5Qs with M2: An Interview with the Author of U2 - A Diary

So I recently proved to all my friends that I will do pretty much anything to win something U2 related. (I labeled myself a U2 whore and nobody disagreed.) Now, just a few weeks later, I'm whoring myself out again for another contest. Only this time I'm extra excited because I got to interview one of my favorite people I don't actually know: Matt McGee (aka M2). Matt is the founder, editor and my favorite part of U2 fansite @U2.com. Matt has been busy writing a book, U2 - A Diary. The book is finished and now he's working on promoting it. What better way to do that than to let crazy people like me ask him five questions and then post the answers on my blog? Pretty genius, eh? Of course I wanted to ask lots of random, non-book related questions. (How much did you hate the picture on the cover of How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb? I mean, could the band have looked any more bored? And how much do you hate when people abbreviate album and song titles with just letters? HTDAAB. ATYCLB. IYWTVD. SIAMYCGOO. WTF?) But I decided perhaps I should try and stick to the subject at hand: U2 - A Diary, and why everyone needs five copies. So without further ado, here's 5Qs with M2. (My words/thoughts are in italics.)

HM: We know there are tons of books about U2. I already have my own lovely U2 library. Why do I need to add U2 - A Diary to my collection?

M2: Because those books on your shelf are getting tired of hearing the same old stories about U2's history, and are itching for some updated and expanded details about some of the most important events and dates that made U2 what it is today. They want to sit next to a book put together by a fan, by someone with a unique attitude about the Hows and Whys certain events fit together in the U2 story.

There. That's my best marketing-speak. How'd I do?

HM: Tres excellent! You are ready for the book tour.

M2: If you're still asking Why, I'd say this: Because how many other U2 books on your shelf were written by someone you can send an email to if you have questions, praise, criticism, and so forth? Probably only 2-3 others, right? :-)

HM: I still take every chance I get to mention that Beth, one of the editors of "Get Up Off Your Knees: Preaching the U2 Catalog", once posted a comment on my blog. Hey lookit that! And speaking of blogs, you kept a blog of your work on "U2 - A Diary" and used it to ask other U2 fans for information. Were folks actually helpful?

M2: Oh my goodness, yes! When Omnibus sent me a couple dozen photos they were considering for the book, the readers helped me put a date and location on about 75% of those photos. And that meant we could use them in the book, because we knew which section to put them in. When I asked for the exact date of the "I've Got You (Under My Skin)" video shoot with Frank Sinatra, fans got me the answer. When I asked when Larry was spotted quietly marching in an anti-war rally in Dublin, I had the exact date just eight hours later. Whenever I posted a list of "unanswered questions," I had a lot of answers very quickly. There's about 175 fans listed by name in the Acknowledgments, and I'm not positive I managed to include everyone. (Apologies to all who I somehow left out!)

HM: I did occasionally read the "unanswered questions," always hoping that I would be able to answer one and finally have a valid reason for storing so much U2 knowledge in my brain. Yeah, not so much. I know you wanted to make this the most complete timeline about events involving and affecting U2. Did you make any great discoveries during your research?

M2: I did. Learned a lot of little things, little factoids that I'd never heard of before. But the main thing I learned -- and what I hope readers will pick up on, as well -- is how certain events tie together, how something they did in 1986, for example, can be traced to a seemingly innocuous day in 1984. By putting all these events into a timeline like this, I think that aspect of their history really stands out -- at least, it did for me.

HM: That makes me even more excited to read the book. You have been pretty immersed in U2 while researching this book -- even more so than usual, I'm guessing, even with your work on @U2. Have you been looking forward to "taking a break" from the band, or are you even more ready for the new album, the tour and all the craziness the U2 propaganda machine brings?

M2: Actually, I have to say that I pretty much handed @U2 over to the staff for most of 2007, and much of the early part of 2008. I think I jokingly sent out an email saying, "I have to go away for a while...." :-) It wasn't nearly as emotional as Bono's speech in '89, though. While I was working on the book, I think the site was a heckuva lot better than when I was more involved!

HM: I will have to respectfully disagree with you there and remind you that you need to get back to writing your "Off the Record" column. NOW.

M2: As far as taking a break goes, I had to do that while I was working on the book. After a while, I couldn't listen to a U2 song at home or in the car, didn't want to watch when they were on TV (unless it was something I needed to include in the book), and just got as far away as I could. It stayed like that for a little while after I turned in the manuscript, but now everything's back to normal and I don't need to hit fast-forward when they come on iTunes.

HM: Now that it's done, do you think you might write another U2 book, or are you ready to take your vast U2 knowledge and creativity into a new medium? Film perhaps.....sculpture....puppets!

M2: Did you see the Edge pantyhose sculpture that Kelly Eddington did for one of her Achtoon Babys last year? I think there's a goldmine in that, and will be announcing plans to launch u2pantyhosesculptures.com soon. Dream out loud, I say.

HM: And I will be your first customer, as I have coveted the Edge pantyhose sculpture ever since Kelly unveiled it to the world. Just make sure I can also purchase the fabulous jean jacket she designed for him later. (It's all about accessories!) I won't be needing an animal buddy, as I plan to pair him up with my stuffed manatee. I envision them being the best of friends:

Edge: You know, I'd be willing to teach you how to play the guitar. Then maybe you wouldn't have to live in the ocean.

Manatee: But I have a layer of blubber to keep me warm!

Edge: I have a mansion on the Mediterranean and a yacht to match, but whatever makes you happy sea cow.

Dream out loud indeed! ;)

U2 - A Diary will be released on October 13. To learn even more about Matt and read samples from the book, check out U2diary.com. You can order the book on Amazon.com.