U2 FAQ

Question:

again, i cringe

Angry Anderson and that Neighbours song! Is this a competition now? Pete

Response:

with the exception of Men At Work. Think (amongst others)… The Sunny Boys Cold Chisel Australian Crawl You Am I

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – countless good guitar bands come out of australia. pub rock? yes please. Men At Work.

Response:

with the exception of Men At Work. Think (amongst others)… The Sunny Boys Cold Chisel Australian Crawl You Am I

"30 Odd Foot of Grunt" Woohoo! Yay for Aussie RAWk!!1! — Thad very

Response:

again, i cringe

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – with the exception of Men At Work. Think (amongst others)… The Sunny Boys Cold Chisel Australian Crawl You Am I "30 Odd Foot of Grunt" Woohoo! Yay for Aussie RAWk!!1! — Thad very

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – not have been a first album. Ed Cregger Oh well I was just grumpy because people in the UK know them more than The Church (the greatest guitar band on the planet) Also I was in a bad mood earlier today! P )))))))))))))))))))))))))

Yup, you ARE a musician! <G Ed Cregger

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For me it’s the Manic Street Preachers… Here’s why: I hate the way James Dean Bradfield plays guitar, it’s like rock by numbers, no style at all in his solos… let’s work out each note carefully beforehand… yet still it sound awful. Nicky Wire is an arrogant pseudo intellectual, "If you tolerate this then your children will be next"… FFS could you be anymore patronising? They are not about music… They have only written one good song: Small Black Flowers that Grow in the Sky, is a very good song I think. I saw a documentary about them on TV when they were sitting a cafe stating how much better they were as people than everyone else. They have the weirdest fanbase that are so blinkered to their band’s brilliance that it’s just plain sad. On their first two albums they tried to make sucidede sound, cool, it’s not. The way they sold out after their first album… Just thoughts… Pete

So did Richie top himself? It always comes back to that damned bridge, doesn’t it? It’s the only thing a Marillion fan could ever have in common with a MSP fan. Gary

Response:

countless good guitar bands come out of australia. pub rock? yes please.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – would not have been a first album. Ed Cregger Oh well I was just grumpy because people in the UK know them more than The Church (the greatest guitar band on the planet) The Church rock. Please to say I supported them in the early days. Good things come out of Australia.

Response:

"The Edge" / U2 If it wasn’t for delay pedals, he wouldn’t have a gig. The band is so full of themselves as it is.

Response:

The Church rock. Please to say I supported them in the early days. Good things come out of Australia.

Wasn’t Marty born in the UK? Seriously though The Church are amazing, probably the most under rated band under the milky way. P …Starts humming Bel-Air

Response:

Pearl Jam, Boston

Response:

Any band with a "superstar" lead guitarist. Puke!!! Ed Cregger

Response:

countless good guitar bands come out of australia. pub rock? yes please.

Men At Work.

Response:

"The Edge" / U2 If it wasn’t for delay pedals, he wouldn’t have a gig.

well he might.  but it might not be U2 The band is so full of themselves as it is.

yah..really.. didn’t seem so at the beginning.  but now <shudder I still like ‘Wire" and "Bullet the Blue Sky" FWIW,…

Response:

"The Edge" / U2 If it wasn’t for delay pedals, he wouldn’t have a gig. well he might.  but it might not be U2 The band is so full of themselves as it is. yah..really.. didn’t seem so at the beginning.  but now <shudder I still like ‘Wire" and "Bullet the Blue Sky" FWIW,…

In my band I am not allowed a delay pedal ((((((

Response:

Anything hip-hop. Ed Cregger

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For me it’s the Manic Street Preachers… Here’s why: I hate the way James Dean Bradfield plays guitar, it’s like rock by numbers, no style at all in his solos… let’s work out each note carefully beforehand… yet still it sound awful. Nicky Wire is an arrogant pseudo intellectual, "If you tolerate this then your children will be next"… FFS could you be anymore patronising? They are not about music… They have only written one good song: Small Black Flowers that Grow in the Sky, is a very good song I think. I saw a documentary about them on TV when they were sitting a cafe stating how much better they were as people than everyone else. They have the weirdest fanbase that are so blinkered to their band’s brilliance that it’s just plain sad. On their first two albums they tried to make sucidede sound, cool, it’s not. The way they sold out after their first album… Just thoughts… Pete

Response:

Come one, Pete. If they hadn’t sold out, there would not have been a first album. Ed Cregger

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For me it’s the Manic Street Preachers… Here’s why: I hate the way James Dean Bradfield plays guitar, it’s like rock by numbers, no style at all in his solos… let’s work out each note carefully beforehand… yet still it sound awful. Nicky Wire is an arrogant pseudo intellectual, "If you tolerate this then your children will be next"… FFS could you be anymore patronising? They are not about music… They have only written one good song: Small Black Flowers that Grow in the Sky, is a very good song I think. I saw a documentary about them on TV when they were sitting a cafe stating how much better they were as people than everyone else. They have the weirdest fanbase that are so blinkered to their band’s brilliance that it’s just plain sad. On their first two albums they tried to make sucidede sound, cool, it’s not. The way they sold out after their first album… Just thoughts… Pete

Response:

not have been a first album. Ed Cregger

Oh well I was just grumpy because people in the UK know them more than The Church (the greatest guitar band on the planet) Also I was in a bad mood earlier today! P )))))))))))))))))))))))))

Response:

Crud, PJ & Neil Young when electricity is involved.

Response:

would not have been a first album. Ed Cregger Oh well I was just grumpy because people in the UK know them more than The Church (the greatest guitar band on the planet)

The Church rock. Please to say I supported them in the early days. Good things come out of Australia.

Response:

Jeff Beck annoys me.  George Benson ( I know it was an out of context quote in that Hendrix is M post) just hit my shit list, I stopped liking him after White Rabbit any way.  Buddy Guy annoys me, thoe Iv been getting a kick out of the 12 string acoustic stuff with Junior Wells.  Mainly I try to look for the good, but some times it is just a plain no go!  Peace Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For me it’s the Manic Street Preachers… Here’s why: I hate the way James Dean Bradfield plays guitar, it’s like rock by numbers, no style at all in his solos… let’s work out each note carefully beforehand… yet still it sound awful. Nicky Wire is an arrogant pseudo intellectual, "If you tolerate this then your children will be next"… FFS could you be anymore patronising? They are not about music… They have only written one good song: Small Black Flowers that Grow in the Sky, is a very good song I think. I saw a documentary about them on TV when they were sitting a cafe stating how much better they were as people than everyone else. They have the weirdest fanbase that are so blinkered to their band’s brilliance that it’s just plain sad. On their first two albums they tried to make sucidede sound, cool, it’s not. The way they sold out after their first album… Just thoughts… Pete

Response:

I had mixed feelings about P Jam.  Was it Creed who did that really over driven sound with a 12 string at Wood Stock II in a song called ‘Shine’.  On thing about those guys, they brought back the tube amp sound and feel, just when I was giving up hope in the youth.  Sorry, I don’t know the other bands mentioned here.  Peace Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I basically agree with Einstine here. In particular, though, I can’t stand Pearl Jam, and their re-incarnation as Creed. For me it’s the Manic Street Preachers… Here’s why: I hate the way James Dean Bradfield plays guitar, it’s like rock by numbers, no style at all in his solos… let’s work out each note carefully beforehand… yet still it sound awful. Nicky Wire is an arrogant pseudo intellectual, "If you tolerate this then your children will be next"… FFS could you be anymore patronising? They are not about music… They have only written one good song: Small Black Flowers that Grow in the Sky, is a very good song I think. I saw a documentary about them on TV when they were sitting a cafe stating how much better they were as people than everyone else. They have the weirdest fanbase that are so blinkered to their band’s brilliance that it’s just plain sad. On their first two albums they tried to make sucidede sound, cool, it’s not. The way they sold out after their first album… Just thoughts… Pete

Response:

I basically agree with Einstine here. In particular, though, I can’t stand Pearl Jam, and their re-incarnation as Creed.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For me it’s the Manic Street Preachers… Here’s why: I hate the way James Dean Bradfield plays guitar, it’s like rock by numbers, no style at all in his solos… let’s work out each note carefully beforehand… yet still it sound awful. Nicky Wire is an arrogant pseudo intellectual, "If you tolerate this then your children will be next"… FFS could you be anymore patronising? They are not about music… They have only written one good song: Small Black Flowers that Grow in the Sky, is a very good song I think. I saw a documentary about them on TV when they were sitting a cafe stating how much better they were as people than everyone else. They have the weirdest fanbase that are so blinkered to their band’s brilliance that it’s just plain sad. On their first two albums they tried to make sucidede sound, cool, it’s not. The way they sold out after their first album… Just thoughts… Pete

Response:

You’re not alone. I’m a Manic Street Preacher hater too, I find their music stale and boring. This would have been my choice too.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For me it’s the Manic Street Preachers… Here’s why: I hate the way James Dean Bradfield plays guitar, it’s like rock by numbers, no style at all in his solos… let’s work out each note carefully beforehand… yet still it sound awful. Nicky Wire is an arrogant pseudo intellectual, "If you tolerate this then your children will be next"… FFS could you be anymore patronising? They are not about music… They have only written one good song: Small Black Flowers that Grow in the Sky, is a very good song I think. I saw a documentary about them on TV when they were sitting a cafe stating how much better they were as people than everyone else. They have the weirdest fanbase that are so blinkered to their band’s brilliance that it’s just plain sad. On their first two albums they tried to make sucidede sound, cool, it’s not. The way they sold out after their first album… Just thoughts… Pete

Response:

For me it’s the Manic Street Preachers… Here’s why: I hate the way James Dean Bradfield plays guitar, it’s like rock by numbers, no style at all in his solos… let’s work out each note carefully beforehand… yet still it sound awful. Nicky Wire is an arrogant pseudo intellectual, "If you tolerate this then your children will be next"… FFS could you be anymore patronising? They are not about music… They have only written one good song: Small Black Flowers that Grow in the Sky, is a very good song I think. I saw a documentary about them on TV when they were sitting a cafe stating how much better they were as people than everyone else. They have the weirdest fanbase that are so blinkered to their band’s brilliance that it’s just plain sad. On their first two albums they tried to make sucidede sound, cool, it’s not. The way they sold out after their first album… Just thoughts… Pete

Response:

Most of them. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For me it’s the Manic Street Preachers… Here’s why: I hate the way James Dean Bradfield plays guitar, it’s like rock by numbers, no style at all in his solos… let’s work out each note carefully beforehand… yet still it sound awful. Nicky Wire is an arrogant pseudo intellectual, "If you tolerate this then your children will be next"… FFS could you be anymore patronising? They are not about music… They have only written one good song: Small Black Flowers that Grow in the Sky, is a very good song I think. I saw a documentary about them on TV when they were sitting a cafe stating how much better they were as people than everyone else. They have the weirdest fanbase that are so blinkered to their band’s brilliance that it’s just plain sad. On their first two albums they tried to make sucidede sound, cool, it’s not. The way they sold out after their first album… Just thoughts… Pete

Response:

Question:

What do you think about this cover?

Response:

Good cover. The video is really cool, with a strong ‘MDH’ reference at the end ! — Joker www.u2street.net Rejoignez www.u2united.com, la communaut

Question:

BTW: on the "tribute to heroes" performance of U2, there is actually an extra guitar player that can be seen on TV. Who is that guy?

That’s Dave Stewart, formerly of the Eurythmics. C ya! Marty

Response:

typed: BTW: on the "tribute to heroes" performance of U2, there is actually an extra guitar player that can be seen on TV. Who is that guy?

That’s Dave Stewart from The Eurythmics. You’ll also have noticed that the TTH performance also featured three backing singers; these were Natalie Imbruglia, Morleigh Steinberg and some bloke that no-one has been able to identify! Mark — http://www.good-stuff.co.uk "I feel dangerous ‘cos I hunger for the truth"

Response:

I like the way the Rolling Stones do it. For years, they have toured with 3 back up singers, an entire horn section and a keyboardist. All of these folks are on stage for their parts. Sometimes the singers grab some percussion instrument and play along (cowbell for "Honkey Ronk Women" for example). The Stones also use some sequenced parts. The congas during "Sympathy for the Devil" is one obvious example. Chuck Leavel, the keyboardist, triggers that one. One could argue that a paying customer is seeing "The Rolling Stones" stage touring band with all of these folks adding to the experience, and believe me, seeing Lisa rip thorugh her part in "Gimme Shelter" is definitely entertaining.

Hmm, I think you’re right that anyone who is singing or playing an instrument during a concert should be on stage. But I also think the Stones use too many singers and instruments during their latest tour. Or is it to distract the attention from Keith’s guitar playing, which isn’t all that good recently…? :-/ Please, no back up singers and entire horn sections for U2… But an extra guitar player on stage is fine. BTW: on the "tribute to heroes" performance of U2, there is actually an extra guitar player that can be seen on TV. Who is that guy? Regards, David

Response:

I think there are some good reasons for keeping additional musicians hidden. For a start, they’re not ging to be playing all the time in all the songs, so for a lot of the show they’d just be standing around doing nothing.

And so then they leave the stage and wait for their next song to return to it. Also, where do you draw the line?

Easy. If a human is making the sound and the sound is coming out of the speakers into the room, the human making that sound is on stage while s/he is making it. Do you have everybody who is making some kind of musical contribution on stage, or just those making a significant amount?

Yes. Finally, the paying customers have not only come to hear U2, but also to *see* U2. Unless an additional musician is there as some kind of special guest (such as when U2 have been joined onstage by Bruce Springsteen, the guys from Abba or the gospel choir in the R&H version of ISHFWILF), they’re not adding anything to the stage show. It’s simpler, IMO, to just have the band onstage and keep everyone else behind the scenes.

I like the way the Rolling Stones do it. For years, they have toured with 3 back up singers, an entire horn section and a keyboardist. All of these folks are on stage for their parts. Sometimes the singers grab some percussion instrument and play along (cowbell for "Honkey Ronk Women" for example). The Stones also use some sequenced parts. The congas during "Sympathy for the Devil" is one obvious example. Chuck Leavel, the keyboardist, triggers that one. One could argue that a paying customer is seeing "The Rolling Stones" stage touring band with all of these folks adding to the experience, and believe me, seeing Lisa rip thorugh her part in "Gimme Shelter" is definitely entertaining. I don’t dislike the U2 stage sound and I completely understand the reason why they are so heavily sequenced and click tracked on stage these days. The shows sound and look great and they are a great live band. But I know Edge doesn’t have 4 arms and hands, so when I hear 2 guitars on "Bullet the Blue Sky" then I want to see both of those guitarists, unless the second guitar is a completely sampled and looped guitar sound, but that just seems harder than it should be… Cheers. — Alan

Response:

There has been a lot of discussion in other groups about this. I don’t think there is any evidence that Dallas Schoo has played extra guitar during a concert. He will be seen in videos tuning up Edges guitars whilst the band are playing which may give the impression that he is also playing along. It is common knowledge that U2 use sequencers and these are looked after under the stage by Des Broadberry and latterly Terry Lawless. However, Edge triggers these sequences from on stage. E.g. the intros to Streets, and One, are triggered by Edge when he feels ready. It’s a small point, but it’s just a tape machine and Edge is  switching it on, so why is that so different to the tons of other effects in his guitar rack? It is interesting that during the Elevation 3rd leg, they had a guy come on the stage and play keyboards during Please at a few concerts. So they don’t have  a huge hang up about someone else playing with them, but fundamentally, Des’s job is to maintain the sequencer, and swop to the spare if one breaks down. I hardly think that means he should be up on stage as part of the band. Other guys in the "underworld" would include the monitor guy, the other guitar techs for Bono and Adam as well as Larry’s drum tech. Add a few hangers on, and it must be quite a party down there some nights! I sure would like to spend a few evenings down there myself. Foxy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a long-time fan of the band and have enjoyed them live many times. However, one thing that I do not like about their performances is the 5th musician that has played with them for at least 10 years now. It was clear with the Zoo TV Outside Broadcast Fox Network (US) special 10+ years ago that they had a 5th member. He plays keyboards and guitar and was shown at his post under the stage on that TV special. He is also shown very very briefly in the "making of" segment on the Elevation 2001 Boston DVD. I really wish they’d bring this guy up on stage – even if he’s stuck at the back somewhere – so people know that as phenomenal a player as Edge is he still has a bit of help from time to time. I think it is a bit of a rock ‘n’ roll swindle to keep him hidden and to bury his name deep in the credits of the Elevation 2001 DVD. — Alan

— Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Response:

Even the base-liner at the end of Discotheque (POPmart) is pro- duced bij a computer, as we clearly can hear during the soudchecks at the stadium in 1997, while waiting outside.

How can you hear it was produced by computer? Bono says in the POPmart documantary; "we can’t bring the audience to the studio, so we bring the studio to them". I don’t mind they use all this equipment and pre-recorded material; the band is playing live as much as they can, and the rest is filled in bij the other stuff.

Interesting, I’d like to see that documentary. Any chance to see a rerun on Discovery? At least they are live, what some other artists can’t say…

Very true.. Regards, David

Response:

The answer; John Lennon

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a long-time fan of the band and have enjoyed them live many times. However, one thing that I do not like about their performances is the 5th musician that has played with them for at least 10 years now. It was clear with the Zoo TV Outside Broadcast Fox Network (US) special 10+ years ago that they had a 5th member. He plays keyboards and guitar and was shown at his post under the stage on that TV special. He is also shown very very briefly in the "making of" segment on the Elevation 2001 Boston DVD. I really wish they’d bring this guy up on stage – even if he’s stuck at the back somewhere – so people know that as phenomenal a player as Edge is he still has a bit of help from time to time. I think it is a bit of a rock ‘n’ roll swindle to keep him hidden and to bury his name deep in the credits of the Elevation 2001 DVD. — Alan

Response:

But all I’m getting at is I wish they’d just bring the guy up onstage. If someone is playing it on an instrument that someone should be on stage, in my opinion.

Hmmmmm……tricky one this. They may have to pay him more if he was on stage )

Response:

keyboard and typed: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Isn’t it Dallas Schoo you see on the DVD who is The Edge’s long time guitar technician? He plays a bit of rhythm guitar on some songs and also programs the sequencer. He did come on stage before the Elevation gigs but only to tune up and test the remote cordless leads from out on the heart walkway. Under "U2 Touring Personnel" credit on the Elevation 2001 DVD is listed: Guitar Techs: Dallas Shoo, Stuart Morgan, Dave Rauz Then two lines later is: Programmer and Additional Keyboards: Terry Lawless I’m interpreting that as a guy who plays keyboards for the band during the show because of where he is listed in the credits. I’ll assume (yeah, I know what that means) that it’s his under-stage keyboard rig briefly shown in the "Making of…" documentary on the DVD and go out on a limb and say he is the guy shown wearing a guitar under there, too. But all I’m getting at is I wish they’d just bring the guy up onstage. If someone is playing it on an instrument that someone should be on stage, in my opinion.

I think there are some good reasons for keeping additional musicians hidden. For a start, they’re not ging to be playing all the time in all the songs, so for a lot of the show they’d just be standing around doing nothing. Also, where do you draw the line? Do you have everybody who is making some kind of musical contribution on stage, or just those making a significant amount? Finally, the paying customers have not only come to hear U2, but also to *see* U2. Unless an additional musician is there as some kind of special guest (such as when U2 have been joined onstage by Bruce Springsteen, the guys from Abba or the gospel choir in the R&H version of ISHFWILF), they’re not adding anything to the stage show. It’s simpler, IMO, to just have the band onstage and keep everyone else behind the scenes. Mark — http://www.good-stuff.co.uk "Take me or leave me, don’t have to believe me"

Response:

OK, I’ve been discovered. I am the fifth member of U2. They keep me on call for when they need a Hurdy Gurdy. Please visit my website at fifthmember(insert band here).com. Mark

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a long-time fan of the band and have enjoyed them live many times. However, one thing that I do not like about their performances is the 5th musician that has played with them for at least 10 years now. It was clear with the Zoo TV Outside Broadcast Fox Network (US) special 10+ years ago that they had a 5th member. He plays keyboards and guitar and was shown at his post under the stage on that TV special. He is also shown very very briefly in the "making of" segment on the Elevation 2001 Boston DVD. I really wish they’d bring this guy up on stage – even if he’s stuck at the back somewhere – so people know that as phenomenal a player as Edge is he still has a bit of help from time to time. I think it is a bit of a rock ‘n’ roll swindle to keep him hidden and to bury his name deep in the credits of the Elevation 2001 DVD. — Alan

Response:

Isn’t it Dallas Schoo you see on the DVD who is The Edge’s long time guitar technician? He plays a bit of rhythm guitar on some songs and also programs the sequencer. He did come on stage before the Elevation gigs but only to tune up and test the remote cordless leads from out on the heart walkway.

Under "U2 Touring Personnel" credit on the Elevation 2001 DVD is listed: Guitar Techs: Dallas Shoo, Stuart Morgan, Dave Rauz Then two lines later is: Programmer and Additional Keyboards: Terry Lawless I’m interpreting that as a guy who plays keyboards for the band during the show because of where he is listed in the credits. I’ll assume (yeah, I know what that means) that it’s his under-stage keyboard rig briefly shown in the "Making of…" documentary on the DVD and go out on a limb and say he is the guy shown wearing a guitar under there, too. But all I’m getting at is I wish they’d just bring the guy up onstage. If someone is playing it on an instrument that someone should be on stage, in my opinion. — Alan

Response:

Little known fact: the "5th Member" is actually……wait for it….. …..Avril Lavigne! Touche. BTW, I believe it’s "arbitrarily" you were shootin’ for, Tex.

 if we’re going to be picky, an actual English ellipsis has only three full stops. my mistake was carelessness, yours was ignorance. JQM P.S. I believe that’s "Touch

Question:

I’m really curious if U2 will play New York on this tour? Irish, Italian, Jews and Hispanics Religious nuts, political fanatics in the stew, Living happily not like me and you That’s where I lost you… NewYork That’s a cracking lyric isn’t it?

cant imagine why not. billy joel had no problems playing new york state of mind at the telethon (a song along the same theme) JQM

Response:

I’m really curious if U2 will play New York on this tour? Irish, Italian, Jews and Hispanics Religious nuts, political fanatics in the stew, Living happily not like me and you That’s where I lost you… NewYork That’s a cracking lyric isn’t it?

Response:

I’m sure it will be played.  Bullet the Blue Sky is debatable though…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m really curious if U2 will play New York on this tour? Irish, Italian, Jews and Hispanics Religious nuts, political fanatics in the stew, Living happily not like me and you That’s where I lost you… NewYork That’s a cracking lyric isn’t it?

Response:

Question:

Hi Snowlock. Grow up, and shame on you. Fly the flag, don’t wrap yourself in it. Save the political statements for yourself.  Let people get comfort from whatever gives them comfort. Bollocks.  Some people need direction otherwise they can loose sight of what’s right and wrong while "wrapped up" in the flag.  There are obvious dangers!  Waken up.

Well, I’m just thanking god right now we’ve got you as the moral police then, tommy.  How nice of you and the others of this particular issue to sacrifice yourself in such a way.

Response:

Yikes!  I haven’t seen this and I’m glad.  I agree with you that using the song to incite some feverish patriotism is not right. Smacks of propaganda.  I wonder if the band knows about this. Patriotism, especially over the ideals represented by the American flag, is sometimes a good thing when faced with incomprehsible evil and all the suffering it engenders. Doesn’t Bono wave an Irish flag around when given the chance?

What Bono does with his *own* music is different than what someone else does with Bono’s music.  After all, the American flag does not "only fly for freedom".  The American flag *also* flys for oppression and genocide.  The American flag is a symbol of great ideals but also horrible acts of violence and brutality.  See also Bullet the Blue Sky for one take on this topic.  Its not cut and dry, black or white, certainly a lot of good has been done by the USA.  But in the end, its Bono’s words.

Response:

Grow up, and shame on you. Fly the flag, don’t wrap yourself in it.

Save the political statements for yourself.  Let people get comfort from whatever gives them comfort.

Response:

Hi Snowlock. Grow up, and shame on you. Fly the flag, don’t wrap yourself in it. Save the political statements for yourself.  Let people get comfort from whatever gives them comfort.

Bollocks.  Some people need direction otherwise they can loose sight of what’s right and wrong while "wrapped up" in the flag.  There are obvious dangers!  Waken up. Tommy. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Yikes!  I haven’t seen this and I’m glad.  I agree with you that using the song to incite some feverish patriotism is not right. Smacks of propaganda.  I wonder if the band knows about this.

I personally feel all the remixes and what not that came out are in pretty bad taste. On one hand they’re digitally removing the WTC from movies (another stupid idea, IMO), then they add snippets of people crying, etc to popular songs? I know most radio stations were making remixes on their own and probably didn’t obtain permission first. But MTV probably couldn’t get away with that. I dunno… It all just seems in really bad taste. But then, I really like Ebert’s idea for a memorial too, and I’m pretty sure I’m in the minority on that one… oh well. MZ — It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.  - Antoine de Saint-Exupery, _The Little Prince_ The three rules of the Librarians of Time and Space are: 1) Silence; 2) Books must be returned no later than the date last shown; and 3) Do not interfere with the nature of causality.  - Terry Pratchett, Discworld

Response:

Copyright protection being what it is, I find it hard to believe that MTV would co opt U2’s song and create a video without their permission.  I don’t know that specifics of this case, but I would assume that U2 had to give the song’s rights to the producer of the video.  Perhaps they didn’t know the flag was going to be displayed so prominently, but I actually don’t see anything wrong with it. It’s a fulfilling song and video. Regards, John — ‘Every master knows that the material  teaches the artist.’     -Ilya Erenburg- – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, If this is not already an overworked topic, I am not aware of it. So please bear with me. I recently saw the WTC collage video backed by "Walk On" on one of the rock video channels (VH1/MTV?). I was personally rather disturbed to see the song recontextualized so heavily with the American flag displayed prominently throughout. (I have other opinions about that, but that will suffice for now.) I could be wrong, but I would doubt very seriously that the band, however much they sympathize with the human loss in this tragedy, would allow their creative expression to be consciously associated with American political symbolism. (For contrast, remember "Bullet the Blue Sky" on the Popmart tour?) I recall that Ronald Reagan tried to coopt Bruce Springsteen’s "Born in the USA" as a campaign song, or something similar, in the mid-1980s, and Sprinsteen rightly objected to the song being misused in this way. The song lyric  "A singing bird in an open cage, who will only fly for freedom" is a wonderful sentiment and image, but IMO it should not be permanently associated with a full-screen flowing image of any nation’s flag. Unfortunately, that is exactly what some TV network has done, presumably without asking permission. And do you think the band, least of all Bono, would actually say Yes if asked? A few thoughts from a concerned fan. . . Peace, SAM

Response:

Grow up, and shame on you.

Fly the flag, don’t wrap yourself in it. Doc

Response:

Doesn’t Bono wave an Irish flag around when given the chance?

    Well, he’s been known to tear it apart so the only piece left of it is a white flag, and then fly that around.  

Response:

I was personally rather disturbed to see the song recontextualized so heavily with the American flag displayed prominently throughout.

It’s funny how people see the sames things in different ways, and how cynically they can interpret events.  It’s very sad that your only apparent concern is that it would be uplifting to the spirits of some very wounded Americans. Grow up, and shame on you.

Response:

Yikes!  I haven’t seen this and I’m glad.  I agree with you that using the song to incite some feverish patriotism is not right. Smacks of propaganda.  I wonder if the band knows about this.

Patriotism, especially over the ideals represented by the American flag, is sometimes a good thing when faced with incomprehsible evil and all the suffering it engenders. Doesn’t Bono wave an Irish flag around when given the chance? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Doc

Response:

Hello, If this is not already an overworked topic, I am not aware of it. So please bear with me. I recently saw the WTC collage video backed by "Walk On" on one of the rock video channels (VH1/MTV?). I was personally rather disturbed to see the song recontextualized so heavily with the American flag displayed prominently throughout. (I have other opinions about that, but that will suffice for now.) I could be wrong, but I would doubt very seriously that the band, however much they sympathize with the human loss in this tragedy, would allow their creative expression to be consciously associated with American political symbolism. (For contrast, remember "Bullet the Blue Sky" on the Popmart tour?) I recall that Ronald Reagan tried to coopt Bruce Springsteen’s "Born in the USA" as a campaign song, or something similar, in the mid-1980s, and Sprinsteen rightly objected to the song being misused in this way. The song lyric  "A singing bird in an open cage, who will only fly for freedom" is a wonderful sentiment and image, but IMO it should not be permanently associated with a full-screen flowing image of any nation’s flag. Unfortunately, that is exactly what some TV network has done, presumably without asking permission. And do you think the band, least of all Bono, would actually say Yes if asked? A few thoughts from a concerned fan. . . Peace, SAM

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The song lyric  "A singing bird in an open cage, who will only fly for freedom" is a wonderful sentiment and image, but IMO it should not be permanently associated with a full-screen flowing image of any nation’s flag. Unfortunately, that is exactly what some TV network has done, presumably without asking permission. And do you think the band, least of all Bono, would actually say Yes if asked? A few thoughts from a concerned fan. . . Peace, SAM

Yikes!  I haven’t seen this and I’m glad.  I agree with you that using the song to incite some feverish patriotism is not right. Smacks of propaganda.  I wonder if the band knows about this. Doc

Response:

Question:

If any of the queue organisers are reading this (the Australian guy in the green rugby shirt and his partner, the scouse guy in the blue Popmart shirt, another guy in a stripey top and baeball cap and fourth guy with dark curly hair), you did a great job and your efforts were very appreciated by all the fans around me. It’s just a pity the security staff and Arena management didn’t want to know

I waited round the "main" entrance with a bunch of other people.  There were a couple of hundred there by 5:45pm when security told us all to move all the way down the steps to the barriers which of course messed up the orderly queue that had formed over the past few hours.  None of the security people bothered to tell us before, despite the fact that there were loads of them around.  Useless.  And three pounds for a bottle of Stella is dreadful.  I did, however, get into the heart and was right in front of Edge in the 2nd row of people.  I should have some fantastic pictures.  As I’m sure you’ve all read by now the show was amazing… one of the best gigs I’ve ever seen. Kite for Bono’s father, the extended SBS, Bad/40/Streets, the Fly, Bullet the Blue Sky and a wonderful Walk On were my highlights. –J.

Response:

If any of the queue organisers are reading this (the Australian guy in the green rugby shirt and his partner, the scouse guy in the blue Popmart shirt, another guy in a stripey top and baeball cap and fourth guy with dark curly hair), you did a great job and your efforts were very appreciated by all the fans around me. It’s just a pity the security staff and Arena management didn’t want to know

MEN gestapo more like. I got spoken to twice by them last night. My crime was because I dared to put a foot in the isle between the blocks whilst going nuts to WTSHNN. Tossers. Steve

Response:

It’s a fantastic show and you will enjoy it wherever you are in the Arena.

I was halfway back on the upper tier on the right (looking at the stage), great view of the whole heart. It was the first time for me to see tnem an what a show, fantastic!!!! Chris

Response:

yeah but boddies is short for boddingtons up here in yorkshire! — please visit my web page www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~moggy02 feel free to contact me on ICQ 43676428 or instant messager moggy02 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dont drink ale from the MEN – its bloody vile! Isn’t that why they have bars at concerts to escape from rubbish like that. <lol Steve Isn’t it Boddingtons? It should be nice and fresh as the brewery is only 100 yards away. I don’t drink and drive so I stick to the bottled water. Steve

Response:

I got to the MEN at 12 noon. I went to the main entrance (the "outside" one at the top of the steps). There were half a dozen other people there. After about 45 minutes, two scottish guys appeared and said the everyone was queueing at the other entrance that you get to rhough the railway station. We ran round there and there were about 100 people there waiting in an orderly queue. An Australina guy and the front of the queue wa swriting numbers on everyone’s hand when they arrived (I was number 109). This was a great idea and everyone co-operated. That was until the security arrived. The queue organisers liaised with he security to try to get them to go along with our nunmbering system so the first 300 would have a good chance of getting to the heart. Secutriy started to give out wristbands in number order at about 4pm. when they ghot to about Number 90 they stopped (at the request of Arena management). They said that a decision would be made at 5:30 as to whether the wristbanding would continue. Nothing was announced at 5:30 and the doors opened normally at 6pm and there was a bit of a free for all. The numbering system, broke down completely. As I was still near the fornt of the queue at this point I managed to get into the hearty quite easily. I would say that to get into the heart based on yesterday, you would need to be there at 3pm at the latest. If any of the queue organisers are reading this (the Australian guy in the green rugby shirt and his partner, the scouse guy in the blue Popmart shirt, another guy in a stripey top and baeball cap and fourth guy with dark curly hair), you did a great job and your efforts were very appreciated by all the fans around me. It’s just a pity the security staff and Arena management didn’t want to know Hope this helps anyone trying to get into the heart tonight. It’s a fantastic show and you will enjoy it wherever you are in the Arena. — Paul White My DVD Collection : http://www.dvdprofiler.com/mycollection.asp?alias=Icebun

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Advice please. What time did people start waiting in line for the heart last night ? Also was it obvious where to go to stand in line ? was there more than one queue for the standing area? Thanks for any advice given. Kev Harriosn.

Response:

Dont drink ale from the MEN – its bloody vile!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Isn’t that why they have bars at concerts to escape from rubbish like that. <lol Steve

Response:

it was indeed! boddies is shite and the heniken was watered down! and the bottles of stella looked warm! — please visit my web page www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~moggy02 feel free to contact me on ICQ 43676428 or instant messager moggy02 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dont drink ale from the MEN – its bloody vile! Isn’t that why they have bars at concerts to escape from rubbish like that. <lol Steve

Response:

Dont drink ale from the MEN – its bloody vile! Isn’t that why they have bars at concerts to escape from rubbish like that. <lol Steve

Isn’t it Boddingtons? It should be nice and fresh as the brewery is only 100 yards away. I don’t drink and drive so I stick to the bottled water. Steve

Response:

Just be warned though, doing this will mean you have to suffer through Kelis having another attempt at the world record for making the most racket possible in 45 minutes. Last night she got close, I am sure she can do it tonight. Not nice!!

Isn’t that why they have bars at concerts to escape from rubbish like that. <lol Steve

Response:

maybe the arena chose the support…to get more pple 2 the bar and then scalp us 2.80 a pint! — please visit my web page www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~moggy02 feel free to contact me on ICQ 43676428 or instant messager moggy02 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just be warned though, doing this will mean you have to suffer through Kelis having another attempt at the world record for making the most racket possible in 45 minutes. Last night she got close, I am sure she can do it tonight. Not nice!! Isn’t that why they have bars at concerts to escape from rubbish like that. <lol Steve

Response:

Advice please. What time did people start waiting in line for the heart last night ? Also was it obvious where to go to stand in line ? was there more than one queue for the standing area? Thanks for any advice given. Kev Harriosn.

Response:

Just be warned though, doing this will mean you have to suffer through Kelis having another attempt at the world record for making the most racket possible in 45 minutes. Last night she got close, I am sure she can do it tonight. Not nice!!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Advice please. What time did people start waiting in line for the heart last night ? Also was it obvious where to go to stand in line ? was there more than one queue for the standing area? Thanks for any advice given. Kev Harriosn.

Response:

Question:

Was I dreaming or really Bono dedicated this song to John Lennon or at least he spoke about him and his murderer Mark Chapman? The video they played before this song talked about guns… However, what a concert!!! Much better than Reggio Emilia ‘97.. Ciao Michele

Response:

no you weren’t dreaming… he said JL was the first victiom of the "guns being sold in supermarket"…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Was I dreaming or really Bono dedicated this song to John Lennon or at least he spoke about him and his murderer Mark Chapman? The video they played before this song talked about guns… However, what a concert!!! Much better than Reggio Emilia ‘97.. Ciao Michele

Response:

Question:

Hiya Whilst going through my old singles, I discovered a U2 white label 7" single. Tracks are: Bullet the Blue Sky (recorded live, August 8th 1987 – Cork, Eire) and on the B side Spanish Eyes and Lucille (Unreleased Track) (Recorded Live, June 29th 1987 Glasgow) The cover is marked Promotional Use Only Not for Resale Limited Edition 400 only with a logo showing PR. Since I was about to give all my singles away to Oxfam, I was wondering if this particular one is worth anything, and whether any U" collectors may be interested. Cheers Ben —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Whist going through my old singles, I discovered a U2 white label 7" single. Tracks are: Bullet the Blue Sky (recorded live, August 8th 1987 – Cork, Eire) and on the B side Spanish Eyes and Lucille (Unreleased Track) (Recorded Live, June 29th 1987 Glasgow) The cover is marked Promotional Use Only Not for Resale Limited Edition 400 only with a logo showing PR. Since I was about to give all my singles away to Oxfam, I was wondering if this particular one is worth anything, and whether any U" collectors may be interested.

Well, first off, it’s a bootleg. The fact that it is a 7" single makes it a bit of a collectable but you’ll be hard pressed to get any decent money for a vinyl single in this age of CD bootlegs. If I was interested (I’m not-I have it) I wouldn’t pay more then $8.00 US cash for it. I suggest putting it up on eBay. T.B. —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Question:

 Give the guys a break…they ARE only human, after all. — bonnyvox can’t sing but i’ve got soul

WHAT!?  Next thing you know you will be saying there’s no Santy Claus or Tooth Fairy!  You’ve broke me heart! Doc (I’m quite sure Mr. The Edge is Superhuman)

Response:

poor little crippled gimp-boy that nobody could love— awwwwwww. poor thing – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Guest appearance by Chuck Heston with an assault rifle, now we’re talkin’. =) SM Schmucken Mrs. Tokyo, are you related to Miss Sarajevo? SM

Response:

Game on! Marsie how do ya?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – poor little crippled gimp-boy that nobody could love— awwwwwww. poor thing Guest appearance by Chuck Heston with an assault rifle, now we’re talkin’. =) SM Schmucken Mrs. Tokyo, are you related to Miss Sarajevo? SM

Response:

Guest appearance by Chuck Heston with an assault rifle, now we’re talkin’. =) SM

Schmucken Wanna read my mind? http://www.livejournal.com/users/marstokyo/ Visit the Mars Tokyo Visual Diary at http://marstokyo.com

Response:

Because it DID NOT HAPPEN. The protest part, anyway, from what I am hearing.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How come U2 hasn’t released a press statement about the Boston fan situation?  Their unusual silence is telling us more about this incident than anything else. By selling General Admission tickets to fans, U2 entered into a contract with their fans to provide them with first come first serve seating arrangements, unless otherwise specified on the ticket.  It is generally understood, even by law, that General Admission is first come first serve. Was this agreement adhered to at the Boston show? Did the Boston fans get the contractual promise of General Admission (first come first serve) when they purchased their tickets or was the agreement breached when they were leap frogged by Hollywood compatibles? What is more disgusting than U2 shafting their "fans" and remaining silent about it, are the "fans" who are sticking up for U2 and bashing the 25 slighted Boston fans.  Maybe the band should hire you for their pr department.  People get ready – to bend over! There are those who say it only happened to 25 fans so it’s ok.  If it happens to only one fan, it is not OK.  I wonder how those same people would feel if it happened to them? There are those who say you got into the heart so why are you bitching? Is that what the band promised when they sold these fans the tickets.  As stated earlier, General Admission is generally understood as first come first serve, as was the case in all of the previous concerts on this tour. There are those who doubt if the protest happened.  Who cares if it happened or not.  According to numerous posts, what did happen was fans got screwed out of their rightful seating/standing positions by "fans" who arrived later. There are those who say the band was not aware of what was going on and it’s not their fault.  Maybe the band should change their name to Ur2ignorant. This is a U2 concert, not a U2 management concert and not an HBO concert. If the protest did happen and the band noticed it, the band should have stopped playing and addressed the situation immediately.  By pretending it wasn’t happening, the band obviously showed absolutley no sensitivity to their "fans". There was a comment about Larry giving a dirty look to the fans who were doing this.  If this is true, is this how Larry and the rest of his bandmates truly feel about the people who put food on their tables? From what I see, the only trolls here are the ones who are trying to downplay this rather serious incident.  Why is it serious?  Because it’s U2 sticking it to their fans, not some KiddyPop band.  But then again, recently, I’ve had trouble noticing the difference between U2 and these other pop bands.  Ready for the lip sing Super Bowl Halftime show guys? I dedicate the song Some Days Are Better Than Others to those Boston fans. Specifically, the line "And some days are bouncers and won’t let you in." We never thought U2 would be the bouncer. Is U2’s silence on this matter golden or guilt?  Try and think with your head, not with your heart.

Response:

By selling General Admission tickets to fans, U2 entered into a contract with their fans to provide them with first come first serve seating arrangements, unless otherwise specified on the ticket.

It says NOWHERE on MY GA ticket that I am guaranteed a spot in the heart if I am among the first 300 in line.  It says nowhere, "first come, first served".  I don’t think U2 *owe* these people anything.  SOmeone else said it right, get used to disappointment…life is full of disappointment.  I had a really nifty little gifty that I really really really really wanted to give to Bono as a thank you for the last 20 years of wonderful music he and the boys have shared with me (I discovered tham a little late).  I was there at 11 or 11:30, number 187 in line, and got into the heart.  But I couldn’t get close enough to the stage to give him my gift because there were 2-3 rows of people in front of me who got to the heart first, and in talking with them, I found out that they’ve been to 8+ shows and have 4+ shows ahead of them this tour.  Philly & NYC are it for me.  Not one of them offered to let me near the stage so I could get Bono’s attention.  Do I think it’s fair?  Mmmm…not sure on that.  Am I disappointed?  You betcha.  Did I sit on the floor and cry because I couldn’t have my way?  Nope.  Did U2 have control over these fans in the front row?  Don’t be silly.  And this could have very well been the case of this HBO in Boston thing.  The truth is we just don’t know and there’s no way we could expect U2 to have control over every single aspect of the way each and every fan at each and every show is treated.  Give the guys a break…they ARE only human, after all. — bonnyvox can’t sing but i’ve got soul

Response:

Guest appearance by Chuck Heston with an assault rifle, now we’re talkin’. =) SM Schmucken

The freak lives. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wanna read my mind? http://www.livejournal.com/users/marstokyo/ Visit the Mars Tokyo Visual Diary at http://marstokyo.com

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Guest appearance by Chuck Heston with an assault rifle, now we’re talkin’. =) SM Schmucken Mrs. Tokyo, are you related to Miss Sarajevo? SM

Watch her she’s a lunitic. I look foward to the fun I’ll be having with her again. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Guest appearance by Chuck Heston with an assault rifle, now we’re talkin’. =) SM Schmucken

Mrs. Tokyo, are you related to Miss Sarajevo? SM

Response:

Guest appearance by Chuck Heston with an assault rifle, now we’re talkin’. =) SM

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wouldn’t it be more ironic if they pulled them up on stage during Bullet the Blue Sky, lined them up, and shot them one by one??!! It’s funny ’cause it’s twisted. Daif How’s this? We the members of the band, are sorry that 25 out of 20,000 people who attended one of our shows in Boston acted like asses because their dress or attitude didn’t gel with the artistic vision of our video’s producer. We also regret not dragging that producer up on stage and publicly flogging him. Next time those particular 25 pea brained snobs attend one of our shows, we will personally draw chalk outlines on the floor where their feet should be and write each of their names inside the little foot-shaped thingys. XOXOXO Your pal, Bono

Response:

Wouldn’t it be more ironic if they pulled them up on stage during Bullet the Blue Sky, lined them up, and shot them one by one??!! It’s funny ’cause it’s twisted. Daif

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How’s this? We the members of the band, are sorry that 25 out of 20,000 people who attended one of our shows in Boston acted like asses because their dress or attitude didn’t gel with the artistic vision of our video’s producer. We also regret not dragging that producer up on stage and publicly flogging him. Next time those particular 25 pea brained snobs attend one of our shows, we will personally draw chalk outlines on the floor where their feet should be and write each of their names inside the little foot-shaped thingys. XOXOXO Your pal, Bono

Response:

How’s this? We the members of the band, are sorry that 25 out of 20,000 people who attended one of our shows in Boston acted like asses because their dress or attitude didn’t gel with the artistic vision of our video’s producer. We also regret not dragging that producer up on stage and publicly flogging him. Next time those particular 25 pea brained snobs attend one of our shows, we will personally draw chalk outlines on the floor where their feet should be and write each of their names inside the little foot-shaped thingys. XOXOXO Your pal, Bono

Response:

How come U2 hasn’t released a press statement about the Boston fan situation?  Their unusual silence is telling us more about this incident than anything else.

That’s absurd.  U2 don’t comment on every little thing that’s happened.  But, in fact, someone posted that Bono did say (sing) that they got the seating wrong, on stage, in Boston, in another show, during 11 o’Clock Tick Tock.  So U2 *weren’t* silent about it, thus negating your main point.

Response:

How come U2 hasn’t released a press statement about the Boston fan situation?  Their unusual silence is telling us more about this incident than anything else. By selling General Admission tickets to fans, U2 entered into a contract with their fans to provide them with first come first serve seating arrangements, unless otherwise specified on the ticket.  It is generally understood, even by law, that General Admission is first come first serve. Was this agreement adhered to at the Boston show? Did the Boston fans get the contractual promise of General Admission (first come first serve) when they purchased their tickets or was the agreement breached when they were leap frogged by Hollywood compatibles? What is more disgusting than U2 shafting their "fans" and remaining silent about it, are the "fans" who are sticking up for U2 and bashing the 25 slighted Boston fans.  Maybe the band should hire you for their pr department.  People get ready – to bend over! There are those who say it only happened to 25 fans so it’s ok.  If it happens to only one fan, it is not OK.  I wonder how those same people would feel if it happened to them? There are those who say you got into the heart so why are you bitching?  Is that what the band promised when they sold these fans the tickets.  As stated earlier, General Admission is generally understood as first come first serve, as was the case in all of the previous concerts on this tour. There are those who doubt if the protest happened.  Who cares if it happened or not.  According to numerous posts, what did happen was fans got screwed out of their rightful seating/standing positions by "fans" who arrived later. There are those who say the band was not aware of what was going on and it’s not their fault.  Maybe the band should change their name to Ur2ignorant. This is a U2 concert, not a U2 management concert and not an HBO concert. If the protest did happen and the band noticed it, the band should have stopped playing and addressed the situation immediately.  By pretending it wasn’t happening, the band obviously showed absolutley no sensitivity to their "fans". There was a comment about Larry giving a dirty look to the fans who were doing this.  If this is true, is this how Larry and the rest of his bandmates truly feel about the people who put food on their tables? From what I see, the only trolls here are the ones who are trying to downplay this rather serious incident.  Why is it serious?  Because it’s U2 sticking it to their fans, not some KiddyPop band.  But then again, recently, I’ve had trouble noticing the difference between U2 and these other pop bands.  Ready for the lip sing Super Bowl Halftime show guys? I dedicate the song Some Days Are Better Than Others to those Boston fans. Specifically, the line "And some days are bouncers and won’t let you in." We never thought U2 would be the bouncer. Is U2’s silence on this matter golden or guilt?  Try and think with your head, not with your heart.  

Response:

Question:

(SNIP on the books part) HOLY JOE!

Response:

<<Thomas Mann also wrote a "Doctor Faustus" (1947) Ah, OK. I either didn’t know this, or had forgotten it. I’ve only read the Goethe version so far. I’ve been meaning to get a copy of Marlowe’s for ages, but I still haven’t gotten round to it! – Annie Vox )

Response:

Yeah last week I was stalking uh I mean watching his house in New York city and I saw two guys come up from a car a deliver a package of New York Times newspapers.  This may be the inspiration for "New York’ or Bullet the Blue Sky or anyhting else he may have hear dor read in the news.      ;-) The Little Brother of Alt.Music.U2 Michael "I like to be respected. But when it goes further than that,when people wanna find out the meaning of life just because you can sing in tune,because you can write songs-well then they got the wrong guy"-Bono

Response:

HOLY JOE!

LOL!  The useless bits of knowledge that you pick up when you’re into anything for a long time… And, yes, I know a few more books (but I think they’re all mentioned in "U2 At the End of the World").  ; )

Response:

Yeahhh, Mephistopheles in Faust is great!! Thomas Mann??  Don’t you mean Chrisopher Marlowe?

I forgot about Marlowe!  Thanks. : ) Thomas Mann also wrote a "Doctor Faustus" (1947) which actually fits really well into the whole Berlin and "Cabaret" (see this movie, it’s great!) thing going on with "Achtung Baby."  The story is typically Faustian about a composer selling his soul for musical greatness, but Mann ends up creating really an allegory for Germany under Hitler.  It’s my own theory, but when you combine this subject with what else was going on with the band during this period (Dada fascination, "The Tin Drum"), it really is a plausible influence.  If not, though, it’s still a great read!!

Response:

<<Goethe’s "Faust," Thomas Mann’s "Doctor Faustus," Mikhail Bulgakov’s "The Master and Margarita" (great devil, i.e., Mephisto/McPhisto, stories) Yeahhh, Mephistopheles in Faust is great!! Thomas Mann??  Don’t you mean Chrisopher Marlowe? – Annie Vox )

Response:

Yet more ponderings and questions from the edge of insanity: – The Dalton Brothers?  What the heck???  ;-)))

U2 being there own support act – Do they read these NG posts or venture into some of the U2 websites to read about themselves?

We’ve talked bout this before and they probably do, I mean don’t tell me Edge surfs the net but doesn’t check out what the fans think of the new material or the setlists etc – Have any of them ever posted to a NG or a website, or have any of them responded to a post? (I know Edge is into computers)

Well we’ll never know, I mean if some posts as Bono would u believe them? They probably have but we’ll never know – How has the group influenced/rubbed off on Adam, the ‘wild child’ of the bunch??  (I read that ‘Drowning Man’ was dedicated to him)

Not really sure, i always thought the concept of PopMart was Adam all over!!! – I’ve seen pics of Larry–standing and drumless–at the mike!  Does he sing?  Does Adam?  and are they any good?

Larry sand on the ZooTV tour, usually old Irish drinking songs such as Wiskey in a Jar. Larry also does backing vocals on Zooropa album. Adam doesn’t sing lets hope Larrys doesn’t again!! – Do Larry and/or Adam sing more of a lead role on any of their songs? I know Edge did ‘Numb’ — what others has he done?

Edge did, Numb, Seconds and Van Deimans Land. Nope Larry or Adam havent done so and lets hope it stays that way! – How tall are the guys? They all seem rather of short stature from what I can tell.and Bono seems the shortest of the bunch!  (I won’t say anything about Napolean complexes)

I’m taller than Bono!!! the girls will tell you there exact hights – Any truth to the story of, after they were married/Ali had their first kid, Bono set up a bodyguard for Ali while he was away and she blew a gasket saying something to the affect of: "I don’t need a bloody babysitter!!"

??? Yes, Ali is a stong women read the "Until the End of the World" book. She did her own documentary about the kids in Chinobal. Not a woman to mess with! Typical Irish lass – Is Morleigh, Edge’s SO, actually the belly dancer in the ‘Mysterious ways’ video??

She was the belly dancer for part of the ZooTV tour, not sure if she was in the video also – In "Seconds" who is doing the call-and-response bit with the kids toward the end — and what are they chanting? (‘I want to live a life of danger’ ??) – All the names of Bono’s son — who are they all about? (Patricius? Q?) – Are Guggi and "Q" one in the same person???   I’m still unsure. – Who does the band’s clothes, and/or who are their favorite designers?

Ask the girls – What books has the band/Bono been influenced by? I’ve heard about Wm. Golding/Lord of the Flies, Neuromancer, Keats, Joyce, and C.S. Lewis.any others??

Bono reads everything! he’s inspired by stuff written by Mike Scott – Who writes the music for the songs.Edge? Bono? Or is it a collaborative effort?

Just look at the credits, music U2 I believe Larry had majour influene on allot of the music on ATYCLB going by interviews from the edge. Nicky

Response:

– Any truth to the story of, after they were married/Ali had their first kid, Bono set up a bodyguard for Ali while he was away and she blew a gasket saying something to the affect of: "I don’t need a bloody babysitter!!" ???

If you’re referring to the story that I think you are, then this happened sometime during the Joshua Tree tour.  Bono called some of his wife’s relatives apparently and asked them to look out for her while he was away, make sure she was OK, that sort of thing.  Needless to say, she didn’t appreciate it.  In fact, I believe that his marriage really suffered during those months. – What books has the band/Bono been influenced by? I’ve heard about Wm. Golding/Lord of the Flies, Neuromancer, Keats, Joyce, and C.S. Lewis