer TERRY HALL and backing star NEVILLE STAPLE to discuss a tour. It would depend on the remaining four bandmates getting on board.
The event would celebrate their famous 2-Tone label, which updated 1960s ska for the 1980s.
The band hope labelmates THE BEAT and THE SELECTER will get involved.
Neville said: “It would be phenomenal.”
We finished this issue off by promising subscribers that those unable to attend this evening’s Dangermen gig, or were too drink to remember what went on, would be well served with reviews of the event in the subsequent issue.
15 years ago…
Issue 10 – Sunday 25th July – Saturday 31st July 1999
We kicked-off this week’s issue with an observation mentioning that of all the reviews we’d seen of the recently released Lovestruck single, every single one of them had been positive. At the time of typing, we had no idea how well the single had done in the UK music charts, but with subscribers emailing us to say that it’d been flying off shelves, things certainly sounded promising.
Whilst we were busy snapping up the new tune, the band had been keeping themselves busy with an excellent appearance on Top of The Pops where the crowd went absolutely bezerk! Even the female presenter seemed to be on some sort of high when announcing that this was `The new single from Madness`. To top it all off, Lee was dressed up as a jockey and was running backwards and forwards across the stage sat astride a comedy horse. This really had to be seen to be believed, and was nothing short of classic Madness.
This week we included the full transcript of an article from the current issue of the NME in which Suggs took a look at the tunes that made him a man. It was quite a lengthy article, but certainly an interesting read for those prepared to put in the reading time.
We’d been bugging him for a while, and finally he’d obliged? What were we talking about? Ian Taylor, and his Mad Not Mad fanzine plug. Ian emailed in with a detailed lowdown, not only of his current issue, but revealed what would be appearing in future editions of the ‘zine, as well as how you could subscribe.
Also this week the results of the TMML co-moderator elections were revealed, and the winners announced. The three new co-moderators would be Pete Gardner, Adele Hargreaves and Jenny Payne.
We finished off this week’s issue with a number of Lovestruck reviews taken music papers, magazines and web pages. All were giving the new release a massive thumbs-up.
Hopefully this would all translate to excellent record sales.
Rob Hazelby
SIGN OF THE TIMES
Radio 4 – Banana Blush – John Betjeman
Suggs, who caught up with all of these records in 1979, remembers the effect they had on Madness’s early compositions. What nobody mentions is the thing that is in clear evidence throughout: Betjeman’s inimitable voice, redolent of a teddy bear with a commotion in his trousers.
http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jul/26/david-hepworth-radio-review
Sunday (today) 4.27pm. Listen again via I player.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04bmtpp
MIS FEATURE – SHARE A GIRL’S NIGHT OUT WITH GORGEOUS GEORGE
Here is the new video of Gorgeous George. – Girl’s Night out.
Please share the video now on your Twitter and/or Facebook and beyond.
The video features Chrissy Boy on Piano. Directed by Danny Bullman.
Looking for a band with ska infused beats and a cut throat comical narrative to girls on a night out…then look no further than Gorgeous George. Like a modern day Madness but with a more street wise London edge.
The seven strong South London gang know how to have a good time and this track “Girls Night Out” proves not only their skills at producing a hook laden hit, but also looking to the brighter side of life. This band excite me a lot! A refreshing twist on the everyday trials and tribulations of city life looked through with rose tinted spectacles.
Gorgeous George started gathering support after blasting crowds with raucous sets at last years Secret Garden Party and Bestival, leading to them being invited to support the prince of European folk Beans On Toast.
This year they continue to make their mark having completed a UK headline tour in the Spring and working to complete impending second EP working with Madness producer Chrissy Boy.
The boys are soon to announce more tour dates and summer festival appearances so keep on top of their shenanigans at their Facebook below.
Facebook ::: http://www.facebook.com/gorgeousgeorgetheband
Soundcloud ::: https://soundcloud.com/gorgeous-george-the-band
Twitter ::: https://mobile.twitter.com/1gorgeousgeorge
Jonathan Young
THE MAD HEADER! FINAL (Win a CD/DVD/VINYL SPECIALIZED STASH)
“The Mad Header! What’s the best Mad album?” It’s time to decide.
(The final voting begins shortly inline with the release of the Specialized album.)
So all the other albums have been defeated. And Absolutely took the playoff third place.
It’s time for the final. One Step Beyond Vs The Liberty Of Norton Folgate.
The Original One Step Beyond, Naïve, but Nutty Brilliance that has endured the years. The bookend of Live Madness shows, with it’s 2tone roots in Ska covers and it’s Stiff emergence of music hall pub rock and roll meets a new youth culture. Nutty Training out of the Station.
Will face off against..
The Epic Mature Masterpiece The Liberty Of Norton Folgate, A double album, a box set, a Film. A Musical canvas of east London spreading back to the past. Lyrically rich and culturally deep. Everything for just a song to sing.
One Step Beyond Vs The Liberty Of Norton Folgate. The winning album takes the title of BEST MADNESS ALBUM
Over at the Grand Stand Stadium “All Things Madness”, packed with over 13,000 members (Find the group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/249838181711283/ )
PRIZE WINNERS AND PRIZES
Judge Fredd, Kevin Filsell, Linsay Boyce, Natalie FitzGerald, Robert Wardlaw, Mark Bryan, Dinant Dondertman, Carl Humphries, Phil Smith have all won wonderful prizes, Helen Searle has won Signed Suggs That Close Hardback, donated by Darren Jones. Iain Mason has now won the drumsticks signed by Woody. Well done all.
The most impressive world cup of prizes on facebook moves on.
In the final you could win all of this….
THE SPECIALIZED CUP PRIZE. 1LP 2CD 1DVD 2EP 2 Singles, & 5 Downloads. + 4 Badges. [Specialized LP – (Specials Covers white vinyl album) – Beat Teenage Cancer CD Album. – The Big one 2 Live at Sandford DVD. – The ska vinyl EP – The non ska vinyl ep – Dave Wakeling Red New version of Mirror in the bathroom vinyl single – Ranking Roger new version of two swords Red vinyl single – 2tone stars red vinyl single – Specialive- download of concert – plus vari…ous download specialized singles – Prayer- nick welsh – it must be love- sanna Pekonen – andy keys clark- skank for England/king Hammond- Friday night satirday morning (punch n judy mix) badges x 4 (difff designs) Plus a New sealed copy of Suggs Selection 3cd album by Suggs Music company to Specialized.
Final Bonus second place prize. Madstock Vintage Madness football shirt.
MATCH FEES
With our focus on Specialized for Teenage Cancer this year, prize draws require a Pre-order/buy The Specialized – Mad Not Cancer Album. To enter the prize draw, though voting is free and open to all to take part. Or we will be asking you to just bung us a few quid in match fees sponsorship into the back of the net here, particularly in the finals when the prizes reach Trophy level.
https://www.justgiving.com/misthemadcharts
F*ck Football! Let’s Dance. As the Mad Header continues! This World Cup Final Weekend.
And our thanks to Musical Madheads, Warren Moyle, Hazel Foster, Alan Flynn, Monika Cooper, & Geo Adam, Darren Jones, Maria Ashe, Clare Marshall.
Jonathan F Young
TIME…
We’re almost done for this week, but before we go we just want to give you a quick heads-up on the news of a side project that’s recently landed in our mailbox – the return of the band “Reece”, featuring subscriber Darren Fordham.
Here’s the man himself to explain;
“Next week myself and the other 2 founder members of Reece will be meeting to write and record some music for the first time in 13 years.
My God, it only seems like yesterday.”
We’ll cover more on “Reece” in future issues as things develop.
And finally, to get you in the mood for next week’s Fiddlers Elbow set of Crunch tunes, here’s a full gig from The Dublin Castle, recorded from back in the day.
And with that, we’ll bid you farewell, until next week.
Thanks for reading,
Jon Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams
(With thanks to Darren Fordham, Daren West )
The Author
