The ambient/experimental rock duo Department was formed in 1997 by Spacious and Gatz, who began their partnership concentrating on rock music. In the meantime, Spacious collaborated with a group called Vauxdvihl, and Gatz worked as an audio engineer for an entertainment company. Department's music gradually evolved into something much darker and artier, and they signed with the indie label Laboratory. Their debut album This Is Tension Avenue was released in late 2000. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide