Bono, Voices Of Sun City

Artists who took part in the Artists United Against Apartheid (Sun City) project recorded an interview LP and video entitled “Voices Of Sun City”. On this promo LP, Bono discusses why he joined the Sun City project and the recording of Silver and Gold. This is a very short interview segment. Special thanks to Eric of U2vl.org for providing this interview. Released 1985.

Bono press conference regarding graffiti

On November 11th, 1987, U2 played a free show at Justin Herman Plaza, San Francisco. During that show, Bono spray painted “Rock n roll stops the traffic” on the Vaillancourt fountain. This resulted in Bono receiving a rebuke from then San Francisco mayor Diane Feinstein, “I am disappointed that a rock star who is supposed to be a role model for young people chose to vandalise the work of another artist”. This short press conference is Bono’s response to the situation. Special thanks to Sue Fell for providing this interview. Recorded November 1987.

The Edge with Roger Scott I

Edge sits down with Roger Scott for a short interview on BBC Radio One. Topics include; When Love Comes To Town, working with BB King, She’s A Mystery To Me, meeting Roy Orbison, recording cover versions, Dancing Barefoot, Fortunate Son, Warm and Tender Love, Everybody Loves A Winner, Unchained Melody, 1989 plans for U2, and Edge’s favorite music including S’Express, Living Colour, and The Neville Brothers. Special thanks to Sue Fell for providing this interview. First broadcast April 15th, 1989.

The Edge with Roger Scott II

During rehearsals for the Lovetown Tour, Edge sits down with Roger Scott for a short interview on BBC Radio One. Topics include; Everlasting Love, Unchained Melody, touring Australia and New Zealand, songs for the next album, and The Who touring. Special thanks to Sue Fell for providing this interview. First broadcast June 24th, 1989.

Bono phones Simon Mayo

Just after becoming a dad for the first time, Bono phones in to Simon Mayo‘s BBC Radio One show for a short interview. Topics include; the birth of Jordan, being a father, All I Want Is You single and video, Felini’s La Strada as the basis for the video, who dies at the end?, the Lovetown tour, U2 fanzines, and Everlasting Love. Special thanks to Sue Fell for providing this interview. First broadcast June 7th, 1989.

Bono in Stockholm Sweden

Bono tapes a short interview in the Kaknästornet tower restaurant with a Swedish journalist. Topics include; the radio tower, wallpaper music, the War album, Sunday Bloody Sunday, the troubles, Simple Minds, change, working on a ballet soundtrack with Arlene Phillips for the (then) Irish National Ballet, a gift for the interviewer. Special thanks to Sue Fell for providing this interview. Recorded sometime early in 1983.

Casey Kasem and Negativland

In 1992, at an anti-nuclear rally, Casey Kasem was interviewed regarding the Negativland U2 single.  This single has Casey ranting about U2 saying in part, “these guys are from England (sic) and who gives a sh*&”.  During this very quick “celebrity” interview, Kasem briefly discusses the Negativland single, the fact that he did not sue them, and his belief in the first amendment.  It has been reported that, privately, he did in fact threaten to sue Negativland regarding the single.  Interview courtesy negativland.com.  Thanks to Don Joyce for providing this recording.  Recorded sometime during 1992.

Edge and Negativland Mondo 2000 Interview (2 parts)

Interview courtesy negativland.com.

On a break from the Zoo TV Tour, U2 management set up a long phone interview for Edge with Mondo 2000 magazine. Apparenly, Edge was a fan of the magazine, which included contributors such as William Gibson. Edge’s goal was to discuss the ideas behind Zoo TV and the Cyberpunk movement with the magazine and its audience.

What Edge did not know was that Mondo 2000 editor R. U. Sirius invited his friends from the band Negativland (Don Joyce and Mark Hosler) to take part in the interview. At the time, Island records were suing Negativland regarding their single “U2” which mixed samples of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” with a profane Casey Kasem rant from his show American Top 40.

Most likely, it was the cover of the Negativland single that worried Island Records. The cover was designed in such a way as to suggest that it was a U2 release. Though Island Records may have had a legitimate gripe regarding the cover, their legal actions seemed heavy handed at best, and eventually cost Negativland a lot of money and their recording contract with SST Records.

The interview started out as somewhat of an “ambush”, but, The Edge seemed mostly relaxed about the whole thing as time went on. Additionally, Negativland took the opportunity to ask Edge some interesting questions, and make some good points regarding sampling, copyright, and the dawning digital age. Near the end, they even ask Edge for a loan!

It is believed that this interview has never been released before in audio form, though the print version is available at the Negativland website. The U2 Interview Archive would like to thank Don Joyce for dubbing and sending us a copy of the original audio cassette. Recorded June 25th, 1992 for Mondo 2000 magazine.

PS: If you’ve never heard the U2/Negativland single, may we suggest the 2001 Negativland album “These Guys Are From England and Who Gives A Shit” which contains great versions. Also available via Amazon.com.

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