It’s sad it had to come to this. Bitterness from both sides – fans are ultimately the meat in the sandwich. I really do understand and empathise with (at least from the outside looking in as a fan) why Mick, Derek and Brian feel so embittered – particularly Mick and Derek because … let’s be honest as the choice to leave was Brian’s when he did and he hadn’t been there as long, although of course his involvement with The Glesga Twins – a twist on The Glimmer Twins. You’re welcome! – went back to high school and JATSA. It was as I was saying in a recent post; there’s the truth and there’s the truth, depending on whose narrative it is.
I used to try and stay out of all that stuff. And I was feeling that way again. As much as I giggled at Derek’s show at St Luke’s where he made several snide remarks about Mr Kerr, equally it did feel a little … handbags at dawn stuff, you know?
I also get both sides of the argument of “Well, Jim and Charlie still make new music.” Erm…yes, but given today’s offering, I would say they can still very much be prone to fail. It’s not all gold nuggets. Equally, Derek has not ever really offered up much new. He had the ZanTi project nearly a decade ago with Anni Hogan but other than that, he sticks to SM songs and there isn’t much more to it.
From that angle – the vast majority of Simple Minds music that is performed live is a large quota of songs that particularly Mick and Derek helped to write, and to a lesser degree Brian. My live highlight choice from the SM shows I went to, for example, ‘Sons and Fascination’ those three men were involved in its composition.
I feel like Jim just wants to wipe away the history now. So from that stance, I get Mick, Derek and Brian’s grievances, I really do.
And I get that Jim used to say “over my dead body.” But I can’t but feel he just fucked them over once too often, and now they are all so bitter.
I feel like I need to take a side and I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t. Am I team Th3 Minds, or am I team Glesga Twins? Honestly, right now…I think they’re idiots and as bad as one another.
Jim can be an absolute arsehole, so can Derek. No wonder the bad blood is there.
So….we’re left with this sorry situation where there doesn’t feel like there’s peaceful co-existence. Jim will be watching them like a hawk. Seemingly nothing he can do….but I’d be bloody careful if I were them! One step too far and…that’s it – I’m sure he’d not stop at getting lawyers involved. Even I want to be careful what I say here!
We’ve really descended into something horrible since 2008. All that promise around the 30 Years Live reunion that never was. Then eight years later with the Ivor Novello saga. Mick seemingly back in the fold for a wee while. The ‘Brothers In Arms’ recording and then … WHAT HAPPENED? That spiral? Well, not even a spiral….more like a helter skelter – whoosh.
Before anyone asks, no. I don’t know anything. All of this is (apart from what’s been said openly by the varying parties) is speculation. I really don’t know the full extent as to why it has soured so much.
It’s pretty awful and to be honest neither side is showing themselves in the best light.
I wish there could have been some conciliatory terms but I guess there’s a dam stopping that water flowing under the bridge.
It’s a shame.
As for Mick, Derek and Brian – they have social media that has gone live today – TH3 MINDS are on all the major platforms and there is a website you can visit HERE
Culture wars extending to the band we all love.
That’s all I’ve got to say for now.