News 2008

Dream Giver - Simple Minds Online Unofficially

News

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18^th July
New Album, Glasgow Gig Support, Derek Forbes, Collection For Sale (1), Collection For Sale (2), Nelson Mandela 90th Tribute Concert, Themes

Simple Minds will record the tracks for their new album in Rockfield Studios, Wales, throughout the month of August 2008.
It is bound to be a rather emotional return as Rockfield is where the band recorded some of their fledgling and most innovative work, specifically both their second and third albums - Real to Real Cacophony and Empires and Dance.
With Jez Coad who co-produced the band's last album Black and White 050505 returning to fulfill the same duties, drummer Mel Gaynor and bassist Eddie Duffy will join founder members Charlie Burchill and Jim Kerr - both of whom have spent the last few months writing the set of new songs that are due to be recorded. Andy Gillespie will add additional keyboards.
Legendary mixer Bob Clearmountain is set to complete the finishing work at his own Mix This studios in Los Angeles and the album when completed will be ready for international release within the early months of 2009.
Click here for details about Simple Minds' 30th Anniversary Tour - www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/kennedy_street/simple_minds_2008_tour.htm.

And I've just noticed The Alarm are the support for the Glasgow gig.

Virtual legend Derek Forbes continues his bass-line masterclass with a video of him performing Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel.

Do you want an instant, entire Simple Minds collection?
Kurt Meuleman is selling his entire collection as one lot. His collection consists of:

Nearly 200 different vinyls
More then 200 different CDs
Includes promos, rare and very rare stuff
Plus lots of videos, cassettes, books, tourbooks and memorabilia
This collection was started my collection in 1983 and 90% of the items are impeccable, 9% mint and 1% very slightly damaged.
He's asking 10,000 euro for the entire collection (nothing will be split) and the whole collection has to be collected from him in Belgium.
E-mail kurt.meuleman@telenet.be for further information.
(The images below show his collection of items from the New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) era.)

David Johnson has been selling items from his collection on eBay over the last few months. He's now going to start selling the vinyl.
"with regret I will be selling the vast majority of my Simple Minds vinyl collection from 1977 - 2008. I'm keeping some of the choice bootlegs and some 1980 - 82 autographed stuff but the rest will be appearing on eBay or you can email me for the vinyl-only list and make some offers."
"It includes promos, bootlegs, 12" remixes, 7" singles, doublepacks, pic disks and rare items from around the world."
"The band are still 'the best live band in the world' but I no longer see the point in hoarding my collection so I'm sure it will find good home(s) amongst other Simple Minds fans & collectors."
"Items up for grabs will be:

Jungleland 12" test pressing
Live In The City Of Light 5 track Canadian vinyl promo
Catch A Wave 2x10" punk compilation 1978
Street Fighting Years Spanish version
Biba Rom - One Step Closer 12" remix
For serious collectors:

New Gold Dream Class Remix - one of only 20 pressed on blue vinyl
Gold Dream - Zimbabwe LP
She's a River 12" promo France
East at Easter / Alive And Kicking 7" from the Philipines
Simplemente peru 12"
And the top rarity is the All The Things She Said/Alive And Kicking 2 x 7" UK doublepack - which is still sealed!"
Email him (prescot98@blueyonder.co.uk) for a full list of 250 vinyl items or keep your eyes on Ebay from late August.

Videos of both Mandela Day and Don't You (Forget About Me) from the 46664 Concert can be found on Stuart's site.

The section on the Themes Volumes has been updated with a press review, detals of the promo versions and further documentation.

4^th July
Birmingham Mail Interview, Nelson Mandela 90th Tribute Concert

We will delight our fans with a blast from past
SCOTTISH superstars Simple Minds have a Birmingham band to thank for giving them their big showbiz break 30 years ago.
The group's first gig was supporting Handsworth's Steel Pulse at Glasgow's Satellite City Club on January 17, 1978.
Recalls Simple Minds' frontman Jim Kerr: "For us to get any kind of gig was a big thing. We'd been writing and rehearsing for a few weeks and this was a chance for us to play in front of a couple of thousand people. It set us on the right road. We went down a storm."
"Not many reggae bands played in Glasgow back then but we knew about Steel Pulse because John Peel had been playing their Handsworth Revolution album."
"In fact, Steel Pulse were the first Rastas we'd seen - there was no West Indian community in Glasgow." Jim, aged 47, says they got the gig, their first as Simple Minds, because they already had a local following as a punk band.
"We'd built up a bit of a reputation as Johnny and the Self Abusers and I suppose the promoter thought we'd sell a few extra tickets," Jim grins.
To mark the 30th anniversary of the formation of Simple Minds there are plans to make their show at Birmingham NEC on November 28 extra special.
"We wanted to do something a wee bit different so we thought we'd pick a complete album to play in concert," explains Jim. "New Gold Dream was our landmark album, our break-through record, so we'll be playing that from start to finish. But there are a few songs on it that we've never played live so we need to start rehearsing!"
"It will be quite special for those who like the album but it's only a 38 minute record - and it's a two and a half hour show, so fans will get to hear plenty of other songs."
And there may even be a song we've never heard before slipped in.
"The shows are about the past but we may put in a new one for the hell of it."
So new material is on the way but there will still be a link with the past.
Tracks are being written by Jim and guitarist Charlie Burchill with former Simple Minds members Brian McGee, Mick McNeil and Derek Forbes. "I don't know if they'll be on stage with us in Birmingham. What would I like to happen? I'd like the best to happen!"
*Ticket info
Simple Minds Nov 28: NEC Arena Tickets: Ł35, plus booking and transaction fee, from www.theticketfactory.com or 0871 945 6000

Andy Coleman
Birmingham Mail
4th July

A Queen fan has prepared a torrent of the entire Nelson Mandela 90th Tribute Concert which was recorded from the Dutch digital channel Nederland 3 (who showed the whole gig).
It's available as four separate 'DVDs' and Simple Minds are available on the third DVD.
You will need Torrent software on your computer to view it. The address of the torrent is http://members.home.nl/mvanbokhoven/torrent/complete_46664_27-06-2008_london_concert.torrent

2^nd July
Sons Of Dan Sampler, Themes on iTunes

Samples of three of the tracks Sons Of Dan (Mick, Derek and Brian) have been working on have been posted to Derek's Myspace (click on Simple Sampler) and also to Sons Of Dan Myspace.
They're just rough demos at the moment (no vocals etc.) but definintely show promise (especially the last one which has an The American feel).
You can also hear their chilling new version of Pleasantly Disturbed.

The Themes Volumes are now available on iTunes. Be wary though: although the correct version of This Earth That You Walk Upon is present, the wrong version of Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) is included (it's the album version instead of the extended version).

29^th June
Themes

So far this decade, Simple Minds have done us proud. There’s been a constant stream of new albums (Neon Lights, Cry, Live And Rare and Black And White) and singles; the band have been touring every year taking in small clubs through to arenas; remixes and oddities have surfaced from hip Italian record companies; and they’ve even given away freebie live albums through Sunday papers. Plus, there’s the forthcoming tour and albums to look forward to. It’s been a great time to be a fan.
Virgin Records, on the other hand, haven’t done us proud. They’ve been grappling with the Mind’s back catalogue in a most unimaginative way, repeatedly issuing the same material in all manner of guises, and repeatedly failing to approach their library of recordings in any intelligent way. Silver Box and Seen The Lights are the exceptions, but they had their own problems.
(Incidentally the DVD-Audio remixes of New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) and Once Upon A Time were completely down to Charlie Burchill and Ronald Prent - Virgin didn't even seen to notice they'd got something special, and the new versions were only discovered by accident by completist die-hards like myself.)
The new Themes box set and Themes Volume Five are, unfortunately, another example of Virgin falling wide of the mark. The bottom line is I don’t have to purchase it if I don’t want it and I should stop moaning about it. And yet, if I don’t raise my objections and point out why such releases aren’t desirable, then I suspect Virgin will continue issuing remasters without bonuses, worthless compilations and endless reissues on a theme. In the end, fans will stop buying this material; not because the market for Simple Minds isn’t there, but because the product has been so repeatedly offered.
Virgin should mark the band’s 30th anniversary by releasing a CD box set of the first ten singles, thus clearing up a constantly ignored section of the discography and releasing several exclusive B-sides and live tracks from vinyl purgatory. Or release a deluxe edition of New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) to tie-in with the forthcoming 30th anniversary tour. Just two ideas which would be worthy additions to fan’s collections and would be snapped up making Virgin a tidy profit.
Virgin still have time to do us proud this decade. So, let’s hope the era of the reissues and compilations without bonuses, exclusives, good packaging and intelligent sleeve notes is well and truly over.

Themes Volume Five
The release of the original Themes Volumes in 1990 caused quite a stir. Not only were they intelligently compiled, beautifully packaged and well informed (through authoritative sleeve notes), they were an absolutely necessity - as the majority of material released on 12” singles through the 1980s was still languishing on vinyl. Fans relished the opportunity to own them on CD and many bankrupted themselves to purchase all four sets.
Whilst many of the remixes, B-sides and live recordings were appearing on this format for the first time, the CD revolution had gradually crept into the single’s discography as the singles from Street Fighting Years had been issued on CD. This made Volume Four a redundant reissue rather than a must-have proposition. The carrot in this case was The Verona EP, the jewel in the Theme’s crown; an acknowledgement by Virgin that Volume Four was lacking and needed spicing up. The tasty, unedited live versions of three tracks catapulted Theme Four from completist-only purchase to absolute necessity.
The Themes Volumes then paused (although promising a return) as Real Life and its associated single campaign swung into action, a set of singles completely different from its predecessors. The lavish single packages saw multiple format releases spreading the tracks across all the formats; no longer did we get a cheap-and-cheerful 7”, some limited edition gizmo of the 7” and bonus material collected exclusively on the 12”. Virgin now saw the value in spreading the wealth ensuring almost every format featured something different.
If Themes Volume Five was ever compiled, it would have to take that into account. Furthermore, the dominance of the 12” was over, usurped by the CD, and both formats often shared track listings; therefore ‘CD firsts’ for Volume Five would be extremely rare. A dogmatic approach to the volume would’ve replicated a series of CDs which most fans would already have. Themes Volume Five, if ever issued, was going to be tricky.
Unfortunately this is exactly what Virgin has now done. Themes Volume Five is no more than a narrow adherence to the 12” only rule, creating a box set of incomplete recordings from the Real Life singles, all bar one (Soul Crying Out [Live]) which fans will already have on CD. Additionally the previously abundant and informative sleeve notes have collapsed to brief factoids, barely covering half the page. One wonders if more descriptive text would’ve revealed how much was missing.
A CD of unissued material (in the same vein as the original Verona EP) would’ve transformed this set’s appeal; but Themes Volume Five is exemplar of Virgin’s abject refusal to cater for long term fans (witness Best Of, the album reissues, Early Gold, Gift Pack etc.). Silver Box showed what the company were capable of when they set their minds to it, but such generosity (when compared with almost any other artist on any other record company) is extremely rare when it comes to Simple Minds and Virgin.
The failure to include other bonus material from the Real Life singles means the new fan’s more likely to search out the original CDs and pressings rather than buy an incomplete box set; the lack of any new material won’t appeal to the long term fans who already supported the record company by purchasing everything when it was first issued.
The Virgin Records of the late 1980s was savvy enough to bend the 12” only rule, and include exclusive material when required; it’s a pity the Virgin Records of the late 2000s is unable, or unwilling, to do the same. Themes Volume Five is a disappointing conclusion to what started out as an extremely desirable and interesting set of releases.

Themes Volumes One - Five Box
The lavishly packaged box with its deep lid opens to reveal the newly issued Themes Volume One through Four and the new Volume Five. The original Themes have been lovingly replicated; the mistakes on the original issues have been fixed (namely This Earth That You Walk Upon and Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) and the graphics on the CDs are clearer and sharper than the originals. Oddly the sleeve notes are rendered in different colours but that’s a minor difference.
However, these Themes sets are far more flimsy, and therefore feel more fragile, than their 1990s counterparts. The sets also unfold in a different order; a small detail but annoying after you’ve tried to fold the box back together the wrong way several times.
The sleeve notes have been completely reproduced down to references to the original CD issues and the Theme’s fortnightly release schedule; an opportunity to update them to refer to the remasters and expunge redundant information wasn’t taken.
Fans who missed the original Themes Volumes, and can only purchase costly, scuffed second hand originals from eBay can now decide if Simple Minds’ most costly commercial release is worth buying. Themes One to Four still remain as necessary as they were when originally issued, and are the only ways to build a collection of Simple Minds' extended, remix, and obscure B-side and live material; plus, you also get Theme Volume Five, the disappointing coda.

Everything you want to know about the Themes

28^th June
Nelson Mandela 90th Tribute Concert, Sons Of Dan New Album, Simple Minds New Album, I Travel Bassline

An official 46664 Interview with Jim can be found here. And here's a video of last night's performance.
Meanwhile audio of Simple Minds playing Mandela Day from yesterday's gig can be found on the Hungarian Simple Minds website.

Derek posted a reply on his YouTube account (see the I Travel bassline link below) concerning the band reunion: "Don't worry. Mick, Brian and myself have written 5 tracks already, and plan to complete another 5 for an album, which should be out late this year or early next year. It is reminiscent of "Sons and Fascination". Exactly what Simple Minds need."

In the meantime, everything known about Simple Minds' new album (which also sounds like Sons And Fascination) can be found here (and it's worth keeping an eye on as I usually quietly update it when snippits of information surface).

Now, this is great.
A Simple Minds fan and bass player posts a video to YouTube of the I Travel bassline: Simple Minds, I Travel, Bassline.
This comes to the attention of Dan Yer Man who videos himself (whilst a little inebriated but it doesn't show... honest) playing the real version: Simple Minds I Travel correct bassline.
Wonderful.

27^th June
Nelson Mandela 90th Tribute Concert, A Message To Our Fans, Simple Minds Press Release, Mind2Mode

Jim, Charlie and Mel appeared at the Nelson Mandela 90th Concert with the event's backing band - which was the standard set-up for all the acts as I understand. They performed Mandela Day, backed by the Soweto Gospel Choir (to a somewhat luke-warm crowd response, but many probably were only hearing the song for the first time) followed by a rousing performace of Don't You (Forget About Me) (which did get everyone up on their feet and singing).
If anyone's made a copy of Simple Minds' set then please let me know and I'll post a link up here.

"Mick MacNeil, Derek Forbes and Brian McGee, 3 of the original Simple Minds line up, would like to take this opportunity to thank their loyal fans for the overwhelming support shown to them since it was announced that there was to be a reunion of the former band members. Regrettably, the lead singer, Jim Kerr, is unable to participate in the reunion. However, inspired by the encouragement of their fans, Mick, Derek and Brian have written and produced new material reminiscent of Sons & Fascination."
"Having thoroughly enjoyed working together again, they hope their fans will be equally delighted with the new tracks."
"Thank you for your continued support!"
Mick MacNeil
Message posted to Mick's Myspace site at www.myspace.com/mickmacneil.

Scottish rockers Simple Minds have been busy writing new songs for their next eagerly anticipated new studio album, and have enough material for two new albums. The band released their last studio album Black and White 050505, three years ago but have been so inspired by recent writing sessions in their native Glasgow, they've got more than enough quality material for a double header.
Front man Jim Kerr promises fans to expect another album after their upcoming 2009 release. He says, "The writing sessions have somehow taken over our entire lives, but they have worked out perfectly. I am having difficulty in remembering the last time we had such an abundance of material prior to recording. We may even have enough songs of sufficient quality for two albums."
Kerr says the raft of new work is similar to the stack of tracks on Sons And Fascination / Sister Feelings Call - a double LP set assembled from one session by the band in 1981. However the singer says he's not likely to release a bumper double album. "There is no plan to come out with a double album as such," says Kerr. It is entirely possible that we could release two albums within the space of a year, the first hopefully occurring very early in the New Year. The second release thereafter, who knows?"
Jim said: "I suspect we will embark on a cycle of work that will be non stop at least up until Christmas - with a fairly hectic year to follow.
After Simple Minds perform at the 46664 Nelson Mandela 90th birthday concert tonight in London's Hyde Park, they'll embark on a UK arena tour to celebrate thirty years in the music. Their 30th Anniversary UK Tour will see the band performing the entirety of their 1982 album New Gold Dream.
Simple Minds 30th Anniversary Tour Dates:
* Manchester MEN Arena - November 27th
* Birmingham NEC - November 28th
* London Wembley Arena - November 29th
* Sheffield Arena - December 1st
* Cardiff International Arena - December 2nd
* Newcastle Metro Arena - December 3rd
* Glasgow SECC -December 4th
* Belfast Odyssey Arena -December 6th

"On the eve of Simple Minds landmark performance at the Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Concert, Hyde Park, London we are delighted to make available Live EP2 which topically includes 'Mandela Day'.
All tracks were recorded at the Sample Minds gig in Osnabruck March 2008 and are taken direct from the mixing desk.
www.sampleminds.co.uk/audio.php
Tracks are:
LOVE SONG
SPEED YOUR LOVE TO ME
MANDELA DAY
JUNGLELAND
NEW GOLD DREAM
ROOM / CELEBRATE
We'd like to thank everyone here for their continued support and hope to see you 'on the road' soon."
Sample Minds
11th July 2008 - Das Parkhaus, Duisburg, Germany
Performing as MIND2MODE
26th July 2008 - Kurparkfest, Hamm, Germany
Performing as MIND2MODE
13th August 2008 - Maschseefest, Hanover, Germany
Performing as MIND2MODE
16th August 2008 - Cityfest, Beckum, Germany
Performing as MIND2MODE
17th August 2008 - Tribfest, East Yorkshire, UK
Performing as Sample Minds
30th August 2008 - Fiesta City, Verviers , Belgium
Performing as Sample Minds
29th August 2009 - NRW-Tag, Hamm , Germany
Performing as MIND2MODE

25^th June
Nelson Mandela 90th, Themes

Please note the last line of this press release from Noble PR (which is in bold):
"Following last week's addition of their Belfast Odyssey Arena concert, Simple Minds have added another date to their 2008 UK 30th Anniversary Tour. Tickets for their Newcastle Metro Radio Arena show (December 3rd), goes on sale Friday June 27th at 9am. Ticket Hotline: 0871 424 4444, Book Online: www.ticketline.co.uk.
'Simple Minds Celebrate 30 Years Live' Tour 2008
Thursday 27th November Manchester MEN Arena
Friday 28th November Birmingham NEC
Saturday 29th November Wembley Arena
Monday 1st December Sheffield Arena
Tuesday 2nd December Cardiff Arena
Wednesday 3rd December Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Thursday 4th December Glasgow SECC
Saturday 6th December Belfast Odyssey Arena
For further info about the 30th Anniversary Tour, click here - www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/kennedy_street/simple_minds_2008_tour.htm
The anniversary tour will see Simple Minds perform the entirety of their landmark 1982 album 'New Gold Dream' for the very first time.
Jim Kerr will be interviewed about Simple Minds' participation in the forthcoming 46664 Nelson Mandela concert on BBC Breakfast News (BBC1 Television) on Thursday June 26th at 8:50am GMT. Don't miss it.

I'm still working on the new section devoted to the new release of the Themes Volumes. Keep checking back as I hope to get it all online today... it's currently standing at 358 files and counting... Themes Box Sets, Themes Volumes, indivudal Themes CDs and cassettes, promos, mispressings, press releases, original Virgin documentation, artwork and more.

21^st June
Celebrate 30 Years Live, Wolfgang's Vault featuring Simple Minds

Two extra dates have been added to the Celebrate 30 Years Live Tour: the Odyssey Arena, Belfast (on the 6th December) and the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle (on the 3rd December).
There will be a presale offering of Newcastle tickets on the 24th June through the official site. (The tickets go on general sale on the 27th June).

Wolfgang's Vault have issued part of another Simple Minds concert. This time it's their classic appearance at Newcastle City Hall on the 20th November 1982 (the details on the Vault site are incorrect).
The three tracks are Hunter And The Hunted (which was released as the B-side of the Waterfront single), Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) and New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) (with the last two previously available on the Seen The Lights DVD.)
The concert can be found here.
(The confusion over the dates stems from the original transcription disc of the show. These three tracks from the Newcastle gig appeared on the King Biscuit Flower Hour broadcast on the 24th February 1985. For further details of the broadcast, see the radio show discography.)

20^th June
New Version Of Mandela Day, New Gold Dream In The NME

A new version of Mandela Day is available in the members area of the official site. This is the rehearsal version for the forthcoming 46664 Concert and features Jim, Charlie and Mel along with the backing band and female backing vocals.
"As imagined we are immensely looking forward to the Mandela benefit that takes place next week on the 27th of June. The chance to play our song 'Mandela Day' with the Soweto Gospel Choir is a one off opportunity and if the recent rehearsals are anything to go by it should be a spine tingling few minutes that will live long in our memories' - Jim

As part of their Roots (The Influences Of Your Favourite Albums) series, the NME recently reviewed Kings Of Leon and their Because Of The Times album and suggested how New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) was influencial.
"Since the mid-'80s, of course, Scotland's most commerically successful group have been a deliriously uncool name to drop. They're best known for that song that appeared in The Breakfast Club, Don't You (Forget About Me) - a track even derided by leader Jim Kerr for what he saw as over-simplistic lyrics. On the albums that precede this one, however, they were better known - and critically acclaimed - for off-kilter, experimental, art punk. Like the Kings, they decided that, while being praised in the printed press was all well and good, they wanted to play stadiums, and New Gold Dream is the tipping point, the point at which they consolidated the music they had created before and made something more ambitious and widescreen. Whereas on the albums that followed this they descended into the anonymous, anthemic rock, here the mix is just right - their ambition and previous sense of adventure working side by side."

16^th June
Nelson Mandela 90th, Fan Remixes

VH1 will air the star-studded concert in celebration of Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday later this month. The network will broadcast The 46664 Concert Honoring Nelson Mandela At 90 live from Hyde Park in London on June 27th. Academy Award-nominated actor Will Smith will serve as VH1's on-site correspondent for the event as artists like Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis and Annie Lennox take the stage in honor of the iconic former South African president. The concert will be streamed live on VH1.com via mandelaconcert.vh1.com. Be sure to tune into a two-hour special featuring highlights from the big show on June 30th at 9 p.m. on VH1.
The concert (or part of it) will also be broadcast by ITV 1 on June 27th.

Several more fan remixes have been published:

Love Song Remix by DreamTime
Hunter And The Hunted (Killa's Drum Remix) by JohnnyBGood
Cry (Killa's Digital Mess Remix) by JohnnyBGood

7^th June
Themes Volume Five, Fan Remixes, Mind2Mode

Several new fan remixes have appeared in the last couple of weeks.
Dreamtime has together a great extended version of She's A River which combines the album and instrumental takes to create a new version which clocks in at 9:37.
And more remixes from JohnnyBGood:

Stay Visible
Sign O' The Times (Club Mix)
Cry Again
Stay Visible (Second Mix)

A new 10 minute MIND2MODE promo video is now on-line: http://www.mind2mode.com/video.php.
It features the band performing:
Simple Minds:
Waterfront - Featuring Mick MacNeil!
Alive and Kicking
Depeche Mode:
Personal Jesus
Enjoy the Silence
U2:
Vertigo
Where the Streets Have No Name
One
Their summer tour starts this weekend in Munster, Germany.
More stuff at www.mind2mode.com / www.sampleminds.co.uk.
Tour Dates
1st June 2008 - Euro City Fest, Münster, Germany
Performing as MIND2MODE
Onstage from 7:30 to 10:00pm Citystage (Drubbel)
www.eurocityfest.de
14th June 2008 - The Highland Games, Hamm, Germany
Performing as Sample Minds
11th July 2008 - Das Parkhaus, Duisburg, Germany
Performing as MIND2MODE
26th July 2008 - Kurparkfest, Hamm, Germany
Performing as MIND2MODE
13th August 2008 - Maschseefest, Hanover, Germany
Performing as MIND2MODE
16th August 2008 - Cityfest, Beckum, Germany
Performing as MIND2MODE
17th August 2008 - Tribfest, East Yorkshire, UK
Performing as Sample Minds
30th August 2008 - Fiesta City, Verviers , Belgium
Performing as Sample Minds

28^th May
Original Line-Up Reforms, Themes Volume 5

The original line-up of Simple Minds pictured at Bruce Findlay's 60th birthday party in 2004. From left to right: Brian, Jim, Mick, Bruce, Derek and Charlie.

The original members of Simple Minds are due to work together for the first time in 27 years when they enter a recording studio in the middle of June '08. In an event that many never thought would happen again, Brian McGee, Derek Forbes, Mick McNeil, Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill, have set their aim on producing at least two new tracks that could be released later this year.
Regarded by both Jim and Charlie as a 'nice experiment', particularly as it falls within their 30 year anniversary, the week-long reformation is being viewed as one of many 'let's see what happens' ideas that they look forward to working on over the course of the next year.
Jim Kerr said "Of course I am excited with the prospect of working with the original line - up once more. I had always believed that the day would come when we would get the opportunity to do so. The last time we worked together was on our Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call album, featuring songs like The American, Themes for Great Cities, Love Song etc, and it is still considered by many as among our best ever work. We have a lot to live up to, but we intend to have some fun attempting to do just that."
Visit www.simpleminds.com for more news regarding the June recording sessions.
Click on the following link for details of Simple Minds 30th Anniversary UK tour dates: www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/kennedy_street/simple_minds_2008_tour.htm

VIRGIN/EMI RECORDS NEW CATALOGUE RELEASE
SIMPLE MINDS
'Themes' 25 CD Box Set
Release date: 23 June 2008
"Stunning Box set documenting the band's developing sound, ideas and ideals through the music and design of their classic 12" single releases.""

Simple Minds – Themes is the sumptuous 25 CD Box set of the 4 x 5 CD original Themes - Volumes 1-5 : March 79 - September 92 digi boxes, plus Themes - Volume 5 : March 91 - September 92, an additional 5 CD digi box. The 5 x 5 CD digi boxes are all packaged together in one 2mm thick lift off lid box. ‘Themes Volumes 1 – 4’ were originally released in 1990 and deleted in 1993 with each Box containing 5 CDs of the 12" Simple Minds singles with additional tracks from singles and albums. The newly compiled 5th box contains 5 x CDs of 12" releases post 1990.
The 5th 5CD digi box will also be available individually so fans can buy just the 5th set if they already own 1-4.
The artwork for sets 1-4 is all re-created from the original ‘Themes’ volumes incorporating details from the original 12" designs. Volume 5 will be an appropriate new addition to the Themes artwork scheme.
All classic Simple Minds tracks are included in the series, highlights including I Travel, Love Song, Waterfront, Alive & Kicking, Don’t You (Forget About Me)... all fantastic, era-defining extended versions.
Each Themes Volume will also be made available digitally.
Here is the full tracklisting of the 25 CDs:

Themes (Volume 01)
THEME 01
01. I Travel (Extended Remix (6.20)
Originally from the album Empires & Dance
02. Celebrate (5.06)
Taken from the Album Empires & Dance
03. Film Theme (2.25)
Taken from the Album Real To Real Cacophony
THEME 02
01. The American (Extended Remix) (6.59)
Originally from the Album Sister Feelings Call
02. League Of Nations (5.00)
Taken from the Album Sister Feelings Call
03. Sound In 70 Cities (5.04)
Taken from the Album Sister Feelings Call
THEME 03
01. Love Song (5.05)
Taken from the Album Sons & Fascination
02. This Earth That You Walk Upon (5.26) *
Taken from the Album Sons & Fascination
03. Life In A Day (4.00)
Taken from the Album Life In A Day
THEME 04
01. Sweat In Bullet (Extended Remix) (6.59)
Additional Production & Remix By Peter Walsh.
Original Version on the Album Sons & Fascination
02. 20th Century Promised Land (4.55)
Taken from the Album Sister Feelings Call
03. League Of Nations (6.15)
Recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, 25.09.81.
04. In Trance As Mission (7.21)
Recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, 25.09.81.
THEME 05
01. Promised You A Miracle (Extended Version) (4.49)
Originally from the Album New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
02. Theme For Great Cities (5.51)
Taken from the Album Sister Feelings Call
03. Seeing Out The Angel (Instrumental Remix) (6.32)
Additional Production & Remix By Ian Caple.

Themes (Volume 02)
THEME 06
01. Glittering Prize (Club Mix) (4.59)
Originally from the Album New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
02. New Gold Dream (12" Remix) (6.52)
Originally from the Album New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
03. Glittering Prize (Extended Theme) (4.59)
THEME 07
01. Someone Somewhere In Summertime (4.35) *
Taken from the Album New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
02. King Is White & In The Crowd (Session Version) 5.12)
Recorded at Maida Vale Studios, London, 11.02.82 for The David Jensen Radio 1 Show.
03. Soundtrack For Every Heaven (4.57)
THEME 08
01. Waterfront (Extended Version) (5.50)
Originally from the Album Sparkle In The Rain
Additional Production & Remix By Steve Lillywhite.
02. Hunter & The Hunted (6.00)
Recorded Live at the City Hall, Newcastle, 20.11.82.
03. "C" Moon Cry Like A Baby (4.23)
Taken from the Album Sparkle In The Rain
THEME 09
01. Speed Your Love To Me (Extended Version) (7.29)
Originally from the Album Sparkle In The Rain
Additional Production & Remix By Steve Lillywhite.
02. Speed Your Love To Me (Single Edit) (3.59)
Originally from the Album Sparkle In The Rain
03. Bassline (4.35)
THEME 10
01. Don't You Forget About Me (Extended Version) (6.32)
02. Up On The Catwalk (Extended Version) (7.34)
Originally from the Album Sparkle In The Rain
Additional Production & Remix By Steve Lillywhite.
03. A Brass Band In African Chimes (9.22)

Themes (Volume 03)
THEME 11
01. Alive & Kicking (5.25)
Taken from the Album Once Upon A Time
02. Alive & Kicking (Instrumental Version) (6.01)
03. Up On The Catwalk (5.37)
Recorded Live, Barrowlands, Glasgow, 05.01.85
Mixed & Engineered By Frank Filipetti.
THEME 12
01. Sanctify Yourself (Extended Remix) (7.09)
Originally from the Album Once Upon A Time
Additional Production & Remix By Jay Burnett.
02. Sanctify Yourself (Instrumental Remix) (6.10)
Additional Production & Remix By Jay Burnett.
03. Love Song (5.41)
Recorded Live, The Ahoy, Rotterdam, 03.12.85.
04. Street Hassle (Live) (7.25)
Recorded Live, The Ahoy, Rotterdam, 03.12.85.
THEME 13
01. All The Things She Said (Extended Remix) (5.09)
Originally from the Album Once Upon A Time
02. Promised You A Miracle (US Club Mix) (5.57)
Additional Production & Remix By Steve Thompson.
03. Don't You Forget About Me (9.05)
Recorded Live, The Ahoy, Rotterdam, 03.12.85
THEME 14
01. Ghost Dancing (Extended Remix) (6.58)
Additional Production & Remix By Zeus B Held.
Original Version on the Album Once Upon A Time
02. Ghost Dancing (Instrumental Version) (4.55)
03. Jungleland (Extended Remix) (6.55)
Additional Production & Remix By Zeus B Held.
Original Version on the Album Once Upon A Time
04. Jungleland (Instrumental Version) (6.09)
THEME 15
01. Promised You A Miracle (4.55)
Taken from the Album Live In The City Of Light
Recorded Live, Le Zenith, Paris, 12.08.86.
02. Book Of Brilliant Things (4.54)
Taken from the Album Live In The City Of Light
Recorded Live, Le Zenith, Paris, 12.08.86.
03. Glittering Prize (4.34)
Recorded Live, Barrowlands Ballroom, Glasgow, 05.01.85.
04. Celebrate (5.49)
Recorded Live, Barrowlands Ballroom, Glasgow, 05.01.85.

Themes (Volume 04)
THEME 16
01. Belfast Child (6.45)
Taken from the Album Street Fighting Years
02. Mandela Day (5.45)
Taken from the Album Street Fighting Years
03. Biko (7.32)
Taken from the Album Street Fighting Years
THEME 17
01. This Is Your Land (6.17)
Taken from the Album Street Fighting Years
02. Saturday Girl (6.10)
03. Year Of The Dragon (3.05)
THEME 18
01. Kick It In (6.05)
Taken from the Album Street Fighting Years
02. Waterfront (Steve Lillywhite '89 Mix) (5.29)
Additional Production & Remix By Steve Lillywhite.
03. Big Sleep (6.35)
Recorded Live at The Point, Dublin in Rehearsals, April 1989.
04. Kick It In (Unauthorised Mix) (7.04)
Additional Production & Remix By Trevor Horn.
THEME 19
01. Sign O' The Times (5.35)
02. Let It All Come Down (4.58)v Taken from the Album Street Fighting Years
03. Sign O The Times (CJ MacKintosh Remix) (6.15)
Additional Production & Remix By CJ MacKintosh.
04. Jerusalem (2.59)
THEME 20
01. Street Fighting Years (10.02)
02. Mandela Day (8.15)
03. Kick it In (6.47)
Recorded Live, L'Arena, Verona, 15.09.89.
Featured in the concert film Verona

Themes (Volume 05)
THEME 21
Let There Be Love - Extended Mix
Goodnight
Let There Be Love - 7" Mix
Alive And Kicking - Live
THEME 22
See The Lights - 12" Version
Theme For Great Cities '91
Soul Crying Out - Live
THEME 23
Stand By Love
King Is White And In The Crowd - Live
Let There Be Love - Live
THEME 24
Real Life - Edit
See The Lights - Live
Belfast Child - Live
THEME 25
Love Song - Extended Remix
Love Song - Live
Travelling Man - Live
Oh Jungleland - Live
Alive And Kicking – Live
Cat No: SMTBOX1

"Although this is Virgin press release, the listings for Themes Volumes One to Four are all taken from simpleminds.com. As simpleminds.com describes the original Themes Volumes as released, it also includes the incorrect versions of This Earth That You Walk Upon (Theme 3) and Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) (Theme 6). Therefore I have contacted Virgin to determine whether these reissues feature the correct version or not."
"Themes Volume 5 is a reissue of the band's 12" singles from the Real Life era on CD. It offers nothing new for the fans who've already collected all the releases from this period." - Simon.

26^th May
Daily Mirror, Themes Volumes

Still Going For Gold
Simple Minds' Jim Kerr Reflects On The Band's 30-Year Career

It is 30 years since Glaswegian teenagers Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill formed Simple Minds. In the years since, they have scaled the heights of international success with classic albums such as New Gold Dream and anthems like Belfast Child, Don’t You (Forget About Me) and Promised You A Miracle.
Offstage, Kerr married twice, having one child each with fellow rock star Chrissie Hynde and actress Patsy Kensit.
Now single and living in Sicily these past 10 years where he runs a hotel, Kerr, 48, recalls that initially, it wasn’t the fame, money or even the music that attracted him to a life in rock.
“The first gig I saw was Genesis with Peter Gabriel on the Foxtrot tour,” recalls Jim. “We had a seat right behind the mixing desk and before the band came on we were sitting waiting."
“The crowd was getting ready, the excitement was palpable, but the most impressive thing was that the guy on the mixing desk – who wasn’t exactly good looking – had this woman with him who had the best ass I’d ever seen." I just thought, ‘If he can get a girl like that, I want to be involved in this music thing’.”
The punk explosion later gave the young Kerr the confidence to take to the stage.
“Punk almost burned itself out in 1977,” he says, “but the legacy of the great albums, such as those by Magazine, Television and Patti Smith, lasted."
“We had no idea how long it was going to last. We were living in the moment full of cheap wine and speed.”
On their first tour, supporting Magazine, Simple Minds felt in awe of the headliners. But by 1982 they had recorded their abiding masterpiece, New Gold Dream. Featuring the singles Glittering Prize and the classic Promised You A Miracle, the album, which the band will play in its entirety on their 30th Anniversary winter tour, showed how far they’d travelled in just four years – from Glasgow street punks to world-beating arena fillers.
“Music was the only thing we wanted to do,” smiles Jim. “I was really lucky to be in a band where everyone had tons of ideas. We always had a lot of imagination but it wasn’t until New Gold Dream that we really became ourselves." "It was an album that was poppy enough to be played alongside the great records of that year, yet at the same time it fitted alongside The Bunnymen and The Cure.” The album’s striking title was taken from the headline on a magazine review for that year’s hit art-house movie, Fitzcarraldo.
“Our previous albums had a darkness,” Jim admits. “Travelling through Europe at that time there was the Red Brigade in Italy and the neo-Nazis in Germany. We passed through Paris and a bomb had just gone off in a synagogue – it all made a big impression. New Gold Dream was a new dawn.”
The Minds had quickly outgrown the primitive ethic of punk, putting a premium on musical excellence.
“I remember one time waiting at the side of the stage while the DJ played Donna Summer’s I Feel Love,” Kerr continues. “I’d never heard anything like it. It was like The Velvet Underground doing disco and she was singing in an Arabic scale."
“We went, ‘Punk’s finished!’ and shot off to find the only guy in Glasgow with a synthesiser to join our band. I assume the guys in New Order had a similar experience.”
Twenty-six years after New Gold Dream, the Minds have survived. They’ve weathered line-up changes and fluctuations in popularity, although their last album, 2005’s Black And White 050505, received their best reviews in a decade.
“Looking back, there was a sacking of one guy that was harsh,” Jim reflects. “Probably something stupid like he had a better-looking girlfriend than everyone else. I feel bad about that."
“I probably haven’t been the easiest to work with. Not because I was trying to rule the roost, but I was always pushing. I always thought there was more there. I was a bit anti-social and I had lead singeritis. You have to, really. In every great band there was always one star.”
Kerr is happy to admit that, for him, the finest period in the band’s career came with the No 1 single Belfast Child in February 1989.
“I was in Nice the other week,” he recalls, “and I had a flashback passing the pretty cheapskate hotel where we were staying when we got the call that the song was No 1 in America." [With Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simon.]
“I was alone at the time and wanted to celebrate, but I didn’t know anyone. So I went into the bar and said, ‘Free drinks for everyone’. "People wondered what this guy was on, but if you don’t celebrate that, what are you going to celebrate?”
Although struggling with the ageing process, Kerr doesn’t regard his old success as a birthright.
“How dare we ask for more?” he says. “We’ve been treated so well. It would be obnoxious to ask for more. "Of course you can relate when you hear old rockers complain that they can’t get their records on the radio. But you dare not say the same thing yourself – we’ve had such a good run.”

The Simple Minds 30th Anniversary tour starts on November 27 at Manchester MEN Arena.

Gavin Martin
Daily Mirror
May 23rd 2008

I'm currently working on the Themes Volumes for Dream Giver Redux in preparation for the forthcoming release of the Themes Box Set and Themes Volume Five.
This will include all the cassette single versions of the Themes which were issued in 1991. However, I'm missing a few and need scans of the sleeves. The ones missing are The American (THEMC 2), All The Things She Said (THEMC 13), Promised You A Miracle Live (THEMC 15) and The Ballad Of The Streets EP (THEMC 16). Any scans of these would be most welcome for the website. Thanks!

22^nd May
Wolfgang's Vault featuring Simple Minds

Want to hear a great concert by Simple Minds from the Sparkle In The Rain tour?
Wolfgang's Vault, the owners of the King Biscuit Flower Hour archive, have just released a classic Simple Minds show from the vaults. Recorded in Irvington, New Jersey on the 27th May 1984, this is the 'classic' line-up in full flow, performing tracks from New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) and Sparkle In The Rain with a confident, dynamic punch.
This Simple Minds concert can be heard here in crystal clear quality (newly restored from the original King Biscuit master tape). Many of the songs have different extended arrangements and it's a joy to hear again in this form again.

Track listing:
Book Of Brilliant Things
Glittering Prize
The American
Speed Your Love To Me
King Is White And In The Crowd
Promised You A Miracle
Waterfront
New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

Great stuff!
(Take the write-up on the site with a pinch of salt though. This is definintely not a Once Upon A Time gig.)

18^th May
Jim Kerr Interview, Themes Volume Five, Neon Lights/Cry

A major interview with Jim Kerr will be published in the Daily Mirror newspaper on Friday May 23rd in The Ticket entertainment supplement.

Better news concerning Themes Volume Five. Two versions will be sold: Theme Volume Five (which will be of interest for those who've already got the other volumes) and the Themes Volumes Boxset (which is all five volumes packaged together in a large box).
I still don't know the tracklisting but here's hoping Virgin do find something exclusive and new for it.

It looks like Eagle have put together a double-pack release of their two Simple Minds albums. Neon Lights and Cry are being released as a double on the 26th May 2008 (Eagle EAGCD 388). Again, no track listing yet, and it's only appeared on the Scanadinavian music website Playground Music so far.

14^th May
Deacon Blue

Simple Minds confirm very special guests 'Deacon Blue'

To add further excitement to Simple Minds highly anticipated 30th Anniversary tour, the band has just confirmed Deacon Blue as very special guests. Deacon Blue will perform all concerts with the exception of the Glasgow SECC on 4th December. Simple Minds will perform New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) in its entirety for the very first time.
Simple Minds' National Credit Card Hotline: 0871 424 4444, Book Online - www.ticketline.co.uk
Thurs Nov 27th - Manchester MEN Arena
Fri Nov 28th - Birmingham NEC
Sat Nov 29th - London Wembley Arena
Mon Dec 1st - Sheffield Arena Tuesday
Tues Dec 2nd - Cardiff International Arena
Thurs Dec 4th - *Glasgow SECC (*does not include Deacon Blue)
With six million album sales under their belt, Deacon Blue's first album Raintown set the precedent, spending 77 weeks in the album chart, and with five top 5 UK albums (of which 2 were number 1) under their belts they have chalked up an impressive 4 years in the British album charts. Their seventeen top 40 singles resided in the chart for more than 2 years. June 9th sees the band release their new DVD Live, filmed during their sell-out 2007 European tour and featuring their biggest hits including Dignity, Real Gone Kid, Wages Day and Chocolate Girl.
For the full Simple Minds Tour press release, click here.
For further information and photos, please contact Tracy Gosling, Will Taylor and Pete Noble @ Noble PR.

7^th May
Nelson Mandela 90th

Simple Minds will be appearing at the 46664 Concert Honouring Nelson Mandela At 90 on the 27th June 2008 in Hyde Park, London.
The three hour concert includes Queen And Paul Rodgers, Annie Lennox, Leona Lewis, Razorlight, The Sugarbabes and others.
The number of tickets is limited to 46,664 and go on general sale on the 9th May. Keep checking the 46664 Website for further information.

28^th April
Times Online

Jim was interviewed by The Times a week ago. The on-line interview can be found here (Times Online).

27^th April
The Proms

A short video of the first minute of the Don't You (Forget About Me) finale can be downloaded here.
Photos of the event can also be found on the official Proms website.

26^th April
Some Sweet Day 2008, The Proms, The Great Big Scottish Songbook

"Twenty Years after Simple Minds was first a part of the WBWC Summer Marathons, and ten years since the event known as Some Sweet Day took the airwaves....
We're happy to announce that Simple Minds are a part of the 2008 Summer Marathon Series at WBWC Radio in Cleveland Ohio. The 18 hour event starts at 7am EST USA on Thursday August 28th, 2008. Aaron Burke and I will again host the musical travels of The Minds, including all the recent live materials, SILVER BOX, BLACK AND WHITE 050505, and the rest of the great Minds catalog. We're working on some unique giveaways and interviews...more information to come.
Listeners away from Cleveland can hear us online (real audio 8 and above) at the station website www.wbwc.com The site contains a complete marathons listing, airing every Thursday starting May 1st.
Please join us as we celebrate (over!) thirty years of Simple Minds - we'll see you then!" - Todd Richards

Carlos has sent in some pictures from last night's Proms concert:

This new compilation from EMI (released on the 26th May), The Great Big Scottish Songbook is a celebration of Scottish music. Simple Minds are represented across its five CDs by Alive And Kicking, Don't You (Forget About Me), Promised You A Miracle (twice?), Belfast Child and Sanctify Yourself.
For more details, see play.com.

23^rd April
The Proms, Discography Updates

There's been many surprises at this year's Proms.
A special Simple Minds Suite has been composed to mark the band's 30th anniversary. This medley of their popular single releases is played in the first act before Jim and Charlie come onstage for the second act. And whilst Belfast Child and Alive And Kicking will be familar to the Proms audience, Sanctify Yourself and All The Things She Said have now joined the set for the first time in full orchestrial versions.
The traditional sing-a-long at the end (where all the artists appear together) has also got a Simple Minds' twist; this year it's Don't You (Forget About Me).
Some photos taken from the first concerts at Charleroi can be seen here (many thanks to Stef).
Clicking on the flyer on the left plays some older Proms footage of Jim and Charlie performing Don't You (Forget About Me) (which was recorded during the 1997 shows).

One of the oddest Simple Minds releases has to be a release that doesn't feature Simple Minds.

Original Versions Of Songs Covered By Simple Minds was the bright idea of someone working at Eagle Germany. This limited CDR promo features the orginal versions of the songs. A numbered run of 25 copies were produced, but the project ran into trouble with copyright problems.
It's now in the discography but has to be one of the rarest, and oddest, Simple Minds releases out there.
Many thanks to Clif for the scans.

18^th April
The Proms, Themes, BBC Merseyside Interview, Johnny And The Self Abusers, Simple Minded Part One, Remixes, Discography Updates

The Proms kick off tonight in Charleroi, Belgium. Any pictures, set-lists and write-ups for this news page would be most appreciated.
Some lucky fans already got a sneak preview when they won a competition to see some of the rehearsals.

Competition winners with Charlie

Sheet music for the forthcoming Simple Minds Suite which will be debuted tonight.

More pictures taken at the rehearsals can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/facesugar and The Proms website.
Thanks to Jean-Pierre De Mol & Maaike Jacobs.

From the record company that gave you The Best Of, Early Gold, Seen The Lights - Live In Verona and Gift Pack (can you see where this one's going?) Virgin proudly present the Themes 25-CD Box Set so you can purchase the SAME recordings you originally bought back in 1990, plus a bonus set of discs you probably ready have.
The blurb issued by Virgin's We-Don't-Have-A-Clue department reads: "Documenting the band's developing sound, ideas and ideals through the music and design of their classic 12" single releases. Simple Minds - Themes is the sumptuous 25 CD Box set of the 4 x 5 CD original Themes Volumes Digi boxes plus Themes Volume 5, an additional 5 CD digi box. The 5 x 5 CD digi boxes are all packaged together in one 2mm thick lift off lid box. Themes Volumes 1 - 4 were originally released in 1990 and deleted in 1993 with each Box containing 5 CDs of the 12" Simple Minds singles with additional tracks from singles and albums. The newly compiled 5th box contains 5 x CDs of 12" releases post 1990."
This is doubly stupid when you consider how fans are still waiting for the early singles and B-sides to be transferred to CD, a format which is now being openly discussed by the record industry as "ancient" and "nearing retirement" as DVDs, downloads and memory sticks are being considered the new big thing.

Meanwhile in the vaults, the original master tapes for the early forgotten singles continue to shed oxide and quietly disintegrate.
Anyway, this deluxe box of recordings you've already got will be released on the 25th June and cost about Ł115. Bargain! And I'm now going to listen to Special View on scratchy old vinyl and long for the day it gets transferred to CD - I've only been waiting about 23 years so far.

As part of the continuing tour promotion, Jim was interviewed by Bully Butler on BBC Radio Merseyside last week. Did anyone hear it or grab a copy? He also interviewed on BBC Radio Sheffield so the promo for the tours is continuing.

The 84 Tigers website published a piece on Johnny And The Self Abusers at the beginning of the month. Originally an piece in Real Groove Magazine, the article includes one or two quotes I've not read before, so it's definintely worth a look.

"After taking a break for several months, the Simple Minded blog is now kickstarted again with a fantastic new version of Someone Somewhere in Summertime. The keyboards / bass / vocals are by Christophe Avril [France] with guitars from Pete Simcoe [UK]. To download this track please go to http://fascinations.wordpress.com. There should be more collaborations like this in the near future and Pete Simcoe is bringing out a new collection of original material with a 'Simple Minds' feel available for download in mid May featuring collaborations with Simon Hayward of Sample Minds. This will be available from www.simcoe.co.uk".

And JohnnyBGood is still on a roll:

Theme For Great Cities Killa Remix

I've added several new bits-and-pieces to the discography. Some are rare, others not so:

Verona gets the full write-up. Additionally the whole video section has been tidied up a little.
The sections devoted to Seen The Lights - A Visual History and Seen The Lights - Live In Verona have also been improved with an ultra-rare Abbey Road In House Reference CD added to the discography for the first time.
A slightly different version of the promo Silver Box Sampler turned up in Mexico.

The Argentinian issue of Black And White 050505 is of note, but most of the custom made Argentinian promos were destroyed with only a handful escaping.
Details of the ultra rare Stay Visible promo have been uploaded.
The second French promo for Don't You (Forget About Me) from the Glittering Prize 81/92 era has also been uploaded.
Just when you thought the Neon Lights era was complete, a new 5-track sampler is circulating.
The colour proof sleeve for Trace Elements has also turned up!
Plus an ultra rare red vinyl edition of New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

24^th March
Interview And Competition, Remixes, Trace Elements

After polling for questions on the Simple Minds Mailing List, Richard from Remember The Eighties put them to Jim. His interview can be found here.
You can also win two tickets to see the band at Wembley Arena on November 29th, meet the band and receive an autographed copy of New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84). Three runners up will received a signed copy of New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84). The competition details can be found here (click on the animated competition graphic), it closes on the 7th April (and be sure to read the small print!)

JohnnyBGood has put several more remixes together:

Come A Long Way African Killa Remix
'C' Moon Cry Like A Baby Killa Dance Remix
Promised You A Miracle Runaway Killa Remix
Hypnotised Endless Killer Remix
Let The Children Speak Killa Chaos Remix

Just when you think you've got the Simple Minds discography sorted out, something always turns up to upset the apple cart!
Recently collector Paul picked up an Arabella new release advert for forthcoming Arista releases in 1982. On the page is an advert for the forthcoming new compilation from Simple Minds called Trace Elements.
Obviously it never quite happened this way, and the eventual release was Celebration. Does anyone know anything about this? It would be interesting to know if Trace Elements ever made it past a description in an advert.
For more background, plus a scan of the entire advert, see the Celebration page. I've also uploaded two previously unpublished photographs from the photo session in the greenhouse which was used on the back of the Celebration sleeve. These can be seen here (scroll down to the bottom).
Many thanks to Paul for the scan.

15^th March
Further Media Interviews, American Idol, Remixes, Ashes To Ashes

Interviews with Jim have appeared in the following papers:

Lancashire Telegraph - Interview: Jim Kerr of Simple Minds (March 14)
Glasgow Evening Times - Jim Nearly 50 But The Eyeliner Stays! (March 14)

Simple Minds were briefly represented on American Idol when Michael Johns sang Don't You (Forget About Me). His performance can be seen on YouTube.

More remixes from JohnnyBGood for your collection:

Glittering Prize Killa Remix
Home Killa Echo Remix

Due to the excitment of the tour announcements this one almost slipped through the net. It's definintely noteworthy as it's not often that Simple Minds' music appears on primetime BBC.

I Travel backed a car case during epsiode five of Ashes To Ashes. Set in 1981, the programme uses the contemporary music of the time as a soundtrack. As Dexy's Midnight Runners, OMD and Roxy Music have all appeared more than once, here's hoping they use another Simple Minds track in another episode. Love Song perhaps? "Let's fire up the Quattro!."

12^th March
Further Media Interviews

Jim has been interviewed by several local BBC radio stations as part of the promotion for the new gigs.
BBC Southern Counties: The interview was broadcast yesterday but should be available as a stream.
BBC Radio Bristol: Jim is due to be on-air this afternoon.
BBC Radio Devon: The interview is due to be broadcast on Friday.
Also an interview is due to be printed with Jim in the Glasgow Evening Times this Friday.

10^th March
Further Contact Details, Billy Sloan Interview, Tour Dates 2008, Talk Sport Interview

For further ticketline phone numbers and websites, check out the Noble PR page for the tour. It'll definintely be worth keeping an eye on this site in case of further announcements.

Jim was interviewed by Billy Sloan on Radio Clyde last night. The interview consisted of two parts: the first with Billy asking general questions about the forthing tour and the second part where Billy asked questions from the audience who'd e-mailed in.
Some new, interesting facts were revealed:

The line-up for the arena gigs isn't finalised. It's definitely going to be Jim, Charlie and Mel. The final decision hasn't been made yet as the gigs are still some time off.
Writing and rehearsing for the new album has started. However, nothing will appear until next year.
Someone has been in touch from the organisers of the Mandela 90th Birthday concert. Again, it was early days, and Jim couldn't confirm whether Simple Minds would appear or not.
Below is a rough summary of the interview:

Audio: Changeling
BS: When Simple Minds started, could you imagine that it would even last six months, let along thirty years?
JK: We're in two minds about the thirty years (and I wrote about this subject on the official site). Is it a big deal? If you're Neil Young or David Bowie then they probably still think we're wet behind the ears! But, on the human side, thirty years is a big deal.
BS: What do you remember of your first gig?
JK: We were fraught. Although Johnny And The Self Abusers had such a short lifespan, there were quite a few people waiting to see our next move. The last Abusers gig was in November, then there were six or seven weeks writing and rehearsing in a freezing factory in the Gorbals, Glasgow, which continued all the way through Christmas. You could tell from day one that it was more cohesive and serious [than the Abusers) with songs like Pleasantly Distrubed and Someone coming up.
JK: However, the jury's still out on that first gig! But we were so bitten playing live after the Abusers, we wanted to see the public reaction. I also remember duing the gig thinking "this is working". It felt really great, the really right things to do.
BS: You always seemed a reluctant performer. Being behind the microphone last place looked like being the last place you wanted to be.
JK: I disagree. We had a real strong identity. The band were very hypnotic, it drew you in. There was the "look" and also the determination: how we looked, how we played, there was a confidence. It meant so much to us. During the day before I'd be fraught, but on stage and listening to the music playing, the confidence would grow as the set progressed.
BS: What's the line-up for the 30th anniversary?
JK: Charlie and Mel for sure. However, the gigs are still a wee bit away and Simple Minds have had many line-ups. And we'll get to that. But the set is unique as we'll play our landmark album, New Gold Dream, in its entirity. I think that will work really well.
BS: Could've chosen Empires And Dance, Sparkle In The Rain or Street Fighting Years for instance. Why pick New Gold Dream?
JK: Every time you see that period, or epoch being singled out, New Gold Dream is mentioned. It lives in its own sphere. Even people who never followed the band closely are fond of, or praise the album. It was one of the albums of a generation; along with albums by the Bunnymen, The Cure and of course U2.
Audio: New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
BS: You've played so many gigs in different places. Which are best: the big stadiums or the smaller venues?
JK: We enjoyed them all. The stadium ones bring a different kind of pressure. They're as much about the audience as about the band. But we also enjoy playing the smaller venues - we played King Tuts recently.
BS: Has any gig stuck out?
JK: So many have stood out. But, some might say its obvious, but the Mandela Concert was something else. I saw an old interview with Mandela earlier today, recorded just after he'd been released and it brought it all back. For some reason, that stands out.
BS: You played the first gig before he was released. And you appeared in the second when he was there.
JK: The first show - I don't think anyone would've dreamed he'd be back in such a short space of time, for another event.
BS: Are you part of new event?
JK: Someone has been in touch. I don't know anything else about it. It's nice that they got in touch though.
BS: If you could be any front man, and sing one song of another band, what would it be?
JK: Great question! You're not allowed to say The Beatles are you? The Who! I think The Who get better live every time. We did a couple of gigs with The Rolling Stones - they are now much better than when we played with them ten years ago. It's no surprise I picked these bands - these were the bands we grew up with. [Long pause] The Pussycat Dolls? [Laughs]
BS: Is there going to be a new album?
JK: We are working on it. We're in the period of writing and recording. But nothing will appear this year.
BS: Of all the Simple Minds albums, which is your favourite?
JK: You mentioned Empires And Dance - there's a period Empires And Dance, Sons And Fascination, New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) - the music Charlie, Mick and Derek were coming up with was so expansive, with so many different styles ... anything from that period is my favourite.
BS: How do you define your bond with Charlie?
JK: There isn't one thing - it's one of the magic things. Often you have best friends at school, but you grow apart, you move away - but in Charlie and my case, the main thing has been the music and there is this great friendship. Is it always sweetness and light? By an large it is - (although before the soundcheck in Glasgow [for the Black And White tour] we were having a row) - but Charlie's been there for every period of my life. I can't remember the period before Charlie.
BS: What's it going to be like in front of the home audience?
JK: There will be so many there who've waited so long and taken the long journey with us. But we do have the ability to take a few minutes before a show and treat every gig like it's the only one on the tour; but for the home gig the human side will take over and it'll be emotional.
Audio: Celebrate

To recap, these are Simple Minds current tour plans:

Night Of The Proms
18/04/08 Spiroudome, Charleroi, Belgium
19/04/08 Spiroudome, Charleroi, Belgium
25/04/08 Pabellon Fuente de San Luis, Valencia, Spain
26/04/08 Plaza De Toros, Benidorm, Spain
24/10/08 Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium
25/10/08 Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium
30/10/08 Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium
31/10/08 Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium
01/11/08 Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium
06/11/08 Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium
07/11/08 Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium
08/11/08 Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium
14/11/08 Gelredome, Arnhem, Netherlands
15/11/08 Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
19/11/08 Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
20/11/08 Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
21/11/08 Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
22/11/08 Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Celebrate 30 Years Live
27/11/08 Manchester MEN Arena
28/11/08 Birmingham NEC
29/11/08 London Wembley Arena
01/12/08 Sheffield Arena
02/12/08 Cardiff Arena
04/12/08 Glasgow SECC

Jim also appeared on Talk Sport radio chatting to Alan Brazil. The ten minute interview can be found online here

6^th March
Virgin Radio Interview

As part of the tickets promotion, Jim was interviewed by Virgin Radio DJ Ben Jones last night during his evening show.
Ben was confusing the issue somewhat by repeatedly stating the band were "reforming" for their 30th anniversary. Therefore was quickly clarified with Jim confirming the band had played a world tour and released a studio album in the last three years, so these gigs were a celebration of the group's 30th anniversary.
The importance of having a large back catalogue was stressed: "It's fortunate to have that catalogue, we need the songs to give us a sense of that journey [through the years]. And a lot of people have come with us. It would be weird not to play those songs."
Jim outlined the format of the arena shows: "It will be split into two. The first part will be the whole New Gold Dream album. Then during the second part, we'll flip through the whole journey playing songs from every album."
Other questions included career highlights, the band's memories of America (Jim cited landing in New York for the first time, being overhelmed by the views of Manhattan as they drove towards the city, and turning on the radio to hear their record being played), support acts for the arena shows (so many artists they'd like, but no decision yet) and the pressures of playing home shows.

5^th March
Simple Minds Celebrate 30 Years Live, Night Of The Proms

Pre-pre-sale tickets are available NOW through the members area of simpleminds.com.

Simple Minds are now confirmed for Benidorm, 26th April as part of the Night Of The Proms.

3^rd March
Simple Minds Celebrate 30 Years Live

Simple Minds Celebrate 30 Years Live TOUR November & December 2008
Thursday 27th November: Manchester MEN Arena
Friday 28th November: Birmingham NEC
Saturday 29th November: Wembley Arena
Monday 1st December: Sheffield Arena
Tuesday 2nd December: Cardiff Arena
Thursday 4th December: Glasgow SECC
There will be a special simpleminds.com ticket "pre-pre-sale" on Wednesday the 5th of March. (Time to be announced).
This link will be accessed via the MEMBERS AREA of simpleminds.com, so you'll need to have registered and have a verified email address to gain access. Members will be e-mailed regarding this tomorrow if possible.
The TicketLine pre-sale happens on Thursday 6th and general release will be Friday the 7th.
These will be the only Simple Minds shows this year. (Jim and Charlie may do other shows e.g. Night of the Proms but these will not feature the full band).
Note: The one-off Email Verification Process happens when you first try to access the MEMBERS AREA. It involves receiving an automatic email from simpleminds.com and then clicking the special link contained in the email to become verified.
The two most common problems when trying to verify:

The auto email is caught in the members Spam filter so the member doesn't receive the mail. [So check your Spam filter!]
The auto email is delayed so the member trys again. This means more than one verification mail eventually arrives. [Always click the link in the latest verification email as the entrance code is reset every time you try!]

3^rd March
Live Bundle 7, Remixes, Don't You (Forget About Me) single, Sample Minds

Live Bundle 7 continues the themes started in the previous bundle: it includes three live tracks recoded at Edinburgh at the end of the Black And White tour along with two "mini-documentaries" shot as the band prepared for the Lisbon Lions gig.
The Lisbon Lions video features the entire live uninterrupted version of Alive And Kicking from the gig itself. Whilst the Rehearsals Part Two video features footage of the band rehearsing Dirty Old Town, Sanctify Yourself and Alive And Kicking (along with some great humourous dialogue from Eddie as he argues who can overrule who in the band rankings!).
It's the usual mix of live material and some very interesting interviews (including the relevation of the worst live version of Love Song ever).
Available now from simpleminds.com.

JohnnyBGood has put together some more remixes:

Death By Chocolate Private Killa Remix
New Sunshine Morning Scape Killa Remix
Great Leap Forward Killa Remix
New Sunshine Morning Private Killa Remix
Death By Chocolate Private Killa Remix
Changeling Tazz Killa Remix
Stranger Killa Remix
Home Backed From Scratched Remix
Speed Your Love To Me Dazzo Killa Mix

Here's something seriously offbeat for the collectors. Whilst Fiat's use of Don't You (Forget About Me) as backing for their latest Punto advert was mentioned (see the news of 12th September 2006), no-one realised that a limited number of CDs were pressed up to promote the event.
Full details of this rare (and now extremely sought after) promo can be found here.

Sample Minds recently played the Tatort, Ubach Palenberg, Germany, which included the debut of Cynical Heart.
The set-list was:
Book Of Brilliant Things
Promised You A Miracle
Home
Up On The Catwalk
Hypnotised
Love Song
Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Ghostdancing - Gloria
Gloria (again by popular demand)
Don't You (Forget About Me)
Theme For Great Cities
Glittering Prize
Speed Your Love To Me
Mandela Day
She's A River
Oh Jungleland
Belfast Child
Waterfront
The American
New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) - Light My Fire
Cynical Heart
Let There Be Love
Sanctify Yourself
Alive And Kicking
Room - Celebrate
Don't You (Forget About Me)
The band will next play at the Lagerhalle, Osnabruck on the 7th March and have further dates lined up over the year. See their website for more details.
Right: Sample Minds frontman Steve is partially obscured by Spanish fans as he reads the lyrics for Cynical Heart. Chema is on the left with Moisés on the right. Many hard core Simple Minds fans will know Moisés for his "Mission In Motion" fanzine.

25^th February
Next Bundle, Night Of The Proms

Live Bundle 07 will be released on Thursday (28th February). Anyone who hasn't used their Christmas "Buy one get one free" code can use it with the new bundle.

Another batch of Proms concerts have been announced at the Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium for various dates between 24th October and the 8th November (see the tour page for the specific dates).
For further information and tickets, check out the Night Of The Proms website.

15^th February
More Proms Concerts, Remixes

Flyers listing Simple Minds with Alan Parsons, OMD, Miguel Rios and Galileo in Valencia on the 25th April have started to appear.
All the Proms gigs so far confirmed can be seen here.

JohnnyBGood has released several new remixes:

Stranger Sprial Killa Remix
All The Things She Said Blade Killa Remix
Stay Visible Alpharius Killa Remix

13^th February
Further Proms Concerts, Remixes, Further Updates

Simple Minds will also be playing the following Proms dates:

14th November: Gelredome, Arnhem, Netherlands
19th November: Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
20th November: Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
21st November: Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
22nd November: Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
For more information, check out nu.nl/muziek.

JohnnyBGood is back and has put together some more remixes:

Banging On The Door Killa Remix
King Is White And In The Crowd Endless Tactic Killer Remix
I Kiss The Ground Baked From Scratch Remix

Just when you thought the Black And White 050505 discography was complete, something else turns up:

This one-track Stay Visible promo turned up on Australian eBay where it reached 255.99 Australian dollars(!) Like almost every Sanctuary promo, it's catalogue number is SANP390X. Yet another item for the hardcore collectors to track down.
Other additions to the discography include:

Some early artwork prints of the Life In A Day album (which are slightly different to the final design).
A completely different sleeve for a Peruvian pressing of Don't You (Forget About Me) (scroll down to the bottom).
Details of the US edition of the Cry album.

31^st January
Further Proms Concerts, Drummer At The Lisbon Lions, Updates

Websites (such as www.gpeproducciones.com) are starting to advertise several Night Of The Proms concerts in Spain. It isn't known if Simple Minds will play all these shows, or just the Valencia show (for which they're already confirmed). The dates are:

24th April, Madrid
25th April, Valencia
26th April, TBA

The rehearsal footage of the band preparing for the Lisbon Lions (which was included in the latest bundle) prompted one major question: who was the drummer?
Turns out it was Jim McDermott, who was standing in Mel for this one-off gig.

I've updated the discography with some releases which are either very rare or have only just surfaced:

The German CD of New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) which features the extended version of the title track. There's nothing on the packaging of the CD or the sleeve to indicate this.
An Australian version of the Chelsea Girl single has just turned up, exclusively paired with Destiny.
A small number of US Home Promos have started to circulate. Obviously someone at Sanctuary had a clear out.

8^th January
Live Bundle #6, Dream Giver Redux

A few last minute technical issues meant it was slightly delayed, but Live Bundle #6 is now available from www.simpleminds.com.
The three live audio tracks are taken from the band's triumphant finale Black And White gig in Edinbugh, whilst a live performance video of Mandela Day harks from their earlier Werchter performance.
Plus there are two new interviews with the band in which they talk about the Edinbugh gig (backed by a performance video of Ghostdancing) and chat about rehearsing (backed by video materal of their rehearsals for the Lisbon Lions gig).

I've added more to the new site:

Details of all the Cry singles

Details of the Cry album

Details of the Best Of Night Of The Proms album

Expanded the discography (although it's still incomplete but it now includes the full Absolutely discography including the extremely-hard-to-find-was-it-ever-released The Man Who Sold The World 12")

Added details of the Floating World Tour, the Alive And Kicking Tour and the Lisbon Lions.

6^th January
SIMPLEMINDS.COM Download Centre

Those who've registered with SIMPLEMINDS.COM should've received an e-mail with their discount code. And the Paradiso gig has already been made available through the FREE MEMBERS AREA as a thank you to all fans for their support of the band during 2007.
A brand new bundle will be made available on Monday 7th January.

24^th December
SIMPLEMINDS.COM Download Centre

The official site's download centre will soon be offering new material.
In the next few days they will send information to all registered members of SIMPLEMINDS.COM (who have a functional email address) to tell them that the first of the new download bundles will be available from Monday 7th January 2008.
In addition to this, and as a small thank you for everyone's patience, they will include a discount code allowing one FREE download bundle for any existing bundle purchased (i.e. buy one, get one free). They will also be adding some new items to the Members area, including some exclusive stuff in January but starting with the video of the band's whole LIVE performance at the Paradiso 17/09/2005.
It is their intention to not only have exclusive material in the FREE members area but also create a one-stop compilation of the best Simple Minds footage, music and info on the web.
So, if your e-mail address registered with SIMPLEMINDS.COM is out-of-date, then you'll need to change it so you'll receive the mail and your discount code.

19^th December
Mind2Mode, The Onion, More Remixes, Best Of, Collection For Sale

Two recordings from Mind2Mode's gig on the 11th November at the Limelight Club, Crewe are available for download. The first is their version of Waterfront and the second is a wonderful version of Room (based on the Mind's arrangement at the Manley Vale Hotel, Sydney - widely regarded by fans as the best live version of the song.)
You can also see videos of Waterfront, Don't You (Forget About Me) and New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) on the www.mind2mode.com site.

www.mind2mode.com
www.sampleminds.co.uk

Whilst the website The Onion is best known for its satirical articles, there are also several serious sections of that site. One of which is their Albums From The A.V. Club's Hall Of Fame. They recently added Sparkle In The Rain to the list, although many of the comments asked why New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) wasn't considered instead.

JohnnyBGood has put together several new remixes:

Night Music: beats from Coldplay (Fix You , dub mix) and Night Music from the Minds
New Sunshine Morning: beats from Hed Khandi (Man In The Mirror dub mix) and New Sunshine Morning from the Minds
Celebrate: drumbeats from Coldplay / Celebrate from the Minds
Criminal World: drumbeats Armed from Pryda and Criminal World from the Minds
See the lights: drumbeats of Phunk Steve Angelo's mix from Shinedoe mixed with See The Lights of the Minds
7 Deadly Sins: drumbeatloop of Enjoy the Silence (Depeche Mode) mixed with 7 Deadly Sins of the Minds
7 Deadly Sins 19-remix: drumloop of Paul Hardcastle's 19 with 7 Deadly Sins of the Minds

A new Best Of discography has been added to Dream Giver Redux.

David Johnson (ebay:prescot98) will be selling his huge collection (over 790 items) of Simple Minds items in 2008. I've seen a small list of the items he's got for sale and there are some real rarities in there e.g. obscure promos, test pressings, Polish and Russian flexidiscs, signed memorabilia, stuff I've never seen etc.
The collection will be auctioned through eBay in batches through the whole of 2008. It's very rare that a collection of this size or quality is sold, so keep an eye out for it. The first batch will include David's twentiest rarest items.

9^th November
30th Anniversary

The 30th anniversary of Simple Minds has been mentioned several times and this month is particularly significant.
Firstly, it's the 30th anniversary of their first single, the infamous Saints And Sinners.

But, if you ask me when the 30th anniversary of Simple Minds is, then I can be pretty definite... today.

On the 9th November, 1977, Johnny And The Self Abusers cut a 7-track demo tape at CaVa Studios, Glasgow. The name given to this band for those sessions was Simple Minds. The Abusers played their last gigs as Simple Minds. And Jim was on the phone to Ted Caroll at Chiswick trying (in vain) to get the name on the 7" changed to Simple Minds.
For me, this is the first recording by Simple Minds, the earliest item I have with Simple Minds written on it.

Happy 30th Anniversary Simple Minds

Of course, there many be earlier items in dusty collections, and Jim has the last word, but November 2007 is a significant milestone. Keep going guys!

7^th November
Mind2Mode

This weekend, Sample Minds (the Simple Minds Tribute band) diversify to perform the music of not only Simple Minds, but that of U2 and Depeche Mode.
Introducing MIND2MODE - Three stadium legends - one show!
We have been in pre production on this project for a year and we're now finally going to make our live debut.
The set features approx 25 songs - including all the hits and fan favourites.
We are equally as nervous as we are excited about this project. We have 3 major agencies representing us and hope to play some high profile gigs in 2008.
We will be performing in Germany in December and will still be doing our Sample Minds tribute parallel to the new MIND2MODE show.
Hope to catch a few of you 'on the road'!

SATURDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2007 - SO LUXE, LINCOLN, UK
SUNDAY 11th NOVEMBER 2007 - THE LIMELIGHT CLUB, CREWE, UK

German gigs coming in December:

SATURDAY 8th DECEMBER 2007 - HOPPEGARDEN, HAMM, GERMANY
SATURDAY 22nd DECEMBER 2007 - MAXIMILLIAN PARK, HAMM, GERMANY

www.mind2mode.com
www.sampleminds.co.uk

STADIUM Rock Legends - The Tribute Show!
U2, Depeche Mode and Simple Minds on one stage! Experience this dream festival line-up live in one single show.
Introducing MIND2MODE.
Including musicians from England and Germany the band have celebrated numerous achievements in the last years under the name of Sample Minds - among others a televised FIFA World Cup 2006 gig in front of 10,000 fans broadcast live from the Fan Mile at Roncalliplatz in Cologne, and many festivals in Great Britain, Germany, Holland and Belgium.
They have even performed on stage with musicians from the legendary Simple Minds: Simple Minds' front man Jim Kerr said of the band: "Too good for their own good, they are starting to make life difficult...watch it you guys!"
Now the band will present a new Tribute Show concept, never been seen before. The greatest hits from all three Rock Legends.
From stadium anthems Don't You (Forget About Me), Alive And Kicking, Pride (in the Name of Love), Sunday Bloody Sunday and Personal Jesus, through to the electro-pop dance grooves of Discotheque, Enjoy the Silence and Just Can't Get Enough, this show delivers on every level.
The Mega-Tribute-Party - a musically authentic and exciting show - in short an e