19th December 1996
New Fanzines, Web Site Info
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Added extra information about the
new fanzines that have appeared over the last few months : Le Menti
and Simple Minds Magazine.
Fixed all external links from the site - the frames are now reset.
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December 1996
Producer Named In Who's Doing The Dreaming Now
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A producer has now been exclusively named in
Issue Two of Who's Doing The Dreaming Now. The fanzine also
features the latest news about a potential release date for the new album. Once fanzine subscribers have received
their copies, then this Web Site will be updated.
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13th November 1996
Web Site Info
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It's almost finished. The revamp took four months but I hope it's been worth it. Unfortunately, some
parts of the old Web Site have still got to be added. The Bootleg Discography,
Radio Show Discography, and the Images and Pictures areas are missing - I'll be adding
those at Christmas.
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November 1996
New Album
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It is now reported that after the tumultuous changes in Jim's
personal life over the last year, he's struggling to find inspiration for the new album - which is hardly
surprising!
But it's still very premature for a new album - Real Life,
which was a quick follow-up to Street Fighting Years
was released almost two years after its predecessor. The
Good News From The Next World tour only finished a year ago.
Therefore expect one (or even two if the soundtrack rumours are true!) albums next year.
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1st August 1996
Possible Live Album
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Jim and Charlie wanted to release a live
video of the French concert as a new commercial video (in the same way as Verona).
However, there were copyright problems with the video recording so the project was shelved. The
concert in question has since been broadcast several times plus been bootlegged twice so fans
should not feel too left out.
And Charlie still has the masters so this project may see the light of day at some time!
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July 1996
Derek Forbes
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Derek Forbes has now made Simple Minds history - the
first member to rejoin the band.
As reported exclusively in the fanzine Who's Doing The Dreaming
Now, Derek has now rejoined
Jim and
Charlie, and is now helping to write the new album.
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16th March 1996
New Album, New Management, New Record Company
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Work is continuing on the new album in their Scottish studios. Jim
has mentioned that he wants to get back to a more "organic" sound and not use heavy mixing which the previous
two albums used. The plan is to get the album out in October (but seasoned Simple Minds' fans
will know not to hold their breaths ;-). Apparently the new songs resemble their
Sons And Fascination work.
And original band members Derek Forbes (bass) and
Brian McGee (drums) are helping out with the session
work. It is not known whether they'll be involved with the composition, recording or touring of this new album,
but the presence of two ex-members is a very exciting move.
Clive Bank's contract was up for negotiation and the band decided not to
renew. Jim and
Charlie were happy with the Chrysalis
deal but were unhappy with the new terms he put foward for their management.
More details about the change of record company have now come to light. It seems that
Jim and Charlie felt it was
time for a change (they'd been with Virgin for over 10 years), and many of their
old-time contacts in record company had since left (some due to the purchase of Virgin by
EMI a few years back).
Chrysalis have now updated their Web Pages and some Simple Minds news can be found
here. They've signed a five album deal
with the company, which is excellent news!
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17th February 1996
Patsy Kensit
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It was announced today on Radio 1 (UK) that Jim Kerr and Patsy Kensit were separating. On
the Newsbeat programme aired at around midday, it was reported that the couple were not
divorcing but had separated.
Expect the tabloids to run with the story tomorrow.
My condolences to Jim, Patsy and James.
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16th February 1996
New Management, New Record Company
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In addition to all the changes occuring for Simple Minds, it's been reported that CBL,
Clive Banks Limited, is no longer acting as management for the group.
No news of a new manger yet.
It has been reported that Chrysalis paid a reported 10 million
pounds (UK Sterling) to secure Simple Minds. A new album is also in the works with a release date of October.
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22nd January 1996
New Record Company
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After the announcement that Simple Minds were leaving
Virgin Records, it has been reported that they've joined
Chrysalis Records. Their new label mates include
Jethro Tull, Sinead O'Connor and Runrig.
Chrysalis have no announcement on their Web Pages yet
- not surprising as no update has been made since December.
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10th January 1996
New Album, New Record Company, CD ROM, Possible Live Album
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The plan is still on track. Jim and
Charlie should currently be in Bonnie Wee Studios
working on the new album.
Press reports from around the world have stated that Simple Minds and Virgin Records are
going to split. The precise details are sketchy and we're not even sure of who is leaving who; Some papers
reported that Simple Minds are unhappy with Virgin's new management whilst others
reported that Virgin were unhappy with some financial aspects.
No new record company has yet been mentioned.
With the current split of Simple Minds and Virgin Records, the future of
the CD ROM project is now questionable. The company producing the CD ROM are currently consulting all partners.
Still no news about the possible live album. I guess it was just another
rumour. A live album may still yet appear to fulfill the current Simple
Minds/Virgin contract, but with news of a split then this is doubtful.
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January 1996
Possible new book
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I've been informed that there may be a new Simple Minds book being written.
It will be published in the summer. My first thought is that it's about time! The last
English book about the band was published in 1990.
No other details are forthcoming at the moment. But Alfred Bos,
the group's official biographer, has visited the band recently. However, it may be
unconnected since he's a good personal friend of Jim and
Charlie and
may have been making a purely social call.
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