After the failure of Triple 8, Phixx, and D-Side to break through into the increasingly narrowing pop market, five-piece V were the final throw of the dice for the traditional U.K. boy band. A refreshing antidote to the eternal balladry of Westlife, the band possessed the "cheeky chappie" persona of Take That, songs written by Girls Aloud producer Brian Higgins, and a strong alliance with Busted and McFly, but still couldn't revive the dying genre. Formed in 2002 through auditions held by Prestige Management, all five members had a background in performing. Antony Brant had appeared in a BBC TV pop reality show, Aaron Buckingham had performed with the National Youth Theatre, Mark Harle had been a session drummer for various high-profile artists, Leon Pisani had been a choirboy in his native Cardiff, while Kevin McDaid had studied performing arts. After signing to Universal Records a year later, the band moved in together and began writing songs for their...