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Sire Records Press Release (October 1980)
Chris Foreman - guitars, sitar, slide guitar
Suggs - vocals, percussion
Mike Barson - vibes, marimba, harmonica, piano, organ
Woody - drums, fire extinguisher
Chas Smash - vocals, trumpet
Lee Thompson - tenor, baritone saxes
Madness first brought their "nutty" sound to our shores with the release of their debut album last February. It's back again -- that special dancing sound of punchy keyboards, screaming saxes, irresistable lyrics and rollicking vocals. It's "a sort of happy fairground sound," says the band's ace saxman Lee "El Thommo" Thompson, who's responsible for coining the "nutty" terminology.
With the release of Madness' second LP, Absolutely, on the Sire label in late October, it's even more obvious that the band is not just a "ska" band. The record's 14 tracks exhibit rock, pop and souful rhythms and sounds. Already out in England, Absolutely has already been hailed by Melody Maker as being "more of a natural progression than a downright change (that) sounds spanking new...it's two, three, four step ahead of One Step Beyond with an excellent buoyant production from teh Clanger/Winstanley team and a clutch of almost irrirationally irresistable pop songs."
Madness began with a slightly different lineup as the North London Invaders in 1977. Mike (Monsiuer Barso), Chris (Chrissy Boy) and Lee belonged to the same Camden Town youth club and started the band, playing mostly cover versions of the current hits. Their distinctive "nutt" sound began to develop with the later addition of vocalist Suggs (or Lord Suggs to hs scores of admirers), whose musical tastes were heavily influenced by Prince Buster and early Sixties ska singles.
After several more personnel changes and local club dates, the present group made its debut under the name Morris and the Minors at the Music Machine in September, 1978. With thier wholly original and danceable sound they soon attracted a large following. Their stage show - where the newest and more visual member of the band, Chas Smash, captivates audiences with uis outrageous dancing and singing -- had brought a touch of cabaret and a bit of much needed polish to the rock circuit.
Ex-Deaf School member Clive Langer, a friend of Mike's older brother, agreed to produce a demo tape for the band, which was sent off to the Specials, who put out Madness' first single "The Prince" on their 2-Tone label and took them on tour. Finally, Madness was launched -- playing SRO club dates, getting front page news coverage and appearing on national TV.
Madness decided to find their own record deal and signed with Stiff worldwide and Sire for North America. The first album One Step Beyond charted high in England and has to date sold over 200,000 copies. While it didn't do quite as well here, it garnered the band much critical acclaim. The band supported the album here with a nationwide tour that had them selling out clubs in many major markets -- and culminated in an SRO show at the Whisky in Los Angeles with a special giveaway of a custom painted 2-Tone stationwagon.
The band hopes to bring their craziness back to our shores this winter. Meanwhile, just take out Absolutely and play "Baggy Trousers," their current British hit single, or Chas Smash's "Solid Gone" or the "Return of the Los Palmas 7" and even though it's not L-I-V-E Madness -- it's as nutty as they come!
1080
- Courtributed by Steve Bringe
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