Department S -

Department S was an English new wave band that released three singles on Stiff Records circa 1980/81, preceded by a one-off as Guns for Hire. The band recorded nearly an album’s worth of original studio material that later appeared on the compilations Is Vic There? and Sub-Stance.

Members: Vaughn Toulouse (vocals, 1980-81), Mike Herbage (guitar), Tony Lordan (bass, 1980-81), Eddie Roxy (keyboards, vocals), Stuart Mizon (drums, 1980-81, 2007-15), Anthony Lloyd-Barnes (synthesizer, 1980-81), Mark Taylor (synthesizer, guitar, bass, 1981, 2007-13)

Background

Department S formed in London in September 1980 when singer Vaughn Toulouse, guitarist Mike Herbage, and bassist Tony Lordan continued from Guns For Hire under a new name. Drummer Stuart Mizon and synthesist Eddie Roxy (aka Anthony Edward Lloyd-Barnes) completed the five-piece. The group took its name from the 1969–70 ITC television series Department S.

Toulouse and Lordan conceived Guns For Hire in 1979 with friend Gary Crowley. They initially promoted the nonexistent group through badges and stickers around London. After Crowley heard that someone claimed to have seen Guns For Hire perform, concert promoter Clive Banks financed a demo.

Toulouse and Lordan then assembled an actual lineup with Herbage and drummer John Hasler, an early Madness member who managed The Nips. Terry Hall of The Specials financed a further demo after hearing their first recordings. Korova subsequently offered the band a one-single deal.

Guns For Hire recorded “I’m Gonna Rough My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend Up Tonight” with “I’m Famous Now” in Camden Town. Korova issued the single on May 2, 1980, as KOW 6, between titles by Lori & The Chameleons and Greg Vandike.

The band made its live debut at the Rock Garden in Covent Garden on July 24 and played further London dates that summer. After Hasler’s subsequent departure, Toulouse, Herbage, and Lordan retired the Guns For Hire name and recruited Mizon and Roxy as Department S.

The new lineup premiered on Sept. 24, 1980, at the Rock Garden and supported Toots & the Maytals on Sept. 28/29 shows at Cardiff’s Top Rank and the Hammersmith Palais. They reached a larger audience with their November opening slot for The Jam at London’s Rainbow Theatre.

On Nov. 19, Department S cut a sessions for BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, whose Dec. 3 broadcast aired “Is Vic There?” and “Age Concern.” Their early setlist also featured songs by Roxy Music (“Editions of You”) and T. Rex (“Solid Gold Easy Action”).

Banks secured financing from Stiff co-founder Jake Riviera for a Demon single. Toulouse and Herbage wrote “Is Vic There?,” taking the title from a telephone inquiry received at the management office in Covent Garden. Department S recorded the song with former Mott the Hoople members Dale “Buffin” Griffin and Pete “Overend” Watts, who co-produced the track for a March 1981 Demon single (b/w “Solid Gold Easy Action”).

Discography: