Eighties Scottish rock band, Simple Minds, are flying into the region this week to perform at Dubai Tennis Stadium (Jan 28) and the Doha Golf Club (Jan 29). If their name doesn’t ring a bell, you’ll certainly recognise their massive hits: “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”; “Alive and Kicking” and “Waterfront”.
Ahead of their gig, we spoke to front man Jim Kerr, to talk us through his past, present and future in music.
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PAST
Like everyone my age, mum and dad had The Beatles and Stones’ records in the house. I wasn’t really conscious of music until I was about 12 years old. A few years later, I started going to lots of gigs and within a six-month period I saw Ziggy Stardust, Brian Eno, Lou Reed, Bob Marley and The Who – I’d never even heard of Bob Marley at the time!
PRESENT
We’ve read that bands like Radiohead, Manic Street Preachers and Primal Scream have all cited Simple Minds as one of their influences. To know that your work has impacted bands like that is really flattering. Anyone who likes what we do — whether it’s a band or a listener — provides us with motivation. If we inspire anyone to pick up a guitar, bash some drums or just make a noise, then that’s great, you know?
FUTURE
There hasn’t been much new music that’s excited me in the last 12 months, but I was really impressed by the amazing debuts from a couple of bands: Scottish electronic outfit, Chvrches; American synth-poppers Future Islands; and indie rockers The War On Drugs. I really dig their stuff.
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Simple Minds, January 28, Dubai Tennis Stadium. theirishvillage.com