Manufactured Boyband races to top of NZ charts

Boybands' single entered the charts at number one.

New Zealand's first manufactured boyband, aptly named Boyband, turned the music industry on its head this afternoon when their single You Really Got Me debuted at number one on the charts.

Created as a publicity for radio station The Edge, the band exceeded all expectations, garnering massive public support just days after forming.

Programme director for The Edge, Leon Wratt, said idea was originally intended as a bit of fun but had "really blown up on us".

Wratt said the competition was a bit of a joke, aimed at NZ Idol.

"We felt that Idol was really just getting far too bloody serious on themselves.

"To get to number one on the charts really isn't that huge an achievement. We bet we could bring five guys together and do the same sort of thing."

Wratt said he thought people appreciated Boyband's lighter approach to music, at a time when many were speculating about the demise of the local music industry.

"In reality, they forget that what it's about is entertaining people," said Wratt.

None of the band members have any professional music experience, with Wratt describing them as "Singstar superstars".

The band comprises five stereotyped characters, including Mummy's Boy, Gay Boy, Hot Boy, Bad Boy and Fat Boy - also known as Chris Murray, Rob Arnold, Peter Tuhuro, Gerard Clark and Jay Coote.

Auditions for the band began in August this year, before the final line up was selected by listeners last month.

Despite Boyband's less-than-serious approach to music, Wratt said the band deserved its top spot.

"No band has worked as hard as these guys to get to number one."