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[SIMG]http://forum.interference.com/gallery/data//585/11265menewseattle-sml.jpg[/SIMG]
By Devlin Smith, Contributing Editor
2005.09
Most fans dream of making their way onto U2's stage, playing with the band, dancing with Bono or just plain clowning around. During the Vertigo Tour's third-leg start at Toronto's Air Canada Centre, U2 has managed the make the dreams of several U2 fans come true, including that of Toronto-based Menew, a rock outfit featuring Shade on lead vocals and guitar, Key on piano and synthesizers, Nathan Samuel Phillip on drums and backing vocals, and Jason Machado on bass.
U2.com describes the band's once-in-a-lifetime moment at the September 16th show this way:
Spotting an inviting sign in the crowd ("U2 + a song with our band = a happy crowd"), before we quite know what is happening a local Toronto band are up on stage to perform their own version of Out of Control. With Edge joining Menew (as we discover they are called) on guitar (he could go far), Shade, Key and Nathan Samuel Phillip showed they know how to rock 'n' roll—and the locals loved them.
So what's it like to not only get on stage with the members of U2 but to also have a crack at their instruments and one of their classics? Interference.com asked the members of Menew to sum up the experience that hasn't quite sunken in yet.
When and how did the band form?
Shade: The band was built on a friendship from a very young age and became official when we decided to buy a set of drums. We have been doing it seriously for about four years.
How would you describe the Menew sound?
Key: We find it’s hard to describe our band in a sentence or two, and we don't usually try, but it is rock and it has roll. I think we sound more British than anything else.
Where did the name Menew come from?
Nathan: We were looking for a unique and universal name, more of a symbol than a word, without restrictions on language. We took the name from two signs merged together in our garage and later made it similar to a palindrome with the reversed E.
(Photo courtesy of Menew.)
How long have you all been U2 fans?
Nathan: I remember hearing U2 for the first time riding the bus on the way to elementary school and since then we have all been huge fans. We have always looked up to them. One of the reasons we formed our band was because of U2.
Is your sound greatly influenced by U2?
Shade: We are greatly influenced by U2 as well as many other great performers, although we do not try to mimic any one of them, but use them as inspiration. Writing and saying something that has meaning and has never been done is the best part of being in Menew.
Where did you get the idea to try to get on stage in Toronto?
Shade: I think everyone wants to go on stage with U2, we just had to get their attention and say it in a quick and clever way. Knowing how Bono is, it seemed like something he would be interested in. We have to thank them all again for that opportunity.
Had you tried to get on stage prior to Friday's success?
Key: No, we only had tickets for Friday.
How did you get the attention of the band?
Shade: We had a large sign and we were on the rail so it was hard for them not to see us.
When did you realize that your plan worked and you were going up on stage?
Key: During the show Bono looked at us a few times but it was confirmed in the second encore during "Yahweh." He came over in the middle of the song and asked us a few questions and told us we would be coming up.
What went through your mind at the moment?
Nathan: It was unreal. We were very excited.
How did it feel to be on U2's stage with the band?
Key: Actually we felt very comfortable. They are great guys and were very nice and easy to talk to. We felt so privileged to be playing with the biggest band in the world.
What kind of reaction did you get from the crowd?
Shade: The crowd was very welcoming. We have been swarmed with e-mails from U2 fans that are new Menew fans. They really seemed to enjoy it.
How did you end up playing "Out of Control" and how do you think it went?
Key: Bono asked us what song we wanted to play. Knowing that "Out of Control" was their first single off their first album, we felt it was fitting because we are a band early in our career. When Nathan started the drum beat and the bass came in the crowd went insane. Then when Shade stepped up to the mic the volume of the crowd soared even louder. For not being a cover band I think we pulled it off very well.
(Photo courtesy of Menew.)
What interaction did you have with the guys in U2?
Key: Besides the conversations before we settled into our instruments, there were moments when Bono would signal a chorus and there were interactions between The Edge, Shade and Nathan. Everyone on the stage was communicating and Bono had said he felt there was a connection.
What reaction did they have to your performance?
Nathan: They were really having a lot of fun up there with us, as we were, too. I think they were surprised at how well we played. I recall when Bono and Edge were nodding their heads to me impressed with the performance.
What was going through your mind after being put back onto the floor?
Shade: We were overwhelmed and in shock at what just happened.
How long did it take for what had happened to sink in?
Shade: It still hasn't entirely sunk in.
What kind of impact do you see this experience having on your band?
Key: It's already helping with everything—fans, interviews, TV, publicity.
What's next for Menew?
Nathan: We have just released an EP produced by Rick Parashar [who's worked with Pearl Jam and Bon Jovi] and will be touring and promoting it in the coming months.
Do you guys plan to make your way onto U2's stage again?
Shade: Anything’s possible for Menew.
Many thanks to Simon Flight and the members of Menew for taking the time the answer these questions.
By Devlin Smith, Contributing Editor
2005.09
Most fans dream of making their way onto U2's stage, playing with the band, dancing with Bono or just plain clowning around. During the Vertigo Tour's third-leg start at Toronto's Air Canada Centre, U2 has managed the make the dreams of several U2 fans come true, including that of Toronto-based Menew, a rock outfit featuring Shade on lead vocals and guitar, Key on piano and synthesizers, Nathan Samuel Phillip on drums and backing vocals, and Jason Machado on bass.
U2.com describes the band's once-in-a-lifetime moment at the September 16th show this way:
Spotting an inviting sign in the crowd ("U2 + a song with our band = a happy crowd"), before we quite know what is happening a local Toronto band are up on stage to perform their own version of Out of Control. With Edge joining Menew (as we discover they are called) on guitar (he could go far), Shade, Key and Nathan Samuel Phillip showed they know how to rock 'n' roll—and the locals loved them.
So what's it like to not only get on stage with the members of U2 but to also have a crack at their instruments and one of their classics? Interference.com asked the members of Menew to sum up the experience that hasn't quite sunken in yet.
When and how did the band form?
Shade: The band was built on a friendship from a very young age and became official when we decided to buy a set of drums. We have been doing it seriously for about four years.
How would you describe the Menew sound?
Key: We find it’s hard to describe our band in a sentence or two, and we don't usually try, but it is rock and it has roll. I think we sound more British than anything else.
Where did the name Menew come from?
Nathan: We were looking for a unique and universal name, more of a symbol than a word, without restrictions on language. We took the name from two signs merged together in our garage and later made it similar to a palindrome with the reversed E.
(Photo courtesy of Menew.)
How long have you all been U2 fans?
Nathan: I remember hearing U2 for the first time riding the bus on the way to elementary school and since then we have all been huge fans. We have always looked up to them. One of the reasons we formed our band was because of U2.
Is your sound greatly influenced by U2?
Shade: We are greatly influenced by U2 as well as many other great performers, although we do not try to mimic any one of them, but use them as inspiration. Writing and saying something that has meaning and has never been done is the best part of being in Menew.
Where did you get the idea to try to get on stage in Toronto?
Shade: I think everyone wants to go on stage with U2, we just had to get their attention and say it in a quick and clever way. Knowing how Bono is, it seemed like something he would be interested in. We have to thank them all again for that opportunity.
Had you tried to get on stage prior to Friday's success?
Key: No, we only had tickets for Friday.
How did you get the attention of the band?
Shade: We had a large sign and we were on the rail so it was hard for them not to see us.
When did you realize that your plan worked and you were going up on stage?
Key: During the show Bono looked at us a few times but it was confirmed in the second encore during "Yahweh." He came over in the middle of the song and asked us a few questions and told us we would be coming up.
What went through your mind at the moment?
Nathan: It was unreal. We were very excited.
How did it feel to be on U2's stage with the band?
Key: Actually we felt very comfortable. They are great guys and were very nice and easy to talk to. We felt so privileged to be playing with the biggest band in the world.
What kind of reaction did you get from the crowd?
Shade: The crowd was very welcoming. We have been swarmed with e-mails from U2 fans that are new Menew fans. They really seemed to enjoy it.
How did you end up playing "Out of Control" and how do you think it went?
Key: Bono asked us what song we wanted to play. Knowing that "Out of Control" was their first single off their first album, we felt it was fitting because we are a band early in our career. When Nathan started the drum beat and the bass came in the crowd went insane. Then when Shade stepped up to the mic the volume of the crowd soared even louder. For not being a cover band I think we pulled it off very well.
(Photo courtesy of Menew.)
What interaction did you have with the guys in U2?
Key: Besides the conversations before we settled into our instruments, there were moments when Bono would signal a chorus and there were interactions between The Edge, Shade and Nathan. Everyone on the stage was communicating and Bono had said he felt there was a connection.
What reaction did they have to your performance?
Nathan: They were really having a lot of fun up there with us, as we were, too. I think they were surprised at how well we played. I recall when Bono and Edge were nodding their heads to me impressed with the performance.
What was going through your mind after being put back onto the floor?
Shade: We were overwhelmed and in shock at what just happened.
How long did it take for what had happened to sink in?
Shade: It still hasn't entirely sunk in.
What kind of impact do you see this experience having on your band?
Key: It's already helping with everything—fans, interviews, TV, publicity.
What's next for Menew?
Nathan: We have just released an EP produced by Rick Parashar [who's worked with Pearl Jam and Bon Jovi] and will be touring and promoting it in the coming months.
Do you guys plan to make your way onto U2's stage again?
Shade: Anything’s possible for Menew.
Many thanks to Simon Flight and the members of Menew for taking the time the answer these questions.
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