United Kingdom, Nov. 18 -- Ashton Irwin hated 5 Seconds of Summer being called a "boyband" because it felt "emasculating".

The Australian pop rockers formed in 2011 and went on to sell more than 10 million albums worldwide but drummer Ashton is adamant being labeled a pop group stunted their growth and made then feel as if they would never be taken "seriously".

He told The Independent newspaper: "[The boyband label felt like] psychological prodding ... All we ever thought about was songwriting and these noble, pure pursuits of creativity.

"We fought back against it [being called a boyband] because we were kids with a dream of being in a group that has a substantial impact on pop culture, but not a cheesy one ...

"And it also felt emas...