The U2 Debate: EZ Responds

Our man EZ has responded to the article I posted yesterday regarding U2. Here 'tis . . .

While I can relate to this viewpoint a little bit myself, i can understand the relevance that U2 has to an extent First off, they came out of a messed up ireland at the time that really was war torn and "on-edge" to say the least. I went to college with a guy from Belfast and have been there twice to visit and he has given me great perspective on this. Basically, he has described music in Ireland as b.u2 and a.u2 ( before U2 and after U2). He is 33 years old and grew right through this movement. He has said that the music before that was just punk bullshit trying to imitate things heard on English radio and American records or just traditional Irish music. U2 came along and basically changed all the rules.

I agree that the early records, especially if you were around then to understand the relevance, were kick ass, something totally different, great lyrics, the whole package really. A good friend of mine absolutely loves u2 and i'm a bit like Shoe. I don't get it either.

I think people relate to and love these qualities and characteristics about u2:

1) The band has stuck together, through thick and thin, since the beginning. I don't know all the squables and fights but i do remember the drummer wanting to leave at one point in the late 80's and who knows how they've put up with Bono all these years.. but people dig that shit. I think of examples of bands like Jane's Addiction, Journey, Van Halen, Blind Melon just to name 4 weird ones that came to mind right away. Each one of those bands had thing happen that changed their face or sound, or that downright killed them (singers leaving, dying, losing members etc) and that has never been the case with U2. I think that shows loyalty and honor and their fans give that back to them. I may be mistaken too, but I think Bono has been married to the same woman for like 20 years too and she is no looker. But people respect that and they give that back to them.

2) the band has an unmistakable sound and not many bands can claim that. They have some serious hits and they thing about their hits (like it or not) is that they seems to be written straight from the heart and soul about themes ranging from love and war, to family relationships and the politacl arena.

3) They can sell it all. Their concerts have been some of the largest selling over all-time and have done that for a number of years. Not only that, but they have had some of the most cutting edge concerts (I know there were a couple that were pretty crazy at the time, like the Zooropa tour or something like that). I realize some of them were maybe hailed as "busts" but they helped set the stage for many other concerts afterward.

Personally, I think Bono and The Edge are doing a great thing with all their advocacy work and humanitarian stuff. I, like most people I'm sure, are sick of seeing it and hearing about it, and having it thrown in our face constantly, but it's good stuff and the Red Campaign that Bono has put together has been pretty damn successful.

My buddy I mentioned above that loves U2, we go skiing out west every year once or twice and we caught a U2 show in Salt Lake City when they were on their "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" tour. I think that was the album. Personally, I thought the show was pretty fucking good. The band sounded great, unlike other huge bands I've seen live and would rather just hide in my basement listening to their records. The had great energy, there wasn't a whole lot of political bullshit thrown out, the lights and stage were cool.. I was impressed. Would i pay a ton of money to see them again? Probably not but if you haven't seen them, I'd recommend it.

I've been a fan of Phish for years and the comment show made in his post, something like U2 can piss of their mountain and their fans will just lap up whatever comes there way--- that isn't really the point. Over the years, music critics have said this repeatedly about Phish, about the Grateful Dead too. If you watch the documentary "Bittersweet Motel" which is about Phish, directed by Todd Phillips of Road Trip and Old School fame, you'll see a great clip in there.. Trey is being interviewed by someone and they ask him something like "a critic says that if Phish were to stand on stage and just piss out of the speakers, their fans would let it go right into their ears and love every second of it." Trey has a great response to this and you should check it out.

It boils down to the fact the U2 has touched a ton of peoples lives over the years, they've been true to their causes, they've been true to their country, they've given their all and people respond to that.

ez