08 Jul, 2011 Pre-Werchter Interview With Jim!
Annelore Brantegem ,known to many of the community of Simple Minds fans, is now also writing for the media in Belgium. Below is the recent interview she did with Jim Kerr regarding the upcoming Belgian Festival appearances
Q
The festival season is in full swing, which traditionally means we can look forward to a handful of extraordinary performances that will either firmly establish the artists in question in the music scene… or propel them into the pop and rock stratosphere.
According to those old enough to have been there, one such performance was the first appearance of Simple Minds at Torhout/Werchter in ´83. Returning to the Werchter festival site must bring back fond memories then, Jim?
What sticks out in your mind when you think back of those T/W performances in the eighties? Were they indeed as memorable and influential as we´ve come to think, or have they gained mythical proportions over the years?
A
Well, it certainly was magic to me. First of all we were all so young and inexperienced – God, even the festival itself was in its formative years. SM had never played to such a large crowd, had no idea that the music and the emotion behind it could carry itself across such a distance all the way up to the back of the site. Likewise we really needed to project as these were the days before huge video screens and fancy productions. But it worked …thanks to the magic.
Q
The fact that Simple Minds are now billed at TW Classic for the third time in its ten year history points to a continuous strong bond between the band and the festival organizers. But the same can be said for the Belgian audience in general; few marriages last as long as the love affair between Simple Minds and the Belgian public which has been going strong for over thirty years now.
How do you look back upon that affair?
Is there a noticeable difference between performing on Belgian soil and elsewhere (atmosphere wise)?
You´ve performed at some spectacular places over the years. Which of those stand out and, looking back, would any of your Belgian gigs make it amongst your favourites?
A
Regarding the enthusiam we have received in Belgium over the years – our appreciation knows no end. Hand on heart I say this! Why and how and what can we call this affair? No idea so lets just call it “The Love That Dare Not Speak It´s Name” and pray for our sake at least, that it continues! What is a fact is that the Belgian audience have never let Simple Minds down. Equally, I would hope that The Minds have always delivered way and above. Long may it remain!
Q
Unlike a lot of bands starting out at the same time as you in the late seventies, Simple Minds have never been on hiatus – or worse, dissolved – and have continued to produce new song material at regular intervals.
Does it irk you to be thrown on the same heap as “reunion bands” from time to time? While your omnipresence on the music scene in the eighties is a nice legacy, does it also become a burden when people continue to look at the past instead of the future of Simple Minds?
How important is it for you to not rely on past glories, but continue writing new songs and introducing them to an audience? Are you finished as an artist if you can´t produce any new material to keep things fresh?
A
What can I say? Our story is heading towards being 35 years in the making and the good news if you like what we do, is that we will make it to 40 years without doubt, and probably even 50 years is not too unimaginable. (That is obviously the bad news if you ain´t that keen!) But seriously, this means that throughout some people are more aware of the ins and outs of our story than others. That does not upset me really! I don´t think anyone owes us anything to be honest.
Q
Charlie Burchill and you are the two remaining original members of Simple Minds and have been the driving (songwriting) force behind the band in the past decades. What do you consider to be the main factor contributing to your successful collaboration?
A
The desire to continue is the motivator, but that desire comes from the love of what we do especially when we are doing it together. Sounds corny but it´s true. Admittedly throughout our history there has been times when the love has amounted to more than at other times. But at no time have we taken for granted the great life and times that we have experienced as being members of Simple Minds. It is a great life, and it is one that we invented for ourselves, that makes it even sweeter. At the end of the day we think that you would need to be nuts to walk away from like this way of life and this entity. But people have, so that tells you that while this kind of life is not for everybody, it most certainly is… for both Charlie and myself.
Q
People familiar with the band will notice that it has undergone a slight transformation, with the introduction of Ged Grimes on bass. Does working with new musicians pose challenges for an established – and perhaps set in their ways – band? Or is more of an opportunity to get a new, refreshing perspective when it comes to song arrangements for the live shows?
A
Due to circumstances last year, Ged Grimes made his live debut with SM by walking onto a stage in Paris and playing in front of more than 70,00 people. He did that not only without a rehearsal, he did it also without even the obligatory soundcheck…Oh and the gig was being broadcast live on radio. I call that pressure, but he was cool as a cucumber and played brilliantly throughout. Fact is, we only work with brilliant types and through the years we have surrounded ourselves with true talents. We have benefitted from all of them, each and everyone.
Q
Originally this summer tour was in promotion of a new – and now postponed – Best Of Simple Minds compilation album.
Does that mean we can expect a greatest hits package at Saturday´s gigs or do you plan to surprise the festival crowds by including some lesser known songs, or maybe even premier some new material?
( link to Stagefright download)
A
No precise idea yet, although the name of the festival kind of tells you what the crowd would be expecting!
Q
Talking of the upcoming Best Of album, how do you go about selecting songs from such an extensive back catalogue? Will it only span a certain period of Simple Minds´ career or only feature singles? Or is it more a compilation of your own favourite songs or songs that have proven to be crowd pleasers in the past years?
A
Lets be honest, Best Of/Greatest Hits are commercial projects. More record company initiatives than artistic. That said, we have recorded some new songs as a reward to the hardcore who support us through thick and thin.
Q
From your blogs, it appears that the past year has been very prolific in terms of songwriting, not only for your solo project Lostboy but also for Simple Minds. So that begs the question whether the new compilation will also feature some new songs? Or are you already busy putting together the follow up to Simple Minds´ last studio album Graffiti Soul (2009)?
A
See above re Best of. We are always writing in fact and currently scheduling studio time for September with a view to releasing new material next year.
Q
Simple Minds is often credited as an influence by a new generation of bands, both what musical output (eg. Bloc Party) and live performance (eg. Kings of Leon) are concerned. Do you give yourself a pat on the back when you read things like that, or are such references of little significance to you?
Looking at the offering of young and promising musicians, is there anyone who strikes you? Who would you look forward to sharing a festival bill with?
A
A pat on the back? No, more a little yelp of joy that lasts for about 3 seconds. Come on…it is great when people like what you do. No matter if its Joe The Mechanic, Suzie The Waitress or…..The Lead Singer from this years latest hot pop combo!
Q
Saturday evening we can either catch Simple Minds at TW Classic or at Rock Zottegem. Few bands would attempt to play two gigs in one night, so how do you plan to pull it off? Apart from live performances being very demanding, it must also be a logistical nightmare for your crew.
A
Well, without being arrogant I would say yes you are right! Few bands would attempt to do two festivals in the space of hours. Then again few bands have an energy like SM. Plus, we have a great crew who can act and think on their feet and that always helps. Fact is: The old time true greats like James Brown, Tina Turner , and Bluesmen like BB King regularly did two shows a night. It was expected of them and if you asked them why they did it they would have no qualms in saying “Just going where the crowd is and just following the money!!!”
I personally like that mentality. We are working musicians – so let´s take the good work and the benefits that come our way, and let´s see if we can convert even more Belgians to the sound of SM on the 9th of July.