Brindisi Gig, Veldt, Global Underground
Recent news about the forthcoming Brindisi gig which will see Derek Forbes and Mel Gaynor playing a selection of early Simple Minds tracks:In Aid of Worldwide Childrens present a day of music and solidarity dedicated to all the children of the Balklands.
The Manifesto:
The committee of n Aid of Worldwide Childrens are promoting in Brindisi, one day of music and solidarity dedicated to all the children of the Balklands.
The benefit concert will take place at the Communal Stage on the 29th August, with the support of the High Sponsorship of the Presidency of the Council, the Region, the Province and the Commons of Brindisi and the regional CRI and the provincial Unicef. They will participate with many groups from the international and national musical panorama, including Mel Gaynor and Derek Forbes formerly of Simple Minds who are forming a band in support, The Loft, Emiliana, Jovine, Opacupa, Zoè Workshop of Art, Wladimir Lenissenkov and other artists.
The concert will begin at 17.00, and will be introduced by Brigitte Nilsen and George Best.
The purposes of this initiative is to finance everything from the intial planning destined to treat the psychological damage of the children involved in the recent conflict to the prevention of the dangers represented by the large number of mines still today present on the territory.
The Committee "In Aid of Worldwide Children"
(Translated by AltaVista Online Translation from Italian)
I recently received a mail from one of the members of Veldt.
"Veldt are a band based in Brighton, UK, who have Simple Minds, Roxy Music and David Bowie influences."
It's not known if they took their name from the Simple Minds song Veldt which was featured on Real To Real Cacophony.
Check out their web page at http://users.computerweekly.net/veldt/home.htm.
There's been whipsers about a remix of Theme For Great Cities on various dance compilation CDs. Interestingly, two different mixes of the same track have turned up on the Global Underground series. Basically a famous DJ (in these cases Paul Oakenfold and Nick Warren) creates the compilation with a collection of dance remixes representative of a major city.
The song in question is called Life In Minds by Life On Mars. This group has sampled the distinctive opening of the Sons And Fascination classic:
The L.I.M Vocal just features a sample of the song, whilst it's both sampled and played on the Evolution Mix. And for the record, I prefer them to the Fila Brazillia and Fluke remixes of last year.
- Life On Mars - Life In Minds (L.I.M Vocal Mix) [4:48]
- Featured on: 007 Paul Oakenfold: New York
- Global Underground GU 007
- Life On Mars - Life In Minds (Evolution Mix) [6:44]
- Featured on: 011 Nick Warren: Budapest
- Global Underground GU 011
The CDs can be ordered from the Global Underground web site.
Convention/The Big Breakfast, Careers And Colleges Magazine, Real Life DAT, Marketplace, Endless River
For those wondering what happened on The Big Breakfast and at The Simple Minds 1999 Convention then don't worry: a full update with pictures, scans, screen captures and all the inside information will be uploaded soon.
In the meantime, here's some recent news:
The September/October issue of Careers And Colleges magazine, which is targetted to high school students in the US, will be mentioning Simple Minds, albeit very briefly.David Schaffer has written a career profile of a radio DJ who has previously interviewed Simple Minds. The paragraph will read as follows:
"Gunther says one benefit of the job is being able to meet some of his favourite performers. So far, he has interviewed Ani DiFranco and members of Toad The Wet Sprocket, The Goo Goo Dolls and Simple Minds among others. "It's great getting to know them as regular people and hard working professionals," he says."
One of the rarest commercial releases in the Simple Minds discography is the Real Life. DAT. Real Life was the first album to be released by Virgin Records on this format, and copies could be ordered from records shops during the first months of the album's release.
The DAT format did not take off as a commercial format, so Real Life remains one of the few DAT albums to be released. Damien Buggy (DAMIEN.BUGGY@UKGATEWAY.NET) has one for sale. E-mail him with any offers.
Note: the picture is of my DAT which has been signed. Damien is selling an unsigned copy.
(Trivia: the minimal blue 'anonymous' popstars sleeve for the Real Life album was designed to fit on a DAT cover. After the DAT release was not commerically successful, the Real Life sleeve was changed to the picture of Jim, Mel and Charlie for later pressings on vinyl, cassette and CD.)
Also check out the Marketplace: Ojje Holt is after Themes Volumes One, Three and Four. Can you help out?
The latest issue of Endless River is now out. The bulk of the fanzine features an exclusive interview with Mick MacNeil. Subjects covered include his life on Barra, his early musical training, joining Simple Minds, memorable concerts and experiences with the band, the day he quit, and the possibilities of him rejoining.
Plus there's the usual roundup of news, bootlegs and web site reviews.
Definitely recommended for the MacNeil interview. Subscription information can be found here.
Forbes/Gaynor And Friends, The Big Breakfast, Travelling Man
More information about Forbes/Gaynor And Friends has recently been reported in the southern Italian paper Il Quotidiano:"A benefit gig will see the Scottish "Simple Minds"(sic) be playing in Brindisi on August the 29th. Mel Gaynor the drummer is expected next week in Brindisi to check out the avaibility of the stadium. The gig will see Bjork performing live before "Simple Minds"(sic). All the profits will be donated to the children of Kosovo.".
Note that the paper mentions Simple Minds but the actual band playing will be Forbes/Gaynor And Friends. (See news: 12th July).
Convention organisers Shaun Tranter and Clive Johnson, along with myself, will be appearing on Channel Four's The Big Breakfast today. Prompted by The Sun's brief report that Simple Minds' fan club, Travelling Man, was winding up due to lack of interest, the programmes researchers quickly contacted Clive, Shaun and myself to make an appearance on behalf of Simple Minds fans.
We'll be on between 8:30-9:00. Topics will include the convention, the state of Simple Minds fan clubs and fanzines, mention of the Interent and (in line with the show's sense of humour) a selection of amusing stories about my experiences with the band.
The Sun's report (which appeared in the Bizarre column last Thursday) wasn't quite accurate. After this issue of Travelling Man, Voiceprint will no longer be running the fan club. How the official fan club will continue, and in what guise, is unknown at the moment.
Forbes/Gaynor And Friends, New Simple Minds Album, Original Gold, Mick MacNeil, Simple Minds Convention, The Match, For Sale
"It will be more Slaughterfront than Waterfront."That's how Derek Forbes describes the new Forbes/Gaynor And Friends, a band unveiled at the Kosovo gig and performing at least two shows in Italy this year.
Derek and Mel will be performing a set list comprised of a selection of Simple Minds songs upto Sparkle In The Rain. "That means songs like: Somebody Up There Likes You, Theme For Great Cities, 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall, Changeling, New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84), Pleasantly Disturbed, Boys From Brazil, This Fear Of Gods, Sweat In Bullet, King is White And In The Crowd, I Travel, Love Song, Today I Died Again, Scar, Someone,Somewhere In Summertime, Room... and as many more as we can physically do."
Fans of Simple Minds earlier work will be extremely excited by this plan. Some of those songs haven't been played live for years.
The line-up sounds really intreguing. "We have a few special guests for vocals, it would blow your mind to know who we have in the frame, guitarists are also high calibre... but the keyboard position is the one that will interest you most... put it this way... we'll sound more like the old band than Tom and Jerry!."
Gigs are already planned. "The first gig is on the 29th of August in Brindisi, then after that on the 30th we play Lecce, but this gig is not confirmed as yet". Some of the shows will also be televised.
And if that was not enough, Derek and Mel are also marketing "a certain product to celebrate the millenium." No more news as to what that will be.
Finally, Derek signs off hoping to see all the 'diehards' at the gigs. Just try to keep us away! More news as it comes in
Meanwhile, Jim and Charlie will finish the recording of the new album in a week or so. It's then expected that the band will take a break before mixing starts in mid-August. This final mix is due to be delivered to Chrysalis for a release in mid/end October.This is an incredibly tight schedule. Chrysalis are going to have to work hard to get the album out this year. If the October date slips, then expect the album early next year.
'New' Simple Minds product appeared in the shops this week. Original Gold is the latest, dubious re-packaging of the Minds' back catalogue. Disky, the European reissue label, who have already released Real To Real Cacophony and Real Life, have put together this two-CD set of... Real To Real Cacophony and Real Life.
It's cheap at £9.99, and there's a great unpublished picture of the guys from a Sparkle In The Rain photo session on the front, but with it's flimsy, easily-marked card packaging, and its strange pairing of two very different Simple Minds albums, it's really one for the completists only.
Original Gold's entry in the discography is here.
Those who enjoyed the music from the eighties will also enjoy the Disky Original Gold sets by Duran Duran, Culture Club and Spandau Ballet which also appeared this week.
Fans of the elusive Mick MacNeil, the original keyboard player with Simple Minds, who suddendly and dramatically left the band after the Street Fighting Years tour, will welcome the unexpected lauch of his studio's web site. The site called MixMuzik can be found at: http://www.mixmuzik.com.
Still under construction, the site includes snippets of several new songs by Mick, plus a RealTime movie where he's basically messing around with a video cam.
The songs include the somber, classically inspired Walking In The Footsteps Of Our Ancestors which sounds a distant cousin of She Walks Through The Fair. With the introduction of the female vocalist, the song takes a new direction, and if the TV show Silent Witness ever moves to Scotland, then MacNeil should definitely be given the score.
NRG is Then Jerico's Energy which appeared on the Orgasmaphobia album last year. (See the entry for 16th June 1998). Berlin Blitz is great, with air raid sirens preceeding a soaring, upbeat piano driven instrumental - this song is the most similar to the "Simple Minds" sound.
The other pieces steer away from the Mick's previous style: Joyride is another piano lead instrumental that sounds like classical American film music, Ben (Piano) is a solo piano piece and Need Someone features the female singer this time, but feels like 'lounge musak.'
Varied stuff. And great to hear some more work from Mick.
The video is a masterpiece, and he does touch on his career with Simple Minds (although very briefly):
Joined a band, then joined another band, then another band.
Band, band, band.
Chucked it.
Studio, studio, studio.
What about... what about... what about...
See what happens tomorrow - OK?This is just the start. Mick plans currently are to focus on original compositions and recording for television and film soundtracks, but he's got his own projects as well. There's the recording studio, Mix Studio, and also a record label called Mix Records.
It's good to know that we might be hearing new material from Mick MacNeil soon.
More items have been turning up for the auction at the Simple Minds Convention, which is now less than a month away.
Simple Minds ex-manager Bruce Findlay has come up with the goods, donating a gold disc award for Live In The City Of Light for the event. More items have turned up from Simple Minds Limited which includes more tour iteraries and some engraved whisky flasks. Nice stuff.
The current, full list of auction items can be found here.
The Match is scheduled for release on July 15th. This film, about a rivalry between two Scottish pubs which is resolved by a football match, supposedly features the new Simple Minds song Hello.
Some doubt has been cast on this, since it's now rumoured that the song wasn't completed in time, and wasn't included. As no soundtrack albums have surfaced as yet, so we'll just have to wait and see.
The film was recently reviewed by Q Magazine:
Directed by Mick Davies.
Starring Max Beesley, Laura Fraser, Richard.E.GrantDumb but occasionally fun film that could have gone straight to TV and been none the poorer. Beesley is Wullie Smith, roped in to lead a Highland pub team in a showdown match with their local rivals, while trying to win "the girl" as well. The Full Motty, if you like.
Rating : 2/5 (equating to 'Average. Caution advised')
Hermes Carlyon is continuing his sale of Simple Minds records and memorabilia at knock down prices.
His list can be found here. There's some real bargins to be snapped up - for instance, a Real Life promotional pen for £5.00? He's pratically giving it away.
Album producers, Jim Kerr interview, Simple Minds Convention
The new album is being produced by Kevin Hunter and Charlie Burchill.
Jim was interviewed by Todd Richards as part of the Some Sweet Day 1999 marathon of Simple Minds songs. There were some technical problems with interviews on the day, but Jim and Todd talked about a wide range of subjects, including the Scotland Rocks For Kosovo line-up and the sound and the direction of the new album.
Quotes of interest included Todd asking Jim about the new line-up. "I guess Simple Minds is a bit of a family as much as people come and go. Like families we love each other but we also have our fair amount of fights and break-ups - a pretty passionate lot. I want to play with people who are enthusiastic about playing and enthusiastic about touring. That's not always the case with some of the musicians. When you go on tour you've got to leave a lot behind. Just because it suits Chalie and I, it doesn't always suit the other guys. You can bet you life that whoever we play with - it'll be a great band...."
And the new album is sounding very interesting. " I would say it's 100% different from Néapolis, it's very rough and ready. It's not in that vein at all. It's a very joyful sound, it's very upbeat. I think the melodies are incredibly strong, and the music itself is quite sparse, like maybe bass, drums, guitar and voice playing. It's very beautiful.
Another interesting piece of news was that Virgin are considering a box-set. "This year I went down to talk with them. They were talking about it and I asked them to hold off for another year or so. Or maybe it would be more appropriate to do it in our twenty-fifth year or something..
The full transcript is here.
And the playlists are up and can be found here. "Please let [everyone] know that the marathon was a complete success and that we appreciate all their emails and phone calls. Their good wishes kept us going." - Todd.
And here's hoping for another show next year. With webcasting!
I've started to collect information about the 1999 Simple Minds Convention on one page. Soon, I'll be travelling down to Camden and getting some photographs of the venue and places of interest with Simple Minds connections in the area. I'll also be adding some maps and travel information.
To really kick the page off in style, I've included pictures of the first auction items to be donated. All from the band's ex-tour manager, Stan Tippins, this collection features backstage pass laminates and a collection of ultra-rare tour itineraries. The convention page is here
New line-up
After the gradual erosion of Simple Minds over the late eighties and early nineties, it seemed by 1995's Good News From The Next World that the band had reached some form of absolute minimum. The name of Simple Minds would now be associated with the song writing duo of Jim and Charlie, with studio and live work being augmented with session musicians.There was a sense of loss since the so-called 'classic' line-up of Simple Minds was seen as the definitive version of the band. For many, Simple Minds would be lacking without the talents of Mick MacNeil, Derek Forbes and Mel Gaynor. Not only for live and studio work, but also for the composition of the songs. Albums such as New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) and especially Sparkle In The Rain reflect the talent of this group working as a song writing team.
Then, in 1996, the unthinkable happened with the return of Derek Forbes. And hopes were raised still further with Mel Gaynor resuming his drumming with the group for their 1997 and 1998 festival tours. But they were not included in the songwriting - Néapolis hosts a Kerr/Burchill writing credit, but expectation was high that Simple Minds were beginning to function as a group once more.
(Some even hoped for the return of Mick MacNeil from his musical wilderness. It did seem that anything was possible.)
So the events of the last few months, culminating with the Scotland Rocks For Kosovo concert, have left many fans questioning the nature of Simple Minds. The first news that Jim and Charlie were not working with Derek or Mel on the demos for the new album was a shock. Furthermore, the songwriting team was working with Kevin Hunter on the batch of demos, a name that many fans were unaware of. As Jim explained, new people working in the team offered new ideas and new perspectives. Indeed - a new sound? But with the enigmatic working titles appearing and Jim's enthusiasm with the new collection of songs, it sounded like the demos were coming along well.
When ideas of a May webcast were circulating (obviously preempted by the Scotland Rocks For Kosovo gig), Jim mentioned the new lineup. It was a shock when we finally discovered who was involved. Derek and Mel were not to be seen during the Simple Minds segment of the show: they played with Mark Kerr on drums and Eddie Duffy on bass.
More facts have emerged. The new album is being recorded by this line-up. Derek Forbes and Mel Gaynor are not involved.
There could be many reasons. Mel in particular has been busy recording his solo album (he's wanted to write separately since 1988-89), and continuing his session work with live appearances with Robert Palmer. Perhaps Mel couldn't commit to the new Simple Minds schedule? Then again, nothing has been heard of from Derek - we all assumed he'd be working on the new album.
It's almost as if Simple Minds have combined with the seminal Sly-Silver-Sly. Both Kevin Hunter and Mark Kerr were involved with this new Glasgow band before becoming associated with Simple Minds. Charlie was supposed to be producing their debut album - have parts of those bands combined forces?
How does this hold for the future and the new album? Jim is very enthusiastic about the new album and I won't judge the new line-up until I hear it. Perhaps Derek and Mel will become involved with the post-album tour? Who knows?
The current feeling on the mailing list is one of anger and disbelief. What is going on with the band? Why aren't Derek or Mel involved? We don't want to return to the days of the Kerr/Burchill core with unfamiliar faces on keyboards, bass and drums.
The fact that neither Derek or Mel are not involved with the new album doesn't bode well with those who want a return to the 'classic' Simple Minds. But if this is the new direction that Jim and Charlie want to take the band, then so be it. I'm sure Jim has thought through the possible ramifications (and potential cries of "nepotism") when putting his brother behind the drumkit. Or the reaction of the fans when Derek Forbes is seemingly replaced by another.
I'm just going to wait and see what happens. Then I'll form opinions when I hear the new album, and when I see Simple Minds (in whatever form that takes) play live again.
Scotland Rocks For Kosovo, Some Sweet Day 1999
The line-up for Monday's concert was:Jim Kerr: Vocals
Charlie Burchill: Guitar
Mark Taylor: Keyboards
Mark Kerr: Drums
Eddie Duffy: BassEddie Duffy is a young bass player from the Toryglen area of Glasgow and is apparently a friend of Mark Kerr's. Presumably this was the new line-up that Jim hinted at when there were plans for a May webcast (which never occurred).
The online flyer is here
Scotland Rocks For Kosovo
More news has filtered through about the line-up of the band for this concert.Jim and Charlie were joined on stage with long-time keyboard support from Mark Taylor, 'new' face Mark Kerr on drums (the role he played in G.U.N) and a (currently) unknown bass player.
What of Derek Forbes and Mel Gaynor? It was speculated that Mel may not play due to other commitments - he's been playing drums for Robert Palmer. But both Derek and Mel turned up in an earlier group, bringing the roof down with a cover of Led Zepplin's classic Kashmir.
Derek was playing lead guitar instead of bass. Trivia fans will remember that he intended on returning to lead guitar whilst playing bass for Simple Minds in the very early days, but transfered to the bass after his guitar was stolen during the recording of the Chelsea Girl demo.
Scotland Rocks For Kosovo
The concert that everyone's been waiting for has finally taken place. Scotland Rocks For Kosovo featured Scotland's finest putting on a show for the refugees of Kosovo.
Simple Minds played the following set list:
Plus Jim could be heard in the finalé: all the artists of the evening got up to sing A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall by Bob Dylan and Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon. I don't know if Charlie was playing in the finalé's line-up.
- Waterfront
- Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
- Alive And Kicking [1997 Drone Version]
- Don't You (Forget About Me) [New Version]
A taster of the event was broadcast by BBC Radio Two (who were Simple Minds friendly which made a nice change) with presenter/interviewer Lynn "I'm looking forward to your new album" Parsons. She interviewed Jim backstage before the gig.
Apparently it was long-time Simple Minds friend and journalist Billy Sloan who organised the event in just six weeks. Jim recounted "The local newspaper was running a campaign. And one of our friends, Billy Sloan, wanted to raise some money... the day he called we were working on the new record. What can I do? We're idealists! When you get asked to do this, you can't say no."
Asked about playing in their hometown of Glasgow, Jim admitted "Simple Minds haven't done that many good gigs in Glasgow! There's family, friends... you're overwhelmed... somewhat in the past we've suffered. But Glasgow was the first to support us." In fact, Jim mentioned that they drove past the venue of Simple Minds' first gig on the way to the show: "Satellite City, a tacky disco upstairs at the legendary Glasgow Apollo" to quote Billy Sloan.
Interesting fact about the new album. It has no title. It's not called "Our Secrets Are The Same" nor "All Our Secrets Are The Same" or any other combination. Every day it's got a new title.
BBC Radio Two broadcast two songs from the gig (as they did for most artists). Alive And Kicking appeared in it's Néapolis-era guise with backing drone effects (debuted during the 1997 festival tour.) Don't You (Forget About Me) was much more interesting with a great opening from Charlie, and including keyboard and sonic effects. Unfortunately, the ending wasn't the great sing-a-long of old, but seemed to die out. Maybe the band were pressed for time.
Highlights of the other acts: A brave, interesting, and fullfilling acoustic version of Vienna by Midge Ure, and great sets by G.U.N and Big Country. In fact G.U.N were full of praise for Simple Minds: "The band took us in and put us on the support at Wembley with 70,000 people in the audience. Then they took us on the European Tour of the arenas." They also mentioned that it was the combination of Simple Minds and the event's organisers that persuaded them to reform.
Scotland Rocks For Kosovo, BBC Coverage, Convention, Jim on Radio Five, Items Wanted
The line-up and times of the performance of the concert are as follows:
Time Artist 7:30 Intro 7:35 - 7:55 G.U.N 8:05 - 8:20 Jimmy Somerville 8:30 - 8:50 Teenage Fanclub 9:00 - 9:15 Ricky Ross (Acoustic) 9:25 - 9:45 Simple Minds 9:55 - 10:10 Midge Ure (Acoustic) 10:20 - 10:50 Big Country 10:50 - 10:55 Finalé
BBC Radio 2 (88-90.2 MHZ) will be broadcasting highlights of the concert. (It looks like it's replaced Chaka Khan's original broadcast time slot which has been moved to the start of June.) The show starts at 10:30 (on Monday, 31st May) and is scheduled to finish at 12:00 PM. Get those tapes ready. (Online information for BBC Radio 2 here)For those outside the UK, you may carry BBC Radio 2 as part of your cable or satellite package.
Those in Scotland are even more lucky, as BBC Radio Scotland will be broadcasting the entire concert. Check your copy of the radio listings for more details.
The Simple Minds 1999 Convention tickets are now on sale. The price is £10 sterling. Doors will open at on the day 1.00 PM and the event will finish at 10.15 PM (blame the closing times on England's arcane licensing laws.) Tickets will be available via post from Clive. His address is:Clive Johnson
Cherry Tree Cottage
Bedchester
Shaftesbury
Dorset
SP7 0JU
UK
Tel: (01747) 812320Payment details:
UK: Cheque or postal order
Rest Of The World: IMO (International Money Order), Eurocheque or bankers draft in pounds sterling
(Cash will be accepted but please send it as registered post)All cheques and drafts to be made payable to Clive Johnson.
When writing to Clive, please enclose an SAE (Self Addressed Envelope) if writing from the UK, or two IRCs (International Reply Coupon - available from post offices) if you're writing from outside the UK.
Jim surprised us all with an interview on the BBC's sports radio channel BBC Radio Five. It was broadcast yesterday. Jim mentioned that he was currently busy setting up a record label (Mindmood?) and also a production company (Mindseye?)
Two new additions to the Marketplace: both Duncan Eyre and David Johnson are looking for Simple Minds items. Can you help out?
Some Sweet Day
The online-flyer for this Simple Minds radio marathon can be found here. Co-host Todd Richards has a confirmed interview with Jim just before the event starts on June 3rd. Hopefully the Scotland Rocks For Kosovo event won't interefer with the timing of the interview.A web-cast is still being worked on.
The event will cover the entire history of Simple Minds, featuring rare B-side and remixes alongside studio tracks and singles (with even live material from the short 1998 European Festival Tour.) Todd writes :"This should prove to be a great event. I've even had other fans offering to drive hundreds of miles to help me with the show!"
Scotland Rocks For Kosovo, Mel Gaynor, Stan Tippins
Further line-up details have been added to the Scotland Rocks For Kosovo concert. Joining Simple Minds will be Teenage Fan Club, Paul Buchanen (of The Blue Nile), Big Country, G.U.N (reforming for the event) and Jimmy Somerville. Other guests include Gail Porter, Johnathon Watson and McCoist And MacAulay.
Mel Gaynor has been spotted working with Robert Palmer. He was supplying the drumming for Palmer's appearance on Jools Holland's late-night music show last week. He will also be appearing behind the drum kit for Palmer on T.F.I Friday this Friday.
Simple Minds tour manager of the last decade, Stan Tippins, has been asked to manage the forthcoming Sade tour. Oft stated to be in retirement, Stan is apparently considering the job offer.
Scotland Rocks For Kosovo, BBC Coverage, Fanzines, Convention, Acetates For Sale
Despite currently working on the new album, the word from the Minds' camp is "they're going to do it." The number of songs to be played, and even the line-up of the band is unknown at this time.
Tickets are on sale now. They cost either £20.00 and £25.00 and are available from the SECC's box office: (0141) 287 7777. The SECC's web site is here. The postal address is : Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre, Finnieston St., Glasgow G3 8YW, Scotland.
The event coincides with the BBC's biggest ever live coverage of the 100 musical events occuring in Glasgow that week. The BBC have set up a web site to cover the events: BBC Music Live. The BBC describe it as "the UK's biggest broadcast live music festival - a six day celebration of musical diversity, live on stage, live on air and in Glasgow.."
There is no mention of Scotland Rocks For Kosovo. As it's only been recently announced, the BBC may not have had time to determine whether it will be broadcast (at the moment, they'll be broadcasting Chaka Khan from the SECC on that day). Keep an eye on this site, and the BBC's site, for possible details.
New issues of Endless River and Who's Doing The Dreaming Now? are available.
Endless River looks back ten years to the Street Fighting Years, reviews some bootlegs and web sites, and reproduces a Mel Gaynor interview from a magazine interview. Similarly Who's Doing The Dreaming Now? has collected some magazine interviews from Mel Gaynor and Peter Walsh. It also includes an exclusive interview with Dougie Cowen, the band's technical guru, who "follows the band around the world putting plugs on things." And add to that all the latest news, reviews, discographies and bootlegs.
All issues of Who's Doing The Dreaming Now? will be sent out this weekend - flyers need to be added to include the details of the forthcoming concert.
Payment details can be found in the fanzine section.
Esprit, one of the best suppliers of second-hand, rare and deleted records, have recently donated some desirable Simple Minds records for the convention. All from the Néapolis era, their batch of items includes the 12" promos from War Babies (one of which includes two unreleased remixes), and the glossy round French promo of Glitterball. Check out the links to the right for their entries in the discography.
Of course, if you can't wait until the convention to get your hands on these, contact Esprit - they've always got lots of interesting items in stock.
On the subject of rare and desirable, Mallorca is selling some ultimate Simple Minds collectables. Acetates are metal discs, covered with shellac, and are used in recording studios as a quick way of pressing work-in-progress or completed works on disc. Mallorca is selling two acetates which were pressed at the Townhouse Studios - where the majority of Simple Minds records were recorded.10" acetate: Promised You A Miracle (Live)/Book Of Brilliant Things (Live)
12" acetate: Promised You A Miracle (Live)/Book Of Brilliant Things (Live)/Glittering Prize (Live)/Celebrate (Live)He also has a one-sided white-label test-pressing of the last disc of the Live In The City Of Light LP. Again, rare stuff!