REELING IN THE YEARS

Newly-formed Dublin New Wave band U-2 scored a blow for rock 'n' roll when they won the top prize of £500 in a group contest co-sponsored by the Evening Press and Harp Lager held recently during the Civic Week in Limerick. That's what you call getting the breaks ...

U-2's first over mention In Hot Press, Vol 1 No. 21, March 30th 1978

U-2 mayn't be out of school yet but they're certainly showing the suss in managing their affairs which many older bands haven't yet learned ...

Vol 1 No. 22 April 13th 1978

They were fun to dance to, but the School Kids have more than a few wrinkles to iron out before they'll leave a lasting impression.

On the other hand, U-2 have only one big problem, conquering the 'fast-is-good' fallacy that plagues them now. Already possessed of a fine rhythm section, a tangible identity, and a promising vocalist U-2 managed to negate the impact of their originals simply by playing too fast. What could well have been very clever songs sounded unintelligible and indistinguishable.

A glimmer of U-2's direction may be gleaned from the inclusion of Wire's 'Mannequin' in their set, and if U-2 can slow down long enough to be heard, they could step to the fore of the Dublin music scene.

Karl Tsigdinos

Vol 2 No 1. June 8th 1978

It's as well Revolver have finally found themselves with competition like U-2 on the up and up. With a passionate lead singer who's not one to ape other's microphone poses and a guitarist who supplies a mild metal additive, U-2 are impressive contenders with the appetite and talent to improve beyond their already creditable status.

Standing apart from this year's new bands in their suss and willingness to learn that will soon end any technical faults, U-2 profit from the fact that they've an identity that needs little alteration. Revolver recovered in time but they had better not stand still. U-2 are ready to pass everyone out.

Oh and both bands slew fast week's British import, Advertising. Guaranteed Irish, guaranteed quality.

Bill Graham

Vol 2 No. 6. August 17th 1978

U-2: (TrInity Buttery and McGonagles Matinee).

It's no secret at headquarters that I have a special spot for U-2. Indeed I've no hesitation in rating them the best unrecorded band in Ireland and one whose potential is still barely tapped.

Unfortunately, circumstances weren't the best for this review. Production of our yearbook meant that their two recent McGonagles gigs, the first for the Hot Press/McGonagles party itself, the second on the third day of this New Year passed without praise in print. They were simply the most exhilarating performances by a local band I've witnessed in the last twelve months,

Last Saturday week, U-2 played twice. The matinee was at McGonagles, an enterprising foray to capture the teen audience barred by licensing laws and late night opening.

Unprofessionally, my clock stopped so I lost an hour, only appearing to catch the last four numbers. Neither I nor U-2 were happy with the sound but the band did succeed in their primary aim of attracting and impressing a sizeable underage contingent. They return there this weekend.

(Memo to McGonagles: because these customers aren't winedrinkers, extra effort must be made to aid the atmosphere).

The later date was two hundred yards down the road in Trinity but the late arrival of the hired equipment and a hurried sound-check weren't the best preparation. U-2 were solace for the bewildered, even if their set slumped slightly in the final third before a racing version of 'Street Mission'. So if the band were scrambling, it's indicative of their growth that an average set nonetheless promotes their merits rather than exposing their failings.

Partially, it's due to Paul Hewson. Undoubtedly, the best front-man since Geldof, he's a powerfully charged battery of energy, and utterly unignorable. His enthusiasm is such that even a potentially pessimistic song like 'Concentration Cramp' doesn't flounder in grim negativity, he and the band trampling underfoot all those confining restrictions of schooldays.

Furthermore, except for one purloined Kinks riff, U-2 owe no obvious debts to earlier styles. Their songs are uniquely their own, vibrant celebrations that are both direct in impact yet not so simple in style. It's U-2's most enduring asset that they've taken only the ideals of the new wave, but not its licks, so that while their songs retain pop vivacity, their structures stretch towards more complex forms. They are already their own category.

So many estimates of local bands end with double-edged compliments, ifs, buts and lukewarm qualifications. U-2 belong to a whole other league.

Bill Graham

Vol 2 No. 17, February 8 1979.

But perhaps the most fascinating battle of all came in the most promising band category, where The Bogey Boys finally won through - a performance which will undoubtedly have been helped by their maximum T.V. exposure just prior to the event. Again, the New Wave bands may well have suffered from a more fragmented vote with The Undertones, The Vipers, and Berlin all very close and U-2. DC Nien and The Virgin Prunes also polling well. What's most clear however is that there's a vast pool of impressive talent there.

Hot Press Readers Poll

Vol 2 No 18. February 22nd 1979.

"Death Race 2,000 had passed its halfway mark when U-2 took the stage to the hearty applause of the dedicated followers of fashion who had forgotten to bring sleeping bags. And the band's rock 'n' roll breakfast tasted just fine.

With perfect posturing and dynamic delivery, Paul Hewson, straining every muscle and pulling the band forward, was always arresting. While they were always confident and competent Dave Evans (gtr.) and Adam Clayton (Bass), belied the intermittent tendency to drag the music into the clutches of the age-old malaise of heavy metal sludge, especially on the shadily atmospheric 'Shadows and Tall Trees'. The sound was crisp enough, but Tayto it ain't. Yet on numbers like 'Cartoon World' and 'Another Time, Another Place' they showed enough bravado and intelligence to convince anyone that this young band has hair on its chest.'Street Missions' was great. Their encore 'Glad To See You Go' was energetic but it suffered slightly from its slower-than-Ramones pace. Not to worry. Their own numbers and enthusiasm will see them through.

Radio 2's loading rock DJ Dave Fanning, reviewing the Dark Space 24-hour event 10 the Project Arts Centre.

Vol 2 NO. 18 February 22nd I979.

U2: Three (CBS)

l.) 'Out of Control' - the paradox being that the single itself is very tightly controlled, almost to the point of suffocation. The vocals are so far back in the mix that some of the coiled energy implicit in the music is dissipated in trying to catch what's going on.

2.) 'Stories for Boys' is by far my favourite - it's unbelievably fast, but not simply to impress. The lyrics work better that way, coinciding in feeling with the natural adrenalin rush of the rest of the song.

3.) Boy/Girl is well thought out, tight and effective: a good song, but not as spontaneous as Stories.

If DJ's pick up on Stories, the band should have a major and a thoroughly deserved hit. But why is the weakest track the A side?

U-2's first Irish single, reviewed by Sandy Harsch

Vol. 3 No. 9 October 12th 1979.

U-2 are extending operations in London during the first half of December. Already the band have played gigs at the Moonlight Club, the Nashville, 100 Club, Hope and Anchor and Rock Garden, some of the most important club venues, and more are due.

These include a support slot to Talking Heads at the Electric Ballroom on 7 and 8 December, and gigs at the Bridge House, 11 December. Dingwalls, 14 December, and Windsor Castle, 15 December.

This should give the group a greater foothold in the rock establishment, in addition to their highly praised U-2-3 single on CBS Ireland and the fact that several major record companies across the channel have already shown interest in signing the band, no doubt encouraged by front page features in both Hot Press and Record Mirror.

Vol 3 No. 13 December 7th 1979.

U2: 'Another Day' (CBS)

The opening bars may sound like others but there's no mistaking Bono's soaring entry - this band already know enough to be different from the pack. They're committed, and ready to take a chance, so 'Another Day' is champing, bright and blowing and overflowing with harmonic strength. There's a lot of love on this record - repay it.

Dermot Stokes, reviewing their second Irish single.

Vo1 3 No. 18 Feb. 29, 1980.

Signing, of course, was heavily in the air where U-2 were concerned. With yet another deal imminent, and this time even more securely grasped than the others which all somehow seemed to slide away like a bar of Soap just at the last minute, they knew that they were to some extent on trial. I'd previously only seen them in Dublin, and not since September at that, and at that stage I'd still felt that there were residual twinges of the Dublin disease, a slight lack of conviction, of urgency. Their stint here late last year has jettisoned any such quibbles this time around, however. Live at least, though not yet quite on record, they're now a fully rounded unit playing to, rather than against, their strengths.

Some of the music has been given a bit of a spring-clean too - for example the revised rhythm for 'Stories For Boys'. I still think there's something wrong with the internal dynamics of some of the songs; 'Another Day', for instance, definitely loses pace in the middle. Bono is starting to move a little too much like the lan Curtis/Numan school, but it's probably unintentional.

The Sense of Ireland gig in London, reviewed by Peter Owens.

Vol 3 No. 20 March 29, 1980.

U-2: 'A Day Without Me' (Island) and (CBS) D.C. NIEN: 'Nightclub' (NienTeen Eight-Tease)

Comparisons can be odious. Both U-2 and D.C. Nien are presented according to their desires, neither need run to teacher with excuses and it should go without prompting from me that both of these are essential singles.

In U-2's case, their singles have tended to be less instantaneously dramatic than their live performances, requiring due patience before their musical curves are negotiated and the reward is gained. 'A Day Without Me' doesn't have the spectral majesty of '11 O'Clock Tick Tock' but it is the closest portrayal yet of their giddy live rush.

Marked by an uncharacteristically jerky guitar signature from the Edge, U-2's wheels flash down a bumpier road than hitherto. Bono proclaims 'I started a landslide in my ego' and his vocals sweep high into a starry-unclouded sky. Undoubtedly one further step for emotional positivism.

U-2's first International single, reviewed by Bill Graham.

Vol 4 No. 4 August 14th 1980.

Following their current European stint the band travel to the US for their first dates there. They then return to the States for a major assault on the popular consciousness first thing in the new year.

U-2's first album, Boy, has just been released to almost universal critical acclaim in Britain and Ireland. The British advance orders on the album numbered over 10,000 and, therefore, it is expected to chart strongly there either this week or next. Because of a delay in the delivery of the sleeve artwork from Island in Britain, CBS in Ireland have released the album sans jacket to satisfy the mounting demand. Hopefully, completed product will be on the shelves later this week.

News page, Vol 4 No. 11 October 24th 1980.

U-2: I Will Follow (CBS/Island)

Unlike Springsteen, these boys are in the first flush of youth, but there a lot of the contrasts end. What makes U-2 unique among their contemporaries is the extraordinary completeness of their vision. Where most young bands are over-defined by their environments and the trends and phases of music, U-2 have seen the life beyond.

Strength, commitment, energy, challenge, love, vision and completeness take this music out about and beyond the pack. And if this only the beginning, where will it end?

Almost unbelievable (provided they don't go for too much jesus). Meanwhile, I like the Steve Lillywhite production on this, surging power and deep bass and an increasingly confident vocal. Yeah, watch em go.

Dermot Stokes, Single Reviews

Vol 4 No. 13 November 21 1980.

SINGLE

1 U2: '11 O'Clock Tick Tock' (CBS)

2 U2: 'A Day Without Me' (CBS)

3 Radiators: 'Dancing Years' (Mulligan)

4 Paul Brady: 'Crazy Dreams' (WEA)

5 The Atrix: 'Treasure On The Wasteland' (Double D)

BEST GROUP

1 U2

2 Boorntown Rats

3 Rory Gallagher

4 Undertones

5 Thin Lizzy

MALE SINGER

1 Bono

2 Paul Brady

3 Bob Geldof

4 Rory Gallagher

5 Feargal Sharkey

ALBUM

1 U2: Boy (CBS)

2 Undertones: Hypnotized (Sire)

3 Rory Gallagher: Stagestruck

4 Bagatelle: Bagatelle (Polydor)

5 Scullion: Balance and Control (WEA)

Readers Poll 1980,

Vol 5 No. 1 January 1981

The winners of the Stag/Hot Press Irish Rock awards have just been announced and they are as follows ...

Best vocalist: Feargal Sharkey; Best Band: U-2; Best Live Band: U-2; Best Single: The Blades' 'Ghost Of A Chance'; Best Album: U-2's Boy; Best Unrecorded Act: Chant! Chant! Best Song: Paul Brady's 'Crazy Dreams'; Best Musician: Rory Gallagher

The winners of the first Stag/Not Press Rock Awards are announced.

Vol 5 No. 12 June 26, 1981.

U-2: Fire (Island/CBS Double Single).

Just as U-2's career curve has constantly been in the ascendant over the last few years. so has their music travelled ever onward and upward - from the spirited but nervous 'U23' through last year's accomplished debut album to the recently recorded-live-for-US-radio album.

With <>Fire the dye is cast, the sword is drawn, the hammer cocked. Watch it fly from their heart to yours. A record to have and to hold, to dance and to play, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow. The third and brightest, strongest most beautiful element. They broke the mould when they made U(2).

Ross Fitzsimmons on singles

Vol 5 No. 14 July 24 1981

The gig moved into an altogether different sphere with U-2. Starting with a piper onstage, and previewing several songs off the new LP, the band displayed yet again the power and joy of their music. Remarkable and original, emotive and responsive, dancing and singing, they communicated heart and soul with the crowd.

Supporting Thin Lizzy at Slane Castle,

Vol 5 No. 16 August 21 1981

U-2: 'Gloria' (Island)

More U-2 chivalry as they surge forward with a track that could have featured in the soundtrack for Excalibur. A knightly charge in pursuit of the Holy Grail, 'Gloria' climaxes on the resounding re-entry of the chorus and De Edge's ardent guitar. Attend also to the B-side, a live recording of 'I Will Follow' in Boston. Some consider live tracks to be duplication and false bait for the fans who must have everything but 'I Will Follow' shows how U-2 buckle that particular rule.

Singles reviewed by Bill Graham

Vol 5 No. 20 October 16th 1981

U-2: 'Celebration' (Island)

"Who made the world? God made the world." Now I'm aware that we all live in little boxes and that we drink too much and back horses too much, but U-2's version of spiritual abandon harks back to the catechism - a few catch-phrases never freed a spider from his web. From Nottingham comes the word that the H.M. fraternity are smitten by The Edge's guitarwork on 'Celebration'. I like it but its charms diminish as time goes by. U-2 might try to develop a few inhibitions.

Declan Lynch.

Vol 6 No. 6 April 1. 1982.

In contrast, U-2 are a band whose collective star is still firmly in the ascendant - a state of affairs which is likely to continue as long as they retain their remarkable ability to communicate directly with their audience in a way that makes each one of their gigs an event unique unto itself.

A dissenting voice was sceptical of the band's intentions, claiming, in particular that Bono's exhortations from the stage can border on the mechanical. It's perhaps a thorny point and one that Bono may well want to answer for himself, but for my part, his overwhelming enthusiasm has little to do with stock rock manipulative routines and everything to do with a perfectly natural sense of joy derived from the making of exhilarating music.

And U-2's music is exhilarating. There are few bands anywhere these days who can match the passionate intensity that U2 generate with songs like 'Gloria', 'A Day Without Me' and 'I Will Follow'.

Heart-warming and soul-inspiring. the U-2 fire burns on ...

Liam Mackey, Hot Press 5th Birthday gig

Vol 6 No. 13. July 30 1982.

U-2: 'New Year's Day' (Island)

On first listen this seems a curious choice of a single, not having any easily digestible hooks as such, but after a few plays the overall feel of the song hits home. A passionate performance with a lovely piano line drifting through the mix. However if the brilliant 'Celebration' didn't set the UK charts ablaze it'll be interesting to see how this does. Fingers crossed.

John Byrne on singles

Vol 7 No. 1 January 21, 1983.

U-2: 'Two Hearts Beat As One' (Island/CBS)

By now, this will be familiar to almost all of you, and rightly so. A loud, proud, warm love song recorded with true spirit and energy by 'the Dublin four-piece'. For me, its strongest components are Larry's brash drums and Bono's all-out vocals, both relentlessly lifting me higher and higher and forcing me back to the turntable time and again.

Mind you, I can't work out whether U-2 are actually making better records now or the world has finally woken up to them.

Ross Fitzsimons

Vol 7 No. 7, April 15th 1983

Having entered the British Charts at No. 8, last week U-2's 'Pride In The Name Of Love' has risen to No. Three, suggesting that the band may top the singles charts for the first time.

The remarkable success of 'Pride In The Name Of Love' comes at a crucial point in U-2's career. With a new album Unforgettable Fire scheduled to hit the shops in the first week of October, the feeling now is that the band have made the final leap into The Big League - their previous highest singles placing was with 'New Years Day' which reached No. Ten.

If this success is repeated on a worldwide scale, as seems likely, U-2 will clearly have achieved an unassailable and well deserved position of status and popularity - reaping full rewards for the committed stance they've adopted from the outset.

They've come a long way since the Dandelion Market!

Vol 8 No. 19, October 5th, 1984.

FEBRUARY 14th VALENTINE'S DAY

Today is St. Valentine's Day and where is my Valentine? On the drive from Austin to San Antonio we stopped off at a snake farm/amateur zoo. It was very depressing. Lots of caged animals not looking very healthy. The high point was a mad monkey which had epileptic fits accompanied by blood-chilling shrieks. It was really quite a scream because Bono started singing. This infuriated the creature even further - its shrieks grew louder. Bono matched its volume until the deranged creature started to beat his head against the wall. Eventually a very brusque woman ran over and dismissed us, complaining how cruel it was to drink sodas in front of our friend as there was nothing it liked more than a glass of Coke.

On to the gig. During the show, Bono handed out flowers to girls. Wish I'd done that. He's got friends for life. Afterwards we spent a long time with the punters. The Texans are a nice simple people, consequently conversation lasted long. 3.15 a.m. back to the hotel via The Alamo, which received the dubious accolade of consecration with Ozzy Osbourne's urine. Fort Apache, the Bronx was on the H.B.O. cable. Great film and Paul Newman's best performance in years.

FRIDAY

UP TOO early with everyone looking wrecked. Arrive in Denver and Edge discovers a ski resort 50 miles up country. The four of us head off. It had to be hushed up as a broken leg at this stage of the tour would not be welcome. Stories were fabricated and changed so that no-one had any idea where we were. It was a lovely drive through the Rockies to the resort. Once there, Edge organises the activities, as he is the experienced amateur. We get our skis on and Bono falls over immediately. We potter about on the nursery slopes under Edge's instructions. I eventually feel confident enough to try my luck on the mountain. I wish I hadn't. I've never been so frightened in all my life. To reach the top of the mountain we have to hang on a chair lift, hundreds of feet above the ground with no safety bar. I was so hysterical I would have gladly thrown myself off had Edge not kept me talking.

At the top it soon becomes obvious that I had been over optimistic. I tell Edge to go off and enjoy himself. I'll walk down. The mountain very nearly claimed me. Edge goes up and down twice in the time it takes me to walk. Then he did a black slope. As you might know black slopes are very serious. And then some, like black holes and black belts. We retire to the bar for the only bit of ski I like - apres ski and Gluewein. We make the mistake of ordering Irish Coffees, which are barely coffee and certainly not Irish. The cream comes from one of those aerosol jobs and there's a nasty green mint liqueur to boot. Once back in the hotel we decide to go and see REDS. It's a good film but I felt it lost its punch in places, but maybe that's because I was so tired.

Extracts from Adam Clayton's tour diary. Hot Press

Vol 6 No. 14 August 1982.