Every fan of the month has an interview with us, you can read our interview with AllBecauseOfU2 in this topic:
Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
I’m from Massachusetts, currently in grad school for English literature. After I finish in December, I’ll be looking to write and teach. Whatever job I can land I hope will give me a steady (albeit small) income to get me through the next tour!
How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
It was October of 2000. I was a sophomore in high school and I heard Beautiful Day on the radio, and the distinct, chiming guitar sound in it was something that really connected with me. I had never heard anything like it before. I asked my mother who sang the song, and she told me it was U2—and better yet, she had the CD of All That You Can’t Leave Behind. I borrowed it from her, but wasn’t all that impressed. When I gave it back to her, she lent me her CDs of The Joshua Tree and Rattle and Hum. I recognized several songs that I had always enjoyed when I had heard them on the radio (Streets, ISHFWILF), but it wasn’t until I got to Exit that I connected again with that distinct guitar sound that had attracted me to them initially. From that song on, I was hooked. I waited in line to buy The Best of 1990-2000 deluxe edition the day it came out in 2002, completed my then-album collection the summer of 2003, and waited in line again the day HTDAAB was released for the super deluxe edition.
Did you ever have a special U2 experience like a live concert? Can you tell us something about it?
I saw U2 at the Hartford Civic Center on December 7, 2005. Our seats were way up in the nosebleed section, about ten rows from the very top of the arena, but as soon as COBL started, it didn’t matter where we were. It felt like I was right on the floor, right in front of the band. Every chord Edge struck filled every corner of the arena—every word Bono sang had amazing energy tied to it. I remember screaming with excitement when Bono chased Edge around the ellipse during Until the End of the World (in the days before U2start, I had not idea that was coming!). It was one of the best nights of my life.
Where do you most prefer to listen to U2?
There’s no better feeling driving around (anywhere) blaring Vertigo or Beautiful Day. As long as no one’s in the car with me to hear me sing along.
Who would you like to share a pint with? Why?
Bono. No question. Edge would go on about guitars (which I know nothing about), Adam would talk about women (not my area of interest), and Larry would talk about motorcycles (again, don’t know and don’t care). But Bono seems like he would be both interesting and hilarious to sit down and talk with. Particularly if there’s alcohol involved.
What do you think of Bono's charity works?
I think his investment in his convictions is great—for both him and for U2 fans. It’s not simply knowledge of a worthy cause he’s promoting; what I admire about his efforts is his call for action, from both high-paid celebrities and us ordinary people with small bank accounts. I think his efforts and their results—no matter how small or large—overshadows his ego and celebrity.
Does anyone in your family or one of your friends like U2? If so, did they introduce you to U2, or did you "convert" them?
My mom really introduced me to them as I said above. My dad claims he absolutely hates them (I think just to spite my mother)—except for New Year’s Day, which he loves, and which ironically is my favorite U2 song. I gave up trying to convert him to the rest of their music when I tried to give him The Unforgettable Fire and he said, “Sting? No, I don’t like him.”
Most of U2 on the internet seems to be very male dominated, how do you experience this?
It doesn’t really affect me much. A U2 fan is a U2 fan. Particularly on Internet forums, you have the ability to engage in or stay out of any conversation you want, and this can really make your fan experience a great one. Judging from talks I’ve seen on forums, not just on U2start, the guys tend to be more interested in the technical aspect of the band, and some women (not all), tend to be more interested in the band members themselves. Since I was interested the music first, and the band later, the mostly musically-focused talk that you get on the forums at U2start is a great middle ground that fits right at home with me.
What's it like being a female fan of U2, do you think it's different than being a male fan? Regarding being a female fan, who's the sexiest member of U2?
I think it’s different only if, as a female fan, you go to great lengths to portray yourself to be a groupie. The same can go for male fans; for every female who brags she’s met Bono 40 times, there’s a guy who brags he’s the next Edge. I stay out of conversations or forum threads that deal explicitly with one of the band member’s body parts as equally as I stay out of threads that deal with chord changes in songs.
Sexiest member? I’m contradicting my self-proclaimed non-groupie status, but definitely Bono. Charisma, charm, dark Irish-ness…he’s the whole package. Is it a problem that he’s 25 years older than I am? I try not to think about it.
What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
Reading (anything from Harry Potter to historical biographies), writing (creative fiction), catching up on episodes of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, and spending time with family and friends.
Thanks for this interview AllBecauseOfU2!
Note: Our crew members randomly pick fans of the month, you can't sign up for it
