U2: The First Article in Hot Press, 1978

Another contender for the titles vacated by The Rats and The Radiators, U2 arrive on the scene with some highly influential supporters. With Steve Rapid acting as mentor (tough not manager), and interest from CBS, the north-side band have made early progress before even venturing into the better-known centre-city gigs. Their recent rise to new-found prominence is due to a victory in an Evening Press/Harp Larger talent contest.

Normally, such contests are ho-hum cabaret affairs but Jackie Hayden from CBS was one of the judges and was sufficiently impressed to pay for a short demo session in Keystone, which is where I caught up with them.

I must report that it wasn’t the happiest of sessions, the band’s inexperience showing up on what was a rush job. Their first numbers were their latest songs, which suffered as they were still getting the measure of themselves and the studio. It wasn’t till later on that their real potential came through. U2 describe themselves as purveyors of New Wave pop, although they’re wise enough to abolish the now deceased power-pop tag. However, they’ve also got hard-rock leanings - not surprisingly, since they used to concentrate on that music when they went under their earlier name as The Hype. To their credit, they don’t
disguise that background.

To there credit again, U2 are a young band in their last year at school. They impress as an articulate, aware and hard-working individuals who are prepared to weigh up others’ advice as they embark on their vocation. U2 talk like they intend to be professionals, a primary asset in the battle for recognition. All these qualities and their youth make U2 a band for the future and one with the attitude to grow and evolve very fast.

Since they’re currently studying for their Leaving Certs. U2 won’t be immediately around for inspection and further examination for another month or two. Even so, they’re encouraging evidence that the flow of young bands hasn’t dried up.

Who’s next? You, three.

• Becoming U2, by Brian O’Connell, tells the extraordinary story of the night that the four-piece from the Northside of Dublin played their first ever official gig as U2, in a band competition – and won! – thereby changing the course not just of Irish music but of popular music across the world. Becoming U2  is published by Hot Press Books. The hardback is available exclusively from the shop on hotpress.com.