'It cannot get any better than this' - U2 legend The Edge sits down with The 2 Johnnies

It’s not often The 2 Johnnies pack up their studio and hit the road, but for this week's podcast they headed to Dublin to meet one of their musical heroes: U2’s The Edge.

Recorded in Hanover Studios, Johnny B and Johnny Smacks sat down to talk to The Edge about U2’s shadow album How To Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb and the re-release of the newly remastered How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb which was released last Friday.

In a wide ranging and funny interview, they cover everything from writing How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb 20 years ago, the longevity of the band and why they have stayed together so long, to preparing for The Sphere in Las Vegas, lockdown and brewing beer!

Having released their own #1 debut album earlier this summer, the 2 Johnnies delve into songwriting and lyrics, picking up tips from The Edge on how the band’s songs come together – as fans of U2, the 2 Johnnies are delighted to discover that The Edge has listened to their music: “’Deli Girl’ I like that one... I think you're really on it. I don't think I could possibly improve the work….. You guys are well on the road [to greatness].”

With U2 known for pushing boundaries when it comes to technology and experience for the audience, Johnny B is keen to talk about the band’s approach to playing live.

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The Edge says:

"I don’t think we’ll stop doing that, to us being the first to do something is always a great thrill. We also always ask our show director Willie Williams, ‘what’s never been done?’ So that’s a thrill for us... we don’t want to ever get in a groove too much, so we love mixing it up.

"We might do something very low tech just in contrast with the Sphere which was the ultimate in technology."

U2 have toured the world yet it’s a Dublin gig that is a standout moment for The Edge: 

“I do remember one of the shows in Croke Park. I actually made myself stop, and take it all in. I was thinking to myself, ‘it cannot get any better than this'. This is absolute peak moment during ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’.

"I was just looking around to take it all in. You're so in your moment you don't see the big picture.”

And while some might think rockstars only party in the VIP sections, it’s actually in Bono’s driveway that the best craic happens.

The Edge recalls how Bono’s daughter Eve Hewson got a horsebox-come-pub from fellow actor Jack Reynor for her dad, which has become the perfect location to sink a pint!

“During lockdown one of Evie's friends, Jack Reynor, had this brainwave to build a bar inside a horsebox... with the taps... so Evie was working with him on some movie and she saw this and she went, ‘Can I get one for my dad, he would absolutely love it’.

"So somehow Evie and Jack come up with some deal, and now outside Bono and Ali’s house in the driveway, is this horsebox that’s a full pub. We've had so much craic, I was in it a few nights back. We’ve had some great nights in the driveway! It’s the best thing. And the pints are not so bad!”