Michael Herbage,Eddie Roxie,Sam Burnett. Stuart Mizon,Mark Taylor.
Guest Players: Marco Pirroni, Mark Bedford,Michelle Brigandage, Terry Edwards, Glen Matlock.The 'Great' John Keeble, Susie Honeyman.
Influences
Chic,Roxy Music,Bowie,Sex Pistols,Syd Barrett,Edith Piaf, Tom Jones,T Rex, Mott The Hoople,George Benson,Kraftwerk,Can, Blitz Kids and Billys, Cabaret,The Servant,Modern Classics,The Lacy Lady,Crackers, The Roxy.
Sounds Like
Psychedelic Glam Punk-Funk
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Buy My CoocaChoo Here On Red Vinyl!Buy Wonderful Day on Replica Coloured Vinyl CD!...
"Wonderful Day" - New Single Released in August 10th!...
2007 saw the first Department S activity in 25 years. The threesome of Eddie Roxy, Stuart Mizon and Mike Herbage had been toiling away in dark corners and deep cellars since February of that year and October 8th saw the release of the 4th Department S single and the first for 2 and a half decades. It’d 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. Infact 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 I -tunes. 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 2007 which included guest appearances by Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols and Marco Pirroni, Adams chief Ant. Mr Edwards once again added brass with strings supplied courtesy of Susie from The Mekons.These sessions culminated in the new Department S single, Wonderful Day, released on August 1th 2009.
The band has now been joined by Sam Burnett of '79 Mod legends, Back to Zero on guitar and keyboards and former Department S keyboard wizard Mark Taylor has taken up bass playing duties.. Stuart Mizon has now re-joined the band, we shall be back in the rehearsal studio first weekend of September, with possible gigs to follow by the end of the year. Watch this space.
Marco Pirroni! Wow, I haven't heard that name for a very long time - great memories there of the two drummers and Indian/Pirate clothing. They were so damn good. That's really impressive, both additions.
Wow - you have been through a lot and keep persevering - I am impressed. And I really like the music I was able to listen to on your page. Thank you for your friendship.
But I have to ask - why Department S? Why not Department T or some other letter??
Thanks for being a friend! Do you know about the Electric Ball in London on Wednesday November 18? JEFFERSON STARSHIP + QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE + TOM CONSTANTEN (original Grateful Dead pianist) + more! Please try and make it. It’ll be a ball! Details and tickets from: http://www.rhythmgigs.com
Hello I friend wrote to me and claimed that some one in Department S wrote the liner notes for a certain 80's band,as the "cappuccino Kid" is this true?If it is that's very funny :I have some of those lp's. Thank you Martin
I believe our bassist, Parsley, has a family connection with you chaps?!! It would be a pleasure to see you on the 21st! Will Vic be there? (How many times have you heard that?!!! Sorry!) Ever, Frankie Dilemma
We're extremely humbled and flattered by your kind comment, chaps! Thank-you! Be sure to come and see us playing live in London on Sat November 21st!!! Cheers! Frankie Dilemma x
2007 saw the first Department S activity in 25 years. The threesome of Eddie Roxy, Stuart Mizon and Mike Herbage had been toiling away in dark corners and deep cellars since February of that year and October 8th saw the release of the 4th Department S single and the first for 2 and a half decades. It’d 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. Infact 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 I -tunes. 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 2007 which included guest appearances by Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols and Marco Pirroni, Adams chief Ant. Mr Edwards once again added brass with strings supplied courtesy of Susie from The Mekons.These sessions culminated in the new Department S single, Wonderful Day, released on August 1th 2009.
The band has now been joined by Sam Burnett of '79 Mod legends, Back to Zero on guitar and keyboards and former Department S keyboard wizard Mark Taylor has taken up bass playing duties.. Stuart Mizon has now re-joined the band, we shall be back in the rehearsal studio first weekend of September, with possible gigs to follow by the end of the year. Watch this space.
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