Madness Information Service Online Newsletter Issue Number: 820 – Sunday 25th January to Saturday 31st January 2015
Evening all,
Last week we kicked off the issue with coverage of The Skiff Skatts, this week it’s the turn of one Woody Woodgate to bask in the intro text glory.
Here’s Woody;
“Finally finished mixing my latest album. Songs written by my brother Nick and I, but with a great new backing band and lead singer Dan Shears. Artwork, and Woody Woodgate website almost ready.
Watch this space.”
This new, post Magic Brothers band having two Dans lead our own Paul Rodgers to ponder if the new line up be called “Duodan Duodan”. Well, we at least reckon the album will have “Something”, you should know if you heard the new material aired at last year’s previous line up at the Dublin Castle.
Naturally, we’ll feature more on the Woody Woodgate band as soon as we hear anything further.
Now, on with the issue!
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
2015
March 12th – The Emirates Stadium – This week “The Gig Company” has announced Madness appearing at Suggs & Friends charity event in the line up (see below).
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
The Silencerz ft. Lee Thompson
January 24th – The Spotted Bull Pub, London Road, Hemel Hempstead. More info at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1520383951558899/?pnref=story
Clang Group (Clive Langer) EP launch gigs
February 18th – The Dublin Castle Camden
February 19th – The Islington, 1 Tolpuddle Street, N1 0XT
The Skiff Skats
* New * February 13th – Evening. 100 club Oxford Street London. Supporting the headline act, Doug Veitch. £16
* New * February 14th – Afternoon. From 1pm till 5pm. The legendary Dublin Castle, Camden. The Band return to one of the venues they used to play in the 80’s and the ancestral home of Madness. With a Mad Meet and support from MIS DJ’s and a Crunch! DJ set from, Lee Swandale. £5 on the door.
BUY IT
Brand new T-Shirts, Merchandise
There are laurel leaf official polo’s in white, navy and black. T-shirts for all three beers; Night Boat, Lovestruck and Gladness. There are black laurel Beanie hats with the M crown logo, a new royal logo like Fez for gigs, blue and charcoal House Of Fun T-Shirts and 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, making a really nice retro feel to the whole design. There is a blue Madhead Picture T-shirt with a slogan on, and some Oui, Oui, Si, Si merchandise still available.
2014 – Tour Programme.
http://madness.sandbaghq.com/home/2014-m-a-d-h-e-a-d-programme.html
Now only £8, and coming bundled with a link to 3 free Lee Thompson downloads, plus Rag and Bone Man download, from Madness.
It really is a really nice looking and well-written Mad-Head little bible. One all collectors should get hold of.
The Clang EP – 4 Track EP (Released Feb 16th on domino records)
Clive Langer revisits Shipbuilding, his legendary track with Robert Wyatt and 3 other new Langer group songs.
http://www.dominorecordco.com/uk/ep/20-11-14/the-clang-group-ep
SIGN OF THE TIMES
Items in the press that have caught our eye over the past week or so…
Clang Bang Wallop What a Picture!
“Clanger aka Cliff Hanger aka Clive Langer wants to be a pop star at the age of 60!
After 35 years of producing other people’s discs for other dreamers (including Elvis Costello, Madness, Morrissey, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, The Teardrop Explodes and most recently his new label mates The Amazing Snakeheads) it’s about time he got back to what he loved best.
So…he’s only gone and done it, started a rock and roll band, The Clang Group, with the legendary Roxy Music saxophonist Andy Mackay.
The concept was conceived at a dinner in February 2014 in Bethnal Green with drummer Gregg Braden bemoaning the lack of stage action. These two musicians having a coincidental window decide to form a band there and then.
The Sensational Deaf School, Clive’s original band, have had a remarkable renaissance in the last few years, rejuvenating Clive’s love of playing his old guitar, with astonishing aplomb on this remarkable EP. Twang Twang Twang!! Electric Twang Ooooh eeeh ooohy!! Clang Bangg Wallop! What a Picture!
Now for your aural perusal I have in my tremulous sweating hands The Clang Group EP making a Global Work Space for Aural Meeting!!
Which includes Clive revisiting the incredible Shipbuilding which he wrote with Elvis Costello for the ‘godfather’ Robert Wyatt”
Suggs 2014
The Clang Group are Clive Langer (guitar + vox), Andy Mackay (sax), Gregg Braden (drums), John Wood (keys) and Malcolm Lunan (bass). The Clang Group EP will be available on Monday the 16th of February 2015 on 10” vinyl (RUG639) and digitally (RUGD639). You can purchase the EP HERE. Listen to lead track ‘Rhoda’ HERE. Tracklisting is as follows:
1. Rhoda
2. Places And Things
3. Breaking Out
4. Shipbuilding
LIVE AND INTENSIFIED
From Blockhead to M.A.D.H.E.A.D
It’s certainly a great time to be a fan of Madness and their associated bands – the weekend before Xmas was certainly no exception.
On Friday the 19th December I ventured to the Jazz Café, Camden to see the majesty of The Blockheads – the late, great Ian Dury’s talented backing band. Their jazz funk fusion remains exceptional fronted by Derek ‘The Draw’ they continue to provide cracking entertainment. The gig mainly combines a selection of tunes from The Blockheads latest LP as well as classics from their astonishing back catalogue.
It’s a real treat to see this band in such an intimate venue anyway, however we have one extra special surprise. Mid-set the band start the opening mellowness of Sweet Gene Vincent amid huge cheers. Really huge cheers. No – much louder than that – Wilko Johnson has joined The Blockheads on stage. This man is a real legend and by his own admission should have passed on months ago. He’s now looking in rude health and attacks the 100 mph punky-bluesy part of this top tune with all the energy he can muster. It really is an absolute delight to see him alive and well still rockin’ away on stage. The energy in the room for this song is something else. Wilko is on stage only for this one song however the entire crowd clap and cheer with admiration + adulation and for me is the highlight of the gig. Phew!
The Blockheads are an amazing band and are the perfect starter for the main course…
The following day I’m off to football first – West Ham’s only a few stops from the o2 and I’ve decided I won’t be drinking until the gig starts. The reason for this is I’ve been lucky enough to win in a charity auction a few months back, tickets for the gig including a meet & greet with the band and the aftershow. My mate John is delayed causing extra anxiety on my part & I’m quite nervous but in an excited way. Very excited. I’ve met all of the band at various separate events however the just the thought of meeting all 6 of my heroes together at close quarters is going to be something quite special.
John eventually arrives and time isn’t on our side as we find out the protocol for the meet + greet. After several aborted phone calls and discussions with security staff we are eventually allowed into the back stage area close to where the band are preparing for tonight’s show. As we walk down a corridor to approach the room where we will meet the band, each door we pass is tonight labelled with each band members names. There’s even a Madness massuesse! I take couple of pictures for prosperity.
We are led into a near empty room. Other competition winners & (I think) a family who paid good money for the privilege of the band meet are now all in place awaiting Madness. Chrissy Boy & Bedders arrive first; Chris points to my Madness xmas jumper saying, “I like that – it’s a good design isn’t it?”.
Suggs soon follows and makes a bee-line for me & John, who is wearing a black and white chequered scarf tucked inside his jacket. “What team’s that mate?” he asks. I should’ve said “That team is unbeaten for 35 years although they didn’t play for 6 of them. Have a guess?”. Yes – it’s a Madness scarf!! Suggs then posed for photos – each band member shaking hands and taking times for a quick chat and photo. Legends and gentlemen all.
When Thommo arrives – again I seem to be picked out first – he points at me holding back a swear word “What the f-f-f-f-f are you doing here?”. I just grin at yet another impromptu Thommo comedy moment!
Myself and John take it turns of getting photos with our heroes as we pass cameras and exchange places. John’s camera is state-of- the-art. Mine is a throwaway plastic camera in it’s shiny cardboard cover. “What’s this Westy?” says John. “That’s quality that is – proper old school. You ready for the photo?” says Bedders in response while posing with me.
Our time is up – the band are true gents spending a brief but brilliant moment with us all. We are now politely escorted back in a lift to take us back up to our seats.
The gig itself has already been reviewed before – it was a belter. Our seats are quite close the stage (well as close as you can get in a 20,000-odd capacity arena!) and we have a great view. As I’m usually in the mosh pit I was fascinated by the visual mass of bodies in the standing area reacting especially to Night Boat To Cairo, Baggy Trousers and House Of Fun. Thommo was more prominent in the absence of Carl and was his usual high-spirited self, at one stage swinging the mike around on it’s lead like a lassoo until he nearly strangled himself!
We now find the aftershow venue – a plush room in the o2. We’ve got complimentary pie, mash & liquor. Also the Pearly Queens who were earlier on stage are offering sea food for a charity donation. Chrissy Boy makes an appearance; as I pass him I remark “great Showtime!”. Lee’s wife Debbie is here with Daley who I speak for a 2nd time tonight. Late in the evening I join some Madness fans who I know in particular from Dublin Castle events. Drink has got the better of me but Sharon, Braxton and her fella were amongst our little group.
We’ve had a truly memorable night and it’s well worth the very, very expensive cab journey home!
Daren West
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 560 – Sunday 24th January – Saturday 30th January 2010
We got this issue underway with a feature covering the latest special offer from Retro Madness. To coincide with the release of the band’s latest single “Forever Young”, this week’s special offer was for an official 1 track promo of Forever Young, complete with an A4 press release sheet. The price for this little gem of a pack was £9.99 including postage and packing.
Next, and we re-published an article which had originally appeared on the Retro Madness web site. The article explained that the Maddie Mobile designed for the West End stage production of the Our House musical (2002 – 2003) had resurfaced in the Hackney Empire’s 2009/2010 pantomime Aladdin… sprayed pink!
All those Madness collectors who might have dreamed of one day having the fully mechanised Maddie Mobile parked securely in their garage, would have to think again, as the former Maddie Mobile was now being used as Widow Twankey’s runaround !
Moving on, and it was over to the French MIS team who reported that Madness played 4 tracks live on a show called “One Shot Not” on Arte TV. Aired on the 21st of January, the session was recorded in October of 2009.
The show featured an intervuew along with perfomances of Our House, Dust Devil, Forever Young and Night Boat.
If you’d missed it the French MIS team had been kind enough to provide download links for you.
It was on to MOT news next as we were pleased to report that “Smoke in the Garden”, the long awaited new album from the band, had just been released. Realising money was tight at the moment the band were letting you download the album for free! What gents.
We brought this issue to a close with the news that a Retro Madness Facebook group had recently been set up and already boasted a respectable 270 members. If you’d not joined perhaps it was time you did.
10 years ago…
Issue number 298 – Sunday 23rd January to Saturday 29th January 2005
We started off this week’s collection of articles with a nice piece from Graham Hewson, who was kind enough to review the recent JAG gig which took place at The Dublin Castle on Friday the 7th of January.
Graham had knocked-up a glowing review of the evening’s performance, and finished by saying that he recommended we all went to see them as soon as possible.
Moving on, and in the next article we advised fans to head over to the ChasSmash.com web site, where seven tracks, recorded at The Velvet Ghost Sessions between the 25th and 29th of September 2000 had been made available for download.
The seven tracks in question were:
– We are Love
– As Stars Above
– Bewdley Street
– My Heart is True
– The Weak and The Strong
– This Friend I know
– Welcome to The Darkside
Following last week’s roundup of Madness tribute bands and their forthcoming gigs, we asked you to send in details for any other Madness tribute outfits you knew of. A number of you were happy to oblige, and so this issue featured gig listings for Complete Madness, and This R Two Tone.
Keeping with the tribute band coverage, we moved on with an in-depth review of a recent One Step Below gig at Bristol’s Fleece and Firkin.
We’d originally seen the band almost two years prior to this gig, and came back with a less than favourable review. Things had changed over the past two years, and this time we were pleased to give the band a rave review.
The band played a fantastic set, running at just over an hour and a half. The `Greatest Hits` were (of course) churned out, but it was nice to hear a number of tracks that are rarely performed live by the `real` Madness, such as `Uncle Sam`, and the excellent `Los Palmas 7`, which the crowd really appreciated.
We finished this issue with news that Simon Roberts was progressing very well with the new MIS site revamp. The MIS back-issue search was pretty much up and running, and we were looking to start testing some of the features of the new site over the next week or so.
15 years ago…
Issue number 36 – Sunday 23rd January to Saturday 29th January 2000
If everything went according to plan, it wouldn’t be long before us fans would have the next Madness single, Drip Fed Fred, in our greasy hands. With a release date pencilled in for the 14th of Feb, it’s launch was looking promising. The video on the other hand was looking far more uncertain, as we’d received news that Virgin would not be financing the next video, and that the Lee and Mike would be scripting and making it themselves.
Comedian, Phil Jupitus who supported the band during `The Maddest Show on Earth` tour was being drafted in to play the part of `Reverend Greene` in the new video, whilst Ian Dury would be seen whisked around in a wheelchair. The general plot would see Ian (who plays the part of `Fred`) having a bad day by receiving some terrible news and then winning the lottery.
Apparently Virgin were a bit concerned because with only 3 weeks to go till the release, the video had yet to be shot.
As we got ever-closer to the release of `Drip Fed Fred`, it looked like the Madness media machine was starting to increase in activity once more. The almighty Vincent Carden reported that The Magnificent Seven would be appearing on this Saturday’s edition of the BBC’s `National Lottery` programme. Yes, the program was crap, but with our boys on there, you’d be a fool to miss it.
Following the almost non-existence of any Madness advertising for `Johnny the Horse` and `Wonderful`, both products did nowhere near as well as they should.
With the next Madness single, `Drip Fed Fred/Elysium` due for a February release date the online Madness community had made up their minds to make this a success.
A Madness advertising campaign had recently got off the ground thanks to its two ringleaders on the Total Madness Mailing List, Rob W and the infamous Wee Stoo.
They seemed to have a lot planned already. Apparently radio stations were to be bugged, national and local newspapers were to be informed that a band of fans were taking the promotion of a new single into their own hands.
Other plans consisted of strategic placing of `Vote For Fred` posters in and around UK towns including bus stops, car-parks and shops.
Further plans were for persistent requests to regional radio stations asking them to air `Drip Fed Fred`.
If this wasn’t enough, a massive pub crawl around the centre of Glasgow had been discussed which would involve handing out `Vote for Fred` posters and leaflets to customers . This they were hoping would also get them into the local newspapers!
To top all this off, the TMML’s Simsey was also thinking about running an exciting competition for `the most outrageously placed poster`.
We finished off this issue with a full transcript of Fredrick C. Threwe’s (he of Drip Fed Fred fame) aims and ideas for a brighter future. Ranging from free cans of Virgin Diet Coke to every DJ in Croydon who played his anthem to death, to bringing back free school milk and milk monitors, it was certainly an interesting set of proposals.
Rob Hazelby
RETRO MADNESS HALF PRICE SALE
We thought we had sold the last of these 3 items before Christmas but we’ve just discovered that we’ve still got a few left so in the spirit of January sales we’ve listed all 3 at half price:
Official Bowling Bag from 2010 Tour – Reduced to £17.50 inc p&p
Official Pair of Socks from 2010 Tour – Reduced to £4.50 inc p&p
Official Knitted Scarf from 2010 Tour – Reduced to £6.50 inc p&p
Or if you buy all 3 together in a single transaction we will refund £3.50 back to you making it just 25 quid for the pack of 3 items.
You will find them now listed as the Top 3 items on our homepage. Please remember a minimum order of £10 is required to qualify for our free UK postage.
MIS FEATURE – INTERVIEW WITH SKIFF SKATS’ ROBERT SMITH
Robert Smith recently took time out of his busy schedule to sit down and take part in a short interview with the MIS.
MIS – How’s rehearsals going?
RS – I’ll answer like the lawyer I am! Rehearsals are going brilliantly. Just been to Rotterdam to play with the Dutch section of the Skiffs (bass, harmonica and second banjo). If it sounds half as good on stage we’ll be fine!
MIS – How long will it have been since the last Skiff Skatts gig. When you play in February?
RS – Just under 29 years.
MIS – What’s you favourite memory of the original days of the band?
RS – Funniest is at the begining. “Asking Carl in the back of my brother’s Morris van on the way to the Wag Club whether he’d ever been in a band!”
MIS – Which songs are you looking forward to playing again the most?
RS – Rock This Joint, Duellin’ Banjos and Move It On Over
MIS – How did the 100 club gig come about?
RS – I was conned into it by Hasler. He asked on Facebook whether I would consider a reunion gig and I pointed out all the problems eg no bass player, Pete’s dead, I haven’t played banjo for 30 years etc but I said I wasn’t against it in principle. 5 mins later he messaged me about the 100club gig! Huh!!
MIS – If you were to cover in a cow punk skiffle style a song by Madness. Which track would you choose?
RS – Good question! Such a different rhythm that I have never tried that. Maybe Madness (the track) or perhaps ‘House of Fun’ as it is my favourite Madness track.
MIS – Will you be playing in the toilets at either the Dublin castle or the 100 club, just for old times sake?
RS – Our only toilet gig was at the Electric Ballroom. Most shithouses are too small for the whole band. However, we will be playing Shithouse Boogie which was born and died in the Electric Ballroom loo. “I’ve got a boogie that can’t be beat, drop your pants get on the seat and do the Shithouse boogie…..”etc etc
MIS – What else can you tell us about preparations for the Dublin Castle Show…
RS – Doing lots of rehearsals and T-Shirts and CDs on the way. Doing a low key warm up gig at my local on the Thursday and I’m sure something will happen for Saturday evening. I hardly drink any more and am clean otherwise but will need a pile of something (energy?!!) to keep me going that weekend!!
MIS – We’ve heard it’s possible Thommo might pop by for the Dublin Castle gig.
RS – Just tell him we’ve got a better sax player than him so he can turn up as a fan!! 
Our thanks go to Robert for his time in taking part in the interview.
Jonathan Young
SPECIALIZED – MAD NOT CANCER TOTAL
The time has come…
Specialized 3 Mad Not Cancer 2014 project.
The total is here.
You’ll have to watch our video announcement to find out on our official website we do like to keep you in suspenders…
http://www.specializedproject.co.uk/latestnews/thank-you-one-and-all/
MIS would like to thank all who helped us support the Specialized Mad Not Cancer project. We’d like to congratulate Paul and all at Specialized on the massive amount achieved this record breaking year.
TWEETS OF A DOVE
Items of interest from Twitter that have caught our interest…
Suggs
“For info shirt on QI was from English eccentrics, the signatures of noel coward, Kenneth Williams, peter sellers, john Lennon etc.”
TIME…
We’re almost done for this week’s issue of the MIS, but there are a couple of last minute bits we’d like to point in your direction.
First-up it the Madness tour T-shirts auction we reported on last week. There are now three days remaining on this auction for a selection of signed 80s Madness T-shirts. Currently, the top bid stands at £300. Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/events/846342132088636/
Next, and in the run-up to the Christmas 2014 Madness tour DJ Chris Watts caught up with Suggs for a quick interview. You can catch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ8s_27iDPY&feature=youtu.be
And finally, it turns out that the QIXL edition featuring Suggs we reported on last week wasn’t broadcast for the Suggs episode “long lost”. This sometimes happens with the BBC scheduling. The longer edition may end up on Dave in the coming months as has happened with other episodes in the past.
If we discover that the episode is due to be broadcast we’ll be certain to let you know.
Have a good week!
The Author
