IS IT LIVE ... OR AN OLD SIMPLE MINDS LP?

Why would Simple Minds, the critically acclaimed Scottish rock group, put out two records at the same time?

That’s right. If you walk into a record store later this month, you’ll find two “new” records from the band--”In the City of Light,” a live double album from A&M; Records, and “Sister Feelings Call” from Virgin Records.

What has the band up in arms is that the Virgin disc isn’t new at all. It’s a 1981 album that was initially released only in England by Virgin, which owns the rights to the nine albums the band released before coming to A&M.;

The group’s management isn’t upset that Virgin has rummaged through its vaults to cash in on the band’s new-found popularity. What bothers them is that the budget-priced Virgin disc has no sticker alerting consumers that they’re buying a 6-year-old album. Since A&M; is doing a big publicity push for its live package, it’s quite plausible that many fans could rush into a record store and buy the wrong album.

“I’m furious about it,” said Simple Minds manager Bruce Findlay. “I think Virgin should either take it off the shelves or sticker it with a warning so kids don’t get confused. What really (ticks) me off is that Virgin knew we were putting out a live album at almost the same time. They’re very naughty. It’s unfair to A&M;, to the band and to the public, because a lot of our new fans will have no way of knowing this is an old album.”

What makes the skirmish even more intriguing is that it’s sort of a family feud. Findlay deals with Virgin chiefs Jeff Ayeroff and Jordan Harris all the time, since Virgin distributes all Simple Minds recordings outside the U.S. In fact, Findlay sprinkled his complaints with grudging praise for the Virgin execs.

“I think Jeff Ayeroff is one of the smartest guys in the business--just ask him and he’ll tell you himself,” Findlay said. “And let’s make it clear--we’re not ashamed of the album. It’s a good record. But this is a wee bit sneaky. I don’t think the Virgin people are stupid, so I can only assume that they’re being devious, which does make us a bit angry.”

It may seem unfair to single out Virgin; it’s common practice among many record companies to release aged records without alerting consumers. But if record companies have the resources to plaster albums with “HIT SINGLE” stickers and PMRC warnings, then they surely can tip off fans that they’re shelling out $6 or more for a 6-year-old album.

What’s Virgin’s justification for its alleged lack of truth-in-packaging? According to a label press spokeswoman, Virgin has done “everything possible to inform the press and retail outlets that these records are from the band’s formative years. We sent out a press release detailing our catalogue reissue program and we’ve never promoted the album to retail stores or radio as a new album.”

Jim Swindel, Virgin’s vice president of sales, added: “Our intention was never to deceive the consumer at all. In fact, our next batch of catalogue records will be labeled with a ‘Super Saver Series’ sticker because a few retailers were selling the albums at more than the $6.98 list price.”

As for the timing of the release, at nearly the same time as the new A&M; album, Swindel said: “Our intention was to release this album several months ahead of the A&M; record. We weren’t deliberately trying to put it out at the same time at all. We’re really trying to do everything we can to protect the consumer.”