It’s been another while since the last blog but theres been some activity here in the background and it’s time to mention it I think. To cut a long story short, I’m now the main UK guitarist for Sample Minds gigs and the following dates have been confirmed [for Butlins at least] over the next year – more will be added I m sure:

SAMPLE MINDS
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28 November 2009, Butlins, Minehead
6th February 2010 – Butlins, Bognor
26th February 2010 – Butlins, Skegness
27th February 2010 – Butlins, Minehead
22nd May 2010 – Butlins, Minehead
8th October 2010 – Butlins, Bognor
1st October 2010 – Butlins, Minehead
9th October 2010 – Butlins, Skegness
21st November 2010 – Butlins, Bognor (Daytime Performance)
28th November 2010 – Butlins, Bognor

See the Butlins website for more details about the Big Weekend on 27 – 29 November 09

I am now also the main guitarist in Depeche Made and we have a confirmed date for that also as a seperate project to the established Mind2Mode – it looks set to be a good year on the gig front:

DEPECHE MADE
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12 December 2009 – Rockers, Glasgow

Final preparation for this gig will be taking place mid November and if I get the chance to get a preview for you then I ll be sure to post it here!

See you soon

Pete

ps – I’ve fixed the broken link to the Christophe Avril / Pete Simcoe version of Someone Somewhere in Summertime – so feel free to give it another listen!

It’s the classic Personal Jesus live in Fuerth on 11 July. Don’t ask about the hat. It was a wardrobe malfunction but one that the rest of the lads were keen for me to wear. Anyway, this was alot of fun and definitely worth a watch if you’ve made that transisition from Simple Minds, through to U2 but then got a bit deluded with life and listened to Violator and Songs Of Faith And Devotion.

> See Personal Jesus LIVE!

Well, it might not be the best track they ever wrote but it certainly made them shoot……to fame in the mid-80’s when U2 were also coming into their own after their achievements at Live Aid.  Here’s a simple minded guitarist playing Don’t You (Forget About Me) live in Fuerth on 11 July.

> See Don’t You (Forget About Me) LIVE!

Well, what can I say, the gig went well and it was great hanging out with the Mind2Mode guys for the weekend. Fuerth was a great place to play and the crowd of around 2000 were amazing – especially watching the sea of hands waving in Never Let Me Down Again. Below is a link to the version of Alive and Kicking that we played and the guys have generously agreed for this to be put on here – look out for a couple of other tracks from the Simple Minds part of the show over the next few weeks. Please be aware that it’s just a rough mobile phone video and not to be distributed – just enjoy it on the link!

> See the Alive and Kicking Phone Footage

Lead Vocals: Steve Hempton
Guitar: Pete Simcoe
Keyboards: Simon Hayward
Drums: Thorsten Ortmann
Bass: Jackie Biermann

You know you’ve made it when you get a review on the Fuerth local website and here it is:

Wer es noch nicht bis zum Stadionkonzert von U2, Simple Minds oder Depeche Mode geschafft hat, darf sich am Grünen Markt, seit Jahren die Plagiatoren-Arena des Festivals, die Hände reiben. Dort liefert die Kombo «mind2mode» bis zur letzten Pose stimmige Kopien ab. Der bierseligen Menge gefällt’s

Translated roughly as:

Who made it to the stadion-show of U2, Simple Minds or Depeche Mode at the “Grüner Markt” – for years the tribute-arena of the Fürth-festival -  was able to rub ones hand. Mind2Mode delivered a consistent copy in great detail. The beery crowd liked it.

I didn’t see one rubbing one’s hand but there was certainly alot of waving hands. I always find there’s a fine line between rubbing and waving and so its an easy mistake in the translation

With one more week to go until the 11 July gig in Fuerth with Mind 2 Mode there is just one question on the lips of  every Burchill fan across the world which haircut to go for – the “Burchill-crop circa 1988 Mandela Concert 80’s classic” or the “1995 longer hair sensitive-new-age-guitarist-crop”. Now I ve got you hooked. You want to know and you’ll have to wait. Oh, and the tracks sound good too – I had a practice session in Leicester the other day with Simon Hayward and Steve Hempton and to quote Steve – “Torsten will ***** his pants when he hears your slide playing” which is always a good sign that the practice has gone reasonably well

So, with just one week left on the clock its time to polish my slide and practice all the Burchill moves - with the amp turned up to 11 [when you need that little bit extra volume].

Graffiti Soul is the new album from Simple Minds, in case you haven t been keeping up with the news, and I have to say its an impressive collection of songs and ideas. It is probably, dare I say it, their best since 1991’s Real Life and shows that the band can bounce back from what could be described as the lost years.

Moscow Underground
This intense montage of guitar loops and effects pushed along by a driving bass-line is one of the highlights of the album and a great opening track. Theres some interesting and mature lyrics here supported by Burchill’s guitars with reference to Theme For Great Cities in places. Definitely up there with the best tracks they’ve produced.
9 / 10 – all round big hitter. Great music, great lyrics.

Rockets
Is this really a single? Personally, this one is unsuccessfully trying to be a little to ‘down with the kids’ in its attempt to keep up with chart bands. If you play “Home” backwards, this is the track you will end up with. Lyrically its fairly laughable / slightly embarassing and whilst the guitars and keyboards are melodic enough, they are nothing to get excited about. As usual, any remix of this track I’ve heard is even less inspiring.
3 / 10 – embarassing lyrics with uninspiring melodies. Come on, are you serious?

Stars
Again, not Jim’s finest lyrical moment but all is forgiven for this number as it really takes you back to what these guys are good at – good old fashioned catchy riffs and powerful stadium strutting presence. I have a feeling this is the next single.
7 / 10 – lyrically awkward but melodically brilliant.

Light Travels
When I first heard this I was disappointed but the more I listen, the greater value it holds. Again, its not a classic but it is pretty good and it doesn’t get the finger pressing the FWD button on the CD player in quite the same way that Rockets does. Simple Minds truely reaching for that gear change!
6 / 10 – worth a listen and you won’t be giving it the [CD] finger.

Kiss and Fly
“Kiss and Fly?” – what? Actually, this is my favourite track for many reasons – though it does have its weaknesses. First of all Jim’s able to exercise his vocal chords to deliver some great chorus moments here and Charlie’s taken back the distortion to reveal some classic twang on his White Falcon. This is one of the best choruses I ve heard since Street Fighting Years and thanks to some great production theres some nice layers in the mix.
8/10  – my favourite, though not the best. Great vocal and guitar but lyrically dubious.

Graffiti Soul
There’s something about this track that is compelling. It’s a fairly gritty rock n roll number, lyrically strong and melodically interesting with driving guitar.
6/10 – not a classic but keeps the standards high

Blood Type-O

Uh-oh, the vocals have been put through an EQ filter – this usually means that even the producer thought the track was lacking so to create a little more interest he [or she] reached for the special effects to try to spice things up. This track sounds like Inspiral Carpets having a Simple Minded moment. Also, it makes Rockets look almost acceptable.
2/10 – Simple Minds having a happy Monday.

This Is It

I know Simon Hayward loves this one…so can’t say too much However, its an average track which will hold interest and you won’t be giving it the finger on the FWD button. It’s grown on me since I heard it first.
5/10 – don’t get too excited. This is it.

Shadows and Light
Shadows and Light is tucked away near the end of the album and will probably be stored in that archive of classics like Neapolis, Neon Lights amongst others that never really get talked about – even by the sort of Jim-stalkers you might find at a Simple Minds disco.
4 / 10 – destined for more shadows than light I’m afraid.

Rocking in the Free World
You just about get away with this one guys.
5/10 – reference to those SM classics on Neon Lights

There is a deluxe version of this album. All I will say is that they have definitely managed to match the standard set by Neon Lights in how covers should be played and Teardrop exceeds all expectations here. You have been warned

As some of you may know, Dave Gahan spent alot of time on the toilet this week and was not able to attend his own concert due to the restraining position of his trousers around his ankles preventing him from the usual stadium antics. Whilst this may seem like old-skool “rock star got-the-sh*ts” because he had a “Hole To Feed”, all may not be as it seems. I m not one to spread rumour but it might be a Simple case of Simple Minded Stadium envy. All Jim had to do is get Charlie to distract Dave with some guitar revving moves [see how to be Burchill in 10 easy steps] whilst he slipped something nasty into his drink causing his stomach to be in a state of “Fragile Tension” and as a result sh*tting “Rockets”….no “Peace” for Dave…he “keeps sending those rockets”.  Its “Wrong” to speculate I know but it all seems a little suspicious as Jim and Charlie are also heading for a tour – it all feels so “Corrupt”.

So, don’t be suprised if the next Simple Minded single sounds something like this:

Hey, guess what – if you’re in Wurth in Germany on 11 July this year you’ll see Sample Minds play their Mind2Mode set and I’ll be playing guitar for them for a night! Martin Sommer is unable to man the guitars that night and so Simon Hayward [who you may have heard on this site playing Simple Minds and working with me on some original material also] contacted me.

The festival Mind2Mode are playing is the Furth Festival.

Having caught up with Sample Minds at their Diamond gig in Sutton In Ashfield, it’s set to be a great event.  I’m currently looking through the set list which is looking like a great 2 hour set! See you there.

Every so often someone “special” comes along in your life. We’ve all experienced first engaging with that special someone and realising how “special” they really were. Well, the blog has been quiet for a couple of months – but a “special” someone has come along today and made me see the blogging experience in a new light. His name is Russellinio and he has enlightened by commenting upon my “How to be Burchill” posting back in April:

“Burchill is a highly underated guitarist, when a fucking idiot like you can play one tenth as goods as him then feel free to comment… get a mirror and apply the same critical genius to yourself…”, Rusellinio

I hear you Russellinio – I m looking in the mirror right now and only liking a tenth of what I see. However, considering your email address is tfzb@ihug.co.nz – sounds like someone definitely needs a hug

On another subject, just to break a bit of news, it is hoped that before Christmas 2008, Christophe Avril and I can get a version of Let It All Come Down out there to you – something to play to the wife whilst kissing under the mistletoe…..and make sure its our version

Royal Mail has had to lay on extra transport in the last week to deliver thousands of letters asking:

“Is the woman shown in the YouTube video was Jim Kerr’s current squeeze?”

“Is Jim operating the camera?”

Well, sadly the answer to both of these is no.