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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My partner recently purchased a black and red guitar signed by the members of Madness for me as a present. I was talking with another Madness fan friend the other day, and he advised me that these are fake despite a certificate of authenticity and that you had stated that on facebook. Can you advise me whether this is true, I am really pleased with it and don’t want to disappoint her, however, if it is fake we will take it back.
Signed July 2010
Please advise

Dear Craig
I would need to see a picture of the guitar, can you send one please?
CB

Dear Craig
Can you send a picture please?
CB

Dear Craig
I saw the picture you’ve sent and the guitar is not signed by us, it is a fake. According to the “certificate” you are entitled to a full refund, please make sure you get one!
Let me know what happens please, CB

here’s a link to a photo of my lamp as you requested, i did send you a message on facebook but i realise your inbox must already be flooded

https://scontent-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t34.0-12/11094030_10206639932939584_2036336242_n.jpg?oh=fcd8fa1271ceff19bbaf8cd34f8ce6e7&oe=5553720E

Dear Curtis
Ahh I can’t see it, sorry!My inbox is not that full I’m a slacker..
CB

Dear Chris

Have you allready had a chance to listen to Carls’ solo-album? What do you think of it?

Dear John
We have heard a lot of the songs over the years and I like a lot of the album, I’m really glad he’s finally got it down. I really like
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfhx2fo2Vr0
“You’re Not Alone”
CB

Hi CB
Seen you guys many times over the years and got my tickets for Rhyl and House of Fun, but I’ve never managed to catch you doing ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, so what’s the chance of catching it this year? Also . . . . . . . . . any chance of having a vote on hear as to the karaoke song you perform at the House of Fun?

Dear Billy
“Land of Hope and Glory” I’d love to do that. As for the Showtime song I’ve done about everything now, any ideas? Such as “Knock it on the Head” or something, haha

Love your music and it brings back the best times of my life…school…. thanks for the music and keep it coming lads. My question is. The song your a embarrassment. Is that about one of your band members sister bringing home a black lad. Thanks long term fan.

Dear Tony
Not quite – it was a mixed race baby. It was Lees sister.
CB

Hi Chrissy, please can you tell me if chas is coming back for this years gigs, I’ve seen you many times in the last few years, O2, brighton where I live 3 times, I saw you just before Christmas and was kind of disappointed that knight boat was opening song, I realise and respect your decision to take out one step but please please please close the show with knight boat, it’s the icing on the cake for many many fans, please pass on my regards to woody, we know each other from a different kind of club in Bromley , best wishes and regards to you all.

Dear Phil
Chas is doing very well but not back for these gigs. “Knight Boat?” er..do you mean “Night Boat to Cairo?”. We may start with something else altogether, so you better get used to it baby. “One Step” has not been taken out it got moved, as without Chas it’s not the same. Keep up the work in the club much respect.
yours, CB

hi chrissy
will the band be promoting a new album at the same time as the tour please say yes

Dear Paul
Not quite but hopefully some new songs
CB

Hi Chris, Hope you are all well and getting ready for the Grandslam gigs. I was wondering out of all the songs that Madness wrote and recorded, is there one that you wished had never seen the light of day, and is there a particular song that you wished you never had to play live again.
Cheers Chris

Dear Chris
“The Liberty of Norton Folgate”, that’s a hard one to learn.
CB

Chrissy boy hope all good in your world, looking forward greatly to Grandslam and in particular the gig at Fratton Park, Portsmouth, my hometown, also got tickets for Bristol……if ya up for a beer beforehand then let me know. ..

Dear Pete
ooh I never drink before a show but thanks for asking
CB

Hi Chris,
Are the rest of the Madness albums going to be fully remastered from the original tapes and re-released?
Many thanks, Ste

Dear Ste
I think we’ve done them all but someone will correct me, I’m sure.
yours CB

Hi Chrissy Boy,
I hope you can help…..
I bought my partner (Hubbie to be in May this year) tickets to the gig at the Gloucester rugby ground on May 30th for his birthday.

My partner has been playing in a Madness Tribute band for the last 10 years…. Check out their web site: http://www.nuttyness.co.uk and see the video.

Anyway, as we are coming to see you guys and I was really hoping that there might be a chance for my partner to meet you, as my partner is the lead guitarist in the tribute band (he’s called Chris too) and it would make the most wonderful Birthday prezzie (or even wedding prezzie)
It would be amazing if you could do anything.
Cheers,
Fi (Vennbrook)

Dear Fi
What a shame! My son is getting married on the 30th of May and I have to miss the first two gigs, otherwise I’d have done something.
next time.
yours CB

can i av yr autograph mr spotter

Dear Ronnie
I’ll be on a D3000-D4999/D9500-D9999
CB

hi chris just seen the early line up for the house of fun weekender, so looking forward to it. hoping to see superskas again but they are not on the line up yet .is there any bands you are interested in seeing this year apart from your good selves hope to hear from you soon paul from cov

Dear Paul
Um Gorgeous George? They did it two years ago but they aren’t doing it this time ha ha..Um lets have a look..Geno Washington will be great!
CB

Hello Mr Chrissyboy i am one of your madness fans in my country (Mexico) I want to ask you this : Madness band was sometime “friends” the other band of your generation as U2,The Cure,Depeche Mode,inxs….?I imagine all of you maybe play in some music festival in the 80’s or maybe I am wrong well that’s all and by the way I wish you all the best in “the grand slam” (I hope one day “madness” return to Mexico well dream its free don’t you think )

dear Gabriela
Muchos gracias
CB

Hi Chris, greetings again from Australia. Looking forward (actually I’m excited as a kid at Xmas) to be able to catch another Madness gig in the U.K. It’s becoming a tradition with my middle daughter, who moved over to Manchester last year. I hooked her on Madness at Luna Park Sydney then were lucky enough to get to the gig at Chepstow in 2013 and now Blackheath. I had to change my flight but what a way to finish off my holiday. See you all in September, cheers.

Dear Barb
Good on yer’ Luna Park that was such a laugh, great days.
CB

hi cb well my 30th time of seeing madness at the 02 last year , what a great night , as always . but got the shock of my life , that u r playing black heath common on the 13th of September on my door step all the years I have travelled all over the uk and now you are here , cant wait will take my wife with me , as she is never up 4 it , but now your on our door step she wants to come , I know she will have a great time , ive loved it for over 30th years , got me tickets , cb is there a hope u can do a meet up , thanks lee

Dear Lee
HA! I found it! The lost message. Good job you told me the date.

“hi cb well my 30th time of seeing madness at the 02 last year , what a great night , as always . but got the shock of my life , that u r playing black heath common on the 13th of September on my door step all the years I have travelled all over the uk and now you are here , cant wait will take my wife with me , as she is never up 4 it , but now your on our door step she wants to come , I know she will have a great time , ive loved it for over 30th years , got me tickets , cb is there a hope u can do a meet up , thanks lee”

Sorry for the late reply, we will be glad to be on your doorstep Lee. I used to hang about Blackheath and Greenwich about 23 years ago, blimey, it’s like my old manor. Meet up? mmmm maybe. It’s the least I can do.
yours, CB

hi Chris great news about the Grandslam just booked Doncaster, Carlisle, Durham, and Montrose gonna be a great summer just wondered about the VIP package at Montrose and if any of the band would be making an appearance in the Gladness beer garden like Thommo and Woody did in the VIP enclosure in Victoria Park cos If they did I could take my sons fez to get the missing autographs on it (Suggs and Bedders ) hope they do but cant wait either way any chance of a shout out for the church of Maradona during showtime as most of us will be their cheers Terry B

Dear Terry
I cannot guarantee this but if you see me, I’ll sign stuff. For a small fee..
CB
Church of who!

Hi Chris
I have just booked my ticket for Chester-le-Street later in the year and all of a sudden the nostalgic mist comes down again. I have had the pleasure of following you guys since the very beginning and seen you play at an awful lot of venues. What are your stand out memories from your time in the band Chris? By the way thank you all for the continued pleasure that you provide year after year

Blimey John
Hard to say really.The first time I heard “The Prince” on the radio was one.I was walking down Holmes Road in Kentish Town and a builder had a transistor radio on. Then the first “Top of The Pops”.
thanks,CB

Hello Chris,

Been a little while now. I see things are busy as usual over there and probably hectic now and then.

I finally decided to go on SoundCloud, as making a YouTube video of my screen of Audacity is kind of old-fashioned and horrible quality. I put down a tune that’s been in my head for a while that uses a derivative progression but has my take on it. What do you think?
https://soundcloud.com/justin-s-campbell
I must mention that the guitar at the beginning was recorded in four tracks – one for each triplet. I can’t actually fully play that well yet. Does it sound like anything/one to you? There’s also an acoustic in it plus an organ.
Thanks for your feedback and good luck on all the touring.
JC

I’m not sure which song you’re referring to as there’s quite a few there, you’ve been busy!they sound good though.Keep it up dude.
CB

Hi Chris,
The gig at Fratton Park on Saturday 6th June keeps disappearing from Ticketmaster etc,is it still on ?

Dear Stewart
Yes – and sold out too.
Thanks CB

Hi Chrissy Boy. Great to see you are playing Hove as I live in Pompey- then Fratton Park was mentioned and I nearly fainted!!! I wait in anticipation…!Anyway, have you ever been to Gibraltar and if not do you think the band would ever play The Rock?

Dear Wayne
We are not likely to. At least we’re near your current address!
CB

CJ; well played to the band for bringing out a family ticket for the summer gigs. Bringing the family to the Durham gig in September. And very impressed with the price I paid for us all today. If the band are staying at Lumley Castle watch out for the ghost sir!
Respect, as ever
Sean Kilminster

Dear Sean
The G.G..Ghost?I’m not doing that one!
CB

hi chris can you tell me if you wore a little silver madness m pin badge on the shoot for absolutely as I have one and wondered if it’s the same cheers dave

Dear Dave
I’ve still got mine, so it can’t be the same one. A facsimile?
CB

Hi Chris, hooray, hooray, hooray, at long last a Madness gig in Bristol !! Close enough to walk from our house !! Thank you kindly sir

Dear DannyBoy
We aim to please and I’m glad you approve. It’s a long way from my house, though..
CB

chris is that right your missus is from cramington ?

Dear David
No, her Mum lives there. She [her Mum] re married a lovely Geordie man. Originally from Oxford [wife and Mother in lur]

Hey Chris do you know if the Morris minor maddie car still exists?i won a competition over 30 years ago and met yourself and bedder we went for a ride to stiff records in the car and you gave me the mad 7 number plate. For. My 50th b’day this year I wanted to have the car to go with it!any ideas??Many thanks.Alisa

Dear Alisa
It’s probably still around. I hear these tales of someone knows someone who won it etc.Anybody seen it?
CB

Yoo sorry about when I tweeted you after the dec Dub gig I was a little but “Happy” , Great gig all the same I made some new friends well sort of I made 1 don’t know if you spotted there was (and yes I counted) 3 miserable people down the front who I don’t think actually got what being at the front of a madness gig means (It’s not all glamour!)…..Anyway, What I messaged you about is the track “The last rag and bone man”
Dude I love it seriously but, Please Please do it justice and play acoustic guitar pretty please?

thanks Cj
LilShann
xx

Acoustic!…OK
X

hi there my question is Why DO you put a number after your autograph ?? XX

Dear Deborah
It’s supposed to be a musical note but it has mutated over the years.
CB

Hi Chris, will there be a 35th year edition of Absolutely released this year??
All the best,
Jason

Dear Jason
I don’t think so.
CB

Me again, just thought I’d let you know I did a lamp in technology in the shape of the “M” logo with a chequered base. I would show you a picture of it if you wanted to see it. Can’t wait until you next come down to Plymouth. December was phenomenal. I had the best time being stood at the front in front of you and bedders.

thanks Curtis can you send a picture of the lamp?
CB

CB – in London on business for a few days. If i head up to Camden will I finding anything Madness-related (stores with gear, landmarks for pics)?

Dear MadYank [Jack?]
I answered more or less the same question below, so forgive me for cutting and pasting. Have a great trip buddy.

There’s Camden Lock and the Electric Ballroom where we played in 1979. However, like any other large city – it’s all getting knocked down and “modernised”. Oh, do go in the “British Boot Company”
http://www.britboot.co.uk/engine/shop/index.html
[AKA or used to be called Holts] shoe shop, next to the Camden Tube we used to buy our boots there and in 1979 the Specials had an office above the shop. I have lived in Brighton for 8 years so I’m a bit out of touch. You could also go the Hawley Arms we used to go in there years ago and it is now famous for being Amy Winehouses local [RIP]
CB

hi i hope you are well and enjoying the new year,it`s my 50th birthday on the 1st of feb and my partners on the 5th.so we have booked a couple of days in london to do abit of sightseeing etc.well ive always wanted to visit camden town and go to the dublin castle and see where madness did some of their first gigs.we dont know london well ive not been for many years,we are going to be there on the 4th/5th of feb,my question is what other places would you reccomend we visit while in camden and london itself,both of us love markets and having alook round the local area and meeting people.Thanks for your time chris,all the best dj danny.

Dear DJ Danny
There’s Camden Lock and the Electric Ballroom where we played in 1979. However, like any other large city – it’s all getting knocked down and “modernised”. Oh, do go in the “British Boot Company”
http://www.britboot.co.uk/engine/shop/index.html
[AKA or used to be called Holts] shoe shop, next to the Camden Tube we used to buy our boots there and in 1979 the Specials had an office above the shop. I have lived in Brighton for 8 years so I’m a bit out of touch. You could also go the Hawley Arms we used to go in there years ago and it is now famous for being Amy Winehouses local [RIP] Have a great time, CB

i just like to say hi and i do hope all is ok ???? we have a baby who is one and half his name is called william when the wife is not in the car i take the frozen c.d out and play madness and he love it his feet starts going in the baby seat up and down . who know he could be your youngest fan lol he does say alot of words and yes one of them is madness lol . anyways thank for coming back to plymouth last dec you lot was grrrrrrrreat again well have a good hope to see you lot soon again roll on the new album the last rag and bone man song is 10/10 t.c my friend all the way from sunny torquay 😀

Dear John
Ha ha you are a card..I usually put AC/DC on in the car, or some rockabilly, David Bowie etc. I want my kids to absorb lots of differant music. My daughter [8] loves “Frozen” but she has an open mind to all sorts of music and she is quite keen on the Beach Boys, for example. My son [12] is a bit more “turn that c*ap off”
CB

Hi Chris
any news on possible new album for 2015?

Dear Steve
Easy Tiger..
CB

Hi Chris,
Will there be more re-released albums that have been remastered from the original master tapes, and if so, when? Also, all the demos/alternate versions on youtube – how do does one buy them and will they ever be cleaned up and released officially? There’s some fantastic stuff out there, it’s a shame not to be able to hear it in better quality. Many thanks.

Dear Ste
I’m not sure how much has been released, it’s hard to keep track of it really.
CB

I was at the Newcastle gig just before Christmas and loved the Madness version of It mek, are their any plans to release it as a single or as a track on an album, many thanks, Neil

Dear Neil
It was recorded [I think] for the “Dangermen Sessions” but we went with “The Israelites” instead. No plans to release it but maybe a B side at some point?
CB

Hi Chris

Very much enjoyed seeing Madness in Birmingham in December and your spot singing with the Violin Monkeys is always a highlight.

I’m interested to know how the set listing and working round of songs happens for you now that Chas Smash isn’t currently a member of the band? It caught me a little bit when One Step Beyond wasn’t the first song of the show.

Hope to see Madness again in the next year and beyond

Dear James
You’re too kind! “One Step” was moved because Chas isn’t around and it’s sort of his song, so we decided to try something different and swopped it with “Nightboat”. We may try something else next time.
CB

Happy New Year Chrissy Boy! Planning to make our way from our Manchester (Maryland, USA) to yours this Spring. Hoping that the fates will smile upon us and you lot will be playing somewhere first week of April. If not, we’ll treat you to a pint at the pub of your choosing. Promises promises.

Dear Brian
Dagnabbit! Sorry – but we won’t be “active” then. Have a swell time anyway.
CB

Hi Chris – are there any plans for releasing/recording some older Madness songs from 1985/86 that never saw the light of day? I always thought Perfect Place would have sounded ace on an album. Lovely tune that!

Dear Dan
That was one that got away. We did a demo of it but it was never finished at the time. Most of the songs we write get recorded. There are not any left from that period, to tell the truth.
CB

On the single Ghost train you wore suits with a Soweto Bloodbath newsprint – what was that in relation to CB?

We had a meeting and someone had the idea of suits made out of newspaper. The song was about Apartheid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartheid
The “Soweto bloodbath” headlines on the newspaper suits were taken from the “Guardian” but I’m not sure if we picked them specifically.
http://www.anc.org.za/show.php?id=4483
I thought it was a coincidence and that it had just been in the newspapers but maybe not.
CB

Hello Chris. Wishing you and your family all the best for 2015… Lots of Love… Rob, Emiek and Iris

Thanks Rob
Hope you had a good Christmas too.
CB

Happy New Year, CB:

Hope you and the lads have another great year ahead. We sure do miss you in the States.

A long overdue thanks for the interview for my feature in the now defunct Buzzbin Magazine of Canton, Ohio.
I enjoyed writing about you and the boys when you came to San Diego a few years back. I now do some work for the Phoenix (AZ)New Times, and and would love to catch up some time.

Let me know if you have any designs on returning to the US in 2015 or 2016. We would love to see some of the new tunes performed live.

All the Best and Cheers,

Mark

Dear Mark
That is partly a touring question but it’s put so nicely I can’t Timewaster® it. There are no designs to come to the USA, sadly.
all the best, CB

brilliant gig at o2.who was the dj,he did a great job

Darren Bennet
Available for weddings, funerals etc..
http://www.mixcloud.com/beatsofmusic/darren-bennett-straight-from-the-play-box/
CB

Hi Chrissy, First of all, let me congratulate you and the boys on a brilliant show in Manchester the other week. It being the first time in all these years that I have watched you live and seeing you live, to me it was like you putting a perfect head on a glass of perfect Gladness. Furthermore, in December 2011 you sent me via email, your autographs, so I could get them tattooed on to my chest, in reply to your mail, I mailed you back to inform you that, if you did a gig in Manny I would be stood at the front pointing to my chest and you would then know who it was saying big thank you’s for them!. Well, do you remember me? a bleeding ugly guy with a black Harrington on, stood at the front, and just to your right, standing there pointing at his chest? You did let on, but it would surprise me after all this time, that you remembered why some guy was pointing at his chest, but it would show how much you hold your fans in high esteem. Now, being as you filmed the gig in Manchester, is there going to be a DVD out of the gig? If so I may be on it as the camera caught us a few times and that would be another perfect head on another pint of Gladness, Ha, I also managed to get a playlist, which made up for forgetting my ticket on the way out after your show. well that’s all ,
thanks for being madness and I hope to see you live again next year. Bye, Mark…. P.S. point 2 on your rules, mentions do not ask for autographs! , would that be because after you did mine, everyone was after them via email???, ha, ha….cheers. Mark.

Dear Mark
That’s very funny..Yes I saw you and I thought my luck was in and I hung around after but it was to no avail. The gig was not actually filmed, the cameras were just for the screens. The no autographs is because A. I can’t be assed to get them and B.Postage is quite a lot
thanks, CB

hi, just like to say,hope you and the guys had a great christmas tour,merry christmas and have a very happy new year.looking forward to operation grandslam,still dont know what that is yet? will have to get my partner to check her email,take care,all the best,dj danny.

Thanks DJ Danny, all will be revealed on about the 7th February..
CB

Happy Christmas Mr. Foreman and all the very best for 2015 !! Thanks for a great gig the other night in Manchester , even without the legend that is Mr. Chas Smash you and the boys stood up and made it yet another concert to remember ( the original line up aswell – fantastic ) So , as the group get towards 40 – yes 40 years together , give or take a few weeks off along the way ! what venue outside and inside in the nutty world would you personally like to play and which country would this be ? Many thanks Chris – Steve.

Dear Steve
I can honestly say we’ve played about everywhere but I would like to go to Indonesia.
CB

Just come from your O2 concert on 19 dec. fiirst madness concert,excellent 1 question what was the second tune that madness song that night great song

Dear Anthony
It was “Embarrassment”, I think. At least that’s what I was playing..
CB

Great night in Glasgow, thanks Chris!

chris wishing you and the family all the best for Christmas and 2015 xxx

thanks Glenn just about recovered.
CB

Hello Young Chris
Great seeing you again in Dublin
Hope you all have a relaxing break
Merry Christmas and a fantastic new year to you all

Best Wishes
Declan

Hi Declan
Sorry to you [and everyone else] for the slackness in replying. Long bout of man flu then other stuff.
thanks, CB