US5 is a multinational all-male pop band, first established in 2005. The group's launch to fame was financed by Lou Pearlman, an Orlando con man who made millions with a penny stock pump and dump scheme and a fraudulent savings program. The band originated in 2005 on the German RTL II television reality show Big in America and debuted in June of the same year on Pearlman’s Transcontinental label. US5 became successful throughout Central Europe with their debut album Here We Go and several hit records thereafter.
After the band was created in spring 2005, they released their first single “Maria”, which received a Gold Record in the US, a Number 1 hit in Germany and was a huge summer hit in several European countries. Afterwards they released their debut album in October 2005 which received Gold and Platinum records in Germany and Austria. In 2006 US5 completed their tour throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland after which they traveled to Great Britain for a few months, to promote their album Here We Go and release their single “Maria” which charted just inside the top 40 at #38. In fall 2006, their second album In Control was released. They exploded onto the scene in (Poland, and received Golden Records in Poland for both albums. In fall 2007 band member Mikel Maro decided to quit, he was replaced by young 15-year-old Vincent Tomas. In August 2008 Christoph “Chris” Watrin decided to leave the band because of burnout syndrom.
