Department S

Department S

Department S are a London punk and post-punk group that forms in 1980 and take their name from the 1960s television series Department S. The band’s best-known release is the debut single “Is Vic There?”, which helps establish their reputation in the early 1980s. Their live debut is at the Rock Garden in London on 24 September 1980.

Origins

Department S develop from the punk/ska group Guns For Hire, fronted by Vaughn Toulouse and also featuring former Madness drummer John Hasler. Mike Herbage joins on guitar and writes Guns For Hire’s only single, “I’m Gonna Rough My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend Up Tonight”, which appears on Korova Records. The Department S line-up then includes Eddie Roxy, later replaced by Mark Taylor, and Stuart Mizon.

Recording and releases

The band’s debut single “Is Vic There?” is released by Demon Records in December 1980 and later re-issued on RCA. It begins to climb the charts and leads to an appearance on Top of the Pops. Department S later record a new version of Alvin Stardust’s “My Coo-Ca-Choo” in February 2007, along with re-recordings and new tracks including “Wonderful Day”, “God Squad Saviour” and “Outside”. Their 2007 release comes out on Sartorial Records and includes guest contributions from Mark Bedford of Madness, Glen Matlock, Marco Pirroni, Michelle Brigandage of Brigandage, Susie Honeyman of The Mekons and John Keeble of Spandau Ballet.

Later activity

After planned 2008 concerts are postponed, the band returns to live performance at London’s 100 Club in February 2010 and continues with further dates through that year. Festival appearances include Rebellion Festival and Sinners Day Festival in Belgium. In June 2011, Department S issue “God Squad Saviour” b/w “Slave” and the live album Mr Nutley’s Strange Delusionarium, both on Sartorial Records. The band also works on a studio album titled The Constructavists Nightmare.

Members and legacy

The named members are Vaughn Toulouse, Mike Herbage, Jimmy Hughes and Pete Jones. Vaughn Toulouse dies in 1991 from an AIDS-related illness. Department S remain associated with British punk and new wave through their early 1980s singles and their later revival recordings.