1. Every month we put a U2 fan in the spotlights, the fan of the month August of 2022 is user Faceman2000. Read along for the interview we had with this U2 fan.

    "My parents introduced me to U2 when I was in high school - I remember my mother showing me the music video to I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For one night."

    Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
    Hey there! My name is Greg PenDell. I used to be a forum regular a few years back and have started checking in again now that the rumor mill is churning once more (!!!). I currently live in Pittsburgh, PA, with my wife and brand new daughter. My wife and I work at a marketing firm helping raise money for non-profit organizations.

    How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
    My parents introduced me to U2 when I was in high school - I remember my mother showing me the music video to I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For one night. She grew up in Australia and like many Australian fans had a special love for Rattle and Hum. My dad owned The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby, and I found them going through his CD collection and they really kickstarted my love for the band. The Joshua Tree is still my favorite album of theirs. He also had a mixtape my uncle had made with selections from both discs of The Best of 1980-1989 and B-Sides. That was a big deal for me because it introduced me to the massive world of non-album tracks. The Three Sunrises, Everlasting Love, and Luminous Times all have special places in my heart from that CD.

    Did you ever have a special U2 experience like a live concert? Can you tell us something about it?
    I unfortunately have yet to make it to a U2 concert. I became a fan in 2012 and simply didn’t have the money to see them on tour the last few times as I was putting myself through school. I’m very excited about the rumors for next year and am looking forward to finally seeing them.

    What does your U2 collection look like? What kind of stuff do you have and how is it organised?
    I don’t have a ton of physical merchandise. I have most of their albums on CD and I have The Joshua Tree on vinyl (even though I don’t have a turntable!) but I am pretty proud of my digital collection. I’ve made unofficial “Deluxe Editions” for each of their albums that don’t have one, and I’ve made quite a few live compilations for different tours containing my favorite performances from each tour. My most recent one I put together is a massive three disc “concert” that’s a mix between the I&E and E&I tours.

    When you're forced to leave to a deserted island and you can take only one U2 album with you, which would it be?
    If I could only take one album to a deserted island, I’d take Best of 1980s and B-Sides. There is just an insane number of killer tracks on there. If compilation albums don’t count, though, it’s definitely Joshua Tree. I know the prevailing opinion in the community is that Achtung Baby is their best album, but I love Joshua Tree so much more.

    Which U2 song do you feel the most "attached" to, or means the most for you?
    With it Without You is my favorite U2 song. It’s probably the song that made me a fan in the first place. But I also have a love for Landlady that I can’t fully explain. I love its mature look at a relationship, the love and passion and joy that exists from having a deeply enduring love rather than the young infatuation that is more often celebrated in music.

    What are your expectations for U2's new album with new songs, scheduled for 2023?
    I’ve not really set much expectations for their new album - I’m just happy to get some new music from them. I think I might actually be more excited for Songs of Surrender, because firstly a “new” album of forty songs is almost too good to be true, and secondly because I’m excited to hear how they choose to reinterpret their songs. As far as the 2023 album goes, I’d be happy with something along the lines of Songs of Experience. Even if I don’t think it’s their strongest work, I enjoyed how varied that album was, with some classic sounding songs, some very modern songs, and everything in-between.

    What are you hoping for with regards to U2 going on tour again?
    As for the new tour, I just hope they come by somewhere near Pittsburgh so we don’t have to travel so far. Oh and I really hope they play Bad - it’s the song I’d most like to hear live.

    How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
    I go through phases with my music. U2 is of course my favorite and has been for a long time. I also really enjoy The National, who have a much more subdued tone than U2 and lyrically they’re worlds apart, but both are experts at setting a sonic “mood” with their songs and I love that. I also really like some smaller indie folk bands, like Bear’s Den or Caamp. Check them out!

    What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
    As for other hobbies, my wife, daughter, and church take up a lot of my time. When I do have a free moment, I love designing levels for the classic Doom games and getting together with friends to play board games.


    Thanks for this interview Faceman2000!

    Note: Our crew members randomly pick fans of the month, you can't sign up for it.
  2. Nice read
  3. Good read!
  4. welcome on board, nice to read your story.
  5. Nice interview Greg. TJT is my favorite too. Hope you can go to your 1st concert next year.
  6. I like that expression on your child's face! Welcome aboard.
  7. Baby face, LOL