Not only is The Mission reuniting for a 25th anniversary concert this fall, but Wayne Hussey and two of the band’s other original members — joined by ex-Siouxsie and the Banshees drummer Budgie — are currently holed up in a British studio recording a new album. Or so Hussey would have us believe.
According to an announcement posted on the band’s website Sunday that may or may not be true (note the provided tracklist, reproduced below), the 12-track Jokerman will be released “in time for” The Mission’s planned reunion concert at London’s O2 Academy Brixton on Oct. 22. An actual release date has not yet been announced.
If it’s not a prank, the new album, like the anniversary concert, finds frontman Hussey joined by original members Simon Hinkler (guitar) and Craig Adams (bass); the three will appear on record together for the first time since 1990’s Carved In Sand. Adams later rejoined the band in the late ’90s and played on 2001’s Aura, while Hinkler performed with The Mission during the band’s farewell concerts three years ago.
Because original drummer Mick Brown declined to participate in the reunion, Budgie — who Hussey says was in a band with him and The Lightning Seeds’ Ian Broudie “for just two days” in the late ’70s — is recording with the group. Additionally, Hussey says he’s enlisted producer Tim Palmer, who worked on 1986 debut God’s Own Medicine and Carved in Sand, to help the new sessions at a Sussex studio.
See tracklist for The Mission’s ‘Jokerman’ after the jump…
Tracklist: The Mission, Jokerman*
1. “You’re Just Another Pawn In My Game”
2. “Don’t Be Fooled Yet Again”
3. “Laugh Until I Cry”
4. “Idiot Savant”
5. “Cross My Palm With Silver”
6. “April Rain”
7. “Have You Got It Yet?”
8. “Pull The Wool Over Your Eyes”
9. “Retirement Fund”
10. “The Joke’s On You”
12. “(If You Understand) Keep It To Yourself”
* “Provisional” tracklisting
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- The Mission reissuing ’90s albums ‘Neverland,’ ‘Blue’ next month with bonus tracks
- The Mission to reunite for 25th anniversary concert in London next October
- Wayne Hussey may reunite The Mission for 25th anniversary concerts in 2011
- 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’
God love ya! Love your website and work ethic! I check you out several times a week and find stuff i just don’t find anywhere else.
Thanks for this on the MISH…..love them as well!
Cheers,
Kevin from Boston
Oh my god!! This news is INCREDIBLE!! Thanks so much for letting us know. I have loved this band for so many years and was pretty bummed when they seemingly called it quits. Can’t wait for “Jokerman!”
Although this track list is obviously a joke, I would not be surprised if they did record an album. And it would be great to get some new tracks by the only line-up that mattered. When Simon left, he took the heart of the Mission with him…
Darn! I was so excited that I missed the fact that most of the song titles are gags. Well, maybe they really are working on new stuff…..i hope….