UZZA_SPARTA
Midfield
No not all
No synths, different vocals, totally different guitar style
really?
I know a lot of people who consider it a given that at the start U2 wanted to sound like Simple Minds as a way to progress (read; copied their style/template)... in the early 80's Simple Minds were established and out there, and if you look back at various interviews you will see plenty of quotes about U2 or Bono who tried to get their producer (Lilywhite?) to recreate sound of New Gold Dream and Sparkle in The Rain albums!!
It was around 82/83 period that The Police released last album, last tours, etc and I think it was during 1983 that Sting had decided to go solo as The Police by then had become biggest (rock) band in the world... the promoters like Harvey Goldsmith and Phil McIntyre needed a new stadium rock band.... then by mid 80's there was also liveaid and the whole North American market scenarios that unfolded involving U2 and their irish roots
U2 copied Simple Minds... its a known fact