U2 Records New Songs, Backs Down On Studio Fight, & Gets Ready For The Big Game

NEW YORK (Top40 Charts) - U2 recently started recording new songs at their threatened Hanover Quay studios in Dublin's docklands, it was revealed Wednesday (Jan. 30), the second and final day of hearings on demolishing the Windmill Recording Studio, according to the Irish Examiner.

The Dublin Docklands Authority is looking to demolish Windmill, which is where U2 recorded its current GRAMMY Award-nominated album,   All That You Can't Leave Behind, as well as 1997's Pop and others.

Although the band strongly resisted the plans initially, the band's reps issued a statement on Wednesday (Jan. 30) stating, "Although they are very happy in their present studio, and would very much like to stay, they appreciate that change is inevitable and often for the best." The Irish Planning Board is expected to make a decision in the next two months.

Meanwhile, U2 is in New Orleans gearing up for its much-anticipated E*Trade Super Bowl XXXVI halftime performance on Sunday (Feb. 3). "It's a strange thing," says Bono at a press conference on Wednesday to talk about their participation (a three-song performance) in the big game. "If you're in a rock band and you play these venues, every night you win. It's an odd thing to go into a crowd at the Super Bowl and realize that half of the crowd is going to go home in tears. And I rather like it," said Bono.

When asked about the New England Patriot's Tom Brady/Drew Bledsoe quarterback controversy, the Edge replied, "We will not be fielding any questions on that issue today. It's up to Coach Belichick, what he wants to do. However, it does have to be said, Drew Bledsoe has a superior pass. Brady's sore ankle is a bit of a problem. I've had a sore ankle myself, and it lasted a good deal longer than one week."