Madness Information Service Online Newsletter Issue Number: 831 – Sunday 12th April to Saturday 18th April 2015
Evening all!
Those of you with better memories than ourselves may recall our mention of “Pop Gold” on last week’s issue. This was screened during the past week and we were most surprised with the show’s song choice of Yesterday’s Men. The performance, shot outside Alton Towers in 1985, was taken from kid’s show “Hold tight”, and came complete with dancing bears.
On-screen captions gave tenuous ‘family’ links of Suggs’ singing wife, and Dave Robinson’s wedding was also mentioned. Here at the MIS we have memories of Hold Tight, and we think that for this performance Suggs may have got dressed in the dark judging by the state of his trousers / track bottoms / MC Hammer strides
(Our thanks go to roving reporter Daren West for the above)
Below is a video clip with the all-new captioning. Our thanks go to Dicka for the new upload; http://youtu.be/TJ2Rr7_LURw
Many more fans commented on those “Yesterdays Trousers!”. Poor mid to late 80s Suggs. Despite Chris having long hair and Lee being dressed as a Krishna monk, the dated late 80s patterning strides came in for the most flak.
Enjoy the read,
Jon Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams
SHOWTIMES
See below for all forthcoming Madness and Madness related gigs and events. If there’s something we’ve missed off or you feel should be added then please let us know.
Madness
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).
GRANDSLAM
“Sporting theatres jumping with joy is the goal. Grandslam Madness – the greatest open air tour in the history of Rock & Roll…”
May
29 – Lincoln City Football Club
30 – Gloucester Rugby Club
June
3 Chelmsford City Racecourse
6 – Portsmouth, Fratton Park
26 – Newmarket Racecourses
27 – Doncaster Racecourse
28 – Hove, Sussex County Cricket Club
July
2 – Silverstone Circuit
3 – St Helens, Haydock Park Racecourse
4 – Carlisle Racecourse
5 – Montrose, East Links, Scotland
9 – Epsom Downs Racecourse
10 – Chepstow Racecourse
11 – Rhyll Outdoor Events Arena
September
11 – Canterbury, Kent County Cricket Club
12 – Bristol, Gloucester County Cricket Club
13 – London, On Blackheath
18 – Leeds, Yorkshire County Cricket Club
25 – Wolverhampton
26 – Chester-le-Street, Durham County Cricket Club
November 2015
November 20th – 23rd 2014 – Minehead – The House Of Fun Weekender Five
Early bird tickets on sale now
Near Jazz Experience
April
21st – NEAR JAZZ EXPERIENCE + Support + DJ
Indo 133 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1DT *Free*
Visit: https://www.facebook.com/NearJazzExperience
May
19th – NEAR JAZZ EXPERIENCE + Support + DJ
Indo 133 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1DT *Free*
Visit: https://www.facebook.com/NearJazzExperience
The Silencerz ft. Lee Thompson
May
9th The Junction, Cambridge, Support Terry Hall (DJ set)
The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra
July
24th Llangollen Town Hall, Denbrighshire, Wales (Fringe Festival Event)
August
1st The Garage Highbury, London
Cathal Smyth
May
14th Shepard’s Bush Hall London. W12.
Clang Group
Thursday 23 April – Surya, Kings Cross, London
Deaf School
June
5th – The Garage, Highbury, London
BUY IT
Lovestruck – (7 inch single – Buy on Record Store Day
April 18th In Stores.
A 1,000 copy limited edition 7” of ‘Lovestruck’, which has never been available on vinyl, backed with ‘Le Grand Pantalon’, best known for its use in a 2011 Kronenbourg TV ad, and which is also making its vinyl debut.
Comes with a unique insert, a ‘Madness Presents’ 3D ‘Love Struck’ Toy Theatre, a replica of a classic Punch & Judy puppet theatre.
In addition to iconic London characters like a Pearly King and Queen and Punch & Judy themselves, the interior of the 3D theatre features depictions of items and characters relating to Madness and their songs, including pith-helmeted soldiers (‘Night Boat’), bottles of Madness Brewing Company beer, a rollercoaster (‘House Of Fun’), terraced houses (’Our House’), and many more. The character collage was created by Peter Quinnell, and the toy theatre is being manufactured by Benjamin Pollock’s Toy Shop.
‘Lovestruck’ has been re-mastered for its vinyl debut from the original ½” tapes.
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.
The Clang EP – 4 Track EP
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
A Comfortable Man – Cathal Smyth solo album. Signed Packages Now Available.
Remaining limited LP’s, CD and download. Album available May 11th.
Signed Super Deluxe Bundles are now available, containing the Limited LP, CD and download editions. The preview track and single download instantly, and you also get a pack of 10 art postcards. The album is available in a Digipack CD with 8 page booklet.
More info at: http://cathalsmyth.tmstor.es/ Price – £28.99
If you attended the Wilton’s music hall gig and already have the LP, or if you are only interested in certain items there are a range of other buy options available. Signed CD’s separately. Etc.
Do You Belive In Love – Cathal Smyth solo single.
“Dear Friends Do you believe in Love? Why wouldn’t you? What would our worlds be like without love? I simply couldn’t bear it? Could you? To begin, ‘Do You Believe In Love?’ is to be the first single from the album. You can hear it on Youtube, and spotify. Cathal Smyth”
In Your Mind – Woody Woodgate solo album.
Pre-Order Now on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TZEMCMQ
OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE A SIGNED ALBUM INSTEAD http://www.propermusic.com/product-details/Woody-Woodgate-In-Your-Mind-Ltd-Autographed-Edition-188454
Album released June 1st.
(website **Now live**. Details to follow) 13 tracks with new band line up and vocalist Dan Shears.
We’re All Going To Brighton (In The Mix preview video of the new sound)
SIGN OF THE TIMES
The Silencerz go to College.
Hertford Regional College was visited by Lee and Daley’s band.
HND and Level 3 Music Tech students got the amazing opportunity to work and record with Lee Thompson from The Madness and the band The Silencerz.
Here are some short video clips of the day as the band answered questions about recording music, playing live and the industry of music.
Then they recorded with the students in their studio facility, including a version of “Callie Road”, their self penned first original song. .
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=fdhO9e5aUCU
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=kZ1PgacDSzs
MIS FEATURE – RECORD STORE DAY – APRIL 18TH
This coming Saturday the Punch and Kudy pop up sleeve, special edition Lovestruck 7 inch backed with Grand Pantalon is released, as a 1000 limited edition pressing.
Record Store Day came into being in 2007 when over 700 independent stores in the USA came together to celebrate their unique culture. The UK followed suit and 2015 will see the eighth celebration of the UK’s unique independent sector. This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists across the globe make special appearances and performances. Festivities include performances, meet & greets with artists, DJ’s, in store quizzes and many other events.
…
A total of 65 record stores will be stocking the 7-inch, and you can find them listed below;
101 Collectors Records
101 West Street, Farnham, GU9 7EN
andyhib101@hotmail.com
www.101collectorsrecords.co.uk
A & R Music & Film (formerly Grainer CD)
143-144 Grainger Market, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE1 5QQ
sales@sh-advertising.co.uk
Action Records
46 Church Street, Preston, PR1 3DH
mail@actionrecord.co.uk
www.actionrecords.co.uk
Adrian Records
36/38 High Street, Wickford, Essex, SS12 9AZ
website@adrians.co.uk
www.adrianrecords.co.uk
Armagh Music
7 Dobbin Street, Armagh, BT61 7QQ
armaghmusic@gmail.com
Astonishing Sounds
3 Hall Street, Burnley, B11 1QJ
shop.astonishing.sounds@googlemail.com
Badlands
11 St George Place, Cheltenham, GL50 3LA
phil@badlands.co.uk
www.badlands.co.uk
Banquet Records
52 Eden Street, Kingston, Surrey, KT1 1EE
jt@banquetrecords.com
www.banquetrecords.com
Barnstorm Records
128 Queensberry Street, Dumfries, DG1 1BU
gmbarnstorm@googlemail.com
Beatdown Records
Unit 1 Clarendon House, Bewick Street, Newcastle, NE1 5EE
beatdownrecords@hotmail.co.uk
www.beatdownrecords.co.uk
Bridport Music
33A South Street, Bridport, DT6 3NY
stephjg@hotmail.co.uk
www.bridportmusic.co.uk
Casbah Records
320 Creek Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 9SW
tony.davis@ntlworld.com
www.casbahrecords.co.uk
Coda Music
12 Bank Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2LN
mail@moundmusic.co.uk
www.codamusic.co.uk
Collectable Records
101 Wolverhampton Road, Stafford, ST17 4AH
tim@collectablerecords.co.uk
www.collectablerecords.co.uk
Compact Music
20 North Street, Sudbury, CO10 1RB
sales@compact-music.co.uk
www.compact-music.co.uk
Crash Records
35 The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 6PU
ian@crashrecords.co.uk
www.crashrecords.co.uk
Cruisin Records
132 High Street, Welling, Kent, DA16 1TJ
johnsetford@hotmail.com
Derricks Music
221 Oxford Street, Swansea, SA1 3BQ
info@derricksmusic.co.uk
www.derricksmusic.co.uk
Empire Records
21 Heritage Close, St Albans, AL3 4EB
sales@empirestalbans.com
www.empirestalbans.com
Europa Music
10 Friars Street, Stirling, FK8 1HA
ewen@europamusic.co.uk
www.europamusic.co.uk
Fidelity Entertainment T/A Movie Mix
127 High Street, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 9EY
david@fidelityentertainment.com
www.fidelityentertainment.com
Fives Records
103 Broadway, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1PG
fivesrecords@gmail.com
www.fives-records.co.uk
Gatefield Sounds
163 High Street, Herne Bay, CT6 5AQ
mikektba@hotmail.com
Gatefield Sounds
70 High Street, Whitstable, CT5 1BB
mikektba@hotmail.com
Head
Units 8-11 The Galleries, Broadmead, Bristol, BS1 3XD
bristol@ehead.co.uk
www.facebook.com/headbristol
Head
Unit 269 Intu Shopping Centre, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1DN
bromley@ehead.co.uk
www.facebook.com/headbromley
Head
84 The Mall, Golden Square Shopping Centre, Warrington, WA1 1QE
warrington@ehead.co.uk
Head
14 Lower Mall, Royal Priors, Leamington Spa, CV32 4XU
spa@ehead.co.uk
Head
Unit 6, The Sovereign Centre, High Street, Weston-Super-Mare, BS23 1HL
wsm@ehead.co.uk
Head
Unit 28, Castlecourt Shopping Centre, Belfast, BT1 1DD
belfast@ehead.co.uk
www.facebook.com/headbelfast
Herrick Watson Ltd
8 High Street, Skegness, PE25 3NW
hwatsonltd@btconnect.com
www.herrickwatson.co.uk
Hot Rat Records
38 Stockton Road, Sunderland, SR1 3NR
marty.hotrat@gmail.com
JG Windows Ltd
1-7 Central Arcade, Newcastle, NE1 5BP
david.mcgovern@jgwindows.com
www.jgwindows.com
Jumbo Records
5-6 St Johns Centre, Leeds, LS2 8LQ
ecommerce@jumborecords.co.uk
www.jumborecords.co.uk
Lewks
3 Wales Court, Downham Market, Norfolk, PE38 9JZ
enquiries@lewks.co.uk
www.lewks.co.uk
Love Music
34 Dundas Street, Glasgow, G1 2AQ
lovemusicglasgow@gmail.com
www.lovemusicglasgow.com
LP Record Store
137a Arundel Street, Sheffield, S1 2NU
lp.vinyl.sheffield@gmail.com
http://www.discogs.com/seller/LP.vinyl.sheffield
LP’s Paradise
Unit 2 The Victorian Arcade, Walsall, WS1 1RE
lilythewolf59@gmail.com
www.facebook.co.uk/LPsParadise
Martian Central
The Crescent, Central Station, Queen Street, Exeter, EX4 3SB
marcus.martian@yahoo.co.uk
Music Junkee/Record Junkee
62-64 Cambridge Street, Sheffield, S1 4HP
musicjunkee42@yahoo.co.uk
www.recordjunkee.co.uk
Music Mania
416 Piccadilly Arcade, Hanley, ST1 1DL
sales@musicmaniauk.com
www.musicmaniauk.com
Music Nostalgia
Units 56-58 Pannier Market, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2LL
peteburywillis@hotmail.com
www.MusicNostalgia.co.uk
Music’s Not Dead Limited
71 Devonshire Road, Bexhill, TN40 1BD
richard.wortley@live.co.uk
www.musicsnotdead.com
Piccadilly Records
53 Oldham Street, Manchester, M1 1JR
darryl@piccadillyrecords.com
www.piccadillyrecords.com
Record Revivals
6 Northway, Scarborough, YO11 1JL
info@recordrevivals.co.uk
www.recordrevivals.com
Reflex
23 Nun Street, Newcastle, NE1 5AG
alan@reflexcd.co.uk
www.reflexcd.co.uk
Reflex Records
94 High Street, Gosport, PO12 1DS
reflex-records@ntlworld.com
www.reflex-rockshop.co.uk
Reflex Records
2 Marmion Road, Southsea, PO5 2BA
reflex-records@ntlworld.com
www.reflex-rockshop.co.uk
Rough Trade
130 Talbot Road, London, W11 1JA
nigel@roughtrade.com
www.roughtrade.com
Rough Trade
Draywalk, 91 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL
noreen@roughtrade.com
www.roughtrade.com
Sister Ray
34-35 Berwick Street, London, W1F 8RP
gaz@sisterray.co.uk
www.sisterray.co.uk
Slipped Discs
57-59 High Street, Billericay, Essex, CM12 9AX
s.discs@btconnect.com
Spun Out
57 Gold Street, Northampton, NN1 1RA
chris@spunout.net
www.spunout.net
Square Records
14 High Street, Wimborne, BH21 1HU
paul@square-records.co.uk
The Sound Machine
24 Harris Arcade, Reading, RG1 1DN
steve@thesoundmachine.uk.com
www.thesoundmachine.uk.com
Vinyl & Vintage, It’s For You
5a Cleveland Street, Wolves, WV1 3HL
its.foryou@hotmail.co.uk
X Records
44 Bridge Street, Bolton, BL1 2EG
xrecords@xrecords.co.uk
www.xrecords.co.uk
Bside The Cside
176 High Street, Herne Bay, CT6 5AJ
chriseastman@outlook.com
Clampdown
9-11 Paton Street, Manchester, M1 2BA
info@clampdownrecords.com
Dad’s Records
http://dads-records.co.uk
laurence@dadsrecords.co.uk
Beautiful Wasteland
136 Sywell Road, Overstone, Northampton, NN6 0AG
Freebird records
15A Wicklow Street, Dublin 2,
Jive@freebird.ie
Headcan Music
Orchard Cottage, Church Lane, Laughton, East Sussex, BN8 6AH
info@headcanmusic.co.uk
Hot Salvation
29 Rendecous St., Folkestone, CT20 1EY
hotsalvationrecords@gmail.com
Vinyl Revelations
1b Cardigan Street, Luton, LU1 1RP
vinylrevs@gmail.com
Our thanks go to Holly at Unionsquare music for the above list.
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 571 – Sunday 11th April – Saturday 17th April 2010
Special offers were the order of the day this week as we kicked off the issue with the news that Retro Madness had reduced the price of the Forever Young UK promo CDs from £9.99 to £4.99, including UK postage. The bargain price was even less than Retro Madness had payed for them in the first place!
We were also reminded that last week’s offer of brand new Our House t-shirts ranging in price from £3.50 to £5.99 was continuing until the end of April.
It was on to re-release news next, as we reported that the day after this issue went out would see the re-releases of classic albums “Absolutely” and “7”. Each album cost a mere £6.99, and spanned two discs.
Following the recent 10th anniversary of the sad passing of Ian Dury we passed proceedings over to Lee Thompson and his tale of hose Uncle Ian found himself as lead vocalist on the classic Madness track “Drip Fed Fred”. Although a short article it was extremely amusing, and one that’s still worth a read even today.
Next, and with the Summer holiday season just around the corner many of you would be on the lookout for some reading material to take with you. Being our ever helpful selves, we pulled out five titles that we felt you may have wanted to pack in your suitcase before jetting off.
We brought this issue to a close with the news that Chris Moss of Bristol based ska band “The Communicators”, had recently set up a Facebook group and you were urged to take a look.
10 years ago…
Issue number 309 – Sunday 10th April to Saturday 16th April 2005
We started off this week’s edition with news that Mike Edwards, the sax player from ska band Orange Street, would be running in the forthcoming London Marathon, in aid of Cancer Research UK. It wasn’t known if he’d be playing the sax at any part during the event – we suspected probably not.
Moving on, we then took a look at the Mad Not Mad Scooter Club. The group were a small, family run club that was slowly growing. The name came about because they were all Madness and scooter fans
A few weeks back we’d printed what we assumed to be the full line-up for the forthcoming 3 day Badfest (running from Fri 29th July – Sun 31st July). However, we were subsequently contacted by Stewart Rennie of Ska band `Orange Street`, telling us that despite them not being listed in our previous listing, they were actually booked to play on Saturday 30th.
Armed with this information we decided to pay the Orange Street web site a visit in an effort to find out more about the band.
Next up co-editor Jonathan Young asked “Is it time for a Madness Symposium?”. Why, well, on the weekend this issue went out across the net, Manchester’s Metropolitan University put The Smith forward as the subject of academic study and debate. At the much publicised event, world class university lecturers and researchers gathered to assess the band’s social, cultural, political and musical impact.
As Jonathan rightly stated at the time:
“But if “The Smiths” can be the subject of deconstructed examination at a dedicated Symposium, then surely Madness, should have the same opportunity.
After all, Madness are a much bigger band in our lives. We Demand our own MADNESS Symposium!”
Jonathan then went on to draw up his own list of academic suitable lectures centred around our favourite band. Did this man have too much time on his hands? Quite possibly!
15 years ago…
Issue number 47 – Sunday 9th April to Saturday 15th April 2000
Before we got this issue underway, we had to clear things up with all those people who mailed us asking for more information regarding the Madness world tour mentioned in last week’s edition of the MIS Bulletin. We were sure the majority of you realised that Simon Roberts had quite cleverly put together a little April Fool’s joke complete with mock-up promo sleeve on his website.
In a recent E-mail to the `Total Madness Mailing List`, Simon Roberts reported that he was receiving so many enquiries from people asking for copies of this non-existent promo and more info about the tour, that he had to put a disclaimer on his website informing people that it was indeed only an April fools joke.
Moving on, and the ball continued to roll with regards to Scatty’s Madness festival pencilled-in for later in the year. The whole day would be a charity event, with proceeds going to Cancer Bacup, the charity Ian Dury put so much of his time and effort into. Since the sad loss of Ian Dury the previous week, the event had now been dubbed TMML ID Day. The event would start at 12noon on Saturday 11th of June and would go on till around 1am.
The number of people offering their help and support for this event seemed to be reaching truly mammoth proportions. As well as a large chunk of the online Madness community offering assistance, big name contributions included;
– Cancer Bacup.
– Gilad Atzman. (who toured with the blockheads)
– Terry Edwards. (who has recorded & appeared with madness)
– Virgin Music.
– Tristan Olivia. (grandson of lord Olivia)
– The Kings Appeal.
Some sad news now, and for those who were waiting for the rumoured US tour and Madstock 5, Vince Foley was able to confirm 100% that there would be no tour or MS5 this summer.
Many of you were no doubt familiar with the age-old TV series, `This is Your Life` which nine times out of ten featured someone so completely boring that you just had to change the channel. Well, for once we could assure you that you’d have the blank video tape in the player all set to record this one. Last Saturday, the legendary Suggs recorded an edition of the show which was due to be aired in the next couple of weeks.
Remember the Madness documentary being filmed and put-together towards the end of last year? Well, news reached us this week revealing the show had now been put back till September. A definite date had still not been decided.
Onto the lowdown of this issue’s article now. And following the sad loss of Ian Dury last week, we had an article from the BBC website covering the funeral which was held on Wednesday. As expected, so many people came to pay their respects that the service held in the church was also broadcast outside.
Further on we had the latest batch of gigs from `One Step Behind`. As we kept saying, if you’d not seen them, you really needed to get along to one of their shows as soon as possible. You would not be disappointed.
On Valentine’s day this year one Madness fan spread the word to the masses by appearing on Ireland’s `Near FM` radio station. This fan was none other than `Madness Unsugged` editor in chief, Vince Carden who was the guest on 101.6 FM’s weekly `Ska Patrol` programme. You could find out just what went on in the review of events elsewhere in this issue.
And, not to be outdone by One Step Behind, the recently formed, tribute band `Los Palmas 6` were putting together a comprehensive tour over the next 6 weeks. We advised you to take a look at the dates to see if they would be playing in your area.
Rob Hazelby
SKA ON THE SILVER SCREEN
This week we take a break from our regular “Live Intensified” column, and instead pass the reigns over to Duff Kelly…
The long awaited documentary Legends of Ska: Cool & Copasetic made its UK debut at the BFI Southank on Saturday, 04 April 2015, as a part of the BFI’s African Odysseys film series, and in conjunction with the London International Ska Festival. I was lucky enough to be among those in the packed house to see this brilliant film that I think will be an essential part of every Ska fan’s collection whenever it is finally released.
The film was introduced by Brad Klein, who produced and directed the film, which tells the story of original Jamaican Ska through the voices and performances of many of the Legends who lived it.
The film was followed by a panel discussion led by author David Katz talking to Brad Klein and two of the film’s “stars” – Rico Rodriguez and Derrick Harriott (Owen Gray had to cancel at the last minute for a family emergency).
The story is woven around footage and interviews coming out of the 12-13 July 2002 Legends of Ska concerts that took place in Toronto – again produced and promoted by Brad Klein, who had the vision to bring together as many of the original artists that were still alive at the time for a weekend of performances and events. A number of those involved in the Legends of Ska concerts and featured in the film have since passed away which further highlights the importance of this film in capturing their stories for posterity.
Brad Klein was a DJ playing Ska and started wondering about the artists behind the music he loved and started trying to track them down for phone interviews. He got inspiration from the 1999 documentary film Buena Vista Social Club about the Havana club’s music scene during the 1940’s and he wondered who would make a film about the origins of Jamaican Ska and realized it would have to be him. He had never made a film before and he had never produced a concert before, but set about organizing the Legends of Ska concert weekend in Toronto in 2002 in spite of it.
Like me, many MIS readers will probably be familiar with a lot of the Ska history from reading books and articles but where the film’s appeal really lies is in seeing and hearing Duke Reid, Prince Buster, Dennis Sindrey, Larry McDonald, Stranger Cole, Millicent “Patsy” Todd, Derrick Morgan and so many others telling you in their own words.
Can’t say enough about Brad Klein, never made a film before, never put on a concert, and the initiative he took in making all this happen, bringing some performers who hadn’t been on stage for over 30 years back into the spotlight, and the endless challenges he has faced in getting the film made, failed kickstarter campaign, successful kickstarter campaign, negotiating music rights, editing, buying old tourist films from Ebay looking for footage of Jamaican scenes and performing artists and persevering throughout is a real testament to his love of Jamaican music and the artists who made it. He is still looking for backing to get the film through its final hurdles and it is yet to be determined how it will be released and when. Recommend anyone interested follow the film’s facebook page https://www.facebook.com/legendsofska and the website is www.legendsofska.com and the film trailer if you haven’t seen it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RmiO_JeL9U
The audience was, unsurprisingly I suppose since they were a self selecting group of Ska fans, overwhelmingly positive with the only criticisms expressed in questions, or overheard afterwards being about artists, places or producers or elements of the “history” that weren’t included. Brad explained that he had over 200 hours of footage and interviews and the realities are that you simply can’t include everything having had to cut again from his original which was wellover two hours. For me, I think the reactions from Rico and Derrick Harriott to the film say it all:
Rico: “It gave me such a good feeling”
Derrick Harriott: “As a man who’ve been in the business for a long time, you have one of the greatest things here… I sit down here an I watch’in dis ting… and me have what you call it goose pimple or goose bump, yes … cuz it reached me, it go deep down”
It reached me too and I encourage every fan of Ska to see this film when the opportunity arises.
Duff Kelly
TWEETS OF A DOVE / THAT FACEBOOK
The band have been rather quiet on both Facebook and Twitter over this past week or so, but we felt this Facebook post from Carl was worthy of inclusion in this issue;
“Dear All,
I hope you have all had a Happy Easter weekend and a blessed Passover. I want to thank you all for the kind words you have posted and feel much encouraged. Life is such a beautiful dance and today I am filled with much hope and gratitude for my family, my friends and you all.
With love Cathal”
TIME…
And finally…
Photographer Neil Mackenzie Matthews, currently has an exhibition on show at “The GrEAT British Restaurant” entitled “My 80s through the lens”.
Why should this interest Madness fans? Well, a photo of our favourite band forms part of the collection, that’s why.
You can visit the show at The GrEAT British Restaurant, 14 North Audley Street, Mayfair, London W1K 6WE.
If you’d like to a see a selection of classic 80s bands taken back in the 80s then check out Neil’s gallery at: http://myeighties.com/galleryhome.html. Chris, Lee and Suggs make an appearance here.
Happy viewing!
Until next week, take care,
Jon Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams
(With thanks to Duff Kelly and Daren West)
The Author
