Exclusive Interview - Smash Hits
Source: Smash Hits Australia - February 2001
You're heroes to alot of pop stars. Do you think people try to imitate your sound?
Kevin: We created a sound with Max Martin and Denniz Pop (who also works with Britney, 5ive and a host of others) in 1995.
Brian: 1994!
Kevin: Yeah, and now everyone is going with it. So we just have to move on, keep challenging ourselves and making it new, fresh and creative.
Do you feel that *Nsync are copying you?
Kevin: It's frustrating for us because our management company created them after we became successful. We don't have anything against the guys - they're pursing their dream just like anybody else.
Brian: And now we share the same label which is another frustrating thing because we've done everything from day one to separate ourselves from somebody growing up right out of our backyard (Orlando, Florida). We have broken alot of doors down in the eight years we've been together and I never thought we would cause such a stir and a revolution of pop music. I think the public is on the iffy side thinking, "Not another boyband, enough is enough".
Some people, including Madonna, are critical of all the boybands that are around now...
Kevin: When we started in '94 in Europe, the groups we looked up to were vocal groups like Boyz II Men, New Edition and Jodeci. There was never a white vocal group who was popular and had been successful. New Kids On The Block had some success but because they lip synched, there was a backlash - people thought we were like them. Well we're a vocal group, we're a singing group, and all of us sing acappella. It wasn't contrived and put together. It was destiny. Me and Brian are cousins, we used to sing together since we were little kids. And the other three were friends. We didn't realise there were all those 'boybands' as they call them in Europe.
Brian: (flicking through Smash Hits) Don't you (looking at us) think there's alot more now then there ever has been? There are all these groups I've never seen before.
So have you heard of A1?
Kevin: What? A1 Steak Sauce?
What about Westlife?
All: Yes.
Kevin: They have a really good song ('Swear It Again'). I think Ronan manages them.
Westlife reckon Nick and Howie are the laydeez men of the band. Is that true?
All: (hysterically laughing)
Howie: Unbelievable! (starts whispering to Nick behind his copy of Smash Hits)
Brian: (laughing) That is a fair, fair judgement.
Howie: Err well we definitely love women. We're both single. And we're enjoying life.
Nick: We love ladies and I'm looking at alot of beautiful ladies at this moment. (flicking through Smash Hits)
AJ: I wanna meet All Saints. They got that brand new album out. It's about time because their last one was great. My girlfriend played the hell out of it and I'm sick of hearing it!
Nick: (suddenly piping up) Are there any single women in Australia?
AJ: (sarcastically) No, they're all taken, Nick.
Kevin wins all the Mr. Sexy awards in America, but who's the most popular in other countries?
AJ: It depends on the fans. Howie's got a bigger following than the rest of us in the Latin countries and alot of the soul sisters maybe might like me more. And just about everyone like this little crap-poop-head over there (pointing at Nick) 'cos he's the young one with the all-American look. Now Brian and Kevin are married, so no one likes them anymore. I'm just kidding!
What's the most insane thing a fan's done to get close to you?
AJ: For me, it always goes back to the Brazilian people...
Nick: I don't know, man. What about Argentina? They like to tip over buses.
AJ: This girl was banging on the window of our van so hard she cracked the glass right by Kevin's face. And Kevin just touched it and it busted and fell all on his lap. We looked around and there were five girls chasing us on one moped. It gets dangerous and we don't want any fans to get hurt. And we don't want to get hurt!
Do you get recognised everywhere you go at home?
AJ: It's pretty bad and they always travel in packs. If one of them sees you and you run, or you flip out or anything - you're done. Your shopping time is done. It's so funny though 'cos I've gone to Disney World during the day on Friday during the Christmas vacation and not been bothered. But I go to the mall at 3pm in the afternoon or 9pm at night and I get bugged. It doesn't make sense.
Do you ever annoy each other?
Howie: Oh yes!
AJ: Sometimes Nicky and Kevin have their moments. Nick's the worst with Howie. He annoys him and Howie tries to like remain calm and adult-like. But when it gets to the 30th time, you're gonna retaliate. You can't put those two together. But Howie always wins though 'cos Nick just goes "Ahhh Howard!"
Nick: ( in a squeaky voice ) Ahhh Howieeeeee Howard.
Do you object to being called Howard then?
Howie: As I'm getting older, I'm more of a Howard!
Nick: I don't like being called Nicky as I get older.
Howie: When I was younger I had a manager who thought Howard Dorough sounded very old. I had a stage name actually at one time, which was like Tony Dinetti. But then I'm still stuck with this whole Howard thing. Also, Take That had a Howard and I decided why not just be Howie? Howie D. But as I'm getting older and breaking into the acting, everything is going by Howard Dorough.
Is being number one still important to you?
Kevin: We still wanna be successful. We've spent several months on 'Black & Blue'. We're the worst critics of our own material and we have to be happy with it before we can share it with the world. We want to show people we haven't gone anywhere. We've been working on stuff for them!
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