Adam Clayton on MSN Chat

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Adam on MSN Chat, August 31, 1997


So, everybody sit tight, welcome to the auditorium and start asking
questions now over
in the #U2_Questions room.
Adam is on his way to the chat!
We should be starting in just a few minutes now.
Hi everyone. We're live in Dublin with U2 bassist Adam Clayton.

We'll start now.

salome269 says:
Adam: what has been the weirdest experience during this tour so far?
The weirdest experience is always the moment the lemon opens. You always
go, is
this gonna work? Is this what it feels like to be Michael Jackson?
Patrick_M says:
Adam: Did the huge success of the "Mission:Impossible theme" - The most
sucesseful U2-related single on the US chatrs on this decade - give you & Larry
the
satisfaction of proving you two can survive without the "other two" :-)?
I don't think either of us saw it as an opportunity to give up our day
jobs. We realized
it was because of U2 it was received so well.
It was great to do something on our own without Edge and Bono. Creatively
it was
easier to communicate between the two of us.
^BadCop^ says:
Adam : If the Smurfs wanted to do a cover of one of U2's songs, would
you let
them????
I guess we would, yeah.
upoo2 says:
have you ever noticed your bass is out of tune on Two Hearts Beat As
One?
On the recording version on that it's quite possible. Back then I didn't
pay attention
to tuning or timing. But I've learned to count til 4 since then.
Shades says:
Adam...if you had just one record to listen to for the rest of your
life...which would
it be?
That's very veryhard. It might be a VanMorrison record. Or a Bob Marley
record. I
couldn't narrow it down any clkoser than that. Could be a Miles Davis record.
LEKO says:
Adam, in 1992 ZOO TV I was in front of you during the Montreal concert,
and I
admire your standing, you looked proud and very cool... This kind of behaviour
comes from
your mother or your father?
My goodness this person must know my Mum or my Dad. I don't know where the
good genes come in our family -- maybe from our grandparents.
Guybrush says:
Adam : What exactly is the process during songwriting where you come up
with
those basslines? Are the songs built around your lines or is it theother way
round?
Each individual case is different. Sometimes Edge will co me together with
a chord
sequence that just needs a bass part added to it. Other times we'll take a bass
part that happens
in a rehearsal situation or a sound check and we'll work
some chords over that. Please was a case where we put some chords over that.
deseree says:
Adam, do you ever sing in the shower?
Very, very occasionally.
godpart3 says:
Adam, do you ever try on bono's stage costumes when he's not around?
Every band needs someone like Bono in it. When you join a band you don't
know
who's good at what -- I'm really pleased that Bono took the job that he took and
that I took the
job that I took.
upoo2 says:
are you happier now than in 1987?
I was pretty confused in 1987. I'm still confused, but definitely happier.

Kelly says:
Adam, has Larry sold his soul to thee devil....is that why he looks so
young?
It might look that way sometimes, it's just that he's actually 2 years
younger than the
rest of us.
Guybrush says:
Adam : How do you feel when the crowd responds so wildly to the
memorable
basslines like in New Years Day or With or Without You?
Everytime you get that great response in your head you go I wish there
were a few
more where those came from.
But I playdifferently now. Back then you took an idea and played it for
all it's worth.

Any truth to the tale that the lyrics to "Drowning Man" were written to
you?
I don't think so. I think one of the aspects of the way Bono writes lyrics
is he draws
on a broad base of experience that's based on everyone he's involved with. He
takes little bits
and we're all the same in many ways.
We each have our own tragedies or loyalties or successes and he just makes
it
universal.
danie says:
Adam---do you like to sit and listen to your own records..or is it hard
for you to
listen to your own music?
I listen to them sometimes. Usually the record that we've just finished
making I'll
listen to quite a lot because we're trying to learn how to play it live and I'm
still moving things
around in my head with it.
I goi back to older records sometimes but you tend to hear just mistakes.
You realize
that your initial instincts about it are absolutely true.
arielle says:
adam, which song do you feel is most changed by a live performance vs.
studio
recording?
In the show that we're doing at the moment I think Velvet Dress would be a
candidate
for that. Discotheque is a different live version.
cyrelle says:
adam, what profession would you be involved with were it not for u2
I think about this one every couple of years and I always come up with
somehting
pretty good. Maybe a truck driver or something. I like being on the road.
cyrelle says:
adam, what profession would you be involved with were it not for u2
It's a very confusing bundle of emotions. Playinig one night is bad enough
in as
much as it's much easier to pose in front of a mirror than in front of your
friends and family.
The show is the easisest part of the dayin your hometown because you come
home
and everything catches up with you.
Playing two nights just kind of doubles trouble. But Irish audiences are
fantastic and
wellworth it.
JOEJOEJOE says:
Any comments on Princess Diana?
I heard the news this morning at 10:00 and it kicked me sideways and I
don't really
know why.
She represented a change within Britian and the aristocracy. And that's
been swept
away.
it was also such a senseless thing. I understand what happened in being
chased by the
paparazzi.
They're risk-takers. There were motobikes involved and it's quite likely
someone
pulled in front. It is senseless. It's a complicated issue because we all like to
read the
newspapers.
omar says:
ADAM: Which is your favorite writer?
I haven't read a book for a while! I like the Flannery O'Connor books,
things like
that, they're an influence on what we were doing around the time of Joshua Tree.

I really like The English Patient -- it was a bewitching book. The film
was great as
well.
POPsickle says:
Adam, U2's videos are pretty striking.. do you enjoy being involved in
making
music videos?
I absolutely hate being involved in the making of music videos. I abhor
them.
The visual presentation of music is upon us -- I never know what the
videos are
about, but hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
Greg says:
A D A M: Have you ever played a porno on your awesome HUGE Popmart
screen
for fun?!
It's an idea that has come up a couple of times! But it hasn't been done
as yet, maybe
sometime in the future.
salome269 says:
Adam: how do you feel about performing for the mtv awards?
Kinda looking forward to it becvause we've never really performed at those
things
before. Doing TV shows can be fun. We used to do it a lot a few years back. I
think it's better
to be performing at these things than in the audience.
Patrick_M says:
Adam - A question about remixes. Some of them are great and really take
the song
a step further - Lady with the spinning head being a fine example. Others, like
Lemon -
Version Dub - areproduced with hardly anything from U2's original encarnation of
the song.
What is U2's real involvement with the DJ's that remixes the song?
Our involvement with the Djs is you tell them how great the track is, and
normally
they only really want a vocal so you send them a DAT and then they build up the
rest
themselves.
It's always interesting to us to get them back and see what they've done
with them. It's
kind of nice that they're a surprise because it's never what you expect to hear.
That's the nature of a remix -- you want to be surprised.
How do you feel about bootlegs?
I think bootlegs are something that's very difficult to stop. There are
fans out there
that want to buy them. I don't like overpriced bootlegs that are ripping the fans
off. If they're
good quality recordings of a show then I'm happy enough that people have access
to those
things.
I know there's a culture out there that listens to these things so I sort
of tolerate it,
providing no one's getting ripped off.
Leia says:
Adam-Who are your major influences?
Again this is a question that comes up every so often . . . I think Peter
Hook who
used to be in Joy Division was an influence in that he showed me something
different he could
do with a bass.
And then James Jameson who played bass on a lot of Motown records in the
early
days, electric bass playing, showed me how you could funk it up with rhythm and
melody. I
aspire to move between those three spirits when I'm playing.
MichaelW says:
Adam: What are your (as well as the band's) feelings towards
'overzealous' fans at
shows? Also, do you think the Internet has made fans more overzealous, or does
it just seem
that way?
It depends what you mean by overzealous. I think people being excited or
moved by
an experience -- that's what it's all about. But there is a tendency for people
to be obsessive.
Certainly I don't mind meeting people who love the music and if there's an
opportunity to talk about that I'm happy to take it.
There was a time people were just looking for an autograph and I'm happy
to do that
as well. But there are people taking it to extreme -- an autogrtaph, a photo, a
video recorder,
and could you fill this bag up with old clothes.
Guybrush says:
Adam : Was it a pleasant experience hanging your willy out for all to
see on
Achtung Baby?? :)
I had to be talked into it, I have to say. I was very nervous and
apprehensive about
revealing myself in such a way. But I got into the spirit of wickedness, I
suppose. I objected to
the censorship that happened in some countries. I think nude photography is
absolutely
appropriate and shouldn't embaraass anyone.
I think the photos Robert Mapplethorpe took of male nudes helped me look
at
myself as a man and looking at penises. It's a hard thiing to overcome but it's
good. I only
wish I had an erection at the time.
CyberMoon says:
What is your favorite song off Pop?
Again it kind of changes on a weekly basis. Maybe my alltime favorite is
Please,
which we've just rerecorded for the single. Playboy Mansion always brings a smile
to my face.
adamsgirl says:
Adam: You are, arguably, the best dressed man in rock. How do you do
it?
That's definitely arguable if you talk to me other three mates.
I don't really operate on that level very often but I'm glad somebody
notices that I'm
well turned out.
adamsgirl says:
Adam: How well do you get on with your bandmates after a few months on
the
road?
It's not really a question of months, it's years at this stage -- 20 years
together. Every
so often youlook at that and go 20 years, it's like being married.
How many people really have friendships that have survived 20 years. I
value it and
think it's an amazing achievement.
Guybrush says:
Adam : Do you feel you've toned downed on stage during the concerts
over the
years?
I certainly have. You get a little wiser. I remember being very
enthusiastic and active
-- a lot of that came from fighting for our lives, living hard to mouth.
We didn't know if we'd get to release another record and every tour and
evyer
performance counted. I was fueled up on adrenalin. Now the music has become a lot
more
important to me -- the playing of it. Listening to Larry, supporting Bono --
that's important.
Now my concentration is more on 1-2-3-4 hwere we go rather than any athletic
ambitions I
might have.
may says:
Adam,what do you want that you don't have?
Gosh, again, one of those things you can think of something really
insightful to say .
. .
I suppose nowadays I wish I didn't have to work nights, but that's not
very rock 'n'
roll.
POPsickle says:
Adam, do you ever plan on writing an autobiography?
No I don't. I'm not sure if the world would be that interested in my inner
thoughts
and feelings nad if I was to write something that's what it'd be about because I
would not write
something that would compromise relationships and
loyalties.
Gurt says:
ADAM, where do you think U2 will be in 2010?
I don't know. Again it's something that you think up and wonder if there's
a time
limit -- youwonder if you can plan for that eventuality, whatever that is.
I think probably U2 will be making music and performing in some stage and
theatre
somewhere. It's kind of the only thing we know how to do.
rick says:
Adam tell us about your experience in Kansas with W.S: Burroughs!
William Burroughs is an amazing man. I don't really know that much about
him. I've
read some of his work and I know he's got a feisty attitude about some things.
He seemed to have a lot of spirit and a lot of youth and we sat and talked
and he was
very switched on to what was going on.
It was an amazing experience and his subsequent deathmakes it even more
precious.
Shades says:
Adam...do you feel any sort of competition with the Rolling Stones new
tour?
I don't think we think in terms of competition with other tours. The
Rolling Stones
do what they do very well and they have an amazing history. It's amazing that at
this stage they
want to get up on stage and is a real testament to their friendship.
I think it's about more than how much they'll have in their bank account
at the end.
salome269 says:
adam: how do you feel about bands like spice girls and hanson taking
over the
radio waves?
There's always been pop music and pop bands and every couple of years
there's a
new band comes up with a different sound. I don't know what's going to happen to
Hanson
when their voices break. I certainly like looking at the Spice
Girls.
They get people into record shops and talking about music.
mofo says:
adam,do u ever go sightseeing in the citys that you tour?
No. Very very rarely. You end up really seeing the inside of the hotel and
the inside
of the gig and usually we have the same furniture that travels so I don't think
I've been going
anywhere for the last year, I've been in the same place goiong backwards and
forwards.
deseree says:
Adam, do you see U2 working with any rap artists, such as Dr. Dre?
Well, I wouldn't rule out working with Dre. We're big fans of his and
we've met him a
couple of times.It's a question of tempos 'cuz those guys work at slower tempos.
We met up when we were mastering our album in New York with Aza because we
wanted to get him to a remix of Discotheque at the time but in the end he said
that the speed
of this is too fast for rap or hip hop.
I think we're going to give him a go with If God Would Send His Angels.
adamsgirl says:
Adam: Does being on tour tend to make one a less responsible citizen?
Yes, unfortunately. It's very corrupting.
You do kind of forget the values of the real world because your values
tend to reflect
what you're doing which is the show is the most important thing and the show
happens at
roughly the same time every night and there can't be a problem that can't be
gotten over.
When you get back in the real world you have to negotiate a little more
with the
citizens.
salome269 says:
Adam: would you rather be invisible or be able to fly?
I'd like to be able to fly.
salome269 says:
Adam: what do you wish to achieve in the coming year?
I'd like to get to the end of this tour feeling fulfilled from having
accomplished
something tha thas been very hard and has tkane a lot of hard work.
I'd like to have my sanity. I'd like to feel creatively stimulated to kind
of go back in
there and make another great record.
Patrick_M says:
Would U2 ever release an Anthology-like box-set?
Maybe at some point it would be interesting to people. I was there when
some of that
first stuff was recorded and I'm not sure how interseting it is.
At the moment I'd prefer that people didn't get access to the bottom
drawer.
Ai says:
in one word, what is popmart to you?
It's the next century.
ariel says:
adam, when you are being interviewed, can you tell the difference
between a
journalist who has simply researched your history and one that is truly a fan?
It is a contradiction. People who are truly fans ask certain kinds of
questions that
sometimes you haven't thought about. A journalist who's really reserached
yourhistory is a lot
more academic in their approach and you tend to respond more academically.
SpanishEyesU2 says:
ADAM: Do you think U2's music is reaching out to the younger audience?
Definitely. It wasn't so apparent in America and I guess that's because a
lot of people
don't really like going to stadiums. But since we've come to Europe and are
playing genearl
admission we've found we've gotten a younger,
more aggressive audience that's ready to party.
Our music has stayed relevant to people who are just getting turned on to
music. If
we'd stayed oding what we were dong on the Joshua Tree I think we we would've
gotten older
musically.
We still have our Joshua Tree fans but we also have other fans who come at
us
different musically and every other which way,.
Cambot says:
What's your favorite food?
Sushi.
Anne says:
Adam would you mind it if the band i'm in played some U2 cover tunes?
Not at all. Maybe she'd be able to figure out what i"m playing!
CyberMoon says:
How was the concert tonight?
It was amazing. The audience is what the concert's all about because we're
the same
every night, so for us it's how the audience reacts.
Concerts this size very often are about what's happening in the audience
and the
music is a catalyst for that to happen.
Gurt says:
adam, in the early times (1975...) did you ever think to be where you
are now?
Well, back then you had to have blind faith and absolutely self-belief,
which I had in
those days. In reality, it's a surprise and a wonder to me that we actually have
achieved the
things we have achieved and there's still more to come.
I never really accepted it. Be careful what you set your sights upon
because it just
might happen.
from_Chile says:
Adam: if you were in my chair, Who would you like to be asking
questions?
I guess I'd be interested in asking questions to Tony Blair, this guy who
just got in
with the Labour government.
In America, Bill Clinton represents the changing generations. I think it's
very
important coming at the end of this century, people who have control over our
lives are people
you'd actually like to sit down and talk to.

Thanks so much for talking with us, Adam. And thanks to everyone for
joining the
chat. Don't forget to come back to the site for tour updates, live chats, and
live show
cybercasts.

Adam on MSN Chat, August 31, 1997


So, everybody sit tight, welcome to the auditorium and start asking
questions now over
in the #U2_Questions room.
Adam is on his way to the chat!
We should be starting in just a few minutes now.
Hi everyone. We're live in Dublin with U2 bassist Adam Clayton.

We'll start now.

salome269 says:
Adam: what has been the weirdest experience during this tour so far?
The weirdest experience is always the moment the lemon opens. You always
go, is
this gonna work? Is this what it feels like to be Michael Jackson?
Patrick_M says:
Adam: Did the huge success of the "Mission:Impossible theme" - The most
sucesseful U2-related single on the US chatrs on this decade - give you & Larry
the
satisfaction of proving you two can survive without the "other two" :-)?
I don't think either of us saw it as an opportunity to give up our day
jobs. We realized
it was because of U2 it was received so well.
It was great to do something on our own without Edge and Bono. Creatively
it was
easier to communicate between the two of us.
^BadCop^ says:
Adam : If the Smurfs wanted to do a cover of one of U2's songs, would
you let
them????
I guess we would, yeah.
upoo2 says:
have you ever noticed your bass is out of tune on Two Hearts Beat As
One?
On the recording version on that it's quite possible. Back then I didn't
pay attention
to tuning or timing. But I've learned to count til 4 since then.
Shades says:
Adam...if you had just one record to listen to for the rest of your
life...which would
it be?
That's very veryhard. It might be a VanMorrison record. Or a Bob Marley
record. I
couldn't narrow it down any clkoser than that. Could be a Miles Davis record.
LEKO says:
Adam, in 1992 ZOO TV I was in front of you during the Montreal concert,
and I
admire your standing, you looked proud and very cool... This kind of behaviour
comes from
your mother or your father?
My goodness this person must know my Mum or my Dad. I don't know where the
good genes come in our family -- maybe from our grandparents.
Guybrush says:
Adam : What exactly is the process during songwriting where you come up
with
those basslines? Are the songs built around your lines or is it theother way
round?
Each individual case is different. Sometimes Edge will co me together with
a chord
sequence that just needs a bass part added to it. Other times we'll take a bass
part that happens
in a rehearsal situation or a sound check and we'll work
some chords over that. Please was a case where we put some chords over that.
deseree says:
Adam, do you ever sing in the shower?
Very, very occasionally.
godpart3 says:
Adam, do you ever try on bono's stage costumes when he's not around?
Every band needs someone like Bono in it. When you join a band you don't
know
who's good at what -- I'm really pleased that Bono took the job that he took and
that I took the
job that I took.
upoo2 says:
are you happier now than in 1987?
I was pretty confused in 1987. I'm still confused, but definitely happier.

Kelly says:
Adam, has Larry sold his soul to thee devil....is that why he looks so
young?
It might look that way sometimes, it's just that he's actually 2 years
younger than the
rest of us.
Guybrush says:
Adam : How do you feel when the crowd responds so wildly to the
memorable
basslines like in New Years Day or With or Without You?
Everytime you get that great response in your head you go I wish there
were a few
more where those came from.
But I playdifferently now. Back then you took an idea and played it for
all it's worth.

Any truth to the tale that the lyrics to "Drowning Man" were written to
you?
I don't think so. I think one of the aspects of the way Bono writes lyrics
is he draws
on a broad base of experience that's based on everyone he's involved with. He
takes little bits
and we're all the same in many ways.
We each have our own tragedies or loyalties or successes and he just makes
it
universal.
danie says:
Adam---do you like to sit and listen to your own records..or is it hard
for you to
listen to your own music?
I listen to them sometimes. Usually the record that we've just finished
making I'll
listen to quite a lot because we're trying to learn how to play it live and I'm
still moving things
around in my head with it.
I goi back to older records sometimes but you tend to hear just mistakes.
You realize
that your initial instincts about it are absolutely true.
arielle says:
adam, which song do you feel is most changed by a live performance vs.
studio
recording?
In the show that we're doing at the moment I think Velvet Dress would be a
candidate
for that. Discotheque is a different live version.
cyrelle says:
adam, what profession would you be involved with were it not for u2
I think about this one every couple of years and I always come up with
somehting
pretty good. Maybe a truck driver or something. I like being on the road.
cyrelle says:
adam, what profession would you be involved with were it not for u2
It's a very confusing bundle of emotions. Playinig one night is bad enough
in as
much as it's much easier to pose in front of a mirror than in front of your
friends and family.
The show is the easisest part of the dayin your hometown because you come
home
and everything catches up with you.
Playing two nights just kind of doubles trouble. But Irish audiences are
fantastic and
wellworth it.
JOEJOEJOE says:
Any comments on Princess Diana?
I heard the news this morning at 10:00 and it kicked me sideways and I
don't really
know why.
She represented a change within Britian and the aristocracy. And that's
been swept
away.
it was also such a senseless thing. I understand what happened in being
chased by the
paparazzi.
They're risk-takers. There were motobikes involved and it's quite likely
someone
pulled in front. It is senseless. It's a complicated issue because we all like to
read the
newspapers.
omar says:
ADAM: Which is your favorite writer?
I haven't read a book for a while! I like the Flannery O'Connor books,
things like
that, they're an influence on what we were doing around the time of Joshua Tree.

I really like The English Patient -- it was a bewitching book. The film
was great as
well.
POPsickle says:
Adam, U2's videos are pretty striking.. do you enjoy being involved in
making
music videos?
I absolutely hate being involved in the making of music videos. I abhor
them.
The visual presentation of music is upon us -- I never know what the
videos are
about, but hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
Greg says:
A D A M: Have you ever played a porno on your awesome HUGE Popmart
screen
for fun?!
It's an idea that has come up a couple of times! But it hasn't been done
as yet, maybe
sometime in the future.
salome269 says:
Adam: how do you feel about performing for the mtv awards?
Kinda looking forward to it becvause we've never really performed at those
things
before. Doing TV shows can be fun. We used to do it a lot a few years back. I
think it's better
to be performing at these things than in the audience.
Patrick_M says:
Adam - A question about remixes. Some of them are great and really take
the song
a step further - Lady with the spinning head being a fine example. Others, like
Lemon -
Version Dub - areproduced with hardly anything from U2's original encarnation of
the song.
What is U2's real involvement with the DJ's that remixes the song?
Our involvement with the Djs is you tell them how great the track is, and
normally
they only really want a vocal so you send them a DAT and then they build up the
rest
themselves.
It's always interesting to us to get them back and see what they've done
with them. It's
kind of nice that they're a surprise because it's never what you expect to hear.
That's the nature of a remix -- you want to be surprised.
How do you feel about bootlegs?
I think bootlegs are something that's very difficult to stop. There are
fans out there
that want to buy them. I don't like overpriced bootlegs that are ripping the fans
off. If they're
good quality recordings of a show then I'm happy enough that people have access
to those
things.
I know there's a culture out there that listens to these things so I sort
of tolerate it,
providing no one's getting ripped off.
Leia says:
Adam-Who are your major influences?
Again this is a question that comes up every so often . . . I think Peter
Hook who
used to be in Joy Division was an influence in that he showed me something
different he could
do with a bass.
And then James Jameson who played bass on a lot of Motown records in the
early
days, electric bass playing, showed me how you could funk it up with rhythm and
melody. I
aspire to move between those three spirits when I'm playing.
MichaelW says:
Adam: What are your (as well as the band's) feelings towards
'overzealous' fans at
shows? Also, do you think the Internet has made fans more overzealous, or does
it just seem
that way?
It depends what you mean by overzealous. I think people being excited or
moved by
an experience -- that's what it's all about. But there is a tendency for people
to be obsessive.
Certainly I don't mind meeting people who love the music and if there's an
opportunity to talk about that I'm happy to take it.
There was a time people were just looking for an autograph and I'm happy
to do that
as well. But there are people taking it to extreme -- an autogrtaph, a photo, a
video recorder,
and could you fill this bag up with old clothes.
Guybrush says:
Adam : Was it a pleasant experience hanging your willy out for all to
see on
Achtung Baby?? :)
I had to be talked into it, I have to say. I was very nervous and
apprehensive about
revealing myself in such a way. But I got into the spirit of wickedness, I
suppose. I objected to
the censorship that happened in some countries. I think nude photography is
absolutely
appropriate and shouldn't embaraass anyone.
I think the photos Robert Mapplethorpe took of male nudes helped me look
at
myself as a man and looking at penises. It's a hard thiing to overcome but it's
good. I only
wish I had an erection at the time.
CyberMoon says:
What is your favorite song off Pop?
Again it kind of changes on a weekly basis. Maybe my alltime favorite is
Please,
which we've just rerecorded for the single. Playboy Mansion always brings a smile
to my face.
adamsgirl says:
Adam: You are, arguably, the best dressed man in rock. How do you do
it?
That's definitely arguable if you talk to me other three mates.
I don't really operate on that level very often but I'm glad somebody
notices that I'm
well turned out.
adamsgirl says:
Adam: How well do you get on with your bandmates after a few months on
the
road?
It's not really a question of months, it's years at this stage -- 20 years
together. Every
so often youlook at that and go 20 years, it's like being married.
How many people really have friendships that have survived 20 years. I
value it and
think it's an amazing achievement.
Guybrush says:
Adam : Do you feel you've toned downed on stage during the concerts
over the
years?
I certainly have. You get a little wiser. I remember being very
enthusiastic and active
-- a lot of that came from fighting for our lives, living hard to mouth.
We didn't know if we'd get to release another record and every tour and
evyer
performance counted. I was fueled up on adrenalin. Now the music has become a lot
more
important to me -- the playing of it. Listening to Larry, supporting Bono --
that's important.
Now my concentration is more on 1-2-3-4 hwere we go rather than any athletic
ambitions I
might have.
may says:
Adam,what do you want that you don't have?
Gosh, again, one of those things you can think of something really
insightful to say .
. .
I suppose nowadays I wish I didn't have to work nights, but that's not
very rock 'n'
roll.
POPsickle says:
Adam, do you ever plan on writing an autobiography?
No I don't. I'm not sure if the world would be that interested in my inner
thoughts
and feelings nad if I was to write something that's what it'd be about because I
would not write
something that would compromise relationships and
loyalties.
Gurt says:
ADAM, where do you think U2 will be in 2010?
I don't know. Again it's something that you think up and wonder if there's
a time
limit -- youwonder if you can plan for that eventuality, whatever that is.
I think probably U2 will be making music and performing in some stage and
theatre
somewhere. It's kind of the only thing we know how to do.
rick says:
Adam tell us about your experience in Kansas with W.S: Burroughs!
William Burroughs is an amazing man. I don't really know that much about
him. I've
read some of his work and I know he's got a feisty attitude about some things.
He seemed to have a lot of spirit and a lot of youth and we sat and talked
and he was
very switched on to what was going on.
It was an amazing experience and his subsequent deathmakes it even more
precious.
Shades says:
Adam...do you feel any sort of competition with the Rolling Stones new
tour?
I don't think we think in terms of competition with other tours. The
Rolling Stones
do what they do very well and they have an amazing history. It's amazing that at
this stage they
want to get up on stage and is a real testament to their friendship.
I think it's about more than how much they'll have in their bank account
at the end.
salome269 says:
adam: how do you feel about bands like spice girls and hanson taking
over the
radio waves?
There's always been pop music and pop bands and every couple of years
there's a
new band comes up with a different sound. I don't know what's going to happen to
Hanson
when their voices break. I certainly like looking at the Spice
Girls.
They get people into record shops and talking about music.
mofo says:
adam,do u ever go sightseeing in the citys that you tour?
No. Very very rarely. You end up really seeing the inside of the hotel and
the inside
of the gig and usually we have the same furniture that travels so I don't think
I've been going
anywhere for the last year, I've been in the same place goiong backwards and
forwards.
deseree says:
Adam, do you see U2 working with any rap artists, such as Dr. Dre?
Well, I wouldn't rule out working with Dre. We're big fans of his and
we've met him a
couple of times.It's a question of tempos 'cuz those guys work at slower tempos.
We met up when we were mastering our album in New York with Aza because we
wanted to get him to a remix of Discotheque at the time but in the end he said
that the speed
of this is too fast for rap or hip hop.
I think we're going to give him a go with If God Would Send His Angels.
adamsgirl says:
Adam: Does being on tour tend to make one a less responsible citizen?
Yes, unfortunately. It's very corrupting.
You do kind of forget the values of the real world because your values
tend to reflect
what you're doing which is the show is the most important thing and the show
happens at
roughly the same time every night and there can't be a problem that can't be
gotten over.
When you get back in the real world you have to negotiate a little more
with the
citizens.
salome269 says:
Adam: would you rather be invisible or be able to fly?
I'd like to be able to fly.
salome269 says:
Adam: what do you wish to achieve in the coming year?
I'd like to get to the end of this tour feeling fulfilled from having
accomplished
something tha thas been very hard and has tkane a lot of hard work.
I'd like to have my sanity. I'd like to feel creatively stimulated to kind
of go back in
there and make another great record.
Patrick_M says:
Would U2 ever release an Anthology-like box-set?
Maybe at some point it would be interesting to people. I was there when
some of that
first stuff was recorded and I'm not sure how interseting it is.
At the moment I'd prefer that people didn't get access to the bottom
drawer.
Ai says:
in one word, what is popmart to you?
It's the next century.
ariel says:
adam, when you are being interviewed, can you tell the difference
between a
journalist who has simply researched your history and one that is truly a fan?
It is a contradiction. People who are truly fans ask certain kinds of
questions that
sometimes you haven't thought about. A journalist who's really reserached
yourhistory is a lot
more academic in their approach and you tend to respond more academically.
SpanishEyesU2 says:
ADAM: Do you think U2's music is reaching out to the younger audience?
Definitely. It wasn't so apparent in America and I guess that's because a
lot of people
don't really like going to stadiums. But since we've come to Europe and are
playing genearl
admission we've found we've gotten a younger,
more aggressive audience that's ready to party.
Our music has stayed relevant to people who are just getting turned on to
music. If
we'd stayed oding what we were dong on the Joshua Tree I think we we would've
gotten older
musically.
We still have our Joshua Tree fans but we also have other fans who come at
us
different musically and every other which way,.
Cambot says:
What's your favorite food?
Sushi.
Anne says:
Adam would you mind it if the band i'm in played some U2 cover tunes?
Not at all. Maybe she'd be able to figure out what i"m playing!
CyberMoon says:
How was the concert tonight?
It was amazing. The audience is what the concert's all about because we're
the same
every night, so for us it's how the audience reacts.
Concerts this size very often are about what's happening in the audience
and the
music is a catalyst for that to happen.
Gurt says:
adam, in the early times (1975...) did you ever think to be where you
are now?
Well, back then you had to have blind faith and absolutely self-belief,
which I had in
those days. In reality, it's a surprise and a wonder to me that we actually have
achieved the
things we have achieved and there's still more to come.
I never really accepted it. Be careful what you set your sights upon
because it just
might happen.
from_Chile says:
Adam: if you were in my chair, Who would you like to be asking
questions?
I guess I'd be interested in asking questions to Tony Blair, this guy who
just got in
with the Labour government.
In America, Bill Clinton represents the changing generations. I think it's
very
important coming at the end of this century, people who have control over our
lives are people
you'd actually like to sit down and talk to.

Thanks so much for talking with us, Adam. And thanks to everyone for
joining the
chat. Don't forget to come back to the site for tour updates, live chats, and
live show
cybercasts.

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This page contains a single entry by Jonathan published on August 31, 1997 9:17 PM.

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