5sos: Did You Know?
5 Seconds of Summer: Fun Facts and Untold Stories About the Aussie Band That Took the World by Storm
5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS), the Australian pop-rock band, exploded onto the international music scene in 2014 with their hit single She Looks So Perfect. Since then, they’ve evolved from teen heartthrobs to a genre-defying band with a global following. Despite their fame, there are still plenty of quirky, lesser-known stories and fun facts about the band that even some dedicated fans might not know. Let’s dive into some hidden gems from the journey of Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood, and Ashton Irwin.
1. They Started as YouTube Cover Artists
Before their global fame, 5 Seconds of Summer were just four teenagers in Sydney, Australia, posting cover videos on YouTube. Luke, Michael, and Calum first began uploading covers of popular songs by artists like Chris Brown and Mike Posner in 2011. Ashton joined the band later in 2011, and together they posted a cover of Next to You by Chris Brown and Justin Bieber that would change everything.
Fun Fact: One of their early covers was of Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus, which ironically became one of their fan-favorite live covers when they went on tour years later. This early YouTube presence laid the groundwork for their future success.
2. Their Big Break Came from a Tweet
It wasn’t just the YouTube algorithm that got 5SOS noticed—Twitter played a massive role in their rise to stardom. One day, a simple tweet from One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson would forever change their trajectory. Louis stumbled upon their music and tweeted a shoutout to his millions of followers, calling them “sick.” Soon after, the band was invited to open for One Direction on their Take Me Home tour in 2013.
Fun Fact: When 5SOS first heard the news, they were in total disbelief. The tweet from Louis catapulted their visibility overnight, and within a few months, they went from playing small gigs in Australia to performing in front of thousands of screaming fans worldwide.
3. They Were Never Meant to Be a “Boy Band”
Though 5 Seconds of Summer initially gained popularity by touring with One Direction, they’ve always been adamant about the fact that they are a band—not a boy band. Unlike traditional boy bands, 5SOS play their own instruments, write their own songs, and embrace a more punk-rock aesthetic. Despite this distinction, they embraced their pop appeal, allowing them to cross over between pop and rock audiences.
Fun Fact: The band’s name, “5 Seconds of Summer,” doesn’t have any particular meaning, and was more of a spur-of-the-moment choice. According to the band, Michael Clifford came up with the name in a rush to create their Facebook page—and it stuck!
4. Michael Clifford Nearly Quit the Band Early On
In the early days of 5SOS, Michael Clifford had doubts about the band’s future. Before Ashton Irwin joined as their drummer, the group wasn’t gaining as much traction as they hoped. Clifford, feeling uncertain about the band’s potential, almost quit. However, Ashton’s arrival in late 2011 changed everything. His presence brought a new dynamic to the group, and they began to see a real future in their music.
Fun Fact: Today, Michael Clifford is one of the most beloved members of the band, known for his unique style, colorful hair, and distinctive guitar riffs. It’s hard to imagine 5SOS without him!
5. Their Tattoos Have Special Meanings
Each member of 5 Seconds of Summer has at least one tattoo, and many of them carry deep, personal meanings. For instance, Luke Hemmings has a simple tattoo of a line on his arm, representing the idea of keeping things straightforward. Meanwhile, Calum Hood has “MMXII” inked on his chest, symbolizing the year 2012, when the band truly began its journey toward stardom.
Fun Fact: Ashton Irwin’s tattoo of a circle on his wrist was inspired by his struggle with anxiety and mental health. It serves as a reminder of the support he has from his family, friends, and fans, who helped him through difficult times.
6. They Were the First Australian Band to Debut at No. 1 in the U.S.
In 2014, when 5SOS released their self-titled debut album, they made history. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, making them the first Australian band to achieve such a feat with a debut release. This milestone was a major turning point for the band, solidifying their place in the international music scene.
Fun Fact: The band also became the first band to have their first three albums debut at No. 1 in the U.S., further cementing their status as pop-rock icons.
7. Their Songwriting Process Is a Group Effort
While many bands have a dedicated songwriter or two, 5 Seconds of Summer prides themselves on a collaborative approach to songwriting. The band often writes together, drawing from their personal experiences and the ups and downs of fame, relationships, and mental health. Each member contributes to the process, creating a sound that feels true to all of them.
Fun Fact: Their fourth album, CALM, was an acronym created from the first letters of each band member’s name—Calum, Ashton, Luke, and Michael. The title also reflected the more introspective and mature themes explored in the album.
8. Ashton Irwin Released a Solo Album
In 2020, Ashton Irwin surprised fans by announcing his debut solo album, Superbloom. The album dealt with themes of mental health, self-acceptance, and personal growth. Irwin wrote, produced, and recorded most of the album himself, showcasing his talents beyond his drumming abilities in 5SOS.
Fun Fact: Ashton’s decision to release a solo album wasn’t about leaving the band. Instead, it was an opportunity for him to explore different musical ideas while still being fully committed to 5 Seconds of Summer.
9. They Nearly Set Themselves on Fire
During one of their performances in London in 2015, things got a little too hot—literally. Michael Clifford accidentally stepped too close to a pyrotechnic display, causing his hair and face to catch fire. Thankfully, the accident wasn’t too severe, and Michael quickly recovered. The incident, however, became one of the most infamous moments in the band’s live performance history.
Fun Fact: Michael now jokes about the incident, but at the time, fans were deeply concerned for his safety. The band has since been a bit more cautious around stage pyrotechnics.
5SOS’s Unstoppable Rise
From their early days as YouTube cover artists to their meteoric rise to international fame, 5 Seconds of Summer’s journey has been filled with surprising moments, fun stories, and remarkable achievements. With each new album, the band continues to evolve.5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) has many songs with meaningful lyrics, but one that often resonates deeply with fans comes from their song "Amnesia":
"I wish that I could wake up with amnesia and forget about the stupid little things."
This lyric reflects the painful longing to erase the memories of a lost relationship, highlighting the emotional struggle of moving on. It's a powerful expression of heartache and vulnerability. Many fans relate to its raw emotion, making it one of the band's most poignant lines.