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Single Minds band members
were Interviewed by Dana. |
Dana; |
Marino, when did you first discover about the SM music ? |
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Marino; |
That must have been in 1980. I just turned 16 when I first learned about SM and their music. I was really in awe when hearing their sound for the first time and I still get a kick when listening to their atmospheric songs.
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Dana; |
What did you like about SM ? |
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Marino; |
Basically in the New Wave period, it was Simple Minds amongst a few other New Wave bands that first started to use innovative electronic sounds. The use of analog synthesizers was really made for their music. This was very typical and characteristic for the New Wave period, long before digital sounds entered the music scene. Therefore, I admit that it is not always that easy to copy these analog sounds with digital synths. Generating analog sounds is something completely different and although I have this ‘analog feel’ button on the Roland Fantom, you can still hear the difference. It comes close and you have to have a trained ear to hear the difference, but nothing can really equal the original analog sound. What also really appeals to me, are the strong Simple Minds arrangements which bring an enormous variety into their music supported by the powerful keyboards. |
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Dana; |
How would you describe their music ? |
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Marino; |
Over the 30 years of their career, Simple Minds was able to keep my interest . A lot of the less-wellknown songs are actually very beautiful. The symbiosis of the different instruments, the timing, the lyrics and voice, it all blends in together very nicely. The music can really bring me in trance, especially while listening in a dark room with a headphone hearing every detail. Even in live recordings, the complex arrangements sound simple yet powerful. |
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Dana; |
How do you experience the SM arragements ? |
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Marino; |
At first sight (or hearing) Simple Minds arrangements sound quite easy because they are so easy to listen to. But if you start analyzing them in-depth, the music proves to be rather complex. I have experienced during auditions for Single Minds that a lot of musicians underestimate their arrangements. If you want to do the work properly – as Single Minds intends to do for this Tribute Band - it is definitely a challenge since the music is packed with nuances and details. |
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Dana; |
Which band members inspire you ? |
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Marino; |
Obviously, each musician will rather look at his instrument. So in my case, the keyboards.My favourite keyboard player of Simple Minds is and will always be Michael Macneil. He is the first Simple Minds keyboard player and had a major impact on the original and unique sound of the band. Michael Macneil is a very creative player and his arrangements really stimulate the musical part of Marino’s brain and make him hunger to know more songs. Nevertheless, the other keyboard players who worked together with SM are all technically gifted musicians. |
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Dana; |
Which are your favorite 3 songs ? |
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Marino; |
That is a difficult question, very difficult! (laughs) For the earlier years, I favour songs like ‘Someone somewhere in summertime’, ‘The hunter and the hunted’. For the later period, ‘Speed your love to me’ and ‘Alive and Kicking’. For the more recent songs, ‘Stay Visible’ and ‘Stars will lead the way’ from the last album ‘Graffiti soul’. Believe me, there are a lot more than 3 songs, so I really feel guilty leaving out all the other songs. |
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Dana; |
What was your first Simple Minds Album ? |
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Marino; |
Well, my first LP was basically a cassette of "New Gold Dream". I still have it in my car and keep it for nostalgic reasons ! Imagine the CD or MP3 breaks down, than you still have as back up? … indeed the cassette (laughs). Luckily the music player in the car is an "all in one" model and can still read cassettes. |
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Dana; |
What was your best SM concert ? |
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Marino; |
I will always remember the first SM concert I saw on ‘Rock Werchter’ 1983. Probably the romantic atmosphere with my first girlfriend contributed to this feeling (laughs). From a pure sound technical point of view, I would say that last year’s concert ‘Suikerrock’ can be considered as one of the best SM concerts I have ever seen. Although Jim & The (renewed) Gang are a few years (decades) older now, the drive of 30years ago was still there and the sound was simply stunning. For me, once again they passed the test with ‘flying colours’. |
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Dana; |
What would you like to achieve with ‘Single Minds’ as Tribute Band ? |
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Marino; |
I can honoustly say that it was sometimes a painful process to gather around the right band members. However, the committed people we have now are definitely pulling the same string and do look at the same goal. First of all, Simple Minds have an own unique sound and we are committed to maintain and reproduce this original sound. This basically represents the band while listening to their songs. Secondly, we try to stick to the original studio arrangements in order to deliver to the audience what they expect from a Tribute Band. Moreover, we try to recreate the right atmosphere: You need to hear and feel Simple Minds. They need to be part of your soul ! I realize this is a very high standard, but we try to accomplish this standard within our means. Hopefully, the audience will feel that once the concerts start. Nevertheless, we are realistic and we will need to go through the necessary learning curve. |
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Dana; |
How do you proceed in modelling the sound and the synths ? |
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Marino; |
I usually start from basic presets or waveforms which I edit to obtain the final result. Off course effects can also partly determine the required sound. Pianosounds which I model on my Yamaha S90 really become heavenly by adding reverb or delay. As for soundscaping, I prefer the Yamaha especially for piano sounds. Off course, my Roland Fantom and Jp8000 also sound great. The JP8000 is a semi analog synth, very versatile, especially for songs like "Big Sleep". In case I cannot composite the sound from existing presets than I start from scratch, starting with one or multiple waveforms. When this is done, the different sounds are divided over the different keyboards. Sometimes the keyboard is divided in 4 to 5 sound zones. Fortunately this is not required for each song. (laughs) |
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Dana; |
Which instrument would you still want to have ? |
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Marino; |
The Roland Jupiter 8, this is THE analog monster. Unfortunately, they are very hard to find. You can always call me – even in the middle of the night – when you have one for sale. |
