IN THIS ISSUE ...

1 - THE EDITOR WRITES - Latest news and information in brief

2 - TIME TO GO ONE STEP BEHIND - Brendan Phipps returns with the
    current gig list for one of the UK's best known tribute bands.
    If there's a gig planned in your area, get yourself along!

3 - MY BEST GIG - Taken from The Bristol Evening Post - Thursday 5th
    October.

4 - IAN DURY - ON MY LIFE - Lee Thompson tells us what influence the
    late, great Ian Dury had on his life. Taken from issue 5 of the
    brilliant `Madness Unsugged` fanzine.

5 - FROM BOXMAN TO BARMAN - Chris Carter-Pegg reports on Thursday's
    lunchtime events down at The French House in London's Soho.

6 - MADNESS - THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION - Paul Wassell reports on his
    findings after a recent spot of web surfing. Could yet another
    Madness compilation album be about to hit the shop shelves?

7 - MADNESS INJECTION 2001 - Following the recent announcement that
    possibly the next major Madmeet will not be held in London's
    Camden Town, but rather the Northern seaside resort of Blackpool,
    the TMML's Scatty and Mountain Boy have busy beavering away
    making further enquiries.

8 - OFF TO BED, STRAIGHT TO SLEEP - Thanks and closing words.

[1] - THE EDITOR WRITES

Evening Maddies,

I hope everyone is well on this wet and blustery (well, it is here
in the UK!) Sunday evening. If you live somewhere where it's nice and
hot at the moment, please do not mail me with the details rubbing it
in as it won't be appreciated!

Onto a more Madness related train of thought now...

News just in from the ever-active Wozza is that the Ian Dury and The
Blockheads website at www.blockheads.co.uk will be back up soon with
a completely new design, and (I quote) "some other nice stuff". Wozza
also reports that since February the Blockheads website has notched
up over 10,000 visit - impressive stuff!

Subscribers to the excellent `Ska Mad` fanzine shouldn't have too
much longer to wait until the next issue finally see's the light of
day. Juliet Bulmer, Ska Mad editor, tells me that if all goes
according to plan, you should have the a new edition coming through
your mailbox before Christmas. For more information regarding Ska
Mad, please visit the fanzines section on the MIS Online website, or
contact Juliet directly at: juliet_bulmer at hotmail.com

Fancy getting your hands on some US Madness albums at bargain
basement prices? You could do a lot worse than popping along to:
www.play247.co.uk where `Madness` and `Total Madness` can be snapped
up for a mere £6.49 each. Many thanks to Paul Girling for letting us
know.

Some Suggs news now, and Andy Clayden reports that the great man
himself is to be a guest on Mark Lamar's Radio show entitled "A
Beginners Guide to Reggae". Andy wasn't able to pin-point the exact
date, but the show goes out on Radio 2 at 9pm Wednesday evenings.

Right, that's about all the news snippets for this week - bit of a
quiet seven days on the news front. So I'll leave you to read
through this week's articles.

Enjoy the read,

Robert Hazelby (MIS Online Editor)

[2] - TIME TO GO ONE STEP BEHIND

Brendan Phipps returns with the current gig list for one of the UK's
best known tribute bands. If there's a gig planned in your area, get
yourself along!

Nov 4th  Westlands Social Club, Yeovil
    11th Plymouth University

Dec 1st Limelight Club, Crewe
    14th TJ's, Newport,
    15th Temple Park Leisure Centre, South Shields
    16th The Horn, St Albans
    23rd Letchworth
    30th The Standard, Walthamstow (with support from More Specials)

2001
Mar 13th Chepstow

Apr 21st Harlow

May 18th Limelight, Crewe

June 1st Holland (tbc)
     2nd Holland (tbc
     29th Holland (tbc)
     30th Holland (tbc)

July 1st Holland (tbc)
     14th Newport (open air festival) (tbc)

Oct 12th Limelight, Crewe

Those of you who have been lucky to catch One Step Behind playing
live may want to spend five minutes over at the official OSB site
at: http://www.jabba.demon.co.uk/osb/ where they can fill in the
guestbook so the band can see exactly what you thought of their
performance.

For further OSB information, please feel free to contact the band
by email at: m_m_management at hotmail.com

Many thanks to Brendan for keeping us all up to date.

[3] - MY BEST GIG

Taken from The Bristol Evening Post - Thursday 5th October.

Madness - Leicester De Montford Hall, 1982

My best ever gig was also my first.

I hadn't even been to a football match at this stage so this must
have been my first experience of a large crowd, too.

It was the very early `80s, I was 11-years-old and the concert was
an early evening under-18s concert. Despite the young age if the
crowd there was a lot of racial tension. As my uncle and I walked
into the hall, young skinheads were handing out leaflets for the
National Front, there were lots of scuffles breaking out, and we
kept a low profile behind a pillar.

The band took a very long time to take to the stage. Later we learned
that Madness always did this, letting the excitement build and build.
The anticipation would build to a crescendo but they still didn't
take to the stage. Rumours spread that their bus had broken down and
they weren't coming.

Suddenly they were there; jumping onto the stage from springboards
and playing at the same time! The only thing I remember clearly is
Embarrassment which Suggs sang to all the skinheads at the front of
the stage. At the end of the song the band refused to play any more
until all the skins left. I remember about 30 of them all walking
out and the rest of the crowd cheering. The rest of the gig was a
lot less tense.

They must have played all their hits from One Step Beyond and
Absolutely. However my most vivid memory is not the music but
walking home through the park in th dark scared that someone was
going to jump out from behind a tree.

Of course I didn't mention that in school the next day!

Marc Leverton,
Southfield Road,
Cotham,
Bristol

[4] - IAN DURY - ON MY LIFE

Taken from Issue 5 of the excellent Madness fanzine, `Madness
Unsugged`. Reproduced here by kind permission of the editor, Vince
Carden.

One of the reasons why Issue 4 was not an Ian Dury special is that I
wanted to leave a bit of time for his sad death to pass and maybe
then  do a proper issue, with the help of others like Cancer BACUP
who got to know him so well and somebody else who got to know him
well .......... Lee Thompson. Yes, as the member of the band who
seemed to be so close to him, I thought it would be great if Lee
could write an article on Lord Upminster. So here is the influence of
Ian Dury on the life of Lee Thompson.

ON THOSE DAYS WHEN YOU USED TO SNEAK INTO KILBURN GIGS AND THE
INFLUENCE OF HIM AND HIS BAND ON YOU.

A true trooper. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if there
hadn't been any Kilburns, there most certainly would not have been
any Clash or Pistols for a few years down the line. Madness and The
Jam would still be walking around with glitter in their hair (well
most of them!) and Robbie Williams would still be in Take That!!!
I've always been big on eccentricity and Uncle Ian certainly had this
in every department. From the moment he walked on stage, you were
transfixed. He would not allow you to go to the toilet or bar, not in
his time anyway.

I saw them on one occasion at the Hornsey College of Art. I'd always
stand at the front idolising Mr. David Payne, the saxophonist. He was
also very unpredictable and on this particular night, he looked mega
pissed off. I could tell he was going to go off at any moment.
Organic members of the band i.e. vocalists and brass players often
have sound problems. This is generally because they can't turn
themselves up. Mr. Payne walked over to his flute and smashed it
across the P.A stack, then, God forbid, took his sax from around his
person, smashed it on the edge of the stage and stormed off. I
happened to have my sheepskin coat with me, and his sax landed just
underneath a table to the left of my kind self. I managed to get the
horn under my coat, but alas not before "Spider", their minder,
sussed me out and kindly relieved me of the sax.

The sensational Alex Harvey band were another group about this time
(74-75). They also put, not just effort into their music but also,
when you go to see something live, you go to be visually stimulated
as well. But that band is another story, more prog rock. Check out
the album "Next" or "Framed". I was never really a Blockheads fan.
They grew on me in later years. I particularly liked their rhythm
section. I may have to borrow them one day.

ONE THE MATERIAL OF HIS THAT YOU LIKE MOST

Most of his stories, true or false, I could relate to. One particular
lyric was (as often would rear its head) about sexual fantasy. It was
from the Kilburns period but made it onto the flipside of "Sweet Gene
Vincent" called "You're More Than Fair" and "Razzle in my Pocket".
All about getting caught shoplifting, it would be the ammunition to
coax my presentment in the not too distant future.

ON SUPPORTING THE BLOCKHEADS IN YOUR DAYS AS LEAD SINGER OF THE NUTTY
BOYS

It was probably the single most honour The Nutty Boys had since Mr.
John Hasler put a copy of "The Prince" in my hands outside the
Archway Tavern back in `79. Typical of my drinking habits at the
time, I managed to miss supporting him at the "Clapham Grand" as a
pint was having its wicked way with me yet again.

ON RECORDING DRIP FED FRED WITH THE GREAT MAN

After our brief encounter in Amsterdam, we next met at the man's
house in NW3. Basically, he needed a copy of the lyrics and
arrangement so that when he went into the studio there was no
"f*****g around". Barzo supplied a version he had recorded earlier
for him to get the gist of, which I actually gave to Ian in Holland.
Westside was booked for an 11 a.m. start and there was Woody with
Ian and Clive and Alan having a cup of tea and ready to rock out. He
completed the track within the hour and was whisked off to another
engagement. When you're in the business of life, you don't have too
much time to "hang around". We ended up using most of the first take
and bits of the second. Bang, bang, bang. In and out, a trooper.

Virgin, at the 11th hour decided not to make a video for Drip Fed
Fred so I decided that I was going to do one with Ian on my own.
Various members of the group persuaded me not to go it alone.
Virgin, along with Madness, met the costs half way. Time and the
budget were against us but there were the likes of Swanny and some
friends and fans to help out. It wasn't and extravagant video but
it caught Madness and Ian in a mood reminiscent of earlier videos
.... when they were in control.

ON HIS DEATH AND LOSS TO THE MUSIC WORLD

My last memory of Ian was of him being carted on a sidan at Kenwood.
There was a look of horror on his face as he nearly went arse over
tit and then the look of relief once he had got things back in
control. You can see he's having a "right good knees up". We came,
we saw, we left with a smile. As I said before ........ a trooper!

Kix ............ I am unworthy.

For more information regarding `Madness Unsugged`, please visit the
fanzines section of the MIS Online website at:
http://www.jabba.demon.co.uk/mis/
or feel free to drop Vince an email at: dripfedvin at yahoo.com

[5] - FROM BOXMAN TO BARMAN

Suggs was at The French House, Dean Street, Soho, at lunchtime on
Thursday for an NSPCC fund raising event and to celebrate the first
'pint' of beer to be served on the premises. The pub had been a
favourite of his mother's for some years. So having nothing better to
do of a Thursday and taking time out from collecting train numbers, I
dutifully dug out my best anorak and headed for Soho to meet with up
with Suggsylia and friend.

Not being a particularly large pub meant that there was just a
pleasant number of people in attendance. Suggs' mum was first to
arrive and seemed to know quite a few of the assembled company. She
was grumbling (in the nicest way) about Graham's time keeping, that
he should have been here by now, that she'd cancelled lunch with him
yesterday to see him today etc. etc. The landlord asked her whether
he's actually ever on time for anything!

Anyway, before long the main man arrives in turned-up jeans, maroon
shirt and leather jacket. After a blessing and brief mention of the
NSPCC appeal by a vicar, Suggs was asked to receive the first pint -
a Guinness. (No, we never found out what they used to serve beer in).
Numerous photos were taken, after which Suggs was ushered out of the
pub for more photos and a brief interview outside. (No, we didn't
find out which TV channel it was for - London Tonight?)

A few minutes later, after we had got our own drinks, Suggs sticks
his head in at the window where we were standing. Holding his glass
which was already a third empty he asks: "Could somebody fill this
up please as it doesn't look good for the photographs!" With his
pint back at the bar for refilling, I grabbed the opportunity of
thrusting a set of Madness CD album sleeves into his hand. I'd
obtained them at the Rythymstock auction, but whilst they had all
been signed by the rest of the band Suggs' name was missing - he
gladly obliged.

So with time ticking on I bid farewell to Suggsylia, leaving Suggs
to chat to his Mum outside. Too many train numbers, too little time!

Chris Carter-Pegg

[6] - MADNESS - THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION

Dear all,

I was browsing around the net today, looking to see if I could find
any rarities I haven't got, when I came across several sites that
had "Madness - The Ultimate Collection" listed, with the following
tracklisting:

1 ONE STEP BEYOND
2 MY GIRL
3 NIGHT BOAT TO CAIRO
4 BAGGY TROUSERS
5 MADNESS (TWO-TONE SINGLE VERSION)
6 THE PRINCE (TWO-TONE SINGLE VERSION)
7 EMBARRASSMENT
8 THE RETURN OF THE LOS PALMAS
9 HOUSE OF FUN
10 OUR HOUSE
11 IT MUST BE LOVE
12 MADNESS (IS ALL IN THE MIND)
13 GREY DAY
14 TOMORROW'S JUST ANOTHER DAY
15 SHUT UP
16 THE SUN AND THE RAIN
17 MICHAEL CAINE
18 YESTERDAY'S MEN
19 WINGS OF A DOVE (A CELEBRATORY SONG)

It is supposedly being released under the "uni/hip-hop records" and
is released on November 14th.

Cheers,
Woz.

If anyone can provide any further information on this release, please
send it in and I'll put it in the next edition of the MIS. (Ed).

[7] - MADNESS INJECTION 2001

Following the recent annoucement that possibly the next major Madmeet
will not be held in London's Camden Town, but rather the Northern
seaside resort of Blackpool, the TMML's Scatty and Mountain Boy have
busy beavering away making further enquiries.

It's looking like the meet will take place during the May Day bank
holiday weekend, but this may change if another date receives more
votes.

Here's Scatty with some more information...

May I have you attention please?!

You lucky, lucky people.

It may seem along time off, but it will soon roll round. The Madness
Injection (not convention) is finally beginning to take shape, and
with a kick up the arse from your friend and mine (Mountain Boy)
have been looking at venues/hotels etc.

Apart from all the usual fun things we do like getting drunk and
dealing with heavy gravity, there's plans for videos, karaoke,
quizzes, a ska disco and maybe your good selves taking apart in our
very own 'Mad in my Eye's' - "Tonight Matthew I shall be falling
over".

The most exciting news is that after conversations last week we may
well have an appearance by the one and only crunch! over the weekend.

What I need to know now, and as soon as possible is the kinds of
numbers, so we can get an idea of the price.

Remember, we're not doing this for cash but love, so hopefully it
won't be too much (you should get change out of a taxi driver).

If you could let me know, I would appreciate it. Remember to ask your
friends, family and people you chat up at bus stops

luv to all,
Scatty (saintscatty at supanet.com)

[8] - OFF TO BED, STRAIGHT TO SLEEP

Many thanks to all who contributed to this weeks edition of the MIS.
As usual, it's all appreciated, not just by myself but also by
everyone who receives the MIS on a weekly basis. Please keep it
coming!

If you're interested in coming along to the Blackpool Madness
Injection, Scatty would appreciate it if you could get in touch
with him as soon as possible so he can get a good idea of numbers
to expect as well as a preferred month which you would like the
Injection held. I'm sure Scatty would appreciate any other input
you'd care to put his way, so don't be shy!

That about wraps this issue up. If you have anything you feel would
be worth including in the next edition, please send it to the usual
address!

All the best,

Robert Hazelby