Chas Smash

This biography of a living person does not cite any references or sources. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living people that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately. (June 2007) Find sources: (Chas Smash – news, books, scholar)

Carl Smyth, also known as Chas Smash (born Cathal Joseph Patrick Smyth, 14 January 1959, London, England) is an English musician, best known as a backing singer and dancer in the ska/pop band Madness. He also plays trumpet, acoustic guitar and various percussion instruments. He occasionally performs lead vocals on the songs "Michael Caine", "Wings of a Dove" and "Madness (Is All in the Mind)". He was initially an occasional songwriter, becoming a more regular contributor over the course of Madness' career, and was credited as co-writer on the group's major international hit, "Our House".

In 1976, 'The North London Invaders' recruited Smyth to play bass until he was replaced in 1977 by Gavin Rogers. In 1979, Smyth 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 concerts. After Madness broke up in 1986, he formed a new short-lived band The Madness along with Suggs, Lee Thompson and Chris Foreman. In the early 1990s, Smyth became an executive for Go Discs where at his suggestion the label signed Paul Weller and he was also responsible for reforming Madness in 1992 for Madstock!. During the late 1990s, 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".^{[citation needed]} He provided backing vocals on Morrissey's version of The Jam's "That's Entertainment". Smyth had a small part in Suggs' 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 were most active in the early 2000s.

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 # 60 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. During 2009, Chas Smash has been busy performing shows with Madness and promoting their new album, The Liberty of Norton Folgate. Smyth currently lives in Spain but also spends time at his family home in North London.