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Five Reunite After 25 Years: Candid Chat on Overcoming ‘Rock Bottom’

BBG News

Once known as ‘the bad boys of pop’, Five were as well known for their rambunctious attitude as their catchy top 10 hits. 

The band, formed of Sean Conlon, Ritchie Neville, Scott Robinson, Abz Love and Jason ‘J’ Brown, proved to be a pop juggernaut of the Nineties, selling more than 20 million records worldwide and making history as the only UK act to hit the Top 10 with all of 11 singles.

Consequently, followers found themselves heartbroken when the band split up in 2001 following an incredible four-year journey to stardom.

In the years that followed, they went on to reform with various lineups, gigging in smaller venues in the UK but never as the five-piece that saw them hit the big time. 

That is, until now. 

25 years after their breakup, Five have reunited! J has made the personal decision to rejoin the band and we’re heading out on a UK tour this year! I can hardly contain my excitement as a die-hard fan!

25 years have passed since they made their grand entrance, and I find myself uncertain about what awaits me when Five visits our Mail offices.

I’m curious about a group of men in their late 40s who are married and have children. I wonder how they would fit into today’s boy band scene.

What is interesting to me is the thought of a group of older men, specifically those with wives and kids, and where they might find themselves in the current boy band environment.)

It could be said that currently, older musical acts such as Take That, Blue, and McFly have a significant presence in the concert scene. These groups are particularly popular among audiences.

So is that why Five suddenly felt the need to reform after all this time? 

That’s not the case, insists Scott, 45, who reveals that talks of a reunion had been happening for years but never came to fruition. 

He clarifies that everyone is now in agreement, sharing the same goal and desiring it simultaneously, putting us all on the same page.

‘Something clicked and we understood that any negative feelings that we had between each other were whatever. 

We were young and innocent, and no one was entirely at fault, so we choose to show understanding and pardon any past transgressions.

The chemistry between the group is undeniable. 

Occasionally, I struggle to contribute to the conversation since they’re constantly joking, teasing each other, and even engaging in friendly sparring matches.

Despite being 25 years older now, it appears as though not much has altered in their relationship.

I’m curious to discover if their previous experience as a band has influenced their approach to this current tour.

It’s clear they still hold the scars from their first brush with fame, with the group having touched on feeling like a product and struggling with their mental health in the documentary Boybands Forever. 

At 45 years old, Abz openly expresses a blend of emotions regarding their past, stating: “While it might be seen as contentious, if given another chance, I would choose to change everything.

‘I don’t mean it in a bad way, I mean in the sense of why would I do it all the same? 

I don’t have any regrets – I believe it’s shaped us into who we are today. Experiencing tough times helps you realize that there’s always a way out.

In the ’90s, it’s widely known that boy bands were pushed to their limits, both physically and mentally, to the point of exhaustion.

45-year-old me, with a heavy heart, shares the essence of hitting rock bottom when asked about it: “Our band drained every last drop of emotion from us.

While Scott adds: ‘It was a very difficult psychological test.’

The band’s mental health struggles have been well documented over the years.   

In August 2001, Sean, who was 43 years old at the time, became the initial person to depart due to a mental collapse brought on by excessive stress and depression.

Before that, Scott secretly wanted to leave after having similar mental health issues, but stayed on until the band officially folded in September 2001.

Explaining how they’ve put boundaries in place to protect their mental health this time around, Scott shares: ‘We have more respect for each other’s feelings. 

I didn’t used to comprehend why Abz would switch between being very talkative and not speaking at all. One moment we’d be like inseparable friends, and the next day he wouldn’t even acknowledge me.

If you don’t grasp something, I won’t internalize it. However, now that I understand Abz better as a person, I recognize that at times he needs some personal space. Now, I make sure to give him the space he deserves.

It’s not just their attitude that has changed, but the world itself, as Ritchie muses: ‘I feel the industry’s changed. It seems a kinder place.’ 

‘We’re grown men now as well,’ J, 48, says. ‘We understand ourselves a lot better, and we’re working on ourselves and our own minds.’ 

Sean, 43, is in agreeance, as he adds: ‘We massively appreciate what we’ve got. 

‘It’s not that we were arrogant or big headed the first time around, we were just too young.

‘In the past, we rarely paused to fully appreciate our accomplishments and possessions. Now that we’ve had some time to reflect, we’ve come to terms with them. We didn’t anticipate having another chance like this.’

The dark side of Nineties boybands was explored in last year’s Boybands Forever, in which Five offered up their experiences in the industry. 

In the same documentary, Simon Cowell, who had signed the band, was critical of many of their struggles, stating that anyone entering the entertainment industry should be prepared to handle the challenges and downsides of fame.

Hitting back at the media mogul’s indifferent attitude, Ritchie muses: ‘My only response to that is, how can you when you’re 15. 17, or 20 years old, even conceive what those pressures could possibly be? 

‘All you see is the dream that you’re sold, you’re going to be a pop star or whatever – you can’t possibly know. 

‘The support in those days, wasn’t there – whether that’s psychological support or whatever, it does seem to be there now.’ 

Weighing in with an alternative opinion, Abz shares: ‘On the flip side I think thank you for the opportunity as well. 

We find ourselves in agreement and disagreement with the argument at the same time, which leaves me confused. To put it simply, it feels odd and unusual.

Facing criticism without a hitch, Sean chuckles, “We decided to follow his suggestions! The stress was too much, so we had to withdraw!

It’s evident that the musicians are mentally steady and truly enthusiastic about resuming their tour.

Certainly, some individuals might view their reunion as merely a financial venture, rather than a genuine coming together.

Yet as J muses: ‘If this was about the money, we’d have done it ages ago!’ 

And it’s hard to argue with Scott’s logic as he laughs: ‘You don’t wait 25 years for a smash and grab!’ 

Tickets to Five’s Keep On Movin’ 2025 Tour are available at www.itsfiveoffical.com

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2025-03-15 16:30

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