Hello, good evening and welcome to this week’s edition of MIS Online.
It’s become almost tradition to begin with news of date changes, and this issue is no different.
Thankfully, this issue brings news of only one date change which is for Suggs’ forthcoming tour. The Aldershot gig which was due to take place on the 21st of October at the Princes Hall has now moved to the 7th May 2021. As always, please check out our regular “Showtimes” section for the full list of known gig dates for Madness and Suggs.
Moving on, and we urge you to check out this issue’s “Sign of the Times” section where Suggs talks finances. While it doesn’t sound like interesting subject matter we assure you it’s well worth a few minutes of your time.
This issue we also welcome back the one and only Paul Rodgers, who assures us it’s not a blog. It’s short and sweet and we’re hopeful this signifies his possible return to the bits and bytes of the MIS.
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.
Description: TWO TONE RECORDS was created in 1979 by The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The label spawned a youth movement and a number of well-known artists and singles throughout its tenure including the aforementioned Specials.
This 40th Anniversary 8-CD Collection contains the first 8 albums released on the label, with offerings by The Specials, The Selecter and Rico, along with the sought-after live concert album ‘Dance Craze’ and the ‘This Are Two Tone’ which includes a host of non-album releases.
Record Store Day – Work Rest and Play ** confirmed release date **
Release date: 29th August
Format: Double 7″ single
Cat No. BMGCAT430DSV
Overview:
Fortieth anniversary re-issue of Madness’ “Work Rest & Play EP” – the follow-up to their debut album, 1979’s “One Step Beyond…”
Limited edition Record Store Day 2020 release on double 7” format with a triple gatefold sleeve including photos from the time of the original release.
Track listing:
Side One
Night Boat To Cairo
Side Two
Deceives The Eye
Side Three
The Young And The Old
Side Four
Don’t Quote Me On That
Record Store Day – Dance Craze 40th Anniversary Edition ** confirmed release date **
This is a new half-speed master exclusively for RSD and part of the Two Tone Records 40th Anniversary celebrations. This is a soundtrack to the live movie of the same name featuring exclusive live recordings by The Specials, Madness, The Selecter, The Beat, Bad Manners and The Bodysnatchers. This is also first vinyl repress since its original release in 1981.
Tracklisting:
Concrete Jungle
Mirror in the Bathroom
Lip up Fatty
Razor Blade Alley
Three Minute Hero
Easy Life
Big Shot
One Step Beyond
Ranking Fullstop
Man at C&A
Missing Words
Inner London Violence
Night Boat to Cairo
Too Much Pressure
Nite Klub
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, 10, 15 and 20 years ago this week.
5 years ago…
Issue Number 848 – Sunday 9th August to Saturday 15th August 2015
This was an exciting issue for those of you due to head down to the Butlins Madness Weekender in November as this week we took a detailed look at the full entertainment line-up. It certainly looked to be one packed weekend!
Over in “Sign of the Times” we reported that during the week just gone Zoe Ball had been standing in for Ken Bruce on Radio 2. On each day Carl had been discussing his personal Tracks of his Years.
The choice of tracks was certainly varied, ranging from lndies to Blur and even Christina Aguilera.
Also in this section, the Yorkshire Post reported on Madness’ appearance at the Headingly Cricket Ground with Suggs confirming it was far from the strangest place the band had performed;
“We’ve played at racecourses and football grounds and we once did a tour of circus tents around Britain, so we’ve played in some really obscure places”
On to our “MIS Feature”, and it was here where we presented a short guide to the newly announced full line-up for this year’s (fifth!) House of Fun Weekender. The selection of entertainment was strong for the event’s half decade anniversary, with Woody and Crunch having their own slots during the course of the weekend.
One thing missing from MIS Feature was MIS’ own addition to the line-up. A scroll down to the next section entitled “MIS Presents 2015” detailed this, however. Your favourite weekly email newsletter dedicated to North London’s finest revealed they were in charge of the Sunday afternoon slot. “Join us early for two live bands and some prize givings” we declared. Jaks bar. From 1pm til 4pm.
We brought this massive issue of the MIS to a close with a heads-up that next week we’d have a detailed review of the recent Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra gig courtesy of Darren Bennett and Madame Sorcher.
10 years ago…
Issue Number 588 – Sunday 8th August – Saturday 14th August 2010
Just when we thought the already lengthy Madness tour couldn’t get any bigger, we received news revealing that 5 matinee gigs had just been added to the forthcoming Christmas tour.
These earlier shows would not only give Madness fans the chance to attend a gig at a venue that may have sold out, but it also meant that the youngest and smallest Maddies could see their favourite band up on stage.
We were sure that some of you were now planning to go to both the matinee and the evening gigs in the space of the same day. Well, why not?
The matinee shows announced were as follows:
27.11.10 (2.30PM) Glasgow O2 Academy
28.11.10 (2.30PM) Newcastle O2 Academy
04.12.10 (2.30PM) Leicester De Montfort Hall
05.12.10 (2.30PM) Leeds O2 Academy
11.12.10 (2.30PM) Birmingham Academy
We kicked off this week’s selection of articles with news from the Australian Daily Telegraph, who reported that musician Calvin Harris was said to be furious after a practical joke found him locked in a partaloo at Camp Bestival.
The singer was trapped in the toilet for almost ten minutes as Suggs had jammed the door.
Moving on, and it was over to the This is Bristol web site, who were reporting that Madness had been booked to perform at the Cardiff International Arena on the 13th of December.
“The box office opened this morning for all the dates, including a show at Cardiff CIA on December 13 and tickets are likely to achieve the gold-dust status they enjoyed last year”.
On to fan news now, and in the previous week’s MIS we reported that Madness fan Ian Wall was dismayed to have his gig ticket stub taken off him as he donned his VIP wristband. Keen to get a stub for his collection we put a call out in the last issue.
Here’s what Ian had to say;
“Can I say a big thank you for putting my Margate gig ticket request in the news letter.
I have been offered the two tickets I was after and want to send a big thank you to Kirsty Winter and Gary Payney for being the first to offer me a ticket.
Only fitting that I make donation to Woody’s charity as a way of showing my appreciation from everybody who got in touch, it was really appreciated.
And from all the readers of MIS newsletter, can we thank all those hard working individuals that help keep us informed and entertained with a weekly dose of Madness.
Ian”
Next, it was over to Paul Rodgers who reported that the recent 10” special editions of One Step Beyond, Absolutely and Rise and Fun all charted in their simultaneous week of release. Madness’s albums reached 23, 31 and 37.
And finally, we brought this issue to a close with the news that you could now download one of the tracks from Paul Heaton’s forthcoming album, which he’d be promoting during his support slots at the Madness Christmas tour later in the year.
15 years ago…
Issue 326 – Sunday 7th August to Saturday 13th August 2005
We started off this week’s issue with news from Jean-Pierre Boutellier, who reported that Madness had actually gone back UP in the French singles chart. Last week the Shame and Scandal single was nestled at number 22. This week it had gone up to 17.
JP also reported that the album hadn’t’ budged since the previous week, and was still perched at a very respectable number 20.
Back in the UK HMV had the new album listed at a respectable number 10. Amazon.co.uk meanwhile had the album in their `Hot 100` at number 27 and with a sales rank of 16. Woollies, and recent shunners of Madness had the album at number 18 in their chart, WhSmith at 16, Asda at 13, Sainsbury’s at 12, Tesco at number 38, and Play.com at number 26.
What of the UK `official` chart position? Well, you’d be very pleased to learn that the album had entered the charts at a stunning 11th place! Considering both the album and single hadn’t had a huge amount of UK publicity this was excellent news for both the band and us, the fans.
Whilst the UK Shame and Scandal single had just been released there was already discussion over on The Madness Trading Ring and Total Madness Mailing regarding what the next release should/would be.
However, it looked as if Wee Stoo has managed to find the answer by digging out a recent press release from the V2 newsletter.
Here’s what Stoo had to say at the time;
“Those of you who subscribed to V2 Newsletter (and those on the MTR as it has already been posted there) will now know there will indeed be a second single off the album. I hand you over to the relevant paragraph:
Madness release The Dangermen Sessions Volume One a feel-good, upbeat collection of Ska-covers that are born to be played – the perfect accompaniment to your summer!
From the first single “Shame and Scandal” through tracks like “You Keep Me Hanging On”, Lola”, “The Israelites”, “John Jones” the irrepressible sense of fun and wit that is the core of Madness cuts through and leaves a smile on your face. Listen to the next single ‘Girl Why Don’t You’ by clicking here! Like what you hear then click here to get your copy!”
Now all we needed was a release date!
Moving on, and we passed things over to Chris Mountain, who was one very cheesed-off fan. On Saturday morning’s Radio 2 show we were promised Madness, but not Suggs. Later it was Woody and Lee, and finally it was Woody on his own as Lee didn’t turn up.
Next was the band’s appearance on Top of The Pops that got Chris’ goat, as instead of airing the new single, they instead covered The Kinks classic Lola.
Chris finished his rant by commenting;
“Don’t get me wrong , I love Madness and have done for 20 years, maybe that’s why I feel so disappointed. It’s as if they can’t be bothered themselves.
Somebody put me right , tell me I’m wrong.”
On to something a bit jollier, and it was back to Jean-Pierre Boutellier again, this time with news that Madness (presenting The Dangermen Sessions) would be performing at Olympia, France on 17th October.
Madness were doing well in both the UK and French charts, but this week we discovered that in one place at least, their new album had managed to get to number 1.
After much plugging on the WMUH radio station Madness with The Dangermen Sessions were at the number 1 spot. We’re pretty sure that without DJ James Clauser’s hard work plugging the album so hard, that it probably wouldn’t have been in the top 20, let alone number 1.
We drew this issue to a close with news in from ‘Birchy’, who reported that a picture disc version of The Dangermen Sessions was about to see the light of day. Limited to a mere 1000 pressings, Birchy had managed to secure a number of these, and was putting these up for sale. The price? A mere £10 including postage and packing!
Those who took Birchy up on his offer would not be disappointed.
20 years ago…
Issue number 65 – Sunday 6th August to Saturday 12th August 2000
First up and it was some disappointing news from Virgin’s Jake Stavrindes, the kind chap who had been given the job of promoting the forthcoming Madness book. As many of you who had visited the MIS Online website were aware, the cover artwork was all complete, and the Madness community were all looking forward to a release in November of this year.
Unfortunately Jake emailed in the other day to inform us that the book has now been put back till March 2001!! Asking Jake as to why this was the case he replied, saying that it was decided that the timing was better as he was under the impression that there was more activity happening in 2001 than this autumn/ winter.
Did he know something we didn’t? Only time would tell.
On to some pub news now, and TMML subscriber, Suggsylia reported that rumour has it that The Dublin Castle would be re-opening its doors to the public on August 6th. Furthermore, a party would be taking place to which the legendary Suggs had been invited! Pete Bament, also of the TMML told us that the DC was in no fit state to re-open, but admitted that it was possible to do a lot in only a few days.
On to this week’s articles, and we started-off with a review of the recent Ian Dury Tribute Concert, which took place at the Brixton Academy. The lengthy article, kindly typed-up by Fiona Linnell, gave the night a glowing write-up, classing it as “A fine send-off, then, for one of British rock’s truly individual greats”.
Next-up was Jon Young with background information on a rumour of a rare track by Suggs. The track was produced in collaboration with Massive Attack singer, Tricky, but had never seen an official release.
It was time to track down some money next, as we reported on John Lawrence, who had sold someone tickets to the recent Ian Dury tribute gig, but who had now encountered problems cashing the cheque or contacting the person who owed the money. We had little information to go on, but hoped the information we printed was enough to get the money into his bank account somehow.
Elsewhere in this issue we reported on the opening of Chas Smash’s new web site www.chassmash.co.uk. Currently the site was just getting going, but was already sporting a biography, list of songs and a timeline.
Peter Gardner, who gave us the heads-up, urged us to check it out.
Rob Hazelby
MIS Feature
Not a Blog
Right I know it ain’t rare and all that, but as completists I would urge you to pre-order the new vinyl issue of Full House.
The reason is I have had no real reason to write a Madness chart blog for the MISOnline for ages.
For the last 5 weeks Full House has been dallying with the top 200 of the albums chart. It recently got as high as 114 and has done much better in the sales chart climbing to number 33.
This is its first chart run since shortly after its release. If it does go top 100 again I’ll be forced to write a blog.
This is not, repeat not, a blog.
Work Rest and Play will probably do ok in the vinyl charts. I just wish USM would get their heads around releasing Madness singles on vinyl as a matter of course as opposed to just for RSD…
Paul Rodgers
Sign of the Times
Fame and Fortune – Suggs
Despite being a household name and hero to a generation of nutty boys and girls, Suggs still rents his house and lives off the contents of his wallet, he tells Nick McGrath.
The singer-songwriter and Madness frontman was born 1961 in Hastings, and moved north to, East Sussex, in London when his parents separated. Suggs, real name Graham McPherson, was raised by Edith, a jazz singer, and after leaving school with two O levels he joined the Nutty Boys ska band in 1977.
Madness had 15 consecutive Top Ten UK singles in the 1980’s, including Baggy Trousers and Our House which was also a hit in America. They split in 1986 but re-formed in 1992 and are still gigging. Suggs, 59, has been an actor, television host,
DJ and solo musician. He has been married to the singer Bette Bright for 39 years. They have two daughters, Scarlett, 36, and 34.
How much is in your wallet?
I don’t have a wallet, but I do always have about two hundred quid in my pocket but these modern tens and twenties are very scary because they’re just too springy, they’re made out of plastic and I’m not joking when I say there have been a couple of occasions where l found myself leaving a trail of tenners down the street that have sprung out of my pockets. I’ve always been a cash person but it’s funny how the world’s attitude to cash has changed.
What credit cards do you use?
l’ve got a credit card but try not to use it now. It took me a long time to realise the false economy of the magic money that comes out of a credit card. I learnt very early to pay it off straight away because my credit rating was screwed when I didn’t repay twenty quid or something.
Are you a saver or a spender?
A spender. Where I come from – and l didn’t come from a lot – all the people around me didn’t have money and never expected to. I always had this optimism that I would find another tenner, so I never worried about saving and my mother was exactly the same. She led exactly the same life, she had money, she spent it, she didn’t worry if she had none.
How much did you earn last year?
I don’t really keep a register of how much I earn as long as I’ve got two hundred quid springing out my back pocket. But what is interesting is that I think we might be making more money than we did when we were selling millions of records because playing live is really, really lucrative now. Well obviously, not this year. With streaming and the rest of it it’s more complex than it used to be, but live gigs are where the money is.
I was earning a lot of money when I was young because Madness took off when I was only 18. I remember going to a record company boss and. saying, ‘I don’t know if I want all this money, it’s a bit weird. Why have I got all this money?’ That’s the way I looked at it and he said, ‘You’re a ****ing idiot. I’ve had some big royalty cheques and Our House has been the most profitable as it’s used on a hell of a lot of adverts all around the planet on a regular basis, but like I was discussing with Elvis Costello, when we get a big cheque we have to share it seven ways, then pay the agent and the manager and the accountants commission and the cheque shrivels to the size of a peanut. If you’re on your own you get big cheques.
Have you ever been really hard up?
There have been periods. It must have been the mid-Eighties. I bought a big house in Camden Town and I had two children and then the record company went bust. It was right around the time of Live Aid and we had to move out of this big house and I remember as we were moving the gear out I could hear Live Aid coming out of every single window in the street and we had decided not to do it. We did a different charity record for Médecins Sans Frontiéres which made ***k all and Live Aid went on to become the turning point for a lot of clapped-out rock stars. Anyway things got a bit unpleasant and there were times my cash card was rejected by the ATM.
Do you own a property?
No, I’ve always rented. What’s that hippy joke? Why do you drink herbal tea? Because proper tea is theft.
Are you better off than your parents?
Well I’m better off than my mum because she’s dead. My mum worked in bars and was a singer and didn’t have anything really, so yeah I’ve got more money than she had.
Do you Invest in shares?
You mean like the vultures who are descending now with this coronavirus? Like Jacob Rees-Mogg? Lovely, lovely guy. No investing’s not for me, apart from indirectly through my pension, but l did get a bit excited about Bitcoins when they skyrocketed by 6,000 per cent, but I missed the boat and they collapsed the day after I bought them.
What’s better for retirement property or pension?
I’ve got a bit of a pension and we actually bought a forest in Scotland a few decades ago. I’d completely forgotten about that. The plan was to plant pine trees and get tax free wood at the end of it but it turned out the road wasn’t big enough to get the wood off it and we’d have to spend more money building a road than we’d get from the wood. Then this man from Ikea arrived with copious pine and my forest was no longer needed. Mind you I might just go live up there and build myself a cabin.
What’s been your best investment?
l’ve invested in a few friends plays that have come to nothing, but my main investment – and it’s an emotional investment – is the band. And my children, obviously, l’ve invested a lot of money into them.
And the worst?
A lot of studio equipment. I bought a lot of really expensive microphones and condensers and mixing decks and they’re all just sitting there in the studio still. One day maybe.
What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve bought?
A greyhound puppy from Walthamstow Stadium when it was still open, I bought this puppy and we called him Nutty Boy and he won his first four races, it was unbelievable. Then he unfortunately contracted some bizarre version of dog leukaemia and died.
What’s your money weakness?
Other people. I’m too generous with other people.
What is your financial priority?
I don’t have one. Living is my main priority right now.
What would you do it you won the lottery?
I would just make anonymous donations to people I think deserve more money than they’ve got. The people who deserve it. You know who they are.
Do you support any charities?
Calm – the Campaign Against Living Miserably and I’ve done quite a lot for pancreatic cancer over the years. They’re the ones off the top of my head.
What Is the most Important lesson you’ve learnt about money?
That it doesn’t really exist. it’s just a load of numbers, isn’t it. It’s just a load of numbers thrown about in the air. It’s amazing that in this crisis they found all this money that wasn’t there before.
Time
That’s just about it for this week’s edition of the MIS.
All being well, in next Sunday’s issue we should be able to reveal how much Lee’s bike went for. If you remember from last week’s outro, this was the bike that Lee rode when he took part in the annual London to Brighton charity bike ride way back in 1986.
We know individuals have been bidding, but the only update we’ve had so far is that you have to bid over £100 to be in with a chance of winning it.
Whoever does win it will be the owner of a bike that needs a bit of TLC.
