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Little Dust Devil Whipping Up A Storm
Lee "Kix" Thompson of Crunch! and Madness
| There's no one word to describe Madness saxophonist (and sometimes vocalist) Lee "Kix" Thompson. Even though he was able to brand Madness with the word "nutty" in the early days of the band (a qualification that stuck with Madness even when they were trying to be taken "seriously" in later years), you'd be hard pressed to simplify to a singular adjective and have it synonymous with Lee Thompson. So we won't even try. Instead we'll try using several words. Lee is by default many things, then. Adept songwriter, the man behind the pen for Madness' only number one single "House Of Fun" as well as lesser known nuggets such as "Benny Bullfrog" and "Blue Skinned Beast", both firm favourites with the loyal fanbase, is one way you can try to frame him. Father is more personal and equally valid. Husband of 25 years is true as well. What with all his side projects, most recently Dance Brigade, industrious comes to mind easily enough. Naughty school boy in sheep's clothing comes pretty close to the mark, too. It's the 30th Anniversary of 2-Tone and hence the 30th Anniversay of Madness. It's been three decades since Lee's top twenty hit "The Prince" put Madness on the musical map that would eventually take them around the globe both on the airwaves and through the air for concerts on far. This summer, Madness will once again take to the concert circuit and globetrotting with the dual purpose of celebrating their fame and success as a British institution and promoting their new Madness album "The Liberty of Norton Folgate", the first album of original material in 10 years. If you're looking for another word to describe Lee Thompson, you can just as easily say "busy." Incredibly busy. We were able to catch up with Lee via email with a questionaire that we thought might envoke a few of his trademark wit-heavy, snarky remarks. Instead, we were treated to a rare insightful reflection of a man whose depth of persona and character more than live up to what we've often suspected and indirectly known all along: Lee Thompson is an introspective individual and complex talent who defies simple explanation. Interview by Lee "Loobyloo" Buckley and Steve Bringe |
 Lee Thompson in Montreaux, July 2008. |
Madness Central: 30 years ago you wrote the Prince, which launched Madness on the road to international success. Do you ever feel like taking credit for Madness becoming what it is today?
Lee Thompson: I JUST SO HAPPENED TO WRITE A SONG ABOUT A JAMAICAN ARTIST WHOM WROTE A STYLE OF MUSIC THAT I WAS INTO & WHOSE MUSIC WAS ON THE CUSP OF A RESURGENCE IN THE U.K. THEREFORE NO, NOT REALLY, THOUGH I'D LIKE TO THINK IT GOT THE REST OF THE BAND'S BUBBLING CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING.
MC: Madstock 1992 was supposed to be a one off. Now we're coming up to Madstock 5. What changed your mind?
LT: IT MIGHT HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH ENJOYING IT & THAT UP UNTIL RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN 'MONEY FOR OLD ROPE'. THE MADSTOCKS ARE PARTICULARLY ENJOYABLE AS THEY ARE OUR SHOW & IF THE DAY DOESN'T GO WELL, THEN IT'S OUR FAULT DUE TO A WEAK LINE UP,OR THE WRONG SUPPORTS, MORRISSEY FOR INSTANCE, AS MUCH AS HE IS A RESPECTED & HIGHLY RATED LYRICIST WITH GOOD MUSICIANS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING US AT MADSTOCK. WE HAVE A CERTAIN TYPE OF AUDIENCE & I PERSONALLY WISH TO CATER TO THEM SO AN OBVIOUS CHOICE WOULD BE THE AGGROS OR THAT MOB FROM COVENTRY!
MC: Your songs are decidedly allegorical and metaphorical, and rarely are they literal. Where do you draw your inspiration?
LT: SEARCH ME, I SOMETIMES LISTEN TO MADNESS ALBUMS & THINK TO MYSELF 'WHAT THE F*CK IS HE TALKING ABOUT', I SERIOUSLY DONT KNOW WHERE SOME OF THE LYRICS OR IDEAS FOR THE SONGS COME FROM, IT'S AS IF I'M BEING TAKEN OVER BY SOMEONE OR THING, I OPEN THE DICTIONARY & I AM DRAWN IN TO A WORLD OF LETTERS THAT MAKE UP WORDS THAT I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF & WHICH I AM A NOVICE BOUNCING UP & DOWN ON A BED IN A SIDESHOW FULL OF WORD PLAY. THEN I CHECK THE CLOCK & ITS BLACKBIRDS SINGING IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT.
MC: Are there significant dynamic and artistic differences between writing the music for a song and writing the lyrics for a song?
LT: I HAVE NOT WRITTEN A SONG WITH LYRICS FOR A LONG WHILE, GENERALLY I COME UP WITH A BASIC MELODY LINE & SING THIS TO THE BAND, FOR INSTANCE BLUE SKINNED BEAST WAS JUST THAT, I TOOK THIS TO A REHEARSAL & THE BOYS (ALONG WITH OUR PRODUCERS) CAME UP WITH THE ARRANGEMENT YOU HEAR. MIKE HAS AN INCREDIBLE KNACK FOR MOULD BREAKING ARRANGEMENTS, FOR HIM IT'S A DYNAMIC & ARTISTIC JOURNEY WHERE AS FOR THE PEOPLE TRYING TO PUT THE 'TADPOLES' ONTO THE SONG BOOKS, IT'S MOST LIKELY A NIGHTMARE.
MC: So many of your songs are lyrically birthed from below the beltline (Pac A Mac, Dust Devil, Close Escape, Razor Blade Alley). What's your affinity to the subject?
LT: I THINK IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH MY SEX DRIVE WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN EXTREMELY ACTIVE, EVEN THOUGH I'M NOW CLOCKING HALF A CENTURY, I STILL CHASE MY WIFE AROUND THE HOUSE. WRITING ABOUT THE NORM OR ANOTHER BROKEN HEART/HARD LUCK STORY HAS NEVER BEEN THAT INSPIRING TO ME. CHECK OUT IAN DURY'S 'YOUR MORE THAN FAIR' OR 'I MADE MARY CRY' ROXY MUSIC'S 'IN EVER DREAM HOME A HEART ACHE' OR THE SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BANDS 'N.E.X.T.' 'I LOVE THE DEAD' FROM ALICE COOPER'S 'BILLION DOLLAR BABIES' IT'S ALL THEIR FAULT!
MC: Following the successful Dance Brigade gig last September, are there any plans to record an album with Jennie and crew?
LT: NOT AT THE MOMENT NO. EVERYONE IS TOO BUSY JUST NOW.
MC: When you formed the Nutty Boys (later Crunch!) with Chrissy Boy, did you think that this was the end of the road, that this was the final whittled-down iteration of Madness, or were you hoping for a reformation with the entire band one day?
LT: IT SEEMED LIKE A NATURAL MOVE & WE SLIPPED SEAMLESSLY INTO THE OTHER BAND WE WERE SECOND TO NONE 'LIVE' WE HAD SOME FANTASTIC MOMENTS ON STAGE & ON OCCASION 'ON THE ROAD' EVEN THOUGH I WAS BECOMING A NUISANCE WITH THE FIRE WATER.I WAS EAGER TO REFORM & PLAY MADSTOCK & IF THERE WAS DEMAND THEN SHOWS AFTER BUT I WAS NOT GOING TO DESERT MY CRUNCH! BAND FOR MADNESS. MADNESS WAS ABLE TO FINANCE WHAT WE DID WITH CRUNCH! THOUGH, IN HIND SIGHT EVERY TIME WE PLAYED A SHOW WITH MADNESS IT WAS ANOTHER NAIL IN THE CRUNCH! I STILL DO THE ODD GIG WITH CRUNCH! BUT IT DOES GET HARDER. REFORMING CRUNCH! IS A MUCH MORE EXCITING CHALLENGE. I'M THE BAND WHORE A POP TART, I PLAY ANYWHERE FOR THE ENJOYMENT FACTOR.
MC: There are many unreleased Crunch! songs (Sinners & Saints, Champion of the World, Far Too Long, Tap Dancing). Chrissy Boy has spoken to us about a digital release of these songs. How are those plans coming along?
LT: FIRST I'VE HEARD OF IT. I TRANSFERED THE TAPES OF A DOZEN OR SO TRACKS ONTO DIGITAL FILES IN A WEST LONDON STUDIO EARLY LAST YEAR, TO DO SOME WORK ON & TOLD CHRIS I WOULD BE DOING THIS IF THATS WHAT YOU ARE REFERRING TO? IM DOING THIS FOR A LITTLE BIT OF FUN AS FUN I CAN AFFORD ALL DAY LONG.
MC: How does it differ writing songs with Chris for the Crunch! as opposed to writing songs for Madness, say with Mike or Woody?
LT: IF THE TUNE IS GOOD THEN I WRITE A LYRIC TO IT, THERE IS LITTLE DIFFERENCE, EXCEPT THE SUBJECT MATTER & THE TIME IT TAKES TO COMPLETE IT.
MC: A train leaves London northbound for Newcastle at 1 pm, travelling at an average speed of 100 kph. A second train leaves Newcastle southbound to London at 2 pm, travelling at an average speed of 90 kph. The southbound train makes a stop at Birmingham for 1 hour before continuing on to London. The northbound train stops three times before Birmingham, twice to let out passengers (24 passengers total) and once to take on passengers (14 total) and a herd of sheep. Given this, what is your favourite song that you've written for Madness? Tell us about it please.
LT: I HAVE WRITTEN IT, A LONG TIME AGO ON MIKE's HOUSE BOAT ALONG WITH Drip Fed Fred & THE ONE THAT WAS DONE FOR THE MUSICAL, BUT WE HAVE NEVER GOT AROUND TO RECORDING IT YET.
IT HAS RELIGIOUS CONNOTATIONS & IS ABOUT BEING ABLE TO DECIDE FOR YOURSELF WHAT YOU WISH TO BELIEVE, SAY FOR INSTANCE ADOLPH HITLER WAS NOT BORN BAD, BUT WAS NURTURED TO BE, NOT THAT I KNOW THE HISTORY OF HIS UPBRINGING, BUT HE TURNED OUT TO BE A BIT OF A BAD APPLE & WENT ABOUT HIS SOLUTIONS, IN A WAY THAT, THAT IN MY MIND DEFIES ALL BELIEF. LIKE, THERE'S A NOTION THAT 'THERE ARE NO GAS CHAMBERS'.....I WAS VERY MUCH INTO MY KARL MARX THEORIES AROUND THIS PERIOD.
MC: 2009 is the 30th anniversary of 2 Tone and Madness. What impact do you feel 2 Tone and Madness have had musically and socially, and are there any plans to celebrate the anniversary with Madness and perhaps other 2 Tone bands?
LT: NO PLANS.
JERRY & HIS 2TONE IDEA HAD REAL POTENTIAL & SHOULD HAVE GONE ON TO BE MUCH BIGGER THAN WHAT IT ACHIEVED, IE AMERICA, SOUTH AFRICA. IT'S MORE POPULAR NOW, WITH THE 3RD GENERATION ADOPTING THE SENTIMENTS. PEOPLE GET BORED & WANT FRESH MUSIC ESPECIALLY IN THE U.K. WE CHANGE STYLES OVER NIGHT HERE, MAYBE THAT'S NOT A BAD THING, BUT NOT MUCH HAS HAPPENED MUSICALLY FOR 20 YEARS, WELL MAYBE X FACTOR!
MD: Speaking of noteworthy anniversaries, you're soon to celebrate your 25th anniversary to your lovely wife Debbie. What's the secret to your success?
LT: ADULTERY!!!
NO, NO, NO! GIVE EACH OTHER A LITTLE SPACE. I DON'T HAVE ANY SECRETS TO WEDDED BLISS, WELL, NONE THAT I WANT TO AIR HERE AND NOW! IT'S CERTAINLY A DIFFICULT ROAD TO TRAVEL AT TIMES, BUT YOU 'SNAP OUT OF IT' PULL TOGETHER & GET ON WITH IT. I REMEMBER HAVING A 'TO DO' WITH THE MISSUS OVER A PG TIP. A F*CKING TEA BAG!
MC: What guides your choices for songs to cover, both with your numerous side projects and within Madness?
LT: SHEER ENTERTAINMENT, CAN'T BEAT THAT BUZZ. SONGS THAT GET YOU INTO THE PICTURE, THE SCENE & THE MOMENET. A REACTION IN A LIVE SITUATION FROM YOUR AUDIENCE IS PURE SATISFACTION, HOPEFULLY FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS!!!
MC: In Madness you are the saxophonist, standing stage right just out of the spotlight. In Crunch!, you are the frontman, standing dead centre in the spotlight. Which do you prefer?
LT: GOOD ONE....EITHER. EITHER WAY, I'M A FRONT MAN & RATHER GOOD AT IT, THOUGH I ADMIRE & RESPECT THE MAN WHO I TAUGHT 'NEARLY' EVERYTHING HE KNOWS!!!
MC: Both with Madness and The Argonauts you were supportive of Greenpeace. Do you still take an interest in the organisation, and are there any other social causes you feel strongly about?
LT: YES, I DO, BUT NEVER AS MUCH AS I WOULD LIKE TO. I COULD GO ON FOREVER, BUT I AM A BIG SUPPORTER OF NSPCC (The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) THAT I CANNOT DO ENOUGH FOR.
MC: The Liberty of Norton Folgate: Four years in the making, finally released in March. What took so long, what do you think of it now that it's complete?
LT: THERE ARE VARIOUS REASONS FOR IT TAKING SO LONG, THE MAIN REASON BEING LONGER & MORE FREQUENT TOILET BREAKS, AT TIMES THERE IS SUCH A CLAMMER WE HAVE TO DOUBLE UP. OUR OLD KETTLE, I HAVE WITNESSED FIRST HAND, SEEMS TO TAKE MUCH LONGER TO BOIL. WE HAVE TO DO THIS OURSELVES AS OUR 'HANDLER' WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE OUR MOOD SWINGS. WE RAN SHORT OF FINANCES & HAD TO GET THE ARRANGEMENTS RIGHT, ALL THESE TRIVIAL THINGS TAKE UP A LOT OF TIME &, IN ALL HONESTY, WE ARE NOT THE MOST ACTIVE OF BANDS. ALSO, WE HAVE MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT SEEM TO TAKE MUCH, MUCH LONGER TO SORT OUT THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT WORLD.
MC: If the horse was named Kix, we'd have to have it from the horse's mouth: What's the mechanical theme behind "Dust Devil"? Feel free to be explicit.
LT: STOP YOUR MEDDLING WITH MY GIZMO, HONEY BUNNY!
MC: At the beginning of the Crunch! song "Hereditary" you sample "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" starring Jack Nicholson, who you've mentioned in interviews as being a hero of yours. Who else do you admire?
LT: I'M VERY MUCH INTO JOHNNY DEPP AT THE MOMENT. JAMES CAGNEY IS ANOTHER INTENSE CHARACTER, WE SAMPLED HIS VOICE IN THE BREAK DOWN OF 'IT'S OK I'M A POLICEMAN' SINGLE WITH CRUNCH! AKA 'NUTTY BOY'. GEORGE BEST, ALEX HARVEY & ROBERT NEWTON INTEREST ME.
MR: What bands, past and present, rock your world?
LT: LIGHT OFF: 'TOGETHER ALONE' BY CROWDED HOUSE.
LIGHT ON: 'LESSONS TO BE LEARNED' BY GABRIELLA CILMI.
ROCKS OFF: AC/DC ANYTIME.
MC: You're a well-established pop star, a father, a grandfather, a pillar of the community and hero to all. Do you have a message for the kids?
BE YOUNG,BE FOOLISH,BUT BE HAPPY.
SAY YES TO EVERYTHING BUT WITH A TWIST OF THOUGHT & ALL IN MODERATION.
25 January & 23 February 2009
© 2009 Madness Central. All Rights Reserved.
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