The Mission - The Most Fascinating Facts ... Anywhere
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They Were Originally Called The Sisterhood
When Wayne Hussey and bassist Craig Adams left the Sisters of Mercy in 1985, their new group initially used the name The Sisterhood. Former bandmate Andrew Eldritch then released a record under that name, effectively claiming it for his own project. Hussey and Adams had to choose another name, eventually settling on The Mission.
The Name Had More Than One Possible Origin
The Mission's official history records the name change following the Sisterhood dispute. Later accounts have offered different explanations for the final choice: Hussey has associated it with the missionary tradition of his Mormon upbringing, while drummer Mick Brown reportedly connected it with the Mission brand of loudspeakers. The conflicting stories have become part of the band's history.
Three Former Bands Fed into the Original Line-Up
The founding members brought experience from several different groups. Hussey and Adams had been in the Sisters of Mercy, drummer Mick Brown came from Leeds band Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, and guitarist Simon Hinkler had played with Artery. The combination helped give The Mission a sound that was more expansive than a simple continuation of Hussey's previous band.
They Were Touring Before Their Debut Album Existed
The Mission began touring Europe in early 1986, supporting The Cult. Their first major run of live dates therefore helped establish their identity before their debut album, God's Own Medicine, appeared later that year.
Two Independent Singles Reached Number One on the UK Indie Chart
Before signing a major-label deal, The Mission released “Serpent's Kiss” and “Garden of Delight” independently. Both reached number one on the UK independent singles chart, giving the group a substantial following before its first album was released.
They Were Known as The Mission UK in America
When the band prepared to tour the United States in 1987, it became apparent that a Philadelphia rhythm-and-blues group already used the name The Mission. The British band consequently became known as The Mission UK in America, a distinction that remains visible on some American releases and promotional material.
Wayne Hussey's Religious Background Influenced the Band's Name
Hussey grew up in a strict religious environment and has spoken about his Mormon upbringing in interviews. The word “Mission” has sometimes been linked to that background, although the story is complicated by the competing account of the name's origin. His relationship with religion has also informed discussions of the band's imagery and lyrics.
God's Own Medicine Was Released in 1986
The debut album, God's Own Medicine, established The Mission as one of the leading British alternative-rock bands of the period. It reached number 14 on the UK album chart, and its combination of ringing guitars, prominent bass and Hussey's dramatic vocals helped define the band's early sound.
Stay With Me Was Their First Major-Label Single
“Stay With Me” was The Mission's first single for Phonogram after their independent releases. It entered the UK chart at number 30, marking a significant step from the independent scene into the mainstream music business.
Tim Palmer Became Closely Associated with Their Early Sound
Producer Tim Palmer worked on God's Own Medicine and returned for later Mission projects. His association with the band continued across different phases of their career, including their 2016 album Another Fall from Grace, which deliberately revisited elements of their early sound.
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John Paul Jones Produced Children
The Mission's second album, Children, was produced by John Paul Jones, best known as Led Zeppelin's bassist and multi-instrumentalist. His involvement connected the band with one of the central figures in British hard rock and helped push their sound towards a heavier, more muscular style.
Led Zeppelin's Influence Was Deliberate
Hussey has discussed the influence of Led Zeppelin on the period surrounding Children. The album's guitar-heavy arrangements and use of mandolin gave the band a different character from the more atmospheric sound of their debut, while retaining the grand choruses that became a Mission trademark.
Tower of Strength Became One of Their Biggest Hits
“Tower of Strength”, released from Children in 1988, reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. Its huge chorus and layered guitars made it one of the group's best-known songs, and it became a regular feature of the band's live performances.
Wasteland Was Another Early Chart Success
“Wasteland”, from God's Own Medicine, reached number 11 in the UK in 1987. It was one of the band's strongest early singles and helped turn their following in alternative music into broader commercial recognition.
Carved in Sand and Grains of Sand Were Closely Connected
The Mission's 1990 album Carved in Sand was followed in the same year by Grains of Sand, a companion release built from additional material associated with the same recording period. The two albums provide a revealing look at how much music the band was creating around this point in its career.
Simon Hinkler Left During a Major American Tour
Guitarist Simon Hinkler departed in 1990, during a major American tour. His departure came at a difficult time for the band and marked the end of the original four-piece line-up's first phase. The group continued with replacement guitarists in subsequent years.
Masque Began as a Wayne Hussey Solo Project
The 1992 album Masque developed from material Hussey had originally envisaged as a solo record. It moved away from the familiar Mission formula towards a mixture of folk, pop and alternative-rock elements. The change divided opinion among fans who had expected another album in the style of the band's earlier records.
They Used the Name Metal Gurus for Glam-Rock Covers
Members of The Mission performed glam-rock covers under the name Metal Gurus around the turn of the 1990s. The project allowed them to explore the music that had influenced them, rather than sticking to their own dark, dramatic repertoire. They also released material connected with the Metal Gurus identity.
The Band Split in 1996
The Mission's original run came to an end in 1996 after the release of Blue. Hussey went on to pursue solo work, while the band's members followed different paths. The split did not prove permanent, but it brought the group's first decade to a close.
They Reunited for Their 25th Anniversary
In 2011, Hussey, Adams and Hinkler reunited with drummer Mike Kelly for The Mission's 25th-anniversary tour. The response was strong enough to lead to further dates and eventually a new studio album, The Brightest Light, released in 2013.
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Another Fall from Grace Revisited Their Early Sound
Released in 2016, Another Fall from Grace was conceived as a link between the Sisters of Mercy's First and Last and Always and The Mission's own debut, God's Own Medicine. Hussey specifically mentioned his use of the electric twelve-string guitar as part of the effort to recapture that musical connection.
Martin Gore Appeared on Another Fall from Grace
Depeche Mode's Martin Gore contributed to Another Fall from Grace, joining a group of guest musicians that also included Gary Numan, Ville Valo of HIM and Julianne Regan of All About Eve. The guests connected The Mission's later work with several different strands of alternative music.
Wayne Hussey Has Never Wanted to Repeat the Same Album
In interviews, Hussey has explained that his low boredom threshold pushes him to keep changing direction rather than make the same record repeatedly. That instinct has led The Mission through gothic rock, hard rock, folk-influenced music and more experimental releases, even when those changes have confused some listeners.
The Band's 2008 Farewell Included Four London Shows
When Hussey disbanded The Mission in 2008, the final European tour ended with four shows at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire. The performances were documented on The Final Chapter, a release that charted in the UK music DVD listings. The band returned to the stage three years later.
The Mission's 2026 Anniversary Plans Include a New Album
In an interview published in 2026, Hussey discussed plans for the band's 40th anniversary and said a new album was expected in early 2027. The anniversary celebrations also include a series of London shows devoted to God's Own Medicine and the band's early catalogue.
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