The Frames make Brian Eno cry, but front man Glen Hansard has no love for U2. He tells SHM.com.au:
We’d like to remind Glen that U2 have supported a number of Irish bands over the years. JJ72 opened for them on their last tour, Fatima Mansions did a full European tour with U2 in ’92, and various other Irish bands have supported them over the years.
In the late 80’s U2 set up Mother Records, a record label that gave young Irish bands the experience of the first single. In Tua Nua, Cactus World News, Hothouse Flowers and An Emotional Fish and many others were on the label. It wasn’t the most succesful label ever, but at least they tried.
U2 paved the way for the Irish music industry — without them and their success, a lot of Irish musicians would still be busking in the street.
Lol, whats wrong with this guy? “go straight to hell”?!?! wtf is he on about? plz go back to ur medication ^^
Lol, whats wrong with this guy? “go straight to hell”?!?! wtf is he on about? plz go back to ur medication ^^
well, i guess that is HIS feeling as an irish musician. you can also respect what they do, without fearing them. U2 are no authority of whatsoever. they are just a bunch of fucking gifted lads, who happened to make some of the most amazing albums in music history by being in the right place at the right time (berlin 90/91….). i also think they ARE in fact different from most bands around, in the way that they make self conscious music and statements to the point where some people might throw up, but it
well, i guess that is HIS feeling as an irish musician. you can also respect what they do, without fearing them. U2 are no authority of whatsoever. they are just a bunch of fucking gifted lads, who happened to make some of the most amazing albums in music history by being in the right place at the right time (berlin 90/91….). i also think they ARE in fact different from most bands around, in the way that they make self conscious music and statements to the point where some people might throw up, but it
A lot of the Irish bands that were around in the late 80s, especially the ones with musicians that were contemporaries of U2, and a lot of people who weren’t in bands but came from U2s neighbourhood, have always been exceptionally bitter when it comes to U2’s success.
They just couldn’t handle the fact that U2 made it ‘big’. They forgot that while they were busy getting hammered in their local, U2 were working their bollocks off to get where they wanted to go.
The Frames got a raw deal. They were signed to a major too early in their career and when the album (which was pretty good) panned, Island dropped them and they’ve had to struggle since. (Now they’ve worked hard and they’re big in Ireland. Good for them!) Don’t take it out on U2. It’s a hard business, very few make it big.
Maybe a lot of the Irish bands at the time just weren’t very good. In fact, I’m pretty sure they weren’t – god knows, I kept track of what was cooking in the scene for years. Some of those boys were just a bit too fond of the drink and the blow and the good life.
A lot of the Irish bands that were around in the late 80s, especially the ones with musicians that were contemporaries of U2, and a lot of people who weren’t in bands but came from U2s neighbourhood, have always been exceptionally bitter when it comes to U2’s success.
They just couldn’t handle the fact that U2 made it ‘big’. They forgot that while they were busy getting hammered in their local, U2 were working their bollocks off to get where they wanted to go.
The Frames got a raw deal. They were signed to a major too early in their career and when the album (which was pretty good) panned, Island dropped them and they’ve had to struggle since. (Now they’ve worked hard and they’re big in Ireland. Good for them!) Don’t take it out on U2. It’s a hard business, very few make it big.
Maybe a lot of the Irish bands at the time just weren’t very good. In fact, I’m pretty sure they weren’t – god knows, I kept track of what was cooking in the scene for years. Some of those boys were just a bit too fond of the drink and the blow and the good life.
I forget the exact details now, but I know that sometime in the late 80s/early 90s, U2 helped start a record company for young up and coming bands. The company ended up doing nothing for the bands, keeping them locked into contracts.. I was told the story by some musicians in Ireland this spring. If anyone has better details, please fill them in. I’m saying this as the biggest U2 fan I know, it was just one of those business deals that the band didn’t focus on, leading to resentment…
I forget the exact details now, but I know that sometime in the late 80s/early 90s, U2 helped start a record company for young up and coming bands. The company ended up doing nothing for the bands, keeping them locked into contracts.. I was told the story by some musicians in Ireland this spring. If anyone has better details, please fill them in. I’m saying this as the biggest U2 fan I know, it was just one of those business deals that the band didn’t focus on, leading to resentment…
Baron if you read the full post you’ll find info on Mother Records.
https://u2log.com/archive/002628.shtml
Baron if you read the full post you’ll find info on Mother Records.
https://u2log.com/archive/002628.shtml
if I were a journalist interviewing glen hansard, I’d be so tickled I would just die. the guy gives great quote.
I saw the frames open for the new pornographers at the black cat in DC (translate: opening for canadians in a shithole club, about as low on the totem pole as you can get) and they were great. I loved them. I hope they come back to tour america again, without the new pornographers.
about U2 not supporting irish acts, well, that’s a silly accusation. oh well.
if I were a journalist interviewing glen hansard, I’d be so tickled I would just die. the guy gives great quote.
I saw the frames open for the new pornographers at the black cat in DC (translate: opening for canadians in a shithole club, about as low on the totem pole as you can get) and they were great. I loved them. I hope they come back to tour america again, without the new pornographers.
about U2 not supporting irish acts, well, that’s a silly accusation. oh well.
Hot House Flowers had hits in the 80’s because of U2. Most Irish bands that are around today wouldn’t even be here if it were for them paving the way.
Hot House Flowers had hits in the 80’s because of U2. Most Irish bands that are around today wouldn’t even be here if it were for them paving the way.
Rubbish!
The Coors have had ALOT of help from U2 and they are from Dundalk. Ali, Bonos wife is friendly with Dolores from The Cranberries. They are other examples. This guy obviously has a rubbish band. “The Frames”? Bahhhhh
Rubbish!
The Coors have had ALOT of help from U2 and they are from Dundalk. Ali, Bonos wife is friendly with Dolores from The Cranberries. They are other examples. This guy obviously has a rubbish band. “The Frames”? Bahhhhh
well they’re not a rubbish band. the frames are one of the best bands on the planet right now. there’s another side to this coin as well: at the moment in ireland we have the best music scene anywhere in the world, and that has a lot to do with the frames helping lesser well known acts become more famous. i wish u2 would support some of these acts more, such as damien rice, the frames, bell x1, mundy etc and i hope they’ll invite them on tour next year. i think that glen was wrong in saying that u2 don’t support irish acts, but it’s about time the rest of the world woke up to what’s happening in ireland, and u2 could really help out there.
well they’re not a rubbish band. the frames are one of the best bands on the planet right now. there’s another side to this coin as well: at the moment in ireland we have the best music scene anywhere in the world, and that has a lot to do with the frames helping lesser well known acts become more famous. i wish u2 would support some of these acts more, such as damien rice, the frames, bell x1, mundy etc and i hope they’ll invite them on tour next year. i think that glen was wrong in saying that u2 don’t support irish acts, but it’s about time the rest of the world woke up to what’s happening in ireland, and u2 could really help out there.
I agree. Glen mispoke. He should choose his words more carefully if he ever hopes to be invited on a U2 tour.
I agree. Glen mispoke. He should choose his words more carefully if he ever hopes to be invited on a U2 tour.
why should u2 feel obligated to help support other irish bands? it’s not their job. their job is to destroy arenas. and they do it well. the frames? who cares.
why should u2 feel obligated to help support other irish bands? it’s not their job. their job is to destroy arenas. and they do it well. the frames? who cares.
I’m with Slug. As it’s been mentioned already, U2’s done their part in the past but all they really need to do is write great tunes and put on amazing live shows.
I’m with Slug. As it’s been mentioned already, U2’s done their part in the past but all they really need to do is write great tunes and put on amazing live shows.
From U2’s perspective they probably can’t win either way. If they are seen as ‘supporting’ Irish bands then somebody will comment on how pompus and interfering they are and so the backlash will begin. That’s exactly what happened late 80s.
From U2’s perspective they probably can’t win either way. If they are seen as ‘supporting’ Irish bands then somebody will comment on how pompus and interfering they are and so the backlash will begin. That’s exactly what happened late 80s.
What was that Irish band Edge was always telling us about? D43X23 or some serial number like that.
What was that Irish band Edge was always telling us about? D43X23 or some serial number like that.
JJ72… again, as mentioned in the full post. Does anyone read them?
https://u2log.com/archive/002628.shtml
JJ72… again, as mentioned in the full post. Does anyone read them?
https://u2log.com/archive/002628.shtml
I do! I’m a good student. 😉
I do! I’m a good student. 😉
Personally, I agree a little bit with this. U2 really needs to hang out more with the Irish and snuff the Dutch; they take way too much time and aren’t worth a quarter of the effort. I know the article really didn’t mention the Dutch but, it should have. That’s what’re really harmful to Irish music IMHO.
Personally, I agree a little bit with this. U2 really needs to hang out more with the Irish and snuff the Dutch; they take way too much time and aren’t worth a quarter of the effort. I know the article really didn’t mention the Dutch but, it should have. That’s what’re really harmful to Irish music IMHO.