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Before We Was We cover art

Before We Was We

Written by: Madness
Narrated by: Mike Barson, Mark Bedford, Chris Foreman, Graham McPherson, Lee Thompson, Dan Woodgate, Cathal Smyth
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Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Shortlisted for the Best Ensemble Narration Award at the New York Festival Radio Awards 2020.

This is Madness' story in their own words - with each band member featuring as a narrator. This audiobook features snippets of 13 rehearsal recordings including some of the band’s best loved songs as well as featuring a new bonus track, ‘Before We Was We’.

In their own words they each look back on their shared adventures. Playing music together, riding freight trains, spraying graffiti and stealing records. Walking in one another's footsteps by day and rising up through the city's exploding pub music scene by night. Before We Was We is irreverent, funny and full of character. Just like them.

Audio updated as of 18 October 2019.
©2019 Mike Barson, Mark Bedford, Chris Foreman, Graham McPherson, Cathal Smyth, Lee Thompson, Dan Woodgate (P)2019 Penguin Audio
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Profile Image for Big Cajun Man

The Invaders Take Over

Must preface this, that I have been a Madness Fanboy since 1979.

The book is a standard telling of how Madness formed and a lot of biographical information about the band members as well. Nothing too startling, lots of nicking of things, lots of punch ups, and lots of dangerous scrapes. The story is still a good listen, just to hear how 7 diverse boys became Madness.

The performance is what I loved the most about this. All 7 original members tell the story, and the interactions of the story were really good. Lots of, "... I deny I did that completely!" commentaries after particularly shady stories are told. The accents are amazing, but if you have problems with London (and area) accents, you may have a few issues understanding it all. I grew up with those accents, and I still am not sure I completely understood the whole thing.

I am very glad I listened to this one, and the musical interludes from their early days were really good, and helped bring authenticity to the whole story too.

Chipmunks are go!

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Madness

definitely the book for all madness fans. it took me right back to my teenage years as I related to their exploits and following them through those years. provided good closure as well to a misspent youth

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