Simply Red: “Brex shit, that’s the real name”

Mick Hucknall (62) founded the British band Simply Red 39 years ago. The name goes back to the color of the hair of the ardent Manchester United fan with the distinctive voice. On May 26, the soul and pop band will be releasing after a four-year break “time” a new album in the typical Simply Red sound.

OÖ News: Mister Hucknall, during Corona you had a lot of time to write new songs. The album is also called accordingly “time”. Supposedly one or the other song is also about self-reflection. So who is Mick Hucknall?

Mick Hucknall: There really isn’t a definitive conclusion. Life is an ongoing process until I’m about to die. Corona has changed the whole world and we still don’t know what that means for us in detail. The last pandemic before Corona was more than a hundred years ago, so society now lacks any experience in dealing with it. This time has changed society, which has an enormous impact on the way we live. When I was writing the album, time stood still during lockdown. I didn’t feel like time worked the way it should. That’s when I started, like many others, to reflect on myself.

“Better With You” is a sing-along love song in which you talk about meeting a woman for the first time. A lot can go wrong there.

Before people meet for the first time, there are certain problems in communication. You could have the wrong phone number, she could have a friend, or you’re taken. Every relationship is its own challenge at the beginning. That’s part of every love story. The beauty of music is that I like songs “Better With You” write from my perspective. When our fans listen to these songs, they often think about themselves and their relationships. What connects me to this song? That’s why people want to hear our songs at their wedding, for example. Or at the father’s funeral. These songs mean a lot to people because they make the songs their own.

How did your wife Gabriella react to the song?

Oh, she’s used to me writing songs about her. Every day with her is a love story.

You are a Manchester United fan. The association has consolidated even after a long period of self-discovery.

I’ve supported the club since they played for promotion to England’s second division (1974 NB). So the story between me and the club is rampant. It’s like climbing a mountain together. I’m not one of those fans who support their team when they win. There’s a lot more you can do for your team when they’re losing. She needs one. And I became a United fan at a time when they were losing a lot.

But City is more successful – does that hurt?

No, I can’t lose at all. After all, I was born in Manchester and I love my city. Anyone who loves their city is good for it. The fact that we have two successful football clubs here is really good news for the city. Manchester have always been good to me, look at where I am today. I grew up here and got a good education that I didn’t have to pay for. That makes me grateful.

You have also expressed yourself politically again and again. Was Brexit inevitable or a major mistake?

We call it ” Brexit-Shit”. The is the correct name. I hate that Brexit. This was the worst self-harm for my country in my life. I hope that we can renegotiate the single market and that the government dissolves as soon as possible. A new government would help, would stabilize relations with the EU.

Simply Red are coming to Burg Clam on July 30th – have you heard about the romantic concert backdrop below an old castle?

I haven’t been there but I’ve heard about this old castle. I really hope it doesn’t rain. We will be four songs from “time” play and then the best songs from Simply Red.