Look out, Bono, there's a new U2 in town.

Since first forming back in 2003, U2 Zoo has quickly emerged as the cream of the U2 cover band crop circulating the Midwest. The band's dead-on accuracy and skilled musicianship has earned it considerable buzz in and around the Milwaukee area, providing fans with the absolute closest substitute for the real thing. Springing on the heels of building momentum and a new U2 record to work off of, the band is set to take the stage Friday at Shank Hall.

"People should expect tons of energy whenever they come to see us, maybe more so than U2 if that's possible," said guitarist Brian "The Edge" Lang with a laugh. "We're not quite done yet. There's still a lot of stuff we're looking into incorporating into our live set, like multimedia type things. But for now, it's just going to be a full on live show."

Lang, a native of Whitefish Bay, started the band in earnest in Philadelphia, calling around in search of potential players for the band. After relocating back to Milwaukee in 2003, he found a kindred spirit in Bob "Bono" Ralian. Soon after, Lang and Ralian acquired the services of drummer Craig Brog and bassist Steve White, and the wheels for U2 Zoo were set in motion. According to Lang, the common thread running through the group is a staunch respect and admiration for U2.

"I remember being a freshman in high school back in 1984-'85," he said. "I had heard their early stuff, but it was "Pride" and "Unforgettable Fire" that did it for me. It just blew me away. As a guitar player, I really came to admire The Edge. He wasn't the most popular player back then, but you knew he was onto something. Years later I started studying his technique, and I realized he picks on the side, which is really interesting."

While the band is making serious headway in the Milwaukee scene, Lang said the idea of putting together a cover band was years in the making. The decision to dedicate the group to the work of U2, he said, was obvious.

"We've all played in original bands for years before joining up for U2 Zoo," Lang said. "I had always thought about cover bands and how they're a blast to go and see play, but how they could really be tedious to be a part of … The more I thought about it, the more I realized that U2 is the only band that repeatedly sparked and recaptured my interest, at least enough so to build a band around them."

Contrary to popular belief, playing in a cover band is more than simply rehashing the work of another band and playing pretend. When done right, cover bands transcend the act of simple carbon copying and infuse their own spin on crowd favorites. In U2 Zoo's case, it's all about finding the middle ground between remaining faithful to the original material and keeping fans on their toes.

"We strike the balance with the vibe," Lang said. "We've tried doing the songs exactly as they are on record, but there's something that gets lost. I don't know what it is exactly, but it's too stiff. We try to keep the train on the rails to the point where the song is still recognizable, but at the same time we want to put an extra kick into it."

The band heads into Friday's show at Shank just one week after the arrival of U2's latest release, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. Lang said there is plenty of potential for the new material to be worked into the band's set list.

"I think it takes us a while to really sink into new records," he said. "I never thought too much of Pop or All That You Can't Leave Behind upon first hearing them. Only in retrospect and after a few listens did I really begin to appreciate what they were doing. I think it'll be the same with the new record. I do like it though. 'Vertigo' blows me away, and we'll probably bring that one to Shank."

U2 Zoo plays at 9:30 p.m. Friday at Shank Hall, 1434 N. Farwell Ave. Tickets are $6. More information is available by calling 276-7288 or at www.shankhall.com.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Dec. 2 2004.