Update: 3rd Oct, 2007
2007 sees the first Department S activity in 25 years. The threesome of Eddie Roxy, Stuart Mizon, and Mike Herbage have been toiling away in dark corners and deep cellars since February of this year and October 8th sees the release of the 4th Department S single and the first for two and a half decades. It’s been a long old time in the wilderness and it all came together after several bottles (too much) of red wine in the legendary ‘Ship’ public house in Wardour Street, London W1.
Roxy had contacted Herbage via this very website with a view to meeting up to reignite old acquaintances and in the ensuing drunken revelling it was mooted that a new Department S song should be recorded - purely for fun - and it was to be a cover that would reflect the spirit of our youth. It was decided that "My Coo Cachoo" by the wonderful Mr Alvin Stardust was to be given the glam rock / punk treatment, which was also fitting as Alvin was a big hero of the now sadly departed Vaughan Toulouse, original lead singer with Department S. This one’s for you Toulouse.
Stuart Mizon had rekindled relations with Herbage some time earlier and was alerted to the possibility of this jolly jape and immediately jumped on board the good ship ‘S’.
After several shaky rehearsals an arrangement for the song was worked out and the help was sought of a maestro to help the lads in the studio. Remember, it’d been 25 years since they had recorded together and although Herbage had recorded an album with friends, The Purple Hearts, in the mid 1980’s, things were a whole lot different in 2007. A suitable genius was found in the shape of one Mr Terry Edwards, former Sax man with The Higsons and Gallon Drunk and veteran of many a session with the likes of Robyn Hitchcock and Madness. Terry put the lads through their paces and knocked them into shape and with the help of Mr Mark Bedford of Madness on Bass and Mr Edwards blowing rock’n’roll sax like a bitch and Michelle Brigandage helping out on backing vocals, the end product was, to say the least, surprising. In fact it came out so well that it was decided that the song should be released as a single. Fortunately Mr Edwards ran his own record label - Sartorial, so a home was found.
The song itself, although keeping faithful (in the main) to the arrangement of the original, is sonically a million miles away from the original. Think of Led Zeppelin meets the Clash and Adam and the Ants in a brothel and you’ll get the rough idea. The track will be available in 7” ‘Romany Blood’ Red vinyl and download from iTunes. The B-side sees a rendition of David Bowie’s ‘Cat People’ by Terry Edwards and the Scapegoats. It don’t get no classier than this.
More activity has followed, culminating in a recording session in September which included guest appearances by Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols and Marco Pirroni, Adam's chief Ant. Mr Edwards once again added brass with strings supplied courtesy of Susie from The Mekons. Though we say so ourselves, the outcome of the three days session is nothing short of stunning and more details will follow in due course.
Update: 6th July, 2003
West country punk band ~ Kosmic
Overdrive ~ have recorded a rebel rousing version of *Is Vic There?*.
You can listen to it, and original material by the band here.
Update: 10th May, 2003
LTM have just issued a compilation CD containing tracks by Department S, Cath Carroll, Ludus, Ultramarine, Crispy Ambulance, and many more. It's called "Black Music" and you can buy it here.
Update: 16th Mar, 2003
New reviews for Sub-Stance have been added from Mohair Sweets and Uncut magazine.
Update: 12th Feb, 2003
Whisperin and Hollerin has just posted an interview with Department S' Mike Herbage on their website. Check it out here.
Update: 13th Jan, 2003
We are pleased to announce that the fabulous Sub-Stance CD is now available for your listening pleasure!!
"It reveals a band full of energy and attitude, with a lead guitarist, Mike Herbage, of considerable ability." - Record Collector, March 2003
For further details on this much anticipated release, refer to the November 2nd, 2002 update. Go here for reviews and here for the track listing. And watch for the March issue of Uncut magazine for their review of Sub-Stance as well as an article on Department S.
To order your copy of Sub-Stance today, please go here (if you live in the US, go here). A must have!!
Update: 14th Nov, 2002
The
legendary RT4 will be returning to the London stage on December
5th, 2002 @ The Rhythm Factory (Doors 7:30pm), Whitechapel,
E1. This godless event will once again provoke.....
Featuring Shaun 'Squatter' Rogan (Ex-God) on Bass, Simon 'Conscience' Stebbing (Ex-Purple Hearts) on Guitar and vocals, Gary Sparks (Ex-Purple Hearts) on skins, and Mike Herbage (Ex-Department -S-) on Guitar.
After the raging success of last year's one-off aural assault on the senses of the great unwashed, the '4' have been persuaded to tread the boards once again for an evening of Cultural Terrorism and hellish noise. Also featured are the very wonderful Serious Drinking, with their own brand of social comment and chaotic mayhem, along with The Zimmermen, bringing a new meaning to the works of Bob Dylan (meaning he wishes he hadn't written the songs!).
Miss this major cultural event at your peril. It may not happen again!
The following is a publicity release from LTM Publishing. Watch our site or LTM's site for updates.
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LTM PUBLICITY RELEASE, January 2003
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LTM are pleased to make available the entire recorded works of cult post-punk band Department S, a full-length CD based around their unreleased 1981 album Sub-Stance
Formed from the ashes of London ska chancers Guns For Hire, the Department released three brilliant singles in 1980/81, including Going Left Right, I Want and Is Vic There?, the latter reaching number 22 on the national singles chart in April 1981 and earning the band three appearances on Top of the Pops and a Smash Hits cover. Despite this success, and many high-profile live dates, their eclectic debut album Sub-Stance (produced by Parallel Lines engineer David Tickle) undeservedly remained on the shelf.
In addition to the entire lost album and all the still-fresh single sides, the CD also includes several unheard demo tracks as well as the original recording of live favourite Clap Now, produced by Dale Griffin and Pete Watts of Mott the Hoople. The CD also includes half a dozen pin-sharp live numbers recorded in December 1981.
Included in the extensive sleevenotes is a frank memoir by guitarist Mike Herbage, the band's main music writer. Sadly charismatic vocalist Vaughn Toulouse is no longer around to see his sterling work get the belated recognition it deserves, having died of an AIDS-related illness in 1991.
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