Derek Forbes Book Launch

[Piers_Williamson]

There has been some really interesting stuff coming up lately around three of the original Simple Minds line up getting together.  I have finally found out how Derek Forbes played some of the original Simple Minds Riffs watching this:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w79gmTDXJTM

 

Hopefully the link works.  If not, it was the book launch/masterclass of 'A Very Simple Mind' in Walthamstow (of all places)

[cetera]

Would love to know the settings on that MXR flanger....

[Piers_Williamson]

54 minutes ago, cetera said:

Would love to know the settings on that MXR flanger....

 

 

I don't know how to copy old threads from the site...maybe the Mods can help, but this is quite funny from 15 years ago! (and it doesn't quite tell you the answer!)

 

Basschat Derek Forbes Interview

By Linus27,
July 6, 2010 in General Discussion

 

[cetera]

4 minutes ago, Piers_Williamson said:

 

 

I don't know how to copy old threads from the site...maybe the Mods can help, but this is quite funny from 15 years ago! (and it doesn't quite tell you the answer!)

 

Basschat Derek Forbes Interview

By Linus27,
July 6, 2010 in General Discussion

 

Ah yes, I saw that interview....

[Piers_Williamson]

5 minutes ago, cetera said:

Ah yes, I saw that interview....

And my recollection of MXR flangers from the time of New Gold Dream was that they were a lot more basic than the one you see now.  I remember asking Derek about his effects then, and he said 'he just used an MXR Flanger' (and an SVT).

 

 

[Piers_Williamson]

1 minute ago, Piers_Williamson said:

And my recollection of MXR flangers from the time of New Gold Dream was that they were a lot more basic than the one you see now.  I remember asking Derek about his effects then, and he said 'he just used an MXR Flanger' (and an SVT).

 

 

Looking at what's available on't internet, maybe my recollection is fuzzy (if not flanged!)

[Linus27]

2 hours ago, cetera said:

Would love to know the settings on that MXR flanger....

 

I asked him once in an interview and he refused to tell me 🤣

 

Here you go,

 

 

Edited February 27 by Linus27

[Old Man Riva]

4 hours ago, Piers_Williamson said:

There has been some really interesting stuff coming up lately around three of the original Simple Minds line up getting together.  I have finally found out how Derek Forbes played some of the original Simple Minds Riffs watching this:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w79gmTDXJTM

 

Hopefully the link works.  If not, it was the book launch/masterclass of 'A Very Simple Mind' in Walthamstow (of all places)

I went to that, it was a great evening. Walthamstow Trades Hall host some really good events - check out their website. It’s like a lovely step back in time to a typical old WMC (for those of a certain age!) - very Phoenix Nights!

 

Anyway… Derek Forbes was on excellent form. He covered the early days of him playing guitar in a covers band in Lloret de Mar in the 70s, to his sacking from Simple Minds and career afterwards.

 

The interview was bookended by a terrific DJ set (can’t recall who it was), with a lovely smattering of early Roxy Music, The Associates, early Simple Minds, and Can, to name but a few.

 

If I’m being totally honest, I found the book to be a bit of a let down, but the event itself was wonderful… 

Edited February 27 by Old Man Riva

[Frank Blank]

Empires and Dance by Simple Minds is one of my top five albums, every song is absolutely built around Mr Forbes' superb bass lines. Imho the band quickly went down the drain after he was kicked out.

[Linus27]

5 hours ago, Frank Blank said:

Empires and Dance by Simple Minds is one of my top five albums, every song is absolutely built around Mr Forbes' superb bass lines. Imho the band quickly went down the drain after he was kicked out.

 

It was certainly one of the major nails in the coffin. John Giblin did an incredible job on Once Upon a Time and Street Fighting Years and Malcolm Foster on Real Life. However, the final nail for me was when Mick McNeil left. They were never the same since.

Edited Friday at 00:17 by Linus27

[Musicman666]

derek was a huge influence on me .. it's a shame he doesn't get back together with the old band, bearing in mind all the early stuff was structurally started on the bass ..the guy who plays bass with them today does not do the early basslines justice at all in my opinion.