U2 and the Bands Who Pretend To Be Them

Posted Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:00pm PDT by Shawn Amos in GetBack

Are you sitting down? It's been 28 years since U2's debut release. 28 freaking YEARS! That's older than the median age of most dudes on the rock charts these days. You were probably in high school when you first heard U2. You're hopefully not in high school now. 28 years. I just have to say it out loud again.

Today U2's first three albums, Boy (1980), October (1981), and War (1983) have been re-released to remind us of their humble Dublin beginnings. And while some would say they've worn out their welcome, I say that any band who stays together, works hard, and plays every show like it's their last is all right with me. They've made the world safe for anthemic rock. Any modern rock band who plays two chords before jumping a dramatic octave owes something to U2.

Here are three bands who wouldn't exist without U2. I'm sure you'll have your opinions. Go ahead and have at it. I can take it.

THE KILLERS
Listen to "Mr. Brightside." Ignore the matching '80s suits and listen to that guitar sound and the bass pumping out root notes. Sound familiar?

RADIOHEAD

Before they beautifully detoured into art rock esoterica, Radiohead was vying for the anthem rock throne. Their aching "High And Dry" was offered up as their version of "With Or Without You."

COLDPLAY
They stole U2's producer. They stole U2's iPod commerical. They stole U2's super-sincerity. They are U2 with a piano.

Want more? Here's our collection of Bono pics.

Drop by GetBack.com for your daily dose of pop culture pleasure -- music, movies, games, and more.

3105 Comments

121. Derek - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:11pm PDT

sorry, but to even mention radiohead in the same breath as U2 is really insane. U2 compares to the Beatles, Rolling STones. That is how great they are. I bought 1 Radiohead album and it was terrible. They have very little melody and are a musical nightmare. People like that music but don't compare it to one of the best pop/rock bands ever. We'll see what people say about Radiohead in 28 years. Oh we won't know Radiohead in 28 years.

Report abuse

122. General ZOd - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:12pm PDT

who ever writes this stuff doesn't know crap

123. george - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:12pm PDT

This has to be the stupidiest article I have ever seen, claiming any of these bands ripped of U2 is a joke. Influenced yes maybe, just like U2 was influenced by many other band before them

124. suckaaaaa - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:12pm PDT

Angels and Airwaves are probably the biggest example, but Radiohead is hardly a rip off of U2. Very strange comparison, and your "U2 with a piano" comment makes no sense.

125. AWG - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:13pm PDT

Why would anybody rip-off a second rate band like U2

126. Houston M - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:13pm PDT

Angels and Airwaves also sounds alot like U2. Just listen to The Adventure.

127. JeremiahB - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:13pm PDT

"Boy (1980), October (1981), and War (1883)"

War was released in 1883? Dang! Those guys ARE old.

128. Derek - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:13pm PDT

U2 ripped off Bob Dylan and Bob Marley if anything. Melody, Harmony and writing. Pure genius. All 3 of them.

129. Oliver - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:13pm PDT

re: Coldplay. U2 with a piano....hehehehe. Chris Martin and the rest of those jackasses are the biggest HACKS ever. Less than mediocre song mill is what they are. :-)

130. Big Jim+The Twins - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:14pm PDT

U2 is a great band. Known worldwide. A little too political and preachy though. They seem more about the spotlight than the music. Great stage show though.

Radiohead is the best band in the world! They might have been influenced a little by U2 at the start. Every musician has been influenced by another musician at some time.

Coldplay is like Radiohead lite. They are a good band if you like mamby pamby soft rock. If they actually played some faster and harder stuff, they would be a Radiohead cover band.

The killers.....Are you friggin kidding me?

131. Ech - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:14pm PDT

what about linkin park's song "shadow of the day" ?? that sounds way too much like "with or with out you"- the intro, lyric setup, and the guitar solo... the band may not be like U2 but those songs are similar

132. instinguere - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:15pm PDT

1883? really? WOW they are old. coldplay is a poser band.

133. Erin - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:15pm PDT

1883???

134. janiskern - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:16pm PDT

the" sound " many of you make reference to was actually created by brian eno and u2 for the unforgettable fire album,then they made the actung baby album together,wich further explored the brian eno sound.sorry coldplay,sorry radiohead but u2 has been a viable rock band for over 30 years.come back in 15 or 20 years and we'll see what you really contributed.

135. bella loca - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:16pm PDT

i love coldplay!!!!

136. maria - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:16pm PDT

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF & ALWAYS WILL

137. Cringeworthy - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:18pm PDT

My buns are hot. Tuesday's no good

138. Nathan H - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:18pm PDT

As a huge radiohead fan, there would definately be no radiohead without U2. I do disagree that they ripped off U2 when it is clear that on the first two albums at least, they ripped of The Pixies. Thom even says as much.

139. Yahoo! Music User - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:19pm PDT

you forgot Negativland. Granted, they were only U2 once, but it was identical to U2's sound (on purpose, to make fun of them).

140. MichaelM - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:19pm PDT

Whats next The WaterBoys sound like Pink Floyd? Who has the right to say what sounds like what..Ya Dig...I bet your sneakers look alittle like mine...You copy cat

« Prev

Page: 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

Leave Your Comment

You must sign in to leave a comment

	And The Winner Is... by Paul Grein	30
	As Heard On... by Lyndsey Parker	48
	Chart Watch by Paul Grein	149
	Framed by John Kordosh	123
	GetBack by Shawn Amos	346
	Hip-Hop Media Training by Billy Johnson, Jr.	239
	List Of The Day by Rob O'Connor	337
	Maximum Performance by Lyndsey Parker	167
	Musictoob by Andy Pemberton	201
	New This Week by Dave DiMartino	126
	Reality Rocks by Lyndsey Parker	610
	Rock's Backpages by Ben Myers (1999)	199
	Stop The Presses! by Lyndsey Parker	88
	That's Really Week by Lyndsey Parker	129
	The Blender Burner by Blender Magazine	27
	The MOJO Blog by Bill DeMain	92
	The NME Blog by Luke Lewis	50
	The Spin Blog by David Marchese	80
	The Y! Music Playlist Blog by Robert of the Radish	533
	Video Ga Ga by Lyndsey Parker	74
	Viva NashVegas by Wendy Geller	66

Music Blogs

U2 and the Bands Who Pretend To Be Them

Yahoo! Music Blogs

Music Blog Archives

Most Comments

Adam Lambert's Album Cover: Xanadu, Or A Xana-Don't?

Chris Brown Responds To Rihanna's Tell All TV Interview

"Bad Day" Named One-Hit Wonder Of The Decade

Rap Music Should Be Included In Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

Hot Topic Punks in a Fake Punk World

Shakira Changed Name And Wore Disguise For UCLA Class

Nov. 30-Dec. 6: Grammy Whammies & Runner-Up Rebounds

52nd Annual Grammy Nominees Are Fierce & Fearless

Double Trouble: Worst 'X Factor' Performance Ever? Or BEST?

Taylor Swift Triumphs In Absentia, And Other AMAs Bests and Worsts

Music News

Billy Ray Cyrus writes song for Hallmark movie

Merge Records: 20 years of glorious noise

Aussie rocker Mick Cocks of Rose Tattoo dies