“Hey You.

We are with you, and we want to let you know, that you’re not alone. You’re not alone.”  (Track 1)

A much-anticipated set of Cathal Smyth solo shows, debuting his solo album “A Comfortable Man”, are now on sale, and you can order them here:

http://wiltons.org.uk/event.php?p=898

As previously rumoured, these dates are in October, and as now officially confirmed, cover the 8^th and 9^th of the month

Here’s Carl himself with a few words on the event: http://vimeo.com/104728326

Nine years in the making, the album showcases piano playing with strings, harp and accompaniment bringing to life lilting heartfelt melodies, deep lyrics and breathy low tones and calm vocals of Cathal Smyth. Choral, Celtic, soul, country, folk and pop. Think “MK II” or “Tears you Can’t Hide” and then prepare to wander off into a completely different musical landscape beyond Madness and into the realm of A Comfortable Man.

Check for all official news on Carl from his new sources here…

http://www.cathalsmyth.co.uk/    (Launching Monday)

https://www.facebook.com/MrCathalSmyth

This issue we’ve Carl’s announcement, and a review of his album, brought to you from collaborator and friend Vince Foley.

Are you sitting Comfortable? Then read on, man.

Jonathan Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams

 

 

SHOWTIMES

See below for all forthcoming Madness and Madness related gigs and events. If there’s something we’ve missed off or you feel should be added then please let us know.

Madness

November 2014

November 21^st – 24^th 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 4^th, Capital FM Arena, Nottingham
Friday 5^th, Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Saturday 6^th, Brighton Centre, Brighton, Matinee
Saturday 6^th, Brighton Centre, Brighton * SOLD OUT *
Monday 8^th, Plymouth Pavillions, Plymouth
Tuesday 9^th, Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth Thursday 11^th, First Direct Arena, Leeds
Friday 12^th, Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Saturday 13^th, LG Arena, The NEC, Birmingham
Monday 15^th, Odyssey Arena, Belfast
Tuesday 16^th, The O2 Dublin, Dublin
Thursday 18^th, The SSE Hydro, Glasgow
Friday 19^th, Phones 4u Arena, Manchester
Saturday 20^th, 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

 

Cathal Smyth

October 2014

*New* A Comfortable Man. October 8th and 9th. Wilton’s Music hall.

 

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 

September 2014

*New* September 12th. Heartlands Live, Cornwall, Pool (With Ali Campbel’s UB40 and Radio Riddler)

October 2014

October 2^nd, The Jazz Café, Camden Town

More festival dates to follow.

Ska Orchestra web site: www.ltso.mis-online.net

 

The Silencerz (Featuring Lee Thompson) 

November 2014

November 8^th – Hertford Corn Exchange. 39 Fore St. Herts. SG14 1AL With support. The Skammers.

November 16th – Confirmed in the Sunday Lineup of bands at Specialized The Big One 3. In Dorset.

Lee will be doing a photo signing session too.

 

Near Jazz Experience

* New * Tuesday September 2nd.  Indo  133 Whitechapel

The Indo residency continues – First Tuesday of the month for the rest of 2014. Infectious grooves from Terry, Mark & Simon with special DJ set from Kirsten Reynolds.

September 21^st – Support slot before Dave Formula and The Finks, Brighton, Prince Albert

 

Deaf School

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.

Madness – One Step Beyond 35th Anniversary edition CD.

You can now order the new edition of One Step Beyond 35th Anniversary, from Salvo Sound & Vision:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Step-Beyond-35th-Anniversary/dp/B00MH9NERS/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1408230182&sr=1-1&keywords=one+step+beyond

This Anniversary edition has been digitally remastered from the original 1⁄4 inch tapes by Tim Turan, and comes with recently unearthed rehearsal recordings from 1979, including two songs that have never appeared anywhere before. “Lost my head” and “Sunshine Voice”. It’s also very interesting to see Absolutely album track “You Said” on the rehearsal tape and Grey Day B-side “Memories” as well as hearing versions of tracks that made the album some 5 months before the debut LP was recorded.

Hear previews of these tracks, help yourself to a free download and you can even re-name the album, creating pictures you can share with people. Visit the mini site to do all this.

http://www.madness.co.uk/one-step-beyond-35/

There is a DVD of videos and Top of the Pops/Old Grey Whistle Test appearances, that includes the Young Guns documentary, and a 24 page booklet that speaks to Clive, Alan and Chris about the album.

 

One Step Beyond 35th Merchandise and T-shirts.

You can celebrate the album’s return also with new T-shirts and a mug themed on one step beyond.  At the store.  There is an anniversary mug too.

http://madness.sandbaghq.com/

 

The M.A.D.H.E.A.D Tour T-shirt – Get it now.

What does any self respecting Madhead wear? The only true fan clothing of choice right now is surely the brand new Madhead T-shirt. Available now at least five months ahead of the tour, this T-shirt is so NOW!  You can look stylish in it in a range of sizes, you can promote this summer, the forthcoming tour and help your heroes and of course in this day and age by buying the bands official clothing you are putting your money into the future new album project pot etc of the band who exist these days on their own self produced record label.

Available here… Via See Tickets and Madness.co.uk

http://tinyurl.com/nzy6ybm

 

SPECIALIZED: Mad Not Cancer. 4CD covers album for Teenage Cancer Trust

Over 70 tracks. 4 CDs.  Cover versions of Madness by not just Ska bands but lots of young up and coming acts of many genres including a few famous pop stars and Bedders on one track, too. All for Teenage Cancer.

http://www.specialized-project.co.uk/#!shop/c1atu (remove hyphen from URL)

 

 

MIS ONLINE NOW ON LINKEDIN

Chris Carter-Pegg and Emma Southerby Set up & Maintain New Group

The more observant of you out there may have noticed a new link at the top of this month’s issue. If not you didn’t spot it, not to worry, It’s a link to LinkedIn. Why? Read on to find out.

Both of the opinion that the LinkedIn web site was in need of an injection of Madness, Chris and Emma have recently set up an MIS Online group on the job hunting/trumpet blowing community.

Here’s a small snippet of the Group Profile blurb;

“The purpose of this Linkedin Group is to bring together Madness fans and like minded people who are members of Linkedin to help circulate information about the band. All members of this Group are strongly encouraged to subscribe to the weekly MIS Bulletin via the Madness-MIS.com website to receive by email the most detailed weekly update on Madness matters available anywhere”

At the time of typing there are only 8 members subscribed to the group, and only a small bit of chatter, but if you’d like to join up point your web browser over to:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/MIS-ONLINE-8160194

Naturally, you’ll need a LinkedIn account before you can join the group.

Our thanks go to Chris and Emma for setting this up. It’ll be interesting to see how this develops over the coming months.

Rob Hazelby

 

 

LIVE AND INTENSIFIED

The Blox

I went to see The Blox at the townhouse in Southend.

A Tribute band to Ian Dury & The Blockheads.

Great gig played to a handful of people,plus a great version of madness. Got set list and would go again, well worth a look, would be great to see them support Lee Thompson or Madness.

I was chatting to the band after the show and told them they should do Drip fed fred! They liked the idea.

Clever Trevor

Abracadabra

Clever Bastards

Madness

Greed

Billericay Dickie

Lullaby for Francies

What a waste

What’s the deal moma

Sex & drugs & rock & roll

Wake up and make love

The passing show

More than fair

Jack shit george

Reasons to be cheerfull

My old man

Mash it up harry

One love

Sweet gene Vincent

Hit me with your rhythm stick

Check their facebook page for gigs, hope this was of interest all the best.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-BLOX-The-Tribute-to-Ian-Dury-The-Blockheads/107932982594850

Paul Hardisty.

 

 

TWEETS OF A DOVE / THAT FACEBOOK

Various posts from Facebook and Twitter that have caught our eye over the past week or so.

Cathal Smyth Facebook…

“Hello Facebook Friends,

I hope this finds each of you in the very best of health, that all is well with you and yours and that you have enjoyed your summer breaks.

I am writing to tell you that on the 8th and 9th of this coming October I will be performing my debut album ” A Comfortable Man” at Wilton’s Music Hall in the East End of London.

Since I first entered its hallowed doors its been a personal ambition to appear in this beautiful building. It really is a magnificent…

and atmospheric space. There is a rather wonderful quality to it and the ghosts of times past seem to linger in the very fabric of its walls. I do hope you can come along to share in and enjoy what I hope will be a most magical evening.

My solo album has been a long time in the making and this will be the first time it will be played in its entirety. The songs are as always with me very personal. They talk of my life, of love lost and of hope. I like to think that they will be coming directly from my mouth to your ears, almost as if a conversation. There is also an art exhibition where artists both contemporary and street have contributed works based on their emotional response to the songs. 

There will be some photo’s and written words equally inspired and displayed and even some tasty nibbles perfectly presented. I hope that overall the night will have a most gentle and pleasant effect on your senses and you leave with a warm glow within. I believe in Love and I’m comfortable with that. I hope you are too. If you do make it along be sure to say hello.

All new website launching Monday, and more, much more to come.

Keep watching this space!

With love and in light

Cathal

X”

 

 

MIS FEATURE – A COMFORTABLE MAN – CATHAL SMYTH SOLO 

After a long wait, and thankfully one worth it, Cathal Smyth has finally completed his long and eagerly awaited ‘debut’ solo album, ‘A Comfortable Man.’ Perhaps the title of the work is a statement in itself from the songsmith that is Smyth; here is a man at ease with himself and literally prepared to bare all in this very candid and autobiographical piece of work. A dozen tracks which very honestly (and at times brutally) tell the tale of a relationship that has come to an end, and now he is perhaps ready to share his voyage to the listener in a very moving and at times darkly beautiful way.

From the outset it is important to realise that this is not a ‘Madness-Lite’ album, in fact it’s quite literally is polar opposite to what you’d expect from a Madness stalwart. The work has almost zero resemblance to anything from his band catalogue and believe me that is not a bad thing. It would be very easy, a quite understandable to go down a tried, tested and familiar road, but instead this collection is something very different and that in itself deserves major respect. If you are putting this album for the first time hoping for a One Step Beyond, than you are absolutely in for a shock, because this is in another universe, and once you can leave that baggage at the door, you’ll be very pleased with what you hear.

The opening track, ‘You’re not alone’ in many ways typifies the album content. A heavy-hearted piano leads the way followed by quite strong and emotive vocals from the man himself. ‘Hey you, we know you’re out there…. we are with you….’ begin the first of many personal and at times painful lyrics. Towards the end of the song, something almost angelic takes place, with a beautiful mix of vocals, both female and male-voice baritone, sounding like a choir, accompanied with strings and birds singing; subliminal.

There is a trend of quite sparse arrangement throughout, something that we got a foretaste of last year, with ‘Goodbye Planet Earth,’ from the Port Merion Festival No.6 footage. There is no brass here, little percussion and no gimmicky sounds, but instead a heavy reliance on piano, string arrangement and vocals- stripping the melodies right back to basics perhaps as nature intended it. This might sound a negative, but really, with such close and heart-felt subject matter, the vocals and lyrical content is most important on this album.

The sombre tones are also heard on such tracks as ‘Lovesong 7,’ ‘Lovesong 9,’ ‘All my loving’ and the closing track ‘Wren’s Burial.’ The former of these songs has evolved from its first appearance on that London documentary Suggs did back in 2005. For many the ‘Cracks in the Pavement,’ song (as Madness anoraks referred to it) has finally found its home in this beautiful and heart-breaking melody. Again a preview of this made its way online last year, and thankfully the finished article does not disappoint.

Another equally personal and beautiful piece is the very honest ‘Are the children happy?’ I must admit that for me personally, a good melody is most important and really don’t care what a song is about, but here is a moment, where lyrical content is perhaps even better. It is a deeply sore and melancholic masterpiece. If Paul McCartney wrote this, it would be seen as one of his all-time greats, as it does fit the mould of his simple, yet classical piano pieces. The tale of his marital breakup; acceptance of the difficulties that entailed, and how he remembers the times shared with wife and children, are all here. Cleanex to the ready folks.

It may sound as if this a very sad and dark affair and for sure it is a big part of this musical voyage; however there are some very uplifting songs too. The album carefully balances these sombre moods and follows it with something more bright and happy. Songs like ‘Shabat’ and the very infectious ‘Do you believe in love?’ show us a more positive and perhaps familiar side to this man’s song-writing. This song mixes some country, ragtime and a bit of swing, reminiscent of a Steve Earle composition or a Mick Scott (The Waterboys) melody. Another highlight, is the very catchy and swaying ‘She’s got the light,’ which will have you swinging in the kitchen, out to the hall and right back again!

There are many different musical influences and styles here and diversity of sound can only be seen as a good thing. It’s Leonard Cohen, Paul McCartney, Steve Earle, Brian Wilson, Johnny Cash (‘A Comfortable Man’), Peter Gabriel, but more importantly it is Cathal Smyth. A most honest, sad, happy, uplifting, melancholic, loving, sorrowful, dark, bright, caring, despairing and heart-felt collection of songs, who takes one of life’s biggest sorrows (a broken relationship) and has moulded it into a beautifully honest and beautifully crafted work; something to be proud of and (luckily for us) to be shared.

Sit back, slip your shoes off, pour a drink, relax, listen and enjoy; a comforting masterpiece from a comfortable man.

Vince Foley

 

 

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 538 – Sunday 30^th August – Saturday 5^th September 2009

We began with news from the Angry Ape.com web site, who, in an interview with Suggs revealed that as well as a Christmas tour, the band were considering the release of a Christmas single.

“We are definitely going to do a Christmas tour and have talked about a single. Madness and Christmas go together like a horse and cart, but we’ve never done a Christmas single. Most bands are too scared to be cheesy now – we could give it some wham, bam.”

We also discovered this week that the band would be performing a special gig at the end of September when they’d be appearing live in London’s Regent Street as part of Absolute Radio’s birthday party.

“We live in a world full of clipboards and folk who don’t want people to have fun but we’ve burnt the clipboards and got permission to close off the street”, commented Suggs. “It’s the first time a band will have done it”, he added.

Elsewhere in this issue we discovered, thanks to Paul Rodgers, that a new Madness book was in the works. Titled “The Nutty Sound: The Story of Madness”, the book was written by John Reed, and listed on the Amazon web site with an RRP of £19.95, and a release date of 5^th October. Part of the blurb for the book on the Amazon web site read;

John Reed offers an affectionate yet insightful version of events, helped by candid interviews with those who’ve worked with Madness over the years. From the trials and tribulations of inter-band disputes, accusations of racism and their eventful split to the highs of their purple patch from 1979 to 1986 when they justified their nickname of The Magnificent Seven via an unmatched succession of classic hit singles, “The Nutty Sound” – for the first time – tells the story of  Madness.

Paul returned later in the issue with his latest round-up of Madness chart news stats, facts, figures and musings. It’d been a quiet week chart-wise for the band, with the only published chart position for Norton Folgate being number 16 in the indie album chart.

“After a decent run (about 110 days) Norton Folgate is now outside of the Amazon top 100 sellers. In fact the last time I checked it had fallen as low as 207. I still don’t think it is finished in terms of sales. I am certain the forthcoming album Total Madness will lead to more sales, if only because for a short while it will be one of only two Madness CDs readily available”, commented Paul.

We brought this issue to a close with the news that Steve and Liz Harris were having a massive sell-off of some of their Madness collection, and you were urged to check out their Ebay auctions.

10 years ago…

Issue 277 – Sunday 29^th August – Saturday 4^th September 2004

We started this week’s issue with the news that Madness tribute outfit One Step Behind had enlisted the talents of Andy Clark as their new drummer. Andy replaced Steve Roonery, who had been drumming with the band for many years. The band wished Steve all the best, and assured us that he would be returning from time to time.

Moving on, and news in from MOT drummer Dan Fossard was that the band’s next gig would be on Thursday 2nd of September at The Water Rats. The band would be headlining, and on stage from 10pm. Entry was a mere £4.

When items are collectable it doesn’t take long before someone tries to make a few quid. The latest example of this kind of thing had been brought to our attention courtesy of the Madness Trading Ring, where subscriber Mike kindly posted up a few links of one person who was selling copies of the ‘Q two tone special’ for £11.99 when it was still available in the shops for £5.99. Not only that, but the seller wanted £4 postage and packing, too!

We all know that many of Madness’s videos, and scenes from the film Take it or Leave it were set or filmed in Camden Town.

A few months prior to this issue going back however, Camden’s Odeon cinema celebrated other cinematic titles either set or filmed in Camden Town. While Madness’s film didn’t feature it’s possible one or two of their videos sneaked into the film festival’s “MTV music videos in Camden town” section of events.

Although it was too late for us to cover the screening in the MIS we did manage to feature an article written about the Odeon’s film festival that give a short guide to some famous films from cinema’s long history past linked to Camden.

Elsewhere in this issue we reported that Nutty Sounds 1,2,3 and 4 were now available on eMule to download. For those not in the know these four unofficial albums were crammed full of rarities that no Madness fan should be without.

Further on we looked at the forthcoming gigs for tribute bands One Step Behind, Ultimate Madness, 1 Step Below and Badness, and as usual, we asked that if you managed to get along to any of the gigs to let us know what the night was like.

15 years ago…

Issue 15 – Sunday 29^th August – Saturday 4^th September 1999

The Madness internet community still seemed to be in some sort of post single release lull after the release of `Lovestruck` some weeks back and news, discussions and general items of interest seemed to be very thin on the ground. Still, it wasn’t long till the release of single number 2 – `Johnny The Horse`, and news just in from Bob Timm of `about.com` revealed that on the Sunday just gone, the boys completed the shooting of the video.

At the time of typing, the Reading Rock Festival was in the process of winding down after a weekend of rock and pop acts playing in the open air. A few lucky members of the TMML managed to get tickets for the day and were pleasantly surprised to see Suggs come onstage with Symposium. Just before the Madness frontman sang guest vocals he managed to shout a few words to (what was apparently) the nation’s favourite radio station, `On behalf of myself and the rest of Madness I’d just like to say f*ck you radio 1′. This outburst was in obvious retaliation to the station’s refusal to promote the Madness comeback single in any way, shape or form.

Meanwhile, CDZone (www.cdzone.co.uk) had `Johnny The Horse` available for pre order. The following details came via the ever helpful Peter Gardner;

£4.31 Johnny The Horse VSCDT1740 27 Sep 1999

£4.31 Johnny The Horse VSCDX1740  4 Oct 1999

Although the majority of us were still enjoying the Summer weather, it was really only a few months until the much anticipated Madness Christmas concerts would be kicking-off, and with those concerts would come the obligatory MadMeets. Work on organising the meets was already well underway, and a link had been set up on the TMML web site where you could find details on each of the meets organised for the forthcoming gigs.

Elsewhere in this issue, we had a very nice typed-up article from subscriber Vince Foley, who was kind enough to transcribe a nice interview featuring Carl and Chris, picking their 20 track dream compilation other artists back catalogues.

News in from Adele Hargreaves revealed that after some brief lessons from a certain Geordie Al, she was now armed with basic HTML skills, and able to start updating the content on the TMML web site. The first pages to receive updates were the news, meets and the ‘it does what it says on the tin’ titled ‘It Happened This Month’ section, which looked back at this month in question through the years to see what the band were up to this month in years gone by.

We finished off this issue with an article from subscriber Andrew Langmead, who had recently picked up a couple of tickets for a forthcoming filming of Suggs hosted TV show ‘Night Fever’, and was wondering if anyone fancied joining him for a mini-Madmeet.

Rob Hazelby

 

 

TIME…

That’s just about it for this week’s issue of the MIS. Before we go, we do have one or two last minute bits to pass in your direction.

This week Lee Thompson appeared on Radio Docurm. The radio presenter went live and sure enough Thommo wasn’t on the other end of the line!  He appeared later, and told a tall tale of recent Russian Madness gigs and travel adventures, including the band losing their wardrobe, and being picked up in bubble cars! (metaphorically speaking squashed in old vehicles, miles from the venue/hotel.)  With any luck we might be able to bring you more of this radio appearance next week’s issue.

Currently, on the All Things Madness Facebook group you can enter our Specialized raffle. Just find the pinned post on their pages: https://www.facebook.com/groups/249838181711283

If you donate at least £2 you can be in the running to a copy of the One Step Beyond 35th anniversary edition. Pay at: http://www.justgiving.com/misthemadcharts

And finally, don’t forget that you have a chance to do your bit & promote the Madness Community at Mad Chat and at the same time win some great prizes.  The prizes are as follows :

1 x Madness Artwork by Katarzyna Rolbiecka

1 x Madness Embarrassment T-Shirt (Size XL)

10 x SUGGS ‘That Close Ltd Edition Bookmarks

How to enter –

Step 1. Click ‘Like & Share’ on this image –http://on.fb.me/1kqqJmT or http://on.fb.me/1pvOfhl (MAD CHAT Wants You)

Step 2. Choose which top prize you would like to be entered for by posting below –

Baggy Trousers = Madness Artwork

Dirty Shirt = Embarrassment T-Shirt

All members that participate will automatically be entered into a random draw for the 10 x Limited Edition SUGGS ‘That Close’ bookmarks produced by book publisher Quercus.

Members can enter on a daily basis to increase your chances of winning by completing the tasks set out in Step 1 & Step 2.

All winners profiles will be verified to ensure all tasks have been fulfilled having liked & shared the image ‘MAD CHAT Wants You’.

Good Luck & Get Sharing !!

(Promo Ends Sept 1^st – tomorrow!)

Mad Chat Group Admin.

www.madchat.co.uk

Until next week, thanks for reading,

Jon Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams

(With thanks to Vince Foley,Paul Hardisty, Emma Southerby, and Chris Carter-Pegg)

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