A Simple Man

“Simple Minds have become hyperactive since I started my solo project – maybe a few bottoms have been kicked!” laughs Jim Kerr, who has just returned from a South American jaunt with the 80s legends, narrowly avoiding being taken hostage in Brazil.

“We couldn’t believe it,” he confesses. “We switched on the TV and there was a report about the hotel we had left less than 24 hours earlier. The police were chasing a gang down from the favelas and they just randomly ran into the hotel and took 30 people hostage. One person was killed tragically. It was mad. They might have had trouble taking a few Glasgow boys hostage, though!”
Kerr has fronted the global multi-million selling band since 1978, but last year realised another creative outlet was required. In May he released the debut album from his solo alter-ego Lostboy, to much acclaim. From the electro stylings of ‘Space’, to the Joy Division-esque ‘She Fell In Love With Silence’ via the downtempo rock nugget ‘Happy Is The Man’, the collection deftly embraces a melange of styles, showcasing his versatility.
“About two years ago I was writing more that I’ve ever done,” he grins. “I thought I was a six or seven songs a year man. It turns out I’m a forty songs a year man! When I was a young kid I only cared about writing songs, playing music and turning people on to that music. That’s what Lostboy is all about.”
Kerr took his new project on the road in the UK earlier this year, but the next batch of dates (which include a Dublin pit-stop) are billed as the Electroset tour, and will feature a stripped-down show comprising just Kerr and Simon Hayward on keyboards. Along with the debut album, the show will include new material and covers of Moby, Massive Attack and Kraftwerk.
“I didn’t want Lostboy to be restrictive,” reflects Kerr. “I’ve been in a traditional rock band for 30 odd years. The next record will sound very different. It may be electronic, it might be acoustic, who knows? What’s important to me is the songs are great.”
Jim is keen to point out that Lostboy is complimentary to his Simple Minds role, and unlike many other side-projects, in no way reflects a negative attitude towards his day-job.
“There is nothing I don’t like about Simple Minds, but sometimes the rate of output frustrates me,” he explains. “Most classic bands put out albums and tour every three or four years. I want to be putting out much more than that because I have more in me. I want Lostboy to grow with the band – Simple Minds is obviously the priority.”
The Scots are currently working on a new compilation, which Kerr feels is badly needed.
“We haven’t had one for about 12 years,” he states. “There are a lot of kids coming to us now who may not know where to begin, so we need a really great compilation to give an idea of who we are and what it’s all about. But it’s also important that we add three or four new tunes to it.
“Today I’m demoing six songs for Lostboy and in the evening I’m in the studio mixing four new Simple Minds tracks,” he adds. “A lot of the more interesting people in music today have got two or three things going. I’d like to think that I’m in that vein.”

Lostboy plays the Dublin Academy 2 on November 13.