Ultimate Madness

Ultimate Madness have been told to pay up for recreating the walk the real band used in their One Step Beyond hit.

Brendan Smyth, brother of original Madness member Chas Smash, claims that he invented the walk for the band to use and owns the copyright to it.

He has asked the tribute band for the fee for "unauthorised" use of the walk in the past.

The band have also been asked to pay �100 every time they use it in the future.

We earn around �200 a gig and haven't got the money to pay �100 every time we go on stage Band member Jason Reynolds

Tribute band leader Jason Reynolds, from Great Barr in Birmingham, said the claim was "madness" and solicitors were preparing to fight the action.

Mr Reynolds, 30, said he and two friends had come up with the idea of forming a Madness tribute act a year ago.

He said: "Madness are our heroes and we got together with two other fans to form the group so we could go out and play their music.

"The walk only lasts about 20 seconds as we come out on stage for the song.

"We earn around �200 a gig and haven't got the money to pay �100 every time we go on stage."

Mr Reynolds said the band play venues across the country four nights a week recreating their heroes on stage.

A spokesman for Brandon Davis Publishers, acting for Mr Smyth, confirmed that his client was looking to claim the fees for using the walk.