Ian McCulloch slags off U2 and their fans..

[KUEFC09U2]

Originally Posted by ozeeko

I just wanted to point out that if this was Bono talking equally as enthusiastic about one of their best songs (which he isn't ever ashamed do do) the whole thread would be filled with thumbs up.

Well thats not really true now is it? how many times has bono said so and so is one of his favorites, followed by threads slagging bono off about his comments?

[VintagePunk]

I often wonder if Ian and Henry Rollins get together for U2/Bono h8r club meetings. Do they have a club house? Pay club dues? Do they spend time formulating quotes to feed to the media? Do they serve refreshments?

[kpod]

Originally Posted by ozeeko

I just wanted to point out that if this was Bono talking equally as enthusiastic about one of their best songs (which he isn't ever ashamed do do) the whole thread would be filled with thumbs up.

The quote implies that the world thinks that The Killing Moon is up there with Suzanne, Blowin in the Wind and In My Life which would mean it is one of the best and important songs ever. I have never heard Bono make such a claim about a U2 song. It certainly isn't one of the best or important songs ever. I mean, while it is a great song, it isn't even the best song on the Donnie Darko soundtrack (IMO).

[ozeeko]

Well...Bono has talked repeatedly throughout the band's history about their (or more likely his) megalomania. He has referred to Boy as one of the greatest debut albums of all time. As we all know he calls his band the biggest in the world. I guess i don't have an example of him comparing any one song to suzanne and blowing in the wind, but whatever, if he did compare, let's say the song "One" to one of the above said classics, i wouldn't be surprised. i wouldn't be offended either. in the same way i'm not offended by what ian said about The Killing Moon. So he thinks it's a classic, whatever. Not really a big deal. Egotistical? Sure, but find me one rock star who hasn't been at one time or another. Comes with the job pretty much.

i guess if you were expecting me to post interview quotes from Bono then you're disappointed. then again that wasn't my intention. i was just saying, imagine Bono saying something like that about one of their all time classic most famous songs. would everyone really be up in arms about it?

[corianderstem]

Well, there would definitely be a lot of scoffing and good-natured eye-rolling if he said that.

But also, Bono probably wouldn't be dissing some other artist within the same interview.

[ozeeko]

Originally Posted by corianderstem

Well, there would definitely be a lot of scoffing and good-natured eye-rolling if he said that.

But also, Bono probably wouldn't be dissing some other artist within the same interview.

yea true true....not that it's totally beyond Bono to criticize other artists, he just does it in a subtler way, in a way that's more constructive criticism that insulting. like when he talks about the path radiohead and pearl jam have taken. and he always had his views during the 80's and 90's on what good music is and should be (which translated as whatever music U2 was making at the time). but yea, Bono's not one to call people out directly. i'm sure ian's just bitter about the band's legacy. still, if he feels that strongly about this song, then great, let him revel in it.

[65980]

There's a reason Ian McCullogh can talk shit about anyone and Bono doesn't. The reason is this: when Bono says anything publicly, people actually care.

[FitzChivalry]

Originally Posted by VintagePunk

I often wonder if Ian and Henry Rollins get together for U2/Bono h8r club meetings. Do they have a club house? Pay club dues? Do they spend time formulating quotes to feed to the media? Do they serve refreshments?

I think Jim Kerr serves the refreshments.

[nathan1977]

Originally Posted by FitzChivalry

I think Jim Kerr serves the refreshments.

And Johnny Lydon sweeps up after.

[Muldfeld]

I used to assume I'd like Ian McCullogh, until I read an embarrassing quotation around 2000 in which he said that the apex of human civilization was the Renaissance and how everything from then onward was downhill; he perhaps rightfully laughed at the use of the internet. I remember thinking how much advancement the world had made in terms of human rights since that period, but what shocked me was how he said something like,

"The Michaelangelo's of this world -- the established artists of their time -- were alright, but I was always into the weird dudes, the Leonardo Da Vincis, who were out there. Echo and the Bunnymen have always been Da Vinci to U2's Michaelangelo."

I felt quite sad that day. McCullough was obviously both pretentious and a moron.

[cobl04]

Originally Posted by 65980

There's a reason Ian McCullogh can talk shit about anyone and Bono doesn't. The reason is this: when Bono says anything publicly, people actually care.

where did your nipples go?

[Muldfeld]

Originally Posted by Edge_Orchestra

Exactly, and that is all that it is... snark, bravado, chest-puffing nuggets for the NME.

Save your anger for those blocking/slowingdown/and lying thier @sses off about healthcare reform. Those on the right and middle left that are not blocking due to principle but as they don't want to lose all of that money they get from the insurance and pharmaceutical industry.

Now THAT is a good reason to be angry. Not Ian McCulloch being Ian McCulloch.

I like your style, dude. Well said!

Originally Posted by kpod

The quote implies that the world thinks that The Killing Moon is up there with Suzanne, Blowin in the Wind and In My Life which would mean it is one of the best and important songs ever. I have never heard Bono make such a claim about a U2 song. It certainly isn't one of the best or important songs ever. I mean, while it is a great song, it isn't even the best song on the Donnie Darko soundtrack (IMO).

Yeah, but there's an important difference in the power that Bono and McCullough wield. McCullough is definitely insecure and has to work hard to promote his stuff. Bono is still insecure, but not in the same way. He doesn't have to verbally promote his stuff; he has all kinds of corporate power behind him. His band has hit the big time, so he doesn't have to say "One" is one of the greatest song of the '90s -- though I believe that.

Also, U2 isn't very honest anymore. I remember my big brother telling me that when Bono heard the Pet Shop Boys' cover of "Where the Streets Have No Name" he said, referring to one of their song titles, "What have I done to deserve this?" That's a pretty big put down, and it's a hell of a lot better than the awful covers and collaborations U2 has been allowing: Mary J. Blige, the Black Eyed Peas, Green Day? Old U2 had the guts to call it. New U2 cares more about marketing to different segments of the population to ensure their legacy and also about kissing butt to artists like Beyonce (who sucks!) to ingratiate themselves and get their help on DATA.

Listen to some of these interviews.
U2 Interview Archive � (1991-1994) Achtung-Zooropa

New U2 might consider them snobby, but it's so cool how The Edge attacks the mainstream US media for its superficiality and other artists. The old Edge would never have said, "I wish I wrote 'Wonderwall' by Oasis", simply because hugely popular, even if, at best, it's just nice enough. New U2 has crappy bands like Snow Patrol on tour? Yuk! The band did have the guts to play "TV on the Radio" over and over on the speakers before taking stage, but Bono only name-checks artists who are already successful to seem modest when it really isn't.

[gman]

Originally Posted by Muldfeld

Also, U2 isn't very honest anymore. I remember my big brother telling me that when Bono heard the Pet Shop Boys' cover of "Where the Streets Have No Name" he said, referring to one of their song titles, "What have I done to deserve this?"

Actually....i remember this....and the actual quote was...."what have i....what have i...what have i done to deserve this"

[lazarus]

Originally Posted by Muldfeld

Yeah, but there's an important difference in the power that Bono and McCullough wield. McCullough is definitely insecure and has to work hard to promote his stuff. Bono is still insecure, but not in the same way. He doesn't have to verbally promote his stuff; he has all kinds of corporate power behind him. His band has hit the big time, so he doesn't have to say "One" is one of the greatest song of the '90s -- though I believe that.

Also, U2 isn't very honest anymore. I remember my big brother telling me that when Bono heard the Pet Shop Boys' cover of "Where the Streets Have No Name" he said, referring to one of their song titles, "What have I done to deserve this?" That's a pretty big put down, and it's a hell of a lot better than the awful covers and collaborations U2 has been allowing: Mary J. Blige, the Black Eyed Peas, Green Day? Old U2 had the guts to call it. New U2 cares more about marketing to different segments of the population to ensure their legacy and also about kissing butt to artists like Beyonce (who sucks!) to ingratiate themselves and get their help on DATA.

Listen to some of these interviews.
U2 Interview Archive � (1991-1994) Achtung-Zooropa

New U2 might consider them snobby, but it's so cool how The Edge attacks the mainstream US media for its superficiality and other artists. The old Edge would never have said, "I wish I wrote 'Wonderwall' by Oasis", simply because hugely popular, even if, at best, it's just nice enough. New U2 has crappy bands like Snow Patrol on tour? Yuk! The band did have the guts to play "TV on the Radio" over and over on the speakers before taking stage, but Bono only name-checks artists who are already successful to seem modest when it really isn't.

I'm confused here. You're attacking (and blaming) Boner for something that McCulloch said? How's that again? Hypothetically comparing the rantings of a perennial jackass to Boner calling one of his own songs the greatest ever, the latter of which never happened, makes no sense at all.

No need to go on a diatribe about the 00's incarnation of the band here; aren't you content to do it in every other thread?

[MrsSpringsteen]

They talk about Echo and the Bunnymen on the Elvis Costello show and they mentioned that Ian said he wanted to kill Bono. I'm sure he didn't mean that literally.

[Popmartijn]

Originally Posted by gman

Actually....i remember this....and the actual quote was...."what have i....what have i...what have i done to deserve this"

Or rather, "What have WE done to deserve this?"
In any case, I don't think this was a big, ballsy, public put-down by Bono. Rather, it was a tongue in cheek comment about PSB covering U2 (and Bono replying with a reference to a PSB song title).

[Vlad n U 2]

Originally Posted by MrsSpringsteen

They talk about Echo and the Bunnymen on the Elvis Costello show and they mentioned that Ian said he wanted to kill Bono. I'm sure he didn't mean that literally.

I'm not sure, since it's Ian McCullouch we're talking about here.

[The Sad Punk]

Originally Posted by Muldfeld

I like your style, dude. Well said!



Yeah, but there's an important difference in the power that Bono and McCullough wield. McCullough is definitely insecure and has to work hard to promote his stuff. Bono is still insecure, but not in the same way. He doesn't have to verbally promote his stuff; he has all kinds of corporate power behind him. His band has hit the big time, so he doesn't have to say "One" is one of the greatest song of the '90s -- though I believe that.

Also, U2 isn't very honest anymore. I remember my big brother telling me that when Bono heard the Pet Shop Boys' cover of "Where the Streets Have No Name" he said, referring to one of their song titles, "What have I done to deserve this?" That's a pretty big put down, and it's a hell of a lot better than the awful covers and collaborations U2 has been allowing: Mary J. Blige, the Black Eyed Peas, Green Day? Old U2 had the guts to call it. New U2 cares more about marketing to different segments of the population to ensure their legacy and also about kissing butt to artists like Beyonce (who sucks!) to ingratiate themselves and get their help on DATA.

Listen to some of these interviews.
U2 Interview Archive � (1991-1994) Achtung-Zooropa

New U2 might consider them snobby, but it's so cool how The Edge attacks the mainstream US media for its superficiality and other artists. The old Edge would never have said, "I wish I wrote 'Wonderwall' by Oasis", simply because hugely popular, even if, at best, it's just nice enough. New U2 has crappy bands like Snow Patrol on tour? Yuk! The band did have the guts to play "TV on the Radio" over and over on the speakers before taking stage, but Bono only name-checks artists who are already successful to seem modest when it really isn't.

I think you might be into the wrong band, bro.

And I'm pretty familiar with interviews from the early nineties. Guess what? People change. And frankly, I see a lot of egotistical bullshit and marketing spirit from them around that time, too. Whatever you want to call it. U2 have always wanted money, always wanted to be big, all of that stuff. And Israel.

[mad1]

in a lot of cases, people who slag are insecure/not open-minded

[Muldfeld]

Originally Posted by Popmartijn

Or rather, "What have WE done to deserve this?"
In any case, I don't think this was a big, ballsy, public put-down by Bono. Rather, it was a tongue in cheek comment about PSB covering U2 (and Bono replying with a reference to a PSB song title).

Oh, that's very possible. Oh, those pre-internet days of word-of-mouth circulation might not have gotten it right, huh? Then again, the other day my brother was telling me that he knew a guy who saw Bono publicly with Andrea Corr (inferring that they were having an affair). I had to squash that.