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  1. Basically, been really getting into Big Country in the last couple of years, so thought I'd open up the discussion here and see if there's any fellow BCers doing the rounds here*?

    Always vaguely knew about them, especially as Edge gave a eulogy at Stuart Adamson's funeral - he said that Stuart / Big Country wrote the songs that our Irish boys wish they'd written - and Pete Wishart (former keyboard for my other favourite band, Runrig) also played the keys during BC's early days.

    That said, it's only in recent times that I've started exploring their stuff and hell's bells, they were so good. Never seen them in any guise, and the idea of seeing them now feels odd, especially since Stuart died (in 2001 - absolute tragedy) and Tony Butler called it a day.

    Don't even know where to begin in terms of songs I'd recommend (so many!) if you're not familiar with them, but I would say the big hitters - 'In A Big Country', 'Fields of Fire', 'Wonderland', 'Look Away' - are a solid intro.

    (*In an attempt to maintain forum hygiene, I had a scout around for a previous related topic but couldn't see one - please redirect if there is one and I'm just going blind in my old age!)
  2. Originally posted by WojBhoy:Basically, been really getting into Big Country in the last couple of years, so thought I'd open up the discussion here and see if there's any fellow BCers doing the rounds here*?

    Always vaguely knew about them, especially as Edge gave a eulogy at Stuart Adamson's funeral - he said that Stuart / Big Country wrote the songs that our Irish boys wish they'd written - and Pete Wishart (former keyboard for my other favourite band, Runrig) also played the keys during BC's early days.

    That said, it's only in recent times that I've started exploring their stuff and hell's bells, they were so good. Never seen them in any guise, and the idea of seeing them now feels odd, especially since Stuart died (in 2001 - absolute tragedy) and Tony Butler called it a day.

    Don't even know where to begin in terms of songs I'd recommend (so many!) if you're not familiar with them, but I would say the big hitters - 'In A Big Country', 'Fields of Fire', 'Wonderland', 'Look Away' - are a solid intro.

    (*In an attempt to maintain forum hygiene, I had a scout around for a previous related topic but couldn't see one - please redirect if there is one and I'm just going blind in my old age!)
    I'm mad for Big Country. Wasn't too keen on the way they did Mike Peters after the last record/tour, but love them nonetheless... If you search, you'll find vast treasures out there. Try to find the Rarities, specifically songs "Without Wings", and "Dive Into Me". Things of beauty... "The Buffalo Skinners" was an under the radar masterpiece, and even the last record (with Mike Peters) "The Journey" was a diamond in the rough homage to Stuart Adamson. Also, check out Tony Butler's song "Dream Boy" A tearjerking tribute to Stuart.

    I've had the privilege of seeing them in all carnations (on The Crossing and Buffalo Skinners tours, and on The Journey tour) Stuart was a great guy, always took care of fans. It's a shame nobody could see his demons. He signed my copy of "The Crossing" and ironically enough, he signed it "Stay alive, Stuart..."

    If you have a moment, and you're interested, here's a little 20-minute documentary called "Songs That Changed My Life" Mike Peters (in case you can't tell, I'm a huge Alarm fan, too) talks about "In A Big Country"

  4. Originally posted by WojBhoy:Basically, been really getting into Big Country in the last couple of years, so thought I'd open up the discussion here and see if there's any fellow BCers doing the rounds here*?

    Always vaguely knew about them, especially as Edge gave a eulogy at Stuart Adamson's funeral - he said that Stuart / Big Country wrote the songs that our Irish boys wish they'd written - and Pete Wishart (former keyboard for my other favourite band, Runrig) also played the keys during BC's early days.

    That said, it's only in recent times that I've started exploring their stuff and hell's bells, they were so good. Never seen them in any guise, and the idea of seeing them now feels odd, especially since Stuart died (in 2001 - absolute tragedy) and Tony Butler called it a day.

    Don't even know where to begin in terms of songs I'd recommend (so many!) if you're not familiar with them, but I would say the big hitters - 'In A Big Country', 'Fields of Fire', 'Wonderland', 'Look Away' - are a solid intro.

    (*In an attempt to maintain forum hygiene, I had a scout around for a previous related topic but couldn't see one - please redirect if there is one and I'm just going blind in my old age!)
    A great band who wrote some classic songs in the 1980s.I saw them just once in November 1986 in Galway, Ireland. It was a great show and in some ways the band were at their musical peak.

    The live performances often featured a cover version of "Honky Tonk Woman" - it was a powerful live version and appeared as a B-side on the "Hold the Heart" single in 1986. Well worth checking out.

    My brother used to collect the 12" on vinyl and had several signed by the band as they played Galway again in 1988 I believe. Either way a great band and U2 were shortly about to go global with the Joshua Tree when I Big Country in 1986.
  5. Originally posted by daymo1202:[..]
    A great band who wrote some classic songs in the 1980s.I saw them just once in November 1986 in Galway, Ireland. It was a great show and in some ways the band were at their musical peak.

    The live performances often featured a cover version of "Honky Tonk Woman" - it was a powerful live version and appeared as a B-side on the "Hold the Heart" single in 1986. Well worth checking out.

    My brother used to collect the 12" on vinyl and had several signed by the band as they played Galway again in 1988 I believe. Either way a great band and U2 were shortly about to go global with the Joshua Tree when I Big Country in 1986.
    U2, Simple Minds, The Waterboys and Big Country... "The Big Music" as they were dubbed

    Steve Lillywhite: "I remember playing Bono the demo of In A Big Country, I was so absolutely knocked out by it. I felt very honoured to have inspired that.”

    Six degrees of favorite producers and favorite bands.

    “My first encounter with Stuart was a U2 show at the Hammersmith Palais,” says The Alarm’s Mike Peters. “Big Country were supporting and I had been invited on as a guest. In the weeks leading up to the show I’d taught U2 how to play Knocking On Heaven’s Door – we used to play it in our set and Bono would come on and sing it with us. At Hammersmith Bono introduced me to the stage and then he also invited Stuart Adamson up. Stuart was in the crowd, and he came over the heads of the crowd and over the barrier, and I helped pull him up and that was the first time I shook his hand. Bono introduced us then as being ‘the new breed’.”
  6. Saw Simple Minds just once in August 1989. A good band but more so the era from 1982-85.

    Phoenix Park Festival 14 August 1983: U2, Big Country, Simple Minds

    Pictures courtesy of Classic Dublin Gigs

    https://goo.gl/Z7VPyJ
  7. I wish U2 would bring Simple minds out on the road with them, especially here in the States where Simple minds don't play very often... This tour would be the perfect opportunity for that!. But nope, they have to bring out the millenial bands (in the States anyway... Europe guess the awesome double bill with Noel Gallagher)
  8. Originally posted by blueeyedboy:[..]
    I wish U2 would bring Simple minds out on the road with them, especially here in the States where Simple minds don't play very often... This tour would be the perfect opportunity for that!. But nope, they have to bring out the millenial bands (in the States anyway... Europe guess the awesome double bill with Noel Gallagher)
    That would be a match made in U2 heaven!
  9. Right!?! Fuck the "relevance" of bringing a younger crowd in with the Lumineers ore One Republic. Throw your old pals a bone and give the people (us "relevant" old sods) what they really want. And Simple minds are still active churning out great records, so there is no stigma of nostalgia!
  10. I never got into Big Country. I tried so hard to move beyond their one self titled smash single, which was so awesome. And to comment on the opening acts, Muse was a great choice, but would love to see Simple Minds, or anybody not in the awful music crowd. Tears For Fears would have been awesome, but they will be touring the states with Daryl Hall & John Oates which is great for me, as I love them both beyond dearly!
  11. Originally posted by pleasegone:I never got into Big Country. I tried so hard to move beyond their one self titled smash single, which was so awesome. And to comment on the opening acts, Muse was a great choice, but would love to see Simple Minds, or anybody not in the awful music crowd. Tears For Fears would have been awesome, but they will be touring the states with Daryl Hall & John Oates which is great for me, as I love them both beyond dearly!
    TFF and H&O are playing here same night I'll be in Miami for JT.
  12. First band I was huge fan of. This was the first 12" I ever owned, still loving it.