Chris's Cupboard

Hello, it’s Chrissy Boy here. Send me a question and I'll do my best to answer it.

Unless it contains any of the following:

When/where is the next gig? - Please see the gig section above.
Can I get your autographs?- This service is not available via the website, all applications must be made in person.
Can I get backstage passes? - No.
Will there ever be another 2Tone tour? - This is not very likely, is it?
Where does Suggs get his sunglasses? – Persol.
Where do you get your suits/hats/shoes? Gresham Blake, The Saturday Club, Hackett, Christies, Loake, Lock and Co, The British Boot Company.
When is the “The Madness” album being re released? – I have still not got a clue.

[The questions above will be rinsed, filtered, processed and finally deleted by our new “Timewaster (tm)” interface, leaving me more time to answer the really important ones].

Thanks CB x

To see posts from the old version of Chris's Cupboard visit the archive Here

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As it will soon be Butlins time again what do you reckon you might be playing on the Friday night ? Will it be Oui, Oui album and other stuff or are there any new gems to show off ?? And therefore can one look forward to the greatest hits set on Saturday ? Cheers Dannyboy

Dear DB
Every year for the past three years I have suggested us playing old songs we haven’t done for years on the Friday night and call it by public demand”, as we would ask the fans what they want to hear. That would be hard as we have to rehearse but personally I could play “Rockin In Ab” or “Razorblade Alley” right now. The last two years we have played “Oui,Oui” so maybe this year we will do something else..
thanks, CB

Cheers for another good gig on saturday at Blackpool. At one point I did not think I would make it as I did my back in at work on friday, but with the help of alcohol and drugs I could cope with the pain I also made sure I never got into the mosh pit or by barrier. Fingers crossed I’m feeling better for Alley Palley. I hope you liked my version of “Who Are Ya” that I was trying to sing lol. 🙂

Dear Dicka
I saw you going under for the third time. Thanks for enduring the pain and coming along, see you soon.
take it easy, CB

Love the new Cupboard. Speaking of new rooms…we just finished a re-do of one bedroom in our house. What does that mean? More beds for you lot when you come to visit us in Manchester, Maryland, USA. Just name the date. Beds for the band, but the string/brass monkeys will have to hole up in the basement.

Dear Brian
The Basement? No way!
thanks,CB

chris have just noticed on the original album baggy trousers was written by you and suggs but on the rerelease by the whole band which is right ?

dear Glenn
It’s McPherson/Foreman.
thanks, CB

Hello Chris

Gonna see you Guys again next Saturday in The Netherlands. Great thing, that you show yourselfs in our little country over and over again, for the last few years. Good thing I stayed a Fan for over 30 years.
Cheers.
PS Could you do “Me and Julio” in your SHOWTIME intermission?

Dear Johnan
I hope you enjoy it. I will perhaps do a version of an old AC/DC song that I first perfomed in Holland.
CB

Hi Chris
Firstly,can I just say that I’ve been a fan of Madness since I was 12, (i’m now 45) & you guys have really been the soundtrack ,not only to my youth,but my adulthood too!! Can I thank you for that & say how the world would’ve been a whole heap worse without Madness! Secondly, i’m coming to see you in Blackpool on the 31st for the first time,(feel like a kid at Christmas actually)! Do you have any idea what time Madness are actually on stage, & do you have a support act? I’ve been hearing different reports of showtime being 2pm/4pm/5pm?? Thanks in advance. Looking forward to the show. Keep doing what you guys do- timeless music.
Regards,
Richard.

Dear Richard
I have been told “between 5 and 6pm onstage”. So get there by then please, as we won’t wait for you.
thanks, CB

Hi guys, wanted to thank you! Yearly we go with my family to a madness concert Londen, Amsterdam, Brussels wherever.. And now you are coming to Appelpop where I, for 10 years work on the market, painting Temporary tattooz for the kids and what is even better; you are coming ON MY BIRTHDAY so before I forget later: Thanks to all you mad7 for the best birthdaypresent EVER, Love Ellen.

Dear Ellen
dank u wel [is that right?]
CB

Hello C.B.,
Great show in Brussels ! The band was fantastic and I liked your version of Highway to hell . It was superb . Thanks a lot !!!

thanks Tiaan
We had a great time. Leffe beer, eh? check out the results here:
http://www.rtbf.be/classic21/article_en-direct-du-bsf-la-video-de-madness?id=8064428
CB

Dear Chrissy,
I hope you can show this one to Chas…

http://25.media.tumblr.com/385140d66a9e885ce0ed7e4df1ee7099/tumblr_mpekqr0OvS1snmuwpo1_500.jpg
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/15060267/Chas+Smash+MadNotMad2.jpg
http://www.geocities.ws/los_palmas7/chas.jpg
A tribut to Chas

You are good in your time
And we thank you.
You make us feel less alone
And we thank you.
You say more in one day,
Than most people say -in a lifetime..
It is your time and we thank you.
You can always say:
“I am a roving young fellow..
I am a man you don´t meet every day,
I have always a shilling to spare,
So fill up your glasses of brandy and wine.
Be easy and free when you´re drinking with me
I am a man you don´t meet everyday!”
There´s a place in the sun for everyone
Who has the will to chase one?
Close your eyes and think of someone you admire,
I am a man you don´t meet every day.
Say would you let me cry,
On your shoulder I have heard that you try anything twice…
And we shall kiss you.
Your steel-blue- forget- me- not- angel- eyes that make us feel so alive!
We go thru hail and snow to praise you
And our hearts are open to you.
From London to the world, god shall always bless you, because even swallows get jealous
when they get to hear your lovely voice. The sound of a decade what more can we say.
Dancing barefeet in the snow, with confetti in your hair.
Our lovely dear cherub, a blush sometimes rose
Your tremendous smile with so much love within that we long for!
The luck is all before you
Now we have found our safety haven and that´s why we thank you forever…
Thanks Chas for years of madness, spirit and inspiration.
Kiki
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02370/suggs3_2370482b.jpg

OK “Kiki”, AKA “Baby Jane” and “Bunny Bubbles”. I just checked the IP addresses for those 3 names and it’s the same IP every time! Can the real one please stand up, please stand up? let someone else have a go!
love, CB

Just wanted to say that the Newmarket gig was fantastic (sorry the comment is a little late but I’ve been on holiday).
I do have a quick question too, did Lee ask you to join his Ska Orchestra (knowing how close you two are) or do you have any plans to join him in the future ?
Finally, just wanted to say hello again. We have met a couple of times although the last time was in less happy circumstances, you see I’m Lenny Rodgie’s nephew. It would be great to hear from you.
Keep up the good work!!!
Gary

Dear Gary
Thommo asked me about two years ago if I wanted to do a CRUNCH! gig. I was away on the date he mentioned, so he started a band anyway. He has done really well with the Orchestra and was telling me the other day about some of their adventures. Playing covers does not appeal to me, so I am not really likely to join him. I saw the band in Brighton a few years ago and Seamus [Hammond organ] stayed at my house. It was great laugh and to not have to play but just enjoy the music was good fun. They are coming down here in October, so I will prepare the guest room…Oh dear Lennie Rodgie, what a character he was.God bless.
all the best, Chris

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cJAuYMf72po/S4XjrSwuHcI/AAAAAAAAAHo/gaIdcRKWhZI/S264/1266559403283_f.jpg
dear chrissy,
I found this very heartening image of Chas on the internet and I really love it. I hope the link works..
can you tell me when the image was shot and by whom.
It is very lovely he looks great and I love that he can be seen with a cat on his lap…it is cool and sexy and very romantic.is this available as a poster? it woul be nice if te madness website and the madstore can offer more posters in the future.greetings and kisses Bunny

Dear BB
What a gorgeous looking young man! I’d like a poster too. Chas always had loads of cats, he gave me the maddest one of the bunch once.I think the photographer might have been Eric Watson, I think this picture is from a Smash Hits Madness book.
CB
PS this is really sad. I don’t know how I remembered his name but I just Googled and he died last year. He did a lot of stuff with us for various magazines, he was a lovely man.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Watson_%28photographer%29

thanks Chrissy, he looks so young and very attractive on that one ..it´s my fave photo of Chas and I think it is lovely that he has cats and that you got one too…I checked out the photographer , too thanks a lot for the info…as the image is not available as a poster i will try to enlarge it and hang it up above my bed………oh those dreams we all have smile…(and his expression on the image absolutely brilliant!!!!!)

Thanks Bunny
CB

CB, the coloured vinyl re-releases of your first 6 albums that have just come out are a joy to behold. Really well packaged and great collectors items. Just wondering, on this and the other recently revived re-releases, how much input and influence you and the rest of the guys have ?

Keep on keeping on !

Daz

Dear Daz
Ah right – I had forgotten about them. Not much input, other than approving the artwork.
CB

Hi Chris,
I was just wondering whether you and the band have a favourite song to perform live? I’ve been to 3 Madness concerts and I personally love to hear NW5 (along with every other song of course) but I was just wondering whether you have a particular favourite.
Hopefully see you at a concert soon!

Dear Amy
I like “The Prince” a lot.
CB

Hi Chris, 5 of us heading down from Scotland on the night bus for Alexandra Palace Gig on 28th Sept, then back up the road at 1am.
As we’ll have all day in London can you recommend any good watering holes that will accept 5 middle age Scotsmen in braces, pork pies and Fez’s!!
Gutted you’ve dropped Death of Rudeboy was one of the highlight’s of the Glasgow show for me.
Cheers

Parky

Dear Parky
It has to be the Dublin Castle, Camden Parkway. Find Henry Conlon and tell him I said you get half price on the first round..
“Death of a Rudeboy?” I miss that one, too
CB

Ahh…The world famous dublin castle, im from the midlands and every time i go to London, i just have to go there!.. With giant Madness posters that adorn behind the bar,and an epic jukebox. It would be a crime not to go there! Even met Graham Coxon there once, but alas have never bumped into the Nutty Boys as yet…. A definate visit before a home Madness gig!

Dear mad Mags
There will probably be a few like minded souls there. Have a good time.
CB

Cheers Chris, going to head up to the Pally for the “surprise” at 3 o’clock so maybe see you there.

Happy Birthday Chrissy Boy!
my it be a great one.

Thanks Janet, it was.
CB

Just wanted to say Happy Birthday, Chrissy Boy!

thanks Carol
CB

As there is no more tree house, could you congratulate Thommo and his orchestra for the fantastic : The Benevolence of Sister Mary Ignatius. But do you know what a bangarang is? Regards to all 7

Dear Mags
Yes, he is outselling Madness these days.
Banagrang? Is one of the below. [In the instance quoted, probably number 2.]
1. Battle cry of the Lost Boys in the movie Hook.
2. Jamaican slang defined as a hubbub, uproar, disorder, or disturbance.
3. General exclamation meant to signify approval or amazement.
1. “Bangarang!”
2. “What be all that bangarang?”
3. “Dude, I boned my psych professor last night.”
“Bangarang!”
CB

Hey dude ,
Just wanted to wish you happy birthday and hope ya have a good day
Shann
Xxxxxx

Thanks Shann, I was away so limited internet access.
CB

Hi CB… just wanted to wish you a very happy birthday. I will by you a pint at the House of Fun Weekender if I manage to bump into you again this year.

Ok George
That sounds good to me. Meet me by the Burger King and wear a pink hat.
Thanks, CB

A very happy birthday to you Young Chris , my daughter Alyssa’s birthday too !

thanks Barry
CB

Haven’t commented in the new cupboard yet so wanted to take the opportunity to wish my favourate guitarist a Happy Birthday 🙂 x

Ok – who’s he then? Oh me?
thanks, CB

Hi Chris.

Great to see the continuation of the Cupboard on a new look site.

Myself and Owen are spinning a few tunes in the Dublin castle, on Halloween afternoon. Have you got any songs on a Halloween, spooky/monster/horror/witchcraft etc theme that you can recommend get played. Cheers.

Dear Jon
Er..”Monster Mash”,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0thH3qnHTbI
“I put A Spell on You”,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kGPhpvqtOc
“Witch Queen of New Orleans”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHEuSGGmX-c
“Fire”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOErZuzZpS8
How’s that for starters?
all the best, CB

Awesome Cheers, will add them into the mix. Thanks

Dear Chris, with all due respect I know you didn’t do it (change the website) but I still would like to congratulate the design. Usually when something like that happens it takes getting used to the new layout. Obviously the website creator had user friendly in his/her mind. Kudos to them.

Keep up the good work in making us happy and giving us a good feeling with your music and as Chas always says (and I kind of adopted the phrase not the thought which was always there)

peace and love

André

Dear Andre
How do yo know I didn’t do it? I have been on a web design course. Ok not really it was mainly Jam our web guy. He has made it simpler to use and navigate.It’s also really easy for me to answer questions and the “Timewaster®” program cuts out all the “when’s the next gig, where’s the next gig”, questions. Leaving me more time to slack off.
thanks, CB

hey Chrissy
the skatalites
chrissy, do you also like the group the skatalites..
checked them out today and really like most of their music especially “After the Rain” would be great if Madness could work with them soon or do a cover of that song ..love your music kisses Kiki

Dear Kiki
Yeah they are great – old time SKA. Covers are not interesting to me, though.
thanks, CB

Me and my daughter went to the gig at the closing of the BBC. We hung around to see the Trotters van and saw you going to the tube station and you ran!!! All we wanted was a pic! I’ve followed Madness for years and never have any luck in getting a photo with a band member! Why did you run lol!

Dear Lisa
Because I saw you? No, I had a train to catch and I had a very important date in Brighton. So, sorry it was nothing personal next time I’ll stop.
CB

there could be a song in that post………………………………”All we wanted was a photograph”

Hello Chrissy boy

House of Fun at Top of the pops! Or is that just Madness?

I have been a massive fan of madness all my life and I am now at university in London studying music composition, and it has come to that time for us to write a dissertation, see title above:

I’m choosing to write about madness with regard to how they have remained successful in the music industry now for over 30 years. And looking hypothetically at the question if Madness never formed in the early 1980s but in this generation, would they be just as successful?

I would be really interested to hear your thoughts on this:

Do you feel that the band is more successful now than it ever was?

Are you aware of the common age group that attend your gigs?

Do you believe this generation appreciate your music or do you think that the bands success relies on the fans that saw you 1st time round in the early 1980s?

Hope to hear from you soon

Dave Allen

Dear Dave
In this generation, it would be far harder. We gave a cassette to Jerry Dammers. Then recorded a single for £300. That then got into the charts at number 62 or thereabouts. We then got a slot on “Top of The Pops” which had about 17 million viewers and all the correct demographics, they were all music fans and buyers. So the next day they could go to their local record shop and buy “The Prince”. Sadly all that has changed and neither “Top of The Pops”, or local record shops exist. We are now far more successful now than in the 80’s as a live band as opposed to selling large quantities of albums. The people who come to see us vary in age, from the first time fans to their children [or indeed grandchildren] and also some that were only 3 years old the first time round.
thanks and good luck with your dissertation, CB

Hi Chris,

It’s Looby, longtime no speak and all that. Hope you are well.

Just wondered what the VIP package included for the Blackpool gig on 31st Aug? See Tickets are advertising it for 3 times the price of the general admission but not stating what you actually get for the extra money…..?

Do we get to see you all dancing around a pole backstage, or maybe an acoustic personal rendition of New York, New York by your good self?

LL x

Dear Looby
Hello there. I would avoid at all costs. Probably better seats, a meet n’ greet etc. I have not been asked to pole dance or otherwise. I live in hope, though.
CB

Dear young Chris
Is there any way you can help ?
I’m after a picture of there rear of Mike’s Morris Minor Van !
Its his artwork he sprayed on the door I’m after !
Tattoo or a car sticker , not made my mind up yet ?
All the best .
The Flash

Dear Barry
A car sticker would be best. The van art – blimey! It was in the old timeline.
CB

just wanted to say thank you from Cai he had the best time on stage with you and johnny vegas at haydock park, one very happy 4 year old madness fan and a very proud nannie x

Dear Sheena
ah – so he was with you then? We nearly took him with us, to work on the T Shirt stall.
CB

Hello Chris,
I just wanted to ask if you guys got your inspiration for the OuiOuiSiSi… title by the 60’s song Hey Boy,Hey Girl performed by Millie Small & Jimmy Cliff ? That song also features some OuiOui SiSi and JaJa DaDa’s in it . All the best and see you in Brussels , mate .

Dear Tiaan
I don’t know, Mike wrote the lyrics. I’ll ask him. Or judge for yourselves:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdCFonRPwXA
CB

Hi, first of all; Approximately 2 hours after I bought tickets for your Alexandra Palace gig with tickets for the airplane and hotel, I opened a letter from my doctor saying “good news! You have time for your long awaited surgery on your foot 1 september”. I will be on cruches or in wheel chair on the concert.No standing in the front row, shouting and dancing…. 🙁
And second (thus avoiding Timewaster); instead of saying “No questions about The Madness, Mad not Mad or my reclining hair line”; why not state somewhere on the homepage why they are not rereleased? Whats the problem? Can we do something like writing to your former record company?
Best regards and some appologies,
Johan S, Stockholm

Dear Johan
Those questions have been answered so many times, I just can’t be bothered. Good luck with the leg.
CB

hi,
You are a great guy and i have loved madness from the start

Dear Margo
That’s very kind.
thanks, CB

how old are you

Old enough, Jenna. I stopped counting at 47.
CB

I know its not even a year since oui oui was released but when would you hope for a new album to be out

Dear Paul
Give us a chance..
CB

Chris you are a true gentlemen. You understand how your fans feel about what you and the rest of madness has given them. It is something truly special and has gone on far longer than any fan of madness could ever hope for. Your Music is a cure for all ills and can bridge a gap from father to son/daughter. Mate, I don’t know how to thank you enough! It may be a job but you certainly don’t treat us fans as a second rate employee. I wish you and your family all the best. I have had random contact with you for many years now and each reply that I’ve had is something that I cherish.
Thank you.

Dear Alex
Stop it, I’m blushing. We are very lucky to have you. I hope we will be around for many years to come.
Thanks, CB

Well said.

Dear Darren
What was? Well said, that is..
CB

Hi Chris
It was nice to hear a crisper guitar sound on the last album. I feel that on some of the earlier stuff you sort of get drowned out, i.e. there is a nice sound on ‘Wings Of A Dove’ but you really have to strain to hear it. Were you pleased with the way the album was mixed and do you think you may go down the same route with different producers on any future album?
PS It’s great to see all 7 of you together again!

dear Nuttytoffee
I was pleased but it should’ve been louder on “Circus Freaks”, though.
thanks, CB

Michael Caine and Belle Stars
dear Chrissy,
hope you are well these days..
I thought recently about Michael Caine. Did you meet him personally when doing the song? I loved that you used the sample of his agent thriller…it was great to use this sample and I hope madness will use some more samples of films and stars in the songs because i think it is a great way of starting or ending a song and to transport some meaning..I wondered if the story is true that Michael first refused to appear on the album but his daughter then told him how great and popular madness are and then he agreed to have his voice used on the song…then I am a great fan of the belle stars and especially Miranda Joyce´s style was perfect..the girls looked so tremendously cool and attractive..they appeared on Stiff too and worked with the band madness…(Sign of the times cover) …
I really loved their emancipated way of dressing and styling…did you remember them nicely being in the studio? They were a good start for other female bands to follow…thanks a lot for your comment Coco

Dear Coco
Micheal Caines daughter got him to record it, she had heard of us I think.. We didn’t meet him, unfortunately. The video was a homage to “The Ipcress Files”. The Belle Stars? I liked them so much, I took one home for a few years. She is on the left in my profile picture, the lovely Jennie. She’s still a close friend after all these years. “Sign of The Times” is not the Madness song, though. It was their own song.
CB

yes, chrissy it is not a madness song I just meant cover in the sense of the song title…nice image thanks Coco

Dear Coco
Prince did a song called “sign of The Times”, too. I was listening to it yesterday.
CB

yeah Chrissy checked it out too then I checked some Alex Harvey and Kilburns your teenage inspirations liked them a lot too and found that maybe you started with guitar because of them which was of course a great inspiration as well as Prince Buster……..

Hi chris
Wondering when the 2tone reunion tour is so I can get a back stage pass. If you could let me know where Suggs gets his sun glasses from so i can get some for you to autograph. Maybe we can have a chat about when the madness album will be re released right after we discuss your tailor?
Just kidding! Hello from nz.
Keep up the good work!

Dear Alex
I’ll get on to it. You just overloaded the Timewaster® software, by the way. It went into meltdown.
CB

Hello Chris, Were all getting older now so I was wondering if any of you are wearing prescription sunglasses these days?
Check these guys out if you have time. Maybe they could do the strings on the next album???
http://landfillharmonicmovie.com/

All the best
Steve

Dear Steve
That is a really inspiring piece of film, very moving. We all wear reading glasses of some kind.
thanks, CB

You have an extensive back catalogue now,are there any old album tracks/b-sides you’d love to play live but the others don’t agree?

Dear Blarney
Yeah, I always moan about that. However, I always moan about everything. For example, “Lovestruck” I’d love to play that instead of say, “Bed and Breakfast Man”. It’s hard as a lot of people want to hear the old stuff. Recently we were playing “Death of a Rudeboy” as the first encore which I thought was great, a quite cool moody song that is new, very catchy and recognisable title, maybe some people will look it up online and hey! – buy the new album? It suddenly got dropped and we now just have “Madness” and “Night Boat”..
thanks, CB

chrissy any chance the gogglebox could be released again and do you know will any other box sets be released this year

Dear Paul
It was a “limited” edition, so releasing another 5,000 wold not be fair on all the people that bought it. There will be a “Take it or Leave It” set later on this year.
thanks, CB

Dear Chris,
I have got two questions.
First of all I am a big Madness and Joe Strummer (Clash) fan. Have you with Madness ever met Joe because I thought that there where some connections between Joe and the band..I think he was great as a person and I wonder what your opinion is about him. Were you also shocked by his early death? Then I would like to know how songwriting works ..do you scribble words and chords on paper and then present it to the rest of the band. Do you get influences for songwriting mostly at night or daytime? Do you get ideas from daily life and people you meet? Is it always hard to find the right words and rhyms? Best regards Baby Jane

Dear Jane
I met him [very briefly] once in about 1981 [see profile pic] I loved the Clash, it was a big shock him dying so young and very sad. I used to scribble chords on bits of paper but nowadays it’s all done via a keyboard on Logic [computer program]. I get tunes just popping up every now and then and I have got a few mumblings some on my mobile phone. You just reminded me, thanks. I must get them down properly.
all the best, CB

wow how lovely shot the image is very beautiful with Joe …thanks Chrissy for sharing this with us all.
you always look nice on images..you have got the looks definitely! thanks Baby Jane

hi chris,what a fantastic night at haydock,it certainly made up for last years cancellation.Do you remember little cai dancing with johnny vegas on “night boat”?he’s a little star in the madness facebook world!

Dear Nutty Boy 69
Yeah, he was a quite a mover.
CB

Alright Chris
Saw you and the boys on Saturday at Haydock never thought I’d see you play in my hometown of sunny St.Helens I had my eight year old lad with me and we all had a top night.Anyway at the end of the gig trying to get away we was shoved into the gutters as three silver Mercedes vans barged there way through like they was royalty any ideas who these impatient buggers were.
All the best Doyle

Dear Doyle
Not us, we were in black vans.Er silver black..
CB

Hey Chris, love the new cupboard. Very upmarket.

Hope you can answer my musical anorak’s question. Was it intentional for all the songs on Oui Oui to have a natural ending, ie no fade outs? By my reckoning it’s definitely the first time you’ve ever done it. In fact, probably most albums by most artists have fades.

Dear Graham
That’s a good question. It was not intentional. A lot of the songs have been played live which would be one reason.
thanks,CB

here is one for you.
Have you ever sat one night and thought “i fancy listening to some Madness the night” and fired on any of the albums?

Dear Beerzo,
No. Now Bad Manners, that’s a new nu nu nanan neni nono subject..
CB

Chrissy , Just congratulating you on a fantastic performance at Haydock, I live close to that course so was handy, but I’ve watched you many times, Cos it was local many of my mates come to see you for the first time and you won all of them over, The fan base just seems to be getting bigger and bigger yet again, The record crowd at Haydock proves it, We’ll love to see you back here again. But no doubt i’ll be seeing you again before the years out. Anyway well done again mate, so till next time….Long Live MADNESS.. Malc.
ps- The CB solo still wont have Suggsy losing any sleep !! haha

Dear Malc
Suggs is well worried, I keep drinking his magic “singer” drink, onstage…
cheers, CB

Hi CB
A couple of weeks ago I drove the family down to the South West from Yorkshire for a weeks holiday. We decided that, to avoid the traffic, I’d drive us down through the night. We left East Yorkshire at 10:00pm with the missus next to me and the kids in the back. After an hour or so of general excitement everything in the car settled down and firstly the kids then the wife fell asleep. At around 11:30 I pulled into a service station on the M1, got myself a coffee and got ready for the long drive ahead. The roads were clear, the night was warm and my family were safe around me. To get me through the long drive I decided that, once everyone was asleep I was going to have a listen to each Madness album, some if I’m honest I’ve not listened to for years. So, slipping on the ‘One Step Beyond’ album, I was off. Without trying to be too poetic and corny, you know that sometimes in life you get a bit of time when everything is just perfect? Well this was one of those times. My beautiful wife and kids were sleeping soundly in the car, we were going on our holidays, the weather was lovely and I was listening to Madness. Just brilliant. Quietly singing along to ‘Victoria Gardens’ whilst driving past Jamaica Inn at some ungodly hour on a deserted road might not be everyones cup of tea, but for me at that moment it couldn’t have got any better! Its difficult to explain but it was an absolutely perfect night!
Just thought I’d share that with you!!

Thanks and take care
Herbert Anchovy

Dear Herbert
That’s the sort of thing I used to do. They didn’t wake up then? How long did it take?
all the best, CB

Dear Mista Boss (Get it,Foreman-Boss) No?, Okay
Your 7questions up the top..do you not realise some of us are trying to stay in business by the skin of things!!!

O.k What I really wanted to know was what’s your fave guitar (Barr Eopi. SG ) personaly I think your Gibson LP with the wine plec plate actually was what best suited you (Or accoustic ) taking from style of an old “Nutty Boys” vid of you kixxy and woody , aswell as Baggy Trousers slowed down, but in your opinion whats you fave barr S.g ???

Shann.
P.S Im not lil anymore Im all growded up hahaha
Xxxxxxxx

Dear Big Growed Up Shann
I have the good ol’ Les Paul. It’s very heavy, though.
love, CB

Chris hope you are well. I’m looking forward to Haydock Park Saturday thanks to you and Jamie.
It’s been an amazing time recently to be a Madness fan, I can only imagine how good it’s been for you and it is richly deserved. I’ve been listening to the complete Qui Qui album recently. How can I tell you brings a tear to my eye. Oh my love is fantastic, you have produced another It Must Be Love in my opinion.
So……. a question….. What’s it like being a national treasure?

Cheers
All the best
Steve.

Dear Steve
A national treasure? Us? Really? It’s OK, I suppose.
thanks very much, CB