SKANEWS - Velvet Ghost interview

1999 was a good year for all the Madness fans, lots of concerts and records, it was great !
This year, some members of Madness have new plans… Chris Foreman and Lee Thompson reform Crunch, Suggs probably work on a new solo album and Cathal Smyth (a.k.a Chas Smash) run a new band called Velvet Ghost. We want to tell a big thank you to Cathal Smyth for his answers...

Carl Smyth : "Firstly I want to thank you for your kind words regarding my song writing and Madness. It's a good feeling to know that I have been part of something, which has brought so much happiness to so many people.
The story so far of the Velvet Ghost is as follows, on the 10th Day of the month of June in the 2000th year of Our Lord the Velvet Ghost walked amongst you for the first time. And it was good."

Boz Boorer : The mighty Boz, is the musical director & guitarist. An original Polecat & probably best known, for being Morrissey's guitarist, musical director & co-writer. His many projects have included working with Kirsty MacColl, Edwin Collins, Jools Holland, Joan Armatrading & Adam Ant…to name but a few!

David Ruffy : Drummer, previously with The Ruts, Aztec Camera, Sinead O'Connor & is currently in Kirsty MaColl's band.

Louis Vause : keyboards & accordion, Louis has played with everyone & his talents also stretch to writing for television (music & sketch) & the last Toyota adverts!
Jason Wilson: Double Bass, been in the music scene forever & is currently playing with the up & coming Bap Kennedy.

Damian Hand : Saxophone as with all the other guys he's a seasoned musician, sessions with Jools Holland & Bap Kennedy.

Sean MacGloin : Violin, Harmonica & Bagpipes. Sean is Cathal's cousin & by day a lawyer. By night he plays anywhere & everywhere!

Between the 8 members of the band, their résumé's look like a who's who of the music industry, each has at some time played with another member of the band, Ruffy & Boz both with Adam & the Ants, Jason M & Cathal on the last Madness album etc"

Skanews : "You have play your first concert in Finsbury Park. Can you talk
me about this concert."

Cathal : "The first performance of the Velvet Ghost took place in Finsbury Park, London at the Fleadh Festival. At 1:25pm the band took to the stage. With my cousin Sean playing the Scottish Warpipes we walked through the crowds to the stage. On arriving the band began the set with We Are Love………I knew that apart from a few no one would be familiar with the songs and that this was the acid test….what would it be like to front the band as the singer….would I be happy? Would it feel right? Happy enough to continue to make the ghost permanent in my life……we played nine songs….and seeing the reaction of the people I knew I wanted to continue this as it felt so completely fulfilling……to say I was over the moon almost gets close to how ecstatic the feeling was. This was our first gig and I can tell you I am sure it was as enjoyable for everyone in the band."

Skanews : "you have play some track that you composed for Madness... You are the leader of Velvet Ghost now. Have you work differents versions (or lyrics) of these tracks for Velvet Ghost ? How can explain that the great song "Johnny The Horse" was not a big hit ? can you explain us the story of
this track ?

Cathal Smyth : "Some of the songs that I will perform with the ghost have been recorded by Madness but they were altered and not completely to my satisfaction, so the Ghost performs them in their original form as I had intended. I don't know why "Johnny the Horse" wasn't a big hit and quite frankly it does not concern me as that moment has past. I will record it as the ghost and I think with the original long intro it is a stronger piece of work. The idea for the song came from an incident I had with two down and outs who used to sit drinking on a wall at the end of my street. They had become a fixture of my street for some four to five years and I had taken to stopping and talking with them as they were pleasant and I like to think that all of us should have more time to stop and talk. One was an Irish ex-boxer who was a gentle giant and a little punch drunk the other was Scottish and very quiet. Well one day I saw Dempsey in a state of distress, he was crying and full of grief. I asked him what was the matter and could I help and he told me that his Scottish friend had slept in a derelict building and some thugs had come upon him and killed him. I was moved to write about this and try to point out that there are so many who disappear onto the streets and they are forgotten or ignored……."

Cathal Smyth : " My main focus at the moment is to complete some songs I am working on so that I have more than enough material for an album.I am hoping to record in September of this year and the album will then be available on my web site: velvetghost.com."

Cathal Smith : "No I am not approaching a record company as right now I am thinking that it
will be more interesting for me to release the album myself on my own label on my own web
site."

Cathal Smyth : "I think the album will eventually be available in independent record shops and I want it out this year."

Cathal Smyth : "I think I might find a good engineer and produce the album myself. I have been in music for twenty-five years and I feel confident that I know the dynamics and moods which I want to occur."

Cathal Smyth : "As yet all the songs performed are written by me but I have written some songs with Boz Boorer which we will perform in the future. At present I am enjoying the new sensations of it being my band and the vehicle of my musical expression."

Cathal Smyth : "I don't really want to describe the music other than saying it brings me joy and I hope in turn to bring joy to others."

Skanews : "You run Velvet Ghost, Lee Thompson and Chris Foreman reform
Crunch... Madness split up ?"

Cathal Smyth : "Has Madness split? No I don't think we have but in the same breath we are not performing this year as a few members of the band do not want to do anything with Madness for reasons of their own. Because of this and because performing is something that I really enjoy doing The Velvet Ghost is a means of stimulus for me. I feel I have to be performing so if Madness don't want to work then I have an outlet."

Skanews : "What do you think about the Wonderful album one year after record it."

Cathal Smyth : "This is an equally difficult question to answer as the complexities involved with recording the album, the personalities involved ,the process itself and then the marketing, the record company etc etc etc but I honestly think after all those years waiting it should have been so much better and so much more enjoyable to be involved in. Saying that I am so pleased that we did it and I think it can stand up next to our other work well."

Skanews : "What do you think about the Virgin work about the promotion of this
record"

Cathal Smyth : "I cannot be more happy about the commitment to Madness and the album by Virgin Records. They were extremely helpful and enthusiastic from the top of the company to the bottom. I think a major factor in the lack of success was Radio 1's lack of support with radio play. It's a democracy and they have the right to choose what they play so what can you do ?"

Cathal Smyth : "If anyone were to guest on this album it would be I suppose either Mark or Mike as I hold their talents as musicians in high regard, but I think it unlikely because the velvet ghost is for now, for me to tell my story."

Skanews : "Have you some plans for a tour with Velvet Ghost ? Do you want to play in
Europe soon ?"

Cathal Smyth : "Performing is for me the relationship which is the ultimate in music that of the performer and the listener. So yes I look forward to playing in Europe. I will be coming over next year and am already looking forward to playing and meeting the people."

Skanews : "Can you talk us about the lyrics of your songs. What are the messages
that you want to tell to your public ?"

Cathal Smyth : "I want the listener to hear my heart and to feel through the music my personality. To feel I hope some connection with my happiness. And to come to their own personal understanding of my lyrics."

Skanews : "We saw you (and Madness) play for the tribute concert to Ian Dury.
Have you some words to say about this concert and Ian Dury."

Cathal Smyth : "The concert in Ian Dury's memory was an emotional event and an honour and privilege to participate in. To see many fellow artists show their respect and admiration for the passing of a true genius and excellent observer of human nature was impressive to see. The whole venue swelled with emotion and love for him as his songs were echoed throughout the four thousand people there.It was a night I will ever remember."

Cathal Smyth : "Record album within three months. Perform some shows soon. Next year tour album through Europe. Hold a special event in the summer which is now being planned, but more of that later."

Cathal Smyth : "Being a member of Madness brings me joy and it has been and continues to be something of which I am extremely proud of. Having shared so much with the other band members it is inexpressible as to how much water has passed under the bridge."

Cathal : "I think if people find mp3 efficient for their purpose's then fine but personally I am more interested in the human experience."

Songs of Velvet Ghost :

    - This Friend I Know
    - You're Wonderful
    - The Wizard
    - Johnny The Horse
    - The Alligator Song
    - Light Of The Way
    - The Communicator
    - We Are Love
    - Hoo De La La
    - Welcome To The Dark Side

Copyight One Drop / Skanews
Any total or partial reproduction
is prohibited without authorization