Chelsea Andrus

What U2 Has Taught Me About Love.

2010-08-16T23:44:04Z

*dusts off cobwebs*

Awfully sorry it's been so long since I've written here. Life's been pretty busy the past few months. I will make an effort to try to post a bit more often...honestly.

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The above picture is of a tank top that was made for a Zoo Station (U2 tribute band) show in February of this year. I wear it quite often and get so many compliments on it (here's lookin' at you, SB) but just recently, I actually looked at it and realized how many damn songs U2 has about love. Love is a clichéd topic to write songs about but U2 has never had the overly romancey "oooo baby, I just wanna love you, girl" type songs. I can only stomach those...well...never.

Bono writes about love in a much more tangible way. Love between two people, love for a child, love for a parent, love for a group of people, love for a cause...it's not necessarily a romantic love as he says in "Miracle Drug". He also tells us that love is blindness and The Edge creates a guitar solo that makes you fucking believe it. Go watch Zoo TV Live in Sydney, you'll see what I mean. Oh look, a video...

"Oh, can't you see what love has done?" What does a line like that mean? To me, it means love has a lot of power. You can do a lot with love. Bono, in particular, has shown his love for the causes he chooses to represent and campaign for. He shows love for the audience at every show U2 does. And you know, maybe it's crazy, but I believe it. Some of the songs he writes are a gift of love to the people (us) who he writes them for. It was so many years ago that I actually felt that gift of love and music from U2.

In April 2002, my mom passed away very abruptly. Music has always been my coping mechanism but somehow, it wasn't helping. I had listened to Bono's references to his mother's death in his music for years, the fucking pain in "Tomorrow" never really hit me until I actually listened to the song again after my mom's death. Sometimes it takes an incident like losing someone you love to make you realize how important each person in your life is. Major lesson from that: Don't take love for granted, it may not always be there.

U2 has shown love by staying together for 30-something years. They are a band of brothers, and Bono shows them his gratitude every night on stage. As most of us know, the history of U2 hasn't been always smooth sailings. You can love someone, but not necessarily like them very much. I love my family, but sometimes, they piss me off. Doesn't make me love them any less. U2 has remained together longer than most marriages and it's because a love of the music has kept them going. Love unites.

My interpretation of "Mercy" is the struggles of love. And lyrically is one of the best U2 songs in years. It still makes me shiver when I hear it. Bono has this ability to really fucking sing when he knows he needs to and this song is just the epitome of emotional singing. "Love puts the blue back in my eye." Love gives some people a reason to wake up and keep going.

What is the point of this post, you may be wondering. There comes a point in your life when you realize what it is that you're looking for. Realizations can hit like a ton of bricks and you can hear a song that reminds you that love is not just a romantic thing, it's a universal thing. Love can be shown by a hug, compliment, smile...small gestures of the heart can mean a lot to a person. U2 has given us love by bringing us the music. We can share that love with others in so many ways. Open your heart.

A Song Called "Bad".

2010-03-04T04:03:31Z

Sorry it's been awhile since I've written. Various surgeries and musical artists have had me busy over the past few months (Blur, anyone?). This is actually an entry I've written in my head about 50 times and I'm finally sitting down to commit it to paper...or screen, if you wanna get technical.

]]> Over the years, after talking to numerous fans at shows and other U2 related events, the one song that I seem to hear mentioned over and over is "Bad". What song would you love to hear them play? "Bad". What song never fails to make you sing? "Bad". I have watched the most passive of fans erupt when this song starts. Even the fair-weather, "I only liked them during suchandsuch era" fans seem to lose their shit. What is it about this song that seems to stir U2 fans to the bone?

Many fans probably remember the 1985 Live Aid performance of "Bad", where Bono climbs down into the audience at Wembley Stadium. For those of you who have read "U2 by U2", the band thought they just fucked up the entire performance and were ready to hang Bono because of it. But it really struck a chord with many people and it became a turning point in the band's popularity.

Then, of course, we have the incredible live version from Rattle & Hum. This was my first recollection of "Bad". Snippets of two Rolling Stones songs, sweaty Bono strutting around on stage...still doesn't take away from the emotion, does it?

Below is perhaps one of my favorite version's of "Bad" live. Bono's voice was in such amazing shape on the Zoo TV tour. He belts it on this song anyway but here...perfect.

PopMart - different pitch.

Elevation Tour

Vertigo Tour

And finally - 360 Tour

I was at that show, yay!

Bono really seems to give his all during the performances of this song. The lyrics are very emotional, most of us have been through things that caused us to feel divided, conflicted, defeated. And Bono seems to give us all some much needed advice...to let it go and so fade away. Oh Bono, I wish it were that easy sometimes...

Till next time!

Happy Holidays! My 2009 U2 wrap up.

2009-12-19T23:14:56Z

It's been awhile and the last few months have been very busy for me, so I haven't had much time to write here. I had emergency surgery three weeks ago so I've been out of commission since. Just a note, kids, don't ignore pain...I learned the hard way.

]]> Anyhoo, 2009 was a huge U2 year for me and most of us, probably. I have U2 to thank for a lot of things this year.

1. "Magnificent"

Talk shit all you want, I think No Line on the Horizon was an awesome album. While there are a few songs that I lost interest in after a few months, "Magnificent" is what keeps the album amazing for me. Whether hearing it live or on my iPod, that opening riff gives me chills and the line "only love, only love can leave such a mark but only love, only love can heal such a scar" grabs my heart. So much so that I had it tattooed on my shoulder in August. "Magnificent" is the song I have been waiting for U2 to write since "Walk On".

2. March 9, 2009

This is the day that I met U2 for the first time. For someone who has spent a lot of time standing with fans to meet this band over the years, I figured I was doomed to never meet them. I was coming to terms with it and while I wasn't happy about it...hell, there's a lot of people who have been fans longer than myself and haven't met them. We can commiserate! Form a club of rejects who U2 has passed by over the years. And U2 doesn't owe me their time; they've given me years of amazing music and concerts, that's more than I could ask for.

After much eye rolling and threats from family and friends, I made the trek to LA to see if I could meet U2 during their radio promo tour for NLOTH. I met up with other fans and spent a lot of time waiting...but boy, did it pay off. I encountered the band twice in one day. Getting a hug and kiss from Bono, fangirling over Adam, praising Edge and having my picture taken with Larry...it was more than I could have ever asked for. I learned that day that U2 are four regular guys that got thrown into the celebrity gig and really appreciate their fans. You never know, sometimes, if a band really gives a shit about their fans. I've come across some bands in the past that treat their fans like dirt. You can be rest assured that U2 actually cares about us. That's not to say that Bono sends me get-well cards or anything, but they care to take the time to meet us when they really don't have to. They make an effort. I can't thank them enough for that and giving me a moment I never thought would come.

And thanks for smiling, Larry.

3. Friends

I have made so many friends in 2009 because of U2 and my U2 related travels. I've reconnected with some old acquaintances because of U2 as well. All of these people, from my boys in Zoo Station to the folks I met in line in Chicago, have made an impact on me this year. I got involved with U2 Station and was given this blog to utilize to share my experiences and wisdom (or lack of) about U2. There have been bumps in the road this year, but I feel like some of these new friends will become more than just U2 fan friends, and more life long friends. Thanks Jonathan for giving me the blog.

4. Chicago, Las Vegas and Pasadena

For the first time in my years of being a fan, I was able to attend more than one show on one leg. Previously, I had to space them out due to money constraints but not this year. I saved my money and used all my vacation time to trump around to three shows. Each show had it's own moments that I found special. Most of them had to do with the people I was with or saw there. I'd have to say, however, that Las Vegas was a lot of fun. The show itself was smaller and I didn't spend all day in line, so I was able to dance around and have fun with friends rather than worry about my spot and not being able to see. Can't see? I'm going to move in front of you because I'm 4'10" and I have the room to. Not to mention I met a lot of awesome people in Vegas and had a blast just hanging out in the back so I could take in the whole 360 stage.

And, you know, this...

Thank you all for reading my blog this year. I hope you enjoyed some of my ramblings and didn't want to kick my ass too much after reading them. I'll see you all in Oakland and Seattle next year!! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

They can't take that away from me...

2009-11-07T00:07:24Z

Back in action, so they say. Been very busy since I returned from my Vegas and Pasadena travels. Vegas was an incredible show. I had so much fun that night. The band looked like they were having a lot of fun on stage. The Rose Bowl was massive. Being such a small person, I get a little intimidated by massive crowds...thank God I had a seat that night. The show was great, but I enjoyed Vegas much more.

]]> Upon returning, I started reading all the comments from people about the Rose Bowl performance which ranged from "Amazing" to "God, Bono sounded awful" to "They are turning into the Rolling Stones".

*pause*

*deep breath*

Where do I begin? I saw three shows on this leg of the tour. Each show, I thought Bono sounded great. Yes, he runs, he jumps, he dances, he gets out of breath then sings...which, from someone who has taken voice lessons, that's very hard to do. He may sound a little "ragged" (other people's words, not mine) but let's remember, kids...he's going to be 50. He's not that young kid anymore who can scream for hours on end and still sound great. He has admitted that his voice changed in the 90's...whether it be from massive amounts of smoking or screaming...it will change your voice. Pristine voices don't have a place in U2. Part of Bono's voice that I have found appealing is when it's rougher, it sounds more desperate. I will never forget seeing U2 in Oakland in 2001, and Bono spoke about his cigarette habit and how it caused him to be hoarse that night. I forgot what song it was before, but I just remember how it fit the song so well, to have his voice with that hint of desperation. It works PERFECTLY on songs like "In a Little While". Although it's a shame that songs that have those epic notes like "Rejoice" and "Lemon" don't get played anymore, the reality is that Bono can't hit those notes. And that's okay with me. I will survive. Hell, bringing out a vocally challenging song like "Unforgettable Fire" is enough for me. And bless him, he tries. All in all, it would be a snooze if Bono stood up there, in one spot for 2 ½ hours, and sang. I give him a ton of credit for keeping it up as he has on this tour. I would challenge any one who has an issue with his singing to go on tour, sing in stadiums, run about and see how they feel. Unless you are a marathon runner, chances are, you're going to feel like shit. Bono could probably run circles around me and I'm half his age. If you don't like how Bono sings on tour, stay at home and listen to the albums on your iPod. You'll be happier and so will those of us who enjoy how he sings.

One thing that I found disappointing about the Rose Bowl is how it was exactly the same as the Vegas show (save for the amusing rendition of "Viva Las Vegas"). This is fair since I did figure it would be the warm up for the Rose Bowl. I do enjoy my variety but I'm realistic enough to know that a song like "Disappearing Act" isn't going to reappear suddenly. Now, I'm not complaining at all, because I thoroughly like the songs that they chose to play, I love the new songs live, I still love hearing "Walk On", "City of Blinding Lights", etc etc. I LOOOVE the addition of "Unforgettable Fire". There are a few songs that I have heard live a few too many times for my liking but that's not the band's fault, really. I just wish to hear a few different tunes on the next leg. The best thing about the Vertigo tour for me was the addition of "Into the Heart", "Electric Co", "The Ocean", "An Cat Dubh"...all those songs were before my time so I never got to experience them live until Vertigo...and I was SO excited to hear them. A revival of some October songs would be fantastic. I still say there are some Pop songs that would fit fabulously into the set but U2 probably disagrees. And in reality, U2 can do whatever the hell they want. Just a little wish from a very little person in the spectrum of things. My Christmas wish? Santa?

There are other things that I did experience in relation to U2 in LA that were, for lack of a better term, bullshit. I am not at liberty to talk about them here and honestly, I don't want to because I don't want to tarnish images or publicly call people out. I'm not a fan of the Los Angeles area for many reasons, most of them which I experienced during that weekend in LA/Pasadena. I don't appreciate being treated a certain way because I'm not famous, nor do I appreciate being exploited for my love of a band. There is one thing I will not tolerate, truth or not, is someone trying to tarnish my love for a band that I have followed since I was 5. Without being too dramatic about it, U2 has been the only constant (next to my father) since I was that age. Everyone else has left, broken up or passed away. U2's music has always been there. So yes, there is a deep emotional attachment to the music for me. I'm very jovial about my love of the band because it has brought a lot of joy into my life, when you enjoy something, you can laugh at it too. But there are a lot of people who want to take that joy away and I won't let that happen. No one puts Chelsea in the corner.

So the rant aside, I want to give love to the people that I hung out with and ran into at both shows. The great fun of U2 shows is meeting and hanging out with people who are just as big of fans as you are. While the band coming back in 2010 is great, I'm even more excited to hang out with my friends and celebrate at the shows. And when the band walks out on stage, I'll get goosebumps just like I do every time.

To end this very bi-polar entry, I would like to say thank you to U2 for making my 2009 very memorable. From meeting the band in March, to hearing a new song that touched my very heart, to getting those lyrics tattooed on me in August, to going to three shows...I have a lot to be thankful to them for. Gentlemen, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

And I leave you with some clips from Vegas...

Hell to the yes for the Elvis snip.

One of my favorite moments.

The song that inspired my body art.

For the love of the bassist...

2009-10-19T03:13:33Z

I have talked about albums, concerts and the band as a whole...but I haven't singled out any members. As a respectable fan, it is often looked down upon to have a "favorite". Or to find a member of the band "hot" puts you in a category that I'm not comfortable in.

]]> I began my U2 fandom not really being concerned with the four gentlemen in it. It was about the music for me. However, when I rediscovered the band in 1992, Bono took a certain hold over my young adolescent hormones. Watching Live in Sydney on PayPerView with my family was a sexual awakening of sorts...Bono was wearing leather, sweaty, gyrating on stage, dancing with girls, wearing make-up....what's all this? Sure, I liked the boy bands of the early 90's but this was a completely different type of sexuality. It was real and raw. It blew my 11-year-old mind.

As I grew up, I watched Bono with hormones raging but there was always another face hovering at the cusp of my vision. Different, quieter, a little off the radar of most. I remember reading about him in magazines, dating supermodels. Such an odd looking man dating a supermodel...what is it about him? Not the easily digest sexuality of the front man or the obvious good looks of the drummer...that's for certain. He had a penchant for wearing skirts and smoking on stage. When I first saw U2, he was wearing a shirt that said "Pop Tart". In all my U2 books, there were pictures of him in interesting outfits, drinking and living that rock star lifestyle, far more than his band mates ever did.

Of course, I'm talking about Mr. Adam Clayton. I always identified with him, in a way. I was an outcast, the goth girl in a Catholic High School. I wore different clothes, listened to different music than most of my peers, smoked, drank, knew real musicians, and knew what words like "fret" "riff" and "gig" meant. While my friends were at Church, I was probably at a concert or at home, listening to music, trying to teach myself to play guitar. Although I wasn't comfortable with being an outcast, I wasn't comfortable fitting in either.

Adam never looked like any of the other guys in the band...how could you with a large blonde afro? He looked like he belonged more with the Virgin Prunes in the early days than with the wholesome looking U2. During the religious days, he sided with Paul McGuinness rather than with his friends who had taken a different road. Adam has also been the member of U2 has fallen from grace publicly but remained humble and admitted his downfalls. He regrouped and continued on. He's also fiercely loyal to his friends. I will not forget tearing up as I watched Bono's acceptance speech at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in 2005.

"Third Kodak moment. 1987. Somewhere in the south. We'd been campaigning for Dr. King, for his birthday to become a national holiday. In Arizona, they are saying no. We're campaigning very hard for Dr. King. Some people don't like it. Some people get very annoyed. Some people want to kill us. Some people are taken very seriously by the FBI. They tell the singer that he shouldn't play the gig because tonight his life is at risk, and he must not go on stage. And the singer laughs. Of course we're playing the gig. Of course we go onstage, and I'm singing "Pride (In the Name of Love)" -- the third verse -- and I close my eyes. And you know, I'm excited about meeting my maker, but maybe not tonight. I don't really want to meet my maker tonight. I close my eyes and when I look up I see Adam Clayton standing in front of me, holding his bass as only Adam Clayton can hold his bass. There are people in this room who'd tell you they'd take a bullet for you, but Adam Clayton would have taken a bullet for me. I guess that's what its like to be in a truly great rock and roll band." - Bono

As an adult, I am able to appreciate the unconventional beauty of Adam a bit more. The upside down smile, the silver hair, the sense of style, off beat sense of humor...all of these things might not register with most people but because I'm a little off beat myself, I find it quite endearing. Not many people could pose naked for the cover of an album without being pretty secure with themselves and yet completely honest about their faults as well. Adam is perfectly fine with standing aside and letting other people get the glory, smiling almost like a proud father as he watches the front man teeter dangerously on the edge of the stage. The cool member of the group never needs the attention anyway, does he?

I met Adam along with those three other guys this past March. Meeting the front man reduced me to tears; the guitarist was met with awe and the drummer humble thanks for starting this band. But Adam elicited another reaction from my usually quite reserved self. Giggling. As that British accent asked my name and blue eyes looked at me, my face heated up and I started to giggle as I responded. I got a low chuckle as he scribbled his name and moved on. I earned a few glances back from the blue eyes as I bounced in my spot, staring at the magazine that had just been signed. A 26-year-old acting like a 12-year-old at the most inappropriate time.

I'd like to publicly apologize for that...but I couldn't help it. While the front man has his unabashed sexuality and voice that makes women scream, the guitarist has the intelligence and creativity, the drummer his boyish good looks and machismo...the bassist has his cool, stylish, sexy bass lines that vibrate your entire being and a stage presence that is both unaffected yet deliberate. Adam Clayton knows he's fucking cool...and doesn't need the adoration of millions. There are only us lucky few who seem to be in on the awesomeness and I'm honored to be one of them.

One of my favorite Adam tunes...love the bass lines.

Me too, Larry, me too.

This clip comes completely gratuitous at about 4:45. Sorry...I couldn't help it.

An Ode To Pop

2009-09-24T01:55:54Z

The Pop album and PopMart tour have gotten a bad rap over the years. Let's be honest, a lot of us had a WTF moment while watching the "Discotheque" video for the first time. But 12 years later, there seems to be a lot of buzz around this album again. On Monday night, at the last show in Boston, Bono did a snippet of "Mofo" before "City of Blinding Lights".

]]> I think back to when I first bought Pop and how utterly surprised and at the same time, disappointed I was. The Pop album houses perhaps my LEAST favorite U2 song of all time, "Playboy Mansion". I haven't listened to the song in years and I don't even have it on my iPod for sake of album completion. That's how much I dislike it. At the time, I was listening to a fair amount of electronic music so I certainly appreciated where U2 was trying to go...but this was U2, not the Chemical Brothers. But everyone was getting in on the dance music movement of the late 90's...even Noel Gallagher. Then the tour announcement...at K-Mart. I tried to keep up hope that this was going to be more like ZooTV and less like a bad Vegas light show. Remember, I was 13 when Pop came out...just keep that in mind. Anyway, between the new sound, cheesy tour announcement and the "Discotheque" video with disco balls and go-go dancers, I was really irritated at U2. I had missed out on the ZooTV tour due to my mom thinking I was too young, but she had promised me that I could go to the next one. And this was gonna be it? Swell.

I didn't immerse myself into the PopMart tour news, I had my Propaganda issues that would come and I'd put them aside...I was mad at U2 for this new angle. I wanted MacPhisto back!!! By the time the show rolled around, I had seen enough on the ABC Live in Vegas to be a little wary of how it would turn out. Of course, it was fantastic. I remember so little now, but I do remember being blown away by the music, not the flashiness of the stage show. But I still didn't appreciate the songs from Pop live, even as I stood in that stadium.

When the PopMart Live in Mexico VHS came out, I bought it as a default, thinking I'd give it another chance. However, I bought it around the time that All That You Can't Leave Behind was still on heavy rotation in my CD player and still couldn't really appreciate it. Fast forward to the DVD release of Live in Mexico. Again, another default buy. I popped it in my DVD player and my screen lit up with music and flashy lights. The sound was amazing. I immediately started chastising myself for not giving the VHS a chance before once "Mofo" started.

But midway through the DVD, I had wandered off into my kitchen and could hear the screeching of the Mirrorball Lemon. I remembered this from my concert. I walked back in to watch and the opening chords of "Discotheque" began. "Ho-hum," says my brain. But I keep watching..."This is quite good." Soon, "Discotheque" became a song that I really loved instead of kinda disliked. The performance on the DVD is fantastic and I love the transition into "If You Wear That Velvet Dress"...

All in all, the DVD is a really great showcase to the songs from Pop.

So why is it, then, that U2 neglect the Pop album? There are so many interviews of them talking down on that whole part of their career. At the time, I did too...but I really sense a renewed love amongst U2's fans for the Pop album and PopMart Tour. Perhaps U2 are afraid of PopMart/360 Tour comparisons? I can't say that I blame them, but the 360 Tour, once you see it in person, is not as over the top as it appears in pictures. It actually makes sense. But the songs from Pop, like "Discotheque" or even "Mofo" would fit well after the "Crazy Tonight" remix instead of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" which is a must live but oddly placed after a song that gets everyone partying and dancing, why not keep the party going? Rave, U2 style! In addition to "Stay" or "Stuck in a Moment", "Please" or "Staring at the Sun" would be a good Bono/Edge acoustic addition. I think those songs would really translate well into the current set. But maybe Bono is hearing all the Pop buzz and he threw a bone with the "Mofo" snip. Bless him for it too.

So to sum it all up, I pooped on Pop for many years...it was only recently that I started to appreciate the album. U2 may have felt rushed in it's making, but it did give us some songs that are amazing live. I have admitted to my Pop nay-sayer sins...c'mon U2, it's time for your Pop reconciliation...

Video blog from LAX!

2009-09-14T05:12:15Z

I have finally gotten home and finished editing my pictures...but I thought I would share a video log I did for you all today with a review of last night's show in Chicago. Apologies for the crappy muzak in the background and my general looking like ass-ness.

]]> Here's another video from opening night.

The countdown begins

2009-08-31T01:43:23Z

Life has taken over and I haven't written in awhile. I'm sure you're all brokenhearted. I started my bachelor's program about 10 years late, so it's taking a bit of getting used to the whole school thing again. I'll be back in the swing of things someday, and hopefully that won't be 4 years down the road either.

I woke up this morning and I was flipping through the channels when I landed on VH1. They were playing the live version of the "Crazy Tonight" video. I'm not really a huge fan of live official videos, more of a concept type person, but I love this one. Why? Because I get to see that shit in less than two weeks in person. I haven't really been able to think about it much lately but wow, that Claw thing is pretty fucking huge! And I'm such a small person, big things overwhelm me a bit (don't let your minds go to the gutters, kids).

]]> Anyway, I remember feeling a bit the same when PopMart Live in Vegas was shown on ABC, anyone remember that fiasco? I remember watching in a bit of awe/horror...what in the world are they doing? I'm going to see THIS in a few days? SPINNING MIRRORBALL LEMON?! My mom, who was taking me to the show, was in hysterics and my dad was simply confused. In all honesty, at the time, it looked so absurd on TV, I was a little worried. Would all this massive production take away from the music? This was, after all, my first U2 show and I was there, ultimately, for the music.

A mere 4 days later, I was standing in Jack Murphy Stadium, looking up at that big golden arch and screen, mesmerized. It was so HUGE. My reaction was echoed by many around me. I'd seen people like the Rolling Stones, who are notorious for their extreme stage shows but this was something completely different. After Rage Against the Machine was done and it was dark, the lights started going, "Pop Muzik" started playing and that ginormous stage started doing things. It was a little overwhelming, enough to give you a seizure. But what do I remember about that show? The band. I was close enough, thankfully, to see them without the screen, and I was watching them, not the screen or the stage or the lights. They are what made it memorable for me...not the big ass screen in the back, not the Mirrorball Lemon, none of that. The music is what I remember.

So in T-minus 13 days, I will be standing under the canopy of the Claw. Will it take away from the music? For me? Doubt it. At first, I'll admit, I was a skeptic, especially after enjoying the arena shows from the Elevation and Vertigo shows so much. Why stadiums again? I've never been a fan of stadium shows from anyone. Aren't too many gimmicks on this tour...no mirrorball fruit, only Bono swinging from a microphone thingy with a neon jacket, not too bad I'd say.

Here's where I relate shit back to school (how droll). In the course I'm taking, "How To Be a Master Student" - which I have to take since I've obviously forgotten how to be a student - they teach you about how to recognize attitudes towards something you're skeptical about. When you go in with a negative attitude, you're going to suck at it because you've psyched yourself out to suck. If I tell myself I am bad at math, I'm gonna be bad at it. Makes sense, no? So if myself and all the other thousands of U2 fans go to this show with the attitude that the Claw is an overblown piece of metal from a band who's got too much money and is really crap now anyway, I'm going to be flying to Chicago and gearing up for a grand shitty time. Why waste your money if that's your attitude? Go see someone else and let those of us who want to be there, enjoy it. And if one person standing in my vicinity bitches about the set list...I will step on your foot...repeatedly. Small but fierce, friends.

Truth is, I am excited. I'm damn excited. I don't care about the Claw...I'm there for the music and to watch the four men who have made it.

And now, some favorite U2 live clips:

This clip still gives me the chills...so beautiful. And the 10 year old in me wants to be that girl...still.

Lovetown NEEDS to be released on DVD soon. Guys?

I could go on forever with this topic...but am I bugging you? I don't mean to bug ya...

The "Why".

2009-08-13T03:15:56Z

I'm a little late in my weekly update, I know, fail. It's hard to find something relevant to say all the time, give a girl a break!

Anyway, last week was my dad's 62nd birthday which resulted in a family dining experience. My dad was asking questions about my upcoming U2 adventures in Chicago, Vegas and Los Angeles when my stepmom piped up, "You're going all the way to Chicago to see a band?" "Yes." "God, that's ridiculous! Why are you wasting your life on some stupid band, there's so much else to live for!!" After resisting the urge to turn into an ungrateful child, I smiled politely and said, "It's a shame you don't have passion for something in life, or perhaps you'd understand."

]]> But then, why do I choose to follow a band like U2? Why did I travel to Honolulu for the final show of the Vertigo tour? Why am I going to the opening night in Chicago this year? Why did I drive 5 hours for 2 minutes total facetime with the band themselves? Why have I continued to be a fan for 21 years? I really loathe the word "fan" but it's what I am...

If I step back from it, it's pretty damn absurd, even to me, to spend that much time and money on a band. They are four dudes, just like the rest of us, that just happen to have a lot of money and some talent. I know lots of people with talent! I've enjoyed music by many other bands that could be considered, dare I say, better than U2. So why do I keep following?

When I am asked this question by people who aren't just being turds but are genuinely curious, I usually say there is no other band that has moved me the way U2 has. When I discovered U2, I was young and the other music I liked ranged from The Beatles to New Kids on the Block, quite vast! But U2's music set me apart from the rest of my friends. No one in my elementary school liked U2 and I was often made fun of for my love of "weird" music. In 4th grade, I did a book report on "The Unforgettable Fire" by Eamon Dunphy and had my teacher send a note home about how "concerning" my tastes in music were. I went to Catholic elementary school during the Achtung Baby years, mind you. My love of U2 has always set me apart from my peers and while being the "odd one" kind of bothered me, I wouldn't give up my music for anyone. In 1997, when my mom took me to PopMart in San Diego, the emotion really came into play. Never before had I seen a live show like that and I'd seen the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney, some pretty big acts with big stage shows. I don't remember so much about that night because there was just so much happening, but I do remember how blown away my mom and I were by U2 and the effort put into their live shows and how into it the crowd was, we'd never seen people so into a concert before and a band who really seemed to give their all on stage. My mom fell in love with U2 after that show.

Three years later, my life wasn't going so well. Without telling my life story, there was family issues, boyfriend issues and personal issues that were intermingling and making my life hell. I was too distracted by life to have the "OMG new U2 album" feelings about "All That You Can't Leave Behind" so it came out and I didn't pay attention. "Beautiful Day" didn't catch my interest (still doesn't - oops!). But there was one day, where I was at one of my lowest points in my young life, and the CD was on as background noise and I really LISTENED to the lyrics of "Walk On" and instead of doing what I set out to do, I sat down and cried. Although the song isn't about what I was feeling, it felt like a hug which is what I needed and the lyrics fit with my current state.

Since then, in other rocky points on the road of life, U2's music has been there as a motivation that says, "Life may suck, but there's more out there for you, keep going". I was able to identify with the lyrics because I had experienced loss and heartache. But I also was able to experience the joy in the music. How can you not want to throw your hands up in the air during a song like "Rejoice"? How can you not want to dance when you hear "Mysterious Ways" or "Two Hearts Beat as One"? Bands come and go, but U2 has been the one constant in my personal musical history. No one has died (knock on wood), no one got addicted to heroin, no one left the band...and that probably makes U2 pretty uncool by music industry standards and me too, for thinking that that uncool stuff is pretty cool but...meh.

And the live shows. Well, anyone who has seen U2 live knows how much they put into their live shows, whether it be the monetary or the effort, but it's amazing. I've seen literally hundreds of bands live, and U2 is still my favorite. It's because the music intertwined with Bono's passion on stage, The Edge's powerful guitar, Adam's hip grinding basslines and Larry's drums that vibrate your entire body is incredible. It's a full body experience at a U2 show. And I think that's what people miss about the spectacle of the PopMart and now the 360 Tour. It's not just stimulating to your ears, but other senses too. It's also highly amusing. Who the fuck comes out of a mirrorball lemon? It's absurd! And The Edge doing karaoke to "Sweet Caroline" or "Daydream Believer"? Hysterical! There may not be as many "LOLZ" on the 360 tour, but it's had some comical moments. And really, the neon suit Bono wears while he swings around like a monkey from a steering wheel microphone? C'mon now, people, that's funny shit! But these "spectacular" live shows can evoke emotion by the videos being shown or just the sheer passion put forth by the band. U2 doesn't have to do this anymore, but they still do, and seem to enjoy it. I've seen people who have never paid much attention to U2 who leave shows a massive fan, simply because the live show does something to you. You know that story that Bono has rehashed over and over about the band still getting chills as they walk on stage much like the audience says they do? There's truth to it. It's not just another "Tall Tale from a Short Man".

As long as the music is still relevant to me and I'm still moved when I hear the opening guitar for a new song like "Magnificent", I'll still follow. So if that makes me a "sheep", then BAAAAAH, motherfuckers.

Where the blog entry has no direction...

2009-08-03T03:24:10Z

I've been sitting here for the past two hours, going through my oodles of YouTube footage I've saved, trying to figure out a theme for this week's entry.

Well, I've decided to fuck the theme and go with random stuff this week...roll with it.

]]> I want to start with perhaps one of my favorite interviews of all time, it's a shame I can't imbed the first bit here, but it's worth checking it out...

"A Grand Madness"
Part 1
Part 2.

First of all, it's a great interview. U2 aren't allowed to answer the same old questions that we've all heard them answer. But the set, random peacock walking around, the throne...Adam saying the album sounds like "Garbage" and everyone giving him shit. He meant the band! The best quote though?
Chris: "Who's going to live longest, out of the four of you?"
Bono: "It's obvious...it's Dorian Gray over here". *points to Larry* "There's a really ugly oil painting somewhere..."
Wikipedia - The Picture of Dorian Gray For those of you who don't have a clue what the reference is...knowing the story makes it funnier, trust me.

Anyway, I love the campy U2 attitude around Pop. I know that whole era gets a lot of shit, but really, it was fun. And there was some quality music that came out of it.

But really, how can The Edge singing Neil Diamond wearing THAT outfit not be awesome?

Now if I could only get him to sing some Barry Manilow and life would be complete.

Speaking of The Edge, I think the guy doesn't get a lot of vocal cred. Who's the one who sings the high notes because Bono can't anymore? Edge. Who sings one of my favorite lines in "Miracle Drug"? Edge. I found this in my YouTube travels and was impressed...nevermind that Bono dude, listen to the Edge after Bono leaves stage!

"Without The Edge, we are in trouble..."

There is no video to this...but who needs it? This is from a live performance Edge and Bono did in 2003. If I may gush for a minute...there is so much fucking awesome in this clip, just wow. Bono's vocals at the end and Edge's guitar are spot on. I probably would have pissed myself if I were in that audience. Note to self: always wear diapers to a U2 show in case of random epic moments. /end gushing

I want to end this entry on a "what the fuck" note...because I'm like that.
U2=FUCKING AWESOME

Can't embed this one...but it's fan made video featuring clips of the band saying profanities. It also features Bono kissing his wife and looking utterly twitterpated afterwards and exclaiming "Holy shit." I agree.

Till next time...xoxo

The Early Years

2009-07-27T01:13:31Z

A few weeks ago, Bono and The Edge were interviewed on Jonathan Ross. Mr. Ross pulled out a favorite clip of every U2 fan, "Street Mission"...(fast forward to 4:43)

]]> Bono's reaction is like many of ours, after seeing the band grow over the years, you can't help but chuckle and groan at the shiny suit Bono is wearing or be amazed at how much hair The Edge once had. Larry looks 12 in that clip, and holy shit, he's smiling! Adam looks a bit like Napoleon Dynamite...the hair, the glasses. With Bono's facial expressions, I half expect jazz hands each time I watch the clip...but it never happens. Damn shame too.

After watching the interview, I did a little early years research and came up with some gems which I'd like to share with you so you can laugh as much as I did.

"Life on a Distant Planet", 1979.

Bono's moptop hairdo, along with the gloves and strange dance moves in the beginning reminds me a bit of David Bowie here and yet the backdrop is very psychedelic...ahhh, the 70's. I wish I would have been around to witness Bono's spastic, Elaine-esque dance moves of the early years...because they are quite impressive to watch here. Lots of windmill action. And The Edge is wearing gloves too? Oh dear... Very New Romantic, without the New Romantic sound, thank God. Glad Adam never started wearing red lipstick...well, not till much later, anyway.

"Stories for Boys" - 1980

The Blonde Fro has begun! It's not as epic as it will become, but oh Adam, there are many fashion events to come from you yet, my boy. That outfit Bono is wearing looks familiar, seems he was not afraid to wear the same bad outfits over and over again. Good for him, I applaud his recycling efforts. I really enjoy the stage persona that Bono has going on, because it's very fitting of the song about being a kid. The pulling of the neckline, almost nervous hair mussing...really great.

"Touch" - 1981

First off, I have to say THANK YOU for whomever found this footage and uploaded it. There is more from this show and for as old as it is, it's great quality. The Edge looks generally unimpressed with being on stage in this clip, do I see an eyeroll? The Fro has grown quite a bit from the last clip and now, there's a scarf dangling from it, that matches the awesome vest. Adam had the New Romantic look down pat. It also appears that Larry has a fan on him, which makes him look very rock and roll...and like he's a part of a different band, filling in for these lot. He's very rock and roll and the rest of the band looks like a mis-guided New Romantic band playing strange punkish music.

"Boy/Girl" - 1981

This is from the same show that the "Touch" clip is from. Bono pulls a young girl out of the crowd and puts her on his shoulders. I guess his affinity for kids started very early. But it makes me wonder, who the hell brought their kid to a club gig? Unless it was a crew member...then maybe. I shouldn't talk though, my parents took me to club gigs when I was that age...I guess it's just jealousy talking...

Rejoice - 1982

A favorite song of mine...that gets grossly overshadowed by Bono...and his hair. I have pictures of my mother in the 80's with the same frosted hairdo that Bono has here. And look at Adam go! He clearly likes this song, don't blame him, it's a great one. You know, I think my mom had that weird jacket thing Bono's wearing too...hm...

"Rejoice" - 1982

Again, because I love this song...and again, LOOK AT ADAM GO! He digs this song. If they bring it back now, do you think Adam would rock out? It might destroy the "I'm fucking cool" stage presence he's had going for awhile...but damn it would be awesome. Let's start a petition, "Bring Back Rejoice So We Can See Adam Dance On Stage Again".

And for those who haven't seen the full clip, here's "Street Mission" - 1978.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed these clips. I've got many more up my sleeve spanning through the years. Many thanks to all the people who uploaded and shared these videos, they are classics!

Hello!

2009-07-25T18:52:52Z

I thought I'd write a sort of introduction entry and let you all know a bit about me. I'm new to this public blogging thing so I hope I don't make a complete arse of myself. Many thanks to Jon and Rita for getting me over to U2 Station, I love it here already!

]]> I have been a U2 fan since 1987, at the tender age of 5. I was introduced to The Joshua Tree by the way of my cousins. We'd often watch MTV and listen to music when they babysat me, and dancing to "Where the Streets Have No Name" was always fun for me. I eventually got my parents to buy me the tape. Needless to say, I wore it out.

From 1988 to 1991, I got lost in other more embarrassing music acts such as New Kids on the Block and MC Hammer...don't fault me too much, I was a kid after all. But in 1992, I heard Mysterious Ways on the radio. I remember calling the radio station to ask who it was and was surprised to hear it was U2. My mom took me to by the tape of Achtung Baby and the rest was history, I was hooked.

My first U2 concert was on the PopMart tour, April, 28, 1997 in San Diego. It could have been in 1992 when U2 hit Sacramento, but my mom stated Zoo TV was "too adult for me". I never let her live it down. Anyway, my mom took me to the San Diego concert and I'm still not sure who was more excited, myself or her. Long story short, however, it was something I'll never forget. The lights, the music...it cemented U2 as the best live band in my head and heart. Since 1997, I've been to 4 (5 if you want include the inaugural concert this January) shows. I will be adding Chicago I, Las Vegas and Los Angeles to my experiences this year.

The music, though, is what keeps me coming back for more. There is no other band that has made music that gives me what I can only describe as being on an emotional, bipolar rollercoaster. I can be dancing, singing, pumping my fist, crying and laughing all at the same time. The lyrics, driving beats, guitar stir something in me that I can't describe. The question of favorite U2 song is something that changes monthly, sometimes weekly, depending on mood. Currently, I'm quite partial to "Deep in the Heart". But songs that will always remain in my top favorites are "Walk On", "Rejoice", "Zooropa", "Surrender" and now "Magnificent".

In March, my dream of meeting U2 came true. Without too much fangirling detail, I drove to LA on a whim and a prayer while the band was promoting the new album, figuring it might be easier to meet them on the promo tour. I was right. After meeting Adam, Larry, Bono and The Edge, I gained far more respect for them than I knew possible. I have met many so-called celebrities in the past, but they by far are the most humble and patient, as I stumbled over my words and name numerous times. It was an amazing experience for me as someone who has respected the music for so long to finally meet the men who created it. And to hug and kiss the man who's lyrics have literally saved my life was incredible, but that's a story for another time.

My philosophy on my love of U2 is this, if you love something, to laugh and poke fun is a way of showing that. I will poke fun at U2 here, because even the men themselves do...and they are people, with senses of humor who don't take themselves as seriously as people seem to think...

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Anyway, my point is, laugh and love at the same time. We can celebrate the music and the band themselves, but having a laugh is healthy...and it's what I hope to bring here, amongst other things once the US leg of the tours starts.

"The right to be ridiculous is something I hold dear"...

Happy to be here!