1. Every month we put an U2 fan in the spotlights, the fan of the month December of 2019 is user CrashCaderz. Read along for the interview we had with this U2 fan.


    Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
    Hello everyone, My name is Elih and I’m a 21 year old Australian, living in the beautiful city of Melbourne. I have only just graduated from high school a few years ago, and I’m still finding my way into my working career. I was an automotive mechanic for nearly 2 years but recently changed trades and now I’ve just started doing carpentry. I guess it’s not too late to change careers when you’re still young.

    How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
    My first memories of U2 was when I was about 5 or 6 years old. It was around the time How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb came out and my parents bought the CD. On family drives they would play it in the car and I remember when I heard City of Blinding Lights, it caught my attention. The piano intro and the chorus sounded really epic to me, and when the song came on a few times after that I remember saying in the car, “Dad, this is my favourite song!” But only being about 6, I didn’t really know what a band was or much about music, so I lost touch with that song. It wasn’t until 2012/13 I rediscovered COBL, when I heard it being played on TV in an Australian Grand Prix highlights package. Instantly, it bought back those childhood memories and I quickly searched on YouTube for the song. It was then I discovered U2. I then went on to view the other songs and began to have an interest. I enjoyed a few songs like Pride and Streets, and over that time I kept discovering more and more music and videos of the band and become a big fan by my mid teens not long after Songs of Innocence came out.

    You have JUST attended your first show ever in this 2019 tour. Tell us how it was!
    Yes I did, like many Australians, I was eager to see them live. I went to the Melbourne show with my Dad, (who saw them in Vertigo) and my cousin, which was also his first time. I was in GA and we ended up being to the right of the stage about in line with the tree stage. Just seeing them live, I couldn’t really believe it, I’m like, is that really them, I’m actually at a U2 show! For my first show I just wanted to take it all in, not try and record everything on my phone and just enjoy the experience of seeing them live. Of course seeing them once wasn’t enough so I saw them at Sydney 2. And I was about 10m away from the tree stage in GA. I didn’t realise how close I was until they came out to Sunday Bloody Sunday, and I sort of froze for moments, I watched ZOOTV live from Sydney before the tour began and getting to see them that close up in Sydney was so surreal. I have spent countless hours of listening and watching concerts of Red Rocks, Joshua Tree, ZOOTV, Slane Castle etc. Listening to U2 on spotify until I fell asleep, I will never forget these experiences. I went to the pre events of Melbourne and Sydney and just getting to meet U2 fans that have seen them for a while, I felt like I’m in the next generation of fans coming through, it was awesome to meet fans from around the world. I had such a great time seeing them live. I don’t know if I’ll ever see them in my country again, but my next bucket list item is too see them in Europe, especially in Dublin, which would be cool.

    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?
    Out of my family only really my dad likes them. It’s not his favourite band but he enjoys their music. His favourite song, believe or not is Lemon, out of all the songs. With my friends not many really like U2 unfortunately. (That’s why I joined these forums to express my passion for the band) They would only know the main radio hit songs of U2. I tried to convert my best mate, and he didn’t realise some of the songs they have outside the main radio hits. I guess I’ve made him a casual fan. But most of my friends like pop/rock punk like Blink 182, rap, electronic dance music or pop shit.

    What does your U2 collection look like? What kind of stuff do you have and how is it organised?
    Being only a fan for 5/6 years, I don’t have much. I have The Best Of 1980-1990 and Achtung Baby on Vinyl, I just need to get my dad’s vinyl player to work! I got ZOOTV live from Sydney DVD, and bought a JT 2019 tour t-shirt at Melbourne. So it’s a very small collection right now but I’m sure it’ll grow as time goes on.

    Which U2 song do you feel the most "attached" to, or means the most for you?
    There’s too many to choose from, but if I have to give honourable mentions there’s The Fly, Wild Horses, Bad, Kite from Sydney 2006, City Of Blinding Lights, Sometimes you Can’t make it, Beautiful Day, Love is Bigger, Ultraviolet in a close 2nd but the song I’m attached to the most is One. I guess when you look at the meaning of the song it sort of gives relevance to my family. I didn’t always have the best upbringing and a lot of issue within my family. I felt the lyrics of One really symbolises my family, and how it revolves around fractured relationships. I even played and sang One at my 21st Birthday, even though I’m not the best singer or guitarist.

    Is there any direction for a new album you'd like U2 to take? Any things you are hoping for?
    If my wish would come true, I would like them to go dream it up again and came back with a new persona like they did with Bono and his Fly persona. But I know they have long past it so I would like U2 just to make music that isn’t to commercial or over produced, just let all 4 band members do their thing and showcase why they are still the best band in the world.

    How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
    I don’t really like much rap or punk stuff. My other main rock n roll band I enjoy is Foo Fighters, I also like RHCP for their chill and groovy sound and I enjoy 2000s Coldplay. U2 is different I guess because they continued to evolved and change their music over the 4 decades. Not saying the other bands haven’t, but I have enjoyed all 40 years of U2 music, and to see their evolution of the band that I’d never got to experience is cool.

    What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
    I have played local AFL football, which is Australian Rules Football, it’s a unique sport if anyone hasn’t heard or seen it, I recommend checking it out. I’ve played Aussie Football for about 13 years from junior to seniors leagues. Other interest are Motorsport, I love F1, MotoGP, Aussie V8 Supercars and many other forms of Motorsport. I’m an intermediate guitar player, I’ve played for a year and a half now. I have a Fender California Series Acoustic guitar and an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Pro electric guitar.
    I just wanted to say that I’m grateful for finding this website and community full of U2 fans. With hardly anyone to talk to about U2 music with my friends, it’s great to express my passion for the band on here. Meeting some of you guys in real life on this tour has been fantastic and hopefully I’ll meet more in future, thanks guys.




    Thanks for this interview @CrashCaderz!

    Note: Our crew members randomly pick fans of the month, you can't sign up for it.
  2. It's so refreshing to meet new fans that haven't followed the band for decades or attended dozens of gigs - it gives a completely different perspective and kinda makes you appreciate the band a bit more, in a sense. Thanks for achieving that, Elih!

    Originally posted by CrashCaderz I don’t know if I’ll ever see them in my country again, but my next bucket list item is too see them in Europe, especially in Dublin, which would be cool.

    Here's looking forward to meet you in Dublin on the next tour
  3. Great interview, happy to see another young fan like myself! The first U2 concert... you never forget! I can totally relate to what you' re saying, I saw them for my first time in 360 tour and when they got on stage I was screaming "This is Bono. This is The Edge. This is Larry. This is Adam." I teared up and I couldn't stop screaming. My goal for a possible next tour is also to watch them in Dublin, so I'm hoping I can achieve that and hopefuly I'll meet some fans I've only known online. Cheers
  4. Thanks for sharing.
  5. Two fabulous shows to first experience U2 live, especially being up close.
  6. Originally posted by LikeASong:It's so refreshing to meet new fans that haven't followed the band for decades or attended dozens of gigs - it gives a completely different perspective and kinda makes you appreciate the band a bit more, in a sense. Thanks for achieving that, Elih!

    [..]

    Here's looking forward to meet you in Dublin on the next tour
    Better start saving for it now then for the next tour of Europe.

    Still buzzing after the weeks I had, hope you enjoy the read guys.
  7. Originally posted by CrashCaderz:[..]
    Better start saving for it now then for the next tour of Europe.

    Still buzzing after the weeks I had, hope you enjoy the read guys.
    Yeah start saving well in advance is always a good idea, it doesn't have to be much, a fiver now and then and you're set It won't be happening until 2021-2022 at the soonest so I think you're good to go. See you in Dublin
  8. Was good to meet you in Melbourne. Nice interview.
  9. Good read @CrashCaderz It's good to know that the next generation are coming through. Hopefully it won't be too long before the lads swing back your way again.
  10. nice story to read