1. Every month we put an U2 fan in the spotlights, the fan of the month July of 2015 is user blueeyedboy. Read along for the interview we had this this U2 fan.

    "While cut off from the Edge, the kind U2 staff gave me a brief tour of backstage, a copy of the setlist and a pack of condoms and then escorted me back to my seats... First class folks in that camp, for sure!"

    Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
    My name is Greg and for most of you in this forum, I am an ugly American. I live in the land of MLK where it's as hot as the Unforgettable Fire right now. After years in the music business, I now have a regular, stable, blue-collar middle aged 9 to 5 office job...

    How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
    Way back when, Another Time, Another Place (probably before most of you were here, lol) my uncle took me to see this burgeoning young band he had been reading about... I remember when they took the stage, Bono had a sureness about him and a look in his eye that commanded your attention, as if to say "we're here, we're not going away, and we're going to rule the world some day... come with us!"

    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?
    As mentioned above, while my uncle never became the rabid fan I did, I would have to give him the credit (and thanks) for introducing them to me. Everyone in my family enjoys U2... It's a requirement. Most of my lifetime friends all share a bond, or a story with U2. My profile picture was taken in 1983 by one of my best friends to this day, although, at that time, we were at the same show, but didn't actually meet until 4 years later.

    Having seen U2 live plenty of times, spreading through three decades, you must have a lot of special moments and anecdotes. Can you select one and share with us?
    Too many to mention. I'll share 2, if it won't bore you all too much. 1983 War show (where above mentioned profile picture was taken) A small, 4,000 seat venue, the Sunrise Musical Theater in Sunrise, FL (this show is often labelled as Miami, because that's how Bono addressed it!) This venue had a dinner theater they used to combine ticket packages for certain shows and sell tickets at a premium to include dinner and show. Bono found out the venue had sold tickets at this price point with no dinner and announced to the crowd if you had purchased these, go to box office after the show and get some of your money back. Then he fell into the crowd and was passed all the way to the back of the theater and back up to the front again and stood back up on stage (this was a few weeks after the Red Rocks show was taped, which makes my friends picture even more special...

    The 2nd is St. Patrick's Day... Boston, Zoo TV. Long story short (I'll try) Flew up to see the show with no ticket in hand, and ended up winning a pair of from the radio station that was broadcasting live. A friend had worked merch for the show in Atlanta a few weeks prior and gave me her laminate. I figured, "why not" Rather than enduring another snoozefest set from the Pixies I meandered my way backstage to the central nervous system of the show. Edged walked out of a dressing and just as I moved towards him I was stopped and denied as my pass didn't have high enough access to be backstage. While cut off from the Edge, the kind U2 staff gave me a brief tour of backstage, a copy of the setlist and a pack of condoms and then escorted me back to my seats... First class folks in that camp, for sure!

    How has the band's energy evolved through the years? Which kind of show do you think was the most groundbreaking: the raw, powerful concerts back in the 80s, the media overload and irony from the 90s, or the shows from 2000 on?
    One of the great things about them is that the energy hasn't changed much. They never give less than all, and they still thank you after every show, because they understand without us there is no them! Zoo TV was definitely the most groundbreaking... Almost to a fault. Don't get me wrong... I loved each and every show, but the sensory overload was overwhelming. The great thing about seeing multiple shows on that tour was that I could concentrate on focus. One night I would marvel at the technology and massive production, the next night I could focus more intently on the band themselves... It was hard to keep track of both!

    You've seen U2's audience grow with them too. How do you think the audiences have evolved?
    I think this website shows how the audience has evolved. I look at the ages of some of the members and how knowledgeable they are about the band and can't help but wonder how they became such rabid fans. Who introduced them. And I wish some of them could have been around to see the Zoo TV tour live for themselves! I remember when Achtung Baby came out, Bono mentioned the possibilty of losing fans, and I actually did see this among some of my peers. They weren't ready. They wanted another Joshua Tree. They came back around later!

    What does your U2 collection look like? What kind of stuff do you have and how is it organised?
    Kind of like travelling around to see shows at will has slowed with the advent of age, parenthood and responsibility, so to has my ability to collect. I still have some gems, mostly on vinyl, and thanks to the wondrous, wonderful u2start.com, I am able to keep current and dig deep in the archives to shows past. Ironically, my show from 1983 is one of the few not available. I try to keep my collection organized by period.

    If there would be only one U2 song you could hear the rest of your life, which one would it be?
    This is a difficult question. If asked again tomorrow, it could change completely. I've always made the argument that Boy and October are 1 double album because that's how I see them. Boy is growing up physically, and October is that same boy growing emotionally and spiritually. I can't imagine life without these 2 albums. So, back to the song... If I have to give you an answer right now- I would have to say I Threw A Brick Through A Window segued into A Day Without Me (like they did at Red Rocks)

    How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
    I'm above all, a lover of music. I can't get enough of it. But U2 transcends it all. They have the ability to constantly change and reinvent and never get tired, while also keeping the magic power of moving people in everything they do. They keep the human element in superstardom. They always feel close to you. They always relate to you. Like an old friend...

    What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
    Outside of U2, I love to spend (precious) time with family... difficult with 2 grown kids, hiking with my dog (a/k/a- my best buddy) sitting in front of my turntable with a beer reading liner notes (sometimes for the 1,000th time, and still discovering something new about the record)

    I hope this gives you all a little insight to me. I've been around awhile, but have been more active lately. I feel like the new kid on the block. Thanks for bestowing FOTM honor upon me. I hope I live up to the honor.


    Thanks for this interview blueeyedboy!

    Note: Our crew members randomly pick fans of the month, you can't sign up for it.
  2. "Boy is growing up physically, and October is that same boy growing emotionally and spiritually."

    This is the best I have ever seen this put. What a perfect explanation.

    Great interview, and it's been great to see you around the forums more often!
  3. What a great interview. Loved that War Miami Sunrise anecdote. I also love how you describe the impact U2 has had in our lives:
    They always feel close to you. They always relate to you. Like an old friend...


    Good to see you around.
  4. What a great interview!
    Absolutely loved that sentence César chose, it says it all
  5. Thanks everyone. It was an honor to be chosen as FOTM. I enjoy being here hanging around with you all!
  6. Originally posted by MattG:"Boy is growing up physically, and October is that same boy growing emotionally and spiritually."

    This is the best I have ever seen this put. What a perfect explanation.

    Great interview, and it's been great to see you around the forums more often!
    Thanks. I was at just that be-tween age when these came out... they are definitley the two most seminal, influential records of my life.
  7. P.s.- profile picture has changed since interview.
  8. Haha, went backstage with U2, came back with some condoms...
    Tell that to your grandkids later on
  9. LOL... hadn't thought about that!
  10. "Grandpa what are condoms ?"
    - Something to prevent these questions.
    "So, they didn't work...?"
    - Nope. Bastards.

    Seriously : great read. I would give my appendix to see ZooTV (I love my limbs).
  11. Damn security

    I haven't had the time to read it in full but I can already say: great interview, and congrats for the FOTM title! Thanks for delighting us with your presence around the forums, here's to many more years
  12. Originally posted by BelgianBono:"Grandpa what are condoms ?"
    - Something to prevent these questions.
    "So, they didn't work...?"
    - Nope. Bastards.

    Seriously : great read. I would give my appendix to see ZooTV (I love my limbs).
    Haha! You're not far off on those condoms. They should've said "for novelty purposes only"!

    And I'd give a kidney to be able to see them on this first leg now! I'm still kind of shocked they skipped Atlanta...