former Simple Minds bassist Derek Forbes
Mark Brewster
|>
|> Pretty esoteric questions, I know, but if anyone has any clues, I'd love
|> to hear them. And if you want to hear Simple Minds' best work, listen to
|> "New Gold Dream" and "Sparkle in the Rain."
|>
|> - Bob
|
From "New Gold Dream", I think "Somebody Up There Likes You" is a standout
track. I think he's playing a fretless and although the bassline isn't very
flashy (not a problem in my book) it works well with the whole song, which
happens to be an instrumental.
If you can find "Lovesong", give it a listen. I think it was released as a single
or something back in 83-84. I don't know what album it was released on but it is
one of the 'Minds heavier tracks with a very solid bottom end.
Anyway, my 2 cents.
Mark B.
David A James
Derek Forbes was booted out of Simple Minds in 1984. I think that's him on
their big cross--over hit "Don't You Forget About Me" from the film "The
Breakfast Club" but don't quote me.
He then toured with the German synth--pop group Propaganda, and is alleged
(by the sleeve--notes at least :-) to appear on their 1990 album
"1--2--3--4", although he can hardly be said to stand out on it.
There's some great Forbes work on Simple Minds 1981 album 'Sons and
Fascination'.
>Anyway, my 2 cents.
>
And my tuppence.
DaveJ.
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Tomas Lundborg AR/BU
>their big cross--over hit "Don't You Forget About Me" from the film "The
>Breakfast Club" but don't quote me.
Is it true that he was BOOTED??!??
For me, he WAS Simple Minds. He made the whole band work.
After he left, SM really sucked hard.
Derek Forbes played with a plectrum combined with popping. Interesting style that
worked.
Those albums "Sisterfeeling call" & "Sons & Fascination" released simultaneously
and "New Gold Dream" from around -83 have great, heavy basslines, that give the
songs this mantra-like feeling. Their first (self titled I think) album and second
(a blue colored one, I forgot it's name) sound more like cleaned up punk/new wave.
Not very interesting bass work there.
Tomas
Bob Gale
for the Scottish band Simple Minds?
I was a big fan of Simple Minds in the early-'80s. Among the synth-heavy
dance rock bands that made up a lot of my listening in those days, I
always thought Simple Minds had some of the coolest basslines. Forbes
managed to be both punchy and ethereal, perfectly complementing the band's
moody synth and guitar textures. But after the band's big break with the
"Breakfast Club" soundtrack, Forbes disappeared from the lineup. He was
replaced by John Giblin, whose more conventional style seemed to be part
of an overall turn toward the mainstream.
So I've always wondered what ever happen to Derek Forbes? Did he not like
the direction the band was going in and split? Did they not like the
direction his playing was going and dump him? Did he get eaten by the Loch
Ness monster? What's he been doing since then?
Pretty esoteric questions, I know, but if anyone has any clues, I'd love
to hear them. And if you want to hear Simple Minds' best work, listen to
"New Gold Dream" and "Sparkle in the Rain."
- Bob
\ \ \ \ \ \ \ | \
GREETINGS FROM SEATTLE! \ \ \ _____
\ \ \ \ \ =========
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\.:. \ ..:::.:::::::. .:. \ \ M \
::::::::..:::::::::::::::::::::::::::...:::......H...::.
--[ Internet: bob...@halcyon.com ]--[ AOL: Bob Gale ]--
Bob Gale
James) wrote:
> Derek Forbes was booted out of Simple Minds in 1984. I think that's him on
> their big cross--over hit "Don't You Forget About Me" from the film "The
> Breakfast Club" but don't quote me.
Yes, I believe that was his last track with them. Then it was "see ya, buddy."
> He then toured with the German synth--pop group Propaganda, and is alleged
> (by the sleeve--notes at least :-) to appear on their 1990 album
> "1--2--3--4", although he can hardly be said to stand out on it.
Hmmm, I'll keep an eye out for it anyway
> There's some great Forbes work on Simple Minds 1981 album 'Sons and
> Fascination'.
Yeah, I've always loved what he does on "Sweat in Bullet" and "Theme for
Great Cities" -- sort of a punchy main riff punctuated with overdriven,
fretless-sounding licks played higher up the neck. "Lovesong" is from that
album, too, though that song's never really done it for me.
Thanks for the scoop.
iba...@ac.dal.ca
> Does anyone know whatever happened to Derek Forbes, the original bassist
> for the Scottish band Simple Minds?
>
> I was a big fan of Simple Minds in the early-'80s. Among the synth-heavy
> the direction the band was going in and split? Did they not like the
> direction his playing was going and dump him? Did he get eaten by the Loch
> Ness monster? What's he been doing since then?
>
> Pretty esoteric questions, I know, but if anyone has any clues, I'd love
> to hear them. And if you want to hear Simple Minds' best work, listen to
> "New Gold Dream" and "Sparkle in the Rain."
I'd agree, except that I'd have to rank New Gold Dream well above Sparkle in
the Rain. And also, at least bass-wise, I'd have to mention Sons and Fascination
The playing on this is great - Derek is very prominent in the mix. Like most
of my favourite basissts, he doesn;t play ultra-complex, but every note is
necessary and beautifully placed. In particular, his bass line on "Theme
For Geat Cities" is killer, and is essentially the whole song. I beleive the lad
used a fretless on most songs on this album, even on the slapped lines -see
"Sweat in Bullets" for an example.
Back to the original question - does anyone know what he is up to?
From the few rumours I heard, he was disgusted with the change in sound that
the Brakfast Club success caused and simply left the band. They have definitely
gone downhill ever since. Hope he is still active on the bass in some way.
Later;
>
> - Bob
> \ \ \ \ \ \ \ | \
> GREETINGS FROM SEATTLE! \ \ \ _____
> \ \ \ \ \ =========
> \ \.:. \ \ \ \ \|/ \
> \.:. \ ..:::.:::::::. .:. \ \ M \
> ::::::::..:::::::::::::::::::::::::::...:::......H...::.
> --[ Internet: bob...@halcyon.com ]--[ AOL: Bob Gale ]--
--
Jamie Lauchlan
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\_.-.__( l Thanks Leo (R.I.P.)
"BASS IS SOME SERIOUS SHIT" - Bill Laswell
Leif Stephanson
For your interest, "Lovesong" was released on the compilation
"Sons and Fascination" just previous to "New Gold Dream". "Sons -"
is really worth checking out; Forbes provides a cornucopia of solid,
simple pulses. "Empires and Dance" is another standout from the early
days.
Pee-Ess, do you know what Derek Forbes is doing these days, musically?
I can't seem to track him down.
Regards,
Leif "Iceland" Stephanson