Inventing new sounds a decade sooner than anybody else since 1977
Simple Minds (est. 1977) is a legendary Scottish new wave band that is most famous for recording Keith Forsey's hit song "Don't You (Forget About Me)" for the Brat Pack movie "The Breakfast Club", which was released in 1985. However, the band is a lot more than a one-hit-wonder as they have released over a dozen of albums. Their sound and style is constantly evolving and they continue to pave way for new musical styles and ideas.
The original members include Jim Kerr (vocals), Charlie Burchill (guitar and violin), Michael MacNeil (keyboards and accordion), Derek Forbes (bass guitar) and Brian McGee (drums and percussion). Current line-up includes both Jim and Charlie, Eddie Duffy (bass guitar), Andy Gillespie (keyboards and programming), Sarah Brown (backing vocals) and a long-time drummer Mel Gaynor (drums). Notable past members include drummers Kenny Hyslop, Mike Ogletree and Mark Schumann, keyboard player/guitarist Mark Taylor, bassists John Giblin and Malcolm Foster, vocalist Robin Clarke, percussionist Sue Hadjopoulos and violinist Lisa Germano.
The band's four most prominent albums are the new wave-era double-release of "Sons and Fascination"/"Sister Feelings Call", the new romantic epic "New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)", the bombastic synth rock spectacle "Sparkle in the Rain" and their most commercially successful album, the stadium rock-laden "Once Upon a Time". The band's latest album, "Graffiti Soul", has overall been well-received by many fans and critics alike. A follow-up album is currently planned, possibly coming out in 2010 or 2011.
Besides "Don't You (Forget About Me)", the band has also such popular songs as "Waterfront", "The American", "Belfast Child", "I Travel", "Someone, Somewhere (in Summertime)", "Promised You a Miracle", "Let There Be Love", "She's a River", "War Babies", "Home", "Moscow Underground" and "Stars Will Lead the Way".
The band is currently working on a new album with Steve Hillage, the producer for the classic 'Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call'. There is also a new hits collection (with newly recorded tracks included) prepped for release. Both albums are expected to appear sometime in 2012.
