Backstreet Boys - The Man Band

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Jun 16, 2005 Source: mtv.com Submitted By: backstreet.net Backstreet's back all right, but what does it mean? A lot of people must have thought the group — and perhaps the whole boy-band era it represented — was gone for good. But return the Boys have, a little older, a little more pop-rock in their sound, five years after the release of their last record. MTV News' John Norris finds out where the Boys have been, what they've been up to and what they have to say about Paris Hilton, Tommy Lee, AJ's relapse and Oprah Winfrey. John Norris: Did you guys have your doubts about whether this reunion was actually going to happen one day? Or were you always pretty sure of it? Kevin Richardson: We were sick of looking at each other, sick of hearing each other. I mean, we were just going nonstop there for about eight years. We were burned out. Norris: So what changed that? Richardson: Having time to reflect on everything that had happened to us since 1995. Some time to focus on ourselves, spend time with our families, some time for AJ [McLean] to work on his recovery, some time for Nick [Carter] to work on a little solo project. Brian [Littrell's] a father now. Just time to appreciate everything we went through and reflect, and get grounded again and recharge our batteries. AJ McLean: When we finished the Black & Blue tour, there was a dark cloud over the whole tour. There was a lot of negative energy, not just coming from my situation. There was 9/11. A couple of us had lost members of our families. There was just a whole lot of bad juju going on. We had originally said, "We'll take a year off and then we'll get back in the studio." Then it became two years, then three. But the whole catalyst for this was when I went on "Oprah." Little did I know all four of them were going to show up. We all lost it, and that was the moment we all decided, "Let's go do this again." Norris: A lot of people were surprised to hear a power ballad as the lead single from Never Gone. Howie Dorough: We had wanted to get back with [songwriter/producer] Max Martin, but there was a backlash of that Swedish, synth Euro sound, that came from us, 'NSYNC [and] Britney, so we felt we had to get away from that. Max didn't know how to work with us directly to change our sound, evolve it into something better, and he stumbled upon it with this song intended for the "Spider-Man 2" soundtrack, "Climbing the Walls." Once we put our voices on it, the album started growing into something more organic, more stripped-down, less harmonies, more instrumentation. The last song we recorded was "Incomplete." It leaked, and we said, "This is a good thing, let's go with it." McLean: It shows growth, it shows maturity. It's still us. It's not too over the top. It's not over your head. It's not too complex. It's just us growing up. We can go onstage and not worry about all the added BS that comes with all this stuff. And this is my first time being on tour with the guys sober. When I got out of rehab, I was newly sober, I wasn't going to meetings then. Sure enough, a year later, I relapsed. I didn't get married. Everything in my life fell apart ... again. Norris: How bad was it? McLean: It was bad enough. I dove into a bunch of pills, smoked weed. I told my sponsor, "I smoked weed last night, but I didn't inhale." But as my fiancee at the time said, "But he was on so many pills, he doesn't remember." You can't BS a BS-er. None of these guys believed a word I said. And now I've got their respect and their trust; our relationship is better than before I started drinking and doing drugs. My life is the best it's ever been, and it's only going to get better. Norris: You guys are no strangers, some of you more than others, to the tabloid world ... Nick Carter: I'll tell you what, I've had a lot of scrutiny. [Everyone laughs.] Don't believe everything you hear, number one. Number two, if we let things like that get underneath our skin, we would not be able to do our job properly. I learned the hard way. I guess I've come from a family that's had some success, so you could look at it like, "It's good they're still talking." At the same time, talk about something that's more positive. Not everybody's perfect. Richardson: When all the stuff hit the fan with one of his exes, I was like, "Take the high road. Don't fall into the trap." Carter: Obviously, you could fight back with fire, but I learn from them, they're my bigger brothers, even as much as I was distraught and a little bitter from everything that had happened because I was so in love with [Paris Hilton]. I was trying to be the best I could for her, and in some ways it wasn't good enough. When I look back at it, I'm happy where I am now. I can focus more, and I can contribute more than I ever did to this group. I used to be so wrapped up in relationships and girls and didn't really give 100 percent to music. Don't get me wrong, I still like women very much. I just pick and choose a lot better. Norris: Now these are party credentials: Tommy Lee, who wrote songs with you that'll appear on his next album, told one of our writers that Nick Carter is one of the biggest party guys he knows. Carter: I'll tell you, me and Tommy have had some fun together. He's a really cool guy. He takes care of his family, he's very responsible, he's someone to look up to. He parties hard ... Brian Littrell: Not as hard as you! Carter: I've partied hard a little bit. I'm toning it down for a while now, just because, you know, whatever. I played Tommy all the music we've done, he said, "Yo dude, that's great, man." You can't look at it like it's hard rock. It's more like U2 or like Journey — big vocals, big harmonies. I'm really, really happy with the direction. Are they going to call us "men bands" now? Richardson: The word "boy band" used to offend me. Now I don't care, I'm over it. Call us a boy band. Call us ... just call us! Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: cheryl a charland backstreetboys today is my brithday. Submitted by: ppionerka Submitted by: pasparty Submitted by: peto4ok Submitted by: your only angel hello my men how are you doing?me i feel great you know what i love you sososo much more than every things .i am alaws dreaming to meet you but it's realy imposible .i am far very far i live in morocco but i am always with you .i love you very very much you are my lovely world .big kiss for all of you.your angel AMINA Submitted by: eyeblinker hey samira. Dont talk like this about the backstreet boys. what r u thinking? they are the best boyband ever and they will be it. no one can beat them. I mean they are not only cute, but also SEXY. If one of the boys reads your comments, what will they be thinking. (What is a girl who hate us doing on this site?). I just wanna say: BSB'S ARE THE BEST Submitted by: Sonu The Backstreet Boys.. What can i say? They are just the best boyband ever. No matter how much they have changed since the past few years, they still are the best and cutest guys ever. and Brian.. He is still my favorite with Nicky. BSB- I LOVE U GUYS. Submitted by: Nurgul. I love you very much.You've completely changed my life.Your music helps me feel much better.When things are horrible or when I feel myself the happiest one I listen to your music,it's like sharing my happiness with you. BSB you're a source of inspiration.Everytime when I listen to your music I feel myself wonderful.I've decided to write about my feelings to you because no one except you understands me.At the end I wanna wish all of you health,love and happiness.You really deserve it.Don't go break again and keep it doing what you're doing now.Because I'm sure the world needs your music and of course you too.I send out my prayers to all of you.You're the best Boys Band Group that has ever had the world. Submitted by: Sotia Hi guys, My name is Sotia and i'm from Cyprus. I'm very very happy for your reunion because without you guys or your music, i could never go on with my life!! And it's true, trust me! Brian, my congrats to your marriage and for your wonderful son! That kid is so cute!! Love ya! Kevin, congratulations for your marriage! She is very lucky to have you as a husband! You are awsome! Stay that way! Howie, you are so sweet babe! Don't ever change! Nick, you are one wild party animal..take it easy man! But, anyway, you have matured for the better. Don't ever change! Alex, i'm so glad that you finally got over the problem with alcoholism and i'm so happy that drugs are your past and not your future. We've missed the old, good, sensetive Alex. I know i have! Alex your are my personal favourite and i love you so much! When i heard about the hole drinking thing and drugs i freaked out! I couldn't believe it was really you! It couldn't be! But, anyway, i'm happy now that it's all over and i hope you will find the true love of your life real soon. I also sent you a letter but i don't know if you got it or not. If you got it please send me an email (c_sotia@hotmail.com) and tell me that you are perfectly healthy and happy! Don't get me wrong..but i wanna hear it from you! And i wish i could meet you some day! Remember 'Life is just' babe! Submitted by: marina to:samirah forcha it's not right 2 talk like this about someone.and espessialy when this someone is the most succesfull boy(or man)band in the world...............BACKSTREET BOYS!!!!and with ur behave...u r showing us(fan of bsb)how much s**t u r ,girl. Click here to see more comments. Comment on this item. Next Item: Kevin Richardson Interview With Ability Magazine's Chet Cooper