Armored Saint frontman John Bush reveals that he’s a “huge fan” of U2 singer Bono

Armored Saint frontman John Bush reveals that he’s a “huge fan” of U2 singer Bono

Armored Saint‘s long-time frontman John Bush was recently interviewed by media journalist Mark Dean for Madness To Creation. Armored Saint will be releasing their new studio album Punching The Sky via Metal Blade Records on October 23, 2020.

Bush was asked whether there is a key lesson that he has learned in his musical career to which he replied: “Well, I say patience is pretty much something that you really need. You need to be, you need to have thick skin without a doubt. You need to have a pretty strong ego, to be honest. And has to be able to be able to handle all the things that are going to come your way. I’d say you have to have a lot of persistence. And I’d say, when it really comes right down to it, the thing that matters most is just that you’ve really got a love for doing it, because if you do it for other reasons, I think that you’ll eventually those things will be distracting and you just have to really love the art of it. And that sounds kind of nothing would piss me off more is some pompous sounding artist like, “I do it for the art.” Oh, shut the fuck up! I mean, I don’t want to sound like that.

But in the end, when it comes to creative stuff, you just can’t determine what the outcome is going to be. You just don’t know. And so, you make a music, you make an art, maybe a painting, you make a sculpture, maybe you make a film and then you kind of let it go, because you just don’t know what is going to be the results of that, because there’s so much, it’s just not in your hands and out of your control. So that is out of your control. So again, I think you kind of do it for the love of it. And then, you hope people feel the same.”

In terms of who he would be interested in interviewing if the roles were reversed, Bush indicated: “Well, it’d be cool to.., I’ve always been a huge fan of Bono. I think he had a big impact on me as a singer and as a writer. And I think he’s had ups and downs in terms of some of his creative output. But all-in-all, he’s been a hero of mine since way back to the War album and the way they approach writing songs and pushing limits, I think has been a big influence on me as a singer and writer. So I mean, I’d be over the moon, just sitting there and chatting, interviewing Bono. That would be amazing.”

Wikipedia summarizes Bono‘s life as follows (with slight edits):

“Paul David Hewson (born 10 May 1960), known by his stage name Bono, is an Irish singer, songwriter, philanthropist, activist, venture capitalist, businessman, and actor. He is best known as the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of rock band U2.

Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, he attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his future wife, Alison Stewart, as well as schoolmates with whom he formed U2 in 1976. Bono soon established himself as a passionate frontman for the band through his expressive vocal style and grandiose gestures and songwriting. His lyrics are known for their social and political themes, and for their religious imagery inspired by his Christian beliefs. During U2’s early years, Bono‘s lyrics contributed to the group’s rebellious and spiritual tone. As the band matured, his lyrics became inspired more by personal experiences shared with the other members. As a member of U2, Bono has received 22 Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Bono is well known for his activism for social justice causes, both through U2 and as an individual. He is particularly active in campaigning for Africa, for which he co-founded DATA, EDUN, the ONE Campaign, and Product Red. In pursuit of these causes, he has participated in benefit concerts and met with influential politicians. Bono has been praised for his philanthropic efforts he was granted an honorary knighthood by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom for “his services to the music industry and for his humanitarian work”, and has been made a Commandeur of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters). In 2005, Bono was named one of the Time Persons of the Year.

Outside the band, he has recorded with numerous artists. He has collaborated with U2 bandmate the Edge on several projects, including: songs for Roy Orbison and Tina Turner; the soundtracks to the musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark and a London stage adaptation of A Clockwork Orange; and the refurbishment of the Clarence Hotel in Dublin. He is managing director and a managing partner of the private equity firm Elevation Partners, which has invested in several companies.”