Busted

For the Joanne song, see Busted (song).

Busted were an English pop group consisting of James Bourne, Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis which formed in 2001 and disbanded in 2005.

America or Busted

The TV series "America or Busted", about Busted's attempts to achieve success in the United States, debuted on MTV UK in November 2004. Over the course of the series, the audience see Busted's attempts to 'break' America dwindle as interviews fall through and performances remain limited both in terms of audience size and press attention. Some have claimed flaws in the band's management's strategy, such as which radio stations were targeted as a reason for the failure of the tour. It is also possible that many in the U.S. public felt that the band was too similar to the proliferation of American pop punk bands on which Busted had based itself.

Solo Careers

After the failure of the US tour, rumours soon began to surface that a split was imminent. Charlie Simpson announced that he was to take a break to tour with his side-project, Fightstar (a band which differs greatly from the music Busted recorded). The group then formally disbanded at a press conference on 14 January 2005. Simpson declared that he had become restless with the sound and the 'clean' image he was expected to uphold and that he wanted to concentrate fully on Fightstar.

James Bourne went on to release music through his pop punk band Son Of Dork and Matt Willis plans to set up a solo career, having released his first single "Up All Night" in May 2006. "Hey Kid" has been leaked and is available on the internet but will be his next single release. The track is also the leading track on the soundtrack to American teen comedy drama 'John Tucker must die' starring Jesse Metcalfe (Desperate Housewives) and Sophia Bush (One Tree Hill). Another Matt Willis track called "Broken" is also available on the internet. Matt has built up a big fanbase in France and has hopes to achieve further solo success.

Discography

(with UK chart positions)

Albums

Busted (2002) – #2
A Present For Everyone (2003) – #2
Busted Live: A Ticket For Everyone (2004) – #11
Busted (US) (2004)

Singles

*"What I Go to School For" (2002) – #3 UK, #22 AUS, #32 Austria, #34 GER, #20 IRE, #40 USA Airplay
*"Year 3000" (2003) – #2 UK, #15 Austria, #5 Belgium, #21 GER, #9 NETH, #9 Taiwan, #2 IRE, 19 NOR, #10 DEN, #43 Australia
*"You Said No" (2003) – #1 UK, #38 GER, #27 NETH, #3 IRE, #15 DEN
*"Sleeping with the Light On" (2003) – #3 UK, #4 IRE
*"Hurra Hurra Die Schule Brennt" (2003) – #20 Austria, #19 GER translated as "Hurray Hurray, The School's On Fire" (German/Austrian release only)
*"Crashed the Wedding" (2003) – #1 UK, #28 NETH, #3 IRE, #14 Japan, #6 Spain, #3 DEN
*"Who's David?" (2004) – #1 UK, #9 IRE
*"Air Hostess" (2004) – #2 UK, #12 IRE
*"Thunderbirds Are Go"/"3am" (2004) – #1 UK, #6 IRE, #1 Japan
*"She Wants To Be Me" (2004) Ineligible To Chart (Limited Edition 3" Single)

Other appearances

*"Do They Know It's Christmas?" (as part of Band Aid 20) (2004) #1

External links

Official

*Official website
*Official American website

Fansites

*Busted fansite tracking the careers of all three former members
*A James Bourne Fan site-the latest gossip on James and his new band Son of Dork
*James Bourne Fansite
*Matt Willis France