The magnificent seven are whittled down to five and an unlikely musical outfit explores feedback

Larry posts a note on his school notice board and a band starts cooking in the kitchen. Lawrence - Larry - is a 14-year-old student at Mount Temple High School in Dublin. He's tired of drumming on his own (and with the Artane Boys Band and the Post Office Workers band), so he pins a note on the school bulletin board to announce that he's looking for other musicians to play with.

No musicians apply; but seven unlikely lads gather for an audition in Larry's kitchen in Rosemount Avenue. (They're watched through the window by a group of female admirers who, when they refuse to leave, are reputedly hosed away by an irate Larry.) Peter Martin, a friend of Larry's, and Ivan McCormick, a friend of Peter's, won't make the cut. But Dave Evans and his brother Dik can play a bit of guitar, while Adam Clayton has some gear and looks the part in his Afghan coat.

Paul Hewson can't do anything, but that doesn't stop him taking the lead. 'I was in charge for the first five minutes,' Larry will tell Time magazine later. 'But as soon as Bono got there, I was out of a job.' The only vacant position is vocals. Larry, Adam, Paul, Dave and Dik declare themselves a band. For the time being at least, they settle on the name Feedback. It's about all they can play.