Chas Smash
Encyclopedia
Cathal Smyth, also known as Chas Smash (born Cathal Joseph Patrick Smyth, 14 January 1959, London
, England
) is an English musician
, best known as the backing singer
and dancer in the ska
/pop
band Madness
. He also plays trumpet
, acoustic guitar and various percussion instrument
s. He occasionally performs lead vocals, such as on the songs "Michael Caine
", "Wings of a Dove", "One Step Beyond
and "Madness (Is All in the Mind)
". He was initially an occasional songwriter
, becoming a more regular contributor over the course of Madness's career, and was credited as co-writer on the group's major international hit, "Our House
".
In 1976, The North London Invaders recruited the 17 year old Smyth to play bass
until he was replaced in 1977 by Gavin Rogers. Three years later, he became the last of the seven original Madness members to join the band. Prior to that he was a friend of the band and danced onstage at concert
s. After Madness broke up in 1986, he formed a new short-lived band The Madness along with Suggs
, Lee Thompson and Chris Foreman
.
In 1990, Smyth became an executive for Go Discs where at his suggestion the label signed The Stairs
and he was also responsible for reforming Madness in 1992 for Madstock!
. In 1989/1990, he became friends with Morrissey
, who once asked him to be his manager
. Smyth declined, claiming "I didn't fancy having to iron his socks".
He provided backing vocals on Morrissey's version of The Jam
's "That's Entertainment
". Smyth had a small part in Suggs's solo career, co-writing the song "Green Eyes" and he also performed backing vocals on The Lone Ranger album with his sidekick. Smyth led the folk
-influenced band The Velvet Ghost which played at the Fleadh festival in 2000. In 2002, Smyth started up his own record label
, RGR Music, at an office in Camden Town
. He released a debut single, "We're Coming Over", with The England Supporters Band (billed as Mr. Smash & Friends) and it reached # 67 in the UK Singles Charts. RGR released an album and three singles by London rapper, Just Jack
. The label also released material by dance and rap artists Autamata and Border Crossing. In 2004, after briefly moving his office to Islington
, Smyth closed RGR and started to concentrate more on his Madness projects.
In 2009 Madness released their first album of new material in ten years, The Liberty of Norton Folgate
. Smyth currently lives in Spain
but also spends time at his family home in North London
. He is rumoured to be working on several solo projects, including a dubstep album, entitled (according to MOJO
magazine) Chas Smash' Hi-Fi Sounds Of The New Boss. This has not been officially confirmed.
Cathal Smyth is currently recording a new album in London
with Madness.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) is an English musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, best known as the backing singer
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
and dancer in the ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
/pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
band Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
. He also plays trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
, acoustic guitar and various percussion instrument
Percussion instrument
A percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
s. He occasionally performs lead vocals, such as on the songs "Michael Caine
Michael Caine (song)
"Michael Caine" is a song by British band Madness from their 1984 album Keep Moving, and was released as a single in the same year. "Michael Caine", written by the unique pairing of Carl Smyth and Daniel Woodgate, featured Smyth on lead vocals, which was unlike most Madness songs, which were sung...
", "Wings of a Dove", "One Step Beyond
One Step Beyond (song)
12" vinyl-Chart performance:-Song appearances:* It is used in the episode "I'm with the Band" of the 2000-2001 show Freaks and Geeks when one of the characters, Sam Weir, streaks around the school while trying to avoid showering after PE....
and "Madness (Is All in the Mind)
Madness (Is All in the Mind)
Madness is a song by British band Madness from their fourth album The Rise and Fall. It spent 9 weeks in the UK charts, peaking at number eight in February 1983. It was released as a Double A-Side with "Tomorrow's ", with the latter being the side which got most airplay. Unlike most Madness songs...
". He was initially an occasional songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, becoming a more regular contributor over the course of Madness's career, and was credited as co-writer on the group's major international hit, "Our House
Our House (Madness song)
"Our House" is a single by English ska/pop band Madness, from their UK album The Rise & Fall and their US compilation Madness.-About:...
".
In 1976, The North London Invaders recruited the 17 year old Smyth to play bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
until he was replaced in 1977 by Gavin Rogers. Three years later, he became the last of the seven original Madness members to join the band. Prior to that he was a friend of the band and danced onstage at concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
s. After Madness broke up in 1986, he formed a new short-lived band The Madness along with Suggs
Suggs (singer)
Graham McPherson , better known as Suggs, is an English singer, actor, former radio DJ, TV personality, and most famous as the frontman of the band Madness.-Early life:...
, Lee Thompson and Chris Foreman
Chris Foreman
Chris Foreman , nicknamed Chrissy Boy, is an English guitarist, best known as a member of a second wave ska band, Madness.Foreman started Madness with Mike Barson and Lee Thompson in 1976...
.
In 1990, Smyth became an executive for Go Discs where at his suggestion the label signed The Stairs
The Stairs
The Stairs were an English rock band formed in Liverpool around 1990 by vocalist and bassist Edgar Summertyme, guitarist Ged Lynn and drummer Paul Maguire...
and he was also responsible for reforming Madness in 1992 for Madstock!
Madstock!
- Personnel :* Suggs – lead vocals* Mike Barson – keyboards* Lee Thompson – saxophone, backing vocals* Chris Foreman – guitar* Mark Bedford – bass* Daniel Woodgate – drums* Chas Smash – backing vocals, trumpet...
. In 1989/1990, he became friends with Morrissey
Morrissey
Steven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
, who once asked him to be his manager
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
. Smyth declined, claiming "I didn't fancy having to iron his socks".
He provided backing vocals on Morrissey's version of The Jam
The Jam
The Jam were an English punk rock/New Wave/mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were formed in Woking, Surrey. While they shared the "angry young men" outlook and fast tempos of their punk rock contemporaries, The Jam wore smartly tailored suits rather than ripped...
's "That's Entertainment
That's Entertainment (song)
"That's Entertainment" is a 1980 song by British punk/Mod Revivalist group The Jam off their fifth album, Sound Affects.-Song profile:...
". Smyth had a small part in Suggs's solo career, co-writing the song "Green Eyes" and he also performed backing vocals on The Lone Ranger album with his sidekick. Smyth led the folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
-influenced band The Velvet Ghost which played at the Fleadh festival in 2000. In 2002, Smyth started up his own record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, RGR Music, at an office in Camden Town
Camden Town
-Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in...
. He released a debut single, "We're Coming Over", with The England Supporters Band (billed as Mr. Smash & Friends) and it reached # 67 in the UK Singles Charts. RGR released an album and three singles by London rapper, Just Jack
Just Jack
Jack Christopher Allsopp , known by the stage name Just Jack, is an English musician from Camden Town, London. He first came to prominence with the release of his 2007 single "Starz in Their Eyes", which reached number two on the UK Singles Chart...
. The label also released material by dance and rap artists Autamata and Border Crossing. In 2004, after briefly moving his office to Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
, Smyth closed RGR and started to concentrate more on his Madness projects.
In 2009 Madness released their first album of new material in ten years, The Liberty of Norton Folgate
The Liberty of Norton Folgate
The Liberty of Norton Folgate is the ninth studio album by the British band Madness, released on 18 May 2009. The band worked on the album for close to three years and it is their first album of new material since 1999's Wonderful...
. Smyth currently lives in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
but also spends time at his family home in North London
North London
North London is the northern part of London, England. It is an imprecise description and the area it covers is defined differently for a range of purposes. Common to these definitions is that it includes districts located north of the River Thames and is used in comparison with South...
. He is rumoured to be working on several solo projects, including a dubstep album, entitled (according to MOJO
Mojo (magazine)
MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
magazine) Chas Smash' Hi-Fi Sounds Of The New Boss. This has not been officially confirmed.
Cathal Smyth is currently recording a new album in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
with Madness.