My Backstreet Boys interview
Posted by Jon Chattman on October 8th, 2007
Backstreet’s Back…(wait for it)… Alright!??!
By Mike Johnson
I had a chance last week to partake in a Backstreet Boys teleconference promoting their new album “Unbreakable,” proving once and for all that there is a God, and he does listen to my karaoke performances. They’ve sold 75 million albums since they squinted and heart tapped their way onto the U.S. pop charts with 1996’s uniquely titled “Backstreet Boys,” and while many of us would have cashed in this winning lottery ticket and retired, the boys don’t want it that way. Tell me, why?
“When we started this venture 15 years ago it was always about a career in the music industry…” AJ emphasized, “We’re all competitive, we want to be successful, we want to continue to be successful, and we’re blessed to still be doin what we’re doin.”
Backstreet may be the only boy band from late 90’s still making albums and touring together, but they’ve been kind enough to open their arms to a former member of a perceived ex rival to help collaborate on the new album. JC Chasez, former Nsync-er and guardian of Justin Timberlake’s shadow was invited to contribute musically and lyrically on “Unbreakable.” For most fans, this might have the feel of Manny Ramirez pinch hitting for the Yankees in the playoffs, but AJ swears that any supposed rivalry between the bands was created by the media, and that they thoroughly enjoyed working with JC on the album.
“Working with JC was a cool process. He understands harmonies, melodies, and the ‘complex simplicity of what we do.’ He’s a talented artist and musician and we’d love to work with him again.”
Over the course of the two hours with the boys, one major point was consistently touched upon more than any other: They love each other. Not in the way that Lou Pearlman loves them (hide the kids!), but they credit their longevity to a mutual love and respect for each other and the music they’re loosely involved in creating. Brian highlighted early on, “We genuinely care for one another and we genuinely care for the success of the group…” and I genuinely believe them, but it’s important to know that the group is not the group we’ve known through the years. AJ, Nick, Howie, and Brian now have 1/5 extra love to give to each other because Kevin Richardson, best known for being the size XL white jumpsuit of the group, is off “pursuing other interests.”
One would imagine that Kev will soon be shown the meaning of being lonely, not to mention the far worse meaning of being millions of dollars poorer than your best friends, but the remaining 4 members made it clear that the decision was Kevin’s and they support him 100 percent. “He had a change in his life with his wife just having a baby and wanting to be there for them in these early years…we totally gave him our blessing and he gave us his blessing to keep moving forward.”
When thecheappop asked the one important question of the day, the boys showed that their love for an ex member, like a great mustache, never truly fades away:
TCP: You guys have grown pretty sweet facial hair through the years, who do you think has the best mustache in music?
Nick: Best mustache? AJ
AJ: Oooh, um, I do?
Brian: No, you know who has the best mustache in music? Kevin. Because even when he shaves it off it’s still grey
Nick: It’s there, it will never leave him
Brian: [laughs] Never leaves him
AJ: The best mustache ever in music, unfortunately he’s no longer with us, but I think he really has the best mustache… that would have to be Freddie Mercury. Yea [laughs] he had a big ol’ mustache, good lord.
If I had the opportunity for a follow up question it would have been directed at Nick:
TCP: Nick, having dated and slept with Paris Hilton, could you think of anything else that is always there and never goes away no matter what you do?
But there was no follow up question to be had.
A lot gets said about The Backstreet Boys and boy bands in general because they’re easy to hate. They come out with lyrics like “I don’t care who you are, where you’re from, what you did, as long as you love me,” opening themselves up to literally every girl in the world and subsequently screwing over every teenage boy in the world. C’mon guys, isn’t the whole point of being young, rich and famous… gaining the ability to narrow it down a little more than that?
“My name is Rebecca, I’m from North Dakota, and I deny the Holocaust… but I love you”
“Ok, good enough for us. Backstreet gang bang time.”
However, I don’t just speak for myself in saying that the Backstreet Boys have come out with some undeniably catchy songs over the last decade.
They’re the types of songs that you publicly scorn but privately cherish. “Unbreakable,” which hits stores Oct. 30 is very reminiscent of their older work and is likely produce a couple of songs that will dominate the radio waves for months. If you liked the Backstreet Boys when they were kings you will like them now, and if you didn’t, I think you’re lying.
October 8th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Mad funny yo
October 9th, 2007 at 3:11 am
haha! Nice article; backstreet gang bang time made me lol.
October 9th, 2007 at 4:38 am
Hahahahah..I love it Great Ariticle of the boys..but that ND part was funny…since it is the state above the state I live in hahaha..sometimes I dont think BSB knows where SD is hahah Just Joking..and I think everyone is lieing too when they say they dont like the backstreet boys.
October 9th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
ya you know.i am a male fan of the backstreet boys.so i thanks for you.
October 10th, 2007 at 3:16 am
great article! we need more honest writers like this!!!!!!!!
October 11th, 2007 at 11:13 am
yeah yeah yeah,Backstreet’s Back.
October 11th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Very well written and hilarious!!! Mike is a writing genius! keep up the good work bro!
BSB 4 Lif3