CHAPTER TWO: ENTER NO RULES

November 28, 2001

     It’s a year later since Peter and Logan began working on a new alternative pop group for skate5. When the two began working on the concept, they had to cancel auditions for their two groups to work on this new band.

     They worked on how this band would be different from all the other British mixed pop acts. They even debated on the name of the band, their image, and their sound.

     Now it’s 2001, and they finally finalized the concept: No Rules. The name meant that they’re different and slightly rebellious from their contemporaries. No Rules would have seven members, three guys and four girls. They would be teenagers. They would be doing bubblegum pop songs. They are allowed to replace the members if the original members drop out. They’re even allowed to add an eighth member.

      Even though they are allowed to replace members, the replacements must stay in the band for three to four years. It’s to insure stability. No Rules are to have a TV series. They may seem similar to their contemporaries S Club 7 and skate5, but their image, sound, and concept are very much different.

      As for their image and sound, it would be current to the trends in Britain and United States. Their looks would be a mixture of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and NSYNC. The style was sketched out in early 2001. The music took longer to figure out and produce.

      Peter and Logon wanted a sound that was different from the other British mixed pop groups. They didn’t want the Europop-dance of Steps and skate5, but not the cheesy-yet-provocative pop of BubbleGum and S Club 7. They didn’t even want garage-urban pop. Then one day while Peter was  came up with a decision. No Rules sound would be a mixture of Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys. They would even have slick dance routines. So he and Logan hired the best pop producers from Sweden, Britain, and USA, and started working on the band’s debut album. Production began in late 2000, and finalized in mid-2001. All 40 songs are now waiting to be recorded by the group.

      In late October, there were nationwide auditions for No Rules. Millions of teens, aged 13-19, auditioned, and hundreds of them made the callbacks in London in November. After going through hundreds of teenagers, seven teens joined the band. This is the order of those who joined first to last: Edward George (age 15; Glasglow), Ashley Evans (age 15; Manchester), Sophie Maslow (age 15; Bristol), Mariana Bradford (age 14; Liverpool), Charlie Declan (age 16; Newcastle), Hannah Williams (age 14; London), and Alex Walsh (age 13; Swansea).

      No Rules are at the boardroom at Dillon Management for their first meeting. Charlie and Hannah noticed Alex was wearing a block hoodie, and he had the hood over his head.

      Hannah commented in a snobby tone, “OMG, who is that guy?”

      Charlie laughed, “Oi bloke, this is a pop band, not some goth band.”

      Alex said nothing. Ashley, Edward, Sophie, and Mariana saw this, so they decided to stand up for him. Sophie sternly responded, “Leave this bloke alone! He hasn’t done anything to you. He’s a part of No Rules just like the rest of us.”

      Alex smiled even though his face was hidden.

      Hannah scoffed, “You’re one to talk.”

      Ashley asked, “What do you mean?”

      “I mean, you, frizz-ball girl, and other frizz-ball girl are not in designer clothes, like me!”

      Mariana responded sarcastically, “Sorry we’re not as rich as you! We just live as commoners.”

      Just then, Logan and Peter entered the boardroom. The No Rules members wondered who they were. Their managers introduced themselves.

      Logan saw Alex’s face covered with a hoodie, and asked him, “Erm, the boy with the hoodie, Alex is your name, yeah?”

      Alex looked up and nodded his head.

      “Can you put the hood down?”

      So Alex put the hood down, yet his face was still covered. His light blonde, overgrown Nick Carter-style hair was covering his eyes. He had a piercing on his left eyebrow, a nose ring, and two lip rings.

      Sophie stared at Alex in amazement, and thought, “OMG, Alex is adorable.”

      Logan started meeting, which in effect, took Sophie out of her train of thoughts. “Okay No Rules, Peter and I are your managers. Here’s a video of how the concept of No Rules came about.”

      So No Rules watched the video. It explained how British mixed groups are always doing cheesy dance-pop, yet trying to be sexy. The concept of No Rules was to be like the American popstars: Sexy, yet with attitude. Teen-friendly, yet not cheesy. The band was formed to give their contemporaries a run for their money, and hopefully become the next British Invasion. Then the video ended. No Rules just stared at their managers.

       Edward asked, “So…we’re to top all those other pop groups?”

       Hannah added, “There’s no way we could top skate5 and S Club 7. They’re, like, huge.”     

       Peter laughed, and said, “Don’t worry, you’ll catch up with your competitors.”

       Logan added, “You’ll be working with the best producers and songwriters in the world. They worked with NSYNC, Britney, A*Teens, you name it. So you’ll do well.”

       “In fact, your debut CD is finished. You just need to record your voices on the songs. I’m confident this band will work.”

       Alex, who’s been very quiet, muttered a question, “Are you sure this band will work?”

       Peter asked, “Alex, can you speak up?”

       Sophie, who was sitting next to Aaron, repeated what he said, “Alex was asking if this band will work or not.”

       Logan reassured, “We will do whatever we can to make No Rules the next big thing. I can’t guarantee No Rules will be as big as the Spice Girls, but you might be as successful S Club 7. No Rules will be heavily marketed, so you should be fine.”

       Peter then announced, “There is a van outside waiting to take you No Rulers kids to your new flat. You’ll start recording in a few days.”

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THIS IS EDWARD (Liam Payne) IN THE PIC>>>