Madness

The Dangermen – a brief history! When I was approached by an agent, on behalf of ‘The Dangermen,’ and asked if I would write a brief history of their quest, I was, at first, a little apprehensive…. what if I were to put forward an inclination, a word, even a question mark and it was seen as a 'diabolical liberty?' Would the next contract be for me, c/o the corporation? Secondly, I was on first name terms with one of the D.M’s pet gerbils, which not even employees high up on the corporations' ladder were aware of. Before they entered the arena that is 'entertainment' I would be the one slapping their backs all the way - I was the one polishing their ego until you could see your face in it's reflection, and I was the one that would gladly have taken a bullet for each of these honourable gentlemen - I would be their fall guy, if it meant getting the job done properly! In 1967 The Dangermen was born. There were originally nine members of the Caribbean’s most disciplined. They wrote, rehearsed & recorded vigorously throughout 1967-69, making only a handful of live appearances for the Cuban & Dominican Republic's elite. Unwelcome in Guatemala and banned for almost 20 years from playing the state of Texas, due to the lyrical content of ‘Johnny We're Sorry,’ the band concentrated on playing the underground circuit of Windward and Leeward Islands. Sadly, after three of the band members 'disappeared’ from their nerve centre in Mandeville, I felt it was time for drastic musical change and sealed what, at the time, was a ground breaking deal on the Q.E.2 (via the late lord Mountbatten). The band hit Hamilton Island with a bang but were then, mysteriously, never seen or heard of again (except for a few unconfirmed sightings). The ‘men had finally been taken out of the danger. Now, undeterred like a war machine, stronger than ever, it was time, their time…. a time to surreptitiously mingle, infiltrate, divide & ultimately rule what Mr. Benjamin Sherman Snr. had created over 40 years earlier. They had always strived to instil the notion through words & music that “this was not a mad world, but a world about to turn'.” Positively Yours, Zakariah Zuckipalm. c.c. Rhaji 'the high priest's most recent words of wisdom this decade say, “don't spoil the sheep for a half penny of tar”…. Raaat-in-dem-blood-sir.But seriously folks……At the tail-end of last year, The Dangermen played a handful of super-secret gigs at Camden’s Dublin Castle, performing classic and little known ska cover versions. The energy and excitement of the band’s early days, playing sweaty shoeboxes in Camden, was magically recaptured, reminding all that were lucky enough to be in attendance that The Dangermen remain one of the best live bands in the country. It was obvious from this moment that The Dangermen’s take on the music that inspired them should be captured on record and V2 jumped at the chance to be involved.Who are The Dangermen you may ask? If you haven’t already guessed, it’s Madness-- sneaking into Camden and shaking things up once again. And they will be back to do more gigs soon.It’s not as if Madness have been idle over the years. Since 1994, the band have been wowing the masses with their “Madstock” gigs every now and again-- from filling Finsbury Park, (where the infamous Morrissey flag-waving incident took place), to selling out Wembley Arena year after year. It was at last year’s Wembley show that the band threw a few cover versions into their set such as Desmond Dekker’s “The Israelites.” The crowd loved it, the band were inspired and the Dangermen were born.What can you say about Madness that hasn’t already been said before? Formed in 1976 (originally as The Invaders), the band went on to become one of the most successful bands of the 80s with a run of classic hit singles (and videos) rarely matched by any artist today – Madness spent more weeks on the charts in the 80s than any other group.Since this time, temporary personnel changes and side projects aside, Madness have continued to be home for seven individuals inextricably bound to decades of musical hearts. The band celebrated the end of the century with yet another top 10 single, “Lovestruck,” from the album “Wonderful” and in 2002 the acclaimed musical “Our House” (featuring the songs of Madness) won an Olivier Award for Best New Musical – an ultimate critical accolade for the timeless song-writing that sound-tracked generations past and present.Madness – The Dangermen Sessions Vol 1 is released on Aug 16. The first single is “Shame & Scandal.”Track-listing is as follows – along with the artists who did the original versions:GIRL (Prince Buster) SHAME & SCANDAL (Lord Tanamo) IRON SHIRT ( Max Romeo) TALLER THAN YOU ARE (Lord Tanamo) YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON - (Diana Ross & The Supremes) - Dangermen version based on an arrangement by John Holt DANGERMAN ( Bob Leaper & His Orchestra) ISRAELITES (Desmond Dekker) JOHN JONES (Rudy Mills) LOLA (The Kinks) LOSE A GOOD THING (Barbara Lynn) RAIN (Jose Feliciano) SO MUCH TROUBLE (Bob Marley)