V2 were formed in Manchester by Mark Standley and Dave Wilks in late 1976, with Stan joining in early 1977.
The band were part of the first wave of the Manchester punk scene, playing alongside acts including The Fall, Buzzcocks, Slaughter & The Dogs, The Drones and Joy Division.
V2’s sound was influenced by both glam rock and early punk — “glam-punk”. Their first single, ‘Speed Freak/Nothing to Do’, was released in 1977.
In 1978, their best-known track, ‘Man in the Box’, was released on Tony Davidson’s TJM label. The track sold well in the UK and abroad, and is featured in top German band Die Toten Hosen’s live set to this day.
V2 continued to record a string of tracks for singles and EPs over the succeeding years, including with new drummer Martin Smith. Two of these tracks appeared on the TJM compilation album Identity Parade.
Renowned for their riotous live act, the band ultimately split in the early 1980s after five trailblazing years.
In 1996, V2 briefly reformed to play the Holidays in the Sun punk festival. When vocalist Dave Wilks became ill during rehearsals and was unable to appear, Eddie Mooney stood in for him. Dave sadly died later that year.
In 2017, original member Stan ‘The Man’ Vegas revived the band once more with a new line-up including guitarist Steve Wilson and vocalist Mike O’Donoghue. This line-up played the prestigious Rebellion Festival, as well as releasing the Out of Focus EP.
Steve and Mike both appear on the Stan’s Guest List album.
In 2023, German label Still Unbeatable Records released a limited-edition vinyl single, ‘Johnny Rocco’, with lyrics by Stan.
In the same year, further line-up changes ensued, with Stan recruiting Glenn Jones on lead guitar and Liam Carr on guitar and keyboards, as well as bringing ex-member Martin Smith — from the 1979/80 V2 line-up — back into the fold on drums.
