Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
I’m Coen, 25 years old and together with my girlfriend I live in Rijswijk, The Netherlands. Six years ago I started studying International Business and Languages.After getting my bachelor diploma in International Business I felt not ready to go to work yet. Might have something to do with the awesome life of being a student though. Therefore I continued studying with a Master in Marketing at the VU Amsterdam University. I got my master degree last august and that was the end of me as a student. During my student life I got a part-time job as a store employee at the Free Record Shop, a Dutch cd/dvd/games store. As soon as I got my degree I applied for a job at the HQ of this company and got hired. So since a few months I am working full time as Supply Chain Planner. In this way I can combine my passion for music and multimedia with my work.
How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
Well I have to admit that my girlfriend is the reason why I turned out to be a U2-fan. Must be somewhere around the end of 2004 when the Vertigo Tour was announced. We were just a few months together and at some point she said something about U2 coming to Amsterdam. Of course I knew the hits (Elevation, Beautiful Day, WOWY etc.) but I surely wasn’t a fan and probably not even knew the names of the band members. Even though, I decided to buy her tickets for her upcoming birthday. I went to the local ticket point at around 6.30 am, and I was absolutely stunned that there was already a huge line of people waiting for the tickets to go on sale at 11 a.m. For me this was the first glimpse of the impact U2 could have. Waiting in line I heard fans discussing previous concerts and exchanging the typical fan stories. While hearing all this I started to realize that this wasn’t an ordinary band. Even though the tickets sold out in a few minutes I managed to get my hand on 2 GA tickets for the third show. Because the enormous rush on tickets I knew I had something special in hand. At home I started to search the internet for video's about the band and I found the U2 Go Home: Slane Castle dvd....From here on I was hooked and that's how my fandom started. Looking back at it now, with my passion for U2 in mind, my girlfriend probably regrets telling me about the band, lol!
What does your U2 collection look like? What kind of stuff do you have and how is it organised?
First of all, I’m a regular visitor of the Your U2 Collectibles topic and very often I am jealous at all the great stuff all of you got there. Luckily enough I have a nice ‘little’ collection myself. Obviously I have all officially released cd’s, dvd’s and remasterd re-issues. I really enjoy having all these nice box sets on the shelves in my living room. Every once in a while I take something out and just enjoy holding it in my hands and listen/watch the ‘official’ thing instead of some downloaded/burned copy. Besides all the cd albums I also have almost every album (except the 2 best of albums) on vinyl. I’m very proud of my coloured vinyl Achtung Baby working tapes 5 LP Box. Bought that a few years ago on ebay for a few euro’s. In the closet I also have a dozen U2 shirts and caps which I almost never wear unfortunately. Moreover I have a huge cardboard billboard promo image of the Achtung Baby cover hanging above the dining table. In my study room I have two framed posters. One of the Vertigo Munich show I went to and another of one my favourite Zoo TV images. Above my bed I have a framed picture of Bono and The Edge (taken by my girlfriend at the Amstel Hotel in Amsterdam) together with a newspaper review of the first 360 show in Amsterdam, signed by Bono. Furthermore I framed a selection of my best pictures of the Dublin 1 360 show which I attended with Remy and I also have all the regular U2 books (U2 by U2, Bono on Bono, U2 Show, Faraway So Close, U2&I etc.). Last but certainly not least I have quite an extensive bootleg cd and dvd collection. I’m proud to own every single bootleg available on u2start (one of the benefits of being a member from day 1). Another obsession is dvd bootlegs. That’s why at the moment I have 392 different dvd bootlegs, spread over 459 discs. About a third of them are complete in a box with full colour cover. All these makes a nice section in my living room shelve next to my official cd’s and dvd’s.
In a house fire, which one of your U2 items would you save?
It’s like choosing between a son and a daughter but if I really have to give an answer I would go for my framed autograph above my bed. This is something very dear to me which cannot be replaced by any money. All the other stuff can be re-bought.
What is your favourite U2 and non-U2 book, and why?
My favourite U2 book is without any doubt U2 by U2, simply because this one is the most complete and accurate book published about the band. A very good second is U2&I from Anton Corbijn. I can lose myself for hours browsing through all the beautiful photographs in this book. Besides U2 books I love to read about other artists. From that point of view, I would like to recommend Clinton Haylin – Behind the Shades (Bob Dylan Biography) and James McDonough – Shakey (Neil Young Biography). Another book I recently read was Julliet, Naked by Nick Hornby. This one is about a guy called Duncan, an obsessive fan of (fictive) rock star Tucker Crowe. When Tucker releases a Naked version of his masterpiece album (like the ‘baby achtung baby’ we recently got) he exaggerate his fandom and this drives a bridge between him and his girl. To be honest I recognized a lot of myself in this guy and I’m sure that a lot of you will feel exactly the same while reading. A real eye opener for fans of any rock band!
How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
Well, even though I think U2 is one of a kind, I think my taste of music is very much related to U2. I love 60’s, 70’s and 80’s music which in fact is for a great part the music that inspired Bono, The Edge, Larry and Adam to start making music in the first place. I am a big fan of Bob Dylan. His lyrics are so incredible brilliant and his songs are still relevant after all these years. I also listen a lot to The Beatles, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Dire Straits and Johnny Cash. From the more recent stuff I like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snow Patrol, Mumford and Sons and ok...Coldplay. I am happy that I got the opportunity to see most of the bands described above in concert, however I still hope to see Paul McCartney and Neil Young once.
You are one of U2start's first members, being here from day one. How did you experience being a regular member here over the past 6 years?
First of all, I would like to give Remy, and all the others who helped to develop U2start, a very BIG compliment. It is awesome how you guys managed to build and maintain such an amazing web site which is for many of us such a great part of our life. It is true that I am one of u2starts first members (member nr. 5) and even though I do not have the massive number of forum post like some of you, I visit the site more than once a day for more than six years now. I saw the site developing from a hand full of (mostly Dutch) members to the global community as it is today. From a simple forum with premature discussions it developed to more than a U2 web site with a very close bunch of people. I think it is awesome that u2start gives us the opportunity to not only discuss band related issues but also all other things that should be discussed in life. I laughed a lot reading all the different topics along the way and sometimes even been brought to tears when members shared their (not always happy) personal stories. Along the way I got to know a lot of people, some of them turned out to be close friends. Not to mention the enormous amount of bootlegs and the endless hours of listening this site gave me. I truly can say that this web site enriched my life not only in a fanship manner.
What do you expect from U2 in 2012? What do you think of U22?
To be honest I do not expect anything from U2 in 2012. If being a fan for years now learned me one thing it is to; “Never trust a cowboy”. How many times did Bono shout something about a new album while this is totally not true. Can’t blame him for that though... The U22 project is something I look forward to. In fact, I finally consider buying a u2.com subscription just for this release. To quote Bono, ‘live is where we live’, and therefore, a full official live album (after Red Rocks) is something we just need! This CD will be a perfect reminder of an absolutely incredible tour. Too bad that not all the rarities will make the final cut, but all together this CD is a must have for everyone who wants to have an official, physical reminder of the 360 tour.
You have met (a few of) the band members, can you tell us something about that day?
Sure, I indeed met Bono and The Edge while they were staying in The Netherlands for the two 360 shows in Amsterdam. During night one me and my girlfriend stood front row. Because I also had GA tickets for the first Dublin show 3 days later, we decided to go for a seat during Amsterdam II. This gave us the opportunity to not stand in line the whole day for a front row spot, but try to catch a glimpse of the band at their hotel in the city centre. So we travelled to the Amstel Hotel where we (of course) found a huge crowd of U2 fans waiting for the band to come out. Somehow I managed to get myself a spot against the barricade that was set up to get everybody under control. After just a few minutes Bono came out to say hello to everyone waiting. Amazingly enough he walked straight to the corner where I was standing. He started to chat a little with the fans and also stopped right in front of me. I brought a copy of the local newspaper with a big photo and review of the concert from the previous day to be signed. Obviously Bono could not read it because it was in Dutch but he took it (and signed it) and asked me what the newspaper was saying about the previous night. It all went so quick and spontaneous that I do not remember what I exactly said but I was such an awesome moment! Before he went away I asked him to play Bad that night. He said that they were thinking about it and then he left. When the band started to play Bad that night I had such an unbelievable feeling. I am not pretending nor thinking that it was because of me, but the tour debut of Bad while I asked for it that same afternoon was a real goose bump moment I will never ever forget. A few minutes after Bono also The Edge came out that same afernoon and shortly greeted the fans. Unfortunately he didn’t gave autographs but I did get the change to shake his hand (see my avatar) and thanking him for all the great music he gave us. All together this afternoon is something I will cherish for the rest of my life
What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
I play field hockey for 17 years now and together with a bunch of friends we play in a so called ‘beer-team’. Even though during matches we do everything in our power to win, a good ‘third half’ is as least as important. Moreover I am a very passionate football fan. While writing this I just came back from the stadium where I saw my favourite team Feyenoord beat long time enemy ajax for the first time in six years. I try to visit as much home games of Feyenoord as I can and even though the results are not so good the last few years I will never ever lose my passion for this club. Besides Feyenoord matches I also try to visit at least one game in Europe every year. So I went to Anfield Road to see Liverpool play Chelsea two seasons ago. Last year I visited the best club in the world FC Barcelona and saw them beating UD Almeria thanks to two goals of Lionel Messi. Recently I visited together with Remy and Kirsten (MacStripey) a home game of Schalke 04. Right now I am planning a next visit to Newcastle United this spring.
Thank you for reading, I hope you’ve enjoyed my story.
Thanks for this interview Coen!
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