Hello and welcome to the Basement.
Chas Smash
I am not sure how long I am going to be down here. It's hard in the dark. I sneak upstairs every now and then to get what I can in the way of food so at least I am not starving. Its all the time in the darkness. To stop myself going insane I have decided to build in my mind by mental construct a georgian two up , two down. Brick by brick. It will have elements of Morris and Mackintosh and the details in the way of dowel over screw, wainscoting finished with a classic dado in all the hallways. High skirting boards in all the rooms and pargeting in the style of Adams on the ceilings should make for a beautiful space where I will be inspired to creativity.
Day Two- Once Upon a Time
I have just seen the video to Dust Devil and its a cracker. Not sure if I can say too much (though that's never been a problem before) but the main characters are played by Alfie Allen and Jamie Winstone and they are absolutely excellent. The Director Adam Smith has done a wonderful job and Jamie's performance ends in a most poignant moment. I love it. I hope that you do too.
Things seem to be moving at an interesting pace which is going to pick up massively over the coming months with TV, Radio and Press promotion. The gigs begin soon and with all the work coming up in this our 30th Year as Madness I am going to be back and forth from Ibiza to London like the proverbial Yo Yo. ( lets hope its a Smothers Brother's NASA model) I consider, at least for the moment, Ibiza to be home. Moving here has been the best thing I have done in years. I wake up in the morning and walk out to a view which is breathtaking countryside. It's exactly what I need to help me focus on the various creative projects that I am working on and as it's Ibiza and my children love coming here I probably have more time with them here than I would in London. I fly back to to blighty tomorrow as it is all beginning. Camden Crawl should be a gas. I will probably be having a glass of the old Vitamin G with Henry Conlon in The Dublin Castle. If you are around I shall see you there.
Peace & Light
Smash
x
Well. I have arrived back home to Ibiza after what I honestly believe was the best tour we have experienced since the Two-Tone Tour thirty years ago. Don't get me wrong there have been a vast amount of good times over the years and as moments go the first Madstock in 1992 was pretty unbeatable yet the overall picture I wish to paint has depth, colour and oodles of character. Australia feels like it has come of age ( or is it me thats changed?) the place is well mellow and virtually every one I came across (does that sound right?) were genuinely cool. All the shows for Madness were tight and each of us seemed to be sparking off each other. Meeting the other bands who were playing the V Festival was a particular joy and the atmosphere of camaraderie was all pervasive. Elbow, The Kills, Snow Patrol and The Kaiser Chiefs were the nuts and what a bunch of dudes, all excellent performers to a man. Watching Elbow perform "Weather to Fly" from the side of the stage with Gary from Snow Patrol and feeling the love brought out the Cosmic Hippy in me and as my bladder seems to rest behind my eyes (just like me old Dadda) a moment of appreciation of being in the best place I could be on that day, with the sun shining, the crowd singing along and the massive smile on Mr Lightbody's face that he seemed to wear constantly warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes. How bad is that? Over the moon? I bought a spaceship!
Day One. The Basement
Like all moments passed it already seems like an illusion, the only physical reminder is the battered body that I am wearing which thankfully is returning to normal. So many good times had that it would be like writing a book trying to recall it all. As I write this all the faces that I am so pleased to have met and shared moments with are in my minds eye and I am thinking fondly of those I now consider friends. Where ever they are my thoughts are with them as I know they are spreading the love. I fucking love music and as the most immediate and physical of art forms I am so grateful that I am in Madness.
Peace and Light
Smash
x
It's dark and on the end of silence I can feel a presence. It is calling me and I am destined to travel into the void. What awaits I know not but my belief in the outcome drives me on.
Jet lag is it real? Should I take sandwiches? Where are we going?
Will I ever? Back from Australia, more to follow. Please, Please some one turn on the light!
smash