This is an old revision of this page, as edited by A. B. (talk | contribs) at 15:34, 16 June 2007 (→External links: same site, different URL meta:Talk:Spam blacklist#700 URL redirection links to clean up). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 15:34, 16 June 2007 by A. B. (talk | contribs) (→External links: same site, different URL meta:Talk:Spam blacklist#700 URL redirection links to clean up)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Chas Smash (born Cathal Joseph Patrick Smyth, January 14 1959, in Rainham, Kent, England), earlier known as Carl Smyth is an English musician, best known as a backing singer and dancer of the second wave ska band Madness. He also plays trumpet, acoustic guitar, various percussion instruments, and occasionally takes lead vocals.
Chas Smash was the last of the original seven Madness members to join the band. For some time he was a friend of the band dancing onstage, and soon he became a permanent member in late 1979. After Madness broke up in 1986, he formed a new band, The Madness with Suggs, Lee Jay Thompson and Chris Foreman. It did not last long and they disbanded once again. In the early 90's Chas became an executive for Go Discs and was responsible for reforming the original Madness in 1992 for Madstock.
During the late 1980's he became good friends with former The Smiths' vocalist Morrissey who once asked him to be his manager, Chas declined claiming "I didn't fancy having to iron his socks". He also provided backing vocals on his version of The Jam's "That's Entertainment". Chas also had a small part in Suggs' solo career co-writing the track "Green Eyes" and appearing in the video for "I'm Only Sleeping". In recent years he led the folk-inspired "Velvet Ghost" which was most active in the early 00's, they have yet to release an album although tracks have been recorded.
Chas started up his own record label, RGR Music, at an office in Camden Town in 2002. He released a debut single, "We're Coming Over", with The England Supporters Band (billed as Mr Smash & Friends), and it reached # 74 in the UK Single Charts. His label launched the career of the successful London rapper, Just Jack, and RGR released an album and three singles by the musician. The label also released material by dance & rap artists, Autamata & Border Crossing, but sadly none of the releases charted. In 2004, after briefly moving office to Islington, Chas decided to close down his RGR label, and concentrate more on his Madness projects.
In 2006, after Madness had finished touring the world in support of 'The Dangermen sessions, volume 1' he and the other members began work on their first original album since 1999's Wonderful. In the summer of 2006 Madness toured Europe and Japan including a number of notable festival appearances. In late 2006, he, with Madness toured the UK arenas and currently, (March 2007) is working on finishing the new Madness album.
These days Smyth is multi instrumentalist, & as well as his vocal talents, can also play the trumpet, acoustic guitar, piano and even the bagpipes !!
Cathal Smyth currently lives in North London with his family.
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