John's interest in music and song writing came as no surprise to his family and friends. His family have a wealth of musical talent. His granddad played the spoons, his Dad a well known table drummer, his sister an air drummer, and when Saturday comes his Mum can be heard leading the chanting at Charlton (but not the rude songs).

He started playing the violin when he was 5 but was positively toilet, so then turned his hand to the saxophone! He wasn't too bad at the old sax, and reached the dizzy heights of a Grade 4 in classical saxophone. With distinction. However, after realising that playing the sax didn't make him a hit with the ladies, he picked up his first guitar and started a band with his mates - 'swimsuit edition'. The band drifted apart when all 5 members took up full time tax dodging, and started University.

In his first year of Uni, John fell in love with about 173 different girls, and wrote songs about all of them. Unfortunately he didn't manage to woo any of the young fillies with his outrageously cheesy and OTT lyrics. He did however meet a nice young boy called Steve! The pair found that they had many shared loves; music, football, Guinness and girls. Thus they started playing songs together, in the hope of eventually scoring a record deal…and maybe a wife for John.

Main instruments: Guitar, Vocals

Main influences: Simon and Garfunkel, U2, Oasis, Counting Crows, Damien Rice

John wrote this entire biography in the third person, and he feels like a bit of a div for doing so

Following his first attempts on his older brother's drum kit at a very young age, Steve caught the music bug early and was first seen singing in public alongside his younger sister in a Haven Holiday park young talent contest. As lovely as their rendition of the Little Mermaid's 'Part of That World' was, a disappointing loss in that competition saw him driven into a deep pit of depression, swearing never to sing again.

Attention turned back to the drums, with Steve trying drum lessons but finding all the black lines with dots on (i.e.. actual music) confusing. Trying numerous teachers, each leaving more room for improvisation than the last, led Steve to a preference for a flexible approach to music. His development was helped by his long standing membership of the Medway Towns Music Centre and eventually Kent Youth Wind Orchestra took pity on him, despite his inability to read music, letting him join them for their tour of Malta as a percussionist.

GCSE's rolled around, and Steve needed a second instrument. A radical return to the rusty vocal chords was needed, and with no volunteers to play the piano part he taught himself how to play chords so he could perform solo. Moderate piano based success and the life-changing discovery of a certain artist by the name of Ben Folds inspired Steve to teach himself some basic techniques on the keys and by the time it was time for his 20-minute A-Level Recital he was proficient enough to do it singing along with himself on the piano. Also, a 20 minute drum solo might have been a bit tedious.

Next came University, a guitar called Colin, open mic night, and decidedly fewer female rejections than John. Just.

Main instruments: Guitar, Vocals

Main influences: Ben Folds, Jack Johnson, Divine Comedy, KT Tunstall, Coldplay

Steve also wrote his entire biography in the third person, but realises this is the way of the world due to his intensive University Media Studies training. He's just pleased he finally gets to use it.

Pete's passion for music started at an early age. He started to play keyboards when he was six, then grew bored if not slightly frustrated at practicing, so took up the guitar when he was seven. He studied all grades with legend Steve Marsh and performed at concerts and shows around the Derbyshire district.

When Pete turned twelve he was asked to drum at a gig for local group 'Rockwood' which was like nothing he had done before. He agreed to pick up the sticks for one gig, practicing on keyboard drums in the school music room.

Since those days Pete has played for numerous bands, live and in the studio, and has also recorded several local bands in his home studio under PushSwitch Productions.

In September 2007 Pete moved to Brighton to continue down his musical path and further his music studies at Brighton Institute of Modern Music. It was during these times when Pete responded to an ad placed online by a local up and coming acoustic rock/pop group, who were looking for a drummer. Pete readily accepted their offer to join, and is now part of the fabulous foursome that is Les Valentine.

Main instruments: Drums, Vocals, Panache

Main influences: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Daft Punk, I Was A Cub Scout, Snow Patrol, The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Jo started piano lessons at a young age working her way through piano exams collecting several distinctions along the way before reaching (and failing!) Grade 8. During this time she played in numerous piano recitals, music festivals and school concerts.

She later took up the flute and was briefly a member of her school Wind Band before deciding that she was too much of a prima donna to be sat in the back of the flute section. She was involved in several school choirs and numerous school musicals though she's not (yet) had to utilise her tap-dancing skills in Les Valentine.

Jo combined her classical training with being made to learn 'Madness' songs by her Dad, thumping her way through Elton John classics and singing along to songs from musicals when everyone was out.

Unofficially self-appointed additional member of the band from the start, Jo has seen Les Valentine grow from a duo to a four piece and is glad she now has something else to do at gigs apart from just carrying equipment around. Joining Les Valentine has given Jo a chance to try new skills and develop a new style of playing (well, there aren't many trills or fancy classical twiddly bits in our songs at the moment) but its been a challenge and will pass the time until she's asked to join Girls Aloud.

Main instruments: Piano, Sarcasm

Main influences: Scouting for Girls, Toploader, James Morrison, Elton John, naff musicals, McFly, Britney Spears