It’s been 5 years since Busted split

Can you believe it’s been five years since everyone’s favourite band, Busted, split up?

We thought they’d still be together in the Year 3000, but it wasn’t to be and so five years ago you were probably just as gutted as we were watching that press conference.

Don’t be sad, let’s concentrate on the good times.

As a band they won Record Of The Year and several BRIT Awards, they sold out on arena tours and sold over 3 million albums worldwide.

Their first single What I Go To School for was released in 2002 and charted at number 3 in the UK Top 40. Their second single Year 3000 (2003) charted at number 2 and then finally in April 2003 the band bagged their first number 1 single with You Said no. Guinness Hit Singles even certified them as the first band to have their debut three singles chart in the top 3 in ascending order.

The band were extremely popular with the fans due to their always hilarious and memorable interviews, and appearances on Saturday morning TV.

Ah, we remember it like it was yesterday. Trecking down to London to arse around in front of the cameras at the recordings of CD:UK – and to see the band of course.

Since the bands split in 2005, they have been thrust back into our lives via the Busted Court Case (2008) – a battle over royalties, and several reunion rumours.

The court case saw former band members Ki McPhail and Owen Doyle claim they had helped to write several of Busted’s hit songs including What I Go To School For, Year 3000 and Sleeping With The Light On as well as popular album track Psycho Girl and so the £10 million battle began.

We reported on the case the whole way through, bringing you revelations and gossip, including Ki McPhail brining his guitar into the court room to demonstrate the Busted song writing process – and playing Wheatus’ hit song Teenage Dirtbag.

When we asked Wheatus frontman Brendan B Brown what he thought about having his song played in the High Court he told us all about his mixed feelings on the matter:

“On the one hand it’s pure Monty Python genius. You couldn’t pay millions to the best video director to paint that picture. Only in this surreal world of ours is that possible. On the other hand I am a bit angry. I am good friends with James Bourne, I know he was in the right and I thought ‘You c*nt! How dare you use my song to try and steal from my friend? I’ll reach down your throat and pull your fucking skeleton out’ Pwned!”

However at the end of the battle it was announced that Ki and Owen had lost the battle, with the judge calling them both “unreliable witnesses”.

In a statement after the trial McPhail and Doyle said: “Owen, Ki and their families are very disappointed and frustrated at the judgement made here today,” it said. “They came to court for justice and for the deserved recognition as co-writers of Busted’s songs. The judge has avoided making a decision on that point. So the case remains unresolved after seven years.”

What did Matt and James have to say on the matter? They posted this photo (right) to James’ MySpace along with the heading “WE REFUSED TO PAY THE RANSOM AND VICTORY IS OURS”.

The official statement from the pair said “This was an opportunistic attempt by Doyle and McPhail to cash in on our success. Their claims were a complete fabrication and we are delighted that the judge has seen through this and totally dismissed them. Our position has been completely vindicated and our achievements with Busted remain untarnished.”

Several rumours regarding a Busted reunion have done the rounds in the press – we’ve got quotes from all  three members here regarding the chances of a reunion.

So let’s not be sad today, let’s celebrate one of the greatest bands of all time.

Matt Willis, James Bourne and Charlie Simpson (yes, even Charlie) – we love you!

Below are a few of our favourite videos. Enjoy.

Busted – What I Go To School For	Busted – Better than this [Live]	Busted – Interview [Popworld 08.02.04]
Busted Backstage	Busted – Crashed The Tour	Busted – Sleeping With The Light On (Live on CD UK)