U2 2

GEORGE:

 

I am 10 years younger than Larry Miullen Jnr and looked up to him as a role model whilst young and learning drums as a youngster.

 

I got my first ‘real’ drums at the age of 7; bought second hand for £17. They would have been more at home in an African village than suburbia; the skins were even made of real leather and they were brilliant turquoise. I taught myself basic rudiments and beats until my Dad found me lessons with ‘Sound Incorporated’ drummer’s father Morris Fogg - a local jazz legend and Buddy Rich Double.

 

I learnt to play jazz, military rudiments, and gained independent playing skills quickly my Drum teacher pointed me in the direction of a ‘Premier’ - the kit of its day with 'Paiste 2002' cymbals. Like Larry I got bored of being taught and just wanted to get out there and play with musicians. I stuck with lessons for 7 years and practiced jazz chops and grooves every day before moving on from school bands at the age of 12. I was signed at 17 years old and toured with many great bands until i was 29 years of age.

 

I am the middle child and my older sister was a huge influence over my taste in music which varied from The Clash, Bowie, The Police, Echo and the Bunnymen, Hendrix, Blondie, Susie and the Banshees, the Sex Pistols, Simple Minds, The Pogues &  The Waterboys and she even took me to my first gig in Leeds to see U2 in Concert on the 87' Joshua Tree Tour, missing several O'level examination to do so. So I really grew up with music from a very young age.

 

So, why a U2 tribute act?

 

I have bought every U2 Record/Tape/CD/DVD since the War album was released; With my second band whilst at school in 1985 (aged 13) I covered Sunday Bloody Sunday in front of 1000 students a song which of its time was amazing on so many levels I got such a rush that I knew one day I would cover them again in some way. I have been to every U2 tour since the Joshua tree. I have queued for U2 tour tickets over night and been at the front of the queue for their new releases since I was 12. They kind of get under your skin – four ordinary lads from Dublin making extraordinary and intelligent music. So when Luke got in touch with me for an audition I jumped at it, I say audition I had 4 days to brush up before we left for a tour of Ireland venues; Playing live in Belfast, Galway, Limerick, Cork and finally onto Dublin.

 

'It’s a musical journey' I want to be a part of, I have respected and learnt a lot from Larry Mullen Jnr (jam jar). musically since 1983 and love his simple, dynamic, big hitting approach to playing. He was a role model when growing up along with Stewart Copeland and remains a dude in my eyes. This is the first cover band I have been in and loving ever minute. I am a perfectionist musically so, if you’re going to do it, then it has to be done perfectly - so it has to be Achtung Baby. I later approached the band with the name U2 2 and agreed a new start.  The band tell me I can be a loud and heavy hitting drummer and ask me to play a little softer at most gigs - my answer is 'get a bigger P.A. system!' =]

 

So thanks for having me boys, it looks like the pin board notice worked after all.........… Hee Hee…

 

I look forward to seeing you all on the road soon =]

 

Questions Answered:

What’s your favourite U2 song?

'Exit' from the Joshua Tree, boy that's a dark and powerful song, I saw them play it in 1987 and more recently on the modified JT tour 2017 a total stand out U2 song for me. It shouts at my soul.

 

What U2 song do you like performing the most?

Probably: Where the Streets Have No Name, The audience really get it, and really get into that song, it's the beer in the air time and all over each other time. I also love the dynamic change from auxiliary snare to the master snare. The Song has got a true building and pumping energy.

 

Favourite U2 2 gig you have played to date? And why?

I like smaller intimate gigs as a whole (with a good PA system), the gigs where you feel people are hanging on the bands every word, the audience are the fifth member and you feel a great connection to them.

 

If asked, Which Other tribute band would you choose to perform with and why?

It would have to be The Red Hot Chili Peppers as I love playing funky beats over simple rock grooves. The Clash, and The Police would would also fill my time well. I love jamming the faster and more punk influenced tunes.

 

U2 2 DRUM KITS AND GEAR:

 

Master Kit Drum Kit (Used for "The Big Larry Sound" mid 80's - 2010) Festivals/Stadiums/Arenas

24x18" Yamaha Absolute Kick drum

14x11" Yamaha Absolute Hanging Rack Tom

16x16" Yamaha Absolute Floor Tom

16x16" Yamaha Absolute Floor Tom

12 x 8" Brady Sheoak Stave (As used by Larry on Zoo TV, Pop Mart, Elevation Tours)

10 x 4" Yamaha Peter Ernskin Snare in Natural Vintage (Beginning of: Where the streets have no name)

 

A Stage Kit (as used by Larry 2015 - Today) Most Venues

22x18" Yamaha Absolute Kick drum

13x9" Yamaha Absolute Hanging Rack Tom

16x16" Yamaha Absolute Floor Tom

16x16" or (14x14") Yamaha Absolute Floor Tom

14 x 6.5"  Ludwig Black Beauty Snare 14x6.5" (as used by Larry from 2007-today) or 14x6.5" Ludwig Black Magic snare drum (used on i&e tour 2015)

or 12 x 8" Brady Sheoak Stave Snare (As used by Larry on Zoo TV, Pop Mart, Elevation World Tours)

10 x 4" Yamaha Peter Ernskin Snare in Natural Vintage (Beginning of: Where the streets have no name)

 

B-Stage Drum Kit in Silver Sparkle (Used for smaller venues)

20x16" Yamaha Absolute kick

12x8" Yamaha Absolute Rack Tom

14x14" Yamaha Absolute Side Tom

16x16" Yamaha Absolute Floor Tom

14x6.5" Ludwig Black Beauty or 14x6.5" Ludwig Black Magic snare drums (as used on i&e Tour)

10 x 4" Yamaha Peter Ernskin Snare in Natural Vintage (Beginning of: Where the streets have no name)

 

These kits are fitted out with Paiste Signature cymbals as below:

 

Paiste Signature Cymbals:

14" Paiste Signature Heavy Hi-Hats or

14" Paiste Signature Sound Edge Hi-Hats (smaller venues)

22" Paiste Signature Power Ride

20" Paiste Signature Power Ride (smaller venues)

18" Paiste Signature Power Crash x 2

16" Paiste Signature Power Crash

18" Paiste Signature Full Crash

17" Paiste Signature Power Crash

17" Paiste Signature Full Crash

17" Paiste Signature Fast Crash

Cympads depending on stage size, use of LED screens etc.

 

I also use a Roland TD20X 'Expanded' in my studio.

Roland SPDSX (For song: Invisible)

 

Hard Ware - DW 9000 Hi Hat and Bass drum Pedal.

Yamaha Stands: CS865 x 5 w. boom arm, CH755 Boom x 2, SS950 Snare Drum Stand, DTX Multi Stand, WS955A Tom Stand, 2 WAY CLAMP x 4,

Heads by REMO, Toms Batter head Ambassador Coated, Toms Reso Ambassador, Bass Drum Power Stroke 3's, Snare Controlled Sound Coated.

Rock N Sock Throne (w. back support) Grey

Promark Sticks (5A Oak)

Shure 846 in ears monitors into...

Behringer mixing desk

Percusssion:

1 x LP tambarine Brass

2 x LP tambarines Nickel

1 x LP Rock Cowbell

Geniune Djembe (I Go Crazy Remix / Desire)

 

Thanks for the drum equipment endorsements.

Thanks to Dave and Carl @ Rockem Music and Sam @ Graham Russell Drums always there to help =]

 

 

Wardrobe::

Keeping up with Larry's fashion is another game that is complex and expensive from: Rick Owens Hoodies, Alexandra Mcqueen shirts, D&G, Balanciaga Shirts, Kooples Leather Jackets & All Saints, I even have the replica Boston Police biker leather jacket as worn on the Joshua Tree photo shoot in my 'Lazza wardrobe' I wish he/ his wardrobe hand would start shopping at Primark!