"The favourite show I've seen has to be the Lovetown show on New Year's Eve. It still makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck when I listen to it."
Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
I am single and devote way too much of my time to music. I work for a Japanese electronics company as a team leader in Production.
How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
I was vaguely aware of U2 from War but it was when I saw the promo video for The Unforgettable Fire single on TV that I was hooked.
In your opinion, what has been U2's defining moment and why?
I suppose it has to be Achtung Baby because at the end of the 1980s U2 could have easily disbanded ans left a huge legacy of music behind them so to arrive in 1991 with arguably their best and most commercially successful album was a huge achievement.
Which member of the band would you most like to share a pint with?
Well Adam doesn't drink anymore so I guess it would have to be Bono. He thinks he can talk a lot ..... !!
Which U2 shows have you seen in the past, before this tour, and which was your favourite?
Joshua Tree Tour Cork
Lovetown Dublin NY Eve Show
Popmart Dublin x 2
Elevation Manchester Night 2 & Slane x 2
Vertigo London x 2 & Dublin x 2
360 Dublin x 3 & Cardiff (2009), Rome (2010) & Moncton (2011)
My favourite has to be the Lovetown show. It still makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck when I listen to it. One Tree Hill into Gloria, OMG !!
What does your U2 collection look like? What kind of stuff do you have and how is it organised?
Of the official stuff all I am missing on vinyl is Another day & The best of 1980 & 1990 (both very hard to get). On CD I have just about everything. Everything is shelved in order of release date including all the Propaganda / U2.COM stuff of course. I have a pretty extensive U2 library too with the two issues of the fantastic U2 LIVE by the late Pimm Jal De La Para and my copy of U2BYU2 signed by all the band for me in Easons, Dublin at the book launch in 2006 being my favourites.
I also have pretty much every unofficial show or demo that is available all on CD. Any gaps in my collection were filled pretty fast when I joined U2Start !!
Going back to the current tour, what has been your highlight so far and why?
Oh it has to be Dublin 3 for the setlist and performance as well as the audience which were all superb. The U2start after party was pretty good too !!
Which U2 song do you feel the most "attached" to, or means the most for you?
The Unforgettable Fire because it got me into the band in the first place. I was really pleased when they decided to resurrect it for the 360 tour.
How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
My other big love is Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. I've seen Bruce live, with and without The E Street Band, 61 times since 1988 !! I've really enjoyed the connections between the two acts over the years. Musically Bruce is quite different from U2 but he has the same soul and he also has a great fan community just like our boys.
What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
Well obviously being a travelling U2 & Springsteen fan and working to pay for this expensive hobby takes up a lot of my time but I also have a band myself. My friend James & I have a Phillip Lynott / Thin Lizzy Tribute act called The Vagabonds. I sing lead vocals and play rhythm guitar, James covers lead guitar and backing vocals and we use backing tracks for bass & drums. We only play two or three gigs per year just for fun.
Mr_Trek and treasure in StockholmThanks for this interview treasure!
