I am in a U2 tribute band and I cannot fathom dressing up like Bono offstage. In fact, if truth be told I actually hate dressing up like Bono period, as I feel alot more comfortable in my own skin. However, I love performing U2's music and I realize that to do a tribute justice, you need to dress the part.
I have alot of trouble understanding why people show up to U2 concerts or go in public dressed as Bono - on stage as part of a show is one thing, but in everyday life? Yikes!
Our band performed a private party last weekend and 4 people came up to the stage after our performance asking for an autograph (they were adults in their 40's).
They thought we were U2 and that I was Bono - they actually congratulated me on our Hall of Fane induction last year!lol This is hilarious in it's own right because for starters I am 15 years younger than Bono and about 40-50 pounds lighter!! lol..yeah, I know, I am a sad excuse for a "Bono" in a tribute band but we seem to do ok.
I was very clear to these people that we were not U2 and that we were a tribute band, handed them a card with our website and explained the whole "tribute" thing.
For whatever reason, some people do ask us from time to time for autographs and we are always VERY clear (even to kids - especially to kids!) that we are not U2 and we are a U2 tribute show.
I feel weird enough signing autographs as myself let alone as someone else!
As Tony eludes to, anyone who respects U2 and Bono, should know where to draw the line.
These people give the other U2 tributes a very bad rep.
There is a guy in Toronto named Matt who showed up to the U2 shows in Toronto in September dressed as Bono with ACTUAL body guards and tried to force his way through the crowd in GA to get near the ellipse, with his body guards yelling "make room for Bono".
Some people lost their coveted spot they waited in line all day for and others got crushed quite hard because some people thought this guy was Bono and they were trying to get closer to him.
Very sad...move to Vegas....
Maybe someone should send this thread to Pavel (sp?) so he can tell his side of the story, although from the first hand accounts, it sounds quite disturbing...
Cheers,
Brady
ps - lol at the liver function comment - maybe he ate too many tomatoes and carrots? That can actually change the pigment of your skin as well