Comments

Yes, it has finally arrived. Cue fanfare. The first comment update.

There is a reason why we haven't answered many, if any, of you fabulous e-mails: My brother put the page on the sunstrip geocities thingy and recieves all e-mails to his computer at the University of East Anglia in Norwich. I only see the e-mails when he comes home and he only come home every six months or so. After I found out how many people had visited the site and I had said that we had alot of people visiting the site to him, he then went and told me that he had a load of e-mails that he had forg otten to tell me about. After beating him up I found all of the past e-mails and started to compile this page. There's my excuse. Thanks to popular demand I am trying to find out about connection to the internet full time so that I can be working on the s ite regularly.

Some of the e-mails date back to 1997 but I will answer them all. So here goes with some of your questions and some replys:

One Step Beyond Questions

First up is a question from the States (15 Feb 1997!):

Hi -- I wonder if you might help me.

I'm looking for a song that may, or may not be, by Madness. It certainly sounded like them.

Here's the story: I was watching a rerun of "Doogie Howser, M.D." (okay, so shoot me), and in the opening scene, in which there was much frenetic action , they ran this great tune as a soundtrack.

The chorus was something like, "This is madness / they say it's madness..." (sic).

The music was very Madness-like, so I'm guessing it's one of their tunes. (It wasn't "Madness [Is All In The Mind]," by the way.)

I would really appreciate any assistance.

Thank you,

Mark Mantho (mmantho@lynx.neu.edu)

A different question that needs a similar answer from 2 Nov 1997:

Hi,

I'd like to know where can I find the One Step Beyond cd from Madness...I have order it to a music store but they don't know where to order it...What can I do??

Alex

guy@mtl.net

http://www.mtl.net/~guy/

The next question that comes from 24 Apr 1997 and the answer to it is 'One Step Beyond' and if you want to get a copy of it then it is on the CD album of the same name mentioned in the answer below your question (I hope you understood that because I d idn't):

what is the name of the song where at the beggining it goes "hey dont listen to that - listen to this - this is the heavy heavy monster sound" or something like. what is the name??? mark

Answer:

The answer to that one is that it is simply called 'Madness'. The song was written by Colin Campbell (Prince Buster) and appeared as the B-Side to the prince (a song about Prince Buster.(British fans note that the Prince Buster single 'Whine and Grine' had a trip into the charts recently thanks to a jeans commercial.)). The song can also be found on 'The Business' (The code is:7243 8 39286 2 0 - MadBox1 and it is a Virgin records release. Virgin are owned by EMI) the three CD set which has all the singles, b-sides and rarities on it and comes highly recommended by myself. Other wise the song can be found as a hidden track on the CD format of 'One Step Beyond' the album (0777 7 86430 29 - CDOVD 133 also a Virgin release) on track number 14. However, as it is a hidden track it isn't listed on the back of the CD so don't be put off by that when buying it. As your an American fan you might have to import it espeacially.

Madness MIDI files

Next up are a couple of e-mails about the same thing. The first is from 23 Feb 1997:

Hi!

I'm a Madness fan too, I like much your page, but I wish to look in for some MIDI's of madness. If you wish I could sent to you some.

--

Good Bye

You can reach me as

Cicci Serra E-mail: mc7429@mclink.it

And the second from 28 Jan 1998:

I am a Madness fan and play the sax, I have searched for midi files for one step and Night Boat but can't find them please help

Marcus

Answer:

Yes Cicci we would love to recieve some MIDI files so that we can post them up on the net for other Madness fans if it's possible. The answer to both of you is that Madness MIDI files are quite hard to come accross unless of course you know the right people. I think the net is the best place to look but I don't know where on the net. However you might want to inform us if you do find anything of interest and it will be put on the net.

When's the next Madness Concert?

The next question is from 6 March 1997:

please, let me know if THEY are still playing together, thanx ska jan

And this question needs a similar answer

when is the next Madness concert? Where can I find information regarding this?

Answer:

The answer to that is yes and no. The band don't actually play togeather as such but they reform every so often for one off concerts like Madstock IV which is coming up this year (see our Madstock IV page). They were meaning to put a n ew album out in '96 but it never matterialised. Check out our updated pages to listen to a sample of one of their new songs:Your Wonderful which they played at Madstock III.

Demands For Mailing List

We have had many people e-mailing us and asking to be put on our mailing list. Unfortunitly we do not have a mailing list because we can't afford to run one. So there's a big sorry this time but if the CD ROM comes about we will try and get as much in formation on the band as possible so e-mail us and tell us if you would be interested in the CD ROM.

The Madness' second single

A couple of e-mails about the same thing both from 1997:

the madness released a second single from there album.The song was called "what's that " the b-side was "be good boy". 1988 VIRGIN RECORDS VS 1078

I am intrested in the project that you mentioned that suggs did in 85 i think it was please respond with more info thanks 'GOODNIGHT'

Hello!,

Just a couple of things,

1). The Madness released two singles of their album, I Pronounce You and Whats That?, I've got a fairly complete Discography, I'll Mail it to you when Its fully typed.

2). I've just set up a Madness web site, could you add it to your links page, its still in construction at the minute but should be ready in about a week the URL is

Http://www.oocities.org/sunsetstrip/palms/2829

Just down the road from you!

It would be appreciated, Cheers

Alan Redpath.

al@virtek.com

Answer:

We knew about the second The Madness single but I totally forgot when writing the page as I was going from a list of videos and 'What's That' never had a video. Sorry for the mistake and it will be up dated soon. There will be more inf o about The Fink Brothers soon.

Questions About Merchendising

We have had a couple of e-mails about merchendising asking where it can be bought from and if we sell it. We don't sell merchendising because we're not licenced to but as for official stuff it is actually quite hard to find it. The two places I would have thought of going to would be either the fan club or the record company. I've written to the fan club with no success but as for the record company there used to be a shop called 'Stiff City' (Stiff were Madness' record company after the debut 2-Tone release. Stiff were bought up by virgin in the end.) in Camden somewhere but I doubt that it's there anymore because the last time that I heard anything about it was 1993 and I don't even think it was there then. Never-the-less I will find out about it an d if it is still there I will put there address up on the site (with their permission). They were a mail order shop selling everything stiff related and Madness related.

Madness CD's In America

A question from 28 Jan 1998:

Why is it almost impossible to get madness cd's in the us?

Answer:

It's so hard because there is not such a demand for an old band like Madness but your best bet is to have the CDs imported.

The next question is regarding Madness singles and is from 30 Jan 1998:

I'm trying to get a copy of the single for 'House of Fun'. Do you happen to know of anyplace where I could order it from?

Answer

As far as I know this single is only availiable on vinyl. This is quite hard to get hold of but I get all my Madness vinyls from Record fairs and record shops. Look out for any record fairs in your area.

Suggs' Solo Album

I was just wondering what you thought of Suggs' latest solo album, as well as the Nutty Boys' work over the past couple of years.

Answer:

We love Suggs' new album here at Madness H.Q. The Lone Ranger is never off our turn table. Favourite songs off of the album include: I'm Only Sleeping, Camden Town, The Tune, Alcohol, Green Eyes and Off On Holiday. I notice that your from the States s o I don't know if you managed to get the singles as well as the album but Suggs released these singles in this order (in the U.K.): I'm Only Sleeping, Camden Town, The Tune, Cecilia and No More Alcohol (a remix of Alcohol). The artwork to The Lone Ranger was also changed and the track No More Alcohol was added to the album (it wasn't on the original but Alcohol was.). There will be a whole Suggs page on the updated site. As for the 'Nutty Boys' I haven't got anything by them but the last time I went to a record fair I passed up the chance to get a few Nutty Boys vinyls and now regret it.

The Young Ones?

just a question, i love the young ones, and i love madness, but what is the connection?

Answer

The connection is that Madness were on The Young Ones twice. Once on an episode from the first series called 'Boring' where they played 'House Of Fun' (and Suggs offered Rick "A smack in the face".) and the second time on the second series where they played 'Our House' on an episode called 'Sick' where the band beat each other up.

Can We Use Your Pics?

soon i will have my own ska site which will include some of your madness pix if that is alright and lotsa madness stuff so email me if its okay i use your pix please...find me at either maddieness@aol.com OR AT dickysgrrl@aol.com thank u

Answer

Go for it but leave us with some exclusive ones

Our House Tablature

hello,i was wondering if by any odd reason you knew of anywhere on the internet to find the guitar tablature to "our house" because i have looked everywhere and been very unsuccesful. your help would be very much appreciated. thank you matt wells

Answer

I don't know but I'll try and work out the main riff for you. It will appear on the D.I.Y. Music page.

Can I Add You To My Links?

This is a popular question and the answer is always, and will always be yes. As for people who have asked to be on our links we are dealing with that right now and you will all appear on our links page.

Videos

This is one of our big questions: Where can I get all of Madness' videos. Well if your in the U.S. then you might be looking at an impossiblity or a life of watching 'VH-1' (if you get it over there(I was round my friend's flat on a council estate in my area. Anyway he has cable and he went to bed (I was sleeping over for the night) whilst I watched cable. I don't actually have it so it was a new experience. I watched MTV and it was complete rubbish (garbage). Then I watched VH-1 and it was brilliant. Loads of videos from the 80's. Anyway 2am came round and my finger was hovering over the T.V. off button when a trailor came up saying that the best of Madness would be on next. I watched for the next one and half hours whilst the show was on and finally got to sleep at 4am. I wish I could get VH-1.).

Apart from that the only videos you can get here (Britain) are 'Complete Madness' and things like that. The best video to get for all of the Madness videos is called Divine Madness which is also the name of the number album that prompted Madness to go and do Madstock. Even if U.S. Madness fans could import it over to America they would then have to buy a PAL video recorder to run it on. It's very hard for all the Madness fans out in the States because there is not enough demand for the products. If I meet the band I'll give them a collaring about this (Did you know that I was in Camden Town one day with a friend and Suggs was the only person in his car to let us cross the road and he did it with a friendly smile. Nice bloke.).

Suggs' Birthday?

I have been searching through every inch of the net desperately trying to obtain Sugg's birth data, but to no avail.

Answer

This is a tricky one. I did have the information somewhere but I've completely lost it now. From what I can remember it is either March or April 1961. He was born Graham McPherson in the Sussex sea-side town of Hastings. His father walked out on him w ent he was three and his mother, a jazz singer, was forced to work and look after a family. Suggs was sent to live all over Britian whilst his mum went of to make a living from singing. For a few years Suggs moved down to Wales. After that he went to live in North London with his aunt where he became friends with some of the Madness crew. Suggs' nickname (Suggs) comes from a Jazz Encyclopedia where it was the name of a famous Jazz flutist. As for the birth data I'll keep on looking.

Greatest Hits Album?

Alot of people have been asking about greatest hits albums by Madness and most people who ask the question mention the album 'Total Madness'. Here is the answer to your questions: Madness have had many greatest hits albums but I'm not sure if I rememb er one called Total Madness but I will check. The ones that I know of are:Complete Madness (U.K.number one in 1982). This album only has stuff off of their first three albums on it. Utter Madness (U.K.29 in 1986). Not particulaly brilliant. Divine Madness (U.K. number one in 1992). If you get one get this. Apart from that there is 'Utter Madness' and 'Utter Madness Too'. These two albums did not chart and are dead cheap to all U.K. Madness fans at about 6-7 pounds. U.S. fans would be best to go for Divine Madness or if they can get it The Buisness which is a triple CD of all of Madness' singles and B-sides with lots of rarities and interviews with people outside the band. On top of all that it has it's very own discography in a 52 page booklet about the b and that was designed by Mark 'Bedders' Bedford.

You Like Us

Here are some of your praising comments:

*I just wanted to tell you how awesome your site is. i've only recently gotten really into madness (i've liked them for awhile, but now, i'm really loving them) this has totally heled me to see what i want to get next, the samples are especially great.

thanks

straightedge

hyper*@juno.com

*As a lost child of the 80's, I would like to thank you for all the work you did on that fine site. I had thought eveyone had forgotten...

I added it as a link on my own page.

Thanks again!

Coyote

http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ctbell1/homepage.html

Answer

I too am a lost child of the 80's and I will never forget what it was like. Do you know that I've to be Morton Harket since the age of 5. Weird ay?

*And yet more:

Just saw your Madness page. I liked it. I never saw Madness in concert or anything since I was on a farm in Montana (USA) at the time they were popular, but I liked them anyway and I like your page. That is all. Good evening.

*Hello! your site is the best Madness site I have found. Keep up the good work, I especially enjoyed the pictures!!!!!!!! Bye, Sara

*I think its great that there is a page dedicated to one of the greatest ska bands ever, Madness. I would just like to say thanks for keeping it real and keep on dancing.

*I was looking for Madness sites and found only yours. It's cool that someone like them enough to maintain a website.

Thanks, Christian

*I went to your website it was really kewl=) I like all the kewl pics you've got on them. I went there once and I added you to my favorite places

Hi

*I am ska fan from Poland . I have a lot of information about madness, the beast, kortatu ( Espania underground), skaface. And I am looking for persons from all over the world who loves ska music .

PS Your madness pages are great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My e-mail

Kacperx@polbox.com

Weybruz

*Hi, nice page! I'm a 17 years-old boy from Sweden who e-mails from you!

hannesdahl@hotmail.com

Thanks!!!

*Hi, I really like your Madness page, it's the best one I've seen so far! I like how there's a lot of wavs and pictures on it!

Marlena

*I'm looking at your page (just found it on accident), and I think it's great. It has some stuff on it that I've never seen nor knew about. Alright I have a question.

*Hi I like your madness page. Where are you from? are you from England?

cheers, casey

Answer

Yes I am from England. I live in a town called Orpington which is only two stops (on the fast train) away from Central London.

*And finally this one speaks for itself:

I also have a web site on geocities but geezus! 955000 people!!! god! well I gotta give a hat's off to you, buster.

(by the way, awsome site!)

Answer:

Thankyou very much for the compliment. We were also very suprised at the amount of people that came to our site and that is way we are thinking about making a Madness CD ROM. I you like the idea e-mail us and if you want more information goto the news tuff page.

David Houston. 10:10 and 10 seconds. Thursday the 2nd of April 1998.