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  1. Every month we put an U2 fan in the spotlights, the fan of the month January of 2013 is user ahn1991. Read along for the interview we had this this U2 fan.


    Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
    Well, I go by Alex and I'm a college student at the University Of California, San Diego. I'm hoping to graduate this coming June with a degree in environmental chemistry. That being said, I guess being a student is what I currently do for a living. But at the end of it all I would like to pursue a career in medicine, whatever that happens to look like.

    How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
    Back in early 2009, I watched U2 perform at President Obama's inauguration and I really enjoyed it. At the time I had some really eclectic musical tastes, but I was starting to figure out that rock and roll was more of my style. One of my friends from high school is a huge U2 fan and he was more than happy to introduce me to their material. He gave me what I would call a "U2 introductory kit" which contained all their albums up to that point and several bootlegs from their tours along with typed commentary for each album, song, etc. With so much material, I just dove into things and found myself gravitating towards their newer albums, ATYCLB and HTDAAB. But the first bootleg I ever listened to, and still easily my favorite, comes from the Joshua Tree Tour (Denver). I'd say I fell in love with their live act before I started to really enjoy their albums.

    Did you ever have a special U2 experience like a live concert? Can you tell us something about it?
    I have been to just one U2 concert thus far; the famous Anaheim 2 gig during the 360 tour. In addition to being my first U2 live experience, it was also my first GA experience and my first true concert experience at all. It was a truly special night for several reasons, but I would say the one thing more exceptional than seeing my favorite band perform live for the very first time was the atmosphere and the sense of community I felt from the fans I spent a day in line with. I met some GA veterans while in line, one of whom had been to both Slane concerts during Elevation and Sydney during ZooTV. Being able to talk to fans, both old and young about U2 and their concert experiences was something special in my eyes.

    In your opinion, what has been U2's defining moment and why?
    It's hard to name just one defining moment for U2, but I'd say that it would have to be their Live Aid performance from 1985. I'm sure we all know it because of the amazing extended performance of Bad, which essentially propelled them into the spotlight. But in addition to their performance, Bono's actions that day (at least for me), set the tone of what U2 was all about. When Bono jumped into the crowd to dance with a woman who was being crushed by pushing crowds. In my mind, it's every easy for musicians to sing about injustice and suffering in the world, but it's very difficult for people to actually do something about it. The fact that during a performance where U2 as a band could have easily kept the spotlight, Bono noticed an immediate need and took action to rectify the situation is something worth noting.

    What is your favorite U2 book, and why?
    Right now the only U2 book I've got is From The Ground Up. It's quite an extensive read and I'm really looking forward to diving into it. Aside from that, I'm actually looking to read some books about U2 and faith. Being a Christian myself, it's easy to notice biblical references in many of their songs, the most notable being the fan favorite 40. I'm hoping to get my hands on a copy of Walk on: The Spiritual Journey of U2.

    What is your earliest U2 memory?
    I'd say my earliest memory may have been hearing City Of Blinding Lights play when Obama was introduced at the Presidential Candidate while I was watching a snippet of the Democratic National Convention. But I've probably heard U2 songs play on the radio for a while without even recognizing them.

    Can you tell us one song (U2 or not) that you wish you had written?
    I honestly wish I had written Miss Atomic Bomb by The Killers. I think every guy who has pursued or is in pursuit of a girl wishes they had written this song. When I first heard it, every verse brought up some sort of memory in my mind. Many people try to live through the music they listen to. But when music can tell a story about your life, it's only natural to wish you had written it first.

    What is your favorite U2 videoclip, and why?
    My favorite U2 videoclip is Bad/40 --> Psalm 116/Where The Streets Have No Name from the Boston DVD. It's a hard one to find on youtube with great quality, but nothing can really beat that sequence for me. Bad is a song that gives the image of extreme personal weakness whereas Streets is a song of extreme personal strength. Ending Bad with the snippet of 40 is powerful because it asks how long must we remain in this position of weakness. Starting Streets with Psalm 116 is also extremely powerful because it is a recognition of God's blessing as a source of strength and turns Streets into a song of rejoicing. From a visual standpoint, I really like the way the Boston DVD was done, at times more so than the Slane DVD.

    How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
    U2 is very different from the other artists I like because they actually live out the lives they preach. I've never seen a band more active outside of the studio and off the stage than U2. Partnering with Amnesty International during their tour, dedicating a portion of their ticket sales towards buying malaria drugs for 3rd world countries, it's a combination that leads to a strange feeling. The fact that U2 has a political portion of their set does make you feel a tad guilty for spending money on a rock show when suffering exists, but at the same time signing up for the One Campaign while waiting in the GA line reminds us that social activism is so prevalent in U2's core that a gig can feel like a rock concert and a human rights rally at the same time.

    What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
    Aside from U2 and music, I like to keep myself active in whatever way I can. While in high school, I used to be on the swim team. For my first 3 years of college, I was on the triathlon team. Now I simply do what I can to be outside, whether it's swimming, cycling, or running.


    Thanks for this interview ahn1991!

    Note: Our crew members randomly pick fans of the month, you can't sign up for it.
  2. Great interview Alex... That sequence from Boston DVD of Bad seguing into Streets is my all time favourite live moment. It was included on the Electrical Storm single and I still play the DVD and mp3 all the time. Nothing matches the passion and electricity than the lead in when Bono finishes Psalm. Boston DVD has plenty of criticism - unfairly in my view - but I'll always love it just for that awesome Bad-Streets combo. Thanks for sharing!
  3. Great read Alex, and it's actually nice to get to know you better. I've noticed from the song survivals that your opinions about U2's catalog and their songs are quite different to some of us which made it really interesting to read this interview.
    And you are right about the boston thing, goosebumps every damn time for me.
  4. Great read Alex !!

    I thought for a long time that you was a woman because your uername ... why you have this username ?
  5. To be honest, when I started this account I wasn't really thinking about becoming a long-term member so I didn't put too much effort into thinking of a username. Yet it's been 3 years and here I am hahaha!
  6. Wow Alex, now I got the time to properly read the interview... Wow Great stuff man, specially that part when you speak about the Anaheim 2 experience (PS. what a GREAT concert yo got as your first U2 concert, lucky you! haha)... Meeting fans, learning from them and sharing "U2-time" together is absolutely fantastic, and I'm sure that you'll love it again and again when the boys come back around town.

    Great to get to know you a little better, Chemist fellow. Congratulations and happy new year
  7. DUDE I have friends in UCSD and might transfer there myself if I do I'll need advise ahaha! Next time I go to SD hit me up! LOL
  8. Originally posted by ahn1991:To be honest, when I started this account I wasn't really thinking about becoming a long-term member so I didn't put too much effort into thinking of a username. Yet it's been 3 years and here I am hahaha!

    There is no way out u2start, we are a creepy bunch of bastards like that

    Great story and welcome to the fan of the month club
  9. Originally posted by ahn1991:To be honest, when I started this account I wasn't really thinking about becoming a long-term member so I didn't put too much effort into thinking of a username. Yet it's been 3 years and here I am hahaha!

    Same

    Nice read Alex To be honest, I don't remember where you sprung from but last year it was great to have you around.