(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Nearly 31 years after it made its big splash in John Hughes' cult classic The Breakfast Club, the driving anthemic pop rock superhit Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds continues to enjoy immense love and nostalgia-fuelled affection of millions across the world.
While the veteran Scottish pop rock band might be best known for their Number 1 worldwide hit single along with classics such as Alive and Kicking and Belfast Child, their evolution from a post-punk art rock band into an expansive-sounding, stadium-filling pop band boasts of a discography filled with several noteworthy tracks.
Making their long-due, grand Doha debut at the 19th Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at the Doha Golf Club on January 29, Simple Minds with their spirited live act will mark the start of Qatar's eventful art and culture calendar.
Having sold more than 40 million albums since 1979 and breaking into the UK Top 40 chart a full 24 times, the band has continued to remain relevant as attested by their 16th studio album Big Music, which was released in October 2014 to favourable reviews.
It was in the mid-80s that the band matched the success of U2, and their 1982 album New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) is still regarded as their best album by some fans. In his artist biography on the band, Steve Huey of All Music writes, "Their early albums leaped from one style to another, with Life in a Day consisting mostly of dense, arty pop songs; critical acclaim followed the darker, more experimental art rock of Reel to Real Cacophony and the Euro-disco of Empires and Dance. The group began a transition to a more accessible pop style with the albums Sons and Fascination and Sister Feelings Call, originally issued together and subsequently split up."
Ever since they formed in 1977, Simple Minds has been said to "have ebbed and flowed from the mainstream consciousness". However, by continuing to tour across the world and draw huge crowds, the band has certainly emerged winners in the long run. Towards the end of 2008, the band embarked on a UK-wide arena tour to celebrate 30 years as a band. This was considered a great success by critics and fans alike.
Simple Minds' current line-up features founding members vocalist Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill on guitar and keyboards, along with drummer Mel Gaynor, Andy Gillespie on keyboards and Ged Grimes on bass guitar.
Organised by Qatar Golf Association (QGA), the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Doha Golf Club and long-term title sponsor Commercial Bank, the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2016 will be on from January 27-30. The prestigious USD2.5 million prize fund event welcomed more than 26,000 visitors in 2015 and reached a global TV audience of more than 400 million households. The upcoming 2016 edition is set to feature a field of established European Tour champions and rising stars.
When asked about their show at the Masters, Simple Minds seemed kicked about it. Ahead of their Doha gig, Community caught up with frontman Kerr for a chat:
Nearly 40 years on, how do you look back at Simple Minds' journey? What about this musical journey satisfies you the most?
We look back and there's a great fortune involved to have been doing what we were doing this long. If you had asked us 40 years ago what do you want out of this, we wouldn't have known or predicted this. We had no idea. We were innocent. We probably would have said we wanted to be a great band and we want to tour the world. But here, 40 years later, we are still doing what we love and I think this is what gives us the greatest pleasure.
Your last album Big Music enjoyed good response and reviews. In a time when musical tastes and wants have drastically changed, how do you manage to stay true to your signature sound and yet be contemporary?
I think we got it great in the last record. It takes a lot of work, a lot of trial and error, good commitment, and yes, just trying to figure it all out. Because at the end of the day it's subjective and it's not like a sport where you can know for sure you did great. You don't really know with music; tastes vary. But the most important thing is to do what excites you. You do you!
What about performing in Qatar are you guys looking forward to?
It will be our first time performing in Doha, which will be at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters on January 29. We have heard so many great things about Doha. So I am looking forward to exploring and discovering the city whilst we are there. We are also most excited about the gig, to be honest, and about really doing a good job. But of course, we are looking forward to having some time to look around and enjoy the city as we hear it's a great place.
Will you be looking at reinventing the Simple Minds' musical wheel in the near future?
I think we are looking at new chapters. You are always looking for new things. Things change but somehow stay the same. We like to have something that sounds fresh, like we try something new or revamp something we have tried 20 years ago, but still stick to our own identity. Overall, we control half of it and the other half is just instinct; it's the way it naturally unfolds.
Can you share one of your favourite memories from your concerts through all these years?
There are so many. One of the things I like about Simple Minds is that we try to give a 100 per cent every night. It doesn't matter if it's a big or a small gig or if it's a gig in the backwoods; we do our best. You look back at the end of the night and you know people were enjoying themselves. And that's the best feeling in the world.
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