One of Scotland\'s most successful bands, they defined a generation, have scored over twenty Top 20 hits in a career spanning nearly three decades. They have sold over thirty million records, had five number one albums, a no. 1 single in America - plus three American top ten singles and been Voted Q magazine\'s world\'s best live act.

Simple Minds embarked internationally on countless sold out stadium tours including headlining three times at Wembley stadium. They have influenced bands as diverse as current favourites Bloc Party, Muse, as well as Moby, Manic Street Preachers and Stereophonics along the way. Most recently Yellow Card paid homage to their biggest hit, \'Don\'t You (Forget about me)\' at the MTV Movie Awards.

Now after a three years\' break drummer Mel Gaynor (see photo) and the rest of the Simple Minds are back with their best CD since \'New Gold Dream,\' called \'Black and White 050505.\'

Released on 12th September by Sanctuary Records, \'Black and White\' recalls the sweeping, vast sound that characterised their biggest hit albums, \'Sparkle in the Rain,\' \'Once upon a Time\' and \'Street Fighting Years.\'

The album was recorded in Italy, Holland and then mixed in Los Angeles by the legendary Bob Clearmountain. \'Black and White\' is a real return to form for this four piece band and should see the emergence of a whole new generation of fans as well as satisfying their current ones.

This is a CD that captivates on its first listen and then just gets better. What with the renewed popularity of Duran Duran, New Order and Depeche Mode and the propensity for pop acts to sample 80\'s sounds, there is little doubt that Simple Minds time has truly come again. Frontman Jim Kerr says:

\"We wanted to make an album once again that was full of dramatic and atmospheric pop music. We felt that we needed an album that proved as much to ourselves as anyone else, that the big beating heart of Simple Minds was very much alive and driving us on once again. Having delivered \'Black and White 050505,\' an album that we believe is \'classic Simple Minds,\' albeit with a whole new energy. We can honestly say that we are delighted with the results and look forward with a totally revitalised outlook to this next phase of our on going creativity.\"

Needless to say, in the tradition of all great rock bands, they are extremely excited at the prospect of playing this album live on stage and look forward to doing exactly that in the near future. So keep your eyes and ears out for Simple Minds again!