- Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
I’m Dan. I live in the North of the UK in a place called the Lake District, which is a truly stunning place, especially when the sun shines (which is not often enough!) I am a vet and have been for 12 years now. I specialise in small animal surgery and am currently working towards a further qualification in his area. I’m married and have 2 children, 2 dogs and 2 cats!
- If you could enjoy dinner with three other people,living or dead, who would you choose and why?
I was really hoping you wouldn’t pick this one, I remember when we came up with it that I hoped I’d never be asked it! The true answer is my wife and our 2 best friends (who are also husband and wife), but that’s a bit boring for this. So I go for:
Edge – well, there was always going to be one guy from U2 and I think I’d enjoy meeting Edge a little more than the others – we share a Welsh connection and I’m most fascinated by the soundscapes he creates in U2’s music, so he’d be the best one to have along.
JPR Williams – I suspect virtually none of you have heard of this guy – one of the best ever Rugby Union players, from the great Welsh team of the 70’s. He’s also a (human) surgeon, so I’d have so many questions about both the antics on and off the field from his playing days, when rugby was all amateur, and his professional life too.
Stephen Fry – an absolute genius, there would never be a dip in conversation with any subject a potential minefield. He’s also an avid Mac fan so lots of tech based conversation as well (he shares that with Edge I guess…)
- How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
It happened in 2 stages really. I remember a friend at school having the cassette single (yep, I’m that old) for Desire and we played it over and over again on a school trip. Everything went quiet and then I heard The Fly when it knocked Bryan Adams off Number 1 after 16 weeks. I recall thinking that I had no idea who these guys were and made no link to Desire at all. A mate who was already into U2 lent me Achtung Baby (again on cassette), I recorded a copy and there we were. I taped the RDS show from Dublin off the radio and that was it. Hooked. I linked them to all the songs I subconsciously knew already (Pride, Streets, ISHFWILF, WOWY), bought Joshua Tree and War and went from there. Zooropa was bought on the day it came out and every other album/release has been ever since. I even asked my wife (then girlfriend) to wait whilst I stood in HMV in London for over an hour whilst I listened to the entirety of Pop on a preview listening post (I’m sure some of you remember those and the rest of you are going WTF
).- When you're forced to leave to a deserted island and you can take only one U2 album with you, which would it be?
Achtung Baby. Without hesitation.
My first album, their best album and their most complete album. IMO.
I would miss Joshua Tree, Zooropa, Pop and NLOTH, but they barely push it close.
- You've been an active U2start member virtually since the beggining. How has the site changed and evolved?
I honestly can’t remember how I ended up here. I’m pretty sure I will have been searching for a bootleg of a gig I’d been to, like a lot of us. I do remember thinking that it can’t be this easy to get hold of a show, surely. There must be some catch?!
I definitely lurked for a long time before posting in the forum. I’d been burnt in forums on a couple of other (non-U2) sites and was really worried how I’d be received. But everyone was so friendly and soon it did feel a like a little family. We all go to ‘know’ each other very quickly. Nights would be wiled away discussing the most inane things. Visit the early General Chat topics and a few other choice gems that Sergio will recall better than me for examples.
So I think that’s the biggest thing that’s changed – the site has got a lot bigger. There are so many users now and so many of those are really active and involved, it’s hard to keep up with everybody. This is hard when you’re used to knowing everyone (and them know you) but it does add a lot of pizaz and variety. We have users who’s biggest band is not U2 and there are great discussions and file-sharing going on in topics about those bands. This is brilliant because it puts the reach of the site beyond just one area, which must be really exciting for Remy and his crew.
The other thing that’s changed is the site itself; the interface and the things available, but I’ll talk about that in the next question.
- Due to your highly busy pace of life, you stopped being a U2start crew member a few weeks ago, coinciding with the update to U2start V5. How do you see the site as a regular user? Any notable difference?
I’d firstly like to say for the record that being on the crew here was amongst the best things I’ve been involved with and I was truly honoured to have been asked to do it. You couldn’t meet (virtually or in real life, something I’m still sadly yet to do) a nicer and more dedicated bunch of people. The work that goes on behind the scenes here is truly breathtaking as you all saw when V5 just ‘emerged’ the other week, a fully formed monster of a site – true to the traditions of previous versions but a massive leap forward at the same time. There is literally nothing U2-related that you can’t find here, or if you can’t that someone won’t be able to help you find.
I’ve still to explore all the V5 site, but it is so smooth to use. Amazing photos, bootlegs in any form you like, video, lyrics, trivia and of course the forum. I’d like to think that in some way the Chat feature started as an idea from all the crazy evenings when topics would fill pages at a time. When I started here there was a basic forum and the bootlegs as MP3’s. It’s remarkable how far it’s come.
I think I’d love to be able to search for all my posts. I think I’d love to read my first post again. But then again, some things are best never revisited!
- In your opinion, what has been U2's defining moment and why?
This was another tricky one. There are obvious answers like Red Rocks, Live Aid, Zoo TV.
For me though I think it’s the release of the Joshua Tree. That’s when they became the biggest band in the world. That’s when they became household names, got on the cover of Time magazine, truly became a stadium band. From there even better things have happened, but I feel the release of that album ‘created’ the U2 that are both revered and reviled the world over. Only the cessation of the band will now allow a true reflection on their greatness because opinions are pre-formed about them. I believe this happened in 1987.
- If there would be only one U2 song you could hear the rest of your life, which one would it be?
I got this down to 5 – One, Streets, WOWY, The Fly and Acrobat (with Breathe a very close 6th). There are times when I can skip Acrobat and WOWY. I’ve never (to my recollection) skipped the other 3. If I factor in live versions Fly loses a little for me (ZooTV versions bore me a bit). Which leaves 2, but they are very different songs. My heart has always skipped and hairs have raised on my neck when I’ve heard either at the gigs I’ve been to. Ultimately One is slightly closer to my heart for very personal reasons so that comes out on top. But only just. If I answer tomorrow I’d probably say Streets. lol……
- What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
I used to play the Clarinet at school but last time I picked it up it just made a horrible squeak, so my music playing days are over. I do love all sorts of music and listen most days whilst walking my dogs or running. I love the mountains and walk/hike/climb as often as possible. Skiing too when time, money and weather allow. I recently took up trail running and have become very interested in Challenge events – see http://www.totalwarrior.co.uk/ for more details; I enter for the second time this summer!
Thanks very much guys for picking me and all the best for the future of U2Start
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Thanks for this great interview, djrlewis!
Note: Our crew members randomly pick fans of the month, you can't sign up for it.
