Hi Chris, I am running the Manchester 10K on 26th May to raise money for Diabetes UK (two of my kids are insulin dependent since they were tots) Thanks to an ipod loaded exclusively with Madness/Crunch/LTSO etc I am now up to 10K and feeling fit (as well as sone and a half lighter) and ready for the big day. Could you please post my link on your facebook/twitter/myspace etc etc and ask people to sponsor me.. I would be sooo grateful for any publicity you could help me generate. As you can imagine as my kids suffer with diabetes, it is a cause extremely close to my heart. Many many thanks
alison

Dear Alison
I’d love to – but where is your link?
CB x

On Take It or Leave it, there was the song “Sunshine voice” I know the song was never recorded or even completed any chance it can be revived, finished and released on the deluxe version of Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja?

I read some of your comments about you would`ve liked the album to be 20 tracks, which in my opinion would`ve been brilliant I guess “Red Tape” and not financially viable probably came into play as it would`ve made more sense to hold so many tracks back for an extra release.

Rather than release a deluxe album of Oui Oui, what about releasing it as a new album? After all with the tracks left over the band almost have another album. “You cant keep a good thing down”

Tony Stratton

Dear Tony
I was thinking that we could play that song one of these days. Doubt if we will, though.
thanks, CB

Hey Chris,
Funny one this! When I was 14, I wrote to you at M.I.S. and you wrote back to me, with a lovely long letter! It was just after you’d all filmed the ‘Wings Of A Dove ‘ video. Which you called ”a doozy!” I was asking wierd questions like, would you cover a Beatles song(too self sacriligeous you said!!) and mentioned Gary Numan. It was a great letter back, and just thought I’d mention it! I’m 46 now, just won a battle with cancer, been a singer myself for 20 years, and am in Spain now. Still adore the band, buy all the new stuff, and love it! Thanks for this opportunity, and congratulations on 2012’s achievements.
Best wishes Matt Nutty Boy Mason.

Dear Matt
Well what a long time between letters! I bet I wrote back quicker last time. Glad to hear you beat cancer, stay well. Have you still got the letter? I’d love to see it.
love, CB

hi chris im really looking forward to minehead in november,its going tobe the 1st time i will see you guys live and im really up for it, it says that there are some more acts on with you guys do you know who they will be and are they going tobe as good as you guys. well many thanks for all the great music you gave me so far and hope it lasts alot longer.
kevin hunt

Thanks Kevin
I am looking forward to it too. Love my chalet maid.
CB

Hi Chris, Came across site by accident. I vaguely remember a movie called ‘Dance Craze’ is this available anywhere to buy/download. My 12 yr old daughter is loving Madness she was surprised /shocked that I could actually do the dances, Thanks for the music it has given my years of pleasure and still does
Dan

Dear Dan
That film was not much to do with us, although we were in it [amongst others]. It’s been deleted by now.
CB

woohoo! we are having another crack at haydock!!,hope the rain doesnt spoil it for us again!,i think “the sun and the rain” would be a fitting song on the set!…looking forward to it already!,paul.

Ok -I hope to see you then, Paul
CB

Chrissy Boy, The more that I hear of the new album the more I like it. Pure quality 10/10. Brilliant, fabulous, fantastic, excellent, amazing. Shall I go on?
ROB

No, that’ll do.
thanks, CB

hello again- please may i just ask but what is the email address i would send my pop art project to? thanks!
alilyrosa

Sorry, you’ve probably graduated by now. Send it to the management address on this site. Top right above me “contact”
CB

I’d love to just go on and on about how much Madness have meant to me over the past I’d-rather-not-think-how-many years, and how happy it makes me to see you all well and back to doing what we love you doing after the long pre-Wonderful hiatus. But instead, I’m just going to ask: why is Take It or Leave It so hard to get hold of?! One time on VHS and one time on DVD (and I don’t know if either of those were legit), and now it’s gone again…and I still don’t have it! Seriously, I saw it once when I was a teen and it aired on US TV, and I still remember it fondly as a fun snapshot of you fellows in your early days. Will it ever be/remain in print?
Damon

Dear Damon
Thanks for the kind words, they mean a lot. The film should be re released later this year on DVD.
CB

Dear MR C.J.Foreman
you look quite dashing in your two tone wing tip brougues,Ihazzad a guess they are made by loake. Av you any pointers to where i can lay my Itchy hands,on apair of full wing two tone leather soled brouges. That i would be elated to skank the night away in at house of fun 2013 to name but just one.Thank you for the years of music n entertainment, its gives you sole to bottom of your feet yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes !
Mad not Mad

Dear MNM
You actually answered your question, more or less. I do have some Loake ones but the ones I wear onstage are from the British Boot Company:

link here: but don’t tell anyone it says “rockabilly”…
CB