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U2’s Bono: Apple ‘more creative than a lot of rock bands’
The Chicago Tribune has an interesting interview with U2 frontman Bono about the band’s ties with Apple.
When asked if associating a song with a product such as the iPod is a good idea, Bono said: “Our being on TV, I don’t have a problem with that—we should be on TV. But OK, associating our music with a product. You’ve got to deal with the devil. Let’s have a look. The devil here is a bunch of creative minds, more creative than a lot of people in rock bands. The lead singer is Steve Jobs. These men have helped design the most beautiful object art in music culture since the electric guitar. That’s the iPod. The job of art is to chase ugliness away. Everywhere we look we see ugly cars, ugly buildings… ugly objects in the work place. Everywhere. And these people are making beautiful objects.”
Bono said being in the Apple commercial helped get their new single heard by new music fans. “We looked at the iPod commercial as a rock video. We chose the director. We thought, how are we going to get our single off in the days when rock music is niche? When it’s unlikely to get a three-minute punk-rock song on top of the radio? So we piggybacked this phenomenon to get ourselves to a new, younger audience, and we succeeded. And it’s exciting. I’m proud of the commercial, I’m proud of the association… But we have to start thinking about new ways of getting our songs across, of communicating in this new world, with so many channels, with rock music becoming a niche.” [via Cult of Mac]
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1
So wait, U2 is a punk band now?
Fishes,
narco.
Posted by narco in Burbank on May 23, 2005 at 10:47 AM (PDT)
2
I’m wondering how much Apple paid U2 for this article?
Posted by ACLeroK212 on May 23, 2005 at 11:32 AM (PDT)
3
bono’s right and well-spoken as usual.
and NO, I’m not paid for saying so.
ps, the youth is wasted on the young.
Posted by mvague on May 23, 2005 at 1:52 PM (PDT)
4
Because of course U2 are an easy buy. It’s not like they’re the biggest rock band in the world and don’t need money. Who are these Irish kids? Has anyone ever heard of them? And what is this iPod business?
Posted by iPodG5 in Ireland on May 23, 2005 at 2:26 PM (PDT)
5
I was being sarcastic, chill out.
Posted by ACLeroK212 on May 23, 2005 at 3:00 PM (PDT)
6
Ok, I like U2, but sorry Bono, you guys are about as punk as my grandma.
Posted by punxking in San Diego on May 23, 2005 at 3:26 PM (PDT)
7
U2 is nowhere near as cool as the iPod.
Put a 50 Cent iPod, or an Eminem iPod out there and you’ll see what hot is.
The iPod is helping U2 more than they are helping the iPod.
Posted by Talking Madness in Los Angeles on May 23, 2005 at 7:31 PM (PDT)
8
Bono AMD U2 SUCK!!
Posted by PiLLOW on May 23, 2005 at 7:47 PM (PDT)
9
U2 did the commercial for free!
Posted by Galley in Greenville, SC on May 23, 2005 at 10:18 PM (PDT)
10
This comment is exactly the kind of thing that makes be believe bono is insane.
Posted by Joshdude in Long Beach, CA on May 24, 2005 at 12:30 AM (PDT)
11
PiLLOW AMD SPELLING = SUCK!!
Posted by mvague on May 24, 2005 at 5:33 AM (PDT)
12
ok, I’ll admit that the punk reference was kinda funny, but I admire the guys, they’ve been doing it longer than most (including 50 cent and eminem) will ever come close to.
Posted by mvague on May 24, 2005 at 5:34 AM (PDT)
13
50 cent sucks
Posted by moo2late on May 24, 2005 at 6:31 PM (PDT)