40 years ago, in November 1986, The Mission released their debut album God’s Own Medicine, an atmospheric and emotive work of spiralling guitars, impassioned vocals and anthemic songs that became a landmark album of both the ‘80s alternative and gothic scenes.
The band – formed by vocalist and guitarist Wayne Hussey and bassist Craig Adams after they left The Sisters of Mercy in 1985, with Simon Hinkler on guitar and Mick Brown on drums – quickly became front-cover stars of the weekly music press, championed by everyone from Melody Maker and Sounds to Smash Hits and Kerrang.
And with God’s Own Medicine they stamped their mystical, flamboyant, dramatic and hedonistic identity firmly on the map, creating hit singles such as ‘Wasteland’ and ‘Severina’, and fan favourites in ‘Garden Of Delight’, ‘Stay With Me’, ‘Love Me To Death,’ and more. Huge success followed around the world, with millions of albums sold, huge headline tours, major festival headline appearances and a string of hit albums such as Children, Carved In Sand and Masque.
Forty years on from that seminal debut album, with a rich legacy and influence on the alternative music scene, The Mission continue to release new music and tour the world, and this autumn they return to where it began with four very special shows celebrating the anniversary of God’s Own Medicine and their entire career. Joining the band at these previously announced shows, will be a supporting line-up featuring contemporaries and exciting new acts across the four nights.
Both Claytown Troupe and Power of Dreams shared stages with The Mission in the late 80s and early 90s and will delight many of their fans. And with Wayne Hussey’s zest and love for all things fresh and new, The Mission are delighted to invite two new bands to join them too, in the form of Mouth Ulcers and SpaceAcre.
Wayne says, “I do keep an ear out to what’s going on out there and I think it’s actually a really good time at the moment for new and young bands. There’s some really great new music being made by the young guns, the baton is in very good hands. I am really excited by both of these two bands particularly and I’m looking forward to seeing them perform. I hope they themselves go onto enjoy many decades of playing to audiences who are as partisan as ours have been with us. See you soon!”
