9 years ago today in Western Sydney, four Aussie teens came together with one goal–to create music. And after hard work, dedication, perseverance, and an incredibly dedicated fanbase–they not only achieved their goal, but they took over the world. And in honor of this momentous occasion, we’ve asked 9 fans on Twitter to answer 9 questions (number game strong) about their journey with the band.
How long have you been a fan of 5SOS?
I have been a 5SOS fan for almost a year! I looked into them two days after their 8th anniversary as a band last year and loved them.
@luckypeople_mgc
For 8 years!
@luckiIyluke
I knew them because of One Direction in 2012 but didn’t really listen to them until 2017!
@wiIdflowermgc
Since 2013!
@lukeswonderwaIl
I’ve been fan of them since early 2012, when I discovered their YouTube channel.
@90SGREYHOUND
I’m actually a very new fan, I started listening to their music in July of 2020. It seems like I’m probably super new and stuff but in these past 4 months my life has changed so much and I’m so glad I found 5sos because they really changed it all for the better.
@butterflyliies
Since early 2014, so 6 years!
@calumftcurls
Since February 2014 so about 7 years.
@VOIDEDLUKE
It hasn’t been that long actually, like 8-9 months!
@kitselfs
What are your favorite things about each individual member?
Calum: He is quieter which I relate to a lot but also kind and an amazing friend. He’s the type of friend that everyone would want and have because he cares so much.
Ashton: He knows when to be serious and when to goof off. He’s laughs and jokes around but has an almost tangible passion for music.
Luke: Luke’s confidence and watching him grow from the beginning to now. he’s really come into himself and is still searching for room to grow.
Michael: one of my favorite things about Michael is that he always reaches out and does his best to connect and interact with the fans. it’s what drew me into 5sos and becoming as big of a fan as I am.
@luckypeople_mgc
Luke: his smile, voice, his talent, his kindness, his nose, hair, and eyes, that he’s using his voice for important things, his passion on stage, his stage presence, his big big big heart for his loved ones, his empathy for all people
Calum: his humor, his talent too, his love for his friends and animals, his great values, his smile
Ashton: his great passion for art and music, his kindness and understanding, his drumming and performing talent
Michael: his silly jokes, his big heart and the love it carries, that he’s so down to earth and SO kind to everyone, his passion, and energy@luckiIyluke
I love Michael because he really tries to connect with his fans and he’s always supporting us in everything, he’s kind and loving! Everyone can tell he really cares about us–and Calum is the funniest guy ever and I love that about him! Ash is SO creative and he’s always trying to talk to the fans. And last but not least I love how Luke is a really down to earth guy and his amazing songwriting skills, he’s funny and sweet!
@wiIdflowermgc
For Luke, I love the way he shines on stage. He’s grown so much as a performer over the past 9 years and it’s amazing to see him become a true frontman and own the stage the way he does.
For Ashton, I love his way with words and his passion when speaking about the band and music as a whole. He is so sincere and it’s so evident that he loves what he does, despite the highs and lows that come with it.
For Calum, it would be the depth of his character. he always has such an interesting perspective on things and I love hearing his thoughts any time he chooses to speak up, whether that’s through songwriting or otherwise. he always speaks with intent and that’s so admirable to me. I also love the way he shines on stage! He may not be the frontman but you can see the happiness exuding from him when he’s putting on a good show.
With Michael, I would say it’s his sincerity when engaging with the fans. He is always so sweet, patient, and kind and really seems to enjoy meeting fans when he has the chance to. He also tends to keep gifts and letters he receives and again, I just think that’s so sweet to see. It shows how appreciative he is, and that he values the love the fans show the band.
@lukeswonderwaIl
Michael spreads so much happiness.
Ashton is such a supportive person.
Calum is so positive.
Luke spreads peace always.
@90SGREYHOUND
I’d like to say it’s the fact that they’re all super different and individual and yet they work so well as a group. They’ve all got super varying personalities but as a collective group, it just works. Luke has always been a huge softie and he always makes me happy, Calum has a super warm and welcoming personality, Ashton has a way with words, and Michael is the sweetest little gamer ever.
@butterflyliies
Calum: His voice is literally so unique, it’s so sweet but powerful at the same time. He’s an amazing songwriter, also is very inspiring to me. Have you heard him playing the bass? Beautiful.
Ashton: The positivity he always has brings me a lot of joy and he always makes me feel loved by reading his tweets. he’s a very strong person and how he plays the drums is just amazing.
Luke: He’s very passionate about the music and he’s also a very good songwriter. His voice is literally like an angel I could listen to his voice for days.
Michael: He’s one of the most inspirational people to me, he taught me that it’s okay to not be okay and to be myself. I love how he interacts with the fandom, his voice is incredible and his guitar playing is AMAZING, and so is his energy on stage which I love so much.
@calumftcurls
Luke: His sense of humor, determination, and strength. I feel like he’s the one I relate to most out of all of them because he’s very selfless and has been through a lot but still remains strong. He never fails to put a smile on my face when I’m watching interviews. I also love how much he cares about everyone and isn’t afraid to admit when he’s wrong.
Calum: His intelligence and self-awareness. He’s so smart and I really admire how he said he wanted to get back into school someday. He always says such thoughtful things.
Michael: His huge heart. He does nothing but constantly give out love and positivity. I also really admire how open he’s always been with his mental health.
Ashton: His artistic insight is amazing. I love the aesthetics he comes up with for the band and I also love how honest he is with the lyrics he writes.
@VOIDEDLUKE
Calum, his love for his sister. Ashton, his pure heart and love for poetry. Luke, how pure his feelings are in support of his girlfriend. Michael, his peace when he’s hugging his fans.
@kitselfs
What are your favorite things about the band as a whole?
As a whole, I love that each member plays a key role inside the band and that their friendship with one another is so strong that they allow each member to explore other interests, like Michael with gaming and Ashton’s solo album.
@luckypeople_mgc
I love that 5sos aren’t stuck, they’re creating something new all the time, they’re trying new things, no matter the outcome, they’re ready to risk it all. But they’re true to themselves, they’re kind to their fans and down to earth musicians who put all their energy into creating smth that’s 110% them. They have an incredible dynamic, on stage and as friends and as musicians and that’s what I appreciate a lot. They’re always speaking up about important issues and I love that about them.
@luckiIyluke
That they are just a bunch of friends having fun on stage, it’s that chemistry between them all that makes them stand out from a lot of other bands!
@wiIdflowermgc
As a whole it has to be their musical talent. to have seen them grow for so many years has been incredible – they continue to get better and better in terms of their songwriting and performing. They’ve explored new sounds and aren’t afraid to branch out into sensitive topics either. their music has been a sort of safe space for me when I’ve gone through hard times, and I know so many of my friends who would say the same! I love their passion and determination to continue to work better and improve. They refuse to be complacent and that’s one of my favorite things about them.
@lukeswonderwaIl
Their friendship is so strong it’s as if they’re brothers by blood!
@90SGREYHOUND
The band just have this amazing group dynamic, they seem to fully understand each other. It must come from years of friendship but I definitely envy the relationship they have; the type of relationship where you don’t need to be frustrated when you’re trying to express yourself or something because the other just know, they get it, they can relate. I love how they’ve gone through this whole journey together and how their bond hasn’t faded.
@butterflyliies
Their voices together and just the harmonies they do are some of my favorite group traits for sure. All of them are amazing singers and songwriters and are a great combination of artists.
@calumftcurls
The way they create music for themselves and focus on what they want to do rather than going along with what’s popular. They are all incredibly talented and intelligent. They’ve always been there for me even without knowing it.
@VOIDEDLUKE
They’re literally all best friends, it’s so cute.
@kitselfs
What is your all-time favorite 5SOS album? Why?
I love every album but ‘Sounds Good Feels Good’ is my top-ranked for sure. I love all the real topics that they sing about such as divorce, mental health as well as the more fun and upbeat pop-punk songs.
@luckypeople_mgc
My favorite album is ‘Sounds Good Feels Good’ because it was the era I connected to the most. I love every album very much but ‘Sounds Good Feels Good’ being THE album for me just because it came out at a time I needed it and the songs spoke to me and the ‘Sounds Live Feels Live’ tour meant very much to me. Also, it was the first time I met them which is why it holds a special place in my heart.
@luckiIyluke
I’ll always hold a special place for ‘Sounds Good Feels Good’! Every song gets to me in a way that not many songs have! And you have a little bit of everything too! Plus the message in some of those songs is just the most beautiful thing ever.
@wiIdflowermgc
It’s hard to say! I love them all for different reasons. as of right now I listen to ‘CALM’ the most because it’s the newest. but I would say the album that holds the most sentimental value to me is ‘Sounds Good Feels Good’. The songs on that album helped me through a lot of struggles in my life and came at a time I really needed them. The feeling of not being alone and being understood is so important. 5SOS managed to emulate that feeling through their music on ‘Sounds Good Feels Good’, and so it will always have a special place in my heart!
@lukeswonderwaIl
‘Sounds Good Feels Good’ because they talk about a lot of topics that make me feel understood for everything I’ve gone through in my life.
@90SGREYHOUND
One thing I will say before I pick favorites is that I truly believe that all of 5sos’ albums are great. They all had real effort put into them and the more albums they put out, the more you can see their evolution as artists. Now my personal favorite is ‘Sounds Good Feels Good’ and I think it’s because of emotional attachment. The songs mean a lot to me and the messages hidden in the lyrics are so real and beautiful. It’s truly an amazing album.
@butterflyliies
‘Sounds Good Feels Good’. Most of the lyrics were accurate to what was happening in my life and those lyrics helped me a lot to get through them. That album just hits different, it’s a literal masterpiece!
@calumftcurls
‘Sounds Good Feels Good’ because that album genuinely shaped my teenage years and changed my life. I have so many good memories from times I spent with friends listening to that album. It has songs for every situation I could possibly think of and it saved my life plenty of times. Apart from the memories I have associated with it, I think the sounds they touched on in songs like ‘Waste The Night’, ‘Vapor’, and ‘Outer Space/Carry On’ were perfect for their voices and their instrumental set up. Their use of the symphony on most of the tracks really makes the album stand out from their other works, which I love. Some of their most impactful songs are on that album, like ‘Broken Home’ and ‘Invisible’. They explored so many topics within it as well and no song sounds the same. I never get tired of listening to it either. Every time I hear a song from that album it feels like I’m listening to it for the first time all over again. I have a connection with all their music but ‘Sounds Good Feels Good’ definitely stands out from the rest.
@VOIDEDLUKE
Well, I think it’s ‘Sounds Good Feels Good’? Because it’s lyrically and musically incredible, and I see myself in the lyrics.
@kitselfs
What is your all-time favorite 5SOS song? Why?
‘Jet Black Heart’ has always meant a lot to me from the first time I heard it and the first time I watched the music video. to me, it’s a very hopeful song and when I first heard it, it made me feel like everything was going to be okay.
@luckypeople_mgc
‘Wherever You Are’ is my all-time favorite and also ‘Beside You’. I have so many favorites, it’s hard to choose but because it was a special time back then I’m always coming back to these songs. But I seriously love all the newer songs too.
@luckiIyluke
I have to go for ‘Wrapped Around Your Finger’! I swear I’ll never get tired of it! Michael’s vocals and the guitar in that song always give me chills! I just love everything about it.
@wiIdflowermgc
My favorite is ‘Lie To Me’! I actually have a tattoo on my wrist for it haha. It’s so beautiful and I truly could not fault a single thing about it. Lyrically it’s incredible, I love the instruments and the arrangement they used. I love the emotion that Luke conveys with his voice. It is the most heart wrenching yet comforting song I know. It’s been my most listened to on Spotify for three years in a row now and I’m sure it will be for a lot more years to come!
@lukeswonderwaIl
‘Outer Space/Carry On’ because that song helped me become the person I am today with its deep lyrical meaning that I hold close to my heart.
@90SGREYHOUND
My all-time favorite 5sos song is ‘Youngblood’. Now I know most fans would call me a local, but ‘Youngblood’ is super special to me. As a fan, I love diving deeper into music production and the meaning behind their songs, so analyzing ‘Youngblood’ for the first time was amazing. The amount of detail they put into the music itself, the little effects and noises, it’s crazy. And then lyrics… the lyrics are criminally underrated. To me, the song is one of loss, pain, regret, etc. It’s almost like a huge slap in the face in a way. I suggest that next time you listen to ‘Youngblood’, you really close your eyes and LISTEN.
@butterflyliies
‘Unpredictable’! I even have ‘Unpredictable’ tattooed on my arm. That song brings me a lot of joy and the lyrics motivate me a lot.
@calumftcurls
It changes all the time because they have so many good songs, but lately, it’s been ‘Vapor’. Something about how vulnerable it is really gets to me. I also learned how to play it on guitar, so I really like to play along while listening to it. It’s always been one of my favorites because of how beautiful the lyrics are. The metaphors they use to describe the relationship the song focuses on are extremely clever. Meanwhile, the instrumentals are absolutely gorgeous. The echoey drums throughout the verses, the guitar solo, the drum solo, the beautiful bassline throughout, and the symphony at the end. I also love that there are some parallels between the lyrics of ‘Vapor’ and another one of my favorites, ‘Lie To Me’. Overall I think ‘Vapor’ is a beautiful song both for the lyrics, their vocals, and the instrumentals. Their live performance of it was insanely good as well, and I hope that someday they bring it back.
@VOIDEDLUKE
Definitely ‘Wrapped Around Your Finger’. The guitar solos, the lyrics, Luke and Michael’s voices together…feels like heaven to me.
@kitselfs
If you could describe 5SOS in 9 words, what would they be?
Caring, passionate, growing, multi-talented musicians and singers, real, and kind.
@luckypeople_mgc
Passionate, energetic, kind, unique, artsy, caring, full of surprises, amazing guys and talented musicians.
@luckiIyluke
Kind, sweet, amazing, mind-blowing, unique, skillful, joyful, powerful, inspirational.
@wiIdflowermgc
Talented, hardworking, passionate, sincere, humble, down-to-earth, skilled, kind, inspirational.
@lukeswonderwaIl
Positive, happy, supportive, caring, loving, angels, courageous, generous, passionate
@90SGREYHOUND
Admirable, unexpected, evolving, incredible, life-savers, musicians, honorable, humoristic, superheroes
@butterflyliies
Talented, dedicated, sweet, selfless, hardworking, intelligent, funny, comforting, honest.
@VOIDEDLUKE
How are 5SOS different/unique compared to other artists?
5SOS is unique in that every single member of the band can and does sing or play multiple instruments. in their most recent album, CALM, luke mainly sings with the other members providing backing vocals and harmonies, but that just makes them stronger as a unit.
@luckypeople_mgc
Like I said before–they’re creating music they love no matter what. They’re always trying new things, always tryna find themselves through their music, always evolving, never standing still, you never know with them. You never know what to expect next. I love that.
@luckiIyluke
As I mentioned before, the chemistry all the boys have with each other makes them unique, in my opinion!
@wildflowermgc
For me–it’s their ability to explore genres and topics. They always put out music that they’re proud of, and that’s what seems to be most important to them. people liking it and streaming it is almost like an added bonus. I personally have never had such an attachment to a band/artist before, and that comes from them making music that comforts and unites people. I’ve met some of my best friends through our shared love of this band.
@lukeswonderwaIl
They are unique because they made their own music, I mean, they do and write whatever their heart says and make different sounds for every album and every song.
@90SGREYHOUND
I think 5SOS just have such a unique style. They dabble in an insane amount of genres and are always trying new things, trying to improve. they work directly from the heart and it’s one of the things I love about them.
@butterflyliies
Definitely their friendship. they are so close with each other and the fun they have on stage is great to watch! Also, they know what they want to achieve as a band, and they know what they want to do as a group and that’s not something easy to figure out.
@calumftcurls
They’re one of the few artists who incorporate a more rock sound into modern music. They tend to stick to sounds that fit them rather than what’s popular or trendy, which I admire. Another thing that really sets them apart from other artists is their live performances. They’re so good at making pop songs sound more like rock songs when they perform them live. Their stage setups and presence are unlike most artists and they just always stay true to themselves.
@VOIDEDLUKE
Their fashion style! They all have unique, different styles and I love them all so much.
@kitselfs
What is something you admire about 5SOS?
What I admire about 5sos is first–they’re musically talented–but I also admire their friendships with one another and you can tell they care about one another even after all these years.
@luckypeople_mgc
Their fearlessness, their down to earth personalities, their beautiful minds and souls, and their friendship. They never gave up, they always dreamt big and it led to all of this success. They knew what they wanted and they went to get it. So much work and it paid off in the end. I’m so proud of them and their growth.
@luckiIyluke
Their dedication and optimism! And how hard they work.
@wiIdflowermgc
Their willingness to help others, such as through the Friends Of Friends charity. They also show that they are willing to apologize, learn, and grow from past mistakes, which is so important. I also admire that they strive to improve and do better each time they work on a project. Their lack of complacency is what I feel will drive them to be a band for many more years to come.
@lukeswonderwaIl
I definitely admire their relationship as a band, I admire their musical talent, I admire their ability to learn and grow as people, I admire their strength because it’s hard to grow up in the industry and stay strong through that. I admire what they stand for as a band and everything they work towards.
@butterflyliies
Their strength and how much they’ve grown up and achieved in only 9 years. They were 16 to 18-year-old boys in a garage in Sydney and they just said “we can do this” and they really did it.
@calumftcurls
The honesty in their lyrics. They’ve never been afraid to go into certain topics that many artists tend to stay away from. They always say things like how they are, and in intelligent ways. Their level of talent is truly so hard to comprehend. When I think of professionals in the music industry, I always think of them. They’ve absolutely perfected their live performances, sound, and vocals.
@VOIDEDLUKE
They never give up. They’ve been through so many things, especially this year, but they always recover and keep going.
@kitselfs
What does 5SOS mean to you?
5SOS means a lot to me. When I first became a fan, I wasn’t in the best headspace mentally and was struggling with myself, and felt overall really lonely. Because of them, I found something that made me happy and that I loved (the band themselves and their music) and through them, I found lots of friends online that I wouldn’t have met outside of 5sos and I cannot wait to meet them. I cannot wait to see 5sos live either because every member and their discography have really helped me become a better person.
@butterflyliies
@luckypeople_mgc
They’re my all-time favorite band because they touched me like no other band ever did. I have so many bands I love but 5SOS not only touched me with their music, but with their hearts and their kind and sweet and funny personalities. I not only love the music but the people behind the music. They mean a lot to me. Always have, always will.
@luckiIyluke
Their music means everything to me and is always something I can turn to no matter the mood I’m in!
@wiIdflowermgc
5SOS are absolutely one of the highlights of my teenage years. I have been a fan since I was 13, and am now almost 21! I’ve met friends through them, I’ve made the best memories through them, I’ve found comfort in their songs and happiness from just supporting and loving them as individuals and as artists. I could not be more proud to be a fan of them, and I will support their careers and whatever it is that makes them happy in their own lives. all four of them bring light to my life and I’m so thankful to be able to be a fan.
@lukeswonderwaIl
I don’t even know where to start. 5SOS are more than just a band to me, their music, and who they are as people brought me into this fandom, and since then my life has changed tremendously. It hasn’t been long, but I’ve grown as a person, I’ve worked through some of my issues, I’ve met some of the most important people in my life, etc. 5SOS helped me through tough times and I will forever be grateful to them for being there for me even though they don’t know it.
@butterflyliies
Everything. I laugh a lot with them, I cry with them, I smile with them. I just feel so happy when I see them in interviews, when they post something or when they win something. They’ve been 6 years with me and that’s a long time in my life and I’m very grateful for everything they’ve done for me.
@calumftcurls
5SOS means absolutely everything to me. I’ve devoted the last 7 years of my life to them, growing up with them basically. Ever since I found them, I’ve been staying up until midnight on dates they’ve released anything at all, buying merch when I can afford it, going to shows whenever they come close enough. When I’m not doing any of that I spend a lot of time watching interviews as well. They’ve truly become a source of comfort for me when things go wrong. I know I’ll always have them there, even if they don’t know who I am. Not only that but being a fan of them has given me a chance to explore myself and my interests. They’ve inspired me and given me an outlet to do things I never thought was capable of, like running the CALM Promo Comp earlier this year. I want to go into media relations, so being able to create that fan project to help promote their album in the media was like a dream come true. They’ve genuinely saved my life multiple times as well. Their music has been there for me through the hardest moments of my life and they’ve always given me something to live for and look forward to. I don’t know what I’d do without them.
@VOIDEDLUKE
Family. I know this fandom isn’t perfect and we have our flaws but 5SOS feels like family to me.
@kitselfs
