Way back in late 1986 Radio 1 run a three part history of you boys and i can remember Carl saying that one of the reasons you were breaking up was that you did not want to be a “Shawaddy waddy” banging out OSB and playing Butilns in 20 years time. Look what has happened? Your better than that lads, please dont do it. Surley you dont need the money that much?
alex
Dear Alex
Point taken. I think it will be quite good you know. We have changed since then and so has Butlins. After all, Finsbury Park was supposed to be a one off and we haven’t stopped since. Well, I had a couple of years off for good behaviour and I came back because the rest of the guys started writing one of our best albums ever. I even wrote a couple of songs on it. We are now working on a new album which will be even better, because I have written more songs this time. Some fast ones, some slow ones. So we are not dragging the greatest hits set around like dear old Showaddwaddy. I always preferred Sha Na Na. Here’s a comparison:
Showaddywaddy
Sha Na Na
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDxaLLwyr6I
Sha Na Na were the business..Mind you one of the Showaddywaddy guy had cool glasses. National Health John Lennon type ones with dark lenses. I think we copied that by the way. Sorry I have digressed…
We have to remove the stigma and make Butlins a cool and happening place, not a graveyard for the old dinosaurs. We will be playing some brand new songs at Butlins, maybe we’ll even preview a whole new album if we can get our act together by then. Also as an added bonus attraction I will do some super *showtimes like the world has never seen. I am also working on some new magic tricks. *No refunds if offended by my segment, by the way. You all have to be in bed by 10.30
thanks for your opinion, it is valued. So no one burn this guy or I will get medieval on yo asses…
CB
my money is on Kix winning the knobbly knees contest.
As you say chris will bring butlins bang up to date and the place will be jumping somerset dont know what has hit them.So looking forward to it and seeing the lads again.Bring it on
Sorry to go against the grain but I;m afraid I’ll be giving this gig a miss also. Having beem a fan since way back when (2 tone tour in ’79, yes we all said we were there but some of us actually were) I’m not happy with the way the band are heading. And, before anyone points the finger at me I actually stood outside the stage door in Newcastle for over 4 hours last November in the freezing cold snow to get my vinyl signed. Chrissy Boy will confirm this. I don’t like the way the band are going for the cold harsh cash angle. If I’m wrong then sincere apologies all round but I’m willing to bet that it will be the arena circuit in Newcastle – and elsewhere – this Christmas, which smacks to me of money over genuine concern for the fans. I hate having to post this but as a fan of over 30 years standing enough is enough, enjoy the gigs one and all but I’ll give them a miss this year.
Love that you’re doing Butlins, thank you its going to be great 😀
I can’t understand why any “fan” would complain about where a band plays? I drove all the way to Las Vegas to see Madness in ’99. It was a fantastic gig! You can’t get any more showbizzy than playing Vegas! Like the other comments say, it’s just great that Madness are still around. Please do a USA tour again soon. We never got a tour here for Norton Folgate. 🙁
If Alex had his way, there’d be no Swan Lake, Rockin in Ab, Crying Shame, One Step Beyond, It Must Be Love, Ska revival, Madness, Specials or even 2-Tone movement.
Who on earth could’ve predicted at age 25 back in 1986 what they would be doing or how they would be feeling 25 years ( half a life time ) later ?
Madness still have plenty to offer, The Specials were as fresh and exciting on their recent comeback tour as ever, and I saw The Selecter and The Beat a few weeks back who were simply marvellous.
The Butlins weekenders will be superb I am sure and will have the “festival” feel about them.
Alex you could try a certain hotel in Torquay instead…. cheap shot mate.
First band I ever saw was SWW. Their TV performances were far too clinical and never did ’em justice. They rocked live with dazzling strobes, dry ice and even a 10-minute drum solo!
Two former Bad Manners members were jamming with a former SWW member down at his nightclub in the Midlands a while back, playing a rocked-up “Live Injection”.:-D
Alex. You might have a point if this was just an 80’s weekend turn up and play gig.
The fact that so much extra will be packed in. including 2 gigs. Makes this even greater than a Madstock Madness festival. It’s going to be a great weekender event.
I also think from looking to the butlins site, they have come along way too. I hope you can, and that you come and enjoy the event of the year.
Firstly, well done Chrissyboy for posting, and replying to the original comment, and with such a great response…. I like Shawaddywaddy (said in a jimmy saville stylee) but they are in a different league to madness, as they were basically a 50’s covers band to start with. The thought of going o butlins for a weekend of madness sounds a superb way to spend a weekend, and as chris says, they’re changing their image too…
Madness have a fantastic following, a lot of whom want the classics, some of whom want the new stuff, and they manage to weave a bit of everything into there concerts, so each time you get something different… Keep up the good work, as we were lost the year you didnt do your december tour! It marks the start of Christmas!
Chrissie Boy.
Great reply! I’ve been a Madness fan since the start, but love the fact that Madness have kept moving and never stood still. Your recent shows have been great and the Liberty album is the best yet. Keep it up, and can’t wait ’til Butlins, all booked up and raring to go!
(1) no pickpockets
(2) no late train home
(3) staggering home
I quite like Showaddywaddy!
Sha-na-na, aint they the band who done most the stuff from film/musical “Grease,,
Chris, I think you will always get something like this thrown at you after playing for more then 30 years. I really don’t care were you guys play as long as you keep playing. Even after 30 years I enjoy your music and like good wine, you are getting beter and beter.
I just hope that you drop by Holland this year, as I am a bit low in money (after buying a house) to endeavour in a distant adventure.
Take care,
Andre
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