It’s been an uncertain time for those fans who’d booked tickets to this years’ House of Fun Weekender event in Minehead. With gig after gig moving to 2021, those who had stumped up money to see the band at Butlins this November were in limbo waiting to find out if it would take place as the planned date got ever closer.
This week we were let out of our misery as the band, perhaps not unexpectedly, announced via numerous channels that this years’ event would not be taking place. The 10th House of Fun Weekender would now be held on the 19th – 22nd November 2021.
It’s likely that if you bought tickets to the weekender that you’ve already been contacted via one method or another. If not, don’t panic. We have the transcript of the email the band sent out detailing the rescheduling in this issue’s “Sign of the Times” section. You’ll find all the information in there you’ll need. Just be aware that if you want to attend the date next year you MUST confirm your re-booking. Failure to do this before the end of 2020 will see your booking cancelled and your money returned.
On a more jollier note, we were contacted this week by MIS subscriber Donald Trull, who revealed that the Stateside Madness web site had launched their very own podcast. Hosted by Laurie and Poly, we’re told that it’s “the American-accented take on the nuttiest sound around”. Check out our MIS feature in this very issue for all the details. Long may it continue!
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 – Dance Craze 40th Anniversary Edition
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 851 – Sunday 30th August to Saturday 5th September 2015
We began this issue with a big shout out as the Specialized 4 Combat Cancer album would be released the day after this bulletin was blasted forth across the information super highway.
This covers album of The Clash tunes by a variety of bands, in aid of Teenage Cancer featured a ton of great new versions and tunes, with sleeve notes by charity patron Lee Thompson.
One of the bands featured was “Crooked Beat” from Home Town Hi Fi who were due to appear in 2015’s “MIS Presents” show at The House of Fun Weekender.
Moving on, and in our “MIS Feature” we covered Jennie & the Slingers’ new album “Unexpected Guests”. Jennie Bellestar told us at the time;
“If you want to purchase one of the catchiest melodic albums ever, featuring guest artists Chris Foreman, Lee Thompson, Martin Stewart & Boz Boorer and fronted by Jennie Bellestar then this is your chance to do so”
The CD cost a mere £8 and contained 13 tracks.
Over in “That Facebook” we were reminded of a particular terrible release with Madness’ name on it…
Stephen Boult in The All Things Madness Facebook group writes.
“Got this on ebay, never seen it before… (Pictured is the Paul Gotel remix CD of Night Boat to Cairo)”
Chrissy Boy reply : “I wouldn’t advise listening to it.”
If you’ve not heard it then you’re very lucky. It’s awful.
We brought this issue to a close with a heads-up to let you know that the BBC had uploaded a radio programme to the iPlayer where you could listen to a celebration of Ian Dury as Sir Peter Blake looked back over his career.
10 years ago…
Issue Number 591 – Sunday 29th August – Saturday 4th September 2010
With the August Bank Holiday firmly upon us the Madness scene seemed to have experienced yet another quiet week.
Still, there was no reason to fret, as we still had stacks of snippets to pass your way.
The previous week we’d asked you to tell us what year was ‘Wonderful’ was originally released in the UK. The answer was, of course, 1999, and we had a total of 37 correct entries to our competition in which you had a chance to win the remastered reissue of ‘Wonderful’, due for release on 6th September.
This week we could reveal that our lucky winner, picked at random from the 37 correct answers, was non other than Ian Taylor.
This week we had news in from subscriber Dermot, who revealed that EMI would be releasing the revamped version of Mad Not Mad on the 27th September. This would be a dual CD and single DVD release.
With John Reed’s forthcoming Madness book “House of Fun – The Story of Madness” due for release on the 31st of October, we were pleased to include an excerpt from the publication in this very issue. What a shame the book would fail to surface.
We brought this issue of the MIS to a close with the band’s recent appearance at the V Festival attaining some very favourable write-ups, and with Madness’ forthcoming gig at the Scarborough Extreme Sports Festival fast approaching it looked like the PR bandwagon was in full swing.
15 years ago…
Issue 330 – Sunday 28th August to Saturday 3rd September 2005
We started off this week’s issue of the MIS, still baffled that while the recent Madness single, ‘Shame and Scandal’, had made a minimal impact on the UK music charts, it continued to do well over in France.
The single had now been in the French charts a whopping eight weeks, and had actually climbed back up this week to number 13, from its previous 14th spot.
The ‘Dangermen Sessions’ album also continued to do well across the channel, with it currently holding a number 14 spot in the album charts. Also, the compilation album ‘Hits and Co Volume 3’, which featured ‘Shame and Scandal’, entered the French album charts at number 5.
If only the band could have this sort of success over in the UK.
Starting off this week’s collections of articles was The Madness Trading Ring’s Steve Bringe, who voiced his complaints over V2’s web pages for Madness. Looking at the web pages for other V2 artists, the homepage for our favourite band was distinctly lacking.
Steve (like the rest of us) was disappointed that yet again Madness weren’t getting the support from their record company, and that he had to pester V2 US for upcoming US gig information. Even though the label were getting free promotion from the MTR, they still didn’t provide details until a few days before the tickets went on sale, and even then they didn’t provide details on ever show.
Steve finished by saying “V2 could be doing much more for our lads.
The leaving-much-to-be-desired web pages are indicative of their malaise”.
On the subject of the US tour, the next article in this week’s issue gave readers details on just that. We had dates, venues and web site links, all courtesy of Steve and Kev over on the MTR.
Next-up, and news in from MIS subscriber Robert Greenwood was that recently Mike and Woody were guests of Radio One DJ Mike Davis. The interview included talk about their times in Madness as well as the musical influences in the band.
There were 4 Madness songs used during the set (3 of which were taken from The Dangermen Sessions), as well as a sprinkling of tracks from Bob Marley, Rudy Mills, Prince Buster’s 2 songs, Kinks, Junior Murvin, Althea And Donna and Max Romeo.
Moving on, and with issue 1 of the bi-monthly `Jag` magazine recently landing on the doormat of the MIS offices we decided it was time to take a look at what was inside.
Coming from veteran fanzine author Stuart Wright (he of Nut Inc fame) you knew you’d be in for a treat before you open even the first page, and in fact a treat you did indeed receive, as issue 1 came with a cover mounted badge!
Unlike Madness however, there was less Stuart could write about Jag, and this was reflected in the size of the `zine which spanned a mere ten pages. Now, before you started moaning that this was a pathetic amount, when you considered that it cost a mere 50 pence then it actually seemed like bloody good value to us.
We thought the first issue had got off to a cracking start, and had no doubt that the bi-monthly publication would go from strength to strength.
It was last orders at the bar for our next article, as we issued a final reminder to those of you who’d not yet put your order in for the limited edition (to 1000) picture disc of the new Dangermen Sessions album. It was Birchy who’d managed to get this up and running, and once all the orders had been placed, he had many hours of packing and posting ahead of him!
We finished off this week’s issue with a request for you to send your nominations for your favourite 20 Madness tracks. Paul had already received 28 submissions, encompassing around 120 tracks, but wanted more. The results, stats, facts and figures would be announced soon.
20 years ago…
Issue number 68 – Sunday 27th August to Saturday 2nd September 2000
With news seemingly rather thin on the ground this week, it looked as if everyone was out making the most of what remained of the British summer.
Still, it wasn’t all doom and gloom, as we still had a packed issue for you.
First-up was Jean Pierre-Boutellier, who got in touch to let us know that you could now view a number of Chris Foreman interviews taken in February and November 1994, on his web site. The interviews were in both English and French, ensuring that the majority of fans could read these without any problems.
Many of you would probably be aware that Radio Two DJ, Jonathan Ross is a big Madness fan, who regularly aired classic Madness tracks during his Saturday morning music/chat show. Yesterday’s (26th) show had amongst it’s guest line-up, comedian Phil Jupitus who among other things plugged his appearance at the Reading Festival. Jonathan asked him about his role, supporting Madness during last years Christmas tour. Phil replied by saying that he went on stage every evening and got shouted at for 10 minutes before the band came on. Both Phil and Jonathan had nothing but praise for Madness, saying that they were one of Britains greatest pop-groups. Phil Jupitus would be staging a short 3-day stint in London’s West End this coming week.
Next, we passed things over to the one and only Steve Turner, who reported that the new Los Palmas 6 web site was now up and running, and that any feedback would be gratefully received.
Steve also listed a mass of forthcoming gigs, but explained that there were no performances planned for September, as he was getting married, and was planning a long honeymoon. We wished Steve and his wife to be all the very best.
Moving on, we had Jonathan Young, who announced the arrival of his Fink Brothers web site, which, although has now moved, can still be found here: http://2000mad.blogspot.com/
With things a little quiet at the moment we went back to our collection of Nut Inc fanzines, and pulled out the “Driving in My Car/ Animal Farm” entry from their “Madness Record Library”. Here we looked at this release from July 1982, and (courtesy of Nut Inc) revealed everything there was to know about the single.
Rob Hazelby
Sign of the Times
Baggy Trousers and House of Fun Postponed
Originally posted via the official Madness email list.
HOUSE OF FUN WEEKENDER POSTPONED!
PLUS BACK TO SCHOOL BAGGY TROUSERS FUN!
It’s with a heavy heart that we confirm there will be no House of Fun Weekender this year.
That final curtain will have to wait until the rescheduled date of 19th-22nd November 2021!!
Can’t get enough Stateside Madness via statesidemadness.com and social media? Now you can listen to SSM’s American-accented take on the nuttiest sound around with their new Stateside Madness Official Podcast!
SSM team members Laurie Alfaro and Poly Collins are your hosts for the new audio venture. “We’re coming at this from a specifically American perspective,” Laurie says. “As American fans, there are things maybe we perceive a little bit differently, like in the lyrics and song meanings. Some weeks we’ll do an album review, a deep dive into the album tracks. Other weeks I’m hoping we can devote an episode to one specific member of the band. We hope to have some exclusive content as we get closer to the American tour dates.”
Stateside Madness Official Podcast is now available for streaming and download using the links below, and will be turning up soon on Pandora, Google Podcasts and other popular podcast catchers. Pod up, listen, and DANCE!
Please do have a listen to the Stateside Madness Podcast and be sure to give the team (constructive!) criticism and feedback. If the response is good then all being well this could become a regular production.
