Music Promo for Killing Bono premiered at The Music Show

Hot Press writer Olaf Tyaransen was on hand at the 3pm panel to conduct a conversation about the upcoming Irish rock 'n' roll comedy Killing Bono. He was joined by the film's director Nick Hamm, musician Joe Echo, and Neil McCormick, whose memoir I Was Bono's Doppelganger formed the basis for the film.

The film, due for release next Spring, follows McCormick's attempts to make it as a rock star, whilst his schoolfriend Bono becomes an international icon.

"There was a point where I would have been the most famous person in my class, if Bono hadn't been in it," reflected McCormick. "He absorbed a lot of the ideas I had for myself. He was a sort of mental dragon that I had to slay. Not that I seriously thought about killing him!"

McCormick confessed that he never imagined his memoir would become a motion picture. "I didn't see it as a film, I practically laughed at [Nick Hamm]. I couldn't see what would be the beginning, middle and end."

For Hamm, it was a story that appeals to everybody. "We live in a society that celebrates and champions not just celebrity but success but most of us aren't that successful. The chances of achieving it are quite remote. I wanted to do a movie that showed the journey of that."

"It's not a U2 project, it's not about them. They're a counterpoint. It could have been any band that's successful."

Joe Echo, who is responsible for the songs used in the film, as well as the soundtrack, talked about his involvement. "I was asked to write one song for a specific scene, which I found quite easy. One thing led to another and before you know it I'd written six originals and two co-writes. Since Killing Bono, my door has been knocked a few times."

Speaking about the release, he said, "I'm actually getting very, very nervous now, but I'm confident we've done a great job."

Hamm says the film will be out in April. "Paramount are going to release it on the first of April. April Fools Day, which I think is a magnificent day to release it on!"

And what do U2 make of the whole thing? According to McCormick, Bono gave his full blessing, just as long as the actor portraying him was "tall and modest." The Edge suggested Danny DeVito.

"Bono was very positive about it," said McCormick. "He's behind anybody that does a creative thing for the right reasons."

In fact, it was the U2 singer who suggested the name Killing Bono. "He said, 'I know a few people who would wear that t-shirt!'"