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Simple Minds Reveals Why The 80’s Film, Breakfast Club Was The Perfect Fit For Their Hit-Song, “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” And What They Are Up To Now. (Hint-It’s a Brand New Album!)
Posted On 20 Nov 2014
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Tag: Alive and Kicking, Belfast Child, Big Music, Bono, Creedence Clearwater, David Bowie, Don't You Forget About Me, Eiffel Tower, Honest Town, Iggy, Jean Genie, John Hughes, Keith Forsey, KT Tunstall, Lou Reed, Midnight Walking, Peter Gabriel, Roxy Music, Simple Minds, Sly And The Family Stone, The Breakfast Club, The Doors, The Velvet Underground, Yousso N'Dour
Formed in 1977, Simple Minds achieved commercial success in the early 1980s and, despite various personnel changes, continue to record and tour. The band scored a string of hit singles, and are best known internationally for their 1985 hit “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” (UK No. 7, US No. 1, CAN #1), from the soundtrack of The Breakfast Club. Their other hits included “Alive and Kicking” (UK No. 7, US No. 3, CAN #3) and “Belfast Child” (UK #1).
Simple Minds, “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” video:
Simple Minds has now returned with a brand new album entitled Big Music. Recently, they announced a major Winter/Spring 2015 UK & European tour (from February to May 2015). Read the following interview for all the inside scoop on this latest release and how they have grown through the years.
Can you remember when the band first got started? How did you come up with the band name?
We started as a school band; a bunch of friends hell bent on mimicking David Bowie. We took our name from his song “Jean Genie”.
How do you think the band has grown over your thirty year career? Your relationships with each other, your feelings about the business, etc…
Everything has grown but the essence is still the same. We hunt down melodies, words, atmospheres, re-record them and take them round the world.
When you guys first put out “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” in 1985, did you have a feeling that it was going to be the hit that it was? What do you think it was exactly about that song that really resonated with people?
Not at all. We thought it would be just one of many songs to feature in John Hughes’ movie. It is a great rock/pop record – perfect for the storyline.
“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” has been covered by just about everyone. Do you guys have any favourites?
KT Tunstall did a cool version! Here it is:
How did the song get to be used in the cult film, The Breakfast Club? Did you agree that it was the perfect place for the song to be heard?
John Hughes had asked the writer and producer, Keith Forsey to come up with an idea to suit his script. Bingo!
You guys are about to release your first album of new material in five years. Tell me what it was like making Big Music?
It is never easy, we worked on and off over the years while touring. Some tracks required multiple attempts, others just landed in our lap.
Have you been preparing and writing this new album in the five years?
Indeed. Some of the melodies from the album go back a decade and more. Songs find their own time.
Can you talk about the inspiration for the album’s first singles released, “Honest Town” and “Midnight Walking”?
“Honest Town” involves a road trip through my hometown of Glasgow. My mother was the passenger. She romanticised wildly about her life and her town. Mum passed away a few days later. “Midnight Walking” is about people on the move all over this world.
What are other songs on the album that you are excited for fans to hear?
The title track itself in favorite of mine – makes me think of Sly and The Family Stone.
More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands have stood the test of time and really inspired the music that you’ve made?
The Doors, Roxy Music, the Velvet Underground, Sly and The Family Stone, Creedence Clearwater and more have stood the test of time.
Living or dead, are there any artists that you would love to work with and why?
I already had the chance to sing with Bowie, Iggy, Lou Reed, Bono, Peter Gabriel, Yousso N’Dour, so that is pretty cool.
Are you looking forward to touring Europe to promote Big Music? Any venues you are looking forward to playing at?
We love playing wherever and whenever. But Italian gigs are especially fun.
Where have been some of your all-time favorite venues to play at? What made them so great?
I do like the open air summer gigs. Favourite gig is at the bottom of a quarry in Sweden… I cannot remember the name.
Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
Performing at the top of the Eiffel Tower was pretty quirky for someone who does not like heights.
What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
The band has accomplished a body of work over nearly 40 years and we are determined to get better still.
