Take It Or Leave It: Madness Roll Back The Clock On Screen Debut
Friday, 27 September 2013
Written by Alec Chillingworth
Camden Town's an odd one. Previously a haven for outcasts, the place has now become something of a parody. Once proud and unique, it’s now an imitation of past glories. The whole damn lot has been commercialised to kingdom come, and even the markets now look as if they were planted there by a seedy businessman. The place has lost its rough, grimy charm.
But, some of Camden's most famous exports certainly haven't been robbed of any of their sparkling charisma. It's been 32 years since Madness premiered their 'Take It Or Leave It' film at the Odeon cinema on Parkway and the nutty boys are re-releasing the picture, along with a previously unreleased soundtrack compilation, on October 7. Naturally, this is cause for celebration and the the film was this week given an exclusive screening at the site of its original debut, with various members of Madness in attendance.
There was free beer, so, naturally, everyone was necking it like they were stranded on a desert island (because, perhaps, they got shipwrecked while sailing across the sea to see their Uncle Sam?). The band all looked suitably dapper, with the majority in their trademark suits, while a woman working at the ice-cream counter got a photo with Suggs only to come back for another one just minutes later. “I'll be here in five minutes when you need the next one,” he deadpanned. Pleasantries were exchanged, goody-bags were handed out, and the chosen few were ushered to their seats in the cinema.
For the next 82 minutes, all in attendance were completely and utterly engrossed. While not a documentary in the traditional sense, 'Take It Or Leave It' plays out exactly like that, having been shot on original locations and with the band members embodying their personas with supreme ease. Madness' rise to fame is documented in a dark manner, but as Suggs said: “Everyone was expecting us to do something funny and wacky.” Moments, including a skinhead confrontation, are genuinely chilling and make for tense viewing.
While dispelling the weird, surreal elements of their music videos in favour of a gritty approach, there still remains a healthy dose of funny moments within the film. Keyboard player Mike Barson scolds band members for playing in the wrong key, and, according to director, and head of Stiff Records, Dave Robinson, spent most of his time “firing people and putting the band together”.
Finishing on a high note, 'Take It Or Leave It' culminates with the band in their dressing room, preparing themselves for a sold out headline show. As the applause fades and credits roll, one fan asks: “'If you could take one thing from that film and keep it with you today, what would it be?” John Hasler, the band’s former drummer, quickly interjected: “My job!” Along with the music, their charm and wit remains timeless.
There is no proper way to describe Madness. As a band, they now stand peerless, having long outgrown the ska scene from whence they came. At one stage, a plucky young lady asks Suggs if he knew how to sing before joining the band. Suggs, beer in hand, has an easy answer ready: “What do you fucking think?”
According to their iconic singer, Madness remain something of a rags to riches story. “[We’re] just a load of blokes who got together and played in their local pub,” he said. “It is possible to meet other people and start a band, and it's not something that's in the outer realms of fantasy.” Camden Town may have changed beyond recognition, but Madness haven't changed one bit.
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