Sean Kieran Conlon

Sean Conlon may be the baby of the group, but you’d never know it. With a sense of humour that’s as dry as a bone and a flair for song-writing that has impressed even Phil Collins, his youth can only be an advantage.
Born in Horsworth, Leeds in 1981, he grew up on a tough council estate with his mum, Kate, two sisters, Charlotte and Katrina, brother Dominic and half-brother John. His parents split when he was nine and his dad Dennis now lives in Southport.
Like Abs, Sean is perceived to be quiet and reserved, but get to know him and you soon realise he’s brimming with a laid-back confidence that only the seriously talented can afford - so listen up...
“ The rest of the band tell me that I’m lazy, shy and quiet, but I think I’m just very laid-back. It’s just that nothing really gets me going, except music - which has always been the love of my life.
My dad is a drummer, my sister plays guitar and my brother is a DJ so there was always music playing in our house. In fact, my earliest memory is of me performing songs I’d made up in our back garden with a toy guitar I’d been given for my fourth birthday.
But it wasn’t until I was nine that music really kicked into my life. I’d been given a keyboard for Christmas and started writing songs ( my first was about how really I wanted a bike, not a keyboard for Christmas).
I was playing around on my keyboard when the film, The Michael Jackson Story, came on TV. I was hooked and knew straight away it was what I wanted to do. My voice even sounded a bit like his at the time - before it broke and ended up like a cross between Seal and R.Kelly.
I started putting my songs down on tape and over the next couple of years my dad put me into recording studio to make demos. He took me round all the record companies in London to try and get me a deal, but we didn’t get anywhere.
I had dreams of being of being on stage and performing songs I’d written, but I never shared them with anybody because I was really shy. I wouldn’t sing in front of anyone or do any school shows.
I’ve had a hard life, me, if I’m honest. I grew up on a very rough estate and my parents split up when I was nine. I never really got on with anyone in my year when I was in primary school because I was a coloured kid. I used to be left out of things all the time and get called brownie or nigger. In the end I became mates with kids in the year above because they used to stick up for me.
I never worked at school because I was only ever interested in music. My school reports always said, ‘ Sean is capable of doing well but gives up too easily and is distracted by his friends. He’s always late.’ I was quite bad really.
I went to a Catholic school and the rest of the kids were all a bit posher than me. Because I had a skinhead they were scared of me - I had a reputation for being hard and was considered to be one of the rough ones.
I was during my first year at secondary school that I developed my first crush, on a girl called Helena. This other lad liked her too and brought her chocolates and stuff. But it was more like ‘ I like you, do you like me or not? If you don’t then I’ll see you later.’ I used to write songs about girls I fancied - but I never told them.
I’ve only really had one proper girlfriend and it could have been great, but I messed up. I went on holiday and met this other girl. I came home and started acting differently towards her because I felt guilty and eventually it fizzled out.
Music was the only thing that stopped me going off the rails. My school suggested I enter the Young Composer of the Year competition when I was 14, so my dad sent my tape off and one of my songs, ‘ Everything In The World,’ got into the top three of the competition. I had to come down to London for the final that was hosted at Earl’s Court in front of a panel of judges, including Phil Collins.
When they called my name out as the winner of the 13 to 16 age group it was like ‘ Yes!’. Winning felt really good. It was the biggest day of my life...until I joined 5ive that is.
Before I could join the group I had to leave school, which wasn’t as easy as it sounds because I was only 15. Bob (their manager) had to clear it with the local authorities for me to leave early and study with a private tutor. Then, when it came to exam time, Bob flew me back home to sit my exams.
I thought Christmas had come early - I got to leave school to go and live in a nice house with a bunch of lads I’d just got a record label with; I wasn’t complaining!”

Name: Sean Kieran Conlon
Born: May 20, 182, Leeds
Love is: When you think about the girl all the time
Sean is a word (or three):Up and Down
He can’t live without: My mum. I miss her even though I speak to her on the phone a lot. I’d hate it if she wasn’t there.
Sean gets annoyed by: Arrogance. I don’t like people who class themselves better than others. I just can’t talk if people are like that.
Best pulling outfit: I like to wear good names as long as the label’s small **Yeah right, we’ve all seen your clothes with the names splashed all over them! *L*
First thing he looks for in a girl: Someone who acts very feminine, although I don’t like a lot of nail vanish or make up.
Alternative first name: I’d like to be called ‘ Jermaine’. I think I was going to be called that when I was born.
Sean’d write a fan letter to: R Kelly or Jay from Jamiroquai - but I’d prefer to meet them!
Ideal Woman: I like very feminine girls. Not someone who drinks from a pint glass!
Fave aftershave: Dune or Polo Sport
Five fact: Sean’s the only band member with his own room. “ I got there first and bagged it!”

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