Leading Gothic Rock act out of Leeds, famously founded by erstwhile SISTERS OF MERCY personnel vocalist / guitarist Wayne Hussey and bassist Craig Adams. Hussey had also served an early 80s term with Pop acts DEAD OR ALIVE and previously THE WALKIE TALKIES. Hussey would only perform a handful of gigs with DEAD OR ALIVE, leaving that band in 1984 and apparently having briefly been involved in the genesis of the even more controversial FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD.

With Hussey and Adam's acrimonious departure from THE SISTERS OF MERCY a band unit was created controversially dubbed THE SISTERHOOD, also by no coincidence the name given to THE SISTERS OF MERCY fan club. With THE SISTERS OF MERCY mentor Andrew Eldritch swift issuing of product under THE SISTERHOOD name, the 1986 album 'Gift', Hussey's band became THE MISSION. Reports at the time suggested that even this revised moniker was a swipe at Eldritch, the supposed provisional title of the next THE SISTERS OF MERCY album having been forecast as 'On A Mission To Rise And Reverberate'. Paradoxically, although never gaining the cult kudos afforded Eldritch's band, THE MISSION would go on to outsell them both in terms of records and concert tickets.

The first formation of THE MISSION included former RED LORRY YELLOW LORRY drummer Mick Brown and ex-ARTERY and PULP guitarist Simon Hinkler. The interest provoked by THE SISTERS OF MERCY connection would place the debut single, 'Serpent's Kiss' released in May of 1986, into the lower reaches of the charts. From that point on THE MISSION steadily built up a fanbase all of their own. Signing to major label Mercury Records the group made an immediate impact with the 1986 album 'God's Own Medicine'. The record saw backing vocals contributed by ALL ABOUT EVE's Julianne Regan, a trend which would continue for successive releases.

Undoubtedly THE MISSION's finest statement came with the March 1988 album 'Children'. Nearly topping the UK album charts 'Children', produced by ex-LED ZEPPELIN bassist JOHN PAUL JONES, was preceded by the eight minute hit single 'Tower Of Strength', a song fittingly of grandiose LED ZEPPELIN-esque proportions with a trademark Eastern aura to match.

1989 conjoured up the odd spectre of a spoof Glam Heavy Metal band THE METAL GURUS actually a union of SLADE frontman Noddy Holder, "Hipster Looney" (Wayne Hussey), "Slink" (Simon Hinkler), "Lucky Mick" (Mick Brown) and "Rick Spangle" (Craig Adams).

1990 was ushered in with the Tim Palmer produced 'Carved In Sand' album preceded by a further hit single 'Butterfly On A Wheel'. A second single, 'Deliverance' released in March promoted the UK 'Deliverance' tour. Supported by THE WONDERSTUFF the band would add another former RED LORRY, YELLOW LORRY man Dave Wolfendon on second guitar.

Bearing in mind that it was compiled of outtakes the October 1990 album 'Grains Of Sand' testified as to the strength of THE MISSION's UK fanbase by charting at no. 28. The 'Grains Of Sand' material had been recorded during the productive 'Carved In Sand' sessions but unused at the time. The CD format of the record also added a further two additional tracks in 'Tower Of Strength (Casbah mix)' and 'Butterfly On A Wheel (Troubadour mix)'.

1990 would prove a pivotal year for the band though with members dealing with not only fame but an acknowledged drug dependency. Wayne Hussey was famously bodily removed from a live TV show in Britain, 'The James Whale Show', the singer plainly drunk. An American tour was postponed with Hinkler reportedly suffering from a rheumatic problem. During gigs in Canada Hinkler walked leaving THE MISSION mid tour without a guitarist. ALL ABOUT EVE's Tim Brecheno plugged the gap on a temporary basis.

The single 'Hands Across The Ocean' was recorded by THE MISSION as a trio, Wayne Hussey handling the main guitar parts.

The group would regroup with Hinkler for a mammoth show at Finsbury Park the following year, oddly utilising an onstage saxophone player much to fans bemusement, but it was not to last. Craig Adams opted out but soon found himself back in the limelight as bass player for THE CULT. The Electro sounds of the 1992 'Masque' album backfired. These sessions saw the introduction of SPEAR OF DESTINY guitarist Mark 'Gemini' Thwaite, JESUS AND MARY CHAIN bass player Matthew Parkin and PENDRAGON and HEARTLAND keyboard player Rik Carter. For touring Andy Cousins of ALL ABOUT EVE supplanted Parkin.

Vertigo issued the retrospective 'Sum And Substance' compilation album in January 1994, notable for its inclusion of two new tracks in 'Sour Puss' and 'Afterglow'. The double vinyl album edition would add three extra tracks namely 'Serpents Kiss', 'Like A Hurricane' and 'Garden Of Delight'. Members of the band's fan club would be treated to a restricted release flexi disc of THE MISSION blasting through a exceptionally heavy rendition of THE OSMONDS 'Crazy Horses'. The group also found itself back in the charts and on 'Top Of The Pops' once more backing up 'Tower Of Strength' yet again courtesy of a remix from KILLING JOKE man Youth.

THE MISSION, only retaining Hussey and Brown from the previous line up, returned in 1995 with the 'Neverland' album. Released on the band's own Equator imprint with distribution through major label Sony the album charted in the UK illustrating the fans durability and loyalty. The main track from the album, 'Raising Cain' had familiar echoes, deliberately re-using a speeded up loop track from the band's biggest hit 'Tower Of Strength'. An unlikely hit was scored in South Africa with 'Lose Myself In You' attaining major radio play backed by a quick burst of unplugged gigs.

In August of 1996, on THE MISSION's tenth anniversary, Wayne Hussey called it a day. Following completion of tour work to promote the 'Blue' album the band bowed out with a performance to over 60'000 fans in Johannesburg.

Hussey relocated to California whilst Andy Cousins created a fresh venture LUCYNATION, later rejoining ALL ABOUT EVE. Rik Carter busied himself with THE VEGASTONES and would join Cousins in ALL ABOUT EVE.

THE MISSION re-activated themselves in 1999, putting in co-headline dates in North America alongside GENE LOVES JEZEBEL to accompany a compilation album 'Resurrection'. Renewed interest in the band took THE MISSION to such previously unvisited countries as Mexico, Brazil, Argentina. A new studio album 'Aura' was delivered in November of 2001, the band now citing a line up of Hussey, Adams, Thwaite and drummer Scott Garrett of THE CULT and GOD LIVES UNDERWATER. Post recording Thwaite was forced to bow out due to prior touring commitments with TRICKY.

The March 2002 single 'Shine Like A Star' included a cover version of DEPECHE MODE's ' Never Let Me Down'. Once again line up problems reared up, this time in the midst of South American dates in May. Having completed four successful Brazilian gigs Craig Adams bailed out. With further shows booked throughout Chile, Peru and Argentina a compromise was reached whereby Hussey would perform songs of THE MISSION with local musicians before closing with solo material. However, as it turned out most gigs were still confusingly billed as THE MISSION.

The mid 2002 version of THE MISSION comprised Hussey, guitarist Rob Holliday, bass player Richard Vernon and drummer Scott Garrett. However, gigs in July would be without the services of Garrett who had damaged ligaments in his hand. Whilst Garrett undertook an enforced period of recuperation Richard Beesley from the GARY NUMAN band would sit in for festival shows in Europe. With these gigs wrapped up WAYNE HUSSEY embarked upon a string of solo shows in the UK during August.

The September 2002 release 'Aural Delights' comprised outtakes, B sides, demos and acoustic renditions of recent material and was made available only through the band's official website. A North American headline tour would coincide with the album release after which WAYNE HUSSEY visited Poland and Portugal for a further series of solo shows.