U2: News, History & Updates

U2 Biography

By FERGAL LAWLER from THE CRANBERRIES, exclusively for Alternative Nation

U2’s Influence on the Cranberries

Fergal Lawler: Because we’re Irish, U2 were a phenomenally huge band. The biggest band ever to come out of Ireland. So obviously, you’re going to hear about them. And their songs were constantly on the radio. I’ve seen them live. It was one of the first big concerts we went to, actually, myself, Noel, and Mike, when we were like 16/17 – went to see U2 in Cork. And it was mind blowing to see a stadium act. It was I think the first big stadium gig we’d ever been to. They were always ‘there,’ because they were the big band from Ireland. And we met them a couple of times, and they were really, really nice to us. We never toured with them or anything, but just met them at like, MTV Awards and stuff, things like that. And very nice people.

The Success of U2 Gives Hope to Other Irish Bands

Fergal Lawler: I think so, yeah. It was like, ‘Well, if they can do it, there’s no reason why we can’t.’ And as well, Thin Lizzy were a massive band. I didn’t realize how big they were in the States until we first started touring there, because a lot of people would say, ‘Oh, you guys are from Ireland. Do you know Thin Lizzy?’ We’re like, ‘Yeah, yeah!’ You’d expect people to say U2. But a lot of them said Thin Lizzy. And we were like, ‘Whoa, jeez!’ Didn’t realize how big they had been in the States.

Best U2 LP’s

Fergal Lawler: Hard to pick a favorite, because I really love the earlier stuff. I suppose the album that introduced me to them would have been The Unforgettable Fire. And then the concert we went to see was the Joshua Tree tour, and that was amazing. I love that album. And then Zoo TV and Achtung Baby, because we were recording our first album, and they were just about to release Achtung Baby – I was blown away by that. Because it was so different from anything they’d done before. So, I love that album.

U2’s Many Styles and Guises

Fergal Lawler: I thought it was great. I mean, the fact that they kept evolving and trying to push the boundaries and do something different. With PopMart and everything and the crazy outfits, it was almost like a David Bowie kind of thing. They were pushing…just kind of making fun of the whole fame thing, I think. And just having a laugh with it. It’s great. Tip my hat to them.

Fergal Lawler Exclusive Interview conducted by Greg Prato for Alternative Nation.