Take the Fifth started out as a 3 piece pop-punk band in Richmond, North Yorkshire in the late 1990s consisting of John Poffley, John Holburn, and Andrew Forbes. Playing local gigs and shows for a few years, TT5TH reshuffled their line up and added a fourth member, Simon Hall. They won a local battle of the bands competition and recorded the 'Up in Smoke' EP, and then had another reshuffle. They continued to play local venues and recorded their self titled album in 2006.