1. Every month we put an U2 fan in the spotlights, the fan of the month October of 2014 is user Malahide. Read along for the interview we had this this U2 fan.

    "Having lived in Dublin for 5 years the song Cedarwood Road really speaks to me"

    Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
    My name is Peter, am 43 years old, married and live close to Amsterdam Airport. I work at a courier company maintaining their databases.

    How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
    Saw them on tv at Live Aid, got to know them like probably many others. But the fan thing started in high school when found out a classmate was a big fan of them so I took a deeper interest as well.

    What do you think of the new album?
    It's the best of the last three, in doubt if it's better then ATYCLB, but I tend to say yes at the moment. It's a mix of all the previous albums, job well done.

    Songs Of Innocence has some interesting intros to the songs. Which do you like?
    Love the bass intro of Volcano, love it in general that Adam his bass is prominent on the album. Iris is emotional and my favourite is Cedarwood Road, which so far is also my favourite song of the album. Having lived in Dublin for 5 years that song really speaks to me.

    Do you think the Apple stunt was the right thing to do, or was it too intrusive?
    Think Bono said something that it should have made available for download, not to put it in peoples accounts straight away. He's right about that.

    What does your U2 collection look like? What kind of stuff do you have and how is it organised?
    Nothing special to be honest, have off course all the albums plus many books all stored in a cupboard. Have an AB lithograph, just love their Berlin period. Last year visited the Hansa studio, it's not a physical possession but a great memory to have.
    Just like the time of living on Dublin and see so many U2 landmarks.

    Can you tell us one song (U2 or not) that you wish you had written?
    Acrobat

    What is your favorite U2 videoclip, and why?
    Stay, it's Berlin baby

    How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
    U2 was the first band I really started the "fandom", following everything they do. At that time not so easy, remember no internet back then hehe.

    What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
    It's no secret that I'm also a big Pearl Jam fan, love the Seattle 90's. And since two years the 2012 Seattle via Walking Papers. Jeff Angel is their singer and he has also some other interesting bands together with Benjamin Anderson. Further I like just all different kind of music, one of my biggest hobbies is visiting concerts be it in a stadium, halls, domes or instores at a record store. For this Amsterdam is perfect, almost all artists come here.
    Non musical I like football and formula one, although not so much anymore as in the past. Like to travel, preferably in combination with a concert. Further reading, photography (Corbijn), visiting the sea, and taking care of hedgehogs.

    Thanks for making me fan of the month just after the album release, good timing
    But for me MacStripey is always fan of the month. Kirsten her persistence and dedication is an example for all of us I think. Just never give up



    Thanks for this interview Malahide!

    Note: Our crew members randomly pick fans of the month, you can't sign up for it.
  2. Taking care of hedgehogs? Really? Hahaha... Nice hobby dude. Nice interview as well, love the Kirsten bit And yeah, Cedarwood Road is definitely one of the most intense songs they've written in the past decade; I think it might become my favorite off SOI eventually too. Congrats Peter
  3. Nice read, Peter. I just "assumed" you'd already been FOTM in the past.

    My own comment about U2/iTunes move - it may have been intrusive to a certain degree but it definitely got people's attention (i.e., there's no such thing a bad publicity).
  4. Interesting stuff Peter. Glad to have you around, you also have a great avatar Your U2 collection is already much more impressive than mine by the way
  5. Great read ! but you are irish or dutch ?
  6. I'm Dutch. And the hedgehogs, it's voluntary work I do at a care centre.

    Nah Matt, it took me some begging and bribes, finally made it hehe.