5SOS’ music revolution with a twist

Rock revolution … 5SOS want to restore rock to the pop charts. Picture: Supplied.
Source: News Corp Australia

The song smashed its way to No. 1 on the digital charts of 37 countries when they surprised fans with its release last Friday.

A crunchier rock offering reminiscent of the 90s Californian sound of Sublime and Third Eye Blind, the song was co-written with honorary Australians, Joel and Benji Madden and was the most shared track on Twitter in America when it dropped.

Rock message … 5SOS want to galvanise disenfranchised young music fans with their positive message. Picture: Supplied
Source: Supplied

Currently headlining amphitheatres throughout the US, the band were greeted with Beatlesque screams when they launched into the heavier anthem which encourages fans to be themselves in the face of bullying or alienation.

Bassist and singer Calum Hood said they had been overwhelmed by the approval of their fans despite the song being a departure from the radio-friendly pop rock of their debut album.

“Hopefully we introduce a bit more guitar on the radio and inspire some people to pick up guitars,” Hood said backstage from their San Francisco gig.

“We love rock music and we want to hear it back on mainstream radio.

“I am sick and tired of hearing all this bulls#*t on the radio, if I am going to be honest. It is driving me insane.”

The chorus chant of “We are the kings and the queens of the new broken scene/Yeah we’re alright though” has been taken up by fans who have been won over not only by the music of 5SOS but their positive social media stance.

Hood said their second album would kick off a “revolution for kids who don’t feel they are accepted in society”.

He said they experienced that feeling when they started out playing their first gig to only 20 people.

“Everyone has felt they kind of sucked sometimes, especially with us when the band first started and we didn’t fit into anything,” Hood said.

“The first shows we played were after metal bands and everyone hated us.

World beaters? … 5SOS launch their campaign for world domination with new single She’s Kinda Hot. Picture: Tim Hunter.
Source: News Corp Australia

“We are on tour in America at the moment and you look out into the crowd and everyone has different crazy colours in their hair or are dressed together in costumes and it’s a place where everyone can feel they belong.

“Everyone is having a good time and no one is looking around thinking ‘Should I be jumping up and down, do I look like a di#*head?’”

5SOS sold more than three million copies of their self-titled debut album and have amassed an enviable online following with the She’s Kinda Hot lyric video scoring more than four million views in under a week.

Hood said the craziness of their success had made them cautious about the scrutiny of paparazzi, particularly in the US where drummer Ashton Irwin has become hot gossip property since it was revealed he is dating Californian model Bryana Holly.

But he said he and bandmates Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford and Irwin still enjoy themselves behind closed doors.

Party time … 5SOS keep themselves nice when partying in public because of paparazzi attention. Picture: Supplied.
Source: Supplied

“If you aren’t doing anything wrong, they can’t catch you out. Especially with past experiences, it has made me more wary of things. Don’t get me wrong we still do (party), we’re just obviously more careful about the way we do it,” he said.

With another tour expected after they release their second album later this year, the 19-year-old bassist said the young Australian band have ambitions to be “the biggest band in the world”.

“It is going to take some hard work but I think we realise it is possible,” he said.

“We have always wanted to be the biggest band in the world but four years ago, it felt a million miles away.

“I feel if we make the right music, say the right things in the press and do right by the fans, then maybe.”

www.news.com.au/entertainment/music