Chas Smash

Chas Smash

Smash standing onstage, singing into a microphone with Thompson crouched next to him playing a saxophone

Smash (right) and Lee Thompson performing live, in 2009
Background information
Birth name Cathal Joseph Smyth
Born (1959-01-14) 14 January 1959
Fitzrovia, London, England, United Kingdom[1]
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
  • multi-instrumentalist
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • guitar
  • trumpet
  • percussion
  • flute
Years active 1978–present
Labels Rolled Gold
Associated acts Madness
Website cathalsmyth.co.uk
chas-smash.com

Cathal Joseph Smyth (born 14 January 1959), also known as Chas Smash, is an English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Smash came to prominence in the late 1970s as the backing vocalist, trumpet player, harmonica player and dancer for the English ska band Madness.[2]

In addition to trumpet, Smyth plays the bass guitar (having initially joined Madness as a bassist), acoustic guitar and other various percussion instruments. He occasionally performs the 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, but became a more regular contributor over the course of Madness's career and was credited as co-writer on the band's major international hit, "Our House".[3]

Early years

Cathal Joseph Smyth was born on 14 January 1959, in Middlesex Hospital, Fitzrovia, London, England, and grew up in Marylebone, London. As a child he went by the name Carl. His parents were Irish immigrants, as his father was in the oil business and moved the family from Ireland to England and then to the Middle East because of his work. The Smyths were competitive Irish dancers, and Smyth grew up around dance, but never took much of an interest until he began to dance as a performer.[4]

In 1976, the North London Invaders recruited Smyth when he was 17 to play the bass guitar with them, but he was replaced in 1977 by Gavin Rogers. During the late seventies, Smyth became friends with members of the band Madness, and performed as a dancer onstage at their concerts. Eventually he was recruited by the band to play bass.[4]

Music career

Main article: Madness (band)

In 1980, Smyth became the last of the seven original Madness members to join the band. Smyth soon moved on to playing other instruments instead of bass.[4] After Madness broke up in 1986, Smyth formed a new short-lived band The Madness in 1988 along with Suggs, Lee Thompson and Chris Foreman.[5]

In 1990, Smyth became an executive for Go Discs where, at his suggestion, the label signed The Stairs. He was also responsible for reforming Madness in 1992 for Madstock!, he left Go Discs to reform the band.[6] In 1989/1990, he became friends with former Smiths singer Morrissey, who had once asked him to be his manager. Smyth declined, claiming that "I didn't fancy having to iron his socks."[7] Smyth introduced Morrissey to Boz Boorer, who went on to work with him from 1991 onwards.[8] Smyth is the subject of the 1992 Morrissey single "You're the One for Me, Fatty".[9]

Smyth provided backing vocals on Morrissey's version of the Jam's "That's Entertainment".[10] He had a small part in Suggs's solo career, co-writing the song "Green Eyes,"[11] and he also performed backing vocals on The Lone Ranger album. 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, Rolled Gold Records (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 number 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.[12] In 2004, after briefly moving his office to Islington, Smyth closed RGR.

In 2009 Madness released their first album of new material in ten years, The Liberty of Norton Folgate. About this time, Smyth was rumoured to be working on several solo projects, including a dubstep album, according to Mojo, titled 'Chas Smash' Hi-Fi Sounds of the New Boss.[13]

His debut solo album A Comfortable Man was released in May 2015.[14][15]

Personal life

After being a couple since their teen years, Smyth and his wife of 28 years separated in 2005.[14] He has three grown-up children from the marriage: Casper, Milo, and Eloise. He appeared with Eloise at the 2012 Q Awards ceremony.[16]

After his marriage ended, Smyth started to practise Transcendental Meditation.[14] He also spent time in rehab in Arizona[17] and moved to Ibiza in 2008.[5][14]

Solo discography

For Smash's albums and singles with Madness, The Madness and The Fink Brothers see Madness discography.

Studio albums

References

  1. ↑ "Results for England & Wales Births 1837–2006". search.findmypast.co.uk. 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  2. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Biography: Madness". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  3. ↑ Buskin, Richard (June 2006). "Classic Tracks: 'Our House' by Madness". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Augustyn, Heather (2010), Ska: An Oral History, retrieved 12 September 2015
  5. 1 2 Garfield, Simon (17 May 2009). "Madness has released a new concept album about London and it may be their masterpiece". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "Cathal Smyth aka Chas from Madness". See Tickets. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  7. ↑ "Chas Smash". Camden Town, Home of Madness. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  8. ↑ "Questions with answers from Morrissey". True To You. 19 June 2007. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  9. ↑ Goddard, Simon (6 September 2012). Mozipedia: The Encyclopedia of Morrissey and The Smiths. Ebury. p. 507. ISBN 978-0-09-192710-3. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  10. ↑ "Morrissey – Sing Your Life". discogs. 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  11. ↑ Cater, Evan. "The Lone Ranger – Graham "Suggs" McPherson". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  12. ↑ Reed, John (2014), House of Fun: The Story of Madness, retrieved 12 September 2015
  13. ↑ "Ska", Mojo, February 2010
  14. 1 2 3 4 Duerden, Nick (4 October 2014). "Chas Smash: After the madness, going solo". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  15. ↑ "Listen to Cathal Smyth's A Comfortable Man – plus read his guide to the album". Q. 6 May 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  16. ↑ "Chas Smash from Madness with his daughter". Contactmusic.com. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  17. ↑ http://irishpost.co.uk/ten-minutes-with-cathal-smyth-of-madness/

External links

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