Few tribute bands can boast direct praise from the band they are emulating. U2-2 is one such band.

Born in 1993, under the name 'The Original Achtung Baby' the band went on to become the greatest tribute to U2, anywhere in the world.

The original members were Luke, Dean, Steve and Gary. Between 1993 and 1999, the band played hundreds of sell-out shows in Britain, Ireland, Europe and the Middle-East.

Reformed in 2008 with two founder members, the band members are joined on drums by Andrew with Frank taking up the role of Bono on vocals, guitar and harmonica.

1993 The Original Achtung Baby formed by Luke, Dean and Steve.

1994 First gigs played around Britain at venues such as Fibbers in York and The Venue in Inverness. First favourable reviews in 'Silver & Gold', fanzine by Mark Chatterton.

1995 After 50 shows, the band performs at Sheffield Arena and Don Valley Stadium. Sell out shows follow at Nene University, The Robin and JBs in Dudley. The band sign to John Ford Agency along with Bowie tribute Jean Genie' and Thin Lizzy tribute 'Limehouse Lizzy'.

1996 The band tour Ireland and perform on live radio sessions. Gigs at Colraine and Belfast Universities follow. The band play a memorable show in Sligo, where tickets are sold on a 'black market' and hundreds of U2 fans cause a mini riot on the street as they try to gain access to that nights show. The Ormand Centre in Dublin follows, with the 'Point Depot' being the last show, which sees the band play to over 7,000 people. Back in England, the band sells out venues such as The Limelight in Crewe and the Forum and The Venue in London. The band becomes regulars at The Robin and JBs in Dudley. Gigs in the Channel Islands follow with more TV and Radio sessions.

1997 With Wayne Allen on vocals, the band tour Europe with two mini tours of Portugal. The band performs on numerous TV shows and chat on radio shows, some of which are beamed world-wide. After gigs in England and Wales, the band returns to Holland where U2 fanzine The Zooropean invites the guys to play at the annual U2 convention. The tour is finished with a performance as the official U2 support act at the Feyenoord Stadium. Arriving in style in their own Pop-mart tour bus, the band are accidently led in to U2's changing rooms. Later in the evening, after watching U2's stage crew assemble the set, The Original Achtung Baby see a private rendition of the song One which U2 perform for that night's Top Of The Pops which is filmed by the BBC.

1998 The band returns to Britain for more sell out shows. Gigs include The Swan in London, Dublin's Olympia Theatre and Folkestone Cliffs Hall. Now acknowledged as the greatest U2 tribute, the band has performed in every major city in Britain and Ireland. Gigs in the Middle East follow which sees the band perform at the Diplomats Hotel.

1999 More gigs in Ireland with sell out shows in Belfast, Dublin and Cork. Sell out shows in Britain follow at Crew's Limelight, Gassy Jacks in Cardiff and The Witchwood in Manchester. The band receives direct praise from U2 with Bono citing 'We are aware of the group and we're flattered by what they're doing'.

2000 All original members have now split with Luke becoming an original artist in his own right, writing music for two movies and producing bands.

2008 The Original Achtung Baby reform with Frank Bride on vocals. First shows are sell outs, with instant re-bookings at Belfast's Empire Hall and Cork's Old Oak.

2009 Dean Bush leaves the group and is replaced by Andrew who has been an original, signed artist in numerous bands. The Original Achtung Baby changes their name to U2-2 as no one in the group actually liked the name 'Achtung Baby'...

U2-2 ACTIVELY SUPPORT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL.