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MTVixen: Welcome to MTV Chat for this chat with the Backstreet Boys! Backstreet Boys did their time, 4 long years of reading' written' and rhythm during their stint at Orlando's High School where students A.J McLean, Howie Dorough and even younger junior high student Nick Carter found each other at local acting auditions. Inspired by groups Boyz II Men and Color Me Badd, the boys formed a singing group and added two more for good measure, Kevin Richardson and his cousin Brian Littrell. Four years later Backstreet Boys are top of the charts with their self-titled album, and kicking off a tour of the US. You will have the chance to cut in with each of them during this chat. Welcome, Howie and Kevin! The other members, A.J and Nick will be here in a sec.

MTVRock: SPOILED97 asks: WHATS THEIR NEXT CD/CASSETTE GOING TO BE LIKE ??

Kevin: If you wondering about the new album... We're currently writing and on the 4th we go to Stockholm, Sweden... to record some tracks with Dennis Pop and Max Martin.

MTVRock: DazLover asks: Question: Do you ever wish that you hadn't gotten into the music biz? Kevin: Music will always be a part of my life.

MTVRock: BabybeanE asks: are you going to put "if you stay" on an any album?

Howie: It was on the "Booty Call" soundtrack it might be a "b" side to an upcoming single

MTVRock: Buzzbin31 asks: Do you ever get wary of all the attention?

Kevin: Sometimes you would like to go unnoticed. But overall, we're all pretty much hams and we love the attention.

MTVixen: Yidda100 asks: Are you planning to release "Everybody" here in the US? Great track!!! Love the remixes as well

Howie: It might be a bonus track on the upcoming single or on the next album

Kevin: We would like you and everybody you can muster up to voice your opinion... to radio stations...and possibly...our record company... because we're contemplating releasing it in the States...and on the next reprint of the album adding the track.

MTVRock: BeatleKrz asks: How did you come up with the name Backstreet Boys?

Kevin: Backstreet Boys comes from the Backstreet Market in Orlando, Florida... it's like a flea market when it's not a flea market it's a big parking lot... where people hang out. But now they've built a new building on the lot. So it no longer exists. Nick has entered the building!!! AJ is in the house.

MTVRock: Mandi6308 asks: do you have girlfriends?

A.J: no, but we do date

Nick: Um...no but we date.

Kevin: no serious relationship right now...

MTVixen: N10818 asks: (about computing) Do you guys do this often?

Kevin: not often enough.

Howie & A.J: Not as often as we'd like to

Nick: I love to play video games...so I do it alot online.

MTVRock: ENTGATR asks: what are your ages?

Howie: 24,

Nick: 17

A.J: 19

Kevin: 26 tomorrow actually, (Brian) 22, but he's not here.

MTVixen: MOONWLK18 asks: When is the video for "I'll Never Break Your Heart" coming out in the US??? I love that song!

Kevin: That won't come out until we release it as a single. (Nick) Ditto

MTVRock: Vambuffy asks: Kevin, how does it feel to be best friends and not get on each other's nerves

Kevin: We get on each other's nerves all the time... that's what makes people closer.

Howie: He ain't lying

MTVixen: KrazySpic asks: What's gonna be your guys' the next US TV. appearance

Howie: The today show--this Saturday, 10/4

MTVixen: LKT17 asks: what is your favorite sports?

Kevin: Football and basketball

A.J: Billiards

Nick: Baseball and Football

Howie: Water skiing

Nick: and Basketball

MTVRock: ILuvNick8 asks: omigosh! i can't believe i am sending a message to the hottest looking guys in the world. i just have one question: has being famous musicians changed any of you in any way?

Kevin: First of all thanks for the complement...

Howie: omigosh, I can't believe we're responding back to the hottest on-line guest

Kevin: Travelling all around the world has changed our general outlook... on the world.

MTVixen: AnimlRite asks: what is your reaction when girls run up to you and do all the stuff they do??

Nick: what are you talking about?

A.J: I'm flattered and what guy wouldn't want a bunch of guys screaming at him?

Howie: Mistake by the typist---what guys wouldn't want a bunch of "girls" screaming at him.

MTVRock: TakAJa asks: What influences the lyrics you guys write?

Kevin: Anything...something that happens to you during the day...a girl you might meet...

Howie: Experiences in our past

Kevin: something a friend might say...problems you're going through.

A.J: Personal Experiences on a day-to-day basis

Nick: Yep.

MTVRock: Mickey840 asks: When was the first time you guys all met up with each other?

Kevin: May of 1993

A.J: We all met first time May of 1993

Howie: Nick, A.J and myself meet and then Kevin and Brian came along later

MTVixen: Poetr5179 asks do u all like doing photo shoots?

Howie: Yeah, they can be fun

Kevin: At first I loved it...now sometimes it gets monotonous...but, it's fun when we do creative stuff..

MTVRock: Angie 020 asks: First of all, you guys are really hot (especially Nick), anyway, what do you look for in a girl?

Nick: Basically somebody who can put up with our crazy schedule.

Howie: I look for someone with a great personality and a lot of self-confidence

Kevin: Obviously she'd have to be someone I was attracted to... But not only physically, but personality, sense of humor, intelligence...

A.J: Spontaneous, outgoing, good personality, ----I love long nails

MTVRock: AGATE4T asks: Backstreet Boys--What singers influenced you the most? Keep up the good work.

Nick: A singer from a group called "Journey" Steve Perry...also KC-I and JoJo

A.J: Groups like the Temptations, New Edition especially, Boyz to Men, and A.J: and other vocal harmony groups

Kevin: Prince...Elton John...Sting...Vocal groups likes Boys II Men...New Edition... The Temptations.

Howie: John Secada, Philip Bailey, and Bobby Brown

MTVixen: SKoop7628 asks: do u guys have any animals or rodents

Kevin: Nope. I wouldn't be able to take care of them, becoz I'm never home.

A.J: I have two dogs, a daschund at my parents and at mine, I have a cross between

Nick: I have two cats...three dogs...and some fish.

A.J: a boxer and rhodesian ridgeback and her name is delilah!

Nick: German sheppard and his name is "Sampson"...

Howie: My sister has a Pekenise and Hymalian cat.

Nick: Small Schnauzer named "Pepper"... also a Golden Lab named "Simba" also I made a mistake...I have one more cat...their names are "Bandit", "Sugar"... and "Rocky."

MTVixen: Who knew there was so much fur-lovin' in this group!

MTVRock: VickiPosh asks: What is your most unusual habit?

A.J: I pick the skin off my fingers

Nick: A.J likes to tell tall tales...

Howie: I don't have any bad habits.

A.J: He sleeps anywhere, anytime of the day

Kevin: When I concentrate, like when I'm reading...or playing keyboard... I sometimes chew my tongue....

MTVRock: Luvbush29 asks a question about NYC...: So, what your favorite thing about being back in NY??

Howie: the dirty water hot dogs and NY pizza.

A.J: NY women!!!!

Nick: the weather. (Kevin) the energy of the city. The clubs.

MTVixen: Coolio132 asks: did you ever work with puff daddy???

Kevin: no but I've met him.

A.J: No, but we would like to

Nick: Me and Puff go way back.

Howie: I meet him along with Kevin

A.J: Yeah Nick, Puff the Magic Dragon

MTVRock: Tabbyr asks: how did u get ure Nicknames?

Howie: The guys call me Sweet "D" because they say they have a big heart

Nick: Awww, that's so sweet Howie.

A.J: The guys call me bone because I'm skinny and I wear a lot of jewelry

Kevin: Brian got his name "B-Rok" because Rok is another name for basketball, and he's a basketball fanatic.

Howie: It was tribal vodoo bones that A.J wore.

A.J: and our security guard started calling me that

MTVRock: Alea99 asks: what is the funniest thing that has happened to you on tour?

Howie: I fell off stage one time

Nick: A.J got caught up in Obie who is our percussionist player.

A.J: I brought our precussion section down, the whole thing crashed on stage

Nick: A.J got his shirt caught up in our percussionist player cymbals. and knocked the whole set over during a show. In Hamburg at a show...the airport made our mics malfunction. at the time...it sucked, but now it's kinda funny.

MTVixen: Babygir96 asks: What do you guys think about before you go on stage?

Kevin: Putting on a good show.

Howie: About being prepared. Making sure that we have our mics and all of our clothes on us

Nick I get excited, nervous, lots of adrenaline... I think about what I ate.

A.J: Making sure my zipper is up and my shoes are tied

MTVRock: Girltalk7 asks: How long do you plan to keep singing?

Howie: As Long as you love me

Kevin: Awww, Howie how sweet.

AJ: How creative

Nick: until we can do a cane routine.

MTVixen: Boombastc asks: WHat really irritates you guys?

Kevin: Racism...

Nick: Liars...

A.J: People that are pushy, and disrespectful people..

Kevin: when you're eating and people leave one cookie or chip in the bowl.

Howie: When people call me A.J.

Howie: People who are selfish irritate me, people who think about themselves

MTVRock: MegaCutie asks: If you could do something else other than sing, what would you do?

Howie: Be an actor

Nick: Howie stop lying.

A.J: I would be a dancer with circus monkeys.

Howie: I'm not lying Nick

Nick: I would be the monkey's trainer.

Kevin: Music will always be a part of my life...but, I would probably pursue film and tv.

MTVixen: SnapPop94 asks: Ok, here is one, what is the weirdest date you've ever been on???

Kevin: They've all be pretty weird.

A.J: I went to a country line dancing bar,

Howie: I took a date to see Ms. Saigon in Germany and I didn't understand anything

Nick: WHAT. I didn't know about that.

Howie: Nick, there's a lot you don't know

MTVRock: AXE FAN 1 asks: Saw you in NYC Tues. after driving from VA... AJ, I noticed at the van the fearful look in your eyes when the girls kinda rushed the van... What goes through your mind when that happens after that whole ordeal in Montreal?

A.J: I don't like riding in vans

Howie: I hate liars

Nick: I agree with Howie.

A.J: They can't feel my pain

Kevin: It's gettin' deep in here.

MTVOnstage: TessaLea asks: Did you all think about producing yourselves ever Kevin: Yes. We co-produced most of our stuff on the new album as far as vocals go.

Kevin: Brian wrote a song called "That's What She Said"... on the new album.

Nick: But of course, I wrote everything...

Kevin: Yeah, in your dreams.

MTVRock: QTLIKEME1 asks: what is your favorite celebrity that you have met?

Howie: John Secada and bow-legged lou from Full force

Kevin: it's hard to pick just one. SOme of my favorites...Boyz II Men, Sting...

A.J: Maxwell, No Mercy, and Chicago, and As Yet

Nick: Howie, what about David Hassellhoff....Ha! That's Howie's favorite...

Howie: Uh, Uh, Uh, Uh, I don't think so.

MTVixen: ManicGrrl asks: whos your fav celebrity youd like to date Nick?

Nick: Christina Ricci...Robyn...

Howie & A.J: we thought you always liked Barney

Nick: You're not funny.

MTVixen: We are all outta time, we certainly got to know AJ, Nick, Kevin and Howie of Backstreet Boys tonight! Be sure to check out their concerts and CD (self-titled) Thanks to the Backstreet Boys for joining us here in MTV Chat.

MTVRock: Thanks so much guys!

Nick: We'll be back.....

MTVixen: We'd love to have you here again!

Howie & A.J: Thanks for all your support, hope you enjoyed this, we can't wait to see you.

Kevin: Thanks for all your continued support. Hope you enjoy the album. Peace and Love. It's been real! I'm out.

MTVixen: Goodnight.

On a recent flight, a woman seated next to the Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter and Howie Dorough asked who they were. Without missing a beat, Howie answered, "We're in a church choir group." Keeping totally straight faces, Nick and Howie told her they were former juvenile delinquents who once saw some kids fighting on a "Backstreet". Instead if joining the brawl, they started singing, and would ya believe, it stopped the fight? They told her it was an omen, so now they travel the world singing as the Backstreet Boys. Hey it's not often these guys aren't recognized, so can you blame 'em for having a little fun? And that's just what they deserve now that the band has written, produced, and delivered album number two: Millennium. Teen spent some rare downtime with A.J McLean, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson, Nick and Howie and got to hear some major personal dish.

Brian

As his tiny chihuahua, Little Tyke, sits on his lap, 24-year-old Brian admits he sometimes uses the dog as a diversionary tatic. "I'll have someone hold him up and be like, 'Look, everybody. Look at the cute puppy!' Then I can slip by fans unnoticed." Hmmm...chihuahua or Brian? Don't think we'd be fooled.

ARE YOU GUYS COMPETITIVE?

-We have our little pow-wows and our ins and outs, but we all have the same goals and we have our plan in progress--a new album, the whole thing all over. Here we go again!

WHO HAS THE BEST BODY NAKED?

-Oh my gosh, you just stumped me. That's a first-time question, so...

OK, WHO'S GOT THE WORST BODY?

-I'd rather keep my peace.

WELL, WHO'S GOT THE MOST HAIR ON HIS BACK?

-Probably Howie.

DO YOU LIVE OUT HERE MOST OF THE TIME?

-My girlfriend has an apartment out here. But I live in Orlando, so we're both East and West Coast.

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR GIRLFRIEND'S NOT JUST WITH YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE A BACKSTREET BOY?

-You have to be very careful, Being in this business, you get a lot of friends and family members that you never knew you had and people trying to get in touch with you. You have to have a thicker guard.

ARE YOU GOOD MONEYWISE?

-I try to be. A lot of people really flip out when they come into a lot of money and lots of people look at us as being multimillionaires. Let me tell you, it's not like that. I have $20 in my wallet.

BECAUSE?

-Because my girlfriend's got the rest of it!

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR DOWNTIME?

-Try to remain as normal as possible. I watch a lot of Sports Center and play a lot of

basketball, tennis, golf.

REALLY? ARE YOU A 100% OK AS FAR AS ALL THE HEART STUFF?

-Yeah, I just went for a check-up, and everything's good.

Howie

True to his image, Sweet D walks in smiling. No wonder the 25-year-old been labeled BSB's "friendliest member." He spent most of his time with us coordinating that night's plans--so now we call him BSB's social master.

DOES YOUR HIGH-PROFILE VISIBILITY EVER GET UNCOMFORTABLE?

-It sometimes gets awkward. But I try to keep a normal life. I still go to the grocery store. I go to the malls. It's very flattering when people come up and ask me for an autograph.

HAS HAVING MORE MONEY CHANGED YOUR LIFESTYLE? ANY BIG SPLURGES?

-I grew up in a middle-class family, and nothing was ever just given to me. I always had to work for it. I always said if I ever made any money, I wanted to take care of my family. So I fixed up my parents' house. We refinished the floor and put in central air and heat and fixed some landscaping.

YOU'RE STILL LIVING AT HOME, HUH? WHY?

-I come from a large family of five kids, and I'm the baby. We're all really tight. I used to have an apartment with Kevin and Brian, but I always ended up at my parent's house anyway.

DO YOU HANG AROUND IN YOUR UNDERPANTS WATCHING TV?

-Not in my underpants! Boxers. But never underpants. I've got a lot of sisters, so I don't want them seeing too much!

DOES YOUR ROOM STILL LOOK LIKE IT DID WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP?

-The only thing I changed is the bed. I used to have one of those captain's beds that pulled out from the bottom when you had your friends sleep over. The bed was really high and had this circular mirror and bells like in a captain's room. It kept me down to reality. I finally got a bigger bed, though.

DO YOU LIKE PERFORMING OR DO YOU GET NERVOUS?

-I love performing. That's where I'm most comfortable. I'm usually a little bit nervous right before I go on or especially if I make a mistake at the beginning of the show.

REALLY? YOU GUYS MESS UP ONSTAGE?

-Yeah, and whoever messed up usually has a giggle on his face.

DO YOU GUYS EVER FIGHT?

-We've has a few scraps here and there over just silly, stupid things.

WHO'S GOT THE SHORTEST TEMPER?

-Probably Nick. Just because he's the youngest of the group and everybody's always kind of picking on him. Now he's getting bigger...

Nick

He's 19 now, but Nick wears his youngest-in-the-group badge with pride. And this 6'1" reformed prankster certainly doesn't lack an ounce of confidence. "Remember, when you're dressing me, you're dressing Shaq!" he told our wardrobe stylist.

WAS THE AGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU AND THE OTHER GUYS EVER A BIG DEAL?

-When we first started I was like 13, so there was a big difference between me and the next youngest, A.J, who was 16. But I've learned a lot over the years--how to communicate, how to be respectful and how not to be a pest, which I was when I was younger.

SO YOU WERE ANNOYING ON PURPOSE?

-Yeah, I like to get a laugh out of things. I was a prankster back then.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF NOW?

-I'm a very quiet person. I consider myself a modern-day hermit. I don't like to party. I'm happy if I'm in my hotel room just chillin'.

SO WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE OFF?

-I play video games and sports with my friends. I got to the movies and drive around in my car.

DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN PLACE? Y

-Yeah, I'm a real big fan of the beach and the ocean, so my place has just about everything to do with the ocean. It's on a small canal, so I'm thinking about getting a boat.

DO YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND?

-I'm seeing somebody.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SEEING HER?

-That's classified. That's kind of the secret part of my life, you know?

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GIRL?

-You don't really know until you meet the person. She could be tall, or small...

SO YOU DON'T DATE JUST GORGEOUS GIRLS?

-When I was in school I wasn't very attractive to girls in school. But I remember a girl who I dated who was sweet and really kind. I've dated girls who might now have been that attractive, but they were just as kind and as sweet-hearted as anybody.

A.J

If there's a hot trend of the moment, all eyes are on the multi-tattooed, pierced, wild-haired and extensioned AJ. the 21-year-old hipster rebel considers his body his canvas, and we gotta admit we like art.

WHY THE PINK HAIR?

-The guys actually said, "Why don't you dye you hair pink?" I was shocked. These guys are used to it now, and it kind of ticks me off that nothing shocks them anymore. Like, if I dye my hair blue, they're all, "Man, that looks cool."

HAVE YOU EVER MADE A MAKEOVER MISTAKE?

-I had my hair put in braids, and I pulled it back into a ponytail. When I saw it, the first thing I said to myself was, "What was I thinking?" I ended up taking them all out. I sat on my butt for eight hours getting those things tied in my head and it didn't even pay off! I looked absolutely stupid.

DO YOU GET AGGRAVATION FOR YOUR TATTOOS?

-I don't care. I'm the complete opposite of every clean-cut, decent-looking guy you could thing of, yet I have the biggest heart in the world. I got my first tattoo two years ago, and I haven't been able to stop. I've got 10 of them right now. I'm going to get one tomorrow on my stomach. It'll be a 69, my lucky number.

ARE YOU DATING SOMEONE?

-I just broke up with my girlfriend of five years, but I've been with my new girlfriend now for almost nine months.

WON'T SOME OF YOUR FANS BE BUMMED TO KNOW YOU'VE GOT A GIRLFRIEND?

-When the group first started, we weren't supposed to have girlfriends, or if we did, we were supposed to say that we didn't. But now it's gotten to the point where the fans accept us for who we are and realize, "OK, these are five good-looking guys. They have to have normal lives. Unless they're all gay"--which we're not--"they have to have girlfriends."

WHAT GROSSES YOU OUT?

-I've never blown my nose. My mom probably did it when I was a baby, but I can't do it. I can stand to see blood and puke, but when it comes to anything mucus-oriented or phlegm or soemone spitting, I gag.

Kevin

BSB's oldest member, Kevin is always focused and ready to work. "C'mon, let's go," the 27-year-old says in an effort to round up the rest of the guys. "So is Kevin the ringleader?" someone asks. "HE wants to be!" Brian shoots back.

AS THE OLDEST IN THE GROUP, DO YOU ACT BIG BROTHERISH TO THE REST OF THE GUYS?

-It just happens, yeah. It's like my big brothers growing up. They were always on me about things, but I knew that they loved me and cared about me. These guys are like family. We've been together for six years, and we've gone through a lot together. It sounds kind of corny, but we fight like brothers and we love each other like brothers. We've neverhad fist fights, though.

ANYBODY EVER THREATEN TO LEAVE THE GROUP?

-No, it's never come to that, luckily.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU LOST YOUR HAIR?

-I'd probably go ahead and shave it. That'd be cool. I'd probably look pretty freaky with these big ol' eyebrows.

IF YOUR MANAGER SAID," WHAT'S WITH THE EYEBROWS? WE GOTTA CHANGE THEM, "WOULD YOU?"

-I wouldn't let anybody touch my eyebrows because I don't want to look like a made-up girl or whatever. They're big ol' Groucho Marx brows. I think you just have to be happy with what God gives you.

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?

-I hang out with my best friend, who's a rap artist. I co-produced some stuff with him. I mostly do normal things like go skiing, go to the beach, surf, write music.

DO YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND?

-I'm dating someone right now. I've known her for seven years and she really means a lot to me, so we'll see what happens.

I KNOW YOU WENT THROUGH A TOUGH TIME LOSING YOUR DAD.

-I was 19 years old when he passed away. I was 21 when I met the fellas.

DID IT SAVE YOU?

-It motivated me. When my father got sick I moved home to Kentucky. After he passed a way, I lived there for almost a year, and then I was like, "I can't stand this anymore." Life is too short. I just followed my heart, and it brought me back to Orlando.

DO YOU DREAM ABOUT GOING TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL REUNION AND SAYING, "CHECK ME OUT!"?

-My reunion is coming up. I'm from a really small town in Kentucky. There were only about 100 people in my graduating in class. Everybody is really happy for me.

ARE THEY GONNA MAKE YOU GET UP AND PERFORM?

-Nah, I'm just going to go and hang out and catch up.

CAN YOU BE DOING THIS IN SIX YEARS WITH THESE GUYS OR IS THERE NO WAY?

-That seems to be the big thing with the press. Now that we've gotten kinda successful, they're like, "Ah, they'll be gone in a year" or "They won't last." But I feel like as long as we keep making hit records and nobody gets thrown in jail or goes crazy, we can make records as long as we want.

Superstars: Okay guys, fill in the blank. The worst date I ever went on was when...

Nick: ...I was sitting with this girl and a boy wanted to fight me. I didn't want to fight.

Brian: ...I was about to kiss her, I leaned over and fell right out of the chair I was sitting in!

Howie: ...I tried being funny, but everything I said came out being stupid.

A.J.: ...I went to the movies with this girl, and just as we were about to kiss, I saw my mom and grandfather were in the seats behind us!

Kevin: ...I went to a concert and my date left with someone else.

Superstars: How much time do you give a romantic relationship to work?

Nick: ...Long, long, long time!

Brian & Howie: ...As much time as needed.

A.J.: ...as much time as needed to make it special, wonderful, fun and keep it interesting and romantic!

Kevin: ...It really depends on the person and the situation at hand.

Nick: ...No.

Brian: ...No, I've been hurt, but not completely broken.

Howie: ...Yes, but I just got stronger and it was a learning experience.

A.J. & Kevin: ...Yes!

Superstars: What are your best dating tips?

Nick & Kevin: ...Just be yourself!

Brian: ...Always be yourself and don't put on a front.

Howie: ...Have fun and enjoy each other's company.

A.J.: ...Always allow the girl to make her own decisions, don't think for her...have fun, discuss your date before hand and just be yourself.

Superstars: I'd stay home if I thought I could...

Nick: ...Be a pro-football player

Brian: ...Sleep all day.

Howie: ...Not be bored.

A.J.: ...Draw, sleep or hang all day with the boys!

Kevin: ...Shoot hoops or write music.

Superstars: I hope I never have to...

Nick: ...Eat caviar!

Brian: ...Be bedridden in a hospital. [Ed's. note: Brian was very ill as a child.]

Howie: ...Stop entertaining!

A.J.: ...Learn new harmonies, dance moves, and things having to do with the performance at the last minute.

Kevin: ...Stop playing music!

Superstars: You would never believe it if you saw me...

Nick: ...Decked in my scuba gear and diving!

Brian: ...On time for a rehearsal!

A.J.: ...Wear dreadlocks.

Howie: ...Wearing boys clothes! I can still fit into boys clothes!

Kevin: ...Nervous before a performance! I always get nervous!

Superstars: My all-time biggest-ever food binge happened when...

Nick: ...My parents weren't around and I could eat all I wanted one night. I cleaned out the fridge!

Brian: ...On my 18th birthday.

Kevin: ...I was at a family party.

Howie: ...On my 18th birthday-at a Chinese restaurant all-u-can eat!

A.J.: ...I was sick and couldn't eat for a week. When I was better, I ate everything!

Superstars: If I was on a desert island, I'd want these three things...

Nick: ...My regulator, my scuba tank, food.

Brian: ...Food, music and a special girl.

Howie & A.J.: ...Food, clothes and someone to spend time with.

Kevin: ...Food, water and someone to share it with.

Superstars: Why is your best friend "best"?

Nick: ...Because he cares about me.

Brian: ...Because he is just like me and I've know him since I was about four.

Howie: ...Because even if we haven't seen or talked to each other for a day, we still know the other one hasn't forgotten and still cares.

A.J.: ...Because we were born in the same hospital and grew up together.

Kevin: ...Because they are themselves!

Superstars: How did you know he or she would be a best friend?

Nick: ...Because he calls. If he sees me in a commercial, he'll

call me and be all excited! We've been friends a long time!

Brian: ...Because we became just like brothers right when I met him.

Kevin: ...Because they were sincere.

Howie: ...It was something inside.

A.J.: ...We were exactly alike.

Superstars: Have you ever written a poem?

Nick & Kevin: ...Yes!

Brian: ...I am very romantic, so if I were to write one, it would take a long time-I can't just think of one off the top of my head!

Howie: ...I've never been the poetic type.

A.J.: ...Yes, it would be something like this... The moon shines upon her enlightening eyes Like the moonlight on the ocean at dusk Her hair like waterfall, she is there for me Near or far my proud evening star

Superstars: Do you draw?

Nick: ...No.

Brian: ...No, I can't draw very well, my brother is the artist. He can draw anything.

Howie: ...I'm not good at drawing. My handwriting is not the hottest either!

A.J.: ...Yes!

Kevin: ...Yes!

Superstars: What's your favorite ice cream?

Nick: ...Chocolate-chip cookie dough.

Brian: ...Vanilla.

Kevin: ...Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter & Chocolate.

A.J.: ...Vanilla with caramel topping!

Howie: ...Oreo cookies and cream.

Superstars: What's the one thing you won't leave home without?

Brian: ...My cross, and the things I need to survive!

A.J.: ...My lucky chain or my necklace.

Kevin: ...Saying good-bye!

Howie: ...My nice clothes and necklaces.

Nick: ...My shoes?

Superstars: Where do you go for privacy?

Brian & Kevin: ...My room.

A.J.: ...My closet.

Howie: ...The lake.

Nick: ...The Islands off of Tampa Bay

Superstars: If you could try anything once, what would be?

A.J.: ...Bungee jumping or skydiving!

Brian: ...I'd like to race an Indy car!

Nick: ...Shark Diving!

Kevin: ...Sky diving!

Howie: ...I'd like to be a star!

Superstars: What do you hate to shop for?

Nick: ...Anything my mom likes.

Brian: ...Pants with my mom.

A.J.: ...Shoes.

Kevin: ...I don't know! I do love shopping for new clothes and CDs!

Howie: ...I hate to shop with my mom, because it takes so long-except when she goes shopping for me, then she can take as long as she wants!

Superstar: Finish this sentence: The dumbest thing I ever did was...

Brian: ...Let a spider bite get infected! I had to get stitches and use crutches!

Howie: ...Sing the wrong words to the National Anthem at a high school basketball game.

Kevin: ...I once forgot the words to a song during an audition.

A.J.: ...I went swimming with red underwear on under a white bathing suit!

Source: Spin Magazine, January '9

by Jonathan Bernstein, SPIN

January 1999

Pop domination suffered no let-up in 1998. Fresh faces achieved saturation success so fast they all but eclipsed one another. Just when we got used to thinking of Nick Carter as the meanest but most moistness-inducing Backstreet Boy, he's edged out by 'N Sync's younger, blonder, more amenable Justin Timberlake. Boasting more intricate choreography, fewer goofy members, and an almost heroically sappy ballad in "God Must Have Spent a Little More Time With You," 'N Sync started the year as Backstreet Kid Brothers and ended it by turning them into yesterday's men. "Kids have short attention spans," says Teen People's Lori Majewski. "Their sneakers are barely worn out before they're buying another pair; it's the same with bands." Now 'N Sync have to contend with the looming threat of 5 -- those Brit boys who sing about phone sex, sample Joan Jett, and don't give shoutouts to the Man Upstairs.

Girl-group activity was less widespread. The Spice Girls fell victim to a preemptive strike by U.S. radio and TV, who nonetheless laid out a cautious welcome mat for All Saints and Cleopatra. But teen divas were pop's big growth industry. Just behind Brandy and Monica were Aaliyah, with the year's most scintillating single, "Are You That Somebody?"; Mya; Fresh Prince graduate Tatyana Ali; and Missy protégée Nicole. By contrast, Usher had the field to himself. As for Australia's prime cultural exports, Natalie Imbruglia was a beneficiary of the Alanis vacuum (now filled), and the simpering Savage Garden maintained their homeland's consistency in producing an irritant every decade. Somewhere the ghost of Air Supply is at rest, content its bloodline continues. Will any of these tykes be around next year? After all, 1998 was the year we learned to ask the question, "Didn't you used to be Jimmy Ray?"

The scene: A lavishly catered summit of today's most discerning teens. The task: Explain the fine points of "N Sync, the Backstreet Boys, and Boyzone. Victoria DeSilverio

'N SYNCERS Christina Ambrose, 13 Kerry Dubuss, 14 Tiffany Orlando, 14 Tasha Moreno, 14 Jonas Silva, 14 Selena Hermkes, 14 Danielle Mokello, 14 Robert Dubuss, 12

BACKSTREET GIRLS Prima Donna La Rosa, 17 Mary Caputo, 17 Krystal Van Bever, 12 Trisha Shegryn, 13 Karissa Mollicone, 12 Noeile Natoli, 12 Kira Illa Hohefaard, 17

Torn Between Five Lovers Mary: Nooooooo! It's impossible to pick one favorite member! We can't! No way! Selena: You can't compare them. In some ways they're the same style, but in some ways they have different styles. Prima: It's just not right. Trisha: Can we at least pick two?

Why There Always Seems to Be "The Wacky One" Mary: It depends how the other members are. If one guy is really, really wacky, and all the rest are quiet, then of course you need that wacky guy. But if all the rest are just kinda wacky, you don't really need him. Selena: There's no pressure to have a wacky guy. It's just the way they express themselves naturally. Trisha: Like A.J. [Backstreet], he fits his wackiness. People say Chris ['N Sync] is biting off A.J. Kira: The wacky guy Shane [Boyzone] is an A.J. wannabe. Jonas: Only because the Backstreet Boys were out before. Mary: I mean A.J. didn't invent goggles, but he started the trend, like, in '95, and then everybody just sorta copied off him.

Hair Olympics: Nick Backstreet vs. Ronan Boyzone Mary: Nick has two different sides of hair. He has a mushroom cut, and then he has it gelled back. But it looks good with his face structure. Kira: Ronan's hair has no volume. He doesn't know how to style it. Selena: It's grungy. Mary: He can't afford a professional stylist. Prima: Yeah. At least the Backstreets can go to Frederick Fekkai. Trisha: I thought that it was messed up when Nick used to put gel in his hair. Why did he do that? Christina: The best is when it's all slicked back and there's this piece of dry hair that hangs down in front.

Aaron Carter, Nick's Ten-Year-Old Brother: Pros and Cons Noelle: Aaron's the bomb. He's so cute and nice! Jonas: The only reason he's so popular is because of his brother, Nick. Prima: You can't say that. He started on his own. How do you know that? You don't know anything like that. Jonas: I'm not saying he can't dance or sing. I'm just saying people wouldn't care about him if Nick Carter wasn't his brother. Kira: How do you know that? You don't know that. You just don't know that. Jonas: He wouldn't be opening up for the Backstreet Boys if--Kira: Don't make me come over there.

Boyzone Should Be Stopped at the Border Kerry: They look so old. Danielle: It's like they look 25. Christina: They're not going to make it far. Karissa: Too preppy. Krystal: They don't belong in our country.

Getting All Googly-Eyed Noelle: Goggles are so cool. Trisha: Especially when they put 'em on their thighs at the concert. Regular glasses are cool too. Only if they're nonprescription.

Tricks Are for Kids Tisha: I went to the Hanson concert--they are so bad! I tried to be all hyper, but I couldn't, because they were too busy playing instruments. Kerry: I don't get them either. Noelle: They're another group that kinda looks dirty. Krystal: I really don't understand why each brother should have the same exact hair.

Boy-Band Dilemma #7: Point Forward or Tap Heart? Krystal: Oh, I love it when they tap there heart--tap, tap, tap! Danielle: It makes people feel better about themselves when they do it. Jonas: I mean, it's not like when they point or tap their heart at a girl they are saying, "Hi, Amy, Georgina." It's like, they don't know you. Noelle: But even if they aren't pointing at you it seems like they are. Trisha: I know. Even though you think they're pointing at you, they still don't know you? And it's like, they might not be pointing at you. Tasha: It could be, like, the person behind you. Trisha: At the concert, I had this huge sign, and Nick--he was looking straight at it. And he kept looking at it. And it made me feel so special!

So, What's Up With the Chair Dance? Prima: Oh, the chair dance--that is the best. It's so cool. Kira: 'N Sync don't have a chair dance yet. They probably will soon. Jonas: They do, but theirs is so stupid. All they do is go up and down.

It's Not the Length, It's the Width Christina: Baggy pants are the best!!! Prima: No, tight--so we can see Nick's butt. Kira: Tight makes 'em look like they're fags. Tasha: It looks really good when they wear baggy pants with tight undershirts. Like when A.J. wears big black pants and a tight white tank top. Kira: Yeah, with the baggy pants, they hang off the hip, showing Tommy boxers.

Going Ape--Bad! Tasha: It's cool when they take off their shirts. Tiffany: It depends on what kind of body you have. Prima: Yeah. It has to be as hard as a rock. Selena: Sometimes people do it, and they don't have a nice body, and they try to show it off. And you're like, put your shirt on! Prima: A hairy chest is like--yuck!--it's like, stay away from me. That's where toupees come from. Danielle: So they wax. Kira: Nair. Trisha: I think they shouldn't take off their shirts all the time. Christina: I think they should do it all the time, every single day. Karissa: I think they should just walk out of the house with no shirt on.

Earring on the Side of Caution Selena: I like when a guy wears tow in each ear. Kira: Both ears looks good, but with all piercings, I think it depends on--Mary:--the person. A.J., it goes with him, because he's more funky. Jonas: Two earrings are okay. But my mom--she has a problem with it. She told me I couldn't get my left ear pierced because people think it means you're, you know, gay. Selena: It doesn't matter though. Mary: Like when you say someone looks gay, sometimes it means funny or stupid. That's our definition. Kira: Yeah, but gay has nothing to do with this. We're talking about boy groups.

Copyright © SPIN: new music and youth culture.

(YM Spring '99)

Source: YM Special--Spring 1999

YM Special--Spring 1999

Claim to fame: BSB's chart-busting self-titled album and the adoration of tons of girls.

A: We're writing a lot of the tunes, so we have input. [It's] a growing process for all of us.

A: It's weird to see groups similar to us. We try to do our own thing. As our single says, "We've Got It Goin-On."

A: We're a solid group. No one could be replaced or added. I'm sentimental like that.

A: I take a girl to the beach at night--when the moon is out and the water's calm. We'll stare at the stars, talking about everything.

A: Yeah, I've serenaded girls. I like singing old Boyz II Men tunes. Those songs are really romantic.

A: I once left roses on a girl's doorstep, but I haven't really fallen in love yet.

Source: SuperTeen (April 99 issue)

Aaron Carter has been one busy boy! First off, he united for a one-time special project with the Backstreet Boys, 'N Sync, The Moffats and hot European acts Touche, Gil, Squeezer, The Boyz, Mr. President, Scooter, Caught in the Act, Blumchen, and R 'N 'G - they call themselves the Bravo All Stars! - to record a single for charity! Their beautiful song "Let the music heal your soul", which soared into the Top 10 in Europe featured solos by Aaron, big bro Nick, Backstreet Boys' Brian and 'N Sync's Justin! Released last month in the U.S. proceeds from the single benefit the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation, which helps children recover from various disabilities by using music! This form of therapy was developed by the composer Paul Nordoff and therapist Clive Robbins over 35 years ago and has helped heal chidren all over the world.

The Bravo All Stars was a perfect opportunity for Aaron to help children all over the world - and allowed him a chance to work with Nick! Actually Aaron and Nick may have a single out really soon! Yup the guys recorded a song together and hoped to have it out for the holidays, but weren't sure if the circumstances would allow for a year end release. So if you're not hearing it on the radio now, count on it being released in '99! Aaron was also been named Grand Marshall of the "Character Counts" parade in Anderson, Indiana, a totally exciting even which promotes the idea of being the best you can be!

And what's more? Aaron tells us that a major television production company is helping him work on a pilot for a possible TV series! In fact, Aaron's moving out to L.A. in order to concentrate on the project! How cool is that?!?!?! Aaron Carter on television! Stay tuned for updates! (P.S. If your wondering about Nick....he just bought himself his own home in Florida, but mom, dad, and Aaron will have a room for him on the westcoast as well!)

What's next for the Backstreet Boys? Read all about it in D.A.'s Backstreet chat!

Why are the Backstreet Boys feeling so fine in '99? It might be the new album they're making-- after all, they're thinking about working with Puff Daddy and LeAnn Rimes! Or it may be the big tour plans that could bring them into an arena near you. Read on for more clues on what makes the Boys so special.

Super Start: A.J(21 on January 9) has been singing onstage since he was 6.

Did you know? He's a real joker who likes to make up wacky songs, just like Weird Al.

Deep secret: "I have a secret passion to someday own my own dance club," said A.J.

Super Start: Brian (24 on February 20) began singing in church as a kid.

Did you know? Brian and Kevin are cousins. "Brian used to come over, and we'd go fishing, swimming, and horseback riding," said Kevin. "Our family is very musical, so we'd always be singing."

Deep secret: "I love to go to wrestling events," admitted Brian.

Super start: Nick (19 on January 28) began his career in elementary school plays.

Did you know? He's the Boy most likely to compute. "On the bus, Nick is usually [in the back lounge] cranking on the video games," said Kevin.

Deep secret: "I broke my microphone once during a solo, and I had to put it back together to finish the song," said Nick.

Super start: Howie (25) started taking singing lessons when he was 8 years old.

Did you know? Howie's a bit of a klutz. "I fell down a flight of stairs through some fans at a radio station. My backpack was so heavy I couldn't get up," said Howie

Deep secret: Forget the cartoons-Howie likes to help his mom cook breakfast on Saturday mornings.

Super start: Kevin (27) acted and sang in plays and musicals throughout childhood.

Did you know? He was an MTV kid who loved Madonna and Michael Jackson. In fact, Kevin said he used to do a mean moonwalk.

Deep secret: The Backstreet Boys' oldest member likes spending time working in his garden.

Source: USA TODAY

Music acts looking for a spring break

By Edna Gundersen, USA TODAY

The Backstreet Boys will be back, challenged by 'N Sync and a host of new kids on the block. Nine Inch Nails could pull alternative rock out of its slump. And No Doubt will no doubt revitalize ska - pop. But can they make enough of a splash to regenerate the lucrative tidal wave of 1998?

The Backstreet Boys: Will their appeal last in 1999?

A year ago, the Titanic soundtrack was steaming into history books, selling upward of a half million copies a week. In its wake came fall's superabundance of superstar releases, which helped push the year's record sales tally to 9% over 1997's take.

While the music industry isn't as shipshape in 1999, the comparatively calm seas could bode well for newcomers, fringe acts and old-timers, not to mention returning stars. After dominating charts and radio last year, the Backstreet Boys plan to unleash a new album in April, with 'N Sync following in August. Given that fruit flies outlive the average boy vocal group, they could face serious competition from the upstart Moffatts, a Nashville-based teen quartet whose A New Beginning arrives in May.

As shortening attention spans curtail the shelf lives of many rising acts, a question mark hovers over Orange County, Calif.'s No Doubt, which conquered the mainstream with 1996's Tragic Kingdom (global sales: 14 million copies). The band has written more than 30 songs and enlisted producer Glen Ballard (who steered Alanis Morissette's twin hit albums) for a tentative summer release.

Last fall's surplus of divas leaves a pop void in 1999 that could reopen doors for rock bands. Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against The Machine and Bush are expected to power spring's uphill chart push, with reinforcements coming later in the year from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Korn, Pantera, AC/DC, Third Eye Blind and Def Leppard.

Women, who clobbered men commercially and artistically in 1998, will be less dominant in months to come, though the industry anticipates healthy profits from albums due later in the year by Barbra Streisand, Bjork, Fiona Apple, Joan Osborne, Mary J. Blige and Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott. Hopes are also pinned on ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell's solo debut.

What about right now? Anxious retailers are scanning the horizon for the next ship to come in. Pundits are keeping an ear to the ground for this century's Last Big Thing. And radio is cautiously sampling new sounds as fickle fans discard last week's models.

Backstreet Boys: Coming Home

Sat. 8 P.M.

The Orlando natives wrap up their tour with a rousing 1998 performance in their hometown.

The playlist is a mix of upbeat tunes and romantic ballads (some a capella), as well as five solos, including "That's What She Said"- a song Brian Littrell wrote for their next album. The quintet unleashes spirited dance numbers and takes over for the band on "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)." Other songs include "That's the Way I Like It," "All I Have To Give," "I'll Never Break Your Heart" and "As Long As You Love Me." The concert is capped with a fierce rendition of "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" as video is aired. Taped at the Orlando Arena.

This isn't the typical boys-make-good story. It's more a boys-are-ignored- in-the-States, boys-head-overseas-and-become-the-rage, boys-come-home story. Now, five years after they first got together, the Orlando, Fla.-based Backstreet Boys, ages 18-27, have conquered America. Singing such R&B-tinged pop songs as As Long as You Love Me, they were America's best-selling group of 1998, most popular among swooning teens and preteens.

Here, a backstage look at Backstreet life in the words of the Boys themselves - Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean.

"We hope to be old people onstage together, as old as the Rolling Stones," says Carter, 18. So, do the Stones look like grandparents to him? "Well, their drummer [Charlie Watts, 57] is looking up there."

The group hug: Before a show, the five-man hug "is like a sentimental moment," says McLean, 20. "It's like saying, 'Let's not take any of this for granted. We're blessed.' "

"David Cassidy said he had no control of merchandising," says Richardson. "We're trying to control our destiny. Enough with [Backstreet] pajamas, bedsheets, lunch boxes. It was out of hand, but we've now gained control legally."

What's the toughest part of being a Backstreet Boy? "When you're walking in the mall and they recognize you and scream," says McLean. "Then everyone comes and your whole shopping day" is ruined. Adds Carter: "Screaming is all right. But come say, 'Hi, we respect your music.' That's what we're all about: music."

Carter, an artist, hopes to publish a comic book soon. "It's a dark Batman-like story, a sci-fi type of thing, and all the Backstreet Boys are characters. I believe it'll open us up to male fans."

Frank Sinatra was a master at retaining his audience as they matured from bobby-soxers to senior citizens, says McLean. "He did everything right."

Being big in Europe first and nobodies in America "was humbling," says Richardson. Adds Carter: "Because we had to work for it here, it made the success sweeter."

"Our shows are for the whole family - younger sisters, older sisters, the cats, the dogs ..." says McLean. "We even had a dog chasing our bus. I said to Nick, 'Look, now we have animal fans! That's when you know you've made it.' "

I NEED TO SAY ANYTHING...

...yeah, I have to admit that: I STOLE THIS INFORMATION!!! (my gosh, the FBI will catch me!!!) so I would like say 'sorry' to the owner of that!!! Please if you are there, e-mail me if you want that not appear here!!!