Music News

U2's "Discotheque" single received its official worldwide premiere last week when it was simultaneously broadcast on two of America's leading radio stations, KROQ Los Angeles and WXRK New York.

Modern technology being what it is, the track almost immediately found its way onto the Internet with one hastily constructed site, Interference, apparently registering 100 000 hits in five days.

Before the song can be downloaded, visitors are presented with a disclaimer which reads, "You take complete responsibility for accessing this file. This file is part of a private collection and is not intended to be saved on your personal computer, or any other storage device, once it has been accessed. This file is for listening ONLY and is to be used strictly for non-commercial home use, by clicking on this download you have agreed to these terms and acknowledge that this material is the property of U2 and Island/Polygram Records."

"I'm sure the band knew exactly what they were doing when they gave 'Discotheque' to KROQ and WXRK," one industry insider remarked. "The people who've downloaded it form the Net are still going to buy it when it comes out on CD and those who aren't online are going to be drawn in the hype."

Once linked up to Interference at http://www.interference.com, the track takes 35 minutes to download with 28.8 link.

After all that work, it's a relief to find "Discotheque" is an absolute cracker. Clocking in at 4 mins. 10 seconds, the track starts off with "Zoo Station"-style distorded guitar and vocals and then erupts into a typically big U2 chorus. The Edge appears to have bought himself some new FX pedals and while hardly in the Tricky league, Bono's warblings do have a slightly Bristolian feel to them.

One of 15 fansites featured in Polygram Germany's Play the U2 Game, Adventure of the Lost Letter.  A promotional contest that coincided with the release of U2's Best of 1980-1990.

One of 7 U2 websites featured on U2's official MSN Popmart site in the Band's Favorite Links section.