Rattle and Hum to perform in time for St. Patrick's Day
By AMANDA LLEWELLYN
VIEW STAFF WRITER
SPECIAL TO VIEWTony Oros, lead singer of U2 tribute band Rattle and Hum, says U2 and the Beatles are his biggest musical influences. He says fans will hear all of the band?s biggest hits, as well as lesser-known songs.
SPECIAL TO VIEWTony Oros. lead singer of U2 tribute band Rattle and Hum, says U2 and the Beatles are his biggest musical influences. He says fans will hear all of the band?s biggest hits, as well as lesser-known songs.
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Fate has been kind to musician Tony Oros.
The Utah resident has managed to carve out a living for himself by living out the fantasy of teenage boys across the globe.
Oros spends his nights impersonating a rock star -- beloved Irish rocker, Bono.
"I have always had the gift of mimicking people," Oros said. "It can be uncanny, or so I've heard."
Oros is the lead singer of the U2 tribute band Rattle and Hum, scheduled to play The Club at the Cannery this weekend.
"Because U2 is a band that is usually identified with Ireland, I thought it would be ironic to have Rattle and Hum play here in time for St. Patrick's Day," entertainment director Kathie Spehar said.
Rattle and Hum was born after group members, who already happened to be touring together as part of a classic rock band, sat down to discuss the magic of musical mojo.
"At that time, we were working as a classic rock band, one of the many acts that I do," Oros said. "One day, we got to talking about U2 and how the band had influenced each of us as musicians, and Rattle and Hum was the result."
According to Oros, there are a lot of interesting perks that come with portraying the Irish rock icon, but the simplest is among the most important.
"I was influenced most by two bands growing up," Oros said. "The Beatles, which is a standard answer, I guess, and U2. So it's very tempting to ride the line between tribute artist and completely surrender to the music as a fan. So, I love this music as much as any other fan. I'm very lucky to do what I do."
While Spehar admits that she was skeptical about the group's abilities in the beginning, she said that she was won over after only one live performance.
"Once I saw the show, I was floored," Spehar said. "They were so incredible. Tony's impression of Bono is unreal. The audience just went crazy."
Oros said he believes that the key to any impersonation is practice and study of the individual being portrayed.
"When I'm on stage, I'm fully decked out in Bono gear," Oros said. "I have to get into that head space where I temporarily forget that I'm a different individual," Oros said. "Bono has a set of mannerisms and vocal inflection that is unique, and that's key to portraying him."
Oros promised that U2 fans will find themselves singing along.
"U2 fans can expect to hear every hit the band has had," Oros said. "And some of the more obscure stuff, too. There are some great songs that never made it to radio, and we throw in a few of those, as well."
Spehar said she realizes that the competition to gain St. Patrick's Day patrons will be tough, but she's confident that Rattle and Hum will draw people in.
"This will be the show to see in Las Vegas March 15," Spehar said.
While the group might not be the real thing, Oros believes that they are the next best thing.
"If you squint a little, you will think you're at a U2 concert," Oros said. "Phonically, we are identical. The look is pretty close, too. We give fans everything that they would see and experience in a big arena show without the $80 ticket."
Rattle and Hum will play at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Cannery, 2121 E. Craig Road. Tickets are $5 at the door. For more information, call 507-5700.
RATTLE AND HUM
* What: U2 tribute band
* When: 8 p.m. Saturday
* Where: The Club at the Cannery, 2121 E. Craig Road
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