We get this week’s bulletin off the starting grid with the news that Madness are in pole position for the forthcoming Grandslam, as this video shows them driving Formula One style racing cars around the track;
http://tinyurl.com/os9cyaq
It goes without saying that you should never drink and drive, but you may be interested to learn that for a limited period you can win tickets to Grandslam through special bottle tops of Night Boat and Lovestruck ale.
Continuing with Grandslam news, and Madness have announced Scouting for Girls and Chainska Brassica as support for their first gig in Lincoln.
Elsewhere in this issue we have reaction to “The Comfortable Man LP”, which has been heartwarming to say the least. Alongside that, we’ve a full round up of Carl’s performances and media appearances during the week of the album launch, complete with video clips and quotes.
You may also be interested to learn that you can catch Carl performing on The Jools Holland radio show this coming Monday.
Details below;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00738f4
Now, on with the issue!
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
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 *** General tickets sold out ***
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
http://www.bigweekends.com/the-weekends/specialist-music-weekends/madness-house-of-fun-weekender.aspx#ico=OB_Madness

Near Jazz Experience
May
19th – NEAR JAZZ EXPERIENCE + Support + DJ
Indo 133 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1DT *Free*
June
16th – NEAR JAZZ EXPERIENCE + Bad Cats Blues + DJ Set
Indo 133 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1DT *Free* 8.30pm BST
Visit: https://www.facebook.com/NearJazzExperience

The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra
July
24th Llangollen Town Hall, Denbrighshire, Wales (Fringe Festival Event)
August
1st The Garage Highbury, London

Cathal Smyth
More events coming. Possibly this autumn

Deaf School
June
4th – Prince Albert, Brighton
5th – The Garage, Highbury, London
5th – Bingley Music Festival (Headlining Stage 2)

The Clang Group
19 June – The Islington, London N1

BUY IT
The Grandslam Tour T-Shirt
http://madness.sandbaghq.com/
It’s 2 weeks until the Grandslam begins. You can get the latest official Madness T-shirt here…
http://madness.sandbaghq.com/home/charcoal-grandslam-t-shirt-online-exclusive.html
The charcoal grey T-shirt (available in small or large sizes) costs £20 and is exclusive to the Madshop. It’s also available in advance of the tour, which is nice

New Accessories
Brand new Madness vinyl stickers.
Cover your pencil case, fridge, exercise book, vinyl boxes, hamster cage, wallet, picture frame, tooth brush holder, local lamppost, envelopes, passing double decker busses, birthday cards, mobile phone case or other, with new Madness stickers. In 6 piece sets of classic M’s or a union jack worded M.

Also now available – Madness Brewing Company. Bottle Opener.
http://madness.sandbaghq.com/left-menu-madness/accessories.html/

A Comfortable Man – Cathal Smyth solo album. Signed Packages Now Available. *** Out now! ***
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.

In Your Mind – Woody Woodgate solo album.
Pre-Order Now on Amazon. – *** Released July 6th ***
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. 13 tracks with new band line up and vocalist Dan Shears.
www.woodywoodgate.co.uk
*** New Info *** The first single from the album will be “In Your Mind”. A release date for this is to be confirmed. Shooting for the video will commence shortly.

SIGN OF THE TIMES
From TV and various radio stations, this week Cathal launched his album with much talking to the Beeb.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32704405
30 years later, Cathal Smyth has ditched the name, the porkpie hat and the baggy trousers and has begun a new era in his life with a debut solo album called A Comfortable Man.
He told BBC Breakfast about his new venture, the heartbreak in his life that inspired his songs, and how – for the time being at least – his days with Madness are on hold.
Watch Carl’s appearance on BBC breakfast here in full. Thanks to Darren Dixon’s every brilliant YouTube channel service.
https://youtu.be/XYy9mkSAlng
His interview with BBC Radio Five Live covered last week has also been uploaded to youtube; https://youtu.be/dZo88a-xiN4

Cathal Returned to Robert Elms show;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02q7mnw
Here he had another loving chat with his old friend. They spoke about the Bush Hall as it was a topic on the show as a London Building. Cathal talked about doing a corporate gig recently, and how he made CEOs and business men pay attention.
Robert talked about the Wilton’s show. “I want to create moments of wonder”, says Carl. He preformed a live piano version of “Love song number 7”, this time at the end of the show. He also performed lyrics from a new song for the first time. He says he is blown away by the great reviews and the album of the week reactions from the press.

Cathal talks to BBC Manchester
Cathal Smyth asked by BBC Manchester Are you still friends with Madness?
And talks about his new album to DJ Becky Want. listen from 1.35.30. Onwards.
http://bbc.in/1zJuifs

Relative Values: Madness front man, Suggs, and his daughter Viva
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/Magazine/article1550712.ece

Suggs: My early life was pretty chaotic. I have no memories of my dad. He was a heroin addict and an alcoholic. He left when I was a toddler, so it was just me and Mum. She was a jazz singer and made ends meet as a barmaid, moving us from London to Liverpool and back again to get work. The places we lived in were run-down and often absolute bomb sites.
One of Mum’s jobs in London was working at the Colony Room, a drinking club in Soho. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was a hotbed for people like Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and George Melly. When I came to get my dinner money from her, they’d ruffle my hair and pass me a few bob. Being exposed to all that made grow up more quickly.

LIVE AND INTENSIFIED
Cathal Smyth – Album Signing at FOPP Record Store.
At 6pm I was able to meet the artist formerly known as Chas Smash.
His new album was being played, over the speakers, but I don’t think there was any live music before or after I left.
I was last in the queue and he was very generous with his time with everyone. I was a bit embarrassed as to what I would say to him, as I didn’t think it appropriate to mention Madness and whether he would be at any of the Grandslam gigs or Minehead. I just asked how his venture was going, and how it was interesting to see the various side projects the band have on.
It is interesting he is doing this in another persona. I don’t think I would have recognised him if I bumped into him in the street.
He thought he knew me from somewhere. He may say that to everyone.
Marie reckons he was getting me confused with his mate Morrisey. Anyway, he was charm personified, and it was well worth the cost of a cd to meet him. I now need to orchestrate a photo opportunity with Chrissy Boy to complete the set!
John Hunt

Cathal Smyth – Live at Bush Hall
Season of Content – Bush Hall (Video Lindsey Davies)
https://youtu.be/vIb4qvO1Ab0
Are The Children Happy – (Video Duff Kelly)
https://youtu.be/NIwB3s5raRE
Shabbat She Comes – (Video by Lindsey Davies)
https://youtu.be/BRvjbxInFAM
*** New Song *** – I Choose Life – (Video by Maria Ashe)
https://youtu.be/t39abEFS-aI

Cathal Smyth Bush Hall 14/5/15
On 14th may I had the pleasure of seeing Cathal Smyth live at Bush Hall , London. Not quite Wilton’s music hall but still a nice little venue. He was accompanied by an 8 strong choir string quartet, keyboards, double bass, harp a glockenspiel, drums and a guitarist.
The guitarist played an electric, acoustic ,banjo and a Baroque-ulele. The glockenspiel player also played percussions.
After a hour or so wait from doors open and an opening act of (a guy with a guitar singing love based songs) Cathal walked onto the small stage, squeezing pass the keyboard he sat down took a deep breath looked around the room smiling to the audience ,the applause dies down the room falls silent …
The Cello plays the opening bars to A Comfortable Man. Carl starts to sing but stops after the second line due to feedback from his microphone at first he looked a bit unhappy but after telling himself to breath deeply (jokingly) and a quick word to the sound man the levels were corrected and Carl starts again.
A Comfortable Man was a bit more percussive and generally fuller sounding then the album version. Great opening number, he followed this with She’s Got the Light. The drum intro starts Carl stands and sways to the rhythm while singing, a more energetic version than the album .
Shabat she comes was next. This again starts with drums and a faster tempo. Carl raising the pitch of his voice for the chorus. They also repeated the last verse twice with Carl singing alone to the backing vocals ” Me I like the Beatles”. I choose life- the first off the non-album tracks starts with acoustic guitar and then burst’s into life, most people were singing the chorus by the end, another Cathal song with great lyrics that most people can relate to. He sits down, “This is the song that started me on this jouney”, he comments. The piano to love song no :7 begins. I love this song its perfect so simple but so compelling the instrument arrangement was slightly different with a ukulele being added. Do you believe in love had everyone bopping around in their chairs and clapping. This track had the best response from the audience, we all sang along much to Carl’s appreciation with a smile on his face he said “I’ve got to say thank you”.
Love song number 9 and requiem for common sense both had a faster tempo and fuller sound then the album versions and Carl again raised the pitch of his voice to it limits for the chorus of requiem
All my lovin` my favorite song on the album is just a simple lullaby almost, I’m not too sure if I like the arrangement as much on this one as the album, the guitar seem too busy but still a great performance.
The next track was the 2nd non album i am alive, Carl asking the “audience are you alive?”. Great lyrics compelling the listener to think about there lives, he followed this with a Wren Burial and 3rd non album track, Season of Content which he also performed at Wilton’s last year. A beautiful song with the imagine type piano part accompanying Carl’s solo vocals for the first verse. The next track was the last non album track “what a day” Carl stating this song was written about a taxi driver that he knew from Ibiza that had died he said he was thinking of calling the song karma cab. This song seemed a bit (work in progress )and only lasted a few minutes
Carl stands and squeezes pass the digital keyboard to take seat behind it, straight away I know what’s next ” Are the children happy ” He starts playing but hits a bum note on the bass end off the keyboard but fortunately for Carl someone shouts out just before this little mistake and gives Carl an excuse to reply with a joke and start the song again
Goodbye planet earth still sounds as good as first time i heard it. He rounds the night of with you are not alone, almost note perfect to the album version . He finished the song to a standing ovation and then told us -“fuck off .no no im only joking ..no fuck off I’m going for a fag” he jumped off the stage and made his way out to the front of the building where he signed items and posed for photos a very humble man thanking everybody he spoke too and actually taking time to talk and joke with fans
I managed to get hold of a set list so the track order is 100% correct.
Comfortable Man
She’s Got The Light
Shabat She Comes
I choose Life
Love Song No:7
Do You Believe In Love
Love Song No:9
A Requiem For Common Sense
All My Lovin`
I am Alive
The Wrens Burial
Season Of Content
What a Day
Are the Children Happy
Goodbye Planet Earth
You Are Not Alone
The only thing I felt was a bit off a let down (apart from paying £4.50 for a warm bottle of beer ) was the acoustics and the instrument levels compared to Wilton’s and the album, was the strings didn’t sound as rich and the double bass didn’t quite hit the mark as the electric bass did last time. The female backing singer who sang harmonies on the album and at Wilton’s was not present and I did miss that.
But overall its nice to hear the tracks performed with slight alternate arrangements and he certainly chose a good set of people to back him.
New Songs
– Season of Content
– I Choose Life
– I’m Alive
– Taxi
Matthew Stanton

“Thanks for sharing the most personal of output. The album is a unique time capsule for your recent past and a hope for your future.
May your willingness to share never be broken and your aspirations for us all be heard afar.
Now, dear Radio 2 it’s over to you….” Steve Chapman

MR SCURF’S KOAST TRAIN THIS WEDNESDAY – ASK WOODY
As the grandslam draws near and as Madness continue to work on new songs in the studio, and with his completed new solo album “In Your Mind” getting ready to be released on July 6th…
Woody boards the Koast Train for a chat with Mr Scurf and his crew this coming Wednesday.
And you can ask him your questions.
Join the event page for the show here.
https://www.facebook.com/events/935223116529269/
And add your question to the thread and it might be one of the ones read out.
You can listen live to the show here.
http://www.koastradio.co.uk/koast/
It’s this Wednesday live on North East Radio and streamable on the internet.
UK Time 8pm till 11pm
Tune in and tell any friends to join the event page, too.

MIS FEATURE – DEAF SCHOOL NEW ALBUM
Deaf School – New Album “L A U N D E R E T T E” Give it a spin.
Deaf School have been back in the studio for the first time in four years and the result is a bumper 13-track album, L A U N D E R E T T E, featuring a mix of terrific new songs and rocking live classics gems and it’s out later this month.
The seven new studio tracks include several written by Madness producer Clive Langer and a set of beautiful lyrics for the song ‘Liverpool 8’ by Miss Bette Bright (sometimes known as Mrs Graham McPherson, of course).
Building on the great work they did on the Enrico & Bette xx EP released in 2011, the set of new compositions demonstrates yet again that the band really do still have it, both as writers and performers.
As ever, the album is full of variety and Deaf School idiosyncrasy – after a live track to start (the band’s now traditional show-opener ‘Last Night’) the new songs take over with the melancholic ‘Broken Down Aristocrats’ giving way to the altogether more bouncy ‘Launderette’.
‘Geraldine’ is as dark as Deaf School has ever been and ‘Falkner & Hope’, the second Liverpool-themed song on the album, is both atmospheric and evocative of a wonderful city. With ‘Liverpool 8’, the set of new songs is then completed with ‘Places & Things’ and ‘Don’t Open The Door Bette’ (inspired by a Tokyo taxi-ride during a Japanese tour).
Five of the six live tracks were recorded in front of 700 fans at the band’s New Brighton show in November last year at the climax of their autumn tour and the sixth harks back to their ‘Second Coming’ shows in Liverpool in 1988. None of the live tracks has been released as a live version before and in addition to ‘Last Night’ the album features other favourites such as ‘Darling’, ‘Get Set Ready Go’ and ‘All Queued Up’.
L A U N D E R E T T E is released in Japan on 27 May on the Hayabusa Landings label and will be available online from www.deafschoolmusic.com and at the Deaf School shows in Brighton and London on 4 and 5 June respectively, tickers available from the website.
Mark Adamson

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 576 – Sunday 16th May – Saturday 22nd May 2010
We kicked off this issue with the news that enhanced vinyl versions of One Step Beyond, Absolutely and Seven would all be seeing the light of day in early June. Before our readership groaned at the prospect of yet more re-releases, we were assured that these would be more than your normal re-releases, and would contain masses of extras, all pressed on high quality vinyl.
Elsewhere, French MIS co-maintainer, Sabrina Boutellier, announced that Madness’ performance in Milan on the 8th of May was now available for download on the Mega Upload web site. Spanning a whopping 29 tracks, this was one recording well worth a download.
Further on, and Retro Madness were back with another one of their stupidly good offers. This they had managed to track down a couple of copies of the rare Suggs “Night Fever” Karaoke Double CD album from November 2000. Long since deleted, these were in brand new condition and were priced at just £4.99 including UK p&p. Madness!
Next, and with the CD re-issues of the Rise and Fall and Keep Moving just around the corner, Jonathan Young told us that Uncut Magazine journalist, Gavin Martin had been busy putting together the sleeve notes for Rise and Fall, while Phil Jupitus had been given the task of the write up for Keep Moving.
Finally, we pointed you in the direction of an audio and video interview with Chris Foreman, recorded on the 14th of May at Le Zenith De Paris, France. It was a little hard to hear at times due to the noise in the background, but we urged you to stick with it and have a listen.
10 years ago…
Issue 314 – Sunday 15th May to Saturday 21st May 2005
This last week was a sad one for Madness fans, as the long running rumours became official when found member Chris Foreman finally announced he had retired from the band.
We’d already been receiving numerous emails before this became official, and as this had now been cleared-up by Chris, we asked that you let things be, and refrained from emailing us further questions on the subject.
Chris gave a full explanation as to the reasons why he was leaving, over on the official Madness web site, underneath a “Job Centre” photo.
Although no longer in the band, Chris promised to continue answering questions fans sent in via his much loved “Cupboard”, so you’d still be able to receive bizarre replies to your long running queries.
On a jollier note, we received news announcing that North London based JAG would be supporting the band during next month’s Forest Tour.
Although not appearing at all the dates, they had confirmed that they’d be appearing at High Lodge, Thetford Forest on the 11th and Bedgebury Pinetum, Kent, on the 12th of June.
Part of the fun of attending Madness gigs is meeting up with numerous like-minded individuals, all mad about the band. You’ve probably been chatting with them on numerous forums/lists or had swapped emails.
Well, now it was time to meet them.
A ‘Meets’ folder had been set up on the MIS Forums, where you could either organise your own MadMeet, or announce your intention to attend one that was already being organised.
At present, two meets were being organised – one for Bedgebury Pinetum, on the 12th of June, and one for Westonbirt Arboretum on the 18th.
Moving on, and we took time out to congratulate Allison Masterson on her wedding day. Allison, and her husband Derek, tied the knot this weekend. Before the big day, Allison told us that;
“My story is that I met a great guy 10years ago at an Utter Madness gig in Dublin and since then Madness music has played a big part in our relationship.
Even now he smiles at every song and over the last 10 years our love of Madness’s music has grown, so much so that we are thinking of having “It must be love” as our first dance. Yea I know, a bit corney, but that’s us!”
We finished off my gently informing our readers that the MIS web site wasn’t throwing a wobbly. Instead, we’d decided to close many of the sections off in a small tribute to the departure of a certain Chris Foreman. We promised that normal service would resume once our period of mourning was over.
15 years ago…
Issue number 52 – Sunday 14th May to Saturday 20th May 2000
We started off this week’s collection of articles with news on the full line-up for the forthcoming Fleadh Festival. For those of you umming and ahhing about whether you were going to go along to watch a certain Cathal Smyth, this line-up should have helped to make your decision either one way or another.
Next, it was over to Lee Swandale for rehearsal news. Last Sunday saw the Crunch back in the rehearsal room, preparing songs for gigs in the very near future.
Swanny explained that he was bursting to tell us when and where we’d get the chance to hear these new tracks, but until bookings were confirmed he felt it unfair to comment further at this time.
Moving on, and we passed the baton over to Simon Moore, press officer at Cancer Bacup, who was here with details of the forthcoming Ian Dury Tribute Concert. The event was due to take place on Friday the 16th of June, and the line-up was extremely impressive.
We were told that the evening would be headlined by The Blockheads, Ian’s long serving band, with guest vocal appearances by Robbie Williams, Joe Strummer, members of Madness, Ian Broudie, Kirsty MacColl, Saffron from Republica, Wreckless Eric, Mark Lamarr, Phill Jupitus, Keith Allen and Kathy Burke.
Suggs commented at the time;
“I am proud and privileged to be involved in a tribute to one of this country’s finest writers and performers. Looking at the line up so far it looks like it will be a fantastic evening and a fitting tribute to the great man.”
The profits from this very special concert were to be donated to the national charity CancerBACUP, for whom Ian was spokesperson. Ian wanted to ensure that everyone who was diagnosed with cancer knew about and had access to, the best information and support possible.
With the tribute concert now confirmed it was down to the one and only Scatty to confirm that Rhythmstock was also a goer.
Here’s what Scatty had to say at the time:
“Kick of is 12 noon at the Dublin Castle. There will be videos of the lads playing, interviews etc, the auction (a must for all madness fans, some top stuff up for grabs) & a madwalk for those who haven’t had the joy of that yet .
Then we move on to the concert…
After the concert there will be an ska/two tone/Madness disco until when we’ve had enough. That will be held close to the concert venue. This is only for those who have helped, out & members of TTMML. It is purely on a first come, first served basis”.
Next we had details of Badness’ UK tour dates for 2000 and 2001. The tour list was absolutely huge, and we were sure that there was at least one gig taking place in your locality. Having seen the band for ourselves we were quick to assure the MIS readership that they were a band not to be missed.
We finished off this issue with news that US based readers wouldn’t have to miss out on celebrating the life of the late, great Ian Dury, as on Wednesday 17th of June `No Moore Blues`, which you could find at W. Broadway and N. Moore, Tribeca, were holding their very own Ian Dury night. Entry was a mere $10, with proceeds going to the Cancer Bacup sharity
Rob Hazelby

TWEETS OF A DOVE / THAT FACEBOOK
Cathal Smyth – Facebook.
“The other night after the Boogaloo a friend said to me that “A Comfortable Man was a record that people didn’t realise they needed to hear” I thought it was a really wonderful comment. Then another said ” this record is like a really good book which you just have to recommend to people”.
I’m also receiving some very heartfelt messages from people who have felt inspired to share how this record has touched them. I really couldn’t have expected such a spirited and encouraging response. I am extremely grateful. Thank you x”
“Thank you to everyone who came along it was simply a pleasure to play to so many receptive people. You have my eternal gratitude.
I know that Becky Ashworth enjoyed the experience and what with so many friends and family. My dear old Mum was in the house and she was most impressed. A fine night indeed.
I was so overwhelmed with the atmosphere. thank you one and all and in closing thank you Joe Duddell, the musicians, the beautiful choir. Keith Cullen, Andy Franks, Craig Caulkhill, Richard Sefton, Jim O’Gara and Kyri Angelli, Neil O’Brien, Jez, Gareth, Alex and Simon, what a team, you did me proud x”

TIME…
Before we go we urge you to check out this “Our House” flash mob from the cast of the musical, performed at Clifton Downs shopping centre.
https://youtu.be/m3bEkgFAvdc
This Bristol based version of the musical in the amateur dramatics circuit is running at the Redgrave theatre in Clifton the first week in June – from Tuesday 2nd to Saturday 6th.
And finally…
Our congratulations go out to Cathal Smyth who is now sat at the number 1 position in the “Independent Breakers Chart”, and a very respectable number 10 in the Independent Album Charts overall.
Not only that, but the album is at number 68 in the UK official albums chart this week. Excellent.
Have a good week!
Jon Young, Rob Hazelby, Simon Roberts, Paul Williams
(With thanks to Mathew Stanton, John Hunt, Darren Dixon,
Colin Mitchel, Steve Chapman, Duff Kelly)

Cathal Smyth – I Choose Life
Daddy is that you
It’s time for me to choose
My heart is open
In wonder at the view
In dying we review
In time, evolving
The spaces in between
The beauty that I’ve seen
All pain dissolving
A perfect sense of peace
Paradise reveals
The joy in breathing
This bliss that emanates
Confusion dissipates
My tears are falling
The conscious that’s within
Within everything
One thought is forming
A path that leads to you
Our energies conclude
A new day dawning

I choose life
I choose life (x 6 pairs & one end line)