Simple Minded was thought up in the summer of 2008 and surfaced early 2009. Born and bred in the heart of Scotland, Simple Minded was put together with the aim of recreating the sound of the “classic” Simple Minds line up of Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Mick MacNeil, Derek Forbes and Mel Gaynor. Rather than advertise for musicians, each member was handpicked knowing they were the right person for the job.

With a wealth of Simple Minds material and styles spanning over 30 years, it was a very difficult choice what to play and what to leave off. With the concept of wanting to have the sound of the New Gold Dream tour and the energy of the Tour du Monde it was only fitting to base the set around the landmark album “New Gold Dream”. But also thrown in are the classic songs from the Simple Minds back catalogue as well as a few surprises and the big hits. Going back to the early punk days of “Chelsea Girl” and “Changeling”, through the Euro beats of “I Travel” and “Love Song” and New Romanticism of “Glittering Prize” and “Someone, Somewhere (In Summertime)” to the stadium anthems of “Waterfront”, “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” and “Alive and Kicking”, finally to the later day classics of “See the Lights” and “She’s a River”. Also the recent singles “Home” and “Rockets” were thrown in for good measure.

Early rehearsals at the Sub Station in Rosyth went really well and it was obvious from the start what worked and what didn’t. A rehearsal “recorded at a very low temperature” was put online and the response was far better than expected. With positive feedback coming from original Simple Minds bassist Derek Forbes and legendary former Simple Minds manager Bruce Findlay as well as the online Simple Minds community. Even Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr got behind the band and liked their Facebook page.

After relocating rehearsals to a new HQ in Livingston it was time to take to the stage.
Simple Minded debuted at the Saltcoats Rock Festival in July 2009 on the west coast of Scotland, winning over the crowd with a powerful set, even the clouds cleared and the sun came out. The same night the band headed to Edinburgh to watch Simple Minds at the castle in the pouring rain.

Simple Minded’s first full headlining gig was at Falkirk’s Band on the Wall. All the usual pre-gig nerves and pressure were added to when the tall figure of Derek Forbes entered the bar during the soundcheck. The gig kicked off with “King is White and in the Crowd” setting the tone of what Simple Minded are all about, “I Travel”, “Premonition”, “Sweat in Bullet”, “Promised you a Miracle”, “Speed your Love to me”, “Book of Brilliant Things” had the crowd gripped. After “Theme for Great Cities” the band were joined on stage by Derek Forbes and the performance of “Changeling” brought the house down.

Further gigs followed in the fall of 2009, climaxing with the invite to play pre and after shows at Rockers, Glasgow for Simple Minds SECC gig on their Grafitti Soul tour. The band went down a storm in front of a crowd of Simple Minds fans from across the world, as well as original Simple Minds drummer Brian McGee.

2010 saw Simple Minded's first appearance in England.

When Simple Minded played Ivory Black’s Glasgow in 2011 they were joined on stage by Brian McGee who sang backing vocals on “Chelsea Girl” which brought the house down.

In 2011, George Porter was approached by Ex Simple Minds (Derek Forbes and Brian McGee) to be their lead singer, replacing Owen Paul. Simple Minded took a hiatus, but returned in 2012 after a chance meeting at Simple Minds 5x5 Barrowlands gig.

Simple Minded returned with a blistering performance at Maggie Mays sharing the stage with the ultimate U2 tribute band U2-2. Further gigs followed including 2 sold out gigs at the Dreadnought, Bathgate, an appearance at Glasgow's ABC2.

“I just listened to Simple Minded on Myspace, and was well impressed. I thought it strange, that all the songs they played were from my era....funny that!!!!”
- Derek Forbes (Simple Minds)

“The most authentic Simple Minds tribute band I’ve seen”
- Brian McGee (Simple Minds)

“It turns me on...sounds like 'they' did twenty years ago.... It sounds like you believe what you are singing and playing.....I love it! Changeling is 'pure dead brilliant'”
- Bruce Findlay (Simple Minds Manager 1978-1990)

"Exhilarating celebration of Simple Minds live legacy. Classic songs performed with the passion that this great band deserve"

"Close your eyes and you are stage front listening to the Minds from 84 in my opinion"

“I would go so far as to say this is the best tribute type band of all the SM ones around and I have seen or heard them all.”

“Simple Minded ROCKED everyone's socks off!
Really enjoyed the pre- and after (Simple Minds) shows!! The band were on fire”

“I think the sound is brilliant, it has the passion of the old simple minds, brilliant stuff!!Go on simple minded!”