 A former member of the Scottish punk band Subs, Forbes replaced Tony Donald as bassist for Simple Minds in 1978, leaving in 1985.He reunited with the band for a three-year period from 1995 to 1998, before and during the recording of "Néapolis".He and Mel Gaynor also appeared at "Scotland Rocks for Kosovo" in 1999 performing Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir", whilst Simple Minds also appeared on the bill with Mark Kerr on drums and Eddie Duffy on bass.