Rock of Nations with Dave Kinchen & Shane McEachern · Rock of Nations with Dave Kinc

#358 #SimpleMinds Guitarist #CharlieBurchill - From The Archives

·12 min·1 clip

Charlie Burchill discloses that the guitar solo on a new song is the original take from 1990.

This episode features an archival interview with Charlie Burchill, the guitarist and co-founder of the Scottish rock band Simple Minds. The conversation is hosted by Dave Kinchen, with contributions from his colleague Shane McEachern. They discuss the band's legacy, its iconic album "Once Upon a Time," and their more recent work. The episode centers on the band's relationship with their massive hit "Don't You Forget About Me" from *The Breakfast Club* soundtrack, which they initially resisted recording because they did not write it. Charlie Burchill explains that songwriter Keith Forsey had envisioned the track specifically for Simple Minds, and the band eventually grew to love and own the song. Discussion covers the album "Once Upon a Time," which produced other major hits like "Alive and Kicking" and "Oh Jungle Land." Burchill details the creation of their 2018 album "Walk Between Worlds," noting the track "Signal and the Noise" set its contemporary, synth-driven tone. He describes his guitar technique, which relies heavily on echo units, delay, and volume pedals to create atmospheric, keyboard-like textures. A surprising revelation is that the guitar solo on the song "Barrel and Star" is the original recording Burchill made in 1990, rediscovered and used decades later. Burchill shares his preference for playing historic American theaters like the Ryman and the Count Basie over stadiums. He names "Themes for Great Cities" as a favorite to play live and discusses the shared use of delay effects with contemporaries like The Edge of U2. The episode highlights drummer Mel Gaynor's powerful work on "Once Upon a Time" and the significant vocal contributions of Robin Clark, who also worked with David Bowie. The band's name is revealed to be taken from a lyric in Bowie's "Jean Genie." The tone is conversational, respectful, and focused on musical craftsmanship and history. It is educational for fans interested in guitar textures, 1980s rock production, and band lore. This episode will appeal to Simple Minds fans, guitarists interested in effects and tone, and listeners who enjoy stories behind iconic 80s music and albums. Those seeking current news or debate-driven content might find it less engaging.

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