ChapterFour-Manchester Breakthrough

March 15th, 2008

   It's a few days later, and 7th Anthem are now in Manchester, UK. A week earlier, they packed up and left Boston for London. They had to go to London to get work visas in order to audition for The X Factor. Apparently it wasn't enough to have a Justin, who's a Briton, in the band.

   As soon as they got their visas, they left immediately for Manchester. They registered, and by the next day, they're in line for the auditions.

   As they waited, they all received an anonymous text message. This is what it said:

   I see that you're about to audition for The X Factor. You think this show will give the "break" you so desperately want after your former manager dropped you like a rock. Here's what you need to know before you sing in front of the judges. The X Factor has all sorts of scandal surrounding the show. That's what that show feeds on. There were controversies on the judges, the contestants, you name it. Even some of Britain's singers have spoken out against the show. So good luck on The X Factor. You'll need it once you become Britain's latest scandal...which you already were in America.

   With that, the 7A members became nervous. Amanda asked, "Who would send this text?"

   Andrew said bitterly, "Better question would be who knows we're auditioning for The X Factor."

   Alyson, also bitterly, said, "It's gotta be Ethan."

   Justin asked nervously, "So, is Ethan following us?"

  Then the members looked around the crowd to find Ethan. They didn't see him, so they faced each other.

  Then Andrew told them, "We can't let Ethan control us. We're not in Boston; we're in England. Besides, we don't have anyone controlling us. We're on our own. Maurice can't touch us, and neither can Ethan."

   The 7A members agreed. Before they knew it, it was time to go into the arena. They signed up, got their numbers, and waited in the holding room.

   As they waited to go backstage, they were approached by a camera crew. One of them asked, "So you're 7th Anthem, yeah?"

   The 7A members nodded their heads. Then he said, "We've heard that you're an American band. We never had an American audition on The X Factor. Explain your story."

  The members looked at Andrew and Alyson. The couple nodded, and the 7A members introduced themselves.

  The Alyson said, "We're used to be known as 'UTurn' and we were signed with a couple of major record labels and an independent label. We were formed in 2004 as a four-piece. There was Andrew, Justin, Bailey, and I. Soon after we formed the band, we competed on an American regional teen singing reality show, New England's Teen SuperStar. We won the show with a recording contract, and a chance to tour with Radio Disney."

  Andrew added, "We were soon signed to Hollywood Records and Universal Music. Since then, we've released 2 North American albums; 2 mini-albums exclusively released in the New England region; 1 mini-album in Eastern Europe, along with a our first album in that part of Europe; and a Christmas iTunes exclusive mini-album. We've toured in North America, Eastern Europe, and opened for Girls Aloud here in the UK and Ireland. We were moderately successful, but we had the label as 'the local band'."

  Justin continued, "But at the beginning of this year, we were dropped from our labels due to reasons we don't think it's time to reveal. When we're ready, we'll explain everything. Since our former people owned our franchise, we had to change our name to '7th Anthem'."

  Then Bailey said, "We tried to get picked up back in America, but the major labels there didn't want us. We were surprisingly unnoticed when we performed in New York City nightclubs and on the internet."

   Alyson went back to speaking, "Going to UK and on The X Factor is our last resort. We hope we can catch a break here, and we hope we get Simon's approval."

   Then the camera crew ended the interview, and thanked 7A.

  After several hours, it was finally 7A's turn. They were moved to backstage. After about two performers, 7A went on the stage. As they walked the stage, they saw both the judges (Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole, and Danni Minogue), and the large audience. The band felt like they were back on tour, but they knew that this was a make-or-break audition.

  The judges saw 7A walk on stage. One of them, Cheryl, spoke to them, "I remember you. You went on tour with Girls Aloud last year, yeah?"

   Justin replied, "Yeah, we did. It was a pretty good experience."

   "I remember your band name was 'UTurn', but now you're '7th Anthem'. Why the change?"

  Alyson explained, "We were dropped from our label due to problems with our former manager. He, and everyone we worked with, owns the UTurn name, rights, and franchise. So we had to change our name."

  Simon said, "You all do look familiar. How successful were you when you couldn't land a record deal back in America?"

  Andrew replied, "We had moderate success in North America, but we hardly ever cracked the top 20 charts. We were very popular in Eastern Europe, despite doing very little promotions. But we weren't 'popular' enough to get picked up by a major label. Apparently, we're not what America's looking for."

   Simon continued, "What song are you singing for us?"

   Alyson said, "About You Now by Sugababes."

   Then 7A sang a portion of this song. They sang really well, and they had some slick choreography (done by Andrew, of course). After they finished performing, the judges were pleased.

    Louis said to 7A, "You know who you all remind me of? S Club 7."

    Then Cheryl said to both the band and Louis, "This band went on tour with me and the girls. I saw both S Club 7 and S Club 8 in them. 7th Anthem, are those bands your influences?"

    Alyson, who was grinning, replied, "Actually, S Club 8 was our main influence."

  Andrew, who was also grinning, said, "Alyson was the biggest fan of that band. She kept comparing me to Brandon. But yeah, we were fans on some level or another."

  Then Simon made this statement, "Right now, there's a gap in the market for this kind of group. You have experience being in the industry. You know the ins and outs. We could be looking at the group who could bring back mixed groups."

    The 7A members were pleased by this bold prediction. Then the judges started to vote.

    Danni said, "I think you're too good to not get recognition. I say yes."

    Louis said, "I agree. There's a lot potential in you. I say yes."

    Cheryl said, "I always thought UTurn would go far in this business. I still think that. I say yes."

    Simon smiled as he said, "See you at boot-camp."

  With that, 7A cheered, and so did the audience. Then the band went backstage. They were so excited that they were call-backed for the "boot-camp" round. The chance to get signed was getting closer.

   It's now evening. 7A are in their hotel, calling up their parents and family members about making through the next round. After they were done, they calmed down a bit. They needed to talk.

  Andrew spoke first, "Okay, since we went through to the boot-camp round, we have to stay in England."

  Alyson said, "Luckily, we still have some of our UTurn earnings left, but that's not enough to support us. We need to get side jobs, which we can with our work visas."

  Trevor asked, "So, do we get an apartment or something?"

  Andrew replied, "I know some of us have bank accounts. We might have to dip into them, and come up with the money together."

    Alyson said, "Well, let's go back to America, and move here as soon as possible."

    The members agreed. Things are beginning to look hopeful for 7A.

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THIS IS 7TH ANTHEM'S AUDITION SONG, ABOUT YOU NOW, IN THE VIDEO>>>