„We’re lazy bastards” - An interview with Madness

"It was supposed be a roundtable conversation but it became a press conference loaded with jokes: we met all the seven members of Madness who weren’t disturbed by the dripping rain at all.

How does it feel to perform after Pink?
Lee Thompson: It’s a real honor for us, we’re huge fans of hers. We watched her concert on TV backstage and we must admit that we’ll really have to work hard if we want to top her show. Furthermore, I reveal that we have a Pink too, and that’s Suggs. He’s the male Pink, he wears pink stuff under his suit.

Do you mind the rain?
Mike Barson: Not at all, it makes us feel at home more. Rain is a kind of hobby in our home country, and here it will be an excellent supplementary stage element.

When is the new album coming and what can we expect?
Suggs: It’s coming in January and it will be fantastic, of course. We’ll incorporate a huge amount of new influences, the critics will analyze it for years. It will be Dark Side Of The Moon meets Sgt. Pepper.

You’ve been inspired by lots of styles, not just ska…
Chris Foreman: Yes, some time ago it was psychedelia, now it’s hip-hop. We love hip-hop, we love dancing to it. And we love Pink, too.

You’ve been around for over 30 years and you have relatively few albums. How come?
Daniel Woodgate: Because we’re lazy bastards, that’s why. We hate working. We have a legacy and that’s enough for concerts. The other reason for the small number of our records is that we have split up a few times, Mike left us once, Chris left us twice. This is all their fault.

How long will you stay together?
Chas Smash: For thirty years. Or one. Or somewhere between the two."

Source: Sziget.hu
13.08.2007

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