In Defense of Ska Ep 171: Suggs (Madness)

In Defense of Ska Ep 171: Suggs (Madness)

Author: Aaron Carnes April 24, 2024 Duration: 1:02:12
In Defense of Ska
MusicCultureSocietySociety & Culture

In 1976, a couple friends got together and started a band. They called themselves the North London Invaders, but after quickly rethinking the branding, changed their name to Madness, a reference to a Prince Buster song. Sixteen top-ten hits later, and the band is one of the most successful acts to come out of the two-tone era. This week on In Defense of Ska, Madness' Suggs explores the band's journey, revisits stories from their past, and dives into their 2023 album Theatre of the Absurd Presents C'est la Vie. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

As a member of Madness, Suggs has had a litany of wild experiences, causing trouble and bumping into other rock stars (sometimes pissing them off to no end). From meeting Price Buster to their appearance on Saturday Night Live, their massive hit "Our House" to hanging out with Clara Peller (of "Where’s the Beef” fame), Suggs has no shortage of stories. Sometimes such stories have a happy ending, and other times, they end with The Clash not speaking to Madness for half a decade.

Listen to Madness' Suggs tell these stories and more this episode of In Defense of Ska, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Madness is also gearing up for their first US tour in 12 years. Get tickets here.

Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here. Additionally, you can support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music. 

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023. 

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.



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There's a persistent idea that ska music is just a punchline, a relic of checkerboard Vans and goofy horn sections. In Defense of Ska dismantles that notion with genuine passion and deep knowledge. Hosted by Aaron Carnes, who literally wrote the book on the subject, and musician Adam Davis, this podcast goes far beyond nostalgia. Each conversation, whether with scene veterans or curious outsiders, digs into the genre's rich history, its surprising cultural footprint, and the vibrant community that keeps it alive. You'll hear personal stories that trace ska's influence in unexpected places and passionate arguments for its artistic merit. It’s not about blindly championing every upstroke; it’s about thoughtful, often funny, and always dedicated discussions that give the music the serious consideration it rarely gets. Tune in for a refreshing reevaluation that might just change your mind about what ska has been and what it continues to be. This is a defense built on facts, stories, and undeniable love for the sound.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

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