TRIBUTE act The U2 Show Achtung Baby will pay homage to their heroes by performing the album that saved Irish supergroup U2 from implosion 25 years ago.
Arguably U2’s most important album, Achtung Baby went on sale on November 18, 1991, and was described by lead singer Bono at the time as the sound of “four men chopping down The Joshua Tree”.
The quote referred to the band’s change in musical direction and brought to a temporary end to its signature sound and dour image, which critics were keen to lambaste at any opportunity.
The change in tack almost destroyed U2 during the recording process, as musical differences between band members morphed into personal insults.
But the end product, heavily influenced by metallic industrial sounds that were all the rage in Europe, eventually produced a string of hits including One, Even Better Than The Real Thing, The Fly and Mysterious Ways.
The U2 Show Achtung Baby singer Michael Cavallaro, who portrays U2’s frontman on stage, believes the album marked a turning point in the band’s history.
“It was so different to any other album they’d ever written and they went off in a direction that fans still love, right up to today,” Cavallaro said.
“They all changed, especially Bono, with the introduction of all his alter egos (The Fly, Mirrorball Man, Mr Macphisto), his ever-expanding falsetto and his adoption of wearing his trademark sunglasses.”
Along with guitarist Peter Kalamaras (The Edge), drummer Craig Jupp (Larry Mullen Jr) and bassist David Attard (Adam Clayton), the tribute act will perform the entire album live in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs on the 25th anniversary of its release.
Cavallaro said the show also would include U2’s biggest hits, and some surprises.
The U2 Show Achtung Baby formed in 2003 and has worked hard, and spent a lot of money, on mimicking U2’s classic sound.
“We’ve all spent years and years working on building up the equipment and costumes necessary to put on a U2 show,” Cavallaro said.
“Most of our equipment is the same kind of gear the band uses, especially our guitar effects. Costumes are all custom made and nothing is overlooked, even down to the finest detail.
“I even wear all the same brand sunglasses that Bono wears.”
When asked why U2 seems to divide opinion among music fans, Cavallaro said there was no middle ground – they are either loved or hated.
“It could be in many ways due to Bono’s outspokenness, or his preaching,” he said.
“Some people love him for that. Unfortunately, some don’t.
“Either way, you can’t deny he’s passionate about everything he does.”
The U2 Show Achtung Baby will play at The Satellite Lounge, cnr Ferntree Gully and Jells roads, Wheelers Hill, on Friday, November 18, 8.40pm.