One ​​part of this special edition of kultur anniversary is a special interview we had. A Q&A session through a video call with the special guest, Chrissy Boy!

Our protagonist this time, whose real name is Christopher John Foreman was born on August 8, 1956. Together with his compatriots, he has spread a lot of enjoyment and gladness through music. Yes, with Madness, at least he has had an influence for almost four decades. Besides being one of the main writers, He’s the one who gave Madness as a name for this legendary band. Madness indeed is attached to a lot of history. By demographic, they are connected with big names, Karl Marx,  the great artist Arthur Rimbaud was listed as one of the residents there, also George Orwell had lived in this Camden, Kentish Town.

Of course, we are very happy to be able to share the stories we got from this special guest. From his own loft, every now and then he hums and plays his guitar, truly a very warm session. Here’s the summary!

How did it all start between you and the music at the very first time?

It was Mike Barson(our piano player) and Lee Thompson (sax player) who got me to buy the guitar, it was 20 (pound sterling). Not this guitar (showing us his Les Paules), and all I can do was like, (playing single not on his guitar). Then I learnt some simple chords (playing his guitar), later on (easy jazzy, the simple one, not the fastest). Then in 1976, we used to go to Mike’s house, making music, then everyone joined us.

Said that your dad loves and plays folk music. What kind of music at your youth shaped your musical style till now?

Well, Many things, But it’s Ian Dury’s first band, 

Guest singer on Drip Fed Fred right?

Yeah! His first band was Kilburn and The High Roads. Their line up inspired us. I mean, they have sax players and piano too. Their songs are very English, they have a bit of reggae as well, rock n roll sometimes, and slightly motown too. That’s a big big main influence.

“Our House” is one of the legendary tunes you ever wrote in your youth. How do you see that song in the eye of Chrissy Foreman?

You know, it’s a straight chord (playing “Our House” guitar chords). I wrote that, then we did a couple changes. Try to put in some motown infusion there. And you know, it was used in lots of adverts, so yeah, there’s money from it. (smiles). Which we share it, share together.

Is there any reason behind “One Step Beyond” except you guys like the song? Maybe some part of the music in that song itself or maybe some other story?

It was a b-side, ummmh (pause). “Al Capone”. (pause) Yeah we just like it, and (laugh) Chaz came with “hey you..”. He wrote that, it’s.. (pause) No Plan! (laugh).

Can you tell us your personal connection with Jamaican music?

When I was young, a lot of songs were hits. From “Al Capone” – Prince Buster and many more. It was the part of growing up, a stuff to be heard. And when we started the band, we used to do songs like “Jailhouse Rock”. And we started our own songs, between reggae-ska. It was Suggs and Lee. We started doing “Madness”, “One Step Beyond” and all. Then we wrote another bit like that. And then we met The Specials, who did the same thing. There wasn’t the internet at that time, youtube or else, we’ve heard “Gangsters”, It was fantastic! So, it’s just what we do at that time. No plan, it’s just the music that we like!  

On John Reed’s “House Of Fun”, he quoted Cathal, “Couple of us were skinheads. And had been skins first time around”. Can you share your personal connection with Skin and Punk?

Oh yeah. I was the one, the first. And I am now (smile). Yeah, those days, weeks before that, I was a hippy too, long hair and Roxy Music. 

There’s also new-wave-ish tracks that madness did in the 80s. “Yesterday’s Men”, “Uncle Sam” and also Scritti Politti’s “Sweetest Girl” from “Mad Not Mad” will always be on our Madness’ top tracks. Was it hard to put an 80s touch in the style of madness?

What happened was, you know..Mike had left. But “Yesterday’s Men”came after somebody lent me a keyboard and I found it’s fantastic, then I played a chord and so on. But yeah, It’s difficult bargain, it’s never like a plan. It just kinda went like that.  “Burning the boat” shouldn’t be like that. Well, It’s not a bad album…it still has lots of good songs.

The musicianship in Madness is big. From a live recording set on “Pathway” studio until the recent Digital era, from “The Prince” to “Grandslam” , what’s your personal highlight for music and technology in Madness?

Well, my way to write music now, when I think of a tune, I sing it on my phone. Sometimes it’s rubbish (laugh). So yeah, I did lot’s of tune with the computer now. (Smile). When I wrote “Our House” Dave Robinson (Stiff Records) lent me some record player which came with a drum machine on it. Then on “The Madness” we used a sequencer and drum machine too, me and Suggs did most of that. Also, Me and Lee write songs using those kinds of things (when the band split up). I also got  a floppy disk Roland MC 500 before I met cubase and logic pro. Think that technology is really useful to me.

What about your recent guitar setup?

I got a Marshall amp with the head, Les Paul, some Telecasters and digital space echoes and chorus. 

What is Chrissy Boy’s guitar playing style?

(smile) Spontaneous. I like good rhythm. Something rhythmical to make me happy 

Was it true there’s a lil bit of “rivalry” within the bands in terms of who was going to come up with the next single? Is this a secret why Madness likes always doing new work?

No, there’s no rivalry between us. No. Why we’re still here it’s because we’re a big team. We’re quite democratic too. We also shared, yeah share half for the writer and the other half for the members of the band. You know, when you write a song, and it’s terrible, the other members come and make that song fantastic. 

According to “Before We Was We” You once did a smart way to keep your music alive when you worked in GPO. A witty move wasn’t it? Do you think you would like to suggest this witty move for younger musicians nowadays?

(laugh) I don’t know, can people do that nowadays?

If Christofos Formantos will bring the “Dangermen’s Session Vol. 2” what is going to be his choice for the tracklist? Skylarking, Bowie or Roxy or maybe another track from The Kinks?

No, guess we don’t wanna do that again, not for me.

With the love of music, the authenticity and the magic touch that Madness did all through the years, it’s indeed captured the zeitgeist. What is the meaning of Madness as a band and a family to you?

It’s something we do to bring enjoyment to the people. Family? Yeah, we used to spend a lot of time together. Even though we don’t see each other like those old times lately, it’s always when we’re together you know.

Do you know a little about Indonesia? And when all this situation is better and safer, what should Indonesian promoters do, to make you guys say YES to have a gig here? And do you have something to say to your fans here?

Yeah I do! I once stayed in Bali for a couple weeks. Somewhere around Seminyak. Around the year 2000. (pause) Oh, I think Mike has also been there, in Bali, Indonesia. I’d like to! I do. But I don’t know, there’s gonna be a long trip from England, Right? Well, I’d like to say thank you! To all of you, It’s nice to be connected again to Indonesia!
(Sam)