Conference marvin::uk_music

    I have to admit I wasn't overly impressed with their material on CD,
    
    then I went to see them at the Reading Festival this year and their
    
    performance left me shocked, they were brilliant, superb, whatever the
    
    in word is at the moment, but I'm now a dedicated fan. GGGreat.
    
    							Neil

    
    I again, did not think so highly of the Mission, until Reading this
    year. 
    
    Wow, what can I say, but, the performance made me instantly want
    to buy all the albums and realise the error of my ways! 
    
    They must be one of the greatest live bands about, beats me why
    anyone would would want to see the stones or Who and pay that kind
    of cash when the Mission perform that well so much cheaper !
    
    Converted & Convinced !
    
    juju
    xxxx
    

    
    Is that why you still wear the armband, I know they were brilliant but
    
    that's a bit far going???
    
    When is the next album due for release???
    
    Has anyone seen the article in Sounds or even went upto Sheffield???
    
    My brothers got two of their albums are there anymore???
    
    							Neil

    Is this the band that has the mini-album (CD), "Grains of Sand"? 
    

�   Is this the band that has the mini-album (CD), "Grains of Sand"? 

Yup. It's the songs which didn't make it onto the 'Carved In Sand' album, with
a few others for good measure.

Steve.
    

    I've finally discovered The Mission and am suitably impressed.
    So far I've been wading through "God's Own Machine", "Grains of Sand"
    and "Carved in Sand" and can only say excellent.  There aren't many
    albums about where you actually like (nearly) all the tracks and can
    buy an album by a group and know it will be worth listening to.

    Favourite tracks so far are: Stay With Me, Hands Across the Ocean,
    and Amelia (despite it's sad subject).   Mr Pleasant is also worth
    listening to, for the sheer hilarity of it.

    More listening required.

    Goldy.

    >>So far I've been wading through "God's Own Machine", "Grains of Sand"
    
    God's Own Medicine.
             
    Phil Gill.

    That as well!

re .6

If you want to try any more albums, and you liked Carved in Sand etc., don't be
tempted by Masque, the later album. It's not a patch on the old stuff, and Wayne
Hussey himself said that it was more like the Wayne Hussey solo LP than a
Mission LP. Go back to the early stuff, it's much better.

It's a shame they've gone down hill so fast in recent times. Apparently Wayne has
now  ditched all of the old band members, in favour of a completely new line-up.

I remember seeing them on their third ever gig, at the Powerhouse in Birmingham,
when they were called the Sisterhood. Those were the days! Loved everything
they've done until they bought out Masque. What a let-down! 8-[

Just my thoughts.

Steve.

    I now have all the Mission albums, except Masque, and two videos, one
    a documentary, the other a collection of their videos including Stay 
    With Me, Tower of Strength, Kingdom Come etc.  Also bought a four-track
    CD of Tower of Strength which has 4 different mixes lasting a total of
    37 minutes.

    The Mission are touring the UK, can't remember where but they will be
    at The Forum in Kentish Town on 18th Feb.  Might just go and see them.

    Goldy

    Mission are U2 for goths,
    Before you start I also have all thier L.ps and have seen them on
    numerous occasions, Hussies original band was the Sisters of Mercy, so 
    the collection is not complete until you have all their early stuff as
    well, Alice and Temple of Love are 2 of the greatest records of the
    eighties.
    
    A good band gone bad
    
    G.

    At the risk of sounding like a bore, is there a Mission 'best of' lp? 
    I know there seem to be several Sisters compilations, and I'm never
    sure which of those to get?
    
    My fave Sisters track is a version of Emma, the old Hot Chocolate
    number which they did as a Peel session back in the early 80s.  One of
    the most grim things I have ever heard.  I'd love to get it on
    vinyl/cd.
    
    Caught the Mission at the Reading fest a few years ago, and they
    sounded ok I thought.  I like Tower of Strength.
    
    Mikef

>    My fave Sisters track is a version of Emma, the old Hot Chocolate
>    number which they did as a Peel session back in the early 80s.  One of
>    the most grim things I have ever heard.  I'd love to get it on
>    vinyl/cd.

I've seen this on a bootleg CD (available at a "Record Fair" near you) called
"Some Boys Wander By Mistake" - the titles must take all of 3 seconds to
think up.

guy

    Get "Sum and Substance" which includes Tower of Strength, Deliverance, 
    Butterfly on a Wheel, Into the Blue, Beyond the Pale, Never Again, Shades
    of Green, Wastelands, Afterglow, Sourpuss, Like A Child Again, Kingdom
    Come.  Excellent.  Doesn't include Serpents Kiss but the video collection
    does.

    I spoke to Tony Perrin, their manager, who is now their ex-manager.
    Seems Phonogram have dropped the Mission and Wayne has had a strop.
    More info as soon as I can get hold of Charlie, whoever he is!!!!

    Jane.

    I spoke to Charlie Eyre, the Mission's new manager (ex-A&R at 
    Phonogram).  The Mission have indeed been dropped by Phonogram
    who weren't putting enough effort into promoting or supporting
    the Mission.  So after keeping their heads down for a few months
    they are now about to come back with a vengeance (sp?).
    
    A press release will be issued later this week naming tour dates
    (UK in October), album to be released in September, new single
    out in August (maybe "Afterglow" remixed).  The Mission are also
    going to get the fan club sorted out, and do even more fan-club
    only gigs.  They want to try and get everything how it was a few
    years ago (if you weren't there, you missed it!) with a very tight
    devoted following.
    
    At present the Mission are working hard, rehearsing and recording 
    down in Wales (Wayne's in fine form apparently!) but can be seen
    at the odd festival in Europe.
    
    The line-up is now complete with Wayne Hussey and Mick Brown (drums)
    from the old line-up, with Mark Gemini Thwaite on guitar, Rik Carter on
    keyboards and Andy Cousins (ex All About Eve) on bass.  The new
    album should be a return to the old Mish days, with *lots* of
    guitars and thundering drums.
                 
    And about time too!
    
    Jane.

    The Mission released a statement last week attacking record companies, 
    announcing their new record label, albums and tour dates.

    They are now on their own label, Neverland, and have signed a long term 
    deal with Equator Records (part of Pinnacle).  The new album "Everafter" 
    will be released in September with a new single (as yet undecided) out in 
    August.

    An album, "Salad Daze", was released last week, a compilation of Radio 1 
    sessions as follows:
   
       Like A Hurricane, Severina, Sacrilege, And the Dance Goes On (1986)
       Wasteland, Tomorrow Never Knows, Wishing Well, Shelter From
         The Storm (1986)
       Deliverance, Grip of Disease, Belief, Kingdom Come (1988)
       Buttefly on a Wheel, Bird of Passage (1990)

    UK Tour Dates:

       15th October: Norwich UEA
       16th October: Wolverhampton Civic Hall
       17th October: Newcastle University
       19th October: Glasgow Barrowlands
       20th October: Leeds Town & Country Club
       22nd October: Liverpool Royal Court
       23rd October: Manchester Academy
       26th October: Portsmouth Pyramid
       27th October: Cardiff University
       28th October: London Shepherd's Bush Empire

    The confirmed line-up is:

       Wayne Hussey (vocals/guitar)
       Mick Brown (drums)
       Andy Cousins (bass)
       Mark Gemini Thwaite (guitar)
       Rick Carter (keyboards)

    Can't wait to see them on 28th October.

    And Wayne has had his hair cut short!!!!

    Jane.

    The October tour has now been postponed till February/March 1995.
    The London date (Shepherds Bush Empire) is now 10th March.
    Can I survive that long?

    Jane.

    New single out today: Raising Cain, Sway and Neverland (Instrumental).
    All three are very good songs, minus the vocals. I can't describe how
    the vocals on Raising Cain have been mixed but it's terrible.

    There's an insert in the cd single which says if you want to hear highlights
    from Mission 1, as it's known, latest news on the band and revised tour 
    dates for 1995 you can phone The Mission hotline on 0891-600 069 (calls 
    charged at extortionate rates). They are also updating their mailing list 
    so if you would like to be eligible for future news leave your name and 
    address on the hotline number. Everybody on the new list will receive a 
    special free flexidisc featuring excerpts from Mission 2 to be released 
    in January. No news as yet about the new album.

    I very much doubt that Raising Cain will bring The Mission back from
    oblivion, but true Mish fans will probably get to like it. Or maybe not.

    Jane.

    Went to the Mission's recording studio's yesterday to hear a playback
    of the new album, Neverland, released on Monday 13th February. 
    Unfortunately the band weren't there but their manager, Charlie Eyre, 
    was. Listened to the album along with 30 other Missionaries - did we
    want it LOUD? Yes, we did! The track listing is as follows:

    Raising Cain (previous single): A longer version than the single and
    better.
    Sway: Again, better than when on the b-side of Raising Cain.
    Lose Myself in You: a very 'poppy' type song.
    Swoon (current single, no 13 in the Indie charts): Excellent.
    Afterglow (reprise): Much better with a slighter softer sound than
    previous versions.
    Stars Don't Shine Without You: A ballad with lots of piano.
    Celebration: Awful. A cheap rip-off of Mr Pleasant but nowhere near
    as funny.
    Cry Like a Baby: Very 70's, sounds better when there are no vocals.
    Heaven Knows: The best song (along with Swoon) on the album with some
    excellent guitar playing.
    Swim With the Dolphins: Awful lyrics, starts off badly with acoustic
    guitar but improves once the drums and electric guitars come in.
    Neverland (vocal): Good rock track.
    Daddy's Going to Heaven Now: Gloomy lyrics and music to begin with
    but livens up a bit.

    The album has much more guitars on than recent albums. A must for all
    Mission fans but unlikely to bring them back from neverland. Their
    manager was saying yesterday that if Radio 1 won't play Mission records,
    they may consider not selling singles/albums through the main stores
    (HMV/Virgin) and sell them direct to fan club members only. Good news
    for us as it means they'll be cheaper. The Mission seem hellbent on 
    providing good music etc for their fans and never mind about anyone
    else.

    The tour starts at the end of February, roll on 10th March at the Shepherd's
    Bush Empire.

    Jane.

    
    Anyone got any dates for the supporting tour that should no-doubt be
    happening?  Saw 'em a few times a couple of years ago and was suitably
    impressed.  Unfortunately the thing that sticks in my mind about one of
    their gigs was the support - Something Happens.  Needless to say it
    didn't when they were on stage...(sorry if you *do* like them, but
    their stuff has never appealed to me, biggest cheer was when they
    announced their last song of the set).
    
    Chris.

    Neverland Tour Dates, UK:

    25th Feb: Norwich UEA
    26th Feb: Wolverhampton Civic Hall
    27th Feb: Newcastle Uni
    1st Mar: Glasgow Garage
    2nd Mar: Leeds Town & Country
    4th Mar: Liverpool Royal Court
    5th Mar: Manchester Academy
    6th Mar: Nottingham Rock City
    8th Mar: Portsmouth Pyramid
    9th Mar: Cardiff Uni
    10th Mar: London Shepherd's Bush Empire

    I don't know the dates for the European Tour but they intend playing
    in Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, France, Hungary, Germany,
    Holland, Yugoslavia (where?!), Sweden, Denmark, Czechoslovakia (Republic
    or Slovakia?), and the USA (so far). 

    There's also a secret pre-tour club date on 23rd Feb in Brighton.

    Jane.

    
  >>  There's also a secret pre-tour club date on 23rd Feb in Brighton.
    
    an interesting twist in marketing, don't ya think ? I can just imagine
    the conversation....
    
    "I know, before we do the real tour. lets do one of those secret club
    gigs as a bit of a warm up..."
    
    "Yeah, great idea - but what if nobody turns up ?"
    
    "Oh, I hadn't thought of that. I know, lets tell the music press about
    it three weeks in advance, that should get a few bums on seats"
    
    Graham 
    
    (and before the slagging starts; I am a 'fan' of the Mission - honest!)
    

    The press haven't (officially) been told about the club date in
    Brighton. You can only find out the date from the Mission hotline
    number or from someone who already knows, maybe the Press have
    been told but there's no love lost between the Mission and NME/
    Melody Maker.
    
    The Mission, Wayne Hussey in particular, have always been keen 
    on doing dates that are not generally announced, ie dates for fan
    club members only which is what yesterday was all about and what
    the 23rd Feb is about. They don't often pass up the chance to get
    close to the fans as they've done many times in the past. They've
    often said they'd rather play a small gig than be swamped in a 
    large concert venue.
    
    Hmm, does this sound like they don't have many fans? :-)
    Who cares, leaves more Mission for us true fans.
    
    Jane.

    1995 'Neverland' European Tour Dates:
    
    21st March: Lisbon Gartejo
    23rd March: Madrid Sala Kapitol
    24th March: Zaragoza Sala Multousou
    26th March: Lucern Lescheur
    27th March: Milan City Square
    28th March: Ljubljana Festivalna Dvorana
    30th March: Budapest Petofi Hall
    31st March: Vienna Rockhaus

    1st April: Munich Charterhalle
    3rd April: Prague Lucerna Hall
    4th April: Halle Easy Schorre
    5th April: Berlin Hexleys
    7th April: Bielefeld PC69
    8th April: Amsterdam Pardiso
    9th April: Hamburg Docks
    11th April: Copenhagen Pumpehuset
    12th April: Stockholm Ginos
    13th April: Lund Mejeriet
    15th April: Bremen Modernes
    16th April: Dusseldorf Philliphalle
    18th April: Frankfurt Batschkapp
    19th April: Paris Elysee Montmatre

    Part of the video for "Like A Child Again" was shown on Beavis & 
    Butthead last night, part of it includes Wayne Hussey smearing red
    lipstick all over his face (hmm...). B&B's comment at the end was
    "He's a lipstick-wearing whining wussy". Cool!

    Jane.

    
    Oh no....Americana gone Goth...what next?
    
    Chris.

    My personal B&B fave had Butthead introduce a Depeche Mode video
    as follows:
    
    Huh Huh, Huh Huh, er... Depeche Mode, that's French for 
    "we're wussies", huh huh, huh huh. 
    
       

I liked their comments about Paul Young...

huh huh, he looks ill, huh huh, he should go to the doctor,
huh huh huh, "hey doctor, I suck!", huh huh

Chris.

My mate's girlfriend claims that she used to be a backing singer for the 
mission.

I must say that she does look frightening enough to have done it...scary woman.

> My mate's girlfriend claims that she used to be a backing singer for the 
> mission.

    Name?

Pam something.  Very ugly girl.  you could park a car on her forehead, and she 
has a fairly pronounced lower jaw.  Blonde/mousey shoulder-length hair.

She scares the life out of me.

    
    			Ayres !!!!

    At long last...

    http://cwis.auc.dk/mission/mission.html

    And they're back!
    
    Two gigs fixed for July:
    
    Friday 5th July at the Astoria, London.
    Saturday 6th July at Rock City, Nottingham.
    
    I've just booked tickets to see them in London on 5th July. 
    
    There are also rumours of a new album in the summer, and there is now
    an unofficial Mission page in the UK (and very good it is too):
    
    	http://christian-death.acc.brad.ac.uk/mission/
    
    Goldy.

    More news...
    
    The new album is called BLUE and will be released in the UK on 3rd June.
    There will be no singles from the album. The album lasts 51 minutes, 
    39 seconds. 
    
    Track listing: 
    
    Coming Home
    Get Back to You
    Drown in Blue
    Damaged
    More Than This
    That Tears Shall Drown The Wind
    Black and Blue
    Bang Bang
    Alpha Man
    Cannibal
    Dying Room
    Evermore and Again.

    Apparently the songs are quite rocky, nearer to Neverland than to all 
    other Mission albums.

    There is even an internet address for them which is monitored, at
    least, by Kelly Hussey (Wayne's wife). Can't wait for the reply to mail
    I've sent them!
    
    Goldy.

    Hmm, I thought Mike Fiddler was a Mission fan.
    
    Goldy.

    Actually, I thought they were not too bad when i saw them at the
    Reading Fest a few years ago - i think they were headlining one night? 
    They had a good light show, and one song was outstanding - 'Tower of
    Strength' maybe?  Very 'Kashmir'-ish...
    
    mikef  

    Tower of Strength is a classic and could be considered a Mish anthem.
    Goes down a storm live. Actually, the Mission are excellent live, not
    that I'm biased of course.
    
    Goldy.

    
    Goldy,
    >> -< Am I the only Mission fan in here? >-
    
    The resounding silence seems to say so! 
    
    I will confess that I have some early singles and a copy of "Gods Own  
    Medicine" (oh dear, there goes any credibility I may have built up!)
    but that was more of a Sisters inspired purchase.
    After that I rather lost interest.
    
    			Stretch.
    
    P.S I, literally, bumped into Mr Hussey at a gig in London a few years
    ago. Absolute midget of a man, came up to my kneecaps!!

    Zep = Mish - That was when it all went a bit pear shaped IMHO.

    > Absolute midget of a man, came up to my kneecaps!!
    
    That's not surprising, you're about 8 feet tall!
    
    Goldy.

    That makes him about 2'3", which seems reasonable!
    

    After moaning yesterday that I'd heard nothing from the Mission fan
    club for over a year, this morning I received a letter and a tape
    containing extracts from the new album. I also have the option to
    purchase a limited edition T-shirt to mark the Mission's 10th
    anniversary.
    
    I am a happy goldfish today!
    
    Goldy.

    >>            -< Am I the only Mission fan in here? >-
    
    I once slept through their entire set at some rock festival in Belgium,
    1986. Does that make me a fan?
    
     Phil Gill.

    
    ..reminds me of an old friend who queued all night to see the Stones at
    Trentham Gardens, only to 'sleep' through their entire performance. %^)
    
    G.

>    I once slept through their entire set at some rock festival in Belgium,
>    1986. Does that make me a fan?
    
I once slept through an entire Mot�rhead set, and woke up deaf.  Is this a 
record for obliviousness?

Chris.