U2 Tribute Band Interview: Hollywood U2’s Joe Hier

As I mentioned, I recently saw the great U2 tribute band Hollywood U2 again and was finally able to interview their incredible frontman, Joe Hier (AKA Hollywood Bono).

Q: How did Hollywood U2 get started, and what’s your personal connection to U2?

A: My connection to U2 is in my heart, and being really good friends with Bono’s cousin is nice as well – Simon, who I said hi to on TV tonight. Their music draws so many people in…I grew up with them, of course, but realizing I could do it (a U2 tribute) was scary and fun at the same time. I felt really kind of silly doing it at first…I’m a composer and I do a lot of things on my own, but I put an ad on Craigslist and I got musicians, 11 years ago. The bass player (Mikhail Davies) is the only one that’s with me now that got started back then. The other two guys have had a couple years with us – and this is the band, this is the last lineup we’ll ever have for sure. They’re all I need.

Q: Your performance voice is so spot-on Bono; is it something you had to work hard at?

A: When I first tried to do it seriously, yes. You know, you think you’re doing it but then you listen back to yourself and you realize, hmm, there’s a little work to do there, you know? I’m lucky that a lot of it comes naturally. I put Bono in a category with Freddy Mercury, Sting…people that have sung high, hard and with heart. It’s a very serious thing; if you’re going to do it and you’re not going to at least do what Hollywood U2 is doing then you shouldn’t be doing a U2 tribute. I’m a very big U2 fan, and I know what I want to see from a tribute band. You’re doing it for them.

Q: What would you say are your top three U2 songs to perform live?

A: My favorite song period, of all time by any band is “With or Without You.” I really love singing “Ultraviolet…”

Q: Why didn’t you perform “Ultraviolet” tonight?

A: Well, that’s the thing: 35 years of music in an hour and a half, we’re lucky we got what we did…(he adds his third, “The Unforgettable Fire.”)

Q: Was there a reason why you didn’t do anything from Songs of Innocence tonight?

A: We do “The Miracle” and “Every Breaking Wave…” but for TV, I’ll leave it to them. They’re going to go out there and do an amazing tour, and I’m excited for them.

Q: What’s your favorite Bono mannerism to perform on stage?

A: Well, the lunge is a must. Even all the other – I’ll call them “fake Bonos” – even if they don’t look like him or do anything else, they’re still doing the lunge. You’ve got to be careful with those creepers, though…you’ll crack your ankle.

Q: Do you share any of Bono’s mannerisms or causes?

A: I worked on a charity for children’s cancer with Simon, Bono’s cousin. That’s how we met…I continue to do those things anytime I can, and it’s nice to have recognition from someone in his family, to ask you to do something like that.

Q: What’s your favorite U2 lyric?

A: That is almost impossible to answer, but the first one that pops in my head is, “There’s no secret ambition bites the nails of success.” But when you hear him say something like, “It leaves you, baby, if you don’t care for it…” if you look at his lyrics, there’s nothing wasted. Every word means something. He’s the best lyricist ever to live, in my opinion. He has a lot of biblical references, which I so appreciate being there. It’s spiritual, clean music and no one else does it. It’s almost like they’re in their own genre. The genre is U2.