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news 2009

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I was going to write something long and insightful about Simple Minds over the last decade. But I was too busy to compose something... which I think succinctly sums up the previous ten years following the band.

It's never really stopped, so roll on the next decade!

I'm definitely up for it.


For those in Australia... on Saturday, ABC's show Rage are plundering their archive and playing many old and not-so-old videos on their Countdown segment.

So, if you're still up in the early hours, then you'll see the following:

  • Chelsea Girl
  • Sweat In Bullet
  • Don't You (Forget About Me)
  • She's A River
  • Mandela Day
  • Cry
  • Rockets
See ABC's website for the red-eye times. (It kicks off at 3:00AM so you'll have to be dedicated!)


The discography continues to grow:


And we're off....

Lostboy! AKA

Billy Sloan has announced the following on his Daily Record Blog as part of the predicted big things for 2010:

The Lost Boys

Simple Minds' singer Jim Kerr's first ever solo project will be a mix of inspired cover versions and original compositions.

Rumours of a solo album have been flying around for the past month so its nice to finally get confirmation. So, that's the first to look out for in 2010!


Popcentrum, Tilburg, Netherlands
17th December, 2009
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Big Sleep / Hypnotised / Life In A Day / All The Things She Said / See The Lights / Moscow Underground / Real Life / Sons And Fascination / The American / In Trance As Mission / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / Rockets / Alive And Kicking / Let There Be Love / Chelsea Girl / Ghostdancing


Updates to the discography include:

  • Neon Lights : A rare Indonesian version of the album, uniquely on cassette.
  • Rockets : An extremely rare promo DVD of the video.
  • Graffiti Soul : The Australian numbered promo of the album.
  • And see the album's page for more details about 10-track promo versions of the album and the German "Pure" edition.
  • Cry : A rare Indonesian version of the album, uniquely on cassette.

Autostadt Piazza, Wolfsburg, Germany
18th December, 2009
Support: None
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Waterfront / All The Things She Said / See The Lights / Moscow Underground / Real Life / Home / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / Alive And Kicking / She's A River / Let There Be Love / Ghostdancing


Here are some extra San Sebastian pictures from the gig of the 19th November. Many thanks to Alberto for them:







Concert Online launch Simple Minds "Gold Edition" USB Tour Stick

Following Simple Minds recent 'Graffiti Soul' European tour, Concert Online is pleased to announce the release of the Simple Minds "Gold Edition" USB tour stick.

With 8GB of storage space, the "Gold Edition" USB stick will contain each of Simple Minds' UK and Irish concerts in their entirety, plus addition tracks recorded during soundchecks, and exclusive backstage video footage of the band at their recent concert in Basel, Switzerland. The gold USB stick, which comes packaged in a stylish collector's box, will have a strictly limited print run of 222 copies, with a retail selling price of £99.

Effectively, fans will be able to purchase a single memory stick containing Simple Minds' entire UK and Irish 'Graffiti Soul' tour, and what's more, every concert will feature a different selection of Simple Minds songs. No two concerts have the same set list.

The "Gold Edition" USB tour stick will include concerts recorded in the following cities: Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, London, Sheffield, Cardiff, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Belfast and Dublin - over 20 hours of audio performances.

"The Gold Edition USB stick is perfect for those fans who couldn't attend the concerts" says Concert Online founder Gerrit Schumann, "and no matter where they are based in the world, they can go to Concert-Online.com and either order the Gold Edition USB concert stick or download the MP3s to any or all of the concerts."

Read the full online announcement here - www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/concert_online/simplemindsgoldeneditiontour.htm

SECC, Glasgow, UK
11th December, 2009
Support: OMD
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Big Sleep / Life In A Day / All The Things She Said / See The Lights / Moscow Underground / Real Life / Sons And Fascination / The American / In Trance As Mission / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / Rockets / Alive And Kicking / Chelsea Girl / Ghostdancing

The sound cut out after In Trance As Mission and the band were off the stage for about 20 minutes. Somebody Up There Likes You was then dropped from the performance.


Many thanks to Andy for the following pictures taken at Cardiff:


AEC, Aberdeen, UK
12th December, 2009
Support: OMD
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Life In A Day / All The Things She Said / See The Lights / Moscow Underground / Real Life / Sons And Fascination / The American / In Trance As Mission / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / Rockets / Alive And Kicking / Chelsea Girl / Ghostdancing

Cardiff Review

It is fair to say that it has been hard to convince my 17 year old daughter over the years of the greatness of Simple Minds. Indeed many times she has said to me "Oh Dad, not Simple Minds again."

I lived in hope that one day the light would go on and I would get through to her if only she would actually listen to them rather than dismissing them as just Don't You (Forget About Me) and Alive And Kicking, or Dad's music!

Well glory be! When Rockets came out just prior to Grafitti Soul I had it playing on the computer one day as she came in. "What's that?" she said to which I responded "Why?" expecting the usual dismissive response. To my amazement she said "Because it's good". A point I put to Jim on Twitter. His response: "Thanks for the brainwashing, wish I could get mine to listen."

Then when Grafitti Soul came out I convinced her to give it a listen. She fell in love with Stars and reluctantly said she liked the whole album. I then got her to agree to come to a concert with me so I booked Cardiff. She was very impressed and thought that Jim and the boys were "cool". She spent nearly all the night on her feet dancing away. Afterwards I asked her if she would go again. "Yes, definitely" she replied. So mission accomplished, a new young Simple Minds fan.

Personally I thought the Cardiff gig was excellent with highlights definitely being the new stuff and the older songs we don't get to hear live too often, like Sons and Fascination, Once Upon A Time and Real Life. I absolutely loved the new working of In Trance a Mission. The boys were on great form and at the end you got the impression they would have stayed on longer if time permitted. Thanks guys for a great night which kept us singing all the way back to North Devon.

Mark

02, Dublin, Ireland
9th December, 2009
Support: OMD
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Book Of Brilliant Things / All The Things She Said / See The Lights / Moscow Underground / Real Life / Sons And Fascination / The American / In Trance As Mission / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / Rockets / Alive And Kicking / Chelsea Girl / Ghostdancing



Odyssey, Belfast, Northern Ireland
10th December, 2009
Support: OMD
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Big Sleep / Life In A Day / All The Things She Said / See The Lights / Moscow Underground / Real Life / Sons And Fascination / The American / In Trance As Mission / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / Rockets / Alive And Kicking / Ghostdancing


Thanks to Jon for the following pictures from Belfast:



Simple Minds/O.M.D. - Wembley Arena 7th December 2009

Andy McCluskey came on stage and promised the large crowd "If you haven't seen us before don't worry we will be brilliant", the O.M.D. front man made this bold statement and launched into their set with Messages. The Wembley crowd were soon on their feet enjoying the sound of one of the most famous electric based bands of the 80's and 90's, who treat the crowd to an hour of a set that included mostly hits such as Electricity, Joan of Arc and Talking Loud and Clear to the delight of the audience. Andy danced his way across the large Wembley stage like a Dad at a wedding, obviously really enjoying being in front of such a large crowd. The sound was absolutely perfect, maybe it was the lack of loud guitars, to get the sound right in this old shed is not easy all, so to many congratulations should go to the bands soundman for getting everything just right. The band ended with the classic Enola Gay which saw the Wembley crowd singing enthusiastically along, the band left the stage with massive applause which could have easily got them an encore, however the roadies came on stage to prepare for the main event.

Just over a year ago Simple Minds played at Wembley Arena in November as part of their 30th Anniversary shows, this year has seen them release a new album called Graffiti Soul and take them on a Worldwide tour to promote it. The band take to the stage at around 9pm and the welcome they get is awesome with everybody getting to their feet cheering right from the start, the set is full of surprises as well as the hits that you would expect the band to play, some obscure tracks from the early part of their career including Son and Fascination, In Trance As Mission and Someone Up There Likes You which has some of the die hard fans in their absolute element. In the 80's Simple Minds has a girl singer called Robin Clark who gave Jim Kerr some brilliant back up vocals on some of the tracks from the Once Upon a Time album, this year see the inclusion of a new girl singer called Sarah Brown who by tonight's performance shows she has an outstanding voice and along with Jim produce a great vocal combination on a several tracks including a great medley based around the track Once Upon a Time. After nearly an hour and a half the band leave the stage to thundering applause ringing around the arena only to return five minutes later with O.M.D. to perform a brilliant version of Kraftwerk's Neon Lights. The evening ended with an extended version of Ghost-Dancing which included some great audience participation with them singing along to Van Morrison's Gloria which was cleverly inserted into the song by the band to great effect. The band leave the stage to more loud applause and the house lights go up, the PA. system starts playing A Brim Full of Asha by Cornershop which sees Jim Kerr still onstage trying to thank everybody in the audience, he then like Andy Mcluskey before him starts Dad dancing on the stage to the music on his own long after the rest of the band has left the stage for the dressing room, this is hilarious to watch, but so great to know that he still enjoys performing after all these years.

Dave Chinery



The Aberdeen Press And Journal published this article on the 10th December (click on the thumbnail for a larger version). The same article is also available online.

CIA, Cardiff, UK
6th December, 2009
Support: OMD
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Book Of Brilliant Things / Big Sleep / All The Things She Said / See The Lights / Moscow Underground / Real Life / Sons And Fascination / In Trance As Mission / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / Rockets / Alive And Kicking / Chelsea Girl / Ghostdancing


Arena, Wembley, UK
7th December, 2009
Support: OMD
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Book Of Brilliant Things / Big Sleep / All The Things She Said / See The Lights / Moscow Underground / Real Life / Sons And Fascination / The American / In Trance As Mission / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / Rockets / Alive And Kicking / Ghostdancing

Arena, Sheffield, UK
5th December, 2009
Support: OMD
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / All The Things She Said / See The Lights / Moscow Underground / Real Life / I Travel / Sons And Fascination / In Trance As Mission / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / Alive And Kicking / Chelsea Girl / Rockets / Ghostdancing


Jim talks about life on the road to Ireland's Newstalk.


Thanks to Jon for these pictures from Birmingham:



METRO ARENA NEWCASTLE 30th NOVEMBER 2009

I've followed Simple Minds for over 30 years now and have to say what a performance by the band.To be truthful you'd think after 30 years on the road any band would start to tone things down a bit and start to take thing easy, but not Simple Minds. To open the show with such an upbeat song like Sanctify Yourself was truly amazing and a great way to get the fans heated up and on their feet. The set list continued to impress with Big Sleep, Real Life and, of course, the rarely heard Sons and Fascination and In Trance As Mission.

Jim Kerr was also in great form having a joke with the crowd about the Celtic Manager coming from this part of the country. And then Jim asking them if they "wanted him back".

The set list was well put together with most songs begin very upbeat keeping the fans rocking from start to finish only having a short rest while they performed Neon Lights with OMD. Altogether this has to go done as one of the greatest Simple Minds gigs I've attended. Even when the show was over Jim didn't want to leave, as he stayed on the stage dancing away to Corner Shop's A Brimful Of Asha.

Stuart


OMD and Simple Minds have appeared in The Scotsman: A Walk On The Mild Side.


And thanks again to Jon for these pictures from Manchester:

It appears that the two bonus Birmingham tracks (Kiss And Fly and Rockin' In The Free World) are only available for the USB and MP3 sticks. (It looks like Concert-Online have only added these songs to the "download updates" for this concert, whilst the plain download doesn't have them).


This is the South Wales Echo from the 27th November promoting tonight's gig. Click on the thumbnail for the larger version:

The Birmingham NEC recording also features two bonus tracks recorded during the soundcheck: Kiss And Fly (which hasn't been publically performed yet) and Rockin' In The Free World. These aren't listed on the Concert-Online site. If other bonus material is available on the other downloads/sticks then please let me know so I can update this site and make it as accurate and complete as possible.

It also means that Blood Type O is the only main track from the album not to appear in a live guise yet.

All the song pages have been crossreferenced back to the downloads and the USB sticks. For example, if you look at the Kiss And Fly page you'll see it's only currently available in the Birmingham recording. Moscow Underground has been performed at every gig and is represented by an icon for each gig: hover your mouse over the icon and it'll show the concert date and track length.

The Concert-Online material is mixed at the sound-desk. Therefore the quality is excellent and isn't dependent on the acoustics of the venue or any technical problems with the PA system. To sample the quality then check-out the free download from the Sheffield Star (see the news of the 3rd December).


I'm 27 years old so a fairly young fan, I first saw Simple Minds in 2002 at the Birmingham NEC as part of the Floating World Tour, which was the first world tour the band had completed for seven years at that time and off the band of the Cry album this seemed the start of the bands creative re-surgence in my view. That concert was fantastic and I'm just so disappointed that I hadn't got a ticket for a Simple Minds gig since then until the recent UK Tour was announced. I decided that I had to get tickets for this tour and again i got two for the NEC on 02/12/09. I travelled from Coventry with my brother (this was his Christmas present) and we enjoyed the great atmosphere that was building up in the LG Arena by sinking a few pints and buying some rather cool looking Simple Minds T-shirts and the tour programme. I spoke to many fans before the gig kicked off and everyone was so friendly it was all coming together to be a really special evening of music.

We got our seats in the stands at the side of the stage and watched OMD put in a brilliant supporting performance, if I closed my eyes it was almost like listening to the best of OMD (the black album!) which I often do at home. When Simple Minds came on I was so exited, this had been seven years too long for me! I can honestly say I think I sang every lyric to every song with Jim Kerr that evening, and it was such a buzz to do so. My highlights were Stars Will Lead the Way, Someone Somewhere (In Summertime), Don't You (Forget About Me), Rockets and of course Alive And Kicking. But everything sounded great to me. What a concert, two brilliant bands, great atmosphere, brilliant music. I don't think I could have enjoyed this concert anymore than I did! Well only if they had carried on playing for another two hours! My brother also loved the gig.

We left to get the train home from Birmingham International and Simple Minds fans were on both sides of the platform, we began singing the "ba da da da's" from Alive And Kicking and the "La la la la's" from Don't You (Forget About Me) back and forth over the platform it was hilarious and we soon had most of the people on the train platform who didn't even go to the gig joining in the mass singalong! I was gutted that my evening had come to an end but so glad I had witnessed one of the best night's entertainment i have had in my life. I don't ever really feel the need to write letters of thanks to bands telling them how great they are but after that gig I just felt I had to show my appreciation to Simple Minds for that evening. I wish I could tell them in person and shake hands with these guys for the inspirational music however I'll settle for a passed on message but I don't know of anywhere fans can leave messages for them. Hence why this was the next port of call and as I believe you attended the same gig I thought I would share my evening with you. If you do know any way to past this message onto the band please do so on my behalf. Thanks again for the brilliant info you provide on your website, I am a daily visitor! All the best to you, I just wish I had tickets for the London date!!!!!!

Tom


Here's a poser for the hardcore collectors out there. I was recently sent pictures of a white sleeve Celebrate 12"; this features a cropped title sticker and a strange Simple Minds logo on the back. The record is the standard blue-label 12".

I believe a fan's put this together by sticking the sticker on a white sleeve and stenciling Simple Minds on the back. But it'll be interesting to know if anyone else has this version and if it is a legitimate Arista release.

Please get in touch if you know.


Really enjoyed the piece written by you in the tour programe, it took me back to when I first got into the band, a school mate had lent me New Gold Dream and the following day I walked from school into Leamigton to buy the album, but the only album they had in there at the time was Real to Real Cacophony which was a bit of a shock at the time, but I am pretty sure the next album I got was Sons and Fascination from Bonel and Curtis in Warwick who were a TV and hi-fi shop with a record section the size of a broom cupboard.

I have counted up I have bought that album four times now, cassette (like you), record, CD and then again when it was remastered so I must really like it! Great to see so many songs from that period played at Birmingham the other night along with Street Fighting Years, I have only to gripes from that night had to miss Rockets and Ghostdancing so I didn't miss the train and they didnt play as many tracks off the new album as they have done on the earlier dates on the tour, it's a small gripe though I thought the gig was great and OMD playing too made it a real good value ticket. Andy Mcluskey is very funny and a really good frontman. I really hope the new album due for release next year is a return to form as well.

Rob


Congratulations to Massimo from Italy who's won the signed Kilmarnock Edition by Mike Ogletree. The correct answer ("Who was the drummer in Simple Minds before Mike") was Kenny Hyslop.

My first Simple Minds gig was the Birmingham NEC, 24th January 1986, part of the Once Upon A Time tour. The band were: Jim, Charlie, Mel, Mick and John. I was just a naive wide-eyed teenager. I left the venue thinking it couldn’t get much better than this.

It was the same venue last night but very different. The band were: Jim, Charlie, Mel, Eddie and Andy. The net was cast wide over the catalogue yielding many forgotten classics, In Trance As Mission was sublime in its new guise, hypnotic Sarah Brown took centre stage and filled the highs, OMD were great, I caught up with many old friends around the arena and took a sonic memento of the evening home on a stick.

In the two hours of darkness after the lights went down, I became that teenager again. I left the venue thinking it was much, much better than before. Cheers Simple Minds.

Simon

NEC, Birmingham, UK
2nd December, 2009
Support: OMD
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / All The Things She Said / Moscow Underground / See The Lights / Street Fighting Years / Sons And Fascination / The American / In Trance As Mission / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / Alive And Kicking / Rockets / Ghostdancing - Gloria

In addition to the downloads and USB sticks, you can also purchase a dedicated MP3 player of each gig. This is a 2GB MP3 player (complete with a Simple Minds sticker) with a USB connection (so you can plug it into your computer to download the encores and extras).

They're packaged in a glossy large box and retail at £30.

Thanks to Otto for the picture.


JohnnyBGood's been busy again:


MEN, Manchester, UK
3rd December, 2009
Support: OMD
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Book Of Brilliant Things / All The Things She Said / See The Lights / Moscow Underground / Real Life / Sons And Fascination / In Trance As Mission / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / Alive And Kicking / Chelsea Girl / Rockets

Metro Arena, Newcastle, UK
30th November, 2009
Support: OMD
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Big Sleep / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Moscow Underground / All The Things SHe Said / See The Lights / Real Life / Sons And Fascination / The American / In Trance As Mission / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / I Travel / Graffiti Soul / Rockets / Alive And Kicking / She's A River

The Birmingham Mail have given last night's gig a resounding 4/5. The review is published online and will be appearing in the paper this afternoon.

The same journalist has also reviewed the show for the News of the World this Sunday.


The Sheffield Star are offering a free download of Alive And Kicking recorded at a recent gig. To download a copy, check out their promotions page.


The Newcastle Chronicle published an interview with Jim in the run-up to the gig. You can now read it here (click on the thumbnail for a larger picture).


Simple Minds are featured in the January 2010 edition of Uncut Magazine. The two page spread features many archival shots of the band through the years with Jim offering his thoughts about them and the band's state of mind at the time. It's very honest and amusing. So if you want to discover about the notorious toothpaste incident or the time the band all "lost it and bought hats" then it's well worth tracking down.

Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany
27th November, 2009
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Big Sleep / Moscow Underground / All The Things SHe Said / See The Lights / Real Life / Sons And Fascination / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / In Trance As Mission / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / Alive And Kicking / Rockets / Let There Be Love / Home

Many thanks to Michael for the picture.


There are two additional Rockets promos to search out: another slight variation of the UK promo (bringing the total up to four) and a rare French promo.


Forest National, Brussels, Belgium
28th November, 2009
Support: OMD
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Big Sleep / Moscow Underground / All The Things SHe Said / See The Lights / Street Fighting Years / Sons And Fascination / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / In Trance As Mission / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / Alive And Kicking / Rockets / Graffiti Soul / Let There Be Love / Home

Many thanks to JohnnyBGood for the pictures.


This interview with Jim was published in the Sunday Mail last week. Click the thumbnail for the larger version.

Sentrum Scene, Oslo, Norway
24th November, 2009
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Big Sleep / All The Things SHe Said / Moscow Underground / See The Lights / Real Life / Sons And Fascination / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / In Trance As Mission / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Glittering Prize / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / Alive And Kicking / Let There Be Love
Encore: Children Of The Revolution / Rockets / Chelsea Girl / Ghostdancing - Gloria

Thanks to Jon for the pictures.


An interview with Jim can be found on Wales Online: The Creative Resurgence Of Jim Kerr.


Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
26th November, 2009
Support: OMD
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Big Sleep / All The Things SHe Said / Moscow Underground / See The Lights / Street Fighting Years / Sons And Fascination / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / In Trance As Mission / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Neon Lights / Alive And Kicking / Let There Be Love
Encore: Rockets / Ghostdancing - Gloria

Falconer Theatre, Copenhagen, Denmark
22nd November, 2009
Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Moscow Underground / Waterfront / I Travel / Big Sleep / Stars Will Lead The Way / See The Lights / Street Fighting Years / Sons And Fascination / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / In Trance As Mission / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Glittering Prize / Promised You A Miracle / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Alive And Kicking / Graffiti Soul / Belfast Child / Rockets / Ghostdancing - Gloria

Thanks to Nicolai for the pictures.


Solnahallen, Stockholm, Sweden
23rd November, 2009
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Big Sleep / All The Things She Said / Moscow Underground / See The Lights / Street Fighting Years / Sons And Fascination / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / In Trance As Mission / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Glittering Prize / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Alive And Kicking / Let There Be Love / Rockets / Real Life / Ghostdancing - Gloria

Some memory sticks purchased at Stockholm featured the Copenhagen concert by mistake. This is easily corrected by downloading the entire Stockholm concert onto the stick using your upload code.

Thanks to Åsa for the pictures.

Sarah Brown will be joining Simple Minds when the tour reaches Amsterdam.

"I first saw her on tour with Roxy Music and was completely blown away. She will bring something special to the line up and the sound. Believe me!" - Jim

See The Official Roxy Music Tour 2001 for Sarah's biography.

(And it's good news for Simple Minds' axe-god Eddie Duffy who won't be pushed to hit those high notes anymore!).


Kursaal, San Sebastian, Spain
19th November, 2009
Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Moscow Underground / Waterfront / Big Sleep / Stars Will Lead The Way / See The Lights / Street Fighting Years / Sons And Fascination / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / In Trance As Mission / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Glittering Prize / Promised You A Miracle / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Alive And Kicking / Graffiti Soul / Belfast Child / Rockets / Ghostdancing - Gloria


Graffiti Soul will be released on the 5th January 2010 through Decca Records in the USA. This is according to their website.

US promos have already started to circulate. The first to appear was a US Promo of the album but it's the US Promo of Rockets which has caused a real stir amongst collectors: this four track promo includes the two remixes of Rockets (which have only been available as downloads previously).


More remixes from JohnnyBGood remixer extraordinaire. To get your hands on these mixes first, check out Johnny's website first.


La Riviera, Madrid, Spain
18th November, 2009
Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Moscow Underground / Waterfront / Book Of Brilliant Things / Big Sleep / See The Lights / Street Fighting Years / Sons And Fascination / The American / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Glittering Prize / In Trance As Mission / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Stars Will Lead The Way / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Alive And Kicking / This Is It / Belfast Child / Ghostdancing

The following pictures were taken by Fernando at the Barcelona gig:


The first of the American promos for the Graffiti Soul releases have started to circulate. The first is a Decca promo of the album.


The following pictures were taken by Dany at the Florence gig. You can find more here.


Plump DJs have remixed New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) for the latest Global Underground CD. A sample can be heard via their website (www.globalunderground.co.uk/plumpdjs), selecting "Listen Now", selecting Global Underground Mix One and fast forwarding to 46:30.

Arena, Banja Luka, Bosnia
12th November, 2009
Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Moscow Underground / Waterfront / Stay Visible / Big Sleep / See The Lights / Sons And Fascination / The American / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Glittering Prize / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Graffiti Soul / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Alive And Kicking / Stars Will Lead The Way / Belfast Child / This Is it


Spaladium Arena, Split, Croatia
13 November, 2009
Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Moscow Underground / Waterfront / Big Sleep / Stars Will Lead The Way / See The Lights / Street Fighting Years / Sons And Fascination / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Glittering Prize / Promised You A Miracle / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / This Is it / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Alive And Kicking / Rockets / Belfast Child / Ghostdancing


Pictures from Split by Darko.


Avo Session, Festsaal Messe, Basel, Switzerland
15th November, 2009
Support: Lovebugs
Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Big Sleep / See The Lights / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Hypnotised / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Alive And Kicking / Ghostdancing

And the Graffiti Soul discography continues to grow with this rare French promo CD.

Arena, Belgrade, Serbia
11th November, 2009
Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Love Song / Waterfront / Book Of Brilliant Things / Big Sleep / See The Lights / Street Fighting Years / Sons And Fascination / I Travel / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Glittering Prize / In Trance As Mission / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Alive And Kicking / Belfast Child / Ghostdancing
Jim had been suffering from a cold: "Miserable two days spent mostly in bed with the shivers and all. I thought Belgrade would never happen even late last night. But I am here and ready to give whatever I have. Plenty of songs from New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) and Sons And Fascination tonight since Graffiti Soul sadly had scant exposure. The crowd here last time were astoundingly good. I will need them tonight."

Interestingly all Graffiti Soul tracks were temporarily cast aside; Love Song and Promised You A Miracle made their tour debuts and filled the void.

The lyrics of Belfast Child were changed to "Beograd Child".

As Jim's voice was poor, the concert was not recorded.


Unfortunately, Belgrade, Banja Luka, Split, Basel, and Barcelona will not be recorded

We are very sorry to tell you that the shows mentioned above cannot be recorded due to different circumstances:

  • Belgrade, Banja Luka, and Split: For health reasons Jim Kerr's voice is not 100% and thus would not reach the expected Simple Minds quality standard. It was therefore decided not to record these shows.
  • Barcelona: Might sound funny but the Razzmatazz - the club the Simple Minds are to perform in - and its sourroundings are too small for the Concert Online recording mobile.
  • Basel: Simple Minds will perform within the AVO Session programme. As this will be aired by the Swiss TV exclusively we are not allowed to record this show.

Concert Online


Remember The Eighties are running a competition to win tickets to see and meet Simple Minds during the UK leg of the tour. The lucky winner will receive two tickets, meet the band and get a signed copy of Graffiti Soul.

Check out remembertheeighties.com for more information. The competition closes on the 15th November.

And don't forget the Mike Ogletree competition (see 31st October entry).

Here's the new tour poster for the UK leg of the tour. Note that some of the box office telephone numbers have changed.


SAMPLE MINDS

SAMPLE MINDS - The Tribute to Simple Minds recently celebrated passing the impressive landmark of having performed to over 100,000 people in 2009 (and still counting!).

They are back on the road again this weekend with 2 German club dates:

13th November 2009 - Musikkeller, Frankfurt, Germany
www.musikkeller-frankfurt.de

14th November 2009 - Eulenspiegel, Seidenroth, Germany
www.eulenspiegel-seidenroth.de

Expect a 2 hour show with all the hits and a few surprises, including some fan rarities that the band have not played for a long time.

They then move on to perform at the 3,000 capacity Centre Stage at Butlins, Minehead. This gig is already sold out.

28th November 2009 - Centre Stage, Butlins, Minehead, UK

Also just confirmed for 2010 are some further 'Butlins 80's Adult Big Weekend' arena dates. These are great events featuring original 80's icons for grown ups 'that should know better'! Highly recomended.

28th November 2010 - Butlins, Bognor Regis, UK
21st November 2010 - Butlins, Bognor Regis, UK
9th October 2010 - Butlins, Skegness, UK
8th October 2010 - Butlins, Bognor Regis, UK
1st October 2010 - Butlins, Minehead, UK
22nd May 2010 - Butlins, Minehead, UK
27th February 2010 - Butlins, Minehead, UK
26th February 2010 - Butlins, Skegness, UK
6th February 2010 - Butlins, Bognor Regis, UK

"It's been a fabulous year," commented frontman Steve. "We've travelled far and wide and had some amazing experiences. We're very excited about the future."

More tour dates are expected to be announced soon.

Further information can be found at: www.sampleminds.com


And next from Mike is an acoustic version of Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)

Simple Minds today announced they will issue their forthcoming Graffiti Soul UK tour entirely on USB sticks directly after each concert.

Each USB stick will come with an individual serial code number. Fans who attend the forthcoming UK tour dates, which kicks off at the Newcastle Metro Radio Arena on November 30th, will be able to purchase the live recording USB sticks directly after the concerts and can download the encores once they install the memory stick into their USB port on their computers. To download the encores, the user can automatically hyperlink to www.concert-online.com and can enter the serial code clearly marked on their USB concert stick.

Effectively, fans will be able to purchase a memory stick for all eight of Simple Minds' UK concerts, and what's more, every concert will feature a different selection of Simple Minds songs. No two concerts will have the same set list.

The live concert USB stick is the brainchild of Germany's leading online music live recording company Concert Online, whose policy is to instantly issue fans live concert recordings on customized USB sticks directly after the concerts. Simple Minds are the latest rock band to participate in Concert Online's live concert USB stick campaign, following in the footsteps of other name bands that include KISS and Madness.

"In addition to buying the USB stick after the concert at the merchandise stall," says Simple Minds lead singer Jim Kerr, "no matter where you are in the world, you can go online and download the songs from that show, or you can have the stick packaged and sent directly to you. It's amazing."

Read the full online announcement here - http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/simple_minds/simple_minds_usb_stick.htm

For further information, please contact Noble PR Consultancy Ltd.

Thanks to Otto for the USB stick photographs.


A third promo of Stars Will Lead The Way is also circulating; the differences are minimal as both are packaged in the promo picture sleeve but one has a white label and the other has a silver label.

The set-list continues to evolve and change: She's A River, Big Sleep and Glittering Prize have now all reappeared.

Atlantico, Rome, Italy
7th November, 2009
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / I Travel / Waterfront / East At Easter / Moscow Underground / Rockets / Street Fighting Years / Sons And Fascination / The American / See The Lights / In Trance As Mission / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Light Travels / Alive And Kicking / Stars Will Lead The Way / Belfast Child / She's A River


The Graffiti Soul discography continues to expand with an extremely rare black-cover version of the Stars Will Lead The Way promo doing the rounds, plus an ultra-rare reference CDR of Rockets has escaped (and I doubt many more of those can be found).


Gran Teatro Di Padova, Padova, Italy
8th November, 2009
Main Set: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Moscow Underground / Waterfront / Book Of Brilliant Things / Big Sleep / See The Lights / Street Fighting Years / Sons And Fascination / The American / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Glittering Prize / In Trance As Mission / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Graffiti Soul / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Alive And Kicking / Home

And the set-list has already started to evolve. East At Easter, Theme For Great Cities and Sanctify Yourself all got their Graffiti Soul Tour debut last night.

Neon Concept Club, Ancona, Italy
6th November, 2009
Main Set: Moscow Underground / Rockets / Waterfront / Book Of Brilliant Things / East At Easter / Home / Street Fighting Years / Sons And Fascination / The American / See The Lights / In Trance As Mission / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Stars Will Lead The Way / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / Sanctify Yourself / Alive And Kicking / This Is It

Many thanks to Lionello for the scan.


JohnnyBGood has now launched his own website. From there you'll be able to download his latest and greatest remixes of Simple Minds and browse through his extensive archive of tracks.

And if that wasn't enough, he's also been remixing more Minds material (which is also available on his site):

Saschall, Florence, Italy
5th November, 2009
Main Set: Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Waterfront / Book Of Brilliant Things / Street Fighting Years / Sons And Fascination / The American / See The Lights / In Trance As Mission / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Graffiti Soul / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: This Is It / Alive And Kicking / Belfast Child / Mandela Day / Ghostdancing


More pictures from Vienna (with many thanks to Emanuele):


Mike Ogletree has released his next acoustic track from New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84):


F1 Rocks! Interview with Jim

Simple Minds last performed in Singapore in 2006. How does it feel to be back?
We are very happy to be back. We really enjoyed playing at Fort Canning Park and we'll probably enjoy the venue a lot more this time because of the Formula One.

How does it feel to be performing for an event like F1 rocks?
We have a lot of experience but we never take it for granted. We've been here a few days but you can guarantee that on the day of the performance itself, I'll be a different person because I recognise that we have to deliver. You have a limited time on stage, so this raises everyone's game and you want to make as good an impression as you can.

The band was very politically active in the 1980s, releasing songs such as Mandela Day and Belfast Child. Is politics still something that greatly influences the band?
Your description of the band is true, we did an album called Street Fighting Years, and it had songs about a very specific point in history. The political landscape, in some ways, has changed so much. In those days, you had Russia, the Berlin Wall, apartheid in South Africa, Thatcher, Reagan. The targets were easy to see when you were an idealist. Nowadays, politics is a lot more centralised. Even things like buying a T-shirt, the kind of coffee you drink, the decision to take a train and not the plane, you could say all of these things are political choices and that wasn't the situation back then, but in other ways, you still have war, poverty, the ecological thing. So when we write, all these things still influence us but not in the same iconic way.

Simple Minds is often associated with U2 [both bands became popular at around the same time and were politically active in the 1980s]. Is this association something that you get tired of?
Well it's a bit of both. But on the whole, we consider it quite a lovely compliment to be associated with them. There are a lot of similarities between us, being Irish and Scots. Both the bands are passionate about making music, and know a lot of the same people. Even before we met them, a lot of people told us that we would really get along cos of the similarities we shared. U2 played in Glasgow three weeks ago and Bono talked about the work that [Simple Minds] had done which was lovely.

Do you think you've managed to win over a younger generation of fans with Graffiti Soul?
People seem to be much more aware of Simple Minds these days. My son's 17, and when we last played in London four years ago, he'd ask for about two or three tickets for his friends. Now he asks for about 25 tickets. I asked him "Why do your friends want to see us?" and he said, "Well, dad, it's not that they like you but they do like the songs." So maybe we are changing perceptions and winning over some new fans. Simple Minds was a bit dormant for awhile and perhaps we're finally waking up again.

With a history spanning 30 years, is it challenging to keep the band's sound fresh and exciting?
Yes, there are periods when things just happen naturally, which is fantastic. But there are also those periods when it's like squeezing blood out of stone. I keep asking myself, "Where's the sound that I love?" I was reading about the great artists like Picasso and found that we have very similar working styles! For example, these artists may leave a project aside for awhile, but come back to it five years later to discover something worth pursuing. These are the periods that matter but it's not something that comes naturally to anyone all the time. For example, what The Beatles accomplished was incredible but it's been a long time since [Paul] McCartney has done anything significant.

What do you think contributes to the staying power of the band?
The main thing is the desire. You have to want it badly, first of all, for yourself. Even if you're faced with negativity, you have to fight for it, like if you think you have a great idea in the recording studio but the others don't think so. And when we go on stage, we want to challenge ourselves to be better than the last time, and not assume that people are just going to uncritically accept what we play.

The music business has changed so much since the time when Simple Minds first started out. Has the band benefited from the rise of the internet as a marketing tool?
Definitely. We are fortunate in that we have a global fanbase. There's this Japanese woman who's been coming to see us perform for a long time. In the past, she used to come to the UK to see us perform, based on two lines of information that she read in the newspapers. The schedule could change when she arrived in the UK and she wouldn't know about it. But now, someone in Brazil could see our performance on YouTube just 10 minutes after we'd finished the gig. So yes, the Internet has really worked for us.

Simple Minds have so many songs. How did you decide on the setlist for a shorter gig like F1 Rocks?
Honestly, it's not ideal. Simple Minds work best playing like a marathon, rather than a sprint. But we see it as a challenge to showcase the different parts and sounds of the band. It'll definitely be a mix of the new and the old.

Has Simple Minds managed to retain a loyal fanbase over the years?
There are many people who grew up with the band. There are a lot of people who evolved like the band did, got married, had children, and perhaps left our music for awhile but eventually come back to it. I hope it doesn't sound arrogant, but I hope that we were and are one of those bands who have staying power.

Is there a period or album in the band's history that you're particularly fond of?
Well, definitely the albums that people consider our landmark albums, such as New Gold Dream, when we were going through the political phase. And I hope to look back in five years time at our newest album, Graffiti Soul, and think that it's a really complete album in and of itself.

Are you an F1 fan yourself?
I have to be honest. Other people in the band are more enthusiastic about it than I am and who were jumping up and down at the chance to come to Singapore during F1. I'm not big on speed, and I'm not a fan of noise, other than rock music, but I have to say, it's pretty damned exciting. I wasn't aware how big F1 was till I got here. It seems like it's taken over the whole city! But I think Singapore is the perfect place for a night race and a city circuit.

Recordings from the Graffiti Soul Tour are now also available as (cheaper) MP3 downloads. Go to simpleminds.concert-online.com and select the MP3 download option.


To keep up with the sheer amount of live material about to be released, I've created new discography sections for the USB Boxes and downloads. These will be kept up-to-date as the tour progresses.


The Rome gig in Atlantico (November 7th) is being broadcast live by RTL and streamed online. For more information, check out their website.

If you thought the Graffiti Soul Tour was just a continuation of the Summer Tour then you're wrong!

The tour will focus on both Graffiti Soul and the classic album Sons And Fascination. There's new merchandise, a tour programme and the opportunity to purchase a recording of each and every gig.

Last night's show included Moscow Underground, Stars Will Lead The Way, the premiere of Graffiti Soul and Rockets from Graffiti Soul with The American, In Trance As Mission and Sons And Fascination focusing on Sons And Fascination.

If that wasn't enough to keep the die-hards happy, then Street Fighting Years, Somebody Up There Likes You, Let It All Come Down and One Step Closer all reappeared. And with the tried-and-tested old-favourites making up the rest of the performance, it looks like the Graffiti Soul Tour is going to be something special.

Arena, Vienna, Austria
3rd November, 2009
Main Set: Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Waterfront / Book Of Brilliant Things / Street Fighting Years / Sons And Fascination / The American / See The Lights / I Travel / In Trance As Mission / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Somebody Up There Likes You / Once Upon A Time / One Step Closer / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Graffiti Soul / Rockets / Let It All Come Down / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Home / Alive And Kicking / Belfast Child / Ghostdancing


There’s also a pile of new merchandise to pick up including new Simple Minds T-shirts and hoodies (and I believe a retro Sons And Fascination T-shirt is also on offer).

The Graffiti Soul Tour Programme continues the high standards set by the 30 Years Live Tour Programme. It's stuffed full of colourful Graffiti Soul artwork spreads, dynamic live shots taken during the summer tour (including the spectacular backdrop of Venice) and thoughts and words by Jim, journalist Pierre Perrone and myself.

There are also archive shots and illustrations from Sons And Fascination, which is the second featured album of the tour.


The memory sticks are packaged in a collector's box which includes the gig details on the inside of the lid. Not all the tracks make the mix in time and can be downloaded later; instructions are included with the box.

To purchase the memory sticks, and for more information, check-out simpleminds.concert-online.com


And keep an eye on the offical site, www.simpleminds.com, for more exclusive offers which tie-in with the tour.

(Thanks to Otto and Emanuele for the photos).

An Acoustic Mind

While continuing to develop music for Acoustic Burns, my next album, I am working on a project called An Acoustic Mind wherein I will be acoustically revisiting an album I helped write and record in 1982, New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84). Just up on my Myspace and Youtube is a rockin' acoustic version of Promised You A Miracle, one of Simple Minds' most elegant rock/pop songs.

Early in 1982, through a contact with my ex-manager Bruce Findlay, I joined Charlie Burchill, Jim Kerr, Mick Macneil and Derek Forbes in a huge converted barn in Perthshire, Scotland where, among other things, we wrote the music for what was considered the band's watershed album. New Gold Dream (81, 82, 83, 84) from Simple Minds will forever mark a turning point in the carreer of one of rock music's all time great live and studio bands. My part in it as drummer and rhythmatist, though small, was significant. Mick, Charlie, Derek and I quickly developed a musical rapport and conversation which opened the door to a totally new feel for the band in terms of rhythm and mood. Known for their "dark" sound, my arrival to the band coincided with new musical excursions into the worlds of soul and rhythm and blues, my forte.

While losing none of the power and mystery of previous years, 1982 was when Simple Minds consolidated their gains, reached out and, played the riskiest card of their long and illustious carreer. They made the decision to become more consumable widen the fan-base and make an album that could compete and stand up with the best of the coffee-table commercial music that was doing the rounds at the time.

The result, now considered "an album to hear before you die", is a multi-faceted master-work of rhythm and melody known as New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84). Though I ran out of steam during the studio recordings of the project I worked closely with the great drummer Mel Gaynor to ensure that the drum parts and feels I had developed in the barn in Perthshire were faithfully duplicated and made it to tape for the final version. One highlight of the recordings was when Mel and I set up both our kits in the big stone-lined drum booth at the Townhouse Recording Studio in London and proceeded to record a double drum extravaganza for the album's title track New Gold Dream. That was some energy and some sound. Unfortunately what made it on the album, a beautiful mix, paled sound-wise compared to the memory I have of listening to the sound engineer playback a special drummer's only drum-mix for Mel and I which had the walls and roofs of the Townhouse literally shaking. The hairs on the back of my neck and arms stand on end just remembering it.

Watch this space for more music and videos from My Acoustic Life.

Mike Ogletree
www.youtube.com
www.myspace.com

"It's a rocker, recorded live in my apartment in New York. I am very pleased with it as it is the first offering from this project I am working on called An Acoustic Mind where I will be doing similar solo, live acoustic versions of the entire New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) album. At the risk of sounding biased it is still my favorite and has some of the best Simple Minds songs ever" - Mike Ogletree


Mike's also given me a signed copy of The Kilmarnock Edition.

To win the CD, you just have to answer the following simple question:
Who was the drummer in Simple Minds before Mike?

Please e-mail you answer to me and the competition closes on November 30th. Good luck.


Before uploading the next batch of goodies available from Graffiti Soul, I thought I'd tidy up a few loose ends. The first is a scarce pairing of the two Eagle albums in one package; nothing to get too excited about, but of interest to completists.

Neon Lights - Cry was released in May 2008 and only appeared in mainland Europe.


Simple Minds appeared on Peter Live last night where they performed Rockets. A video of the performance can be found on EEN's website.

The band are in Belgium rehearsing for the Graffiti Soul Tour which kicks off on the 3rd November in Austria. Expect Graffiti Soul and another Simple Minds classic album to feature heavily in the set-list.

Two new dates have been added to the Graffiti Soul Tour:

Popcentrum, Tilburg, Netherlands
17th December, 2009

Autostadt Piazza, Wolfsburg, Germany
18th December, 2009


Simple Minds were featured across a four page spread in the July issue of the Italian magazine Sport Week. Click the thumbs below for larger images:

Simple Minds and OMD will appear on stage together for the very first time when they perform Kraftwerk's Neon Lights on their forthcoming UK tour which kicks off at the Newcastle Metro Arena on 30th November.

The news follows OMD's recent appearance in the BBC 4 television documentary Synth Britannia that chronicled the rise of electronic and industrial pop music in the mid 70s and early 80s. Neon Lights, originally released on Kraftwerk's 1978 album The Man Machine, will be performed together by OMD and Simple Minds during Simple Minds' set on every date of their UK tour. Both bands have previously performed Neon Lights in their own right.

Says Jim Kerr of Simple Minds, "Kraftwerk were the link between a whole generation of kids in the UK that used synthesizers to define some of the 80's most glorious pop music. In our own way we want to honour their influence by performing Neon Lights." "Kraftwerk's contribution to music is timeless," says OMD's Andy McCluskey. "Kraftwerk was the reason why we formed OMD. Simple Minds and OMD listened to Kraftwerk before we started making music, but eventually our individual styles of music ventured into different directions. Simple Minds' early electronic rock albums Empires and Dance and Real To Real Cacophony defined industrial electronic rock with I Travel, while OMD explored electronic soundscapes and minimalism with our early songs Electricity and Messages.

Simple Minds/OMD UK tour dates include Newcastle Arena (Nov 30), Birmingham LG Arena (Dec 2), Manchester MEN Arena (Dec 3), Sheffield Arena (Dec 5), Cardiff CIA (Dec 6), London Wembley Arena (Dec 7), Glasgow SECC (Dec 11) and Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre (Dec 12). Ticket Hotline: 0871 424 4444 or book online at www.ticketline.co.uk.

Click here for the official UK tour online press release - www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/simple_minds/simple_minds_graffiti_soul.htm

Peter Noble



Ireland's Simply Minds (pictured above meeting Simple Minds) will be playing at the Cyprus Avenue, Cork on Saturday 7th November at 9PM. Admission is 10 euros (or 7 euros with a band concession available at the Cypress Avenue or sister pub The Old Oak).


The Galashiels gig featuring Derek and Brian has been postponed. Contact the club if you have bought tickets.

Jim Kerr is interviewed on BBC Radio 2’s The Steve Wright Show on Tuesday October 20th between 2 - 5pm. The interview will either be transmitted at 3:40 or 4:40pm.

Click here to listen to the interview live on the web or play it back via BBC i-Player the following day on Wednesday October 21st – The Steve Wright Afternoon Show on BBC Radio 2 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/steve-wright-in-the-afternoon/

Click here for further information about Simple Minds’ forthcoming UK tour with OMD - http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/simple_minds/simple_minds_graffiti_soul.htm

Peter Noble

Derek Forbes and Brian McGee have teamed up as Ex Simple Minds and will be playing a selection of the band's early classics at the Move, Galashields, Scotland on Saturday 23rd October.

Further gigs are planned for April and June 2010.

For more information, check out their page on www.rockartistmanagement.com.


NDR2 have published a page about the Busum gig where you'll find pictures, set-list and and an interview with Jim.


For those who don't know, Simple Minded are a Scottish tribute band to Simple Minds. The feedback we have had so far is that Simple Minded are the most authentic tribute band to Simple Minds and we've not just had excellent feedback from the online SM community but also from Derek Forbes, Bruce Findlay and the top men at Universal Records.

We have been approached to play pre and after shows for Simple Minds SECC gig on the 11th December at Glasgow Rockers. The promoters have said these have been very successful gigs for other major headlining acts that have hit the city.

Stage times are to be confirmed, entry costs are £3 for the pre-show and £5 for the after-show. What better way to start or carry on the night?

Thanks for reading this and for the excellent support we have had in our debut year.

Dave Kelly
www.myspace.com/simplemindstribute

31st October - Band on the Wall, Falkirk
tbc November - Whistlebinkies, Edinburgh
11th December - Rockers, Glasgow
tbc - tbc Hogmany gig


Jim was recently interviewed by Revu Magazine and the three page interview can be read here.

Jim will appear on Steve Lamacq's round table program tonight (Oct 15th) at 6pm on BBC 6 Music! You can listen live online here: www.bbc.co.uk/6music.

The show will also be available to listen back to on the BBC iPlayer from later on this evening - www.bbc.co.uk/6music.

"I want to let You know that SIMPLY MINDS (Ireland's ONLY Simple Minds tribute band) are putting together a tour for late October. We are hoping that some fans or clients will contact us to let us know of possible venues etc. Glad to say after much effort our last gig was a complete sell out with people being turned away at the door because of overcrowding - 300 fans and friends gave us a night not to forget. We did not do anything from Graffiti Soul but it was Our mistake as some people requested material from the album (great news for Simple Minds). Our e-mail address is simplyminds01@gmail.com - John


The following pictures of the Edinburgh concert were taken by Piper Schofield and used with permission. The entire album of pictures can be found here.

Pictures ©Piper Schofield 2009.


UK TV channel Channel 4 will be showing highlights of the F1 Rocks! gig at Singapore tonight. The show will be broadcast between 11:45PM through to 1:05AM (local time).

"A music and motorsport extravaganza featuring performances from the world's greatest music acts, include Beyonce, No Doubt, N*E*R*D, Black Eyed Peas, Simple Minds and ZZ Top."
Pinkpop Classic, Landgraaf, The Netherlands
15th August, 2009
Main Set: Waterfront / I Travel / Stay Visible / Love Song / See The Lights / Mandela Day / Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Sanctify Yourself / Ghostdancing

Pictures by Paul van Haeff.


The untimely death of John Hughes has given new life to some older news stories. The Don't You (Forget About Me) documentary was in production back in 2006, but its been given unexpected impetus by the recent tragic events, and the remerging star of Simple Minds has been thrown in the mix. Take Simple Minds to celebrate the life of John Hughes or Simple Minds Plan Hughes Tribute for example.

The documentary has taken an interesting twist. Not only has it been in production longer than the filming of The Breakfast Club (not a good sign, surely?) but it's morphed into a meta-documentary, with the filmakers turning the cameras on themselves and their search for Hughes (and, it would seem, the reluctant Molly Ringwald). I'm going to be interested to see how it eventually turns out.

Incidentally Simple Minds Plan Hughes Tribute has a photo gallery of the HMV Signing Session.


The June edition of the Belgian DM Magazine recently devoted a double page spread to a thorough assessment of Simple Minds' albums. The article is reproduced here (click on the image for a legible version).


Simple Minds get four stars in this Belgian newspaper review.


SWR3 have put together a microsite featuring live pictures ofh aHa and Simple Minds.


More reworks from JohnnyBGood:


A Croatian newspaper has announced that Simple Minds will play the Spaladium Arena, in Split on the 13th November. This has yet to be officially confirmed.


A Danish Music Magazine has recently reviewed the Horsens concert and published pictures. And whilst on the subject of Danish newspapers, Ekstra Bladet have published some interesting interview videos with Jim.


The background behind this poster from 1977 has now been cleared up. It had long been assumed John Milarky formed The Cuban Heels after the split of Johnny And The Self Abusers: so the appearance of both The Abusers and Cuban Heels on this poster was a mystery.

However, The Cuban Heels were around in 1977 as a three-piece: Laurie Cuffe (guitar, vocals and song-writer); Paul Armour (bass) and Davy Duncan (drums). They garnered a pretty good reputation during 1977 as a punk-edged R&B band.

The Cubans were looking to add a real lead singer because Laurie was a great guitarist but his singing wasn't the best. So John Milarky joined the Cuban Heels as lead singer after the break-up of The Self Abusers. The "New Wave" night at Zhivagos was probably where their paths first crossed.

(Many thanks to Iain McCorquodale for clearing up the mystery).


Hauptstrand, Buesum, Germany
22nd August, 2009
Main Set: Waterfront / Love Song / See The Lights / Mandela Day / Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Home / Sanctify Yourself
Encore: Ghostdancing - Gloria

"I've seen them for the fourth time this year and I must say that to me it was the best concert for a long time.

It could be – as I can estimate – the greatest success since the Street Fighting Years Tour!"

"Not only was it a perfect location. Straight by the sea. There were about 20,000 people just to see Simple Minds! From die-hard fans to families who were enjoying their holidays at the beach in Büsum."

"What impressed me was that everyone was dancing and showing their hands so that the beach host Jim Kerr didn't have to repeat his set phrase "let me see your hands" too often. But yesterday the hands were aleady in the air, so that Jim had just to show the right beat."

"In particular the young couples between 14 and 18 seemed to enjoy this kind of beach party very much and so they were dancing most of the gig. One of our favourite songs last night was of course Moscow Underground. Perhaps because it isn't an 80s-style stadium hymn. Anyway... Simple Minds won a lot of new fans last night."

"The band was smiling and laughing the during the whole gig like having smoked their best joint in their life. The show was recorded and filmed by NDR 2 and is to be broadcasted later."

"It feels good to experience the return of 'the lost boys.'" - Torsten Lindner

The show was recorded by NDR and will be broadcast by them on September 25th at midnight (local time).


The official OMD Myspace are holding a Q&A session with Jim. Questions are limited to the Graffiti Soul Tour and OMD but if you have any questions on those subjects, it'd be worth sending them in.

Simple Minds are to appear in a new documentary about the Brat Pack film director, John Hughes, who died at the age of 59 from a heart attack in New York City last week.

Jim Kerr, lead singer of Simple Minds, today confirmed that on their forthcoming 'Graffiti Soul' world tour; they'll dedicate Don't You (Forget About Me) to the memory of John Hughes and how his teenage coming-of-age films defined a generation.

The documentary Don't You Forget About Me is named after the Simple Minds song from Hughes' seminal 1985 Brat Pack film The Breakfast Club. The documentary will be distributed worldwide by Montreal-based Alliance Films.

Director Matt Austin-Sadowski flew to Scotland to interview Kerr, and also interviewed Brat Pack stars Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Mia Sara and Andrew McCarthy. The film follows Sadowski and producers Kari Hollend, Mike Facciolo and Lenny Panzer as they set off on a road trip to find Hughes.

Says Kerr, "When we perform Don't You (Forget About Me) on the forthcoming tour, we'll be thinking about John Hughes and how his enthusiasm for the sound of Simple Minds made us go the extra mile when we recorded it back in 1984. Everyone was hell bent on making a classic piece of pop rock, but little did we know the kind of longevity the film would have on generations to come. The Breakfast Club helped us kick the door down, and once there, no one could ever lock us out or tell us again what it felt like to be No.1 in America."

Don't You Forget About Me: The Movie - www.dontyouforgetaboutmethemovie.com
Simple Minds On Tour - www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/simple_minds/simple_minds_graffiti_soul
Official Simple Minds Website - www.simpleminds.com

For further info, please contact Peter Noble at Noble PR Consultancy


The Schloss Engers, Koblenz gig in Germany (from the 6th August) will be broadcast by ARTE on Saturday, 22nd August at 22:45 (CET). The show will only be 90 minutes long.

See www.arte.tv for more information.


Lokerse Festival, Lokeren, Belgium
8th August, 2009
Main Set: Waterfront / Rockets / I Travel / Stay Visible / Love Song / See The Lights / Mandela Day / Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Home / Ghostdancing - Gloria

(First two pictures taken by Mark Van Mullen; last two taken by Piet Hillewaert).

Excellent article by Gordon Moakes of Bloc Party about early Simple Minds.

It appears tomorrow's show at Koblenz with aHa will be streamed live. Check out www.arte.tv/de/2775454.html for more information.

The radio station SWR 3 will also broadcast the concert on the 10th August at 7:00PM local time.


Jim's on BBC Radio 2 all this week as a guest on the Ken Bruce Show (with stand-in presenter Zoe Ball as ol' Ken's on holiday).

He's picking his Tracks Of My Years; and two tracks are broadcast every day. He's chosen tracks by David Bowie, The Pretenders, The Rolling Stones and Grace Jones so far.

You can listen to the show live or via the BBC's iPlayer.


"Classic records lost in time and format, re-emerged as Pelican books. Just for fun."


It turns out the French passage read during Twist-Run-Repulsion isn't Lolita (as previously thought) but La Perspective Nevski by Nicolas Gogol. See the song's page for the full story.


I played a gig with Mind2Mode the other week. I was replacing Martin Sommer for the evening as he couldn't make it. The gig went well and it was great hanging out with the Mind2Mode guys for the weekend. Fuerth was a great place to play and the crowd of around 2000 were amazing - especially watching the sea of hands waving in Never Let Me Down Again and the sort of response we got to Don't You (Forget About Me) and Alive and Kicking.

I have put together a page featuring the two Simple Minds tracks. See www.simcoe.co.uk/fuerth/alive_and_kicking.html and fascinations.wordpress.com.

Pete Simcoe


"Enjoy and open up the speakers" - JohnnyBGood


An interview with Jim appears in this week's Humo Magazine (a Belgian TV/Radio magaine). The Flemish article asks Jim about his Seven Deadly Sins.

(Click on the image for a larger version).


Suikerrock Festival, Tienen, Belgium
31st July, 2009
Support: The Scabs
Moscow Underground / Rockets / See The Lights / I Travel / Waterfront / Big Sleep / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Home / Sanctify Yourself / Ghostdancing - Gloria

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark will promote their special guest appearance on Simple Minds' "Graffiti Soul" UK Tour in November and December when they record and film an acoustic session for London's Absolute Radio on Thursday 3rd September.

The session will air on Absolute 105.8 FM on Thursday 17th September between 7-8pm, and on Sky Digital 0107 and DAB. The acoustic session, as well as an interview with the band, can be accessed on www.absoluteradio.co.uk.

The Simple Minds/OMD Tour includes the following cities - Newcastle Metro FM Arena (Nov 30), Birmingham LG Arena (Dec 2), Manchester MEN Arena (Dec 3), Sheffield Arena (Dec 5), Cardiff CIA (Dec 6), London Wembley Arena (Dec 7), Glasgow SECC (Dec 11) and Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (Dec 12).

For further tour info - www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/simple_minds/simple_minds_graffiti_soul.htm

For OMD interview opportunities, please contact:
Will Taylor and Peter Noble at Noble PR Consultancy Ltd.
0207 272 7772, will@noblepr.co.uk, peter@noblepr.co.uk


Harley Days, Berlin, Germany
1st August, 2009
Main Set: Waterfront / She's A River / See The Lights / Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Home / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Sanctify Yourself

Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy
24th July, 2009
Waterfront / She's A River / Stay Visible / I Travel / See The Lights / Love Song / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Big Sleep / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Hypnotised / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Home / Belfast Child / Sanctify Yourself
Encore: This Is it / Ghostdancing

Six tracks from Simple Minds' gig at the Roundhouse for the iTunes Live: London Festival '09 have now been released. They're exclusively available from the www.itunes.com/simpleminds website.

Joining old favourites Waterfront, Alive And Kicking and Sanctify Yourself are Rockets, Stars Will Lead The Way and a cracking version of Moscow Underground (which also includes the full intro). Also included is an eight page digital booklet which features live shots taken at the gig. Full information about the release can be found here.

(Be careful if purchasing selected tracks: Stars Will Lead The Way and Rockets have their titles swapped).

There's also been talk of releasing the band's various musical introductions as a bundle. I hope this happens as it's an excellent idea.


Amphitheatre, Taormina, Sicily
27th July, 2009
Waterfront / She's A River / Changeling / I Travel / See The Lights / Love Song / Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Big Sleep / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Hypnotised / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Home / Belfast Child / Sanctify Yourself
Encore: Ghostdancing - Gloria

The following pictures are by Mark Van Mullem. (And I'm slightly concerned by the sheer amount of ectoplasmic mist surrounding Eddie 'Update Your Website!' Duffy - the ghost hunters will have a field day!).


JohnnyBGood, JohnnyBGood, JohnnyBGood:


Don't You Forget About The Don't You Forget About Me Documentary. (Actually I had... but here's a blog about the making of the film).


The Belgian Stage Magazine (Number 166, July 2009) features Jim and Charlie on the cover with a four page interview and feature in the magazine (which includes a very positive review of Graffiti Soul.

Summer Pops Festival, Echo Arena, Liverpool, UK
21st July, 2009
Waterfront / She's A River / Changeling / I Travel / East At Easter / See The Lights / Love Song / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Big Sleep / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Hypnotised / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Home / Belfast Child / Sanctify Yourself
Encore: Ghostdancing

And here's a five-star review from the Liverpool Daily Post.

Stars Will Lead The Way was released yesterday as a single-track download. Despite being the slightly different Single Version (a subtle remix by Cenzo Townsend) there was no other material included.

A video was shot at London's Docklands which has yet to surface.

You can download the single from iTunes.

But the song gained unexpected play yesterday where it was used as backing for highlights of the Ashes Test.


Simple Minds and a-Ha will be playing Schloss Engers (near Koblenz), Germany on the 6th August. For more information and how to get tickets (which were available from yesterday), check SWR3's website. The concert is due to be broadcast by ARTE on the 22nd August.

And Simple Minds will also play Buesum, Germany on the 22nd August. For more information, check out the town's website.


Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, UK
18th July, 2009
Support: The Silencers
Waterfront / She's A River / Stay Visible / I Travel / See The Lights / Love Song / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Big Sleep / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Hypnotised / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Home / Sanctify Yourself / Ghostdancing

I'm still writing up my iTunes/Edinburgh roadtrip, but here's some recollections of Edinburgh:

  • Come in, come out of the rain
  • They came very close to calling the gig off. It was awash backstage.
  • The rain started as soon as The Silencers took to the stage.
  • The wind and rain was so bad that it blew out the flambeaux on the castle walls.
  • The Silencers wished John Ramsey a happy birthday; he responded by shouting thanks from inside the sound tent, but I doubt anyone else heard.
  • The Silencers Scottish Rain; Simple Minds Waterfront and She's A River; and during the interval between bands? The Blue Nile Tinseltown In The Rain
  • Kit, from simpleminds.com, was rushing around the venue with a video camera and shooting the view to the stage, the audience etc. One guy with a camera doesn't make a Verona, but some footage was shot.
  • A grinning Bruce Findlay appeared during New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) and disappeared into the crowd. He reappeared during Sanctify Yourself and stopped for a chat.
  • Rain keeps falling down, down, down, down
  • Even during the torrential downpour and the watery hell under the stands, there was a gritty determination that we were going to hold out no matter what. As the PA announced Simple Minds were due on stage, and everyone braved the rain, it started to stop.
  • The set-lists were delivered to the mixing/lighting desk before The Silencers came on. Therefore the selection of Waterfront and She's A River as first tracks was inspired.
  • Edinburgh Castle will go down as one of my most memorable Simple Minds gigs.

The Edinburgh Evening News review the Edinburgh gig.


Here's Johnny:


From the iTunes LIVE London Festival '09 programme:


SIMPLE MINDS/VAGABOND - iTUNES FESTIVAL, CAMDEN ROUNDHOUSE 16TH JULY 2009

The iTunes Festival is situated at a great atmospheric venue in London called the "Roundhouse" and runs throughout the whole of July with a different band every night, tickets were given away free to fans in a lottery on the internet. Tonight I have the fortune of having a pair of these such tickets to see rock super group Simple Minds and being a massive fan since the 80's things don't get much better than this as the band have no played a small venue of this size in a very long time. Arriving at the venue everyone is presented with a wristband and a smart itune laminate which gives you access to 10 free tracks on the i-tunes website. Tonight's support act Vagabond arrived on stage a 8pm and were given a very warm reception by the audience. Their guitar based rock has a slightly bluesy feel with some very promising tracks such as their new single Don't wanna run no more and set closer I have been wanting You which included some really great vocal work from lead singer Alex. The Guardian newspaper reported the Vagabond could be the next "Worlds biggest Band" on this show they do have a lot of work to do before than can get that tag, however I wouldn't be surprised if I hear their tracks on a music channel or on the radio very soon.

Simple Minds recently played to a massive sell out crowd at the Isle of Wight Festival, as well as many other festivals in Europe promoting their latest album Graffiti Soul which is probably one of the best albums since the late 1980's. Arriving on stage with Moscow Underground the opening track from the album, there is a huge screen that covers the whole of the back of the stage projecting images that tie in with the tracks played. Jim Kerr covers the whole of the stage effortlessly giving the crowd exactly what they want calling out his usual catchphrase "let me see your hands" and the audience responds with hundreds of pairs of hands shooting up in the air applauding along to the music. The unmistakable intro to Waterfront started up and a whole bunch of 30-40 something years old fans like myself got carried away with the excitement of the show, seeing Simple Minds at such close proximity in a much smaller venue than usual was just such an awesome experience. A stunning version of New Gold Dream and the ever popular Alive and Kicking ended their set with the crowd again with their arms in the air waving them from side to side as instructed by Jim however this was not to be the end as the 3000 strong crowd demanded more and the band obliged with a four song encore ending with Ghostdancing from the 1985 album Once Upon a Time.

Dave Chinery (Chinners)


From the editorial of the Daily Telegraph (15th July 2009):

iTunes Live Festival, Roundhouse, London, UK
16th July, 2009
Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / See The Lights / I Travel / Waterfront / Big Sleep / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Hypnotised / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Home / Sanctify Yourself
Encore: This Is It / Ghostdancing

(And Jim's going to have someone's eye out with that mike-stand if he's not careful).

One-track promos of Stars Will Lead The Way have started to circulate. These feature the Cenzo Townsend remix of the title track.

I've been on holiday for a couple of weeks hence the lack of updates. I've added various set-lists to the tour page (many thanks to everyone who's been sending them in) but I don't have set-lists for Les Déferlantes d'Argeles-sur-Mer, France (10th July) or the SunSet Festival, Zurich, Switzerland (12th July). If anyone could help then that would be much appreciated.


Thanks to the ongoing support of Simple Minds and the backing of Universal, Graffiti Soul continues to spawn a host of interesting promotional items to keep collectors happy (or frustrated!). The latest is an exclusive eight CD box set of the album; unfortuntely this top collectable has been limited to only thirty copies.

This, associated with Simple Minds appearance in Record Collector has prompted me to rewrite the Top Ten Simple Minds Collectables. The list has changed over the last ten years; and the previous holy grail of collecting the Live In The City Of Light promotional box set has now dropped out of the chart altogether.

(I'll expand the list to the top fifteen soon; which won't do much good because it still doesn't include the Live In The City Of Light promotional box set).

If you disagree with the list, or have items you think are rarer, then please contact me. (Please remember that acetates, test pressings, master tapes etc. aren't included).


According to www.musictap.net, Graffiti Soul will be released in the USA on the 1st September on Universal/W14.

Stars Will Lead The Way is being released as a single on the 20th July (to coincide with the first moon landing forty years ago). No news of any bonus tracks yet but it's rumoured that a rehearsal take of Children Of The Revolution will be included.


A reminder and an update of our debut gig at the Saltcoats Festival on the 18th July. Please note anyone thinking of coming to check us out, we are now going to be on stage at around 12:30pm.

We are fully aware this is the same date as the Simple Minds' Edinburgh Castle gig, and we are by no means trying to go compete with them lol. But we weren't in control of the dates. We appreciate many will not be able to make it, but if you are in the area before setting off to Edinburgh or not going Edinburgh please come and support us.

This is becoming a popular festival, and the best thing it's free.

Simple Minded are a Scottish tribute band to Simple Minds, totally authentic to their early sound and looking to emulate the great sound and energy of the New Gold Dream and Tour du Monde tours.

We've been blessed with great feedback from the likes of Derek Forbes, Bruce Findlay, Universal Records and the online Simple Minds community and are raring to go.

Work in progress can be heard here:- uk.myspace.com/simplemindstribute

Dave Kelly


Jim has been interviewed by the Daily Post prior to the band's gig in Liverpool.



After a very good gig by Machiavel (B), on the pumping bass line of Waterfront, Simple Minds appeared on stage for what would turn out the be an amazing gig. Full of power and energy. Great setlist and a good 'running order'. A great evening in a nice setting. Wonderful music under a tropical sky...

There was a little false start with Waterfront but once started Ciney exploded!

Was it the Ciney beer, was het just having a good time? Fact is that Eddie was playing like a maniac and making funny faces and poses all the time...

Charlie's guitar playing was brilliant as ever... them pumping bass of Eddie, the big drums by Mel... Jim who was full of energy and enthousiasm... They keys of Mr. Gillespie...

This was the setlist and scenario for an evening full of energy and rock and roll (ow yes and sweat and sore throats!)

1. WATERFRONT (Sparkle In The Rain, 1983)
2. I TRAVEL (Empires and Dance,1980)
3. LOVE SONG (Sons And Fascination, 1981)
4. SEE THE LGHTS (Real Life, 1991)
5. BIG SLEEP (New Gold Dream 81 82 83 84, 1982)
6. MOSCOW UNDERGROUND (Graffiti Soul, 2009)
7. STARS WILL LEAD THE WAY (Graffit Soul, 2009)
8. ROCKETS (Graffiti Soul, 2009)
9. DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME
10. GLITTERING PRIZE (New Gold Dream 81 82 83 84, 1982)
11. PROMISED YOU A MIRACLE (New Gold Dream 81 82 83 84, 1982)
12. SOMEONE SOMEWHERE IN SUMMERTIME (New Gold Dream 81 82 83 84, 1982)
13. NEW GOLD DREAM (New Gold Dream 81 82 83 84, 1982)
14. ALIVE AND KICKING (Once Upon A Time, 1985)

Encore # 1
15. SHE'S A RIVER (Good News From The Next World, 1995)
16. BELFAST CHILD (Street Fighting Years, 1989)
17. SANCTIFY YOURSELF (Once Upon A Time, 1985)

Encore # 2
18. THIS IS IT (Graffiti Soul, 2009)
19. GHOST DANCING (Once Upon A Time, 1985)

"GHOST DANCING" was played in it's 'normal' version, so not combined with Gloria (Them). I think the place in the setlist, at the end, works very well: after starting the gig with the power beast Waterfront, they end it with a bang which is Ghostdancing.

The version of Belfast Child was sheer brilliance. Other highlights: This Is It, Moscow Underground, Big Sleep and of course Waterfront...

Mark / C-moon


Jim has been talking about Taormina and Sicily to the Daily Telegraph. (The newspaper edition of this interview will be published in the Travel section of the Sunday Telegraph on Sunday 19th July.)

Museumsmeile, Bonn, Germany
21st June, 2009
Support: Arno Carstens
Children Of The Revolution / Waterfront / I Travel / Stay Visible / She's A River / See The Lights / Big Sleep / Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Dolphins / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Glittering Prize / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Home / Belfast Child / Sanctify Yourself
Encore: This Is It / Ghostdancing


I've added some bits and pieces to the discography. The three promo versions of Rockets have now been added, there's another Graffiti Soul promo to search out, and there's German version of the album as well.


And...

Tollwood Festival, Munich, Germany
20th June, 2009
Support: Arno Carstens
Children Of The Revolution / Waterfront / I Travel / Stay Visible / Different World [TAORMINA.ME] / See The Lights / Hypnotised / Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Dolphins / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Glittering Prize / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Home / Belfast Child / Sanctify Yourself
Encore: This Is It / Ghostdancing


Record Collector (July issue) includes an interview with Jim and Charlie. This is five page article is an album-by-album retrospective of their career. Whilst a few new facts have surfaced about the early albums, the interview reduces Our Secrets Are The Same, Neon Lights and Cry to a brief one-sentence mention. There are additional mistakes with the illustrations and no recent summary of the band's collectables.

It's worth buying but don't get your expectations up.


And...

Ravensberger Park, Bielefeld, Germany
19th June, 2009
Support: Arno Carstens
Main Set: Children Of The Revolution / Waterfront / I Travel / Stay Visible / Different World [TAORMINA.ME] / See The Lights / Hypnotised / Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Dolphins / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Glittering Prize / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Home / Belfast Child / Sanctify Yourself
Encore: This Is It / Ghostdancing


Corriere Della Sera
10th June


Sound On Sound Magazine (issued yesterday) features a great feature on the recording of Graffiti Soul. The article is also available for purchase online.


Rockstar Magazine

Stadtpark, Hamburg, Germany
17th June, 2009
Support: Arno Carstens
Main Set: Children Of The Revolution / Waterfront / I Travel / Stay Visible / Different World [TAORMINA.ME] / See The Lights / Hypnotised / Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Dolphins / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Glittering Prize / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Home / Belfast Child / Sanctify Yourself
Encore: This Is It / Ghostdancing
She's A River was originally intended as the final song of the evening (it appears on the set-list) but was replaced by Ghostdancing.


MIND2MODE - tribute to Simple Minds, U2 and Depeche Mode

We're kicking off our Summer Tour this weekend with a couple of gigs:

Kieler Woche, Kiel, Germany
www.kieler-woche.de
Friday 19th June 2009

The festival is apparantly the biggest in Europe, attracting 3 million visitors over 10 days. We're very excited about headlining the opening night.

For those that don't know, we do 3 separate sets. You can see a few bits of us 'in action' here:

Enjoy the Silence:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjiGqnsG3No&feature=channel_page

Sanctify Yourself:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJn5xwi5jus&feature=channel_page

One
www.youtube.com/watch?v=srHNSO0wQA0&feature=channel_page

We hope you enjoy watching us as much as we enjoy performing these amazing songs.



The following night we play:

SAMPLE MINDS - A Tribute to Simple Minds
The Limelight, Crewe, UK Saturday 20th June 2009

This is a full Simple Minds set including some songs from Black & White and Graffiti Soul.



At time of writing, our confirmed 2009 dates are:
28th November 2009 – Centre Stage, Butlins, Minehead, UK
14th November 2009 - Fulda, Germany
13th November 2009 - Frankfurt, Germany
9th October 2009 – Red Bull Arena, Butlins, Minehead, UK
4th October 2009 – Centre Stage, Butlins, Minehead, UK
30th August 2009 – Mathew Street Festival, Liverpool, UK
21st August 2009 - Metal Mean Festival, Belgium
8th August 2009 – Husumer Hafentage, Germany
25th July 2009 – Sparkssen Waldbühne, Olde, Germany
17th July 2009 - The Ferry, Glasgow, UK
11th July 2009 – Cityfest, Fuerth, Germany
4th July 2009 - Joure, Holland
3rd July 2009 – Festival an der Jade, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
27th June 2009 - NRW-Tag, Hamm , Germany
17th June 2009 - The Limelight, Crewe, UK
16th June 2009 – Kieler Woche, Kiel, Germany

We hope to see you 'on the road' sometime soon.

Full detail can be found at:

www.mind2mode.com
www.sampleminds.com

Simon Hayward

Following their triumphant performance at this year's Isle of Wight Festival, Simple Minds are pleased to announce The Stranglers as their very special guests at Norwich Blickling Hall on Friday July 17th.

The outdoor concert will showcase songs from Simple Minds' critically acclaimed 15th studio album Graffiti Soul, plus songs spanning their 30 plus career including the classic gems - Waterfront, Alive and Kicking, Promised You A Miracle, I Travel, Glittering Prize, and Don't You (Forget About Me).

Scoring some 23 UK top 40 singles and 17 UK top 40 albums to date in a career spanning four decades, The Stranglers are the longest-surviving and most continuously successful band to have originated in the UK punk scene of the mid to late 1970s. Originally formed in 1974, their aggressive sound earned them a confrontational reputation. By 1977, their notoriety was eventually embraced by the punk rock movement. This led to their debut single Grip and their seminal debut album Rattus Norvegicus. A slew of hit singles ensued including Peaches, No More Heroes, 5 Minutes, 'Nice 'n' Sleazy, Duchess, Something Better Change, Always the Sun and Golden Brown.

Tickets for the Blickling Hall concert are priced £37.50, and are available now from the Ticketline Hotline: 0871 424 4444 and the National Trust: 0844 800 4308. Alternatively, book online from www.ticketline.co.uk or www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events.

Read the official online press release - www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/simple_minds/simplemindstour.htm

For further information and interview opportunities, review tickets and photo passes, please contact -
Will Taylor and Peter Noble at Noble PR Consultancy, Tel: 0207 272 7772, will@noblepr.co.uk, peter@noblepr.co.uk


Zitadelle, Berlin, Germany
16th June, 2009
Support: Arno Carstens
Main Set: Children Of The Revolution / Waterfront / I Travel / Stay Visible / Different World [TAORMINA.ME] / See The Lights / Big Sleep / Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Dolphins / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Glittering Prize / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Home / Belfast Child / Sanctify Yourself
Encore: This Is It / She's A River


Eva Kalwa
Tagesspiegel
16-06-09


More remixes of new material from JohnnyBGood:

And the dogs were unleashed...

Isle Of Wight Festival, Isle Of Wight, UK
14th June, 2009
Main Set: Waterfront / I Travel / See The Lights / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / Ghostdancing - Gloria / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking

Children Of The Revolution and Sanctify Yourself were planned for an encore but there wasn't time; delays through the day meant Simple Minds started half an hour late.

Simple Minds were broadcast live by Absolute Radio (with a pre-show interview broadcast between Jim and Ben Jones) and highlights (including Don't You (Forget About Me)) appeared on ITV2 later.

And it was the second time the Ghostdancing lyrics were sung to the tune of I Travel; first verse only. This verson was first sung at Joe FM; if it was a mistake then they've stuck with it.


Simple Minds will be appearing on Fernsehgarten (Television Garden) broadcast by ZDF on 21st June. Check out the website for further information.


"Ils nous ont promis un miracle"

Simple Minds et leur chanteur charismatique en tête nous l’annonçaient depuis quelques mois. On allait voir ce qu’on allait voir avec leur prochain album...

La prudence s'imposait face à cet effet d'annonce, car après presque 20 ans d'errements artistiques (Street Fighting Years, leur dernier grand album remonte à 1989), il fallait bien un miracle pour redresser la barre du navire. Un ami du groupe, un certain Bono, qui a compris très tôt les règles du music business, répète d'ailleurs souvent: "deux mauvais albums à la suite et vous êtes hors jeu".

Pas facile donc pour Simple Minds, auteur d'une série d'albums vite oubliés, de réaliser un retour en fanfare. Le groupe a tâtonné pendant ces vingt dernières années, essayé plusieurs formules : guitares en avant sur Good News From The Next World, expérimentations sonores sur Neapolis, pop électronique sur Cry. Toutes ces tentatives se sont soldées par des échecs commerciaux et artistiques. Le groupe a donc normalement disparu petit à petit des radars médiatiques, un milieu de la communication où il faut le reconnaître aussi, il n’y entendait plus grand chose.

Pour autant, un signe annonciateur était timidement apparu avec leur précédent album Black And White. Album de convalescence, enfin solide et au final de bonne facture. L’inspiration retrouvée était en bonne voie, le début d’une renaissance?

Sans doute, car ce Graffiti Soul est la confirmation d’une réelle montée en gamme de nos écossais bientôt quinquagénaires. Avec cet album, Charlie Burchill et Jim Kerr semblent avoir enfin réalisé ce qu'ils avaient en tête depuis quelques années. Le nouvel équilibre recherché avec Black And White a été le point de départ : même producteur (Jez Coad), mêmes musiciens, même préposé au mixage (Bob Clearmountain). L’expérience des tournées "live" incessantes (dont celle du 30eme anniversaire du groupe l’année dernière au Royaume-Uni), a permis de coordonner l’ensemble.

Ce nouveau disque sonne d’une certaine manière comme un "Best Of", mais composé de chansons originales. Les Minds font preuve d'esprit de synthèse avec cet album court (8 titres et une chanson "bonus"), calibré, sans aucune faiblesse ni remplissage inutile. Celui-ci réactualise en quelque sorte ce qu'ils ont fait de mieux au cours des trois dernières décennies.

Avec sa ligne de basse menaçante, le titre d'ouverture Moscow Underground semble tout droit sorti de l'album de 1981 Sons & Fascinations, Stars Will Lead The Way lorgne du côté du populaire Once Upon A Time, quant à Kiss And Fly et Graffiti Soul, ils rappellent les meilleurs moments de leurs albums des 90's, leur décennie pourtant maudite. Light Travels ou Rockets, clairement ancrés dans le 21 siècle, bénéficient eux de la production épurée et moderne qui manquait cruellement aux singles précédents comme Home ou Stranger.

Mais ce qui frappe le plus à l'écoute du disque, c'est la confiance enfin retrouvée par Simple Minds, redevenu un vrai groupe de rock. Le bassiste Eddie Duffy très présent sur ce disque est enfin décomplexé vis à vis de son aîné, Derek Forbes, qui occupait la même place pendant l'âge d'or du combo de Glasgow. Leur légendaire batteur, Mel Gaynor, est omniprésent, puissant et efficace. Charlie Burchill's affirme à la fois en sorcier des claviers et en "Guitar Hero" au style plus que jamais inimitable, irremplaçable. Quant à Jim "Luke Skywalker", son chant n'a pas besoin d'effets particuliers (écho ou reverb), pour prendre toute sa place sur le disque. Il a d'ailleurs trouvé une nouvelle verve créatrice. Alors que la plupart de ses contemporains (Morrissey, Robert Smith ou encore Martin Gore) vivent dans leur tour d'ivoire, lui, porte encore un regard curieux et ouvert sur la société. Ce lyrisme rafraîchissant nous plonge par exemple dans les galeries du métro moscovite (un étrange conte sur la mafia russe), nous apprend par exemple que les groupes sanguins (croyances nippones) influencent nos personnalités ou encore nous fait découvrir à travers les yeux candides d'un groupe d'ados, quelques fresques et graffitis inspirés qui ornent les abords londoniens.

Ce n'est pas un hasard si le morceau le plus optimiste clos l'album. This is it synthétise toutes les promesses enfin tenues : "They call it a new change" chante Jim. Il est là le changement tant attendu par les fans du groupe. Espérons que le reste du monde saura le remarquer et qu'il donnera enfin à ce groupe "là", le come back qu'il mérite.

**** (4/5)
Pascal Spanier
XRoads Magazine

June 2009


Nouvelle Vague have recorded a cover of The American. It can be heard on Youtube.


Simple Minds' appearance on Wetten Das is now available online. An interview with Jim can be found on ZDF's website whilst the band's appearance (in the amphitheatre) can be seen on YouTube (with the band performing to Stars Will Lead The Way and Don't You (Forget About Me)).

(The host comments how Eddie Duffy now looks younger than he did back in 1991 when the band first appeared on the show.)

The show was watched by 9.5 million people in Germany. It was also broadcast in Austria and Switzerland.





Amphitheatre, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
11th June, 2009
Support: Arno Carstens
Main Set: Folk Intro / Children Of The Revolution / Waterfront / I Travel / Stay Visible / Different World [TAORMINA.ME] / See The Lights / Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / This Is It / Dolphins / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Glittering Prize / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Home / Belfast Child / Sanctify Yourself
Encore: She's A River

I was very pleasantly surprised and impressed by the Joe FM showcase. Simple Minds performed for an hour and a half playing a set list dominated by new material (four tracks each from Black And White 050505 and Graffiti Soul) and New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) (another four tracks). They kicked off with a new cover (T Rex's Children Of The Revolution), nodded to the past with I Travel, and still had time for a collection of hits from other albums.

And they didn't play Don't You (Forget About Me).

This bodes extremely well for the forthcoming summer tour.

Joe FM, VTM Studios, Belgium
10th June, 2009
Main Set: Folk Intro / Children Of The Revolution / Stay Visible / Different World [TAORMINA.ME] / I Travel / See The Lights / Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / This Is It / Dolphins / Waterfront / Home / Glittering Prize / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Alive And Kicking / Sanctify Yourself

It was a wonderful evening! We arrived in Brussels at 16:30 hrs and walked straight into the building and the improvised concert hall, which had a capacity of 667 people. (This was written and printed on paper hanging on the studio's door.) People were walking in and out, all staff and crew, nobody said anything to us to leave the studio - great!

We took a strawl around and took some pictures. Suddenly we saw Eddie Duffy playing some improvised tunes on the drums and Andy was checking and setting sounds on a table full of computers. Suddenly he saw us, stood up and walked towards us. My first impression or thought was that we would be kicked out of the studio, but he kneeled down on stage next to us and shook hands. Great! He remarked that we were very early indeed, but we said we were "die-hard" fans. He laughed and said he hoped we would enjoy the evening. At that moment, Eddie came to us and I gave him a DVD with all of my remixes on it. I said it was a little gift for him and the boys, he told me he was very eager to hear what was on it which was very nice of him.

Once in a while Charlie's guitar tech Hilco Naulaerts came up to the stage to check and tune Charlie's guitar and Eddie's bass.

When we took a walk later on in the lobby, a staff member from Radio Joe saw us and kicked us out of the building. That was that.

We ourselves standing in the pouring rain outside at the front door for another 2½ hours. By 18:00, Jim arrived in a black Mercedes with tinted windows.

We were very early indeed because only five people -including ourselves- were waiting . Finally when we could access the building (again) the concert had almost started. I think there were about 400 people inside the studio.

Little bit after 20:30 hours, the lights went out and spots illuminated the area when Simple Minds came on stage. There were tremendous cheers from the crowd and it was as if the walls would fall down. Charlie start playing - a nice cover of Children of the Revolution. Eddie's pulsating bass and Mel's thunderstrokes on drums joined in with great lighting completed this wonderful "entree".

They played some old and new ones. The first live versions of the Grafitti Soul tracks were really overwhelming. It really hit you between the eyes, I can tell you. These songs are meant to be played live.

When Dolphins was sung, Andy sang along in chorus and this was such a beautiful version, goozebumps all over.

Previously at home, I'd printed a yellow paper with Grafitti Soldier on it and gave it to Jim when he was sitting on his knees during the outro of Dolphins. You could see a smile on his face and silently hearing him repeating what was written on it, and he gave me a wink of an for it. During the concert he shook hands with me three times. Afterwards, Eddie signed this paper altought I didn't get a chance to get it signed by the others, but it's my trophy.

When the encores were finished, they came back on stage, and Jim leant on the microphone, and told us they were very excited to start the tour here in Belgium. He told us he has a warm place in his heart for Belgium, because we make them always feel welcome and we were very gentle people. He looked tired at that time, saying the last week they rehearsed in Buggenhout. He told this all in a very relaxed voice, but his face looked very tired. He even made some jokes and took some time to sign CDs and other things. Mel, Charlie, Andy and Eddie were in a funny mood, jumping all over the stage, shaking hands and signing autographes for the people.

So, in conclusion, this was a very succesfull evening. They enjoyed themselves the whole evening and you could feel a truly "friendship" between the members. All of the songs were very strong and full of feeling. A shame that the concert was over. We returned homewards very fullfilled with gladness after spending a wonderful evening.

JohnnyBGood


Scottish rockgroup SM plays live for Joe.FM

The past few weeks, Simple Minds were rehearsing in "The Pit" in Buggenhout and yesterday evening they played an exclusive showcase for the listeners of Joe.FM.

In the studio of VTM Jim Kerr and company came to present their 15th CD Grafitti Soul.

Apart from their recent single Rockets, there were, of course, lots of classics to please the older fans, such as Alive And Kicking, Waterfront, Promised You A Miracle and T-Rex cover Children of the Revolution as a spectacular surprise.

Today, they debut their world tour in Germany. They'll be performing as closing-act in Tienen , Suikerrock and the Loker Festival.

This Morning


"This is our third attempt to make Buggenhout the rock n' roll capital of the world." So joked Jim as the band held a special gig at Buggenhout after ten days of rehearsals.

Some of the footage can be seen here where Simple Minds can be seen performing Moscow Underground, Rockets and Alive And Kicking.


Jim talks about Graffiti Soul and preparing for the forthcoming tour to Portsmouth Today.


Remixes!


There will be a Simple Minds Aftershow Party at the Club Rinklokschuppen in Bielefeld after the gig on the 19th June.

For more information, check out www.ringlokschuppen.com.





Amphitheatre, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
11th June, 2009
Support: Arno Carstens
Main Set: Folk Intro / Children Of The Revolution / Waterfront / I Travel / Stay Visible / Different World [TAORMINA.ME] / See The Lights / Moscow Underground / Stars Will Lead The Way / Rockets / This Is It / Dolphins / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Glittering Prize / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) / Alive And Kicking
Encore: Home / Belfast Child / Sanctify Yourself
Encore: She's A River

Graffiti Soul reached #10 in the UK chart; #41 in France (but hit #17 in their download chart); #9 in the European Top Albums; #8 in the Swiss charts; #9 in the Belgian charts; #14 in the German charts; #11 in the Italian charts; and #8 in the Swiss charts.


More collectables have started surfacing: there are now three versions of the Rockets promo. The most interesting is the first, which is housed in a paper sleeve with black text and includes an exclusive edit of the original version of Rockets (not the Cenzo Townsend remix which was eventually released on the single and album.)


Series two finale Ashes To Ashes (BBC 1) set in 1982 featured Hunter And The Hunted as backing music in the restaurant scene. Post-show red-button sing-along-to-the-videos included Simple Minds' performance of the song on The Old Grey Whistle Test.

You can see the video here (with suitable "cheeky" introduction from Gene Hunt).


"The only way to celebrate your past is the knowledge of still having a future!"

His hair slightly thinner than before, a little wrinkle on the left and right shows the man has lived. But still at the age of 49, Jim remains a boy. As leader of Simple Minds, he was one of the greatest rockstars in the eighties and still now the group calls lots of people to festivals. Moreover, Simple Minds have made the best CD in a long time with Grafitti Soul.

"We have been through times of richness and poverty, but in both cases it's the passion for music that kept us standing."

If you see Jim Kerr walking into the lobby of Brussels' Hotel Bloom, you'll notice it's a man from this world. Hotels are a substantial part of his life, and he has learned to feel at home in them. Even so that the singer ownes one in the neighbourhood of his home in Taormina. Kerr, dressed in black leather jacket, and jeans of a good Italian quality, looks very healthy and is very happy with the positive reactions on the new CD. "We found our eagerness again."

Recently, you celebrated 30 years of Simple Minds. How do you look back on what you experienced so far?
JK: I'm not at all very good in analysing my own past. Until now, we've always refused to look back. For example, there were no celebrations to highlight our 10th, 20th or 25th anniversary. Mind you, the Rolling Stones are still a group after 45 years, so what's the big deal? On the other hand, few bands still form a group as long as we have until now. So, if you can't stop and stand still for a moment on that issue, there's something wrong. Besides, if you're jumping up and down 'cause you're 30 years in business, after that you really should be energetic. In that should shine through a youthfulness which doesn't show you're in fact "ancient". And I guess we succeeded.

How is it possible Simple Minds survived this long, you think? Most rock groups fight, split up or just loose their faith in music.
JK: I guess the most important thing is my relation with Charlie. We've been friends since we were schoolboys and hitch-hiked through Europe as teenagers. And now, 30 years later, we still chasing new songs. Music isn't a career anymore, is it? It is a great deal/part of our lives. Of who we are. Along with Simple Minds, we've been through times of shortage and hunger. It wasn't always funny, even it never prevented us looking forward.

In what way is your relationship with Charlie different than the one with your wife? I'm just asking this because your friendship already lasts longer than both of your marriages together.
JK: (laughs) Well, I really would like to declare that, unlike the women I've been married to, I've never slept with Charlie... but I fear it did happen a few times purely because there was no other way in those early days. And I can feel the next question coming up; it never leaded to sex! (Laughs out loud/Roars) We were once considered as brothers, but even that isn't correct, 'cause I do not know many brothers being so close and being able to get on so well as good as we do. The main thing is we never got bored of each other. In my opinion that's very exceptional. In all those years I've never got a piece of music from Charlie of which I thought there was an old idea mixed in. We know each other thoroughly, but with his music, Charlie always surprises me. I feel - besides a most dear friendship - an utterly respectful feeling for Charlie.

The topics you write about in your songs are roughly still the same as ever. Travelling, searching, desire and hope. Those subjects meanwhile are the stepstones of the DNA of Simple Minds.
JK: Indeed, those are the fundaments of what we do. That's why we called the new CD Grafitti Soul: because from the beginning those themes were ingraved in us deepest.

You still discover things about yourself by continiously searching in your subconciousness? Or do you sing the songs by now automatically, without reflections on the meaning of all those words?
JK: In case of Don't You (Forget About Me) , it is. This is due to the fact this is the only hit we never composed ourselves. But on the other songs it's different. Wanna know something? Sometimes you lose track on some of your own songs, but - in another phase of your life - you're again confronted with them having another dimension. Besides writing songs, I also started writing blogs the past few years. Sometimes very superficial, and on other occasions I really felt the need to stand by my thoughts and defend them. Even if I don't know whom I'm speaking to right now. In that sense blogging and writing songs are very related to each other. For example, Waterfront , a song I wrote about Glasgow. And some time ago I was mentioning Glasgow once again in a blog. But the context was very different this time.

By coincidence I've read that blog. You were talking about the contradictions between two scientific investigations that were recently done in Glasgow. In one of the reports was mentioned that nowhere else in Great Britain were people were so optimistic as in Glasgow while, in the meantime, there's no other place in Europe where so many people get murdered.
JK: Well, please admit those two investigations do not fit, even you try as hard as you can. If it wasn't as tragic, I almost would think it was funny in a way. But the facts are there, there's nothing to oppose to that. Even so you have to put it in the right context. Just take a walk in Glasgow as a tourist and the odds you'll be attacked are very small. In the suburbs however, there's lots of drugs, alcohol, people with knives... There you can see poverty. Not only about money. Poverty on hope, poverty on future perspectives. In spite of that, people do find a reason to get up in the morning on daily bases. That kind of optimism I know well. It's in our music also. You get up, dust your coat and keep living your life.

Meanwhile you've lived in Sicily for some years. Do you still feel Scottish?
JK: Of course, I do still feel at home in Glasgow. That mentality attracts me. The same as in Liverpool and Manchester; the attitude over there is a slightly rough, somewhere inbetween the Irish and the Scottish ones. Besides, the one who lives in Glasgow has been through a lot. When way back in the early seventies factories were closing and unemployment was growing exponentially, everybody was thinking the city was nearly this close to dying. But on that very moment a very thriving musics cene flowered, along with the upcoming success of Simple Minds. And now you hear again that this violence will keep the tourists away. But once again, they will survive. Exactly that urge to survive gives the city a special dimension I think. If only you knew how proud I am my roots are over there !

Something else : last year you had the idea to dive into the studio with the original line-up to celebrate the Minds' 30th anniversary. How comes it never saw the light of day?
JK: Well, I thought, somewhat naively afterwards, we'd just be playing some songs so the pieces of the puzzle would fit automatically. It happens often. Even so, although tensions may live in a group, the pleasure of making music results in forgetting those troubles. Besides, it occured to me that if we would celebrate our anniversary of the Minds, the people who took part in the history of the group deserved their places in it.
What went wrong?
JK: Charlie and I made a crucial mistake in timing. Not only we were in the middle of the preparations of the upcoming CD, we were also preparing for the 90th birthday of the Nelson Mandela. In that case, there were only 4 days left to record two covers with the former Simple Minds bandmembers. A cover of The Call and another of Magazine. Those would appear on a new compilation. Everybody was in heaven about that concept. But the day before we were about to see each other after some 20 years, Charlie and I were working on a new track in which we automatically heard the bass of Derek Forbes and the keyboards of Michael MacNeil. The idea of recording together a brand new track was received very enthusiastically. That night we had a fantastic evening. The day before the recordings, a couple of technical issues were put on the table to discuss. It took about 15 minutes before the arguments started and old discussions surfaced.
Let me guess; it's all about the money!
JK: Yep! (Laughs) Indeed. Still I can't say they were wrong by asking how the cake would be divided, but it all had to be arranged so fast there was no time left. So finally, we never got into the studio. Yet we considered to try it again after a few months, but the momentum disappeared unfortunatly.
So, what was meant to be a reunion of good old friends drove you all further apart?
JK: Yes. Mick told me he felt as if he was being tested. It was in a way. I didn't hear or see him playing a single piece of music for over more than 10 years. Still, he heard me singing but I didn't had a clue whether he thought I still was a good singer or not. The best way to find out is recording a few tracks together. There was no time at all to gather with our lawyers and let them define who's getting how much money. Whenever lawyers discuss money issues, it takes months before a solution pops up that suits everybody. And even then you'll see remains of bitterness.

Does it really happens this way? Negociations are being held by lawyers when it comes to share the money in bands? Once Lindsey Buckingham told me there wasn't a single meeting being held without the presence of each member's personal lawyer.
JK: I would like to tell you Fleetwood Mac is an exception in this case, but I don't wanna lie. Nowadays even smaller bands act this way. I'm the first to say how much I regret this. And you know, who knows whenever we'll celebrate our 40th anniversary, we'll fall in each others arms and laugh it away. I refuse to exclude that possibility anyway.

Grafitti Soul has been praised by the foreign media, even though I think the songs are the extension of your earlier works. How is this so? There was a time journalists weren't very much interested in Simple Minds.
JK: (thinks) I know this might sound pompous, but in my opinion Simple Minds are having a renaissance (revival). Our last CD already was a step in this good direction, and if you compare our new tracks with them, you can't deny we have a more energetic sound. I'm very proud of Rockets because that track proves we're not interested in recycling the old Simple Minds sound.

That's right, but you can't deny the new tracks sound very familiar? It reminds me of the new-wave period of New Gold Dream.
JK: Yes of course, we use our musical heritage, play with it and use our experience whenever it comes to develop a nice melody. And yes, you got a point by saying there are referring sounds to the past melted in them. We even recorded in the same studio where once Real to Real Cacophony was recorded in 1979. We were looking for an outlying place, where there's no room for distraction, where no friends or family pop in to check out how you're doing. If you want to stay focused, you have to get up in the morning and start working immediately. By doing this, the rest of the world dissapears and you're consumed by your music.

Wasn't it a strange feeling to stand on the very same spot where you once recorded your first music?
JK: It certainly was so during the last week, because the Manic Street Preachers hired the big studio and we had to move to the little one. And suddenly there I was, as you say so, standing on exact the same spot, singing the new songs. It was a wee bit surrealistic. Otherwise, the magic still was there. Many big bands recorded over there in Rockfield. Led Zeppelin, Queen...you can feel that when you're in the studio !

Once you told me you had a chronic lack of self-confidence. This fascinates me: even a lead singer of a band that belonged for over 10 years to the greatest bands ever, having problems with that.
JK: And yet doubt is something even the greatest have to deal with. Dylan was paralysed because of it, John Lennon stayed at home to make bread and Peter Gabriel - a good friend of mine - experienced in his life several depths 'cause he thought his talents vanished. I can't give you a proper explanation for that. Maybe you're getting bored with yourselve after some time or you suddenly realise you're turning in circles.

Has it someting to do with the fear you realise you'll never gonna be as good as you were before?
JK: I've never experienced it this way. I don't consider the past of Simple Minds as an obstacle. And certainly not during concerts. When performing in concerts, I have the feeling I can't let the fans or the public down. So we always play songs that made us big at the time. I really would find it terrible if one of our fans would bring a friend along to a concert and this person would be bored the whole evening. That's a thought I always keep in mind!

Finally, some time ago, I have read an article in which you don't hide your admiration for Bruce Springsteen. Very rare for someone who's performing himself for more than 30 years and put his own ego aside.
JK: Right, but Springsteen really jumps out in his category. I went to see him perform recently and I thought I would see an old champion who lost his punch. But in the first round, he knocked-out the whole public and this lasted for the coming three hours! Incredible, he's even better now than he used to be. Very hope giving. Someone who's in business for such a long time, having a certain age and still has the energy to reach that one exta mile, being already a parameter against other artists are being measured with. You see someone who pales on stage sense him with their eyes closed. Springsteen doesn't need hits anymore.
Have you ever met him?
JK: Yes I did. The first time was one of the highlights in my life. I went to New York to see The Pretenders, Chrissie Hynde's band to whome I was married to. The producer they worked with at the time, also did Born to Run, and by manner of surprise I was taken apart to a small alley behind the studio. And there he was, Springsteen , waiting me up to take me for a ride in his black Corvette to the studio where he was recording his new live-lp. By the way, he always acts this way whenever a new lp or cd is coming out. I couldn't bring out one word. At that time, he was the greatest and biggest rockstar in the world,and yet he was so kind and modest. Afterwards he even offered me to bring me up to the hotel I stayed in. That I will never forget ; even if you're the hottest one in the world, never , ever forget where you come from.

This Morning
Thanks to JohnnyBGood for the translation


Absolute Radio will be broadcasting Simple Minds full set from the Isle Of Wight festival on Sunday from 5:00PM.

Simple Minds will be appearing on the most popular German Saturday night show Wetten Dass..? (You Bet!) on the 13th June. Hosted by Thomas Gottschalk and broadcast by ZDF, it starts at 20:15 (CET) and the Simple Minds segment will be broadcast "live" from Mallorca. Apparently Simple Minds will be performing Stars Will Lead The Way and Don't You (Forget About Me).

This is great promotion for the band as the show regularly attracts between 16-18 million viewers.

Check out the show's website for more information.

It's the second time the band have appeared on the show. Their previous appearance was in spring 1991 where they played Let There Be Love.


In this great Podcast with Dutch Radio 2, Jim talks about the recording of Graffiti Soul, the reunion, recording a forthcoming BBC radio documentary and more. It's well worth a listen.


Simple Minds will be appearing onstage at about 5:00PM on Sunday at the Isle Of Wight festival. Parts of the performance will be broadcast by ITV2 later in the evening at 8PM: the show includes highlights of Simple Minds, The Script and The Pigeon Detectives.

Keep checking the TV listings though as there might be changes to the schedule.


Once Upon A Time is the Classic Album on tonight's Ben Jones Show on Absolute Radio.



Simple Minds appearance on the Italian RAV can be viewed here (although you need to install some obscure application called Microsoft Silverlight).


JUNE 5 IS FREE MUSIC FRIDAY

Customers can download free tracks to mark the launch of unlocked music from Vodafone UK:

  • Download some of the biggest music releases free on June 5
  • Music from Vodafone UK is no longer restricted to one device - Vodafone UK customers can now play music on their mobile, MP3 player, iPod or PC
  • Customers can use their PC to make browsing, buying and listening to music even easier via Vodafone’s Vodafone Music Manager
Eight free tracks from major international artists will be available tomorrow for free to Vodafone customers for a "Free Music Friday".

Marking the introduction of unlocked (Digital Rights Management free) music on Vodafone Music Store, customers can now enjoy their music on PCs, MP3 players and iPods as well as mobiles. Customers can listen to their favourite music, wherever they want and in the style that suits them best.

Vodafone UK is initially offering 350,000 unlocked tracks from EMI, Sony Music and Universal Music, as well as independent labels, featuring many of the world’s leading artists.

By the end of the summer, Vodafone UK customers will be able to enjoy more than one million unlocked tracks. From punk to pop, rock to rap the tracks will be made available over the next two months from 49p per track and £7.99 per album. Those customers who have already bought tracks or albums from EMI, Sony Music or Universal Music from Vodafone will be able to upgrade them to unlocked tracks for free simply by downloading them again from Vodafone live!. In addition, customers who want to easily manage how they browse, buy and listen to their music can now download the ‘Vodafone Music Manager’ from today at vodafone.co.uk/musicstore. Customers can use Vodafone Music Manager by subscribing to a £7.50 pack on their mobile for unlimited downloads to their PC and mobile. For more information and a video about DRM free music visit youtube.co.uk/vodafoneuk

Vodafone customers can download the following tracks for free - Ciara featuring Justin Timberlake - Love Sex Magic; Daniel MerriweatherChange ; Lady GaGaPoker Face ; Lily AllenNot Fair (Style Of Eye remix); Pixie LottRolling Stone; Simple MindsRockets; Tinchy Stryder feat N-DubzNumber 1; Clubbers Guide 2009 Mixtape

All the tracks can be found in the Vodafone Music Store at vodafonemusic.co.uk or by going to music on Vodafone live!. Customers can text 'music' to 97886 for a link that will take them straight to the Vodafone Music Store. To find out more about Vodafone’s free music Friday customers can go to . A wide range of 3G mobile phones support music services and more information on how to download music and compatible phones can be found in the music, news and entertainment section at help.vodafone.co.uk

Celebrating Free Music Friday Pixie Lott will be performing tracks from her album in a Vodafone store on Friday June 5. Her debut single Mama Do will be released on Sunday 7 June, with an exclusive acoustic version available on Vodafone live! on June 8.


Various Graffiti Soul collectables have started to appear.

A special slip-sleeve was produced for the standard CD at the HMV signing sessions. Those who purchased the standard CD were given this exclusive sleeve for Jim, Charlie and Eddie to sign (as it saved time getting the booklet out of the jewel case).

Featuring the graffiti Claddagh and the date, these sleeves have become an instant collectable.


The Russian edition of the album (apparently the first official Russian release of any kind; everything previously has been unofficial) doesn't include the full booklet so is packaged with an obi-strip carrying information about the album.


Charlie talks about Graffiti Soul in this great interview with Ultimate Guitar.


Simple Minds
Graffiti Soul

Jim Kerr puts it simply: "We wanted to make a full-blooded record of ballsy pop songs." The result is the band's best album since the glory days, packed with trademark antemic songs, gorgeous guitar licks and arena-sized ambition. Opening with the brooding and blurred Moscow Underground, Charlie Burchill's riff helps Rockets blast off, then aptly repeats the trick with Stars Will Lead The Way, Light Travels chills out Bowie-style, Kiss And Fly is a U2-tinted slowburner with an infectious chorus, and This Is It will have fists pumping skyward at this year's Isle Of Wight festival - The Sunday Mercury


UK channel ITV2 will be broadcasting the Isle Of Wight Festival. Their coverage starts from Friday 12th June.


Needs no introduction:

Belgian radio station, Joe FM will he hosting an exclusive live Simple Minds showcase on the 10th June. Lucky listeners have a chance to win tickets, which are being offered on various shows every day, or winning a competition hosted on their website.


"We will play half a dozen or so from Graffiti Soul and In Search Of The Lost Boys through summer. In winter we will play entire Graffiti Soul" - Jim on Twitter.


New Simple Minds album to be released in a JakeBox

On May 25 Graffiti Soul, the new double album from 80's icons Simple Minds, was released worldwide. One feature that makes this limited edition stand out is the eye-catching pop up package, developed and patented by JakeBox in Sweden.

Universal Music, who previously released The Rolling Stones' hit compilation Rolled Gold+ in a JakeBox, now follows it up by using the concept for Simple Minds new double album.

"Very exciting to have a double JakeBox, which we think is a credible format for the Simple Minds fans." says Charlotte Gaffikin, product manager at Universal Music in London.

The JakeBox concept is considered to be among the most eco friendly ones in the world, made from 100% FSC certified recyclable board. But the most distinguishing feature is the eye-catching way it unfolds and presents the disc, which has made it highly acclaimed for exclusive promotional purposes, like Lamborghini's press kits, invitations for Nokia, promotional music compilations for Siemens. It is also offered in more basic versions for home users, through Amazon.

"Nowadays you need more than good music to sell discs", says Jakob Skarin, CEO of JakeBox, Sweden. "We offer that little extra edge that just might make the difference, and Universal is the first major label to realize that..."

For more information about JakeBox, see www.jakebox.com

UK #10!!!

Congratulations to Simple Minds on reaching #10 in the UK charts. It's their best chart performance since Good News From The Next World in 1995. Fantastic!


Simple Minds festival tour kicked off last night with their appearance at the Vaxjo Rock Festival. As it was a festival it was going to be a shorter set packed with many of the Minds' favourites. So it was great to see Graffiti Soul tracks appearing live: Rockets and This Is It got their live debutes along with Searching For The Lost Boys cover Rockin' In The Free World.


Vaxjo Rock Festival, Sweden
30th May, 2009
Main Set: Waterfront / Stay Visible / Rockets / Mandela Day / Ghostdancing - Rockin' In The Free World / Big Sleep / Promised You A Miracle / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Alive And Kicking / Belfast Child / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: This Is It / See The Lights / Sanctify Yourself

"Met them both backstage as well at the at breakfast at the hotel, and they said I must be one of the "Graffiti Soldiers." They were in a very good mood and arrived the day before the festival and rehearsed all Saturday downtown, so this was a really good performance considiering the tight amount of time before. They launched a amazing version of Belfast Child with a keyboard crescendo instead of Mel's usual drumming. During Ghostdancing, Jim got carried away and started to do a unplanned Rockin' In The Free World and said "Now the band are gonna get pissed." The version was somewhat stumbling and Jim finished off with a "My bad" to the band.

The other classics was great, but no improvision there, just a really good performance overall.

The two new songs were very tight indeed I think, and especially Eddie's bass playing stood out in the groovy version they delivered. "This is the first time" Jim said as they started Rockets and the audience were into it right away.

This Is It ended with a five minute long instrumental with Mel and company going crazy... amazing! They played twenty minutes more then they was supposed to and were really enjoyning themselves.

During the breakfast I overheard them talking about Dolphins and Moscow Underground, so expect these to come up in the full concert event, and as Andy said all the songs in "longer versions" as well.

Next album? I said thanks to Jim for a great album and the quote was "The next one is even better"" - Ojje

A review of the song has already appeared on the SMP website (in Swedish).


What do Graffiti Soul, Neapolis and Cry all have in common?

Answer: a different mix of a track appears on the promo album. In Graffiti Soul's case, a different mix of Rockets appears with extra keyboards added to the mix. Another one for the completists to start searching for!



More remixes from the JohhnyBGood remix house:


And I'm still trawling through my e-mail... check back tomorrow for more... I'm not finished yet.

There's a real buzz around the album at the moment and I can't recall such excitment since the late 1980s/early 1990s. Universal should be congratulated on their push for the album: not only have they put together the best Simple Minds package for over a decade, but adverts have appeared in key positions in the music press, and there's even been a TV campaign with an advert popping up during ITV's flagship most-watched show (the soap Coronation Street).

Mid-week chart results placed Simple Minds at #5 in the UK chart. Therefore, if you haven't purchased the album yet, the please do so in the next couple of days as it will really make a difference.


Belgian magazine P-Magazine recently ran a double-page spread devoted to the band. A translation follows below:

Trip around the world with Jim Kerr

"Most of the Scottish people are patriotic. We aren't. We've always try to go international" says Jim Kerr. Along with the new CD Graffiti Soul, Simple Minds have a good excuse to travel around the world again. Before that, Jim Kerr takes us along to locations which are very special to him.

Wales
You returned back to the studio in Wales to make Graffiti Soul, where some of the earliest Minds' records are made. Nostalgia?
JK : Now that almost everyone works with digital equipments, you nearly can't find any authentic studios in England. The studio in Wales was very important in making the sound quality of Real to Real Cacophony and Empires and Dance (1979 and 1980). New Gold Dream (Minds' classic back from'82) was not recorded there, but composed. Not only our history is in between those four walls, also Led Zeppelin, Queen and Bowie worked over there. To go back into the past, is a risk. Back in the far Wales, if you want to record a new CD or record, one not only record the tracks - you live together as well. There's no escape. Weekends do not exist. So what do you do? Get up and start working!

Scotland
After your mother was diagnosed with cancer, you moved the recording of Graffiti Soul towards Glasgow. Does it remain your home town?
JK : My mother always was a very healthy and dynamic lady. Therefore it was a huge shock when the doctors told her to enjoy the still remaining days to come. I took a break in the recordings to be with her, but she wanted me to keep on working. Funny, me - being 50 - returning homewards to move in with my mother, but strangely enough she became stronger mentally and physically because of that. Back at the kitchen table, I had a déja-vu. Suddenly I realised that back in '81 I composed on that same kitchen table The American, Love Song and Sweat in Bullet. Most of the Scottish people are patriotic. We aren't. We've always knew who we were and where we came from, but we wanted to go international and experiment. Deep down there's always something which connect us with Glasgow.

Italy
Guitar player Charlie Burchill lives already for several years in Rome, you in Sicily. What makes life better in Italy?
JK : As a 14-year old kid , when we travelled with school to Italy , I realised the world existed also in colours. Glasgow was grey. In Italy, from people to food, everything was so much colourful. Later on, by touring with the band and having holidays over there, we've lost our heart over there. When Charlie and I found our loved ones, life took over. Now, don't think I consider Italy as my homeland. I do stay an outsider over there. But yes, I do think and curse in Italian. In fact, I do it in Sicilian - which is so different than Tuscan for example. Back in Sicily, there's a whole other mentality. Libya is closer (geographically) than Rome. It is an old and patriarchal community. One needs a lot of patience to get something done. My Sicilian neighbours and friends always tell me: "You understand us, lots of Italians don't."

Russia
Opening track on Graffiti Soul is Moscow Underground. What's the thing with Russia?
JK : Have you ever seen pictures of the underground metro stations in Moscow ? Incredible nice, isn't it? Underneath those stations, there's a network of tunnels, much older. Young Russians have put all those tunnels on a map and even started to live there. Real freaks who turned their backs towards the world. Authorities know about it, but they just let go. David Greig, a Scottish writer who lives in Moscow, wrote in one of his books about the people who live in those tunnels and how those people guide him there - being a journalist - throughout a manhole in the street near the Kremlin. When Charlie came along with a song that combined the rhythm of a train with Eastern orientated sounds of a violins, the pieces of Moscow Underground fell together. As a band we concerted a few times in Russia. Wonderful experiences, certainly 'cause it's all pretty formal over there. I remember when we were in Saint Petersburg, throughout the speakers in our dressing room, a strong voice announced: "Ten minutes!”, "Five minutes!". The Russians didn't obviously lose their past.

Belgium
Graffiti Soul was partly written in Antwerp, 'cause you were several times guest on the Night of the Proms. What does Belgium means to you?
JK : Especially with Antwerp I've got a strong liaison. Because of the Proms, we discovered what kind of wonderful technicians you have over there. Because of that, our road crew mainly exists of Belgians. Some years ago, as we were looking for places to rehearse, they made it possible for us to rehearse in Buggenhout. Along with the mayor who was very generous, we made a deal that people could visit us at the studio the last day of recording. We then played for an audience that varied from kids to seniors.

United States
To a lot of bands, the US is like the promised land. Back in '85 the Minds reached number one, thanks to Don't You (Forget About Me), but still you guys seem to have a love/hate relationship with that country. Right?
JK : Yeah , you're right. It might sound arrogant, but we didn't fell back then to have a break-through in America. It wasn't an option in the earlier years, because our first records weren't on the market anyways. After that, we were already too big for the rest of the world to have a focus on America. Therefore we had to sacrifice Europe, Australia and Japan. Of course, it still is the cradle and it is fantastic to be able to concert in New York and Los Angeles. After the success of Don't You (Forget About Me), we recorded the album Once Upon A Time" and things got very easy for us. Until we recorded Street Fighting Years. The American record company hated that album. They didn't want us to hear us singing about Belfast Child or Mandela Day. They rather wanted a Twice Upon a Time!

South-Africa
Simple Minds never were really a political orientated band, but last year you did sing on the Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday festival. Why?
JK : When we were writing Mandela Day some 20 years ago, human rights was THE issue in that time. We hated our government by Thatcher. I just didn't understand why she didn't stand up against apartheid and racism. The first big Mandela concert in 1988 was full of anger, protest and a big yell for justice. Last year, it really was a birthday party. With a great leap forward, Mandela is by far the most gentle man on earth; a goodhearted grandfather, dressed in a colourful shirt, who spent 28 years in prison and who carries this without any feeling of bitterness. I was lucky to meet him a couple of times. He's a great fan of boxing and fishing. When he heard where I came from, he started to tell stories about Scottish boxers in the early years and how he went fishing on salmon when he visited Scotland.


The UK's Daily Mirror gave the album four-stars in this review:


Jim was recently interviewed by the Australian news.


Thanks to Todd as always for an excellent show. I felt his interview with Jim was the best yet (it's transcribed below). I've now published the entirely playlist of the show beneath the transcription.

TR: Lead singer of Simple Minds, lyricist, and all-around great guy Jim Kerr is joining me on the phone. How are you doing sir?

JK: I’m doing great Todd. How are you?

TR: Very well and it’s always been a great pleasure to catch up with you. It’s been a couple of years since we’ve had you here on the show as you’ve been so busy.

JK: Well I have been busy and I do apologize for not coming on for the last couple of years. But, at the same time, I think it worked out pretty well because it gave space. I know, for instance, last year you managed to track down Robin Clark and I think people appreciate that because there’s a lot more to this thing than the "Jim Kerr Show."

TR: True to form. I’ve become a big fan of the other people who play in the band, off and on, through the years, and their side projects; it’s been a wonderful treat to get that exposure going on.



TR: One of the things that really fascinated me about last year just happened to be (at least according to the rumour mill) the last day you were doing vocals on this brand new album Graffiti Soul. [Some Sweet Day 2008 was broadcast the same day as the final vocals for Graffiti Soul were being recorded – the rumour mill.]

JK: [It] could have been because certainly we were definitely in the thick of it around this time. And God as well would say, the year has flown by.

TR: This record was done by October so you guys have been having this in the back of your mind for a couple of months now.

JK: It was well wrapped up. There was a period where we could’ve mixed the whole thing by October but what happened was in the last few weeks we really felt we had something that more special on our hands, and we felt that rather than rush to the deadline, we would take a little more time – only a couple of weeks – and get it right. It was demanding to be got right.

JK: So we took a couple of weeks [extra] and so the idea of having an early release this year was put back. But it’s all panned out well. While we were doing Graffiti Soul (as many of you will know) we were also coming up with this In Search Of The Lost Boys thing which has accompanied the release of Graffiti Soul. (Which, for those who are listening in and don’t know, it’s almost entirely another album, albeit of cover versions, that were recorded somewhat on the hoof in Rockfield Studios during the weeks we were making Graffiti Soul.) So, all of that combined, did mean we required a little more time but as you correctly say, by October it was done and dusted.

TR: It was really fascinating when we found out these cover versions were coming alone. I think Eddie mentioned it when he dialled in last year that we were doing stuff for fun. And I thought that was good to keep that energy going. But when these titles started coming up I was thinking "That’s some core influence on Simple Minds, their favourite bands." Were some of them by accident or if we’re going to cover a band, write down a list?

JK: It was pretty much off the cuff initially, the first three or four. What happened was we had written a lot of material – and this will sound really arrogant but I don’t mean it in that way – there was a lot of stuff not so much left over, there was a lot of stuff we’d written as well as the songs for Graffiti Soul and the record company and everyone is calling out these days for added tracks, for instance, for iTunes. (If you do a special for iTunes for your album they want an exclusive track here and there – there’s always stuff). So people said "You’ll have songs that don’t quite make the album" and in the old days you’d have called them ‘B-sides’ and ‘Bonus Tracks’ and we just didn’t think we had ideas that were B-sides or bonus tracks! We all thought they had potential to be, perhaps, our next album or the seeds for our next album.

JK: Sometimes you’ll come up with an idea and part of you will think it’s the best idea, but the timings not right or it’s just not baked right – something’s missing. So rather than go with this, let’s call it a “half-and-half version” we said we’d put it to the side – we wouldn’t look at it as B-sides, we just think of it as something for the future.

JK: Meantime, to solve the dilemma, of needing extra tracks, the thing was staring us in the face in the idea of cover versions. Something we’ve always enjoyed doing, something that’s been very important to us; both as a band learning our trade and every time we play live, if we don’t do one cover version, we’ll break down a song and do a cover version. So many of the great artists do it.

JK: Amazingly enough when I was telling someone about the idea to release these covers, he had said to me (and this is an industry head): "You’ve got to watch it with covers." And I said "Really, why is that?" And he said "Well, there’s a stigma against them." And I said "What do you mean?" And he said "There’s a stigma against cover versions. There’s been so many poor ones done recently, people see it as a stop-gap..." And I said "Hold on. Surely you mean there’s a stigma against bad cover versions." [Laughs] Because just that morning I’d listened to Johnny Cash’s famous, glorious cover of the Nine Inch Nails' song Hurt. And Johnny Cash was someone who could write a song or two of his own. There’s a million examples: Springsteen, U2, Patti Smith did a glorious covers album last year, I thought it was amazing, I never thought I would see the day when Patti Smith covers a Tears For Fears song and she did it fantastically. It goes on and on. We were brought up with people like Bowie and Bryan Ferry, they all did covers. Even Bob Dylan himself did the occasional cover.

JK: The only person I can think of really, who has never done a cover, (probably he has), is Lou Reed. But there you go, Lou’s always the exception.

JK: So, we had this thing, we jumped at it, every day after dinner. (And in my experience after dinner in the studio nothing gets done; people have a glass of wine and it seems something’s getting done but nothing of any substance really gets done). What we’ll do is at dinner every night, someone will shout out a title, and everyone has ten or fifteen minutes to get their chops together, one or two takes, cut live and that was it. And that was the mode for the collection of songs we have entitled In Search Of The Lost Boys.



TR: One of the ones that really stood out for me when I first saw the list of bands (not even the song) was The Call. There’s a couple of Call fan web pages and Yahoo groups and as soon as they heard you were covering Let The Day Begin, that thing just ignited. They were going crazy waiting to hear this thing. Obviously you have a connection with The Call, going back to the mid 1980s; was that what drove you [to do the cover] or just the love of the song?

JK: All of those things. First of all, we’re fans, Charlie and I. In our opinion The Call are one of the great American bands. They may not have lasted as long as some of the great American bands, they may not be known as much worldwide as the great American bands, but Michael Been is one of the great American writers. And we were privileged to get to know Michael and get to know his band, The Call, particularly during the tour we did to support Once Upon A Time in the States where The Call opened up for us. Funny enough, our first meeting with The Call was earlier, during the New Gold Dream tour, where they played a couple of gigs with us. And it wasn’t so amicable when we first met [laughs]; there was a bit of jousting of positions between road crews and all that stuff; and we turned up and "Who are these guys The Call?" and we stood at the side of the stage and Michael was on fire, he was on another planet as he sang; and we knew we were looking at something really special.

JK: So, we are fans, we became friends (although we haven’t been in touch with Michael for a long time – I would like to [get in touch]). Michael was a big, big fan of music coming out of the UK at that time, he loved Joy Division, he loved New Order, he loved the Gang Of Four to name but a few, and he loved Simple Minds as well. And you could hear a lot of these influences in some of The Call songs, he had a great balance going on where he’d just stand back and look on the world, but he had this UK love for music made at that time, so the balance of those two things pulling together was quite special, and in case of the song in question, I hope I’m not wrong but ironically I think it was a Call song that was influenced, perhaps, by Simple Minds. And now Simple Minds have gone back to cover The Call’s song; if any of that makes sense.

TR: I think it makes perfect sense. I soon as I heard the driving rhythm of Let The Day Begin, I thought "They could put that together with Waterfront.

JK: Lyrically it’s an incredible song. A few people have covered it. I had a look, and without wishing to be disrespectful, Rod Stewart covered it but I don’t think he really considered the words that Michael had written.

TR: And you threw in that little homage with Sparkle In The Rain.

JK: It popped out. [Laughs] At least, I could imagine Michael grinning.

TR: The first one that came out on the Billy Sloan show, Rockin’ In The Free World, it was very late night and I’m listening to this thing and it was like the little boy with a flashlight under the covers listening to the radio at night – going "I can’t believe this is so good." So good for you guys on all those covers and the choice is just awesome and in some ways, and I don’t really want to put it this way, a lot of us were really excited about Neon Lights and now we have our sequel. It’s very cool.

JK: The point we’d like to push on this is obviously one the one hand it’s about fun. You don’t do those tracks with the same microscopic attention you do your own tracks, you set the stuff up and you hammer them down; hence the title and I should explain it: In Search Of The Lost Boys. Because if someone were to ask me "What is it you get from playing a cover version personally?" I can tell you the sense of fun when doing a cover version really reminds me of when we were kids really learning a song for the first time: there’s an innocence about it. And within that innocence, there’s a kind of a bravery, because back then you had nothing to lose or you felt you had nothing to lose, and I connect (and I know Charlie and the guys feel the same) we feel we connect with a spirit when we do these songs. We connect with this kid we left behind as unfortunately, as Peter Pan found out, we all have to grow up, and that’s what that is all about. But it’s scary in a sense; there’s a few freaky things going on here. When you mentioned the cover of Neil Young’s Rockin’ In The Free World, I can’t normally sing in that key; that isn’t me singing in that key, I lost that ability years ago as I got older. [Laughs]. But it’s the Lost Boy singing and it’s amazing. And people ask “How did you get that tone again? That was the tone you had when you were twenty-two. “ Well, I guess we really connected.



TR: I want to turn back to Graffiti Soul because that’s the driving vehicle for not only the campaign this year but the tour and everything else. I don’t know which song you’re showcasing on the road but they all sound incredible. I was thinking how are going to make this come alive on the stage? Kiss And Fly just takes off; so does Stars Will Lead The Way.

JK: You know, you’re absolutely right. It’s just going to work perfectly. It’s going to work because you saw the band last year at Wembley, I think the band’s playing as good as they ever played if not better. So, the band’s playing incredibly anyway. These songs are begging to be played live. It’s going to be amazing.

TR: One of the songs which came to my mind, and you mentioned the influence of David Bowie, is the song Light Travels. Now, that’s a song title that’s been floating around since just after the album Cry. And Cry came out circa 2002ish. And it’s another one of those from that guy from Wiretrain(sic) whose name escapes me... You did Spaceface with him.

JK: You’re almost right there, you’re a little confused. The guy from Wiretrain is Kevin Hunter. Spaceface and Light Travels was by a fellow called Sean Kelly.

JK: In the early days, or our original days, Charlie and I wrote the songs for the first album Life In A Day. Charlie and I wrote the songs for the first demos and we got a deal. But as the band began to come together, and by the time we got to the second album and the third album, Mick MacNeil and Derek Forbes were really piling in with writing duties as well. And I would say, probably, about 40% of it was coming from Charlie and the rest was coming from everyone; drummers themselves would sometimes instigate. Which was just great because when you look back, we did about six albums in five years and yet we toured non-stop as well: how was that done? Well the reason it was done was because we had all that firepower creatively.

JK: As the band began to implode [in the] late 80s, early 90s, ironically when it came to Real Life, which was back to Charlie and I really again writing, in fairness to Charlie when I listen to that album, melodically he was there; the melodies were on his shoulders and the melodies were strong; he was doing it. Which lead us to believe that despite losing the firepower, the guys going for different reasons, we felt we could see it through. But by the mid 1990s it was getting too much and we were really missing the firepower. So we thought we’ve got to bring people in here; but how do you bring people in? Because we couldn’t just write with some hack hired writers. We had to gradually find people who understood Simple Minds; people that understood our culture; people who had a culture themselves we could relate to. And through the years that has manifested with people like Kevin Hunter, Jez Coad (who produces and writes the occasional song with us), Gordie Goudy (who wrote Home with us and has written Rockets, the lead track from the album, with us) and Sean Kelly.

JK: When Simple Minds were doing their first tour, just coming together before the first album, we’d tell people we were the only thing happening in Scotland but that’s not strictly true. [Laughs]. There was a band from Stirling called Those French Girls; there wasn’t a girl in the band but that’s what they were called. They were sort of glam rock, probably influenced by the New York Dolls, Bowie, people like that, and they were incredible. They were just the greatest thing. They were, by far, much more together than us and the lead singer, and writer, was a fellow called Sean Kelly. And Sean really looked the part, he was every inch the rock star. It didn’t happen for them obviously; I don’t know why it didn’t happen, but through the years Sean has co-existed where he has his job in real life, but at the same time, he continues writing under different guises. He plays at the weekend. And if he does one thing, in my opinion, he does these David Bowie type songs that I love, of a type that Bowie doesn’t do anymore. And therefore whenever we get the chance to hear what’s going on with Sean, or work with him, we jump at it.

JK: A few years ago he came up with an idea. It was such a short idea; it was one verse looping around which was the basis of the song Light Travels. And we worked with it. It almost slipped through our fingers; we could never get the right arrangement, we tried it three or four times. That’s why you know about it, that’s why you’ve heard about it. Charlie and I would always argue about it. We knew there was something great there but we could never settle on an approach that we felt was right. I heard a pop song and Charlie heard something much more abstract. But finally, on the new album Graffiti Soul, we got the arrangement that suits all of us.



TR: It is classic in the sense of Graffiti Soul because I see here (and I’m referring to the EPK with all the artwork) all those fantastic elements from Simple Minds’ heritage: those first six albums. And all those six elements still exist, except it’s like a new recipe, and there’s a new cookie. There’s something new at the end of it all. Everything fits so naturally.

JK: I agree. The ingredients were all there. Sometimes the ingredients are all there, in the past, the mix just wasn’t right. I say the mix, I don’t mean the mix of the song, I mean the ingredients were there, but maybe we just weren’t on form, or we weren’t committed, or we were committed and the ingredients weren’t there. [Laughs]. Sometimes, as it was on this one, it was all right and ready to go.

JK: People ask "The last album was good but this one’s really great. How come?" And I say they’re not separate really, they’re all part of a journey, they’re part of a process, and this particular process began seven or eight years ago, we got over a period when it was really like getting blood out of a stone. I don’t know if we thought about it for long but it definitely flickered through our minds the idea that, you know, perhaps this is it. No more gas in the tank. Evidently, as some point, we decided that was not the case and seven or eight years ago, we turned the car around, but it remained to be seen how much further we could get it down the road and indeed how much momentum could be had.

JK: We turned it around really with Cry: we made sure the headlights were working. [Laughs]. With Black And White we were definitely getting a head of steam. But with this one it’s like we hit a hill and here we are: we’re freewheeling. And that’s where we are. There’s no doubt there was no room for hesitation; it just seemed that everything we try sounds pretty good or sounds great.

TR: The whole record came together very well and sonically is just drop my jaw. I was sitting there going "This is just one thing I was not expecting." I was expecting it to be good; this was the album that took it one step further for me and I was so anticipating "What’s the next song going to be like? What are they going to do next?” And before you know it, I’m on track eight or nine going "Wow! That’s a hell of a ride; let’s start it all over again." So there really is that emphasis.

JK: Delighted.



TR: This is the second time now (during this turning around period) that you’ve gone back to Bob Clearmountain to master this thing and finalise it all down. Was it good for you to go over to Mix This and have that kind of feeling. And were you there for that process?

JK: He’s going to listen to this so I’ve got to watch what I say! He’s almost non-human. [Laughs] With humans, no matter how good they are, there’s always this matter of risk, or they get it wrong, or whatever. Bob doesn’t. Which, on the one hand, which makes it first and foremost great, because you can just rely on him, but, on the other hand, there’s something in the back of your mind thinking "Are we coasting here? Should we be looking somewhere else? Are we taking it from granted? Is it really that easy? Is there something missing?" It’s an incredible thing but certainly when you go out there... I’ll tell you what, and Bob said it himself, Jez Coad is getting so good that the rough mixes Jez did at Rockfield (the rough mix is where you finish the recording process, you have these reference mixes which you listen to, which you use to discuss before you eventually take it to the mixers); the rough mixes were really, really close. So, all in all, in our team, the ones that are strong are really strong and there are ones that are getting stronger, and it’s a great thing to have.

JK: But in that final strait you need to know you’re in good hands and there’s not a lot better hands to be in than Bob Clearmountain.



TR: Kudos to the whole production team. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy; I’m still working from some downloads sent to me for production purposes. I’m just looking forward to having it and going "wow." Now, going back to the 30th anniversary tour, which in some parts are going to carry on, because I know you’re going to film a DVD this year over at Edinburgh Castle. Please make sure that’s available for us in the NTSC (or non-PAL viewing countries) because I can’t wait to see what that looks like. But, let’s talk getting live. There’s a world tour being formulated: you’re doing festivals in the summer and there’s this rumour of you touring with OMD that took off like wildfire here in the States which you quickly clarified – hey, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, what about coming here?

JK: Well the desire for that is strong and the agents have got together and they’re talking to the promoters as we speak so there’s every chance; there’s a great, great chance, that that is going to happen. I’ll tell you what with Simple Minds, especially simpleminds.com; sometimes we get a lot of flak, the guys running it get a lot of flak. We refuse to put things up unless they’re confirmed; and when we say confirmed, we mean contracts done, signed, tees crossed; because we just don’t want people running off, especially now with fans who’ll travel from Australia to see the band playing, we got fans like yourself travelling from America, especially now with cheap flights and stuff, but you’ve got to book them early, you’ve got to rush to get them done, you rush to get your ticket and suddenly you find “Oh, the gig’s not on, it’s happening elsewhere or whatever.” Now, I admit that rarely, rarely happens. Usually when there’s a gig in the air and a date, you can usually guarantee it’s going to happen; but you can’t guarantee. And on simpleminds.com, we refuse to put it up until everything’s in order. However, a lot of the promoters and the ticket agencies, as soon as they say "Contracts have been exchanged, there’s been verbal agreements" they just stick it up because they want to get first on it. So sometimes it makes us look like the laggards. And we don’t want it to be the case but as we speak, there’s little we can do about it. But, in terms of clarification, there’s a greater chance that the OMD package will happen and if not, Simple Minds will be there in any case, although it’ll be a fewer amount of dates. That, amongst main reasons, is why we want to hook up with OMD; it’ll be the chance to play to more people and more lucrative to more promoters.



TR: Fair enough, well put. And I’ll be reserving some places in Cleveland for you. ... You still have some of these songs left over from the sessions and when Black And White 050505 was signed off on the 5th May 2005, even then you had songs left over, and some of them have become this album. So I’ll reiterate the point once again where you’re going to go back to this pile of tapes and physical recordings so we have some stuff for Simple Minds album circa 2011 or something.

JK: We certainly do. And this is the amazing thing. Four days after I finished in Rockfield, I demoed some vocals on four new tracks, or four tracks, pipeline tracks let’s call them; we’ve finished them off in demo form. I’ll tell you why; the world just feels like a better place when you’ve got a few new songs up your sleeve. It’s so great just now to hear people like yourself express the pleasure you’re getting from Graffiti Soul, but just wait until you hear the new one. It really leads on.

JK: Just last week we were in London doing a video shoot and some photographs, which is really hard work these days [laughs], but in the morning Charlie dropped me off a two minute piece of music that I wrote on and we’ve got a new song called Concrete And Cherry Blossom and it’s just fantastic. It’s really, really something. And it just goes on.



TR: That’s really exciting. The thing that really sums up these two records is the fact that you guys all got together in the same place and played together. I remember you mentioning that. And a lot of stuff, even going back to Cry, was done over the Internet and didn’t really come together for the live show until the rehearsals; is this something you want to strive for? Old school, be in the same room? Four or five guys making a noise.

JK: Yeah, until we get bored with it and then we’ll have to look at something else again [laughs]. But I don’t know if you can get bored with it if it’s sounding that great. I think there’s a context, a much, much larger context, and I think it’s a hell of a band once again.

TR: Amen to that. Well, Jim Kerr, thank you so much for taking the time as always. And you’re one of the big reasons we always do this show every year because it’s always been such great music. Congratulations on thirty plus years now and we really look forward to not only this album but the live tour coming in the fall, it’s going to be great time and we can’t wait to see you here.

JK: That’ll be great. We always thank you and appreciate what you do every year, and take the opportunity to especially thank the people we have in America, and Canada, who’ve been sticking with the band through thick and thin and I can only hope when we turn up and play live that it’ll be really worthwhile.

TR: I always ask you for one request sir. Any classic track or anything from the new album?

JK: I love Moscow Underground. I just do. There was a little debate when we were putting the album together: Charlie said "It’s dark. Do we want to start with something dark?" and I thought how am I going to sell Charlie on this? So I said "Yeah, it’s sexy and dark." [Laughs] And he was "Oh yeah, I like that." And it is. And I hear some Magazine in it, bass line of The Strangers, I hear The Doors, it’s my kind of music.


SOME SWEET DAY 2009: The Simple Minds Marathon Playlist
*= requested material...

7am
When Sprits Rise - Street Fighting Years
Waterfront - Sparkle In The Rain
Rockets - Graffiti Soul
Chelsea Girl (live - Paris Theater, London 8/8/79) - Silver Box (disc 1)
Premonition (live - Hurrah's Club NYC 10/24/79) - Changeling 7"*
Someone Somewhere In Summertime - Glittering Prize
Love Song - The Best Of
All The Things She Said (Extended Mix) - 12"
Spaceface - Cry

8am
Stand By Love - Real Life
Home - Black And White 050505
This Is You Land - This Is Your Land (Theme 17)
Up On The Catwalk (live'06) - Simple Minds Sunday Express Live (disc 1)
Come A Long Way - Once Upon A Time
Great Leap Forward - Good News From The Next World
This Time - Good News From The Next World
This Is It - Graffiti Soul

9am
(Don't You) Forget About Me (HuMate Mix) - Live And Rare
Glitterball - Neapolis
Speed Your Love To Me - Sparkle In The Rain
Goodnight - Let There Be Love CD5*
Special View - Life In A Day 7"
Blood Type O - Graffiti Soul
Stay Visible - Black And White 050505*
And The Band Played On/Real Life (live) - Hypnotized (Box set single)*
See The Lights (live - Barrowlands, 8/13/91) - Silver Box (Disc 3)
Cry - Cry CD Single (Silver Blue)

10am
The American (extended Mix) - 12"
She's A River - Good News From The Next World
Soul Crying Out (live) - See The Lights (Etched 12")
Kiss And Fly - Graffiti Soul
Kiss The Ground - Black And White 050505
In Trance As Mission - Sons And Fascination/Sister Feelings Call
New Gold Dream (81,82,83, 84) - New Gold Dream (DVD-A 2.0 Mix)

11am (Interview with Jim Kerr)
Let The Day Begin
Rockin' In The Free World
Light Travels
Rockets
Moscow Underground

12pm
(Don't You) Forget About Me (ext mix) - Theme 3 box
Promised You A Miracle - Glittering Prize
Ghostdancing (live) - Live In The City Of Light
Ghostrider (live) - Real Life (CD Single)
Garden Of Hate - Chelsea Girl 7"
The Garden - Cry (Silver Blue CD Single)
Shadows And Light - Graffiti Soul*
Woman - Real Life*
Homosapian - Neon Lights (w/JK Intro)

1pm
Alive And Kicking (insturmental/album version)
Celebrate (live) - Promised You A Miracle (live) 12"
Biko - Street Fighting Years
Song For The Tribes - Neapolis
Graffiti Soul - Graffiti Soul*
Pleasently Disturbed - Life In A Day*
New Sunshine Morning - Cry

2pm
Let There Be Love (extended Mix) - Let There Be Love CD Single*
League Of Nations (live - Hammersmith Odeon 9/25/81) - Sweat In Bullet 12"*
Book Of Brilliant Things (live) - Live In The City Of Light
She's A River (Duo Mix) - She's A River CD5
Rockets - Graffiti Soul
I Travel (as performed by Derek Forbes) /I Travel -The Best Of
Dolphins - Black And White 050505
Space - Silver Box (Our Secrets Are The Same)
Dirty Old Town - The Bhoys Of Paradise EP (feat. M McNeil)

3pm
Sanctify Yourself - Once Upon A Time
Wall Of Love - Street Fighting Years
The Charlie Burchill Suite: When Two Worlds Collide - Real Life/Woman And Ghosts - Hypnotized CD Single/Real Life - Real Life
Mighty Joe Moon - Home CD5
The Kick Inside Of Me - Sparkle In The Rain
Hypnotized (extended mix) - Hypnotized CD 5
Colors Fly (as played by Derek Forbes)/Colours Fly And Cathrine Wheel - NGD 81,82,83,84

4pm
See The Lights (Extended Mix) - See The Lights CD5
Stranger (London Mix) - Stranger CD5
One Step Closer - Cry (sampler)
Sign O' The Times - The Amsterdam EP
Someone Somewhere In Summertime - Glittering Prize
War Babies - The Best Of
Waterfront (live) - Simple Minds Sunday Express LIVE (disc 2)
Belfast Child - Street Fighting Years
Christine - Graffiti Soul (In Search Of The Lost Boys)

5pm (Interview with Jim Kerr)
Let The Day Begin - Graffiti Soul (In Search Of The Lost Boys)
Rockin' In The Free World - Graffiti Soul (In Search Of The Lost Boys)
Stars Will Lead The Way - Graffiti Soul
Light Travels - Graffiti Soul
Rockets - Graffiti Soul
Moscow Underground - Graffiti Soul

6pm
Love Song (extended mix) - Love Song 12"
She's A River (live) - Hypnotized CD Single (box set)
Someone - Life In A Day*
Saturday Girl - This Is Your Land CD5*
Factory - Celebration
A Song From Under The Floorboards - Graffiti Soul (In Search Of The Lost Boy
The Man Who Sold The World (w/JK Intro) - Live And Rare
New Sunrise - Spaceface CD Single
7 Deadly Sins - Good News From The Next World

7pm
Blood Type O - Graffiti Soul
Promised You A Miracle (live) - Live In The CIty Of Light
Stand By Love - Real Life
Sweat In Bullet - Sons And Fascination/Sister Feelings Call
Cry - Cry (Silver Blue CD Single)
Lightning - Neapolis
Graffiti Soul - Graffiti Soul
Sugar - Cry *
Chelsea Girl - Life In A Day
Theme For Great Cities - Sons And Fascination/Sisters Feeling Call

8pm
Home - Black And White 050505
White Light/White Heat - Live And Rare
Bird On A Wire - Stranger CD single
Sanctuary - Reconciled (The Call w/JK on Backing Vocals)
Let The Day Begin - Graffiti Soul (In Search Of The Lost Boys)
New Warm Skin - I Travel Flexi Disc
New Gold Dream (live) - SImple Minds Live Sunday Express
Big Sleep (live) - Real Live '91
Hello, I Love You - Neon Lights

9pm
Hunter And The Hunted - NGD (DVD-A 2.0)
Too Much Television - Stranger CD Single
Waterfront (Union Jack Remix) - Glitterball CD SIngle*
Light Travels - Graffiti Soul
Changling - Celebration
Ghostdancing (ext mix) - Ghostdancing 12"
Lead The Blind - Cry (Bronze cd single)
NGD - Utah Saints (Utah Saints)

10pm
Moscow Underground - Graffiti Soul
Peace, Love and Understanding - Graffiti Soul (In Search Of The Lost Boys)
Speed Your Love To Me (extended Mix) -Theme
When Spirits Rise/Street Fighting Years (live) - Theme 20
Mandela Day (SSD Mix by RTR) - Street Fighting Years (original)
All The Things She Said - Once Upon A Time*
Twist, Run Repulsion - Empires And Dance*
Dirty Old Town - The Bhoys Of Paradise*

11pm
Once Upon A Time - Once Upon A Time (DVD-A 2.0) *
Kick It In/Kick It In (Unauthorized Mix) - Kick It In 12"
In Every Heaven - NGD DVD-A*
Sloop John B - Graffiti Soul (In Search Of The Lost Boys)
Night Music - Good News From The Next World
Let There Be Love (live) - Stand By Love CD Single
Sanctify Yourself (live) - Live In The City Of Light
Stars Will Lead The Way - Graffiti Soul*

12am
(Don't You) Forget About Me (Hu Mate Mix) - Live And Rare
Love Song (Ext Mix) - Love Song/Alive And Kicking CD5X2
Hypnotized (live -10/9/95 Glasgow) - Silver Box (disc 4)
Kiss And Fly - Graffiti Soul
Rockets - Graffiti Soul
See The Lights - Real Life
Wish You Were Here - Once Upon A Time
She's A River (Duo Mix) - She's A River CD5
Belfast Child (live) - Real Life CD5

I've been on holiday hence the lack of updates during the last week.

Anyway...


The packaging of the three formats of Graffiti Soul is sublime. Not since 1995's Good News From The Next World has the artwork and packaging for a Simple Minds album been so good.

Standard CD: Universal 2703208
The picture CD (featuring the 1977 Claddagh logo) is housed in a standard jewelcase with a full-colour twenty page booklet. This includes sleeve notes from Jim (which give a different account to the origin of "Graffiti Soul"), lyrics, full album credits and fantastic artwork interpreting each song title.

Deluxe CD: Universal 2703207
This version of the album comprises a glossy stiff card box containing two Jake packs. (A Jake pack is a glossy card gatefold sleeve, which opens up and pushes the CD towards you). The Graffiti Soul pack includes the nine track album, exclusive artwork in the gatefold, and a slightly different twenty-four page booklet. (This booklet was the original design before being trimmed down for the standard CD). Searching For The Lost Boys is packaged in the second Jake pack which features exclusive photographs from Rockfield and more exclusive sleeve notes from Jim.

Limited Edition Double LP: Universal 2707281 The two LPs are packaged in a heavy duty glossy gatefold card sleeve which carries the album credits on the back cover and a montage of the images from the CD booklet inside the gatefold sleeve along with Jim’s sleeve notes. The Graffiti Soul LP is contained within a glossy sleeve which includes all the lyrics whilst the Searching For The Lost Boys LP is housed another glossy sleeve featuring the exclusive photographs from Rockfield and Jim’s further sleeve notes.

Only 800 LPs have been pressed up, so if you want a copy, it’s best to order it now. (And ordering this week will help Simple Minds’ chart position which is currently #5).

To coincide with this week's release of Simple Minds' stunning new studio album Graffiti Soul, the band is proud to announce the addition of an 8th date to their forthcoming Graffiti Soul UK Tour. They will now perform their final UK concert at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on Saturday 12th December. Very special guests on all UK dates will be OMD.

Tickets for the Aberdeen concert, priced £36, will go on sale Friday 29th May at 9am.
Venue Box Office - 08444 77 9000 or book online: http://www.aecc.co.uk/simplemindsgraffitisoul2009.aspx

Simple Minds' "Graffiti Soul" UK Tour Dates - Newcastle Metro Radio Arena (November 30), Birmingham LG Arena (December 2), Manchester MEN Arena (December 3), Sheffield Arena (December 5), Cardiff International Arena (December 6), London Wembley Arena (December 7), Glasgow SECC (December 11), Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre (December 12).

National Credit Card Hotline 0844 888 9991 / Book Online - www.ticketline.co.uk

For further information please contact Peter Noble & Will Taylor at Noble PR Consultancy Ltd


That's Entertainment Magazine (above) will be running a double page spread in support of the new album. Track-by-track comments make up the bulk of the article and concludes that "This album is Charlie Burchill".

More from JohnnyBGood:

And don't forget Some Sweet Day 2009 which airs tomorrow and includes an exclusive interview between Todd and Jim. You can listen on-line via the WBWC 88.3 FM The Sting's website. 18 hours of Simple Minds music including B-sides, album tracks, rare remixes, live cuts and more.

WBWC's 2009 Summer Marathon Series features Simple Minds for 18 hours this Thurs. (7am - 1am EST) In Cleveland, listen in at 88.3FM, or online at wbwc.com (real audio 8 and up.) Lots of rare tracks, guests and more. See you on the airwaves! - Todd R. (host)

More to come tomorrow... I've still loads of e-mails to get through...

Two dates in Brazil have just been announced: Sao Paulo on the 24th September and Rio De Janeiro on the 25th September.


www.sicily-concierge.com

The band's long awaited return to Taormina has now been announced for 27th July 2009 (and another gig at the Teatro della Verdura in Palermo the previous night). An exclusive, special fan-based package has been put together by www.sicily-concierge.com for great seats at both gigs, hotel, exclusive bars and other goodies. (Please mention you saw it on Dream Giver if you decide to book).


Simple Minds are featured on VH1 Classic tonight. A half hour Greatest Hits show kicks off at 19:30 and a second hits show airs at 23:00.


Jim will be interviewed by Classic 21 (a Belgian radio station) tomorrow (May 19th), a video of which will be streamed live from 2:00PM (UK time). Fans can send in questions for Jim via this questionnaire.


Google News have interviewed Charlie.


The BBC's iPlayer is proving extremely useful for both tracking down and listening to the various interviews the band have done over the last week. If you search for Jim Kerr then the following pop up:

The Evening Show - Tue, 12 May 2009
Alan Thompson talks to Jim Kerr of Simple Minds and there's live music with Otis Gibbs.

Alan Simpson - Fri, 15 May 2009
Alan Simpson talks to Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr about their upcoming Belfast show.

Liz Kershaw - Sat, 16 May 2009
Liz pitches an Ash song, looks at Metallica's Black Album and chats to Jim Kerr.

For a full list of shows click here.

Jim and Charlie have also recorded a documentary about the band for the BBC.


And here's Jim's grilling by Adam Boulton on Sky News. (He wants to know what Graffiti Soul means... and isn't taking no for an answer!).


Is it too early to start compiling this page? I don't think so! ;-)

Rockets is released tomorrow as a download only. Two versions of the song are available: the radio friendly Cenzo Townsend remix and the stripped-down, thumping, Stylophone driven Gesamtkunstwerk Mix.

Unfortunately plans for a limited edition 7" never made it to fruition.

And the Rockets video is already available as a download through iTunes.

Your love's like faith,
Your love's spite in your eyes from those battle days.
There's still one way,
Abandoned now no matter what you say.
Just one truth,
Moving up to decide that's your battle move,
No one's here,
Some phantoms realised that's your only fear.

You're sending me rockets,
Fools circle again,
More than I realised.

You're sending me rockets.
Full circle again.
Still sending me rockets.

I could still cut through,
A war machine with its missiles set on you.
I still want you,
Misty eyes clear to find another view.

And still you're sending me rockets.
And I surrender again,
No more will I feel this time.

You're sending me rockets.
Fools circle again.
Still sending me rockets.
Fools circle again.

Home sweet home,
No idea of divides or where the peace has gone.
No words to blame,
Surrender leaves me in the dark again.

You're sending me rockets,
Fools circle again,
No matter how I plead this time.

You're sending me rockets,
Fools circle again,
More than I realised.

You're sending me rockets.
You're sending me rockets.
Keep sending me rockets.
Still sending me rockets.
Fools circle again.


The Silencers have reformed and will be supporting Simple Minds at the Olympia gig on the 8th July and Edinburgh Castle on the 18th July.

So we will open for Simple Minds at the Olympia 8th of July and also Edinburgh Castle on the 18th of July.

We will also play our own show at Oran Mor in Glasgow on July 15th.

Billy Sloan has written a piece in the Sunday Mail.

The last time we played with the Minds was at Wembley Stadium 20 years ago.

We did play a show two years ago to raise money for Cha Burns the guitar player. He was looking to try some specialist treatment for cancer, he died a few weeks later just as he turned 50.

I enjoyed playing that show and decided to get Joe Donnelly the bass player and Jimme O'Neill the singer together again this year to just have a play around. It went so well we will likely record a new album.

Jim heard about us getting together, gave me a call and suggested we open in Paris and Edinburgh Castle.

We now have www.thesilencers.net on-line. There will be film of the original band playing Painted Moon from the gig two years ago, along with a free download of the song. There will also be a link to buy tickets to the Oran Mor show.

Martin Hanlin


Arno Carsten is the support for gigs in Germany, France and Luxembourg. (Not to be confused with Arno Hintjens of TC Matic). For more information about Arno see entertainment.iafrica.com.


Jim and Charlie will be on BBC Breakfast tomorrow (18th May: 8:50AM - 9:15AM) promoting the new album and Rockets.


Jim was interviewed on Sky News this morning (does anyone have a copy or link to the show?) I hope he managed to get a plug in for the album; but I suspect he was probably asked about the expenses crisis rocking the government. (Can God save us from them?)


Jim was also on Soccer AM yesterday (as Ray Winstone was probably unavailable). Here's a link to the interview which includes chat about the new album, the new single Rockets and the use of Alive And Kicking for the classic Sky Sports advert.


Sample Minds will be playing at The Ferry, Glasgow on the 17th July. Not only does this mark their 10th anniversary, and the location of their great performance at the second Simple Minds Convention, but it was the location of a Sparkle In The Rain photoshoot. It's also the night *before* Simple Minds take to the stage at Edinburgh Castle so fans can sample both bands.

See www.sampleminds.com for more information.


French tribute band Waterfront are playing five gigs in Franch during May, July, August and October. For more details, and information about Waterfront, then check out their website.


Whilst in Ireland, Simply Minds will be playing the Munster Arms Hotel on May 31st as part of the Bandon Music Festival. (They are currently putting a Myspace website together and will publish the address soon).


Dutch music magazine Revolver has given Graffiti Soul four stars. It also includes an interview with Jim and a half page advert for the new album.


Jim has also talked football for this months Talksport Magazine. (Flick through to pages 20-21).


JohnnyBGood remix/mash-up heaven:

Jim Gellatly's interview with Jim is the best I've heard so far. They talk about each track on the album, touring, the 30th anniversary of Simple Minds, the Lost Boys covers and more. It's a great introduction to Graffiti Soul.

The interview can be heard here (available as both streaming media and podcast).

The Rockets single, released next week, will be download only. Two versions of the title track are included: the Radio Edit (presumably the Cenzo Townsend Remix) and the Gesamtkunstwerk Mix.

For further details see HMV's website.


Simple Minds will be playing the Civic Arena in Milan on the 3rd July. Check out www.rockol.it for more information.

Aiden Smith of Scotland On Sunday recently interviewed Jim and the article was published in yesterday's paper. The on-line edition can be read on their website and scans of the article can be seen below.

"Just letting you know that my next podcast will feature Jim talking through the new album track by track. It'll be at www.radiomagnetic.com from Wednesday afternoon... and then on iTunes (subscribe at itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=292069303)"

Jim Gellatly

Jim will be appearing on Soccer AM on Sky1/Sky1 Sports on Saturday 16th May. The show broadcasts from 9:00AM - 12:00 (UK time).

Record Collector have now reviewed the album and have broken their rating system to such an extent that the reviewer himself had to point out the sheer pointlessness of it all. It's better than the 5-star rated Black And White 050505 so the reviewer give it 3-stars!?!?!??

Simple Minds
Graffiti Soul

Almost the miracle they've been promising

The ongoing debate for what has been the best Simple Minds album since 1982's New Gold Dream has been finally answered - it's here. Though possibily light on to-die-for melodies, the groove and feel of Graffiti Soul is classic Simple Minds. It's like they've found the word "grace" again in their dictionary instead of "gigantic".

Graffiti Soul came about after Kerr temporarily relocated to Glasgow following years living in Sicily, writing at the same kitchen table that he wrote the band's early material, something he hadn't done since the early 80s. You can almost hear his skin tone turning from tan back to pasty white. Jim Kerr has talked about his desire to make "a full-bloodied record of ballsy pop songs" and that's exactly what it is - straight into dazzling opener Moscow Underground, the pace and tension doesn't let up. All the things you expect - shards of twinkling guitar from Charlie Burchill, oblique yet powerful lyrics from Kerr - are all here, deftly delivered.

Our august journal gave Black And White 050505 five stars in 2005 and said it was the best since back then. Well, today Graffiti Soul gets an old-fashioned three and it's better than that.

***
Daryl Easlea

The Graffiti Soul Album Sampler is now available as a download via Universal's website. You simply need to register to get your hands on the goodies.

It features thirty seconds segments of several songs from the album. It's packaged as a single MP3 file and includes:

1. Rockets[Sampler Edit]      (0:31)
2. Stars Will Lead The Way[Sampler Edit](0:30)
3. Light Travels[Sampler Edit](0:31)
4. This Is It[Sampler Edit](0:31)
5. Kiss And Fly[Sampler Edit](0:30)



There will be a listening party held through the official site tomorrow. See simpleminds.com for more info.

The band will be appearing at HMV Glasgow on the 25th May and signing copies of Graffiti Soul. It'll kick off at 3:00PM.

For those who missed it, Exceptional In The 80s can be heard again using the BBC's iPlayer (this is a direct link to the show). The interview with Jim starts one hour, twenty three minutes into the show.

It was a little disappointing as only two tracks were played (New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) and Promised You A Miracle). But definitely worth a listen.

Rockets is getting plently of play on Absolute Radio and has been C-listed for BBC Radio Two. And speaking of BBC Radio Two, Jim will be appearing on Richard Allinson's show on Monday 4th May. The show, titled Exceptional In The 80s celebrates the music of the 1980s and the featured classic album is New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84).

The show starts at 13:00. See the BBC website for more information.

Joining Sample Minds and Simple Minded are Simply Minds an Irish tribute Simple Minds band. They'll be playing the Rob Roy, in Cobh, on May 2nd.

Quite Simply, this rocking cover band are Alive And Kicking

I'm sure there are people out there who have already booked their tickets to see Simple Minds at The Marquee this summer but no doubt there are those also who are left wondering Simple who?

For hardcore fans, aficionados and novices alike, there is a band to get you in the mood for, or get you up to speed with, Simple Minds. They are Simply Minds.

Placing more emphasis on sounding rather than lookign the part, their aim is not just to play the music of Simple Minds as best they can but to concert people into fans of the Scottish band.

Vocalist John McGuire has been a lifelong fan of the iconic group.

"I have a soft spot for them because my father is from Glasgo and I'm half Scottish and I got into the Scottish feel of it," he explains. "I got really into their music then their early stuff. I was hooked."

Simple Minds reached their hgih point in the mid Eighties with their version of Don't You (Forget About Me) taken from the teen movie The Breakfast Club and their massive selling album Once Upon A Time which spawned smash hits such as Alive And Kicking. Many people would be forgiven for thinking they split up in the Nineties but while their output decreased McGuire insists the quality of their early work is still evident. He points out that one of their tracks from their recent album, Black And White 050505 is used in Sky Sports' coverage of Scottish Premier Leauge matches.

"Obviously when you're playing a pub and you want to spread what Simple Minds are about you're going to have to do their best known stuff anyway. What we do is 65 to 70% of their commerical stuff, which would include obviously Waterfront, Promised You A Miracle, Mandela Day, Don't You (Forget About Me), Glittering Prize, Ghostdancing, Sanctify Yourself and Belfast Child. Then we do stick in stuff maybe only the hardcore would know, songs like Big Sleep from New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84), Speed Your Love To Me and Book Of Brilliant Things.

The Cork five-piece features another Scottish connection in Dundee-born guitarist Mick Feeney.

He's seen Simple Minds live about 40 times. When he received a call from McGuire to join the cover artists he thought it was a wind up.

"We're not after an ego trip," insists McGuire. "We've been there and done that with our own original rock bands in our day. What this is basically is going out there, putting on agood show, having a good old night and just rocking the house."

They will be playing the Rob Roy in Cobh on May 2nd.

www.youtube.com/user/simplyminds01

Don O'Mahony
Evening Echo

Simply Minds
Irelands only Simple Minds Tribute Act

Biography

SIMPLY MINDS were formed in early 2007 by five musicians with a love for the music of Simple Minds. Lead vocalist, John McGuire put this project together with his brother Paul (bass), Tim (drums), Larry (keyboards), and Mick (guitar), a Scot, all the way from Dundee. Simply Minds is a band with a difference. Their goal is not to look picture perfect like most tribute bands, but to get as near as possible to ‘sound perfect’ for their audience. At present the band are planning a nationwide tour that kicks off in 2009 in Cork city.

Simply Minds launched to a capacity crowd in the Old Oak Bar in Cork in November 2007 and this was followed in quick succession by three more sell out gigs in An Crúiscín Lán and Mulligan’s Bar. Due to their realistic Simple Minds sound, the band has been interviewed several times by radio and print media.

In 2009, the band have plans to play venues in Dublin, Galway, Limerick and throughout Ireland and also intend to travel to Scotland to see Simple Minds play live in Edinburgh Castle.

Simply Minds takes its inspiration from the Scottish band Simple Minds. Formed in 1977, Simple Minds started out like most bands, playing pubs, clubs and universities. The punk era was rampant and you can hear this influence in their early material. Virgin Records signed the band in early 1981 after seeing a worldwide market for their style of music. The album New Gold Dream is still regarded as one of the all time greats. A string of hits throughout the 1980’s included their first stadium anthem Waterfront and Promised you a Miracle and resulted in their first US number one hit Don’t you Forget about Me. Their performance at LIVE AID in ’85 was up there with U2 and BOWIE. After 30 years they're still pumping the hits out.

Contact Details: Paul McGuire or simplyminds01@gmail.com
www.youtube.com/user/simplyminds01

Greetings to all the fans of the Minds

"Just a quick note to let you know that it's official - Some Sweet Day 2009 is May 28th! We'll again have a great 18 hours featuring the great musical history of Simple Minds and the brand new Graffiti Soul and it's sister album Searching For The Lost Boys.

SSD09 is part of WBWC's annual Summer Marathon Series (the whole list can be found on wbwc.com) where every Thursday in summer we feature one band or artist all day. Starting at 7am and on to 1am (USA EST), we'll dive into the rich history of Minds music, including rare tracks, live recordings, guest appearances and so much more. Of course, we might even have a phone call from a friend or two :)

Send in your requests (day of show) to request@wbwc.com, or drop us a phone call at 440-826-STING (7846).

All of us at 88.3FM look forward to Some Sweet Day'09 come May 28th!" - Todd Richards

"These guys just keep crankin' out great albums! This one really sounds like a classic 'Minds LP with simply great songs. Produced by Jez Coad, it won't let you down!" - Bob Clearmountain writing on his website about Graffiti Soul

Simple Minds have a fantastic eight page spread in this weeks' Music Week. Alongside the main feature by Adam Woods are sidebars about the expectations for Graffiti Soul, hit single rundown, Simple Minds' live presence and a brief album discography.

The piece is illustraed with congratulory adverts from Noble PR, Universal (full page Graffiti Soul advert), Mojo Concerts, Kennedy Street, EMI, Solo, Regular Music and Bucks Music Group.

A definite must for any fan.






"Simple Minded are a Scottish tribute band to, yes you've guessed it, Simple Minds.

If you get a few minutes, please check out some audio clips of our last rehearsal uploaded to uk.myspace.com/simplemindstribute. Please bear in mind that this is only our 3rd rehearsal, and we are improving all the time. But it would be nice to have some feedback on how we have progressed so far.

Cheers and thanks for looking" - Dave Kelly

More, more, more...
Simple Minds will be playing Horsens, Denmark on the 14th August. For more information, check out www.rockilunden.dk.

Veteran Scots Stadium Rockers Regain Credibility

Seeing how The Killers, Editors and White Lies seemingly have such an in-depth working knowledge of Simple Minds' back catalogue, maybe it's time for these one-time U2 pretenders to be taken seriously again. Backing that up is what might well be the best album Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill have put together since 1984's Sparkle In The Rain. Sounding big, powerful and re-energised, yet shorn of the self-important bombast that effectively torpedoed their career in the '90s, such tracks as Light Travels, the unrelenting motorik drive of Moscow underground and hook-laden lead single Rockets can still show all those young upstarts a thing or two.

Download: Moscow Underground / Rockets / Light Travels

Peter Kane, Q
***

Fifteenth studio album successfully recaptures their mid '80s heyday

Without a UK Top 10 single or album for 14 years, Simple Minds have been off the scene, in chart success terms, for longer than they were on it. Graffiti Soul arrives when newer acts like White Lies are revealing just how much of the Minds' musical DNA has been passed on. There are glimpses of the antique brilliance of Jim Kerr and co's art-rocking roots on the propulsive, half-heard quality of Moscow Underground, and the beguiling melody of Blood Type O, whilst the first single Rockets and stand-out track Stars Will Lead The Way have the sort of riffs that would've filled stadiums in the '80s. The music is taut, the vocals, if anything, under-emoted and the overall feeling is that of a muse rediscovered.

David Buckley, MOJO
****

Simple Minds are featured artist in this week's Music Week magazine. Included in this tribute issue are eight glossy colour pages about Simple Minds including supportive messages from their partners, a profile, new album review and a discography.

Q Magazine have also reviewed the album:

Veteran Scots Stadium Rockers Regain Credibility

Seeing how The Killers, Editors and White Lies seemingly have such an in-depth working knowledge of Simple Minds' back catalogue, maybe it's time for these one-time U2 pretenders to be taken seriously again. Backing that up is what might well be the best album Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill have put together since 1984's Sparkle In The Rain. Sounding big, powerful and re-energised, yet shorn of the self-important bombast that effectively torpedoed their career in the '90s, such tracks as Light Travels, the unrelenting motorik drive of Moscow underground and hook-laden lead single Rockets can still show all those young upstarts a thing or two.

***

Mojo have also reviewed the album awarding it four stars out of five. The back cover the magazine features a full page glossy advert for Graffiti Soul.


Further information about the one-track Rockets CD promo has been added to the discography along with the single's press release.


Radio Nora have published a video of Jim's interview with Volker Marczynkowski.

Photos of this interview, and one with Katharina Lentz, can also be found via Radio Nora's Simple Minds page.


Graffiti Soul will be initially released in three different formats:

graffiti soul: cd: quick reference
CD       Graffiti Soul Universal TBA
1. Moscow Underground(5:01)
2. Rockets(4:36)
3. Stars Will Lead The Way(3:26)
4. Light Travels(4:12)
5. Kiss And Fly(5:01)
6. Graffiti Soul(4:48)
7. Blood Type O(3:49)
8. This Is It(4:55)
9. Shadows And Light (bonus)(2:56)
10. Rockin' In The Free World (bonus) by Neil Young(4:17)


graffiti soul: deluxe cd: quick reference
CD       Graffiti Soul Universal TBA
1. Moscow Underground(5:01)
2. Rockets(4:36)
3. Stars Will Lead The Way(3:26)
4. Light Travels(4:12)
5. Kiss And Fly(5:01)
6. Graffiti Soul(4:48)
7. Blood Type O(3:49)
8. This Is It(4:55)
9. Shadows And Light (bonus)(2:56)
CD       Searching For The Lost Boys
1. Rockin' In The Free World by Neil Young(4:17)
2. A Song From Under The Floorboards by Magazine(4:39)
3. Christine by Siouxsie And The Banshees(3:13)
4. (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) by The Stranglers(3:53)
5. Let The Day Begin by The Call(3:02)
6. Peace, Love And Understanding by Nick Lowe(3:34)
7. Teardrop by Massive Attack(5:33)
8. Whiskey In The Jar by Thin Lizzie(4:00)
9. Sloop John B by The Beach Boys(4:35)


graffiti soul: vinyl: quick reference
2xLP       Graffiti Soul Universal TBA
A1. Moscow Underground(5:01)
A2. Rockets(4:36)
A3. Stars Will Lead The Way(3:26)
A4. Light Travels(4:12)
A5. Kiss And Fly(5:01)
B1. Graffiti Soul(4:48)
B2. Blood Type O(3:49)
B3. This Is It(4:55)
B4. Shadows And Light (bonus)(2:56)
C1. Rockin' In The Free World by Neil Young(4:17)
C2. A Song From Under The Floorboards by Magazine(4:39)
C3. Christine by Siouxsie And The Banshees(3:13)
C4. (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) by The Stranglers(3:53)
C5. Let The Day Begin by The Call(3:02)
D1. Peace, Love And Understanding by Nick Lowe(3:34)
D2. Teardrop by Massive Attack(5:33)
D3. Whiskey In The Jar by Thin Lizzie(4:00)
D4. Sloop John B by The Beach Boys(4:35)


The standard CD comprises the album in a jewel case with Graffiti Soul scratched across the plastic cover. The booklet includes a written introduction by Jim along with Gilbert and George style artwork for each song and the lyrics. The Deluxe CD includes the bonus CD Searching For The Lost Boys; both CDs are packaged in a Jake Box. The vinyl edition is based on the deluxe CD and includes two discs in a gatefold sleeve.

A Super Deluxe CD edition was also mentioned in a mail from the official site. This format is still being discussed.

Sample Minds deliberate playing Rockets live before Simple Minds in this video.

There's a rumour circulating that Simple Minds will play Horsens, Jutland in Denmark on the 18th August.

More remixes from the prolific JohnnyBGood:

And don't forget Billy Sloan tonight... and he exclusively played (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) along with Moscow Underground, Graffiti Soul and Light Travels.

Stars Will Lead The Way will be the first single in Germany; Rockets is still the first single for the rest of the world.

Many thanks to all those who sent me recordings of Billy Sloan's interview with Jim from last Sunday. A transcription of the introduction for This Is It is given below:

BS: The next track we’re going to play from Graffiti Soul, is track number eight, the track which rounds of the album: This Is It. Tee it off for us.
JK: I’ll tell you an interesting story about that. It nearly happened last year – when the original members came together to work on, what was going to be, two cover songs for a mooted 30 Years anniversary compilation. In the end, it didn’t happen... But at the last minute, we came up with a song. It had been planned that we would do two covers and at the last minute we came up with this song – the day the guys were getting together called This Is It.
JK: And I said "I can hear Derek Forbes playing this, I can hear Mick MacNeil playing this, they’ll eat it up." We took it to them and there was a good reaction. And the night before we were going to go in Mick called and said "This has got miles to go, this isn’t finished." And we said "That’s interesting because we think it is [finished] but if you think you can take it elsewhere then even better." And he was very doubtful about it all.
JK: And it was amazing that even though I hadn’t worked with Mick for twenty years I respected him – and my faith in the song was rocked for a couple of days. But it’s so nice that we’d done it. And it’s pretty much as the demo was and people giving their reaction to it – why are you laughing?
BS: I’m not laughing – I’m just smiling. Here it is, this is Simple Minds from Graffiti Soul and This Is It.



Tickets for the Simple Minds gig at Arènes du Palio, France on the 11th July go on sale on the 4th May. They may be purchased through www.fnacspectacles.com, www.ticketnet.fr and www.digitick.com.



Jim will be appearing on the German radio station Nora at around 5:00PM (German time) tomorrow (23rd April). The station have put together a page for the interview.

The first dates for the UK leg of the Graffiti Soul World Tour have been announced. (Which suggests all the previously announced dates are a continuation of the 30th Years Live concerts). There will be a pre-sale on the official site in the Free Members Area starting at 10:00 GMT tomorrow.

In a video announcement on the official site (which can be found in the Free Members Area) Jim (and Charlie) announce their plans for the tour - which includes trips to South America (September), North America and Canada (October), Europe (November) and the UK (November and December).

These concerts will include more of Graffiti Soul and some of the Lost Boys material.

Special guests for the American and UK legs are OMD (who are incidentally my second favourite 80s band so I'm extremely pleased about that).

The new tour dates can be seen here.

Hailed as one of the best "live" rock'n'roll bands in the world, Simple Minds are pleased to announce the UK leg of their forthcoming Graffiti Soul World Tour. The UK concerts will take in seven dates, and will dovetail the highly anticipated release of Simple Minds' 15th studio album Graffiti Soul, released on May 25th. Very special guests will be OMD.

"Particularly in these times it is vitally important for us to give as much value to our audience as possible," says Jim Kerr, lead singer and founding member of Simple Minds. "Playing a full set of hits and other surprises, I know that OMD will contribute so much towards making each of these shows into memorable events!" Between them both, Simple Minds and OMD have sold 75 million albums worldwide as well as chalking up over 40 hit singles.

Tickets for the UK will go on sale at 9am on Friday April 24th by calling the National Credit Card Hotline: 0871 424 4444, or book online at www.ticketline.co.uk. Dates include Newcastle Metro Arena (Nov 30), Birmingham LG Arena (Dec 2), Manchester MEN Arena (Dec 3), Sheffield Arena (Dec 5), Cardiff International Arena (Dec 6), London Wembley Arena (Dec 7) and Glasgow SECC (Dec 11).

"We are very excited to announce the UK leg of the Graffiti Soul tour," says Kerr. "Graffiti Soul is one of our most powerful albums to date. The new songs have an undeniable rock and roll edge and immediacy to them and we can't wait to perform them live!"

Click here for the full online announcement - www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/simple_minds/simple_minds_graffiti_soul.htm.

For further ticket and tour information, and interview opportunities with Simple Minds and OMD, please contact: Peter Noble and Will Taylor at Noble PR Consultancy, Tel: 0207 272 7772, peter@noblepr.co.uk, will@noblepr.co.uk



Simple Minds will be playing No 2, Terville, France on July 6th and Le Palio Arena, Les Nuits d'Istres, France on July 11th.



A pre-recorded interview with Jim was broadcast on Billy Sloan's show last night along with the first play of This Is It and the cover of Christine.

I only caught half the interview and missed the segment before This Is It. Apparently this was one of the tracks to be recorded by the original line-up reunion that never was - does anyone have a recording of Billy's show so I can verify this?



The BBC have put together a small video about the album. And STV have filmed Jim walking around Glasgow and talking about old haunts.

The full track listing of the album has been published by Amazon:

1. Rockin' In The Free World by Neil Young(4:17)
2. A Song From Under The Floorboards by Magazine(4:39)
3. Christine by Siouxsie And The Banshees(3:13)
4. (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) by The Stranglers(3:53)
5. Let The Day Begin by The Call(3:02)
6. Peace, Love And Understanding by Nick Lowe(3:34)
7. Teardrop by Massive Attack(5:33)
8. Whiskey In The Jar by Thin Lizzie(4:00)
9. Sloop John B by The Beach Boys(4:35)

The standard edition of Graffiti Soul will include two bonus tracks. The first, Shadows And Light, is a short song which was recorded prior to the album sessions. It's different in style than the main eight-tracks of the album and is more suited as a B-side - hence it's inclusion as a "bonus" track.

The second bonus track is the Minds' cover of Rockin' In The Free World.



Jim appeared STV's Five Thirty Show yesterday and the video of his interview can be seen on STV's website.

Back in Glasgow to see his folks and to promote his 15th studio album, Graffiti Soul, Simple Minds front man Jim Kerr also took the chance to wax philosophical about life on the road, typing and air conditioning in Italy. Interesting guy.

Out on May 25, the new album has, says Kerr, a zest about it that the band weren’t expecting: “The new album has gone beyond our beliefs. It has an energy about it that shouldn’t be there for people that have been around the block as many times as we have.”

The album’s headline single, Rockets, still captures the essence of the Simple Minds sound, and the video highlights long-lived Jim’s ability to dance around while pointing at the camera in his own inimitable way. I love that. That’s the way videos should be.

Born and raised in Toryglen in Glasgow (join Jim for a tour), he’s been off touring with the band for over 30 years now, taking in the highlights that the sparkling world of music has to offer. Now he even runs a hotel in Sicily where his air conditioning and typing skills come into play. But Jim insists that it’s still Scotland he that draws him back after all these years.

“It’s home in every sense,” he says. “People who know Simple Minds and know my story know that I’ve lived and travelled abroad. But I never remember any night where I’ve packed the bag and said Cheerio to Glasgow.

“We kind of went out hitchhiking and ended up in a band and went on tour but always the link has been back here. The bond has never felt broken in any sense.”



The video of the Absolute Radio interview with Jim and Charlie can now be seen on YouTube:



The Bonn gig (originally scheduled for the 12th June) has been moved to the 21st June.



Promos of Rockets have started to appear. They feature the Cenzo Townsend Remix of the title track.


Remix joy c/o JohnnyBGood

Those who missed Billy Sloan missed the first plays of Moscow Underground and Light Travels from Graffiti Soul and A Song From Under The Floorboards from Searching For The Lost Boys (originally by Magazine).

Other tracks aired included Stars Will Lead The Way and the Neil Young cover Rockin' In The Free World.

So, the track listing for Searching For The Lost Boys currently stands at:

Searching For The Lost Boys
1. Rockin' In The Free World
2. A Song From Under The Floorboards
3. TBA
4. TBA
5. Let The Day Begin
6. TBA
7. Teardrop
8. Whiskey In The Jar
9. TBA

The Rockets video has been exclusively posted online by the official site. It's available on their home page; alternatively (dodgy) copies can also be found on YouTube.

A complete opposite to the dark Home video, Rockets is crisp, clear and brightly lit. It features the four piece band in the studio against a sheer white background with a few special effects thrown in for good measure.



The Graffiti Soul EPK is now available on the official site (in the members section). This 13 minute video outlines Graffiti Soul: Jim and producer Jez Coad are interviewed, a segment of each track with background information is played, and the Gilbert and George style artwork illustrating each song is also revealed. (Which are slow pans over the artwork and lyrics in the CD booklet).



A short video introduction from Jim can be found on the Pinkpop site.



Running Against The Grain by Franco Battiato and a promo of One Step Closer by Planet Funk have been added to the Guest Discography.


Hollywood Mon Amour features Marc Collins take on various classic 80s soundtracks. Naturally, Don't You (Forget About Me) is included on the compilation.


From the JohnnyBGood remix house:


And don't forget that Billy Sloan will be playing another exclusive from Searching For The Lost Boys tonight.

Absolute Radio broadcast two exclusives last night (Stars Will Lead The Way and Graffiti Soul) within a lengthy thirty-two minute interview with Jim and Charlie. The new remix of Rockets was also aired.

Topics included the recording of the album (with the additional pressure of it being released on the back of the 30 Years Live Tour), the temptation to debut the new Graffiti Soul songs during the 30 Years Live Tour, the Rockets remix, selecting Rockets as the first single, the story of Stars Will Lead The Way (which has the best chance of being second single), whether Graffiti Soul is for old or new fans, other bands being influenced by Simple Minds, the so-called eighties revival, the story behind the song Light Travels, working together for 30 years, the story behind the song Graffiti Soul, getting opinions of their music and playing the festivals.

The interview is available as a podcast. Unfortunately, due to legal issues, podcasts don’t feature music so none of the songs are included. But it’s definitely worth a listen for the banter between Jim, Charlie and presenter Ben.

I didn’t listen to the broadcast so downloaded the podcast instead (which was available before last night’s broadcast). Interestingly this appears to be a slightly different edit to the broadcast version and features Jim and Charlie discussing Light Travels before the song is played. Therefore I believe they talked about three songs, and intended to play all three, but the final broadcast only featured two.



Futher remixes from JohnnyBGood:

Charlie has been interviewed by HMV. He talks about the recording of the album, returning to Rockfield, the forthcoming tour and much more.

Although you should be listening to what Charlie says, it gets distracting as Rockets, Moscow Underground, Graffiti Soul and Blood Type O can be heard playing in the background.



The full Absolute Radio with Jim and Charlie should be broadcast tomorrow along with the first play of Stars Will Lead The Way.

Billy Sloan played Rockets early in the show and then, due to public demand, repeated Let The Day Begin. Fans were kept waiting until the last part of his show when he exclusively played Simple Minds' version of Whiskey In The Jar (a traditional Irish song most famously covered by Thin Lizzy).

So, the track listing for Searching For The Lost Boys currently stands at:

Searching For The Lost Boys
1. Rockin' In The Free World
2. TBA
3. TBA
4. TBA
5. Let The Day Begin
6. TBA
7. Teardrop
8. Whiskey In The Jar
9. TBA



Just got back from an afternoon at the Adams Drumfestival in Tessenderlo (Belgium) and saw a brilliant drum demo from our favorite heavy weight drummer, Mel Gaynor! He was awesome! He gave a demo with his Taye kit and bashed around like hell. He was a bit late, but made this delay up with a steaming session. He dedicated Smooth Criminal (the version by Alien Ant Farm) to Michael Jackson who will be touring again. Then he played something funkier and introduced his kit (Taye) and finished with The Who’s Won't Get Fooled Again with a huge massive drum-solo.

After this demo my mate took me backstage to meet Mel and we had a brief talk. He was looking forward to the upcoming tour and confirmed that they’ll be playing 30 Years Gigs (like in the UK) after the summer. He was very pleased with the gigs in the UK and looked forward for the summer gigs. We talked a bit about the album and he wanted to know where I heard Rockets and Rockin' In The Free World so I told him about Billy Sloan.

He wanted to hear my reaction on those songs and said he really enjoyed the recording process. He told that recording was great fun and the new material screams out to be played live. He said to look out for the deluxe version with the covers, the recording sessions were great fun. Then it was time to go for a brief signing session and we said our goodbyes. He looked very sharp and laughed a lot. He took his time for everyone there and signed drumsticks, programs and some Simple Minds stuff. After the sessions he went away after giving me a pat on the back and a brief "see you in summer."

Klaus De Pillecyn

Earlier today a listening party was held at Universal Records in London. Twenty lucky fans were given the opportunity to hear Graffiti Soul, watch the album’s EPK (Electronic Press Kit) and see an introductory filmed "hello" from Jim.

This is part of the promotional push for the album. We needed people who could listen to the album, offer feedback and spread the word over the Internet. So, it was a matter of selecting those who ran websites, mailing lists and forums; and selecting those who posted frequently, eloquently and positively on those mailing lists and forums. We wanted to get the word out.

An equal number of fans were picked from the Simple Minds Mailing List and sosimpleminded.com forum.

Due to the quick organisation of the event (people were only contacted last week), it was only initially possible to offer places to those in the UK. And, unfortunately, space was limited to just twenty people.

Graffiti (graffito) is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property. Graffiti is sometimes regarded as a form of art and other times regarded as unsightly damage or unwanted.

Simple Minds have never been influenced by fashion, never jumped on the bandwagon of the next big sound nor taken much notice of prevailing trends. Instead the sound of their varied albums has grown from the situation the two main players find themselves in, the people they’re surrounded by and the sounds and magic this ensemble can conjure up. In this case, those trying to guess the direction of Graffiti Soul shouldn’t look towards the pop charts but at the line-up, the producer and the circumstances of its recording: namely Jim, Charlie, Mel and Eddie, producer Jez Coad and a residential studio.

The similarities between this and the recording of 2005’s predecessor Black And White 050505 should be clear. In consciously repeating the variables that lead to the success of Black And White 050505, Simple Minds have borne a successor which has caught the previous album’s sound and run boldly forward with it. But the new album isn’t a simple retelling of Black And White 050505; as Jim once said the key to a good song is searching for the tunes and in Graffiti Soul’s case they’ve struck melodic gold.

Like Black And White 050505, the collaborations have gone, and the core album remains a Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill composition (with notable additions from Andy Gillespie, Gordon Goudie and Sean Kelly). Charlie’s guitar is key and the riffs get lodged in your head: Rockets, Stars Will Lead The Way and the album’s triumphant conclusion, This Is it, all feature Charlie’s trademark sound.

The album isn’t all skyscraper guitars and euphoric choruses. The album’s opener, Moscow Underground, is a solid, dark groove, held in place by Eddie Duffy’s propulsive bassline, whilst Jim’s lyrics tell the tale of the subterranean explorers and dwellers who inhabit lost tunnels under the city’s Metro. Light Travels, a song spawned from the Black And White 050505 sessions, is a slow "Bowiesque" chill-out, the lyrics confirming the permanence of the physical world over time. Blood Type O, a nod to an Eastern custom of grouping traits by blood group instead of zodiac signs, enters an exotic world of dulcimers and alien sounds before tripping into a cacophony of blood banks and pumping machines.

The two middle tracks, Kiss And Fly and Graffiti Soul, are not as attention grabbing as their neighbours and could be relegated in status to album filler. But that would be doing them a disservice; these slow burners take a while to register, but that’s understandable when compared with the strength of the rest of the album.

The album’s sleeve notes give the (ancient) story behind the album’s title buried under piles of Gilbert And George style artwork (created by Edinburgh design firm Curious) with each song given a visual montage of cartoon images in bright primary colours. Once you’ve opened the front cover with its scratched graffito carved into the plastic, you’re visually in a completely different world from previous Simple Minds iconography. Pop art for a rock album.

In short, Graffiti Soul continues Simple Minds singular journey as they resolutely plough their own furrow, unfettered by the whimsy of the fashionable, the so-called cool and the current trends. It’s the next step and Graffiti Soul is a firm, resolute and positive move in the right direction. It’s a definite return to form.

Graffiti Soul: Track by track

Moscow Underground
Brooding, dark opener, with a visceral Eddie Duffy bassline which relentlessly kicks at the senses. Multi-textured dense song on nodding terms with Swimming Towards The Sun, sneaking the guitar riff from the Mind's 2003 retelling of White Light/White Heat. Dark lyrics linger on darkness, loneliness and a world out of control.
Please take me down where the rain drops,
Please take me down, down below.
Please hold me here where the dreams stop,
Please leave me here on my own.

Rockets
Upbeat Charlie Burchill rocker from the Gordon Goudie/Charlie Burchill partnership with a riff that embeds itself in your brain. Chosen as the first single, but that was a tough choice for someone to make.
You’re sending me rockets,
Fool’s circle again,
No matter how I plead this time.

Stars Will Lead The Way
Another single contender, another song built around one of Charlie’s unforgettable riffs. A double-whammy on the senses when heard immediately after Rockets.
Stars will lead the way,
Stars will light the sky,
Stars will fall through for you and I,
From the darkest days to the darkest side,
There is a long trail stretching here to you and I.

Light Travels
Light travels across the universe and all is well and all will remain well. A slow, Bowie style chill out track from the pen of Sean Kelly – but completely unlike Spaceface.
Light travels through the universe,
It arrives – it remains.
Things get better after things get worse.
I feel the same – nothing’s changed.

Kiss And Fly
Slow burner with an infectious chorus and crashing familiar guitar work from Charlie. Faint echoes of Mighty Joe Moon in the guitar sound.
So bring back the lover’s chains,
No letters need reply.
Let us go kiss and fly.

Graffiti Soul
Another grower built on a chunky bassline and progressive guitar chords. The most lyrically familiar song from the set with many references to "Lightning" and "Footsteps."
And when I’m rushing in my head yet cruising in control,
Admiring the spread beyond the neon sprawl,
There’s nothing I’d change in my graffiti soul.

Blood Type O
Quirky enigmatic track with exotic overtones thanks to the dulcimers used during the chorus. Only track on the album with the main melody on keyboards with Charlie’s effects liberally spread over the whole track. Ends with a bubbly cacophony of blood monitoring machines.
You do it so well,
Blood Type O – it’s all so long ago.

This Is It
Full bloodied triumphant fist pounding optimistic closure which sees the album out on a high. Another great Charlie number has he relentlessly cycles through the wonderful riff as the song builds to a crescendo. This Is It is not the full stop or terminal statement of the album but a mandate for the future:
There is a game in town,
This is it, this is it,
They call it new change.

Note: we heard the promo version of the album which is only eight tracks. The commerical edition of the album features an additional bonus track.

Many thanks to Universal Records and Simple Minds for the opportunity to hear the new album, watch the EPK, take home a goodie bag* and drink all the hospitality beer. (Some sandwiches were left however).

And thanks to those fans who gave up a Friday afternoon to travel to London to listen to the album.

(*Everyone who attended received a Simple Minds 30 Years Live bag containing a black tour T-shirt, the 30 Year Live Tour Programme, Claddagh ring, Claddagh keyring and Graffiti Soul Sampler CD).



So far two Graffiti Soul collectables have surfaced:

A full review of Graffiti Soul and details of the first collectables from the album will appear on Dream Giver Redux tomorrow evening.



I've received the following message from Mike Ogletree. Mike was the drummer in Simple Minds for the latter half of the Sons And Fascination and the first half of the New Gold Dream Tour; and, of course, one of the drummers on the sublime New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) album.

Mike Ogletree here, just been checking out your Dream Giver Redux site and wow, I have to say that it is impressive. I have been quietly following the Dream Giver site for the past couple of years and this recent incarnation is beautiful. My hat's off to you and your loyalty and dedication to the band is the best I've seen.

If you are interested I'd like to take the opportunity to fill you in briefly on my activities since 1982 and my current projects and plans.

1983-1984: I worked with Fiction Factory from Perth Scotland on their hit single Feels Like Heaven and follow up album Throw The Warped Wheel Out.

1984-1989: I moved to Milan Italy where I lived and worked as a session musician with several Italian musicians and bands.

1989-2006: I went into an extended period of seclusion with the Church Of Scientology where I worked as a sound engineer and musician in Italy and ultimately at their Film/Sound Studio called Golden Era Productions in California.

2006-Present: Moved on from the Scientology experience and located myself in Brooklyn New York where I now live and work.

My artist web sites are as follows:

www.myspace.com/blackscot
www.youtube.com/user/blaxcot

Current project: Last year saw the release of my first CD after two years of research into the life and works of Robert Burns. This CD consists of five of my own songs and six of Robert Burns'. This project revisits Burns' immortal memory and universal message in the context of contemporary music technology and style. As such the sound is a blend of funky reggae with my own stamp. The production is entirely my own. I composed, arranged and performed the CD as well as designing the cover art, mastering the final tracks and financing the replication of the final product. Apart from being dear to my heart as a native of Ayrshire (Burns country in Scotland) I am also a big fan of his poetry and consider his legacy one of the most important cultural contributions not only in Scotland but the world over. To that end this is an on-going project for which I am currently writing and producing material for a second CD.

I am writing to you at this time after a long period of preparation and production during which I have been readying myself for the presentation of my work as a solo artist. Living in New York for the last two and a half years is the touch that awakens a flood of creative energy in me to the point where I am now producing what I consider to be my best work ever. I invite you and all interested Simple Minds fans to visit my artist web-sites, read my blogs, listen to my music and send me your feedback.

Mike Ogletree




Work on Simple Minds' tour history continues with various updates to the tour listings. The New Gold Tour, Night Of The Proms 1997, Scotland Rocks For Kosovo, Grand Prix Night Of The Proms and Floating World tours have all been updated and reformated.

And for the first time, tour pages have been added for the 1997 Festival Tour and Neapolis Tour.

One of the unique aspects of these listings are the links back into the discography, namely official and bootleg releases. Therefore the following bootlegs have now been documented:


(Radio transcription discs will be linked into the tour listing in the future).



The problem with creating wallpapers from Simple Minds' classic album sleeves is one of aspect ratio i.e. square LP and CD covers don't sit neatly on a rectangular computer screen. This leaves two options: crop the image or expand it.

I chose the latter. In some cases, I've had to alter the design a little, but I think this gives a fresh, new, "widescreen" feel to many of the band's older designs.

This is the first batch. (Right-click on the name of the wallpaper you want, and select "Save Target As").

1900x1200 | 1680x1050 | 1400x900 | 1280x1024 | 1024x768


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Another date for the tour: Simple Minds will be playing L'Olympia, Paris on the 8th July. Tickets can be purchased through the Olympia website.

Jim and Charlie went on the Janice Long show and basically had a laugh.

The remixed Rockets was played and Graffiti Soul was mentioned a couple of times but the rest of the interview consisted of Jim’s forthcoming big birthday, how playing St. Mark’s, Venice was a little bit "Elton John", their favourite London hotel, the young Charlie trying to smuggle Hawkwind albums with dodgy gatefold spreads back into his house, meeting The Rolling Stones (with Charlie forgetting they’d played with them on occasion), getting drinks into Bryan Ferry and talking about Elvis, and three legged dogs.

You can listen to the interview through the BBC’s Listen Again service. The Simple Minds interview starts 15 minutes into Janice’s show.

Jim and Charlie have recorded an interview with Ben Jones of Absolute Radio. This will be broadcast next week – both as audio and video streams. However, as a taster, some brief excerpts from the interview were aired tonight.

Ben Jones queried the objectives of Graffiti Soul and asked whether it was for new or old fans. Charlie stated how the album would really work for old fans and the band were also finding new fans through their tours as parents brought their children to the shows.

Influences were also discussed with Ben citing the Killers, Keane and Snow Patrol as all influenced by Simple Minds. He joked how Spiralling by Keane should feature a "thank you" to Simple Minds at its end. Jim mentioned being interviewed by a reporter from the Dutch Telegraph who pointed out the opening paragraph of an interview with the lead singer of the Kings of Leon: I saw Simple Minds when I was twelve and I just wanted to be in a band.

Simple Minds’ influences were then mentioned with Jim joking how they’d stolen many ideas from David Bowie. Both agreed that no specific act had influenced Graffiti Soul but Jim and Charlie both mentioned MGMT’s album as a particular favourite.

The interview concluded with a mention of the Isle of Wight festival which had just been formally announced today (see the press release below).

The full interview will be played next week along with the first play of Stars Will Lead The Way.



DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT.SUNDAY!

SIMPLE MINDS / PIGEON DETECTIVES / THE SCRIPT /
GOLDIE LOOKIN CHAIN / JUDY COLLINS AND ARNO CARSTENS
COMPLETE SUNDAY'S EPIC LINE UP AT THE ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL 2009

Simple Minds, The Pigeon Detectives, The Script, Goldie Lookin Chain, Judy Collins and Arno Carstens join the immense main stage bill for Sunday 14th June at the Isle of Wight Festival 2009. This year's line up is guaranteed to kick off the festival season in sensational style, also featuring Neil Young, Stereophonics, Razorlight, The Prodigy and Basement Jaxx to name but a few.

Click here for the online announcement - http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/simple_minds/isleofwight.htm

Since forming in 1977 Simple Minds have had 6 UK number one albums making them one of the most successful Scottish bands. ever! Their astounding live shows have won them huge critical acclaim across the world, and their first appearance at this year's Isle of Wight Festival is set to be as epic as ever. Renowned for their number one hits such as Alive and Kicking, they first hit the top spot with the album Sparkle in the Rain paving the way to rock royalty. Their 15th studio album Graffiti Soul is due for release in May and will see the band return on fine form.

"We are very excited about playing the Isle of Wight," says Jim Kerr. "This is the first time Simple Minds have played the festival, so as you can imagine, we're really looking forward to it. We'll be performing songs from our new Graffiti Soul album and some classics gems."

The Pigeon Detectives, one of the most popular acts of 2008 are due to hit the Isle of Wight Festival's main stage with full force this year. With the success of their debut album 'Wait For Me', and its follow up 'Emergency', the Leeds quintet are renowned for their high-energy performances and sing-a-long anthems.

Multi platinum selling rockers The Script, join Sunday's spectacular main stage line up. Having sold 600,000 albums in 2008 alone, securing 3 top ten singles, the Irish three-piece have gone from strength to strength and are set to bring down the house with their intense blend of rock and pop.

Welsh rappers Goldie Lookin' Chain, never cease to amaze and amuse with their unique take on bling, riches and rides, so prepare to learn a lesson or two from the outspoken 8 piece at the Isle of Wight Festival 2009. GLC's new album 'ASBO4LIFE' is due out this summer so expect another selection of culture crushing classics from the Newport boys.

Folk legend Judy Collins completes Sunday's line up and no doubt one of the most eclectic festival bills to date. The Seattle songstress began her career in 1960 covering songs by the likes of Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan with her unique soprano singing style. The Grammy award winner has dabbled in various musical styles including rock'n'roll and pop so expect something very special at this year's festival.

Now in its eighth year since its reincarnation in 2002, the Isle of Wight Festival brings together 50,000 free spirited, music loving, friends, families and festival goers in front of one almighty stage, in a simply stunning setting. It is undoubtedly one of the most distinctive and well-loved festivals on the calendar and the two UK Festival Awards for 'Best Major UK Festival' and 'Outstanding Contribution to Festivals' (awarded to John Giddings) is proof of just that.

The Isle of Wight Festival takes place 12th - 14th June at Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight. Tickets are on sale now, for tickets and more information check out - www.isleofwightfestival.com

For further information about Simple Minds and the new Graffiti Soul album, please contact:

Press - Peter Noble at Noble PR Consultancy Ltd - 0207 272 7772, peter@noblepr.co.uk
TV - Niki Sanderson / Non Stop - nikisanderson@nonstop1.co.uk
Radio - Joe Bennett / Lucid PR - joe.bennett@lucidpr.co.uk
Regional - Neil Adams / Neil Adams PR - neil@neiladamspr.com
Online - Sarah Thompson / Charm Factory - sarah@charmfactory.co.uk

For further information on the Isle of Wight Festival 2009 please contact:
Jacquie, Katy or Victoria at Amazing Media on 0207 292 8860 - firstname@amazingmedia.co.uk

For "Isle of Wight" TV/Radio enquiries, Tony Barker at TX Media
0208 883 4244 - tony@tx-media.co.uk

www.isleofwightfestival.com

And true to his promise, Billy Sloan played Rockets, Teardrop and, for the first time, Let The Day Begin (the cover of The Call).

(And there was a sly change of the lyrics in the third verse from Here's to the wall that bears their names to Here's to the Sparkle In The Rain.)

So, the track listing for Searching For The Lost Boys currently stands at:

Searching For The Lost Boys
1. Rockin' In The Free World
2. TBA
3. TBA
4. TBA
5. Let The Day Begin
6. TBA
7. Teardrop
8. TBA
9. TBA

Simple Minds will be playing Piazza San Marco, Venice on the 14th July to raise funds for some of the city's monuments. The official press release can be read here.

ANSA - VENEZIA, 27 MAR -Simple Minds in concerto a Piazza San Marco a Venezia il 14 luglio per la raccolta fondi promossa dalla onlus 'Sms Venice'. Il progetto 'Sms Venice' e' partito nel 2008 dall'unione di intenti del Comune di Venezia, della Soprintendenza e di Fran Tomasi & Associati. Tra gli obiettivi della campagna 2009, il restauro di parti della Chiesa dei Gesuiti, di quella di San Giorgio Maggiore, del Ponte di Rialto, della Scuola di San Rocco e della Chiesa di San Giuseppe.


Neil McCormick in Simple Minds grovelling apology shocker? Read all about it here, where the Telegraph blogger had to issue a 'sorry' after lumping the Minds in with reforming artists such as Spandau Ballet, The Eagles and The Police.

Still, McCormick has heard the new album and all is good: "Their forthcoming album, 'Graffiti Soul', is certainly as good as anything in their classic back catalogue."



Don't forget to listen to Billy Sloan on Sunday night for the next exclusive play of a track from Searching For The Lost Boys.

Billy Sloan played Rockets again on his Sunday night show plus the exclusive first play of Teardrop, a cover of the wonderful song by Massive Attack, which is part of the Searching For The Lost Boys bonus CD. (Which is only available with the deluxe version of Graffiti Soul.)

Billy will be playing another exclusive cover next week.

Both CDs feature nine tracks. The track listing so far revealed is:

Graffiti Soul
1. Moscow Underground
2. Rockets
3. Stars Will Lead The Way
4. TBA
5. TBA
6. TBA
7. TBA
8. This Is It
9. TBA (bonus track)

Searching For The Lost Boys
1. Rockin' In The Free World
2. TBA
3. TBA
4. TBA
5. TBA
6. TBA
7. Teardrop
8. TBA
9. TBA





Rockets is now on the playlist of Absolute Radio (it's listed on their homepage).



And don't forget about JohnnyBGood:

Take the following with a pinch of salt as it's not confirmed:

Simple Minds, OMD touring this fall

Simple Minds and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are planning a North American tour this fall, according to promoters with the bands.

"The plan is for them to hit South America the first three weeks of September and start in North America around Sept. 23/24 through the end of October with OMD coming along for the U.S. tour," says Rick Shoor, who is serving as Simple Minds' U.S. agent. "They're in discussions with OMD for their European dates as well but so far they've only confirmed their intent to tour with us in North America."

Both Simple Minds and OMD celebrated their 30th anniversaries in 2008. Simple Minds are working on a new album -- Graffiti Soul -- set for for a May 25 release. A bonus album of 10 covers (including Neil Young's Rockin' in the Free World, Thin Lizzy's Whiskey in the Jar and The Call's Let the Day Begin) will be sold as part of a special edition of Graffiti Soul.

blogs.tampabay.com



Sample Minds - the tribute to Simple Minds are playing 2 UK club dates at the end of March.

  • 27th March 2009 - The Diamond, Nottingham
  • 28th March 2009 - The Thomas Tripp Lat 'n' Live, Christchurch, Dorset

As well as all the hits, expect a few 'fan favourites' in the 2 hour sets.

More information can be found at: www.sampleminds.com.



MIND2MODE – Somewhere in Summertime 2008

This 6 part rockumentary follows the band throughout 2008 with live, rehearsal and backstage footage. Of interest in Part 6 is our attempt to re-create the legendary 85 Kerr / Bono New Gold Dream moment!

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JbcaxRXlpc
Even Better Than the Real Thing
New Years Day
I Feel You
Hunter and the Hunted (Jacky’s Remix!)
Sanctify Yourself

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZrS0HRmjL0
Beautiful Day
It’s No Good
Someone Somewhere in Summertime
Desire

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzNihfXchmk
Never Let Me Down Again
Waterfront
Where the Streets Have No Name

Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dT3Ubm1dJo
Personal Jesus
Love Song
Discotheque

Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRPcBr-4qY0
Enjoy the Silence
Ghostdancing
One
Master and Servant
Alive and Kicking
Vertigo
Precious

Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZdn0-T5cpA
New Gold Dream (featuring Bono!)
With or Without You
Just Can’t Get Enough
Don’t You Forget About Me
The Hands that Built America

We filmed a lot of stuff during the year + had some fantastic fan contributions from camera phones etc. What we ended up with is essentially a scrapbook of our adventures ‘on the road’. We hope you enjoy it!

M2M

More tour dates have started to circulate:
  • 28th June 2009: Tempo Festival, Ciney, Belgium
  • 31st July 2009: Suikerrock Festival, Tienen, Belgium
  • 8th August 2009: Lokerse Festival, Lokeren, Belgium

And in the great tradition of Simple Minds exclusives, Billy Sloan got first play of the new single Rockets, the first track from Graffiti Soul to be aired. Of course, some vintage Minds had to be played to whet the appetite and Billy chose some "experimental" tracks from their back catalogue.

And if that was not enough, Jim phoned in and joined him on the show.

Audio: Premonition.

BS: Does Graffiti Soul see a return to the more experimental Simple Minds sound?
JK: Last time I was on the show was during the last week of recording at Rockfield and I was saying it was a pop album but spiky. And I think it’s that you’re picking up on.
BS: How is the approach different from Black And White 050505?
JK: I just think this the next step. It’s been a decade since we got our "mojo" back again. You could hear it with Cry, the melodies were coming back even though it wasn’t a complete album. And it continued with Black And White 050505. The confidence has gelled on the new album. There’s a band with a real certainty again.
BS: You were raving about the contribution made by Charlie. It’s a great Charlie record.
JK: It is, but all the keyboards are Charlie as well as all the innovative sounds. One track came out of Charlie and Gordon Goudie (he wrote Home with Charlie) and when they get together there’s a lot of firepower and it’s that you’re hearing.
BS: I’m going to play 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall from Sons And Fascination which I think is a long neglected song. What do you remember from that time?
JK: It’s interesting as you mention that period within the context of the new album as there are parallels – we came up with new things every day with great force and great hooks.

Audio: 70 Cities As Love Brings The Call.

BS: Where did Rockets come from?
JK: It’s really a tune we’ve had lying around for some time, but couldn’t manage to get the right arrangement. It’s got some amazing effects (care of Charlie). The version you’ve got is the album version and the radio version is being done this week.
BS: I’ve been playing the new album, I’ll be playing select tracks over the next few months, and would you say Rockets is representative?
JK: I’m taking the album around the international record companies as we’re working with Universal who are new to us. There are three or four tracks on the album which could be a new single. But when we played Rockets there were nods of approval. The last time I felt this way was with The American – it was something classic, yet something new.
BS: I remember back in the 1980s, you coming on a plane back to Glasgow, getting a taxi to Radio Clyde, and leaving a white label of The American with a note on it: "If you like it, play it – if you don’t like it, bin it!"
JK: Not much has changed! If I was in Glasgow, I’d still be in a taxi to the Clyde offices. But I think white labels have gone these days.

Audio: Rockets (Album Version)

BS: There's been a great reaction on the e-mail. Are you looking forward to playing it live?
JK: We had a great tour just prior to Christmas and we’ll be able to add the new songs to the set. Rockets, and about all of the tracks on the new album, will transfer to playing live. After the summer, there will be six months of solid touring – we’re really looking forward to it.
BS: It must be a big thrill to be heading to Edinburgh Castle.
JK: There are quite a few people interested in recording that with us. It’s an amazing place and an honour to play there.
BS: Have you ever visited it or walked around it?
JK: As a wee boy I remember walking around it. Everybody who lives in Scotland seems to visit. And people from all over the world are coming to see us there. But we’re getting requests to play almost everywhere these days.

BS: There’s a deluxe version of Graffiti Soul with a second disc called In Search Of The Lost Boys. What’s that?
JK: When we were doing the album, we were recording in Rockfield, which is a residential studio. This meant there was nothing to do but work! And we did a ton of recording; from the first thing in the morning to last thing at night. As everyone in bands do, we were playing cover versions. We really got into it. And we hit a spark. So we put together nine songs for the deluxe version of the album, and the disc is called In Search Of The Lost Boys and I’ve written some sleeve notes to explain it. Some people say there’s a stigma with cover versions (I don’t know why as I’ve just been listening to a Johnny Cash album which is nothing by covers) – but playing covers you find the fan inside yourself and you revert to little boys – and that’s where the title comes from. But I can see doing a Lost Boys set – do five or more covers –
BS: You could support yourselves.
JK: We could support ourselves... We wouldn’t go a as far as U2 (dressing up as cowboys) but some of the tracks are getting a great reaction in themselves.
BS: The covers include songs by Magazine, The Stranglers, Thin Lizzy, Siouxsie And The Banshees, The Call and The Beach Boys.
BS: I’m going to be playing Keep On Rockin' In The Free World by Neil Young. Why cover that song?
JK: He’s someone we admire greatly. We covered him on Neon Lights. But it’s all about the riff on this one. Rock and roll is a very simple thing in concept but difficult to play well and make it speak.
Audio: Keep On Rockin' On The Free World

As the interview finished, Billy confirmed he’ll be playing a track from Graffiti Soul and/or a track from In Search Of The Lost Boys each week for the next months.

You should listen to Billy Sloan's show tomorrow on Radio Clyde. (Unfortunately on-line streaming is only available to those in the UK).



Jim will be appearing on Janice Long's show (BBC Radio 2) on the 31st March.



Another tour date has appeared: Les Déferlantes d'Argeles-sur-Mer, France: 10th July.

Simple Minds are playing the small club Le 112 in Terville, France on the 7th July. For more information see the press release. Tickets are available from www.ticketnet.fr or www.fnac.com.

And they've been announced for the Rock Um Knuedler Festival, Luxembourg for the 5th July (which is a free concert).

More information about the Blickling Hall gig can be found on EDP24 website.

Simple Minds will be undertaking a series of outdoor concerts and numerous outdoor music festivals during the summer of 2009.

The latest concert to be added to the summer 2009 schedule is Norwich Blickling Hall on Friday 17th July. Tickets are priced £37.50 and will go on sale from Friday 6th March at 9am from the Ticketline Hotline: 0871 424 4444 and the National Trust: 0844 800 4308. You can also order tickets online from www.ticketline.co.uk and www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events.

The summer concerts will showcase material from Simple Minds' highly anticipated 15th studio album of new material Graffiti Soul, released by Universal Music on Monday 25th May 2009, as well as the bands' classics - Waterfront, Alive and Kicking, Speed Your Love To Me, Promised You A Miracle, Sanctify Yourself, Glittering Prize, I Travel and Don't You (Forget About Me).

To view the band's other confirmed summer tour dates, click here - www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/simple_minds/simplemindstour.htm.

For further info and interview opportunities, please contact:
Peter Noble at Noble PR Consultancy Ltd
0207 272 7772, peter@noblepr.co.uk



More from the ever-prolific JohnnyBGood:

More tour dates have started to circulate.

The Simple Minds bibliography has been expanded, rewritten and finally published here. This includes professionally published books, fan published books, unpublished books, proofs and press releases.



Obligatory remix time c/o JohnnyBGood:

Simple Minds are playing the Liverpool Summer Pops again this year. The gig takes place on the 21st July. More background about the concert can be found on the Liverpool Echo's website.

Tickets are available from 9AM on Friday, 27th February from ticketline.co.uk.



Derek's going out on tour with Los Mondo Bongo: "The band consists of myself on bass, Mike Peters on guitar and vocals, Steve Harris on lead guitar, Pablo Cook on percussion and Smiley on drums. Also on tour with us is Ray Ganges (Rude Boy) DJ in the Clash film, Pascal, Steve Kirk and Pat Gilbert (Journalist extraordinaire). The songs are Mescaleros and Clash classics." - Derek.

For more info check out www.myspace.com/themescaleros.



Whilst I was writing Who's Doing The Dreaming Now? in the 1990s, John Gilheany contacted me about a Breakfast Club comic he'd put together. Now, after all those years, he's put it online along with a whole host of extras (which includes a letter I wrote all those years ago).

The comic's available via a special blog site.



The early tour listings have now been reformated. Many now feature extra pictures, more notes about tour dates and extra tour paraphernalia.




Updates to the discography include a rare German promo CD of Cry.



JohnnyBGood's being quietly remixing more material:

Simple Minds
Unveil New Album
'GRAFFITI SOUL'

International Release: May 25th
The Universal Music Record Label

Hot on the heels of their 30th Anniversary Celebration Tour that saw them playing to over a quarter of a million people during their sold out 2008 European/UK arena tour, and their performance at Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday concert in London’s Hyde Park, Simple Minds are about to enter the most prolific period within their extensive career with the highly anticipated brand new album Graffiti Soul due for international release on May 25th by Universal Music Records label.

Their 15th studio album, Graffiti Soul was initially written on location in Rome, Sicily, Antwerp and Glasgow. Simple Minds then returned for the first time in almost three decades to the famous Rockfield Studios where the Scottish group originally recorded their earlier seminal albums Real To Real Cacophony, Empires And Dance and sowed the seeds of New Gold Dream.

Produced by Jez Coad and Simple Minds, the new album was mixed in Los Angeles by the legendary Bob Clearmountain, who previously mixed Simple Minds' multi platinum Once Upon a Time album, and who’s mixing credentials include Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The USA, David Bowie’s Let’s Dance, and Roxy Music’s Avalon.

"Graffiti Soul is a bold and energetic collection of songs, and we could not be happier with the result,” says lead singer, Jim Kerr. “Stylistically, this is a truly vibrant rock’n’roll album that’s bursting at the seams with quite possibly the most ballsy pop songs we have written in years."

Although the heart and soul of Graffiti Soul is contemporary in sound, the feel of classic Minds is evident, although the spirit of some of Simple Minds’ original contemporaries such as Joy Division, Magazine and the Stranglers, are not far away.

Continues Kerr, "It’s taken us a while, but over the last couple of years Charlie Burchill and I have put together a great team of individuals to work with, and that, as well as a revitalised and energetic new commitment has triggered an effect that has dramatically overhauled Simple Minds. Graffiti Soul is testament to that."

In addition to the launch of the new album, Simple Minds are in the process of confirming an extensive Graffiti Soul World Tour that will encompass a lot of songs from the new album, plus the band’s best loved classics including Alive and Kicking, Sanctify Yourself, Waterfront, Promised You A Miracle and Don’t You (Forget About Me).

“It was a great pleasure making the new album,” concludes Kerr. "Sometimes you hit a period where everything just fits together perfectly and turns out exactly as you hoped it would. Graffiti Soul reflects that very sentiment, and much more.”

www.simpleminds.com

For further information please contact:
Press & Publicity: Peter Noble at Noble PR
Tel. 020 7272 7772, peter@noblepr.co.uk



Further information about the new album can be found in the press release section and on the album's page.

This review of the recent wembley gig appeared in Record Collector:



Collectors will be interested in the Canadian commercial 7" and promo 7" of Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) which has just been added to the discography. The promo is of interest for two reasons: it features an exclusive remix of the title track (which is actually an edit of the extended version) and it includes the most gushing press release I've ever read.



The page detailing the Winter Proms concerts has been updated with new pictures and information.



The by-now obligitory JohnnyBGood section:

Bret Easton Ellis (“Less Than Zero” and “American Psycho”) adapts his own acclaimed novel for the screen, returning to the Los Angeles of the early 1980’s with a multi-strand narrative that deftly balances a vast array of characters who represent both the top of the heap (a Hollywood dream merchant, a dissolute rock star, an aging newscaster) and the bottom (a voyeuristic doorman, an amoral ex-con). Connecting all his intertwining strands are the quintessential Ellis protagonists—a group of beautiful, blonde young men and women who sleep all day and party all night, doing drugs—and one another—with abandon, never realizing that they are dancing on the edge of a volcano. Filmed with uncommon glamour and grit by acclaimed Australian director Gregor Jordan (“Ned Kelly,” “Buffalo Soldiers”), THE INFORMERS is an alternately blistering and chilling portrait of hedonism run amuck. The film stars Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Mickey Rourke, Winona Ryder, Jon Foster and Amber Heard.

The Informers hits theaters starting on April 10th 2009.

Why have I mentioned this? Although the trailer is NSFW (Not Safe For Work - features nudity), it definitely needs to be heard. The unrated trailer can be viewed here. Turn the volume up.



Anton Pieete's track The Players features a sample of Promised You A Miracle. This is available through www.itunes.com on his Players EP.

(It's a simple repeated sample but very distinctive and instantly recognisable).



More from the now fully-fit JohnnyBGood:

Here's the background story behind the design of the Once Upon A Time stage.

Right: A hologram of the Once Upon A Time stage which was sent to band and management by Light And Sound Limited. Limited to ten copies. Unfortunately holograms are extremely difficult to photograph but there's definitely one there.



Back in late 1999/early 2000, I was surprised to hear a track played on Radio One which featured the unmistakable riff from New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84). After a bit of digging around, it turned out to be Humanistic from Kawala.

(See the News 2000 section for more info).

Unfortunately the New Gold Dream sample only featured on the Souled Out! Radio Edit version of the track. And because it didn't chart, it remained somewhat illusive. However, thanks to the power of the Internets, it can now be heard again.



My local newspaper, The Cambridge Evening News, have celebrated the 25th anniversary of Now That's What I Call Music Volume One (a long running compilation series which is still going strong today) by running a poll to find the most popular track on the first compilation.

Apparently the News feels that Kagagoogoo's Too Shy is worthly of the description "classic" but I think everyone should VOTE VOTE VOTE to ensure Waterfront by Simple Minds tops the poll.



The remixes have slowed recently, due to JohnnyBGood being struck down by pneumonia. But, he's fighting fit again:



On the back of JC Penney's thirty second version of The Breakfast Club (see news 2008) comes Don't You (Forget About Me The Covers (EP). So alongside the timeless Simple Minds classic and Hawk Nelson's version (which was used for the advert) are four other versions by the likes of pacific!, Son Lux feat. Dayna Kurtz, Soul Mafia and Mark Share Of The Greenskeepers.

Best approached with caution.

Simple Minds have been announced as the headliners of Pinkpop Classic which will be held on the 15th August. Tickets will go on sale on 11th April.

For more info, see the Pinkpop Classic website.


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