V2 were formed in late 1976 by David Wilks and Mark Standley. Both were
 regulars at Bowie/Roxy clubs in Manchester, and became aware of punk rock
 when Dave Went to see the Sex Pistols in Manchester. This seminal gig at the Lesser Free Trade hall, at which the Pistols were supported by Manchester bands, Slaughter and the dogs,  the Buzzcocks, inspired the next generation of bands to come out of Manchester, the Drones, Joy Division, the Fall, and V2.

 V2 brought their Glam Rock past to the band, and quickly became a popular live act with over the top shows, explosions, smashing up their equipment, and bassist Stan the Man attacking audiences with his cricket bat guitar when they spat at him once to often.

 Their first single, released on Bent records, (small bent one) was released in late 77, and quickly sold out 3 pressings.
It featured 3 songs, Speedfreak, Nothing to do and That's it" it went into the alternative top ten on each release.

 Their second single, released on TJM records (TJM1) was released in late 78 and sold 30,000 in 5 months, reaching no 1 in the alternative chart.
 It featured 2 songs, Man in the box and when the world isn't there" The latter song was by Ian Nance, who joined in 1978, as lead guitarist.

 Although initially very successful, the group fell into disarray due to inexperience, lack of money, drink and dubious substances, and in early 1980 they all went their own ways.

 V2 Resurrected themselves in 1996, after an offer to put out the CD and a  chance to play at "Holidays In The Sun", a huge punk festival held at  Blackpool's Winter Gardens on the 9th/10th and 11th of August 1996. The  performance was well received and they played a second gig on Sunday  backing Eddie Mooney, a friend of Marks since 1978, who was on the same record label TJM at the time. The biggest impression however was made on the  video producers, who followed Mark and Stan about all weekend and have  used these "Interviews ?!" throughout the 3 video's available of the event.

On a much sadder note, during rehearsals for Blackpool, original vocalist / lyricist David Wilks (Jonathan E) Had to pull out due to illness. Tragically, David died in March 1997 after a short hospital stay. His death was a terrible shock to everyone who knew him, his wife Jacque said he was glad we carried on and I know he was happy about the CD coming out. Dave was a witty and intelligent man, who I knew from the age of three, I will miss him for the rest of my life.     Mark.

  Due to David's illness, Phil Pope was asked to be vocalist. In 2000, Phil left to pursue his own band, and was replaced by Eddie Mooney, who appears on the CD of Blackpool 1996 performing Man in the Box.

At the Blackpool Festival, Mark and Stan met early friends The Drones an early Manchester punk band who they hadn't seen since 1979. They instantly got on and Mark has since joined the Drones and has played on their 1998 American tour, plus the Punk Festivals in the UK.

  V2 played their second "Holidays in The Sun" festival at Morecambe in July 1997 and were received very well.
 In 1998,V2 had a new single out, called "Is Anyone Out There?"
on Data records(DATA002), and again played at the Morecambe Punk Festival, attracting more people than ever.

After a gap of two years, V2 again performed at the 25th anniversary
of Punk at Morecambe in July 2001.