Getting Busted

There's three UK lads looking to give the likes of Sum 41and Blink 182 a run for their money. When it comes to candy-fuelled pop-rock, there are new boys in town. We chatted to Charlie (17), James (19) and Mattie (19) about rock and hard places.

How did you guys meet?
Mattie: I met James at a gig just over two years ago. We got on well, started writing songs, and then about a year ago decided to find a third member for the band we saw coming together in our head. We put an advert in NME and found Charlie!

And how did you get a record deal from there?
Mattie: We already had management. With that sort of thing it's about who you know, and fortunately for us they knew people at MCA. They had loads of bands we love like New Found Glory so we were well pleased to sign to them.

What's been the highlights so far?
Charlie: Playing CD:UK was awesome! To be doing that four weeks before our single came out was a real privilege. We've also been doing loads of photo shoots which are a laugh, we went to Disneyland in Paris to do a shoot recently.
James: Our video shoot was great too. We got there at 7am and were there until 3am the next morning! But whilst we've spoken to other bands who think they're boring, we were loving it. We were messing about on the set, chatting to everyone, just enjoying the whole thing.

What are the band's influences?
Charlie: We've got different tastes, but a lot of American punk bands like Blink 182 and Green Day. James is a fan of Michael Jackson's pop talent. We're trying to mix stuff up and find our own space.

What's coming up for Busted?
Mattie: We're doing a lot of running around leading up to the single release, then we're going to Germany to do some stuff there and do more magazine interviews and shoots and stuff. Then we'll be getting ready to release our album, probably another single then hopefully going on tour in the New Year!

The Boys Up Close

Name: Matt Jay
Age: 19
DOB: 8/5/83
From: Kingston, Surrey
Celeb date: Pink
Fave current band: The Vines

Name: Charlie Simpson
Age: 17
DOB: 7/6/85
From: Ipswich
Celeb date: Cameron Diaz
Fave current band: The Deftones

Name: James Bourne
Age: 19
DOB: 13/9/83
From: Southend-On-Sea
Celeb date: Britney Spears
Fave current band: Daniel Bedingfield