Lopez Blogs

Let's face it. The final quarter of 2010 on my blog has been dominated by the X-Factor. As has British pop culture. it's not just a talent show any more - it's a genuine talking point phenomenon. Normally, I'm fixated only on the finalists and while they certainly entertained me during the live shows this year, more than ever before I had a tinge of sadness that one group in particular hadn't made it to the live shows. Princes and Rogues. They seemed to sparkle together from their first audition until they were told at Judge's Houses they were going no further.

But hurrah! Rather than let doom and gloom kick in, the fearless fivesome set about honing their skills, performing up and down the country, doing some quite charming youtube videos of songs, being quite prolific and interactive with their burgeoning fanbase and essentially working their little socks off to ensure continued success. What I really like about Prince & Rogues is that they all seem such charming fellas, they have harmonies to die for and a style that is both totally accessible and utterly quirky. Added to all this an unashamed love of pop music (none of this "oh i want to be doing thrash metal really" nonsense) which shines through in their choice of cover versions and it all adds up to a winning combination. I'm hopeful that they will be recording some tunes soon - I'd be thrilled to take one of their songs to premiere on the Larry Flick radio show... But for now, here is a chat with the very lovely, very charm the pants off you P&R...

Let's get the obvious questions out the way first - how did you five boys come together?

Jonny and Cameron had separate ideas that they both wanted to enter x factor as a band. Cameron and Jonny had known each other for about 5 years after meeting at other band auditions. Jonny put on his status on facebook about putting a band together, Cameron then messaged him saying he wanted to do it. They met in London to discuss what kind of band and how they should go about it. After some failed auditions held by Jonny to find members, Cameron knew Dave, Dave knew Ashley and Ashley knew Derek. So by degrees of separation we all formed through friends of friends.

Any regrets in doing the x-factor? How do you think you will use the platform of the show to succeed where others have failed?

No regrets at all. Our only regret is we didn't enter sooner. People complain about not getting through and its a fix etc etc. But after spending time with Cher, Matt, Rebecca at Bootcamp and then One direction at judges houses, it was amazing to sit at home and really watch there lifes change. They were all normal people like us at Bootcamp, hoping that they were going to be chosen. Watching Matt win was so emotional. Especially after him snoring so loud one night at Bootcamp, Derek did not get any sleep! (because there are 5 of us, one of us had to share rooms with another contestant at Bootcamp.) Amazing things really can happen to normal people. After getting to judges houses people become bitter about not being chosen for the final and they forget what an achievement it was to get there in the first place! All we want to do is entertain and of course we would have loved to do it on live tv every week but its not the only place to do it. We have the whole world to explore!!!. When we got back from judges houses we didn't waste a second, we had photos done, a great booking agent secured and gigs up and down the country performing at most of the same venues the finalist perform at anyway.

What do you think of Wagner progressing so far in the competition when groups like yourselves weren't given the opportunity?

Well you do have to remember its not only a Talent show but a TV show as well and he did make great TV. We never really thought of him as taking our place as he was not in our category. Perhaps we might have felt different if we had been in the Live shows with him.

How have all the Christmas lights performances been going? What is your favourite so far?

They have been great fun, we love any gig we do. Warrington lights stands out to us as all as the staff and acts were brilliant. We also got to perform along side Treyc Cohen, so it was nice to see her again and catch up. Cambridge lights was also amazing, did you know it is known as the 'Geeky' city?as you can imagine we fitted right in there,lol.

I did not know that! And talking of geeky cities, you've really honed the geek chic style look and yet made it quite individual among yourselves. Did you consciously come up with a cohesive image together or did it just naturally happen? Where's your favourite places to get your clothes? How come Ashley looks so good in a bow tie and yet i look like my great uncle Leonard?

We took the idea and ran with it when Simon Cowell said at our first audition 'It was a bit geeky'. He knows what he is talking about so we took his advice. We scoured our own wardrobes as well as, charity shops, vintage shops and the high street. When we starting looking we saw that 'Geek Chic' was everywhere! Ashley is our main Geek Chicer, he helps a lot with the styling and has a great eye for a bargain. Most of the bow ties you see only cost about £2 from Camden!

I so need to go shopping with you! Will the theme of your look carry forward to any music you are recording? I see you going with an 80s geeky vibe to your tunes but could be completely wrong...

We want to make big epic songs with live instruments but with that 80's electro pop element. People like The Hurts, Mika, Alphabeat and Frankie goes to Hollywood all do this. Also most noticeably Take That's new album which has every different type of style on it rolled into one. We also love the strong backing vocals of Glee. They really make the backing vocals stand out rather than fade into the background which is great for a band like us. So we want to make some great 'Geek Chic' classic pop tunes. The kind of song that no matter who sang it you don't mind having it stuck in your head.

That would be magnificent. if you could hurry along with that i'd be most grateful :P Especially as you've done some acapella video cover versions on Youtube - most noticeably Relax, Video Killed The Radio Star and a gorgeous version of Red. How did you choose those songs? Who arranges your harmonies?

Cameron and Jonny firstly arrange the songs. Then as a group we get together and work through them, either adding things or taking away things that don't work. Relax was actually the first song we performed at Judges houses which they didn't show on the Television. We choose the songs as we love the 80's fun vibe they had and with red it shows of our harmonys and that we can be serious...sometimes!

How are you different from a typical boyband?

Were kind of like 'The Inbetweeners' of boybands! We have decided we are not a boyband and not a manband. I think we differ as all 5 of us can sing, a lot of emphasis goes on our strong harmonys and quirky image. Were not trying hard to fit into the generic category of ' We're a boyband and we have to be really cool' We are just being ourselves which is a bit geek and a bit chic! We all know everyone has an inner geek....Even Simon Cowell! We have just decided to embrace it!

"Kind of like "The Inbetweeners" of boybands! Just don't work some of their vocabulary into your songs!! So working together as a group, are you like those naughty rascals - do you get up to any mischief on the road? Did you really trash Simon's house? (And were you disappointed Sinitta wasn't in her leaves this year...)

Lots of mischief, dont forget there is a Rougue in each one of us as well as the Prince. Some things we can never reveal..But we have fraped davo, we wrote on his status that he was going to be a father. He started getting texts saying congratulation. Some from family in Dubai and OZ! There person who was most confused was his GF Marriane who called from Holland to ask what was going on. As our gigs are all over, we stay in lots of different hotels, 'knock door run' is good in hotels because whoever is at the back usually gets caught!

Ok here's the exclusive, Here is the story behind wrecking Simons house! There was no drinking and no partying BUT, it was Jonny who ruined the 15 Thousand Pound rug...Basically we had been filming in the sea, messing around having fun and all the contestants had access to one room in the house. We were the last band to get filmed so everyone had been walking in and out over the rug so it was a bit damp already. Because we were the only band to actually throw ourselves in the sea we were soaking wet. We were all getting changed when Jonny dropped his swimmers and half of the sea bed feel out on the rug. Loads of muck and stones. That's when the picture got taken by 'The sun' when they had laid it outside to get cleaned and dry off! So we are sure it's ok now. Sinitta rocked her catsuit this year so we were not to disappointed.

Who has the worst habits and how long do you think you can put up with them for?!

Recently we stayed at Jonnys house in Clitheroe, we were all sitting when his dogs came over and starting licking his feet. He actually lets them get right in between his toes. We cant actually talk about it for too long as it makes us feel sick.

I think I just tasted my lunch again actually hearing that :P Who's who in the band, character wise? (e.g. joker, serious, dog licking one, etc)

Derek- The Random one
David- The Dizzy one
Ashley- The Sensitive one
Jonny- The Mad one
Cameron- The Sensible one

Johnny - is it true you were in Avenue? Did you sing on Set Your Body Free? One of the greatest unreleased pop tunes of the new millennium! What are your memories of your time in that band?

Yes its all true,lol.I had an amazing time in Avenue.We worked so so hard and every time we had a knock back we just grew stronger as a unit and managed to achieve things we didnt think possible.We also managed to record some amazing songs ie. "Set Your Body Free",it was a TUNE!!!!!!!!!i recently found a video on Youtube of Brian Freeman choreographing at a dance seminar to our song.You need to check it out,the kids are amazing dancers.

Derek - will you be returning to Ireland for Christmas or do you think you will stay in London? What are everyone's plans for the festive season?

We are all going to have 2 weeks off over Christmas. Derek will be back in Ireland for Christmas and spending new year in London. Cameron will be home in Scotland for both Christmas and New Year. Jonny, ash, David will be spending Christmas at home and New Year in London.

Have you had any interesting come ons from your female/male fans? What's the weirdest thing that's happened?

Well Diva Fever did take a fancy to Ashley! The weirdest thing I think is signing fans with permanent marker in some crazy places...

You can't really blame Diva Fever. He is quite 'the fox'. Finally, what are your goals for 2011?

its a secret,watch this space !!

A secret?! Outrageous! All that schmoozing and they remain tightlipped :P Well you can be sure that I'll be covering it here - thanks to all 5 boys for being so generous with their time and fun with their answers. Princes and Rogues, you are kings among men :)