10 Scottish Bands You Need To Listen To
8. Simple Minds
Known best for featuring on the soundtrack of beloved John Hughes' comedy The Breakfast Club with the sensational 'Don't You (Forget About Me)', Glasgow-based band Simple Minds have been influencing the music scene since 1977.
Before they were Simple Minds, this synth-pop band was the short-lived, in-your-face punk band Johnny & The Self-Abusers with core members and childhood friends Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill using the stage names Pripton Weird and Charlie Argue respectively. The same day the band released their only single ('Saints And Sinners'), however, they split up. Two weeks later, Simple Minds was born accompanied by a brand new line-up.
Influenced by the electronic sounds of David Bowie and Donna Summers, the group shot to glory in 1982 with their fifth studio album New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84). And from thereon the band only got bigger. Six UK No.1 albums, performing at Live Aid and Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday concert, and recently earning themselves an Ivor Novella Award in 2016, they're success can't be underestimated.
Alongside the aforementioned Breakfast Club hit, Simple Minds are best known for tracks including 'Belfast Child' and 'Alive And Kicking'. This is one band we certainly won't be forgetting about any time soon.