For nigh on three decades now, we’ve been enthralled by the “heavy heavy, monster sound” of Madness. Successful, durable and perennially popular, they remain an iconic and much-cherished outfit. Flying trumpeter, Chas Smash, looks back on his “strange, weirdly beautiful” life as a Nutty Boy.
“We were conscious of it swelling. There was the 2-Tone tour that we took part in, three underground bands who suddenly became chart acts. Everyone started wearing 2-Tone, black and white check clothes. We were like ‘hold on, something’s happening here.’ Bands like ourselves, The Specials and The Selecter became part of this massive tribal thing, the sort that you just don’t get now.”
Soon Madness would outgrow the movement that spawned them and, whilst 2-Tone began to flounder, they continued to flourish. In their early to mid ‘80s heyday they were untouchable, delivering hit after hit. A sequence of unassailable classics such as ‘Baggy Trousers’, ‘Our House’ and ‘It Must Be Love’ ensured Madness spent more weeks in the UK charts during the decade than any other group. Nonetheless, whilst all around them were losing their heads, Madness marched to their own, rock-steady beat.
“We were usually out of the country, away touring, so we weren‘t always aware of what was happening. About three years in, we did begin to feel a certain amount of pressure. Being away from friends and family the whole time makes you feel somewhat alienated. But, despite everything that was going on, we remained very grounded. We never played the star trip, never turned up for premieres. We rode frickin’ bicycles around and shared everything equally. Democratic with a socialist bent, that was our vibe.”
By 1986 it seemed like the Nutty Boys had reached the end of the road.
"We decided to stop because we weren’t happy doing it anymore, and even refused an offer to play Live Aid. They kept telling us it was gonna be massive, we kept telling them the answer was no.”
Eventually however, the band realised that “we’d been granted the privilege of doing something we fucking loved. That’s incredible, if you have the opportunity to live your life pursuing your passion then you’ll never work another day in your life.”
Their comeback performances were rapturously received, the band’s fans as ardent as ever in their devotion.
“It’s about having that relationship with your audience, ensuring they’re having a good time. We’ve played some amazing shows in Ireland. There's one in the Dublin SFX that particularly stands out. Some kid got so enthusiastic he dived from the balcony into the seats. That was a good gig, if a bit surreal. The only previous time I’d been in the venue was as a youngster accompanying my granny to bingo. But Ireland’s always great, there have been wonderful gigs in The Point, and some standout shows in Kilkenny and Cashel.”
As far as Chas is concerned, life on the Madness merry-go-round has never been better.
“Growing up you dream that one day you’ll be like the musicians you see on TV, but you never really believe it’s gonna happen. So to actually be doing it, well what could be more exciting? We’re bringing people a little happiness and having the time of our lives into the bargain. I don’t do regret, for good and for bad it’s been excellent.”