Wayne Hussey may reunite The Mission for 25th anniversary concerts in 2011

Just two years after mounting a series of farewell concerts, frontman Wayne Hussey is considering reuniting The Mission to celebrate the goth-rock band’s 25th anniversary next year with a series of concerts in the U.K. and Europe that “will be all about nostalgia — nothing more, nothing less.”

Hussey broached the idea onstage at recent European solo concerts, and, late last week, followed up by posting a note in the forum on the Mission’s official site asking for fan input on a possible reuion. Hussey writes that he’s considering two U.K shows (in London and Leeds), plus “some select cities in continental Europe,” possibly in September 2011.

“The shows,” Hussey writes, “will be all about nostalgia — nothing more, nothing less. No new songs, just songs that you, hopefully, have known and loved for many years.”

While Hussey has pushed for a full reunion of the band’s original lineup — guitarist Simon Hinkler and bassist Craig Adams already are on board — he writes that, “I have seen and spoken with (original drummer) Mick Brown and, unfortunately, I have to tell you that Mick won’t be performing with us.” He also notes that latter-period guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite will sit in on some songs, too. (See full post below.)

Next year’s concerts would be the first by The Mission since the band’s string of album-spanning farewell gigs in London in February and March 2008. Since then, Hussey has released a solo album, Bare, and toured on his own. Earlier this year, he released a posthumous Mission compilation, Dum Dum Bullet, featuring previously unreleased demos, new songs left over from the God Is a Bullet sessions.

Read Wayne Hussey’s full post about a Mission reunion after the jump…

25th Anniversary Shows — How do you feel?

OK, so me and my big mouth let it out of the bag that we are thinking of playing some 25th Anniversary shows next year — September time possibly. But before we reach a final decision we, here at MWIS, thought we should poll some opinion from you.

Firstly, we are looking at playing 2 UK shows — one in London and one in Leeds along with some select cities in continental Europe. The shows will be all about nostalgia – nothing more, nothing less. No new songs, just songs that you, hopefully, have known and loved for many years.

Secondly, whilst we can’t confirm the full line-up at this point I can tell you that I would be appearing alongside Simon Hinkler on guitar, Craig Adams on bass, and Mark Gemini Thwaite would be our special guest for some of the songs. I have seen and spoken with Mick Brown and, unfortunately, I have to tell you that Mick won’t be performing with us. Shame, I know, but there it is. At present if this goes ahead we do have a vacant drummers seat that we will need to fill.

Anyway, my question to you is how would you feel about us playing these shows without Mick? I have read some of the comments previously posted on this forum and generally it’s what I expected. But I did want to clarify for you where exactly we’re at and I’d like your input.

Let us know, eh?

Cheers,
Wayne

PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS

• Video: The Mission UK teases new ‘Dum Dum Bullet’ compilation with highlight reel
• The Mission UK releasing ‘Dum Dum Bullet’ comp with new songs, rare B-sides
• Wayne Hussey chronicles The Mission’s final gig with ‘Live & Last’