Madness Information Service Online Newsletter Issue Number: 814 – Sunday 14th December to Saturday 20th December 2014
Hello Madheads, and a very warm welcome to this latest edition of the MIS Online newsletter.
The band have been extremely busy over the course of this past week, with the Magnificent Six trundling up and down the country, performing in Plymouth, Bournemouth, Leeds, Newcastle and Birmingham.
Fan reviews we’ve read have been extremely positive, and although it’s unfortunate that Carl isn’t in the line-up, it seems to have done little to dampen the fans have for the group.
Steve Farthing of Facebook group “Madchat” commented about the Birmingham gig;
“What a fantastic gig at Birmingham last night! I will go as far to say it was the best one I have been to.
Lee was loving his new position up front with Suggs and was really playing up to the crowd. The six looked relaxed, happy and united.
… The six of them can still put on a fantastic gig”
The band may be a man down, but they’re pulling out all the stops for their fans.
Keep enjoying the tour, and read on.
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 2014
All for the M.A.D.H.E.A.D Tour
SUPPORT BAND. Madness have announced “Scouting For Girls” as the support band for all tour dates. (Except Ireland)
* New * Support band for the two dates in Ireland is Interskalastic
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
2015
Operation Grand Slam… Summer 2015
http://madness.co.uk/grandslam/
Do you expect us to talk? More information coming soon from Madness.co.uk on a large number of events, subscribe to official madnews with your email and hear first.
November 2015
November 20th – 23rd 2014 – Minehead – The House Of Fun Weekender Five
Early bird tickets on sale now
Suggs
March 2015
12th March – An Evening With Suggs and Friends, in aid of Pancreatic Cancer UK. Held at The Emirates Stadium. At £160 a ticket we’re not sure if many MIS readers will be attending! http://www.thegigcompany.org/events/pcuk2015/
Near Jazz Experience
January 27th
27 – NEAR JAZZ EXPERIENCE + Support + DJ
Indo 133 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1DT *Free*
Visit: https://www.facebook.com/NearJazzExperience
BUY IT
If money’s currently burning a hole in your pocket then perhaps we can help with your dilemma.
Brand new T-Shirts, Merchandise and XMAS Jumpers!
MIS Note: The XMAS Jumper is being advertised as a ‘jumper’, but in the small text it explains that it’s actually a sweatshirt. A number of fans have confirmed that this is indeed a sweatshirt. If you’re after a Madness jumper then do not order this item!
A whole new range of cool merchandise for the tour was unveiled first at The House of Fun Weekender. The official shop now has Christmas jumper design sweat tops in stock. These were the most wanted item at the weekender.
There are laurel leaf official polo’s. In White, Navy and Black.T-shirts for all three beers. Night Boat. Lovestruck. Gladness.
There are black laurel Beanie hats, with the M crown logo, nice ‘cus there haven’t been beanie hats available for a while.
A new royal logo like Fez for gigs.Blue and Charcoal House Of Fun T-Shirts. A mad head design mug.
The black and red Dangermen Vs Invaders shirts are brilliant, half designed on the original 2004 Dangermen poster look with added flying saucers on making a really nice retro feel to the whole design.
There is a blue Madhead Picture T-shirt now with a slogan on.
You will find all previous lines reduced, and some Oui Oui Si Si merchandise still available.
Terry Edwards – One Step Beyond Book
It’s 35 years this year. Time to plug Terry Edwards Definitive book on the album. Get it for Christmas. It’s brilliant.
30% off “One Step Beyond…” – Terry’s book on Madness:
UK – http://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/madness-one-step-beyond-9780826429063/
USA – http://www.bloomsbury.com/us/madness-one-step-beyond-9780826429063/
Australia – http://www.bloomsbury.com/au/madness-one-step-beyond-9780826429063/
* New * The Mad Head – Tour Programme
Really enjoyed this year’s tour programme. It’s a nice size that rolled up into my pocket with out creasing too much, or is small enough to carry around at a gig, as it’s been printed on card paper.
There is a great Madhead intro, and poem by brilliant rock journalist Gavin Martin who’s got great things out of talking to Madness before now, in the 80’s days of rock papers or as recently as the big issue interview. Both of these expand the Madhead mindset.
http://www.talkingmusicalrevolutions.com/
There is an interview with all 6 of the band, which is what you want in these tour programmes – direct exclusive band access. There is a full feature on the Madness beers vs other rock band beers that are out. Plus new, up to the minute stage photos
The teaser for Grandslam that gives you the free track rag and bone man.
And Lee Thompson pops up on a page, shaving Graham Norton’s head and giving you download access to one live and two studio songs from his 2001 album with Like Father Like son, which feels like the 2014 equivalent of getting a flexi disc with the programme, really.
Great stuff. Nice effort. Rounded off with a fan’s Tattoo page. This features a few fans we know, so hello to Braxton Hole, Looby Loo and Andy Coulter.
Jonathan Young
SIGN OF THE TIMES
Items in the press that have caught our eye over the past week or so…
2-Tone Tour Remembered
Woody, the young drummer with Madness, who looks about, I don’t know, 12 or something, lights his first fag of the day and immediately starts coughing like a Kentucky miner, stricken with Black Lung or something similarly serious.
“My body’s had enough of me,” he splutters, doubling up in a fit of coughing and hacking away so violently I wouldn’t be surprised to see his eyebrows fly across the room, followed possibly by his teeth. He finds a chair and collapses into it, his face drained of colour.
We’re only three days into the tour and some of the people in the lobby around me, which has taken on the look of a field hospital in a 19th century war, look like they won’t see the end of it.
Bournemouth Madhead Review
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/leisure/reviews/11656484.Review__Madness__BIC/
Suggs comes out to raucous applause in the packed out BIC. Hits from the band’s 1979 album, One Step Beyond are entwined with new numbers including the heartfelt and sincere The Last Rag and Bone Man with the audience begging for more between songs.
Suggs’ wit and charm binds the show together seamlessly, yet he does not dominate the band with the screaming sax tones of Lee Thompson and the jagged riffing of guitarist Chris Foreman, or ‘Chrissy Boy’, as he is known. The Madness back catalogue is one of great breadth and pace, with hits like Night Boat to Cairo (for which audience members had dutifully donned fez hats), and of course House of Fun.
Q Magazine
Madness are also in Q Magazine Cash for Questions. January cover date issue.
LIVE & INTENSIFIED –MADHEAD TOUR WELL UNDERWAY
With the Christmas 2014 tour now well underway we cover some of the gigs that have been and gone.
Saturday 6th, Brighton Centre.
“Brighton was superb you’ve never sounded better.” Paul Buddery (Facebook)
“Madness you completely rock! Saw you Saturday at Brighton and my words were ding dong marvellous!!!! We love madness” Nadia Bartella.
“Would strongly recommend Madness concert to all fans, show was incredible and very enjoyable. Do not know how the boys keep the energy up for all the time that they are on stage. We will attending next year if they are playing at Brighton.
Favourite moment: It was all good would not be able to pick one moment from another
Opening act(s): Scouting for girls were entertaining” Rottie. (Ticketmaster)
Monday 8th, Plymouth Pavillions, Plymouth
“Suggsy the man from ya biggest fan…madness just get better with age!!
So many fans keep em going strong it was complete madness as the songs took us back in time….sounded as fresh as ever…madness…we love u 
Had Plymouth rocking!!” Tammy Dodd (Facebook)
You Said was played
Tuesday 9th, Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth
“Madness are like a fine wine that just gets better with age, a brilliant night at Bournemouth, one comment get rid of scouting for girls and let the old guy down stage right do the warm up he was brilliant” Richard Coveney (Facebook)
“Brilliant with the black and white screen showing all different famous people it was mental” Jack Martin (Facebook)
Mummy’s Boy and John Jones were played.
Thursday 11th, First Direct Arena, Leeds
“Went to see Madness at leeds arena last night, great night made even better by Scouting 4 Girls. Blown away by how good they are.” John Hearson (Twitter)
“Got baggy trousers/dirty shirt? If you’re heading to Madness tomorrow in Leeds, please leave plenty of time as services may be busy.” Northern Rail. (twitter)
Believe Me was played
Friday 12th, Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
On national Christmas Jumper Day! In support, Madness donated £4 to Save The Children for every Madness Xmas jumper bought from the Madstore.
Track listing:
NIGHT BOAT (FULL VERSION)
EMBARRASSMENT
NW5
MY GIRL
MY GIRL 2
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT
SUN AND THE RAIN
LAST RAG AND BONE MAN
DUST DEVIL
LOS PALMAS 7
THE PRINCE
LOVESTRUCK
BED AND BREAKFAST
SHUT UP
IT MEK
WINGS OF A DOVE
LEON
(SHOW TIME – BIG SPENDER)
HOUSE OF FUN
BAGGY TROUSERS
OUR HOUSE
IT MUST BE LOVE
—
ONE STEP BEYOND
MADNESS
“Madness were simply Outstanding, Absolutely bang Set List. Seriously they were on fire” Paul Willo,
Saturday 13th, LG Arena, The NEC, Birmingham
“OMG Madness you just rocked the LG Arena. You’ve still got it boys” Caron Smith (Facebook)
“The Night boat sailed in Birmingham. Thanks Boys.” Steve Pemberton (Twitter)
MIS FEATURE – SUGGS, THE FARM, MICK JONES, JULIAN LENNON, GABRIELLE, HOLLY JOHNSON, MASSIVE ATTACK, THE PROCLAIMERS, DAVID GRAY, ALEXADRA BURKE, LEO SAYER, JAH WOBBLE, ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK, SUZI QUATRO, CAST, SPACE, ZUTONS, WOMBATS, JONA LEWIE, ALL TOGETHER FOR XMAS NUMBER 1 (odds 16/1)
On the 100th anniversary of the Christmas Day Truce, during World War One, which inspired The Farm’s 1990 hit All Together Now, many of the UK’s biggest music stars have united as The Peace Collective, to re-record the song. The new track features a backing choir of schoolboy footballers from the Premier League and German Bundesliga.
All profits from the release, out December 15th, will go to the British Red Cross and the Shorncliffe Trust. Recorded at Sensible Music in Islington (London)), . SUGGS, THE FARM, MICK JONES, JULIAN LENNON, GABRIELLE, HOLLY JOHNSON, MASSIVE ATTACK, THE PROCLAIMERS, DAVID GRAY, ALEXADRA BURKE, LEO SAYER, JAH WOBBLE, ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK, SUZI QUATRO, JONA LEWIE all are involved in the new project and members of CAST, SPACE, ZUTONS, WOMBATS, The Voice 2014 winner Jermain Jackman features also.
https://www.facebook.com/peaceforxmas
We are now one of the favourites for this year’s Christmas No.1, so we’d love you to pre-order our song here Midnight this morning. Peace Collective released their version of The Farm’s “All Together Now”.
Text: GET PEACE to 84222 (Costs £1) ★Download/CD links http://j.mp/buypeace ★SHARE http://j.mp/sharepeace
HMV are delivering their stocks of the #AllTogetherNow limited edition CD to their stores over the weekend for it’s release on Monday. Please do buy one in addition to a download PLUS the CD contains an exclusive b-side ‘Silent Night’
The new recording was produced by Simon Britton and Jon Moon, and executively produced by Suggs (Madness) and Mick Jones (The Clash).
I REMEMBER WAY BACK WHEN
This week, MIS co-editor Rob Hazelby, goes back in time to report on what was going on in the world of Madness 5 years, 10 and 15 years ago this week.
5 years ago…
Issue Number 554 – Sunday 13th December – Saturday 19th December 2009
News had been flooding in thick and fast over the past seven days, and we ended up with so much material that any non time sensitive contents was held back until the following week. It was rare for us to do this, but this was one occasion where we were simply swamped with copy.
We kicked-off the issue with a transcript from a recent copy of The Big Issue magazine. The article was lengthy, featuring a potted history of the band up to that point plus interviews with Suggs and Carl. We suggested to readers that if they enjoyed the article they make a donation to The Big Issue’s Just Giving page.
Further on we had a gig review from thisisplymouth.co.uk, who were covering the recent Madness gig in Plymouth, which took place on Monday 7th December. The web site described the gig as “storming”, and commented that the band “were on fine form”.
Gig news and reviews continued as we featured a transcript from The Swindon Advertiser, where although the reviewer mentioned that they could have done with stilts, such was the difficulty of seeing the band, it “could not ruin what was a truly fantastic performance”.
In tribute news, The Surrey Comet gave both The Specials and Madness a bit of a plug as they promoted a forthcoming gig by tribute band Ska Wars, who would be perfoming at Kingsmeadow, the home of Kingstonian FC this coming Saturday.
The writer stated that “For ska fanatics this promises to be a Christmas party to remember”.
We continued with the magazine/newspaper transcriptions with a lengthy article from The Guardian web site covering the anniversary of the sad passing of Ian Dury, plus interviews with band and family members. If you were even slightly interested in Ian Dury and the Blockheads then this really was well worth your time.
Next, it was over to Paul Rodgers for another one of his semi-regular Madness Chart Musings. Although Madness were no longer in the top 75 Total Madness had done a great job of holding fast in the top 100.
Norton Folgate’s fortunes had fluctuated wildly since the silver edition had been released. The special edition saw the album soar from 196 to 112, only to disappear from the main chart the following week.
The One Step Beyond issue continued to do well, sitting comfortably inside the Indie Chart top 50.
We brought this issue to a close with the news that Union Square had launched a web site dedicated to its heritage label, Salvo Music. Jonathan Young reported that the USB audio sticks produced during the Christmas tour were now available to purchase from the Concert Online web site, priced at £19.95, and 13 year old Leah Rix gave her thoughts and opinions on the recent Newcastle gig.
10 years ago…
Issue number 292 – Sunday 12th December to Saturday 18th December 2004
With only 12 more shopping days and one more edition of the MIS newsletter until Christmas we urged those who hadn’t already bought all their presents to get their skates on. However, before shopping online or getting down the local high street, we recommended readers sit back and relax with this week’s issue.
This week we looked at the Christmas edition of “The Ska Surgery”, which was due to take place at The Electric Ballroom on Tuesday the 21st of December. Running from 8:00pm to 2:00am, and featuring the best 2Tone, Trojan and Old Skool Ska, it promised to be a cracking night.
A few days prior to this issue being sent out across the net we were contacted by Paul Cary, maintainer of the Tim Firth web site. For those of you with memories as bad as ours, Tim Firth was the brains behind the much-loved Madness musical.
Paul was keen to get Madness fans to take a look at the pages, as the site featured background information about the show (story, original cast line-up and reviews), plus a selection of wonderful photos taken from the show.
To finish off this issue we gave a heads-up on the next J.A.G gig which was due to take place at the Dublin Castle on Friday 7th January 2005, and asked that if any readers were planning to attend the Ska Surgery night down at the Electric Ballroom on the 21st to write in with a review.
15 years ago…
Issue number 30 – Sunday 12th December to Saturday 18th December 1999
Last Monday supposedly saw the release (at long last) of the Madstock 4 DVD across the UK. We say `supposedly`, because although we’d had mails from one or two friends from various corners of the British Isles to say `I’ve just picked up the new Madness DVD….` we’d yet to see it in any shape or form. A quick chat and look at the new release listing with a member of staff in HMV produced some unusual results. On their system it said that it was to be released on the 6th of December, but in the field which denoted how much stock they had, it said it had been put back.
Still, the lucky few who had managed to get their dirty mitts on this new release reliably informed us that it was a region free PAL disc. This meant that it should work on US players.
Rumours reaching us this week were that next single was going to be a double A-side featuring the excellent `Drip Fed Fred` and `Elysium`. If all went to plan, this was expected to see the light of day towards the end of February 2000.
Moving on, and many readers were surprised to see how quickly the Rex gig had sold out considering there had been no advertising for the event (apart from in the MIS Online Bulletin’s and on the Total Madness Mailing List). Well, it turned out that the show didn’t sell out due to massive demand, but was actually CANCELLED!! The details we had were sketchy, but the cancellation was apparently requested at the artists end and not by the owners/organisers of the Rex.
For months fans had been trying to find out who would be supporting the band during their Christmas tour. Well, this week we wondered no more, as it was announced that the one and only Phil Jupitus would be providing a comedy slot. 2 Ska DJ’s would also take to the stage prior to Phil’s performance.
News in from John Lawrenced reported that in the early hours of Wednesday 8th December, Woody and Suggs appeared on Anglia TV’s `Planet Rock Profiles` where they were interviewed for a full 30 minutes with only 1 short ad break in between. Naturally we were keen to get hold of this and get it distributed to the MIS readership, so asked that if anyone had made a copy to get in touch.
Onto this issue now, and we had a review of the recent Madness charity night at Walthamstow Dogs for the Cancer Bacup charity. Here were revealed just what you would have got for your 50 pound tickets. Who really cared, though. It was for charity, after all.
Elsewhere, we had details of the Birmingham and Newcastle Madmeets which were planned to coincide with the Christmas tour. If you were planning to go to these shows we recommended you got along to one of the meets!
Not only did we have details of the Cancer Bacup charity, but some Madness related gossip surrounding The Children’s Promise Charity which was asking if you’d be kind enough to donate your last hours pay of 1999 to the worthy cause.
Peter Gardner was here with some BBC Online information, while for the collectors, we had a review of the excellent `Nutty Sounds 2` from Vincent Carden.
Rob Hazelby
SPECIALIZED – WOODY TALKS TO MAD NOT CANCER PLUS AUCTION DETAILS
SPECIALIZED PROJECTS PRESENT…
Evening all Woody took a bit of time at Sandford to give us a little interview huge thanks to Wayne Uggy Campbell and the camera crew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66qfDxMPlFM
The brand new website
http://www.specializedproject.co.uk/
Please LIKE the new page for Specialized for all future projects.
https://www.facebook.com/specializedprojects
Fantastic Madness / Specialized auction,
EXCLUSIVE ONE OFF AUCTION. MADNESS AND SPECIALIZED ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE A MEET AND GREET MADNESS.
At The 02 London December 20th.
Bid now on a fantastic opportunity to see the show and meet & greet Madness themselves at The O2 ,London On Sat Dec.20th .
https://www.facebook.com/events/1569384676610107/
Bidding ends Thursday December 18th 9pm.
Paul Willo
TWEETS OF A DOVE & THAT FACEBOOK
Mike Barson @Mikey108
“On the road – next stop Birminghaaam!”
“Great audience / atmosphere tonight – thanks Newcastle – me gran came from South Sheilds by the way! Have a great Xmas!”
Chrissy Boy @CBoyForeman
(Tweet displays a picture of a balloon shop with a “No Helium” sign)
“This could be a problem when I go for the high notes tonight”
Mark Bedford @I_be_MarkB
“Leeds you were luscious! We thank you”
“Newcastle you were noisy, nutty and naughty…”
“The Roman God of the Motorways, Tarmacus, has been good to us and we have all arrived safely…
So Birmingham it’s time to boogie.”
Woody Woodgate @woodymadness
“I look like a dodgy magician. (latest beard photo)”
Madness Facebook
10th December
“We’ve got a signed barrel of Gladness to give away! To enter post a picture on the Gladness page of you drinking one of our beers (Lovestruck, Night Boat or Gladness), we’ll pick a winner by 21st December and get it to you by New Years Eve”
TIME…
That’s almost it for this week, but yet again we have a few last minute bits and pieces to pass your way.
First-up and it’s Scott Lightfoot’s Video of It Mek at Newcastle, which you can find at the following YouTube link; http://youtu.be/y3vn5yKyYGk
Check it out!
Beard news next, and word reached us this week revealed that Woody and his trusty beard had reached their £1,000 target, but you can still help sponsor them on the tour so they raise further pennies.
Here’s Woody;
“My dad died of colon cancer, so I’m joining the ‘real men’ growing beards for Decembeard to help beat bowel cancer. From 1st December I’m joining the manly ranks by giving up shaving for the month. It’s all to raise vital funds for the charity Beating Bowel Cancer and help them reach their goal of raising £250,000 so they can support more people affected by the disease”
If you’d like to donate pop along to http://justgiving.com/woody-Woodgate and get your credit/debit card ready.
And finally, as the tour of Madhead heads off to Ireland and the last week of dates up to London we leave you this week with footage of DJ Darren Bennett warming up the last lot of fans for the Madhead show. (But that’s not his tattoos in the programme by the way. Those belong to Andy Coulter)
Until next week, take care,
Jon Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams
(With thanks to Scott Lightfoot for the set list and all those who have
had their quotes featured in this issue)
The Author
