Bono Band Mates Worry About 'Uncool' Pols


U2 front man Bono said Thursday that his band mates had feared his activism would "wipe out" their music and have bristled at his meetings with "uncool" politicians.


In an interview with The Associated Press, the 45-year-old Irish rock star and global activist also said the band was looking closely at hip-hop in its search for new avenues for experimentation — and dismissed the idea of a solo album.


"I hope not, God!" he said. "More work!"


Bono's work on Thursday brought him to the Swiss ski resort of Davos, where his celebrity was enlisted in promoting a new program whereby American Express, Gap and other corporations will market specific products whose proceeds will partly go to fighting AIDS in Africa — one of the singer's passionate causes.


Do his band mates fear such dedication would keep him from the day job that, over some three decades, has turned them into music icons and multimillionaires?


"Early on they thought it would completely wipe us out, and wipe me out," said Bono, wearing his trademark wraparound sunglasses. "They know I'm a fairly far-fetched character. But recently ... they feel from our audience a sense that that's what they would like us to be doing.


"I know spiritually they feel as strongly about these issues as I do. They just don't like the high profile and they don't like me hanging out with really uncool politicians."


Bono did not name names in that context — but he was happy to cite new artists he admires, such as hip-hop sensation Kanye West.


"I happen to be in really a truly great band, and experimentation has been the lifeblood of this band," he said. "We of course will look and are looking across at hip hop and see the amazing innovation in the studio...


"I don't know where we're going to go with all our new information and all our new friends ... but it will be somewhere very special or you won't hear about it, because there's no reason for you to put out an album now unless its very special."


"You know," he explained, "we don't need the cash."

Dear God, I hope not. Bono is so often full of shit when discussing new projects, though, that this is probably a total crock. He described How to Dismantle... as 'punk rock from Venus', and said that there were songs on the album that were going to be heavier than anything they'd done prior.

Hopefully they do continue to experiment. I wouldn't be adverse to a Zooropa-style EP coming out soon. I did like their techno-styled stuff, and wouldn't mind to hear another U2-techno disc.

I will never forget how thier fan base was VERY upset at Auchtung Baby (which was the first U2 album I loved..I have since fallen out of love) for changing their sound and then they went this really wierd way with "electronica" and only recently went back to thier roots (sort of) to great success. Now why would they want to go off in a direction many of their fans don't want when it's obvious that what works is their original sound?

Maybe they are bored with it. Maybe they though "electronica" was the "new thing" and now trying to jump in the hip hop boat? I think this could be a huge huge mistake..and I am not really a big fan of theirs.

Axchi696 said:

I loved Zooropa but find that many did not. It was a weird album as I recall. Sort of a strange extension of Auchtung. I just remember it came out and the only fan fare was Numb at the time...which is a good sang. I like Lemon as well.

B to the O to the N to the O



[Edited 1/26/06 17:33pm]

superspaceboy said:

yeah it sounds like they are bored with their sound....

They better not

Bo to the naw!

Relax. If anything it would entail hip-hop beats,instrumentation. Not Bono straight up rapping or freestyling lol.

Hell, they were criticised by Prince for not being able to do HQ and some writers spoke on their dourness and non dance-ability. They answered with Achtung Baby and the rest of their awesome groove filled rock in the 90's

He should stop palling around with rich politicos and remember how important his power could be.

2freaky4church1 said:

The hell is you talkin about? As if he hasn't done good with what clout he has. Even moreso then some dang politicians.

HAHA




[Edited 1/26/06 20:41pm]

superspaceboy said:

Zooropa was great. As were Achtung Baby, Passengers and Pop. Everything they've done since has been crap. I'm looking forward to U2 taking risjs again. They're great when they do that.

that would be the wackest rap ever

DiamondGirl said:

What's HQ?

gypsyfire said:

Housequake

DiamondGirl said:

and Prince was right! They still couldn't. U2 are by far the most overrated band ever, with one of the most overrated pompous vocalists too. I swear i tried to like U2 and do like a couple of their tracks, but they're really no great shakes. Live too, i think they really rely on size and effects these days. They, themselves are not exciting to watch or particularly great performers.

I think you'll find he was being ironical.

Marrk said:

An album by U2 produced by Kanye West could be great! Don't count U2 out yet....

Marrk said:

I feel numb...

GangstaFam said:

Too much is not enough


Was this a "U2 rap song" ?

"Numb"... The only "rap" more monotonous than Eminem's.

CinisterCee said:

Aww, I this. Surprise, surprise, I know.

i hate hate hate Saint Bono

Axchi696 said:

Me too. Plus, we can blame the monotone on The Edge.

i miss the days when U2 were a relevant band