TOTP Magazine Interview with Brian
Date: December 28, 2001
Source: TOTP Magazine / Backstreet.net
Street Talk!!
We haven't seen hide nor hair of the BACKSTREET BOYS for yonks, so TOTP thought it was about time to pin down BRIAN for some serious catching up.
TOTP: So, Brian, what's happening in the world of BSB right now?
BRIAN: We found out on the radio yesterday that our new single, Drowning, made it to No 1 in the US, which is great news. We've achieved a lot in our careers so far, but there's still plenty for us to do. We've never won a Grammy Award, for example - we've been nominated a few times, but never actually won one.
TOTP: Are any of you working on solo projects or are you still just concentrating on the group?
B: We all have individual projects that we're working on. The soundtrack to the movie Olive Juice, starring my wife, Leighanne Littrell, will be coming out soon on our own label. We're just trying to make the right steps and move forward.
TOTP: Do you still feel as fresh as a pop daisy?
B: I think our lives have changed dramatically over the past 8 or 9 years and I have a different outlook now. Pop is something I do for a living and something I enjoy, but other times I'm just a total homebody.
TOTP: Exactly how domesticated are you then?
B: Very. Just the other day I took out the trash to the cans outside!
TOTP: Rubbish! What's your favourite chore?
B: I'd say getting up in the morning and making some Starbucks coffee. I take it through to our sun room, which is a real pretty room with lots of light and a TV. I do other things around the house, too, and help to clean up. I've learnt to be domesticated. The world doesn't revolve around the Backstreet Boys.
TOTP: Would you ever consider becoming a full-time househusband?
B: Ha-ha, I'd love to do that! I could be Mr Mum and do things like the school run! I look forward to being at home as well as making CDs and videos and doing promo. You ahve to do normal things if you want to keep your feet on the ground and I love the normal things in life.
TOTP: Who's the best BSB at keeing house?
B: I'd say myself or Kevin cos AJ and Nick are pretty bad! When you go round to one of their houses, you're always tripping over various objects cos it's so messy!
TOTP: Which BSB would knock up the best nosh?
B: I've been to AJ's house for dinner and he's a good cook - he cooked us great spaghetti one time. Sometimes we work so hard we miss out on the fun stuff, so we try to make the time to catch up with each other at some point.
TOTP: Are you sick of being asked if BSB are splitting up?
B: I don't get sick of it. There are lote of things that people have said all through our careers like that - BSB are still a boy band, BSB are gonna break up, BSB aren't really singing... we've had all of that. There are always going to be people who are sceptical. My biggest fear in releasing the greatest-hits album was that people might assume it means the end of the Backstreet Boys - which isn't true!
TOTP: Are you all good at business now?
B: I think we're all business men, yes. Pop stars are forced to learn the business as well as the musical side cos you have to look after what you've worked hard for.
TOTP: Is that why your name B-Rok has a trademark on it?
B: It means no one can take the name and use it. Coca-Cola, for instance - companies like that always have a trademark. It means that if anyone uses my name, I would need to be paid for that.
TOTP: One bone to pick with you - don't you like the UK cos you never seeem to visit?!
B: We love the UK and we're not scared or your tea or anything! We love your tea! We think it's Backstreet Boys' bad luck that every time we fly over it's raining. I mean always! Although the very first time we came we thought it was really pretty - we stayed in London's Swiss Cottage and performed on TOTP. We didn't have any fans outside the hotel either - it was different then!
TOTP: So what date shall we put in our diaries for your next visit?
B: A lot of people have been asking us when we're coming back to the UK, but we're going to Japan first then it's the holiday season and we're in the studio next year. Maybe sometime after that though!