The chemistry that creates instant audience reaction is what separates the best live bands from the chasing pack. Like a form of charisma, that thing that is all but impossible to define, you either have it or you don’t. One band that most definitely had it, and had it by arena loads, was The Mission.
As a final goodbye The Mission played a series of sold out nights running through each of their early albums. They have released several versions including a three DVD set, The Mission: The Final Chapter, a five disc set covering every night, and this two CD release entitled The Mission: Live & Last.
Disc one captures the band playing London’s Shepherds Bush Empire on March 1, 2008. The second disc, of four tracks, is taken from a concert the preceding week at The Music Hall in Cologne, Germany. Also included is a twenty minute interview with long time friend, admirer, and Radio 1 and 2 presenter Janice Long.
Janice’s interview has Wayne Hussey phoning in from his home in Brazil. It's all a long way from where the pair met in Liverpool back in 1977. At that time Wayne was in a band called Dead Or Alive. From there he went to Leeds and joined The Sisters Of Mercy. When that band split Wayne and the Sisters bass player Craig Adams formed The Mission. That was 1985 and the rest, using that horribly well worn cliché, is history.
Janice takes Wayne through his early days in Liverpool from The Dead Birds and on through to The Mission. He admits to the nerves and pressure of fronting the band, and why they finally decided to wrap it up.
It's a good interview between two people who obviously know each other well. It ends with a disturbing image of Wayne drunk after a night out. It is a story that gives a whole new meaning to the song “Tie A Yellow Ribbon”. Use the darkest parts of your imagination to fill in the gaps.
By 2007 The Mission, or The Mission UK as they are known in the States, had, after a total of a dozen or so studio and live albums, all but run its course. However, an idea came about of playing the first four albums to finally put the band to bed and close the door on a remarkable career.
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