The original lineup of Simple Minds will hit the studio next month for the first time in 27 years. Brian McGee, Derek Forbes, Mick McNeil, Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill are aiming to record "at least two new tracks" for release before the end of the year, according to the group's Web site.

The site adds that Kerr and Burchill, the only current original members of Simple Minds, are looking at the reunion as a "nice experiment. The week-long reformation is being viewed as one of many 'let's see what happens' ideas that they look forward to working on over the course of the next year."

Drummer McGee left the band in 1981, while bassist Forbes split in 1985, only to return briefly in 1997-1998. Keyboardist McNeil has been absent since 1989. The last time this group of musicians recorded as Simple Minds was for "Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call" in 1981.

"I had always believed that the day would come when we would get the opportunity" to work with the original lineup," Kerr says. "We have a lot to live up to, but we intend to have some fun attempting to do just that."

Meanwhile, the active lineup of Simple Minds, apparently excluding the original members, has a handful of U.K. shows lined up in the fall, while Kerr and Burchill are performing together during the Night of the Proms series in Europe beginning Oct. 24 in Antwerp.