Boat life, the early days & meeting the Queen: Madness on Jack Off With Jack Shit

May 29th 2017

  • Madness :: Interview with Jack Shit
  • Madness :: Mr Apples (Live)
  • Madness :: My Girl (Live)

Madness have always manifested a quintessentially English form of storytelling – characterised by humble yet acute observations of the ordinary, infused with a wry sense of humour and somewhat sardonic pathos.

Jack grew up dancing and singing to their songs – along with every other kid his age – when they really hit their stride in early-80s England. As lead-singer Suggs and music director Monsieur Barso explain in this extended interview, a ‘horde of under-nourished eight-year-old urchins’ weren’t really the demographic they’d initially envisaged! Yet their irresistibly original sound and accessible approach to song-writing cut through, finding enthusiastic ears amongst every generation.

In this beautifully frank and funny exchange subjects range from subtle reflections on the perils of fame’s distortions (and the relative benefits of peer support within the context of a band), to the loss of parents one never knew – then extending to ridiculous assertions as to the Queen’s propensity for doobies and tracky dacks, plus tactical plans to accelerate the awarding of royal honours via hoax leaking of said muso’s imminent mortal peril.

Between all of these tales and tribulations we get to hear two astonishing, Australian-exclusive performances (staggeringly sung between mouthfuls of pie). First, new single Mister Apples. Then the timeless classic My Girl, which is rendered even more heartbreaking in it’s bare vulnerability when performed with just voice and piano. Listen above.

 

Contributor

Host of Jack Off, Saturdays 3-5pm on FBi 94.5FM.

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