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This is a simple music documentary about the band Simple Minds. It tells the story of five young men from Glasgow who formed a band in 1977 and became successful stadium rockers in the mid-80s, alongside U2. The promotional material for the film describes them as “the most iconic and influential Scottish band in history,” although fans of other Scottish bands such as the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Bay City Rollers, and the Waterboys may disagree. Today, only two original members, frontman Jim Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill, remain in the band and they are still good friends. Kerr even says that their friendship is one of his greatest achievements, and it seems like he truly means it.
During the punk era, they formed a band and later transitioned to art rock. The lead singer, Kerr, had a striking appearance with black eyeliner and a unique monk’s fringe. In 1982, Simple Minds achieved their first successful song with Promised You a Miracle, and went on to have multiple number 1 albums in the UK. Their breakthrough to arena-filling stardom came in 1985 with the release of Don’t You (Forget About Me), which was featured in the movie The Breakfast Club by John Hughes. The band has told the story countless times that they were initially reluctant to record the track, feeling it was beneath them to release a single not written by themselves.
They landed their largest performance opportunity in the same year, appearing at Live Aid. Kerr recalls feeling annoyed with himself on that day for wearing the incorrect pants. It is these honest admissions that add depth to the film: both Kerr and Burchill are portrayed as genuine, humble, and relatable. Reflecting on the early 2000s when they faced potential obscurity, Kerr shares that he discovered a lot about himself while riding in a van to a show at a sparsely attended club, passing by a stadium where they had once sold out.
The band Simple Minds is still active, but with a more diverse lineup that includes drummer Cherisse Osei. Lead singer Kerr dismisses the idea that they are just a group of older men, joking that members of The Rolling Stones would never say that about themselves.
Source: theguardian.com
