Department S (band)
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Department S was a British new wave band formed in 1980, who took their stage name from the 1960s TV series.
Contents |
[edit] Career
[edit] 1980s
Department S evolved from a previous punk/ska combo, Guns For Hire. Mike Herbage joined them and wrote Guns For Hire's only single - "I'm Gonna Rough My Girlfriend's Boyfriend Up Tonight" - which emerged on Korova Records. The group then became Department S, with the addition of Eddie Roxy (later replaced by Mark Taylor) and Stuart Mizon. They made their live debut at the Rock Garden, London, in July 1980. Demon Records subsequently released their debut single, "Is Vic There?", in March 1981. It was produced by former Mott the Hoople members Buffin and Overend Watts, but its initial success led to the better-equipped RCA Records picking it up. The single’s b-side, a cover of T. Rex's "Solid Gold Easy Action", featured Thunder Thighs on backing vocals.
The group recorded a radio session for the BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel on 3 December 1980. The tracks laid down were "Is Vic There?"; "Age Concern"; "Ode To Cologne (Stench Of War)"; and "Clap Now".
The follow-up single "Going Left Right", released on the Stiff Records label fared considerably worse, and their days were numbered despite a number 1 single in Spain ("I Want").[citation needed] Poor subsequent sales and differences of opinion with their record label, resulted in the band being dropped by Stiff, but not before £50,000 was reputedly spent on what was to be their debut album Sub-Stance.
Vaughan Toulouse died in 1991, from AIDS related causes.
Department S - Is Vic There? excerpt Image:Department S - Is Vic There excerpt.ogg
[edit] Revival
In February 2007, Department S recorded their first new single for twenty six years, a cover version of Alvin Stardust's 1973 hit "My Coo-Ca-Choo". It was released on Sartorial Records in October 2007. It included a guest appearance by Mark Bedford of Madness on bass guitar. A re-recording of "Is Vic There?" and a new track "Wonderful Day" have now been recorded, and include contributions from Glen Matlock and Marco Pirroni. Live concert dates will take place in September 2008.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Singles
- "Is Vic There?" b/w "Solid Gold Easy Action" - (1981) - UK Singles Chart high - #22
- "Going Left Right" b/w "She's Expecting You" - (1981) - #55
- "I Want" b/w "Monte Carlo Or Bust" - (1981)
- "My Coocachoo" - (2007)
[edit] Album
- Sub-Stance - (re-released in 2003) - LTM Records
[edit] Band members
1980s musicians
- Vaughan Toulouse (born Vaughan Cotillard, 30 July 1959, St Helier Jersey, Channel Islands; died August, 1991) - Vocalist
- Mike Herbage - Guitarist
- Tony Lordan - Bassist
- Eddie Roxy (born Anthony Edward Lloyd-Barnes) - Keyboards - 1980
- Mark Taylor - Keyboards - 1981
- Stuart Mizon - Drummer - 1980
- John Hasler - Drummer - 1981
2007/8 version
- Mike Herbage - Guitarist
- Eddie Roxy - Lead vocals
- Stuart Mizon - Drummer
- Terry Edwards - Saxophonist
- Michelle Brigandage - Backing vocals
- Mark Bedford - Bassist
[edit] References
- Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 14th Edition - ISBN 0-85156-156-X
