Stocki interviewed by Tessa Van Den Eynde

TESSA Van den Eynde: First of all I would like to say that I have enjoyed reading this book. The reason that I had begun reading your book is because I am a big fan of the rock band, so I wondered why did you start writing about U2?

STOCKI: In the mid nineties before it was very popular I had started a web page. It was a chance to experiment with writing. I put some reviews of albums up, some sermons as I am a University Chaplain by day and some articles I had written for some Irish magazines. A lot of the articles were about U2 as I found them a fascinating band. They were Irish, they had a Christian faith and they were constantly sharing the joys and struggles of their faith in their music.  

As a result of writing about the band on my web page I started getting some emails suggesting in quite strong terms that I was wrong about my assumption that the band members were Christians. In trying to respond to one of the emails I felt frustrated that people did not understand their faith and therefore their music. What frustrated me even more was that those who didn’t understand their Christian faith were mainly Christians themselves. I thought that someone needed to write a book about their faith.

As this was all happening in my thinking I got an email from a new American publisher asking what was on my heart? I didn’t know what they meant. So I asked if they were thinking about me writing a book and they asked had I ever thought of writing one about U2. I emailed them a few thoughts that I had been thinking and they sent me a contract! I couldn’t quite believe it. I had never written a book. They took quite a chance.

I actually believe Tessa that lots of people could have written that book but I got the privilege. Some might call it luck. Others might say God was smiling on me!

TESSA: Are you a fan yourself?

STOCKI: Yes, I am a fan. I think you can tell as you read the book. I am not a fanatic though. People assume I am but to be honest I don’t listen to U2 that much between U2 projects. But then I got to over indulge for six months while I was writing the book and then for another few months when I did the update in 2005. It is very serious listening during those times. I remember for the update watching the song New York in a variety of settings over and over for an entire day. It can all become a little bit too familiar and you need a break after times like those. I haven’t listened much since but then if I have to speak about them I put a little bit of revision in. And of course there are interviews like yours and for the press so they are a part of my life now.

I do believe they are the best band in the world and that combination of faith and art and social justice excites me.

TESSA: You also mention quotes of the band members, or other important people. Which sources did you use to write the book? Do you have connections with, for example their management? Or maybe band members themselves?

STOCKI: I receive a lot of emails from people who think I can get them in touch with Bono or get them tickets for concerts! I am afraid I have no connections with the band. I met them all when the Joshua Tree was released and they turned up at a late night signing in Belfast and I met Bono and Larry at another event in Dublin. They were there in a private capacity so I don’t tell people where.

My sources were all taken from interviews, videos or music. I read as much as I could of anything that had ever been written. There was a reason for that too. The reason for my book was to show that their faith was at the core of everything they have done. I didn’t want Bono to explain his work. I wanted to show that it didn’t need him to. That it was there for anyone to see, like I had seen it ( or should I say heard it!).

TESSA: The book is about the spiritual journey of U2, in consequence it has a lot to do with God. Why were you interested in this theme?

STOCKI: Well I am a believer. I am a follower of Jesus. So U2 resonates with my life. They are the same age as I am too, so in many ways we have journeyed in our faith in similar ways and they have put on records and in their performances many of the aspects of faith that I was wrestling with at the same time as they were.

TESSA:  I have one last question I would like to know an answer on. Do you have any plans to write another book about U2?

STOCKI: No. I think I have made my contribution to U2 literature. There have been many books since mine and I’m privileged to be in that U2 canon of books. Unless I think there is something else that needs written about I cannot see me doing another one. I have published another book The Rock Cries Out which looks at Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Radiohead and other artists. I also hope that the Masters dissertation I am working on might be a book and I am sure U2 will get a mention. It is about art and how it affects social transformation. I am sure I could quote Bono a few times in that one!

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