We've been waiting for it, and finally someone has proclaimed to pull out the bomb! With all of these Rock N Rollers we did think it would come sooner, but there's no surprises that it's Missing Andy; we can spot trouble makers a mile off! Read on to find out what other mischief they will get up to at the Weekender...
How are you and where are you right now?
I'm good thanks, I'm at home in Chelmsford having a break from song writing!
Will you be visiting the pool during your stay at the House of Fun, and what is your best swimming technique?
Oh yes, most definitely. My best technique is the 'bomb', a perfect tuck of the legs to the chest, a firm clutch of the knees and a spring in the jump for optimum bombing splash!
Do you like to be beside the seaside?
Oh I do, but I prefer the pool, I don't really like getting sand stuck in my budgie smugglers!
Would you prefer a stick of rock or a nice ice cream?
Ice cream every day of the week, with a cheeky little flake!
What was the first Madness song you heard?
The first Madness song I heard was 'Baggy Trousers' at a disco when I was about 7 or 8 years old. I ran around the hall like a nutter grabbing on to my jeans. I made my mum buy it on tape so I could listen to it in the car all the time.
Who’s your favourite darts player?
The Crafty Cockney, Eric Bristow... Legend!
What will you be doing to make sure the House Of Fun is lots of fun when you’re on?
I'm sure a few drinks will be had, we'll be playing an explosive set there and enjoying that, and I'll again be running around the place like a nutter to 'Baggy Trousers'!
Would you rather be an acrobat or a magician?
An acrobat, I think old school Magicians look like plebs! Flying around in the air doing mad flips is much cooler! Not as cool as being in a band though haha
Are you a secret pool hustler?
A real hustler doesn't make it known... say no more.
Tell us a joke
I see Suggs is now campaigning for human rights...
It's Madness gone Politically Correct I tell ya!
Check out Missing Andy's website here and watch their latest video below.
Here’s 10 free tracks from artists performing at the House Of Fun Weekender for you to listen to at your leisure.
Tracklist
The Cuban Brothers – The Finding Paul Heaton – House Party The Correspondents – Cheating With You (Chucks Remix) Missing Andy – The Way We’re Made Man Like Me – Peculiar (Dan Le Sac Remix) Mr Scruff – It’s Dancing Time Beardy Man – Big Man Doorly & Jaguar Skills – Double Dutchie (Booty) Scroobius Pip & Dan Le Sac – Get Better The Whip – Slow Down
We caught up with the comedy/DJ extraordinaire who will be performing at the House of Fun Weekender this weekend! We hope he's found his missing magician by then...
How are you and where are you right now?
So begins another weary day…. I’m in the kitchen of my 1960’s London townhouse drinking tea and eating homemade toasted bread…with marmite (yum)
Will you be visiting the pool during your stay at the House of Fun, and what is your best swimming technique?
I like a swim, I favour breaststroke, the way I was taught the face goes in and out of the water, this does make you wonder which is worse for you, urine and skin cells or chlorine?
Do you like to be beside the seaside?
Yes, but if I’m honest I prefer the more remote beaches of Devon & Cornwall and their Welsh and Northern counterparts to some of the more overcrowded Chav-traps
Would you prefer a stick of rock or a nice ice cream?
Once you get over the novelty of something being written all the way through it a stick of rock is a disgusting confection. I wouldn’t force my worst enemy to eat one,..well actually I might, and it’d say “You Sir are a Cad” all the way through…..so, Ice Cream please.
What was the first Madness song you heard?
It was their first single “The Prince” on Two Tone, I bought it with my pocket money the week it was released…fantastic, still sounds brilliant today.
Who’s your favourite darts player?
I don’t know the names of any darts players except Eric Bristow to be honest. I have seen one guy who looked like the 1970’s wrestler “Giant Haystacks” …oh just been told by Google that his name is Andy Fordham, but after a stroke he lost 10 stone so now he looks like “Chubby Haystacks”
What will you be doing to make sure the House Of Fun is lots of fun when you’re on?
Just wondering if question 6 is from a different questionnaire?But seriously, I’m excited about doing comedy on a holiday camp after 18 years in the business; I think there will be a really good audience attracted to this event. I’m also really looking forward to DJing Sunday nights “Silent Disco”
Would you rather be an acrobat or a magician?
A friend of mine is a magician but he’s been missing for over 3 months, the police won’t take it seriously. I went to police and said “My friend the magician “The Great Omentum has disappeared” and they’re just like..whatever.
Are you a secret pool hustler?
Yes, and so far I’ve been pretending I can’t play pool for over 30 years
Tell us a joke
(See question 8)
Check out Ben's website here and watch his stuff below!!
Switching between being one of the coolest dads known to man and hosting some of the most eccentric and escapist parties of the moment, Mr da Bank has the best of both worlds, and we caught up with him to find out how he would make the Weekender extra fun! See Rob on Saturday night at the Weekender, and don't forget to claim your shot!
How are you and where are you right now?
I'm in agony lying on a sofa with a trapped nerve in my back and two small children jumping on my head and eating mini chocolate digestives…most of which is ending up in my ear.
Will you be visiting the pool during your stay at the House of Fun, and what is your best swimming technique?
I've been told I'm part of the naked sea swim on the Saturday morning so I'm game for that. I'm a breaststroke man really.
Do you like to be beside the seaside?
I sure do. I actually love water sports (and not the kind your readers are thinking of) but foreign waters are a bit more hospitable than Minehead in December
Would you prefer a stick of rock or a nice ice cream?
Ice cream flavoured rock maybe?
What was the first Madness song you heard?
Our House on a wobbly seven inch round my friend Tim's house.. his big sister was playing it to us. It brings back a lot of good memories.
Who’s your favourite darts player?
Eric Bristow
What will you be doing to make sure the House Of Fun is lots of fun when you’re on?
Handing out shots of black sambucca to the best dancers.
Would you rather be an acrobat or a magician?
At the moment even the thought of a forward roll fills me with fear so probably a bit of magic.
Are you a secret pool hustler?
Not at all…. I'm rubbish
Tell us a joke
What did one earwig say to the other as they fell out of the tree?
earwig-o earwig-o earwig-o
Check out Rob da Bank's Radio 1 Show here and see him at the decks below!
Chrissy Boy took some time off from his busy Madness schedule, and mentally preparing for the marathon weekend ahead to answer some questions about premium bonds, 'bad fridges' and X Factor!
Most extraordinary thing you’ve ever seen happen?
A man yesterday morning on the train drinking Stella with a bottle of
Benylin chaser
If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?
Invisibility, why not?
Do you have a unique or unusual talent that is widely known you’d like to share with us?
I am learning how to saw someone in half, still not perfected.
The most lavish notable night out you’ve ever paid for or been a
party to was...
This hasn’t happened yet.
Life is a...?
Long old slog and eventually you learn something.
Have you ever won anything notable?
£1000 on the Premium bonds
The campest thing you have ever done on holiday?
Camped?
If you had a family crest what would it consist of?
Two guns, two guitars, One Xbox, two dolls and a yoga pose
Your favourite pub, club, nightclub or Funhouse: where. when and why?
Wag club. Free membership
Do you dance to your own music at parties?
No and it never gets played, anyway.
What makes you dance and why?
Usually drink and “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” [Indeep]
What last made you cry and why?
The opening scenes of “Up”
Ever stayed in a holiday camp or had holiday camping experiences before? Describe them, briefly but colourfully.
We’ve been to Centre Parcs - does that count? I used to go camping a lot when I was a kid. Once we saw a hubcap rolling down the road and then realized it was a saucepan lid, as we had left a saucepan on the roof. I went camping with my son Felix and my mate Louis once. Louis had borrowed a tent and when we put it up it was full of fag butts.
If you designed your own holiday camp what 3 attractions/facilities would you prioritize?
1. Good catering.
2. Nice accommodation.
3. Madness playing live.
What's in your fridge?
Mostly Vegetables, Cheese, Houmous, etc. I have two fridges actually, the other one is the “bad” fridge with mostly alcohol Kronenbourg [of course as I got 5 free cases] and Pizzas in the freezer.
Whats your poison?
Tequila and Orange [Suggs strength measures] Kills me every time..
The most fun you can have with your clothes on is..
Taking them off
What is your greatest horror story from life, or life on the road?
Hatfield Polytechnic on the Two Tone tour. The worst violence I have ever seen at a gig.
Describe your favourite worst nightmare
Being stuck on my way home from London in a snowstorm after a cancelled gig in Sheffield last year with the cabbie playing Heart FM for about 5 hours. I didn't have the "Heart" to tell him to change the radio channel
Get it off your chest - What are the things that most annoy you
In Life?
On holiday – people putting towels on the sunbeds at 7am then not turning up.
On the Telly – X Factor, Katie Price, Strictly Come Dancing
Madness play two sets at the House of Fun Weekender, on the Friday and Saturday night - more detailshere. See Chrissy Boy meet the Butlins Team below:
The Whip are ready and raring to get onstage at the House of Fun Weekender, but Butlins also holds a deeper connection with the band which goes beyond music. Take a look at our interview with them below and find out about childhood memories, the 'trunked slide' and their thoughts on retro sports stars!
How are you and where are you right now?
Just djing and listening to new tunes in my attic, there is some good fresh meat out there and it's quite loud up here.
Will you be visiting the pool during your stay at the House of Fun, and what is your best swimming technique?
Other than the musical entertainment on offer, the pool will be the highlight of my visit to the Madhouse. I usually pack a pair of Swimming shorts when we are traveling with the band and try and squeeze a dip in the hotel pool in somewhere. However, Butlins is next level on this front, I'm defo going to get the guys to pack some trunks and get wet. The slides look pretty cool and we have to take advantage of that! It's too easy to sit in a dressing room and be moody, I'm off to explore this beast!
So my best swimming technique will be the 'trunked slide'. I'm going to do the bumper cars too, hot wheels.
Do you like to be beside the seaside?
The great British seaside is a national institution, my Grandparents lived in New Brighton so I was brought up with weekends of cold windy beaches, sandy socks, deck chairs, crabs, fair grounds and general faded seaside glamour.
I like to be 'inside' Butlins though, I visited Butlins lots as a kid, we holidayed as a family at Pwllheli, Ayr and Skegness. So Minehead will be another one ticked off the box! I've seen both the Krankies and the Chuckle Brothers have audiences in the palm of their hands inside these Butlins walls and now here we are treading the same stage, magic. I remember walking about Butlins and checking out the girls in Glitter Wigs, I really liked the Glitter Wig look on women at the time, it was a popular look.
I also watched the England v Germany 1990 World Cup semi final at Butlins so all together there are a lot of emotions being brought up with this return to the holiday camp.
Would you prefer a stick of rock or a nice ice cream?
Ice cream without a doubt. I'm a dairy man all the way, rich and creamy goodness. Though, a stick of rock is an endurance to eat but it does have its merits as a wonderful memento or gift for a loved one and boasts the magic writing within the treat itself.
I treat my ice cream with excess; I'm a double or triple scoop man with all the sundries and extras, toffee sauce, 100's and 1000's and more. I respect the cone though and insure that the ice cream is pushed within the cone so every last bite has an ice cream treat within.
Serious stuff, I want one now.
What was the first Madness song you heard?
Our house, they used to play it at our school discos, it was a highlight of the school dj's set and a good opportunity to bust a move and impress the girls.
Who’s your favourite darts player?
Eric Bristow all the way, there's something beautiful about 80's athletes that seems to have been lost in a lot of sports today and he was one of the kings of that time. Where are the Gazza's, Daley Thomsons, Vinny Jones' and people like that these days? There are a lot of finely tuned machines out there these days in the sporting field but the stars of the Darting arena seems to have regained that cool down to earth vibe, so respect to the world of darts.
What will you be doing to make sure the House Of Fun is lots of fun when you’re on?
It's our prerogative as a band to try and get people dancing and having a party in front of us so we'll do our best to add to the Mad carnival atmosphere.
Would you rather be an acrobat or a magician?
I like watching magicians but they are teasing you at the end of the day and I'm not good at lying. I'd go acrobat, I'm a big lad but I like a physical test. It's quite heavy on the lycra look too and I felt quite comfortable wearing a lycra skeleton suit on stage the other week at the Koko Halloween ball even though it was a bit tight between the legs (the suit was too small, the meat was average).
I remember buzzing off a trampoline at school and spinning from the top of the box was magical in itself.
Are you a secret pool hustler?
Not really, I always end up too pissed to be any good at pool. I get uncomfortable with the whole silent, calm, competitive thing. I'm more of a table football man or real football. In fact I remember getting football coaching from Scotland keeper Alan Rough at Butlins, good times again.
Tell us a joke
I never remember jokes, sorry. I like laughing though and generally having a good time.
The Whip will perform on Friday night at the Weekender, do not miss them! Visit their website here, and see them performing in Leeds below!
The ex-Housemartins and Beautiful South member has taken part in our Nutty Quiz! He will be performing on Sunday at the House of Fun Weekender, and we can't wait! Here he is on swimming, ice cream and more...
How are you and where are you right now?
I'm sat at the computer answering these questions in my home in Manchester but since you insist on using the ridiculous Americanism 'right now' I've no idea where I'll be when you read it!
Will you be visiting the pool during your stay at the House of Fun, and what is your best swimming technique?
I can't really swim. I'm not scared of water and weirdly enough I can dive but doggy paddle is my only real stroke. If anyone wanted to kill the Beautiful South, and I'm sure many did, drowning would have been the way. Only one member [Jackie] could swim.
Do you like to be beside the seaside?
I adore the seaside. Whether it be just a small beach and a splash in the sea or the whole Punch and Judy, hankies on heads affair. The great thing about the seaside is it's great fun in the middle of winter.
Would you prefer a stick of rock or a nice ice cream?
I'd prefer Ice Cream but not this bleeding sexualised Ice Cream. Just give me a Funny Feet, a Zoom or a Walls Dracula and piss off with your orgasm flavoured Cornettos!
What was the first Madness song you heard?
I heard The Prince when it was first released and loved it. Still got the 7". A very great start to a great career.
Who’s your favourite darts player?
The great Dutch dartist Co Stompe by a long way. He comes on stage to Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas for absolutely no reason at all.
What will you be doing to make sure the House Of Fun is lots of fun when you’re on?
Smiling and talking and singing. It's all I can do these days.
Would you rather be an acrobat or a magician?
No contest - Magician! Acrobats are onto a losing ticket because at least 50% of the audience wants them to fall off. The other 50% are asleep or reading the programme.
Are you a secret pool hustler?
No. I think pool should be banned in pubs.
Tell us a joke
Q. What do the stick- rock makers of Western-Super-Mare put on their sticks of rock?
A. W.S.M
Not really a joke just a really sad fact due to the long place name.
The next in our series of artist interviews is Andrew Weatherall, who will be performing on the Friday night of the Weekender. To find out who his favourite darts player is and more, read below!
How are you and where are you right now?
Reasonably chipper thank you for asking. I am currently ensconced in a cracked leather Chesterfield in the British Library's reading room.
Will you be visiting the pool during your stay at the House of Fun, and what is your best swimming technique?
I most definitely will not. I've managed to avoid sporting facilities for quite a number of years now.
Do you like to be beside the seaside?
There's nothing like the faded glory of a British seaside town in winter.
Would you prefer a stick of rock or a nice ice cream?
Any chance of cockles with vinegar and pepper?
Who's your favourite darts player?
Bobby George
What will you be doing to make sure the House Of Fun is lots of fun when you're on?
Filling balloon animals with nitrous oxide.
Would you rather be an acrobat or a magician?
I would feel a great deal more comfortable in the working attire of the latter. My leotard days are well behind me.
Are you a secret pool hustler?
I've never played but if you fancy a game let's put a monkey on it...just to make it interesting.
Tell us a joke
I didn't want to believe my dad stole from his job as a road worker, but when I got home all the signs were there.
Visit Andrew Weatherall's website here, and watch a video of him below:
We caught up with Wayne Mardle in sunny sunny Barbados and quizzed him on what he's been up to, and what he will be doing to ensure the House of Fun Weekender is the best three days of the year! Here's what he had to say:
How are you and where are you right now?
Not great and I've got an earache. I'm in Barbados, so it's not all bad.
Will you be visiting the pool during your stay at the House of Fun, and what is your best swimming technique?
Possibly. Backstroke.
Do you like to be beside the seaside?
No, beside the sea
Would you prefer a stick of rock or a nice ice cream?
Ice cream.
What was the first Madness song you heard?
Baggy trousers.
Who’s your favourite darts player?
Er, Peter Manley.
What will you be doing to make sure the House Of Fun is lots of fun when you’re on?
Making sure the people attending have fun be any means.
Would you rather be an acrobat or a magician?
Magician.
Are you a secret pool hustler?
NO, but do you fancy a game for £10.
Tell us a joke.
An Irish health inspector has been sacked at Disneyland Paris.
He closed the kitchens after finding a giant mouse in them.
Wayne.
Visit Wayne's website here and watch him in action below:
When we take over Butlins Minehead in two weeks time, we want to make it our own and for it to become the House of Fun that dreams are made of! So, what better way to do this than to have all you lucky ticket holders dress up in your most wacky, most bright and most nutty costumes.
The Madness boys have all chosen their favourite films to be screened over the weekend at the on site cinema, so we thought the perfect theme would be MOVIE MADNESS!
Saturday 26th November is the day that we’d love you to join in the fun and dress up as your favourite movie icon, someone you've always wanted to imitate but have never had your chance. Well people, this is it! Whether you've fancied yourself as Jimmy from Quadrophenia for as long as you can remember, or you have been waiting for an excuse to pull on that white all-in-one just like Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange, you will be welcomed with open arms in the name of Movie Madness! Maybe you want to come as a zombie from Romero's Night of the Living Dead, or have a real urge to put on the Stetson and stirrups just like John Wayne, great- see you at the House of Fun!
What's more, you may well be rewarded for your efforts!
Madness themselves will pick the best costumes during their set on Saturday night, so start planning your costumes now!
You could be in with a chance of winning the best in wireless hi-fi equipment, as we will be giving the winners one of two Sonos Play 3's or a Sonos Bridge!
To give you some ideas, we're going to put a Movie Madness Photo Gallery on Facebook, and we want you to tag yourselves and the friends you are going to the Weekender with in the Movie icons you think are the best, or simply like them. If you have any great ideas for the fancy dress theme then feel free to post them on our Facebook Wall and we’ll add them to the gallery.
So, what are you waiting for? Get planning your Movie Madness costume now!
As the House of Fun Weekender is drawing ever closer and we can almost feel the cool Bristol Channel lapping at our toes, we thought we'd introduce you to some of the acts that are playing at the Nutty weekend starting with Man Like Me. Being the super fans you are, you already know Madness in and out by now, but we want to acquaint you with the menagerie of other incredible artists performing so that you do not miss out on seeing them at the weekend.
We will be posting interviews with various House of Fun performers over the next two weeks right up to the start of the Weekender, so make sure you keep checking back!
We asked Pete from Man Like Me some questions on all things House of Fun and here's what he had to say:
How are you and where are you right now?
Back in my flat, tired and broken after tour. Trying to sort through emails and finish songs and remixes. Bit scared.
Will you be visiting the pool during your stay at the House of Fun, and what is your best swimming technique?
Definitely, I went to Butlins in Bognor Regis with school and the pool was amazing. There were about 6 different slides including one that was a bit like a life size charity coin spinning spiral thing. Without wanting to sound sleazy, you can't beat a bit of breaststroke.
Do you like to be beside the seaside?
It's definitely better in other countries but it's nice for a day or two here as well. Definitelywill not be getting in at this time of year though.
Would you prefer a stick of rock or a nice ice cream?
I love a 99 flake, despite the fact that the "99" should really say "1.50" nowadays. A stick of rock is a dental death sentence if you ask me.
What was the first Madness song you heard?
Driving In My Car
Who’s your favourite darts player?
Got to be the Viking.
What will you be doing to make sure the House Of Fun is lots of fun when you’re on?
We rely on the element ofsurprise, and we also don't like to plan ahead. So we don't have a lot to say on this right now. But we might hark upon on a very british holiday tradition for the show, depending on how organised we are.
Would you rather be an acrobat or a magician?
Both would be useful, probably whipping out a few tricks at the pub would be more handy than beckoning everyone out to the carpark for a quick somersault.
Tell us a joke
Web Browser walks into a bar and asks "can I start a tab?" ...My brother just made that one up.
To find out more about Man Like Me, visit their website here or watch the video below.
