IN THIS ISSUE ...

1 - THE EDITOR WRITES - This weeks news and information in brief.

2 - DURY JUKEBOX RAISES THOUSANDS - A short article taken from this
    week's NME and kindly dug out my the TMML's very own Colin
    Galbraith.

3 - YOUR CHANCE FOR SOME LIVE MADNESS!! - So, will there or won't
    there be a Madness Christmas tour? Well, I'm not going to fuel
    the rumours, but I will say that whatever happens, there's a
    fearsomely strong Madness tribute movement out there keeping the
    good ship Madness afloat.

4 - RHYTHMSTOCK - THE FINAL CHAPTER - Well, what can I say. I've
    now received the two lots of money that were outstanding, and
    I'll be popping into to the CancerBACUP offices on the late
    morning of the Crunch!Meet. Simsey reports...

5 - SOME SORRY NEWS - A few weeks ago Wizard Inn's announced a
    competition to decide the name of a new pub opening in September.
    Nothing unusual there you might say, but for the fact that it
    is located in Ian Dury's old stomping ground of Upminster. Since
    then, the votes have been collected and compiled and Bob McArdle
    is here with the results.

6 - VELVET GHOST COMPETITION - `Madness Unsugged` editor, Vincent
    Carden is here with details of a competition that could mean your
    suggested title is splattered across the first album from the
    velvet ghost.

7 - THE NEVER ENDING TOUR - Veterans of the Madness tribute scene,
    One Step Behind, return with their latest line-up of forthcoming
    gigs planned for the United Kingdom over the coming weeks and
    months.

8 - AN INTERVIEW WITH THE VELVET GHOST - An extract of an interview
    from the excellent Ska News website. Painstakingly put together
    by Jean-Pierre Boutellier...

9 - COME ON YOU LOT, COME ON - Thanks and closing words.

[1] - THE EDITOR WRITES

Greetings Maddies!

Yes, it's that time of the week again when another edition of the MIS
arrives in your inbox. It's amazing, but even during these Summer
months when we should all be out enjoying the weather (bit difficult
for us UK Mads at the moment), it's great to see so much going on in
the Madness community.

Since last week, there have been rumours flying left, right and
center with regards to the unofficial announcement that the Christmas
tour for this year was a no goer. Well, I can safely reveal that if
a Christmas tour does go ahead it will be a near miracle. The problem
is that half of the band are keen to take part in an end of year
tour of the UK, but the other half of Madness want to give it a miss
this year and get on with their own things. We have an extract of a
recent interview with Cathal Smyth from France-based Skanews later in
this issue, and you can find out just what Cathal has to say on the
matter there.

Still, it's not all doom and gloom though as top tribute bands, One
Step Behind have an avalanche of tour dates planned over the coming
months and you can find them in this very issue. So, no need to sulk,
get jotting down some of the dates, get hold of some mates, and get
along to the shows!

Following in the footsteps of last year's appearance of Madness at
`The Party in The Park` concert in London's Hyde Park, the legendary
Suggs has been announced to appear amongst this year's line up. As
the show is today I have no idea if he did actually turn up and if
so, what he performed. Hopefully, by next issue, someone will have
caught his appearance and will let us know what went on. Many thanks
to Tasha George, Sophie Nicolas and a whole host of others from the
TMML for the info.

Fancy chatting to other Madness fans without leaving the comfort of
your own home? Then get yourself along to The Total Madness Monday
Chat's at About.com. You can access the chatroom via www.about.com
and without installing any software (you must have a JAVA enabled
browser though) you'll be whisked away to the Madness chat room.
Chats are held each Monday at 8pm and 11pm UK time and 3pm and 6pm
Eastern Standard Time (for you Statesiders). Thanks go to the ever
helpful Jenny Payne.

Were you one of the many who weren't able to get along to the recent
Ian Dury tribute concert at London's Brixton Academy but would like
to help out Cancer Bacup by buying some of the memorabilia that was
available on the day? Well, it looks like you could be in luck. MIS
Online subscriber Simsey has passed me this mail from Martina Dolan
at Cancer Bacup;

     "Hi there,

      A quick message to let you know that we now have
      the remaining  Programme copies of the Brixton
      Academy Ian Dury Tribute Event for sale for UK£5
      (includes P&P). These can be ordered from our
      website : You can access the ordering form  at
      http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk/home/ianduryprogramme.htm
      or via the main cancerbacup homepage:
      http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk.  or order direct via
      email to maryj at cancerbacup.org

      Cheers, Martina"

Right, that's pretty much it for this week's collection of snippets,
so lets get straight on with the articles.

See you at the end.

Robert Hazelby (MIS Online Editor)

[2] - DURY JUKEBOX RAISES THOUSANDS

G'day!

In the NME this week....

----------------------------------------------------------
DURY JUKEBOX RAISES THOUSANDS

Last month's IAN DURY tribute gig, which starred ROBBIE WILLIAMS,
MICK JONES of THE CLASH, MADNESS and THE BLOCKHEADS, has raised
£61,761 for the charity CANCER BACUP.

The charity, for which the late Dury was a spokesperson, held the
concert on June 16 at London Brixton Academy. Other guests and
performers included Kirsty MacColl, Republica singer Saffron, Tom
Robinson and Keith Allen.
--------------------------------------------------------

I thought there would have been more but still...

Mr.G (cgalb at hotmail.com)

[3] YOUR CHANCE FOR SOME LIVE MADNESS!!

So, will there or won't there be a Madness Christmas tour? Well,
I'm not going to fuel the rumours, but I will say that whatever
happens, there's a fearsomely strong Madness tribute movement out
there keeping the good ship Madness afloat.

One such band that's been putting in more than its fair share of
hard slog over the past few months is none other than Complete
Madness.

No need to mope around the house sulking that there's no Madstock,
get your nutty gear on and get along to one of the venues below...

JULY

5th - Chicago Rock Cafe, Newbury
6th - Jumping Jacks, Basildon
7th - Malt Shovel, Carlisle
8th - Craig Tara Holiday Park, Ayr
14th - Pontins, Prestatyn
15th - IRELAND
16th - IRELAND
18th - Brannigans, Manchester
19th - Brannigans, Luton
20th - Mainline Social, Leeds
21st - Pontins, Prestatyn
22nd - Carcroft Village Club, Doncaster

23rd JULY - 8TH AUGUST : HOLIDAYS

As well as the above dates, I have been also asked to mention that
Complete Madness are organising a "Benefit Gig" for their ex-drummer
who unfortunately had to retire this week at the age of 37 due to a
stroke which happened last August whilst on stage in Skegness.

Wayne made a brilliant come back and full recovery following his
stroke, however, unfortunately last month he starting getting
repercussions and loss of co-ordination and decided to call it a day.

The gig will be held at Eastwood View WMC, Rotherham on Monday 4th
September 2000.  Tickets will be priced at £6.00 each and all
proceeds will go to Wayne.  The gig will feature Complete Madness,
of course, and Eton Riffles (Jam/Punk Tribute) and Rats in the
Kitchen (UB40 Tribute).  Not a bad price for a full nights
entertainment.

Here's Claire Keegan;

"Hopefully we can sell this out to a capacity crowd of 500 and make
some decent money for Wayne's retirement fund!!"

If you are interested and would require either a ticket or further
information, please do not hesitate to contact Claire at her e-mail
address:  Complete at madness2000.fsbusiness.co.uk.

Many thanks to Claire for the info.

[4] - RHYTHMSTOCK - THE FINAL CHAPTER

Well, what can I say. I've now received the two lots of money that
were outstanding, and I'll be popping into to the CancerBACUP offices
on the late morning of the Crunch!Meet.

99% of the successful biddees contacted me, and the full list of
winners, items and picture of the presentation of the cheque can now
be viewed in all their irreverent splendour at:

http://www.redrival.com/simesy/auction/winners.html

Photographs of the afternoon / evening can be viewed by members of
the Ian Dury Mailing List at www.egroups.com (search for Ian Dury).
If you want to join said list search under Ian Dury. These photos
will be available on my personal website when I get round to it.

Successful winners and generous donators have all been contacted and
thanked - as has a certain Buster Bloodvessel (who ain't got e-mail).

Thanks once again for a superb day.

Those were my words. Thang you and goodnight.

Stay Mad  8-)
Simesy (simesy at suggs.screaming.net)

ICQ - 50212254

[5] - SOME SORRY NEWS

A few weeks ago Wizard Inn's announced a competition to decide the
name of a new pub opening in September. Nothing unusual there you
might say, but for the fact that it is located in Ian Dury's old
stomping ground of Upminster. Since then, the votes have been
collected and compiled and Bob McArdle is here with the results...

Sorry to have to inform you, but regarding the 'campaign' to get the
owners of a new pub being built in Upminster, Ian Dury's birthplace,
to name it after Ian Dury has failed.  They have decided to call it
"The Crumpled Horn".  Apparently some few hundred years ago ( ! )
there was a dairy in Upminster called this.  Still, those of us who
live in the area have gotta be thankful.... naming the pub after
extinct businesses that once existed in Upminster but have closed
down could have led to the pub being called "The Seven Eleven"....
so it could have been worse!!  But, having said that, I'm very
disappointed in their decision.  Not that I really expected any
business to be that forward thinking and adventurous to have named
the pub after Ian.... but it did seem an ideal tribute to me.  Still,
we have our memories and vinyl or CDs to keep us happy at least.

Thanks for mailing Wizard Inns and expressing an interest in naming
the pub after Ian.  The large response and support to this campaign,
if nothing else, reaffirmed to me the affection and high esteem that
Ian was, and still is, held in by many people.  The support I
received in this venture was not restricted to the UK either, there
was quite a response from overseas too.  Co-ordinating this little
venture, although time consuming, made me realise what a lovely bunch
of people the human race are... as a result of this I've made a few
internet friends and received mails of support and encouragement...
which was all very nice.

Anyway, enough of this maudling crap.....!!... do you have any ideas
what else could occur in Upminster to commemorate Ian ?  I'm prepared
to approach the council, MP, local businesses etc to make something
happen.  I can't let it go that Ian was born in this town and yet
they are so sleepy that nothing happens to show how proud this town
is of Ian.  Any suggestions would be welcome.

Wizard have suggested that "As Ian Dury was a famous local resident
we may also consider a reference to him inside the pub." Is this
worth pursuing ?  If I can get enough support from other people who
have mailed Wizard, would anyone be interested in turning up on the
opening night, or another agreed night, to have an "Ian Dury Night"
at the pub ?  Particularly if they do have something re Ian in the
pub.  Maybe if I can get enough people to turn up then it might be
a fun night.  The opening is in early Sept I think.  Well, its just
one suggestion, if you have another one let me know.

Once again, thanks,

Bob McArdle (RMcA56 at aol.com)

[6] - VELVET GHOST COMPETITION

Boys and babes,

   Carl has given me permission to run a velvet ghost competition.
It is a competition to see who can come up with the best name for
the Velvet Ghost's album. Of course, I have to state that it does
not necessarily mean that the best one chosen will, in the end, be
the name on the album but Carl himself will be the sole judge of the
competition and the prize for the winner is a Madness vinyl clock
and if it's really good, maybe it will be the name of the album.

Two suggested names are allowed per person. Please e - mail me OFF
- LIST. The competition is open to:

 - Members of the TMML
 - Subscribers to the M.I.S. bulletin
 - Readers of "Madness Unsugged".

Regards,
Vince Carden (dripfedvin at yahoo.com)
Madness Unsugged

[7] - THE NEVER ENDING TOUR

Thanks to Brendan Phipps of Madness tribute, One Step Behind, we are
proud to announce their latest line-up of gigs planned for the coming
months.

July 15th  Cheltenham Town Hall
     21st  Colchester, The Twist
     22nd  St Albans, Horn Of Plenty
     29th Heacham Village Hall, (nr Kings Lynn)

Aug  4th Isle Of Wight
     11th Harlow, The Square
     18th High Wycombe

Sept 1st de Beurs, Middenmeer, Holland
     2nd Schuurfeest, nr Emmeloyd, Bant, Holland
     3rd Plein 79, den Bosch, Holland
     16th Walthamstow, The Standard

November 4th Yeovil

Dec 1st Crewe, Limelight Club
    15th South Shields
    16th St Albans, Horn Of Plenty

For more information, please feel free to drop the band an e-mail at:
m_m_management at hotmail.com or visit the official One Step Behind
website at: http://www.jabba.demon.co.uk/osb/

Coming soon to the OSB website - the official band biography. Find
out what the band have been up to over the years, from the early days
right up till now.

[8] - AN INTERVIEW WITH THE VELVET GHOST

The following extract is taken from the excellent Skanews website at:
http://skanews.net where you can view the entire interview. If you've
yet to visit this place on the net, get pointing your browser there
right away. You won't be disappointed. Thanks go to Jean-Pierre
Boutellier (skanews at club-internet.fr) at Skanews for putting in the
time and effort for arranging and putting together the interview so
the rest of us could read it.

1999 was a good year for all the Madness fans - lots of concerts and
records, it was great !

This year, a few members of Madness have new plans. Chris Foreman and
Lee Thompson reform Crunch, Suggs will probably work on a new solo
album and Cathal Smyth (a.k.a Chas Smash) will run a new band called
"Velvet Ghost". We would like to say a big thank you to Cathal Smyth
for his answers...

Skanews : "The story so far of Velvet Ghost"

Carl Smyth : "Firstly I want to thank you for your kind words
regarding my song writing and Madness. It's a good feeling to know
that I have been part of something, which has brought so much
happiness to so many people.

The story so far of the Velvet Ghost is as follows, on the 10th Day
of the month of June in the 2000th year of Our Lord the Velvet Ghost
walked amongst you for the first time. And it was good."

Skanews : "Line up of the band"

Boz Boorer: The mighty Boz, is the musical director & guitarist. An
            original Polecat & probably best known, for being
            Morrissey's guitarist, musical director & co-writer.
            His many projects have included working with Kirsty
            MacColl, Edwin Collins, Jools Holland, Joan Armatrading
            & Adam An... to name but a few!

David Ruffy: Drummer, previously with The Ruts, Aztec Camera, Sinead
             O'Connor & is currently in Kirsty MaColl's band.

Louis Vause: keyboards & accordion, Louis has played with everyone &
             his talents also stretch to writing for television
             (music & sketch) & the last Toyota adverts!

Jason Wilson: Double Bass, been in the music scene forever & is
              currently playing with the up & coming Bap Kennedy.

Damian Hand: Saxophone as with all the other guys he's a seasoned
             musician, sessions with Jools Holland & Bap Kennedy.

Sean MacGloin: Violin, Harmonica & Bagpipes: Sean is Cathal's cousin
               & by day a lawyer. By night he plays anywhere &
               everywhere!

Jason McDermid: Trumpet, currently playing in Jools Holland's band.

Between the 8 members of the band, their résumé's look like a who's
who of the music industry, each has at some time played with another
member of the band, Ruffy & Boz both with Adam & the Ants, Jason M &
Cathal on the last Madness album etc"

Skanews : "You have played your first concert in Finsbury Park. Can
           you tell me about this concert?"

Cathal : "The first performance of the Velvet Ghost took place in
          Finsbury Park, London at the Fleadh Festival. At 1:25pm the
          band took to the stage. With my cousin Sean playing the
          Scottish Warpipes we walked through the crowds to the stage.
          On arriving the band began the set with We Are Love... I
          knew that apart from a few no one would be familiar with
          the songs and that this was the acid test. What would it
          be like to front the band as the singer. Would I be happy?
          Would it feel right? Happy enough to continue to make the
          ghost permanent in my life. We played nine songs and seeing
          the reaction of the people I knew I wanted to continue
          this as it felt so completely fulfilling. To say I was over
          the moon almost gets close to how ecstatic the feeling was.
          This was our first gig and I can tell you I am sure it was
          as enjoyable for everyone in the band."

Skanews : "You played a number of tracks that you originally composed
           for Madness... You are the leader of Velvet Ghost now.
           Have you worked with different versions (or lyrics) of
           these tracks for Velvet Ghost? Can explain why the great
           song "Johnny The Horse" was not a big hit? Can you tell
           us the story behind this track?

Cathal Smyth : "Some of the songs that I will perform with the ghost
                have been recorded by Madness but they were altered
                and not completely to my satisfaction, so the Ghost
                performs them in their original form as I had
                intended. I don't know why "Johnny the Horse" wasn't
                a big hit and quite frankly it does not concern me
                as that moment has passed. I will record it as the
                ghost and I think with the original long intro it
                is a stronger piece of work. The idea for the song
                came from an incident I had with two down and outs
                who used to sit drinking on a wall at the end of my
                street. They had become a fixture of my street for
                some four to five years and I had taken to stopping
                and talking with them as they were pleasant and I
                like to think that all of us should have more time
                to stop and talk. One was an Irish ex-boxer who was
                a gentle giant and a little punch drunk the other was
                Scottish and very quiet. Well one day I saw Dempsey
                in a state of distress, he was crying and full of
                grief. I asked him what was the matter and could I
                help and he told me that his Scottish friend had
                slept in a derelict building and some thugs had come
                upon him and killed him. I was moved to write about
                this and try to point out that there are so many who
                disappear onto the streets and they are forgotten or
                ignored."

Skanews : "Have you plans to release an album soon ?"

Cathal Smyth : "My main focus at the moment is to complete some songs
                I am working on so that I have more than enough
                material for an album. I am hoping to record in
                September of this year and the album will then be
                available on my web site: velvetghost.com."

Skanews : "Have you found or are you trying to find a record company
           for this album ?

Cathal Smith : "No, I am not approaching a record company as right
                now I am thinking that it will be more interesting
                for me to release the album myself on my own label on
                my own web site."

Skanews : "When can we find this record in the shops ?"

Cathal Smyth : "I think the album will eventually be available in
                independent record shops and I want it out this year."

Skanews : "Do you know who will be the producer of this record ?

Cathal Smyth : "I think I might find a good engineer and produce the
                album myself. I have been in music for twenty-five
                years and I feel confident that I know the dynamics
                and moods which I want to occur."

Skanews : "Who writes the songs for Velvet Ghost ? Just you or all
           the band ?

Cathal Smyth : "As yet all the songs performed are written by me but
                I have written some songs with Boz Boorer which we
                will perform in the future. At present I am enjoying
                the new sensations of it being my band and the
                vehicle of my musical expression."

Skanews : "Can you describe the music of Velvet Ghost"

Cathal Smyth : "I don't really want to describe the music other than
                saying it brings me joy and I hope in turn to bring
                joy to others."

Skanews : "You run Velvet Ghost, Lee Thompson and Chris Foreman
           reform Crunch... Madness split up ?"

Cathal Smyth : "Has Madness split? No I don't think we have but in
                the same breath we are not performing this year as
                a few members of the band do not want to do anything
                with Madness for reasons of their own. Because of
                this and because performing is something that I
                really enjoy doing The Velvet Ghost is a means of
                stimulus for me. I feel I have to be performing so
                if Madness don't want to work then I have an outlet."

To find out Cathal's views on Wonderful - one year after the band
recorded it, the Virgin Records promotional issues, the possibility
of Madness recording a new album and much, much more, please visit
the Skanews website at: http://skanews.net for the second part of
this interview.

[9] - COME ON YOU LOT, COME ON

Many thanks to everyone who supplied info for this edition of the
MIS. As usual, if you have anything of interest to the rest of us
Maddies, please feel free to send it my way and I'll only be too
happy to print it.

Special thanks go to Vince Carden of `Madness Unsugged` who never
disappoints, Claire Keegan of Complete Madness and Brendan Phipps
of One Step Behind, Jean-Pierre Boutellier of Skanews and Bob
McArdle for the effort he's put into the Ian Dury pub campaign.

If any of you would like to help Bob out with his Ian Dury tribute
please do get in touch with him and offer some assistance. Don't
forget to help out Cathal by sending him (via Vince Carden) two
album title suggestions for his forthcoming release. And finally,
a quick reminder to get yourself out of the house and along to one
(or more) of the Complete Madness and One Step Behind gigs.

Until next week. Take care.

All the nutty best,

Robert Hazelby