Backstreet incites screams

Posted By ANGELA SCAPPATURA

Updated 13 hours ago

Across section of boy band fanatics, including children, teens and adult women crammed into The Sudbury Arena on Tuesday for what was arguably the biggest concert to come to Sudbury. The Backstreet Boys.

Before the show began, gaggles of squealing teenagers bounded about the arena, many draped in Backstreet Boys T-Shirts-- some with Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Littrell scrawled across their backs.

"He touched THIS hand!" a girl's voice excitedly reported from the steps behind me.

As the crowd waited anxiously for the music to begin, every stray drum beat, light change or slight movement from beside the stage incited wild screams from those on the floor. At one point, it appeared as though a stampede aimed toward the blackened stage would ensue when a familiar face was spotted walking by.

The flicker of cameras became like strobe lights when Aaron Carter -- Backstreet Boy, Nick Carter's younger brother -- began waving at the crowd. He goaded them on, clearly enjoying the fawning.

In one quick second, the room went black, and the crowd simultaneously exhaled a piercing wail.

While The Backstreet Boys, also known as BSB, have released four albums since "Millennium" (1999), their status as pop superstars has faded.

In the past eight years, two members have released forgettable solo projects, one has been to rehab and another achieved reality television notoriety.

Noticeably absent from the show was former member, Kevin Richardson. It has been reported that Richardson left the band to start a family.

The show started with each of the four members -- Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough and A. J. McLean -- standing beside a boxing ring, draped in hooded shiny boxing robes.

The first song, "Larger Than Life," was underscored by heavy beats with corresponding dance moves that mimicked boxing punches. It was campy, but the crowd loved it.

Part of the allure of the Backstreet Boys -- back when they were the most adored pop act -- was their innovative and precise dance moves. Now, it seemed, some of those moves should have been left in the 90s. At times, it felt like I was somehow a part of an elaborate set for a satirical movie on boy bands. There was a smattering of new material, but their style was firmly planted in the past.

Of nothing else, The Backstreet Boys fed into the audience's desire for nostalgia. Girls screamed at the sight of Nick Carter belting a love ballad and the crowd chanted along with their hits, "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely," and "I Want It That Way."

A few of the boys were slightly ragged in their appearance. A. J. McLean used to be known as the alluring tattooed rebel of the group but his manicured soul patch and handle-bar facial hair has grown into an unruly beard. His black eyeliner smudged from what looked like days of wear.

Individual members of the band took the opportunity to showcase some of their solo material.

If silence was possible in an arena filled with teenage girls, Howie Dorough achieved it with his attempt at a Spanish infused ballad. His mostly off-key performance was saved only by awkward hip swivels that elicited some cheers.

If igniting the nostalgic glee in once rabid and loyal fans was their goal, The Backstreet Boys deserve a shiny gold star. But, if they are seeking even a speck of their past popularity, it's time for a new choreographer.

SOURCE: The Sudbury

Backstreet Boy Nick speaks — Pop 'poster boys' play Essar Centre Wednesday

Posted By CORINA MILIC, THE SAULT STAR

Updated 4 days ago

Backstreet's back on tour with a new album and one less band member but the boys don't seem to know the meaning of being lonely, and according to Nick Carter, are on track to once again becoming larger than life.

The foursome will hit Sault Ste. Marie with their smooth harmonies and upbeat stage show Wednesday to promote their latest album, Unbreakable. Tagging along are little sister band, Girlicious.

It is the Backstreet Boys first offering - and tour -without Kevin Richardson, who left the group on amicable terms in June 2006 to pursue other interests.

"We closed that gap and tightened our moves up and created a show that is the building blocks to the next phase of Backstreet Boys," said Carter, from a concert stop in Bloomington, Ill. Friday.

Unbreakable and their previous album, Never Gone (2005), recorded after a three-year hiatus, got less than stellar reviews in the United States. The new sound has been labeled "adult contemporary" - the ultimate snub for international pop stars used to filling venues like Toronto's Rogers Centre to the brim with hormone-crazed preteen girls.

Carter, at 28 the youngest member and once dubbed CosmoGirl's Sexiest Man in the World, said the screaming girls are still around, but so are their mothers.

"Our fans are like 12 to frickin' 80. I'm looking into the audience and I'm like, 'Is that a grandma and is that her little granddaughter?'" he said. "It's just phenomenal to see they're still as excited as they were before."

No matter how big their BSB collages, or ardent their devotion to the 15-year-old group, Carter said fans have never gone too far.

"I've seen so much in my life that I like them to try and outdo themselves now," he laughed.

The craziest thing a fan has done?

"We signed their back, all five of us one time, and they tattooed the signatures on their back."

Despite fan loyalty, the band's popularity has dropped since they released Unbreakable, with singles like Inconsolable and Helpless When She Smiles never reaching the top of U. S. music charts.

The Boys' new sound has fared better in Japan, where I Still . . . debuted at number 1 - the first international single to do so in Japanese history.

Carter likened the experience to BSB's early days, when the band toured Europe and Asia before breaking into the American music scene.

"We had two or three albums out before we hit our first peak, which was Millennium(1999) and Black and Blue(2000) and now we're rebuilding again and we expect to hit another peak with another album in the future."

Carter said he thinks North America is ready "to be happy again."

They want, apparently, pop music.

The Backstreet Boys are not the only ones ready to provide it. The 1980's "original" boy band, New Kids on the Block, has recently attempted a comeback.

Fans can stop their hopeful shrieking; no mega-boy band tour is in the works. BSB offered to tour with the group that largely inspired them, but the New Kids weren't interested, said Carter.

It doesn't seem to bother him too much.

"(North Americans) want pop music back and heck, we are the poster boys for pop music," he said.

SOURCE: The Sault Star

RIAA Celebrates 50 Years Of Gold Records

WASHINGTON – The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) today celebrates the 50th anniversary of its historic Gold Record as part of its Gold & Platinum certification program. Fifty years ago today, Elvis was awarded his first ever RIAA Gold certification for his hit single “Hard Headed Woman.”

In 1958, the RIAA developed an industry-wide program for recognition of sales, trademarked the Gold Record and formalized the record label practice of presenting awards to their artists for hit songs. Fifty years later, the program’s brand and reflection of success has achieved unparalleled stature, and the bestowment of Gold or Platinum status of sales is often a defining moment for artists.

The RIAA awarded the very first Gold plaque in March 1958 to Perry Como for his hit single “Catch a Falling Star” on RCA Records. Four months later, the cast album to Oklahoma! sung by Gordon MacRae (Capitol Records) became the first official Gold album. Elvis followed one month later with his landmark award, one of his 53 Gold single certifications from the RIAA.

First awarded to sound recordings on LP formats but expanded to a variety of formats as technology changed the way fans enjoyed music to include cassette tapes, compact discs (CDs), digital tracks, digital albums, and master ringtones, more than 8,000 titles have been certified Gold by the RIAA during the last fifty years.

The Gold Record has been a signature and frequent reflection of success for a number of notable artists ranging from Elvis, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Celtic Woman, Chicago, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, and Judas Priest to Akon, Garth Brooks, Gwen Stefani, Josh Groban, Kenny Chesney, Madonna, Nelly, Toby Keith, and many many others. The RIAA also has documented the popularity of soundtracks, live albums, multi-disc sets and music videos with its Gold Record award.

“Since 1958, great music has been painted in Gold and Platinum,” said Mitch Bainwol, Chairman & CEO, RIAA. “The 50th anniversary of RIAA’s G&P program is a celebration of the steadfast thrill and pure enjoyment that music has been giving to fans throughout the decades. This tradition honors the symbiotic relationship between artists and their fans and the great music that binds them. And it’s only fitting to celebrate this rich tradition by honoring a pioneer of rock ‘n roll – a King – who blazed an exciting trail for future generations of artists and fans with a sound that continues to inspire. This history encapsulates the true power of music.

“While the music industry continues to transform itself, the power of great music doesn’t change,” continued Bainwol. “We recognize all the artists, fans and music community members involved in the G&P tradition and we look forward to more moments in the decades ahead.”

In addition to the 53 RIAA Gold single certifications (which includes eleven gold records for hits released in 1956 and 1957 that were later certified by the RIAA), Elvis earned 81 RIAA-certified Gold Records for his widely popular albums, starting in 1960 with his hit album Elvis.

“We congratulate the RIAA on the anniversary of the Gold Record in conjunction with its Gold and Platinum program,” said Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises. “Although Elvis had several hits (later certified) starting in 1956 with ‘Heartbreak Hotel,’ this anniversary was a historic day for him to be officially recognized by the RIAA. Elvis’ career achievements are marked in Gold and Platinum and we thank the RIAA and congratulate the G&P program on its 50th anniversary. We know that there’s another 50 great years of music in store.”

The RIAA program subsequently established awards for sales of more than one million albums with the introduction of the Platinum award in 1976 and multi-Platinum award in the mid-1980s commemorating more than two million album sales. In March 1999, the RIAA launched the Diamond award, honoring sales of 10 million or more. Currently, the Gold Record is awarded to recording artists for sales of more than 500,000 copies.

Several prominent artists commented on the golden anniversary of Gold & Platinum.

“Judas Priest have been making metal for well over three decades and during this incredible journey we have been proud to receive many gold and platinum RIAA awards. Our first Gold RIAA award was presented to us for British Steel which over time has come to be regarded as one of Priest’s most classic releases. Songs like ‘Breaking the Law’ and ‘Living After Midnight’ are part of American rock culture so all of us in Priest have the best of metal memories when we look back at the making of British Steel.”

“Today when we play, hear or see anything from Steel we think about the amazing studio sessions at John Lennon’s former mansion in England and should you get a look at Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ video -- that’s the room where Glenn was cranking the riff for ‘Living After Midnight’ in the early hours - waking up Rob who was trying to sleep in the room above and who upon coming downstairs made the comment ‘Glenn you are living after midnight!’ The rest is metal history!!!! Thank you RIAA and congratulations for 50 years of recognition for all the music we make!” –Rob, Glenn, K.K., Ian and Scott, Judas Priest

***

“I have to admit it took awhile for it to sink in when I was first told. It finally hit home when I saw it in writing, ‘Platinum recording artist Akon.’ It was then when I stopped for a moment and realized how much I have accomplished. I can't stop now. I'm working to go Diamond. Going Platinum makes me feel, certified. I'm a legitimate artist.” –Akon

***

"To be awarded a Gold Disc for Celtic Woman—A New Journey was an incredible feeling. We worked so hard on it and were very proud of it, but to find out the CD had gone gold was the icing on the cake. I've always dreamed of owning a Gold disc but now that dream is a reality and it has pride of place in my hallway where everyone can see it! It is a remarkable award and I hope it continues for another 50 years.” –Lisa Kelly, Celtic Woman

***

“To say that I felt great would be an understatement. The most incredible feeling is that not 10 or 1000 people like your music, but 1 million. Certified Platinum says 1 million people like you enough to spend $7 to $12 on hearing you do something you love. It's a BIG honor. One million people is a lot - and to think I sold 30 million records. I'm humbled and grateful.” –Nelly

NOTABLE PROGRAM DATES

1942 RCA-Victor executive presents bandleader Glenn Miller a gold record award for more than one million copies sold of the chart-topping “Chattanooga Choo Choo”

1952 The Recording Industry Association of America was created

March 14, 1958 First single audited and pronounced Gold - Perry Como’s “Catch a Falling Star”

July 6, 1958 Cast album to Oklahoma! sung by Gordon Macrae becomes the first official Gold album

August 11, 1958 Elvis Presley earns his first of 53 total Gold single certifications for “Hard Headed Woman”

February 3, 1964 Four days before the Beatles landed in the U.S., “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and Meet the Beatles! were both certified Gold

May 12, 1964 Barbra Streisand earns her first of 50 Gold albums with her sophomore album The Second Barbra Streisand Album

February 22, 1976 The Eagles album, The Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 was the first album to qualify for the brand new Platinum Award. It is currently the most popular album ever sold with a total of 29 million units sold

November 28, 1979 Columbia Records releases Pink Floyd’s The Wall which becomes the highest certified (23 million) double album

December 1984 Multi-Platinum category introduced

May 13, 1985 Foreigner’s Agent Provacateur (Atlantic Records) becomes first album released after introduction of MP award to be certified multi-platinum (2x)

November 3, 1993 The Bodyguard soundtrack sells 10 million units in the first year of its release, and goes on to become the highest certified soundtrack album at 17 million units

1999 Premios Oro y Platino introduced

Diamond Award introduced – 62 titles in first class of 10 million+ recipients

January 26, 2000 27 titles earn Oro, Platino and multi-Platino status in the launch of the Latin Awards Program. Jose Luis Rodriguez’s Inolvidables (Sony Latin) earns highest Latin honors at 6x Platino

2004 Digital Single award introduced

November 8, 2004 The best-selling album by a female solo artist, Shania Twain’s Come On Over, reaches 20 million units

October 7, 2005 Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl” becomes first digital single to sell one million units

2006 Master Ringtone award introduced

May 14, 2007 Chamillionaire’s master ringtone “Ridin’” earns nod as highest certified ringtone to date at 4x Platinum

November 2007 Garth Brooks crowned as most successful solo artist in history with 123 million career albums sold

2008 RIAA celebrates 50th Anniversary of Gold Record

GENERAL PROGRAM STATS

Highest Number of Gold certified albums:

Group: The Beatles – 45

Male solo artist: Elvis Presley – 81

Female solo artist: Barbra Streisand – 50


Highest Number of certifications (all multi-Platinum certifications counted as 1):

Group: The Beatles – 108

Male solo artist: Elvis Presley – 150

Female solo artist: Barbra Streisand – 93


Most albums sold:

Group: The Beatles – 170

Male solo artist: Garth Brooks – 128

Female solo artist: Barbra Streisand – 71


THE FOLLOWING ARE HIGHEST TALLIES OF CERTIFICATIONS RELEASED IN ANY DECADE:

1950s Top Gold Album Recipients

1 – Ernie Ford, Gordon MacRae, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis, Mitch Miller & the Gang, Rogers & Hammerstein

1960s Top Gold Album Recipients

15 – The Beatles

14 – Elvis Presley

13 – Andy Williams

12 – Frank Sinatra

11 – Dean Martin, The Rolling Stones, H. Alpert and the Tijuana Brass

10 – Mitch Miller & the Gang

1970s Top Gold Album Recipients

16 – Elvis Presley

15 – Elton John

14 – Barbra Streisand

13 – John Denver, Neil Diamond

12 – Bob Dylan, Chicago, Jethro Tull

11 – Grand Funk Railroad, Paul McCartney, Charley Pride, The Rolling Stones 10 – Santana, Jefferson Airplane/Starship, Kiss, Three Dog Night

* Platinum award introduced in this decade.

1970s Top Platinum Album Recipients

6 – KISS

5 – Wings (Paul McCartney)

4 – Bee Gees, Neil Diamond, Earth Wind & Fire, Heart, Waylon Jennings, Barry Manilow, Ted Nugent, Linda Ronstadt, Barbra Streisand

1980s Top Gold Album Recipients

16 – Hank Williams, Jr.

13 – Willie Nelson

12 – Alabama, Kenny Rogers

11 – AC/DC, George Strait

10 – The Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond, Judas Priest, Prince

*Multi-Platinum award introduced in this decade.

1980s Top Platinum Album Recipients

15 – Barbra Streisand

13 – The Rolling Stones

11 – Chicago

9 – Alabama, Billy Joel, Kenny Rogers

8 – Prince, Rush

7 – Black Sabbath, Neil Diamond, The Doors, Willie Nelson

6 – AC/DC, Aerosmith, Pat Benatar, Fleetwood Mac, Hall & Oates, Journey, Madonna, Pink Floyd, Linda Ronstadt, Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen, Luther Vandross, Neil Young

1980s Top Multi-Platinum Album Recipients

8 – Billy Joel

7 – Alabama, Journey, Barbra Streisand, Van Halen

6 – Aerosmith, Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire

5 – Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Barry Manilow, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen

4 – AC/DC, Neil Diamond, Madonna, John Mellencamp, Motley Crue, Willie Nelson, Olivia Newton-John, Pink Floyd, Prince, Simon & Garfunkel, Styx

1990s Top Gold Album Recipients

33 – Elvis

15 – The Beatles, The Temptations

13 – Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, George Strait

12 – Neil Diamond

11 – Vince Gill, Mannheim Steamroller

10 – Aerosmith, Kenny G, Prince, Kenny Rogers, Rush, Barbra Streisand,

Tanya Tucker

*Diamond award was introduced in this decade.

1990s Top Platinum Album Recipients

45 – Elvis Presley

31 – The Beatles

21 – Elton John, George Strait

13 – Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire

10 – Alabama, Led Zeppelin

9 – Vince Gill, Alan Jackson

8 – Mariah Carey, The Carpenters, Eric Clapton, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Neil Diamond, Kenny G, Kenny Rogers

7 – AC/DC, Clint Black, Michael Bolton, Harry Connick Jr., Celine Dion, Madonna, Barbra Streisand, The Who

1990s Top Multi-Platinum Album Recipients

20 – The Beatles

17 – Elvis Presley

12 – Garth Brooks, Led Zeppelin

11 – Elton John, Van Halen

10 – Billy Joel, Madonna, Pink Floyd, George Strait, Barbra Streisand

9 – AC/DC

8 – Aerosmith, Mariah Carey, Kenny G, Reba McEntire, Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Bruce Springsteen, U2

1990s Top Diamond Album Recipients

5 – The Beatles

4 – Garth Brooks, Led Zeppelin

2 – Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Eagles, Whitney Houston, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, Van Halen

2000s Top Gold Album Recipients (through 2007)

17 – Elvis Presley

11 – George Strait

10 – Jay-Z

9 – Kenny Chesney, Bob Dylan, Kidz Bop Kids, Dave Matthews Band

8 – Johnny Cash, Toby Keith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Barbra Streisand

6 – Gary Allan, Tony Bennett, Grateful Dead, R. Kelly, Diana Krall, Ludacris, Barry Manilow, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Third Day

*Digital and Ringtone awards introduced in this decade.

2000s (through 2007) Top Platinum Album Recipients

12 – Elvis Presley

11 – Jay-Z

10 – Toby Keith

9 – John Denver, The Rolling Stones

8 – Dave Matthews Band, George Strait

7 – Kenny Chesney, Eagles

6- AC/DC, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, The Doors, R. Kelly, Tim McGraw

2000s (through 2007) Top Multi-Platinum Album Recipients

12 – Elvis Presley

11 – Eagles

10 – AC/DC, The Beatles

8 – Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Metallica

7 – John Denver, Jay-Z, The Rolling Stones

6 – Foreigner, Faith Hill, Madonna, Queen, Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band

5 – Aerosmith, Kenny Chesney, Celine Dion, Eminem, Toby Keith, R. Kelly, Dave Matthews Band, Red Hot Chili Peppers, George Strait, Van Halen

2000s (through 2007) Top Diamond Album Recipients

5 – The Beatles

4 – Garth Brooks

3 – Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Shania Twain

2000s (through 2007) Top Gold Digital Single Recipients

10 – Nelly

7 – Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne

6 – Akon , Beyonce, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts

5 – 3 Doors Down, 50 Cent, Christina Aguilera, Black Eyed Peas, Mariah Carey, Coldplay, Eminem, Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West

2000s (through 2007) Top Platinum Digital Single Recipients

4 – Rihanna

3 – Akon, Rascal Flatts, Justin Timberlake

2 – Natasha Bedingfield, Fall Out Boy, The Fray

2000s (through 2007) Top Multi-Platinum Digital Single Recipients

1 – Akon, Beyonce, The Fray, Daniel Powter, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West

2000s (through 2007) Top Gold Master Ringtone Single Recipients

8 – 50 Cent

6 – Beyonce, Chris Brown, Ciara, T.I.

5 – AC/DC, Akon, Bow Wow, Mariah Carey

4 – Fergie, T-Pain, Young Jeezy

3 – Ludacris, Sean Paul, Pussycat Dolls, Rihanna, Three 6 Mafia, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Yung Joc

2000s (through 2007) Top Platinum Master Ringtone Single Recipients

4 – Akon, Bow Wow, Chris Brown, Ciara, Fergie, T-Pain

3 – Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Keyshia Cole, Pussycat Dolls, Young Jeezy

2 – 50 Cent, Birdman/Lil’Wayne, Destiny’s Child, Nelly Furtado, Marvin Gaye, Mike Jones, Nelly, Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Shakira, T.I.

2000s (through 2007) Top Multi-Platinum Master Ringtone Single Recipients

3 – Akon

2 – T-Pain

#####

The Recording Industry Association of America is the trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry. Its mission is to foster a business and legal climate that supports and promotes our members' creative and financial vitality. Its members are the record companies that comprise the most vibrant national music industry in the world. RIAA® members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 90% of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States. In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect intellectual property rights worldwide and the First Amendment rights of artists; conducts consumer, industry and technical research; and monitors and reviews state and federal laws, regulations and policies. The RIAA® also certifies Gold®, Platinum®, Multi-Platinum™, and Diamond sales awards, as well as Los Premios De Oro y Platino™, an award celebrating Latin music sales.

Contact:
Jonathan Lamy
Cara Duckworth
Liz Kennedy
202/775-0101

SOURCE: RIAA.COM

Backstreet Boys back in Bloomington

Hannah Tomlin, Daily Vidette Reporter

Media Credit: Jim Moldenhauer / Daily Vidette Photo Editor As part of their "Unbreakable World Tour" the Backstreet Boys performed at the US Cellular Coliseum Friday evening.

Hundreds of fans gathered Friday for the return of the boy- band phenomenon, Backstreet Boys.

As the members took stage, the big screens featured each member walking out in boxing robes, each with a different color around the edges. Simultaneously, a photograph was shown of each member with miscellaneous information next to it, as though they were athletes.

Jessica Collier, freshman elementary education major, has been a fan of the Backstreet Boys since she first heard them. She was wearing a black T-shirt that said, "As long as he loves me" on the front and "A.J." on the back. Collier had two friends who were wearing shirts that said, "He's got it going on" with "Nick" on the back and "Helpless when he smiles" with "B-Rock" on the back.

When asked how she feels about Kevin Richardson recently leaving the band, Collier said, "It's okay. I would have rather it been Brian."

Sans Kevin, bSb entered a boxing ring set up on the stage and acted as though they were fighting while they danced and simultaneously sang bSb top hit, "Larger Than Life." A silver bSb emblem shimmered in the background of the stage.

For the next song, they quickly switched into black leather jackets. Ironically, A.J. McLean was wearing a black, sleeveless Black Sabbath shirt for the next few songs and Brian Littrell was wearing a sleeveless Black Queen Tour '73 shirt. This was only the first of several clothing changes.

For most of the show, McLean bore the resemblance of a rocker, sporting many tattoos and wearing eyeliner and black fingernail polish on every nail except the pinky finger, which was red. Most of the other band members have maintained their original, boyish image.

From the interesting wardrobe to the seductive dance moves, the performance was simply bSb. Most of the songs sounded exactly as they did on the radio around 10 years ago, with catchy lyrics and an upbeat sound.

For another song, the boys were sitting at a card table pretending to play poker and drink liquor while they sang, "Show me the Meaning." Before they started to sing, one of them asked, "Did you see all of those sexy girls out there tonight?" This provoked extremely high-pitched shrieks from the highly feminine audience.

Not everyone who enjoyed the show was female, though. Scott Alvarado and Jake Richards, both students at Streator Township High School, were very pleased as well.

"I loved it. I thought it was exhilarating. I could feel it in my blood. You've got to feel it in your heart or it's not going to be there, " Alvarado said.

"It makes you relive your youth. I loved it before, and I still love it," Richards said.

Littrell played the title track from his recent contemporary Christian solo album, "Welcome Home (You)." This "story of his life" was accompanied by an acoustic guitar, which gave the song a different style than what is usually associated with bSb.

Sarah Croteau, a 21 year-old Backstreet Boys fan, decided to attend the show on Friday after seeing a sign outside.

Croteau was excited to finally see the Backstreet Boys in concert.

"It's just too bad they had to lose a member before I could see them. I don't think they'll ever be as popular as they were, but I think they'll be able to hold out for a few more years," Croteau said.

Some other hits played by the Backstreet Boys included "I Want It That Way," "More Than That," "Incomplete," "Backstreets Back," and "Shape of My Heart."

Girlicious opened for the Backstreet Boys, but only played a handful of songs. The singers, dressed in tight black spandex pants and belly shirts, had a similar sound to Destiny's Child, and impressed the audience with their quick, synchronized dance movements.

SOURCE: Daily Vidette

Backstreet Boys back, but no longer boys

By Andy Downing |Special to the Chicago Tribune

August 26, 2008

The Backstreet Boys, down a man but still a draw, did their best to rekindle their late-'90s heyday at a sold-out Ravinia on Sunday.

Like a boxer again lured out of retirement, the onetime boy band champs came out swinging. The quartet delivered its opening salvo, "Larger Than Life," decked out like prizefighters in robes and gym trunks; the dance moves echoed the look, the singers trading choreographed blows in a makeshift ring. Pared down to a foursome following the 2006 departure of Kevin Richardson, remaining players Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, A.J. McLean and Howie Dorough worked through a high-energy 100-minute set that drew on the entirety of the group's 15-year career.

There was little subtlety in the Boys' sound; this was a night of soaring choruses and overwrought emotion. Nearly every song traded on issues of heart, some, like "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," more literally than others. The group's appeal to the primarily female audience was clear from the onset; the hopeless romantics crooned every word as if perched on bended knee, singing: "I'll never break your heart"; "I can't get you out of my head"; "I'd rather die than live without you."

And even though the Boys are now men (with an average age nearing 32), its fan base appeared as if it hadn't aged a day. The capacity crowd was dominated by shrieking teenage girls—with the lung capacity of Olympic swimmers. Unfortunately, the group's lung power couldn't quite match that of its audience (Dorough, for one, appeared to run out of gas well before the performance drew to a close). Not that the breathlessness wasn't hard-won. The set's quick pacing and non-stop dancing would have challenged most aerobic instructors.

Breaking up the set were ill-advised solo ventures that ranged from forgettable (Dorough's flamenco-tinged effort) to hilarious (McLean's "Drive-By Love" could have been a Spinal Tap B-side). Unlike other boy bands, Backstreet never had a member go it alone successfully, a trend that, judging by the evening, is likely to continue.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune

Backstreet Boys are back to just being boys

By Ross Raihala
Pop Music Critic

Article Last Updated: 08/25/2008 12:35:33 AM CDT

Backstreet was back Saturday night at the Minnesota State Fair, and, what do you know, they were all right.

It's getting close to a decade since the aging teen-pop act still known as the Backstreet Boys hit the peak of their fame, but they've somehow figured out how to keep a spark of the old days going, even though these Boys are mostly in their 30s these days.

It probably helps matters that they're now down one Boy — Kevin Richardson left the group in 2006 — because Saturday's show felt leaner, looser and much more fun than the last time the Twin Cities saw them, at the Target Center in summer 2005. Back then, the Backstreet Boys were in the midst of a mostly unsuccessful campaign to act all grown-up and transition into the light-rock radio realm.

On Saturday, though, the Boys re-embraced the campy, goofy aspects of the boy-band genre, which meant more costume changes, more synchronized dancing and more smiling. And this sort of music is much, much easier to digest when the performers aren't taking themselves too seriously. Not only did the boys deliver a breezy, freewheeling show, it actually felt like they, too, were having a good time. The equally relaxed vibe of the Fair only helped matters and probably had much to do with the attendance of 8,687, up more than 3,000 from that Target Center gig.

Perhaps Richardson was the problem all along. His absence wasn't really that noticeable, and, if anything, it just further focused the attention on the remaining four: Brian Littrell (the cute one), Nick Carter (at 28, the "young" one), A.J. McLean (the bad boy) and Howie Dorough (the, uh, Howie one).

They boogied in unison, waved to the crowd, cracked jokes amongst themselves and even hopped down to kiss a few ladies in the front row, all the while bouncing between their turn-of-the-millennium hits ("Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely," "As Long as You Love Me") and more recent, less-familiar material ("Incomplete," "Inconsolable"). Along the way, some of the oldies received trendy makeovers, like the snippet of Kanye West's "Stronger" that was skillfully incorporated into set-opener "Larger than Life."

Of course, the fresher stuff didn't glean the same lustful reaction as the standards, and the breaks for each of the four Boys to perform a solo song felt a little indulgent. But like a lot of the Fair's food, the show was sticky and sweet, if utterly devoid of any nutritional value.

Pop Music Critic Ross Raihala can be reached at rraihala@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5553. Read more about the local music scene on his blog, "The Ross Who Knew Too Much," at blogs.twincities.com/ross.

SOURCE: TwinCities.Com

Backstreet's back — but now there are four

CONCERT PREVIEW | Group aims to regain steam after hiatus, defection

August 21, 2008

BY MISHA DAVENPORT mdavenport@suntimes.com

They may be older, wiser and short one original member, but the Backstreet Boys are still a hot ticket. Reserved seats for their concert at Ravinia are sold out, and the remaining lawn tickets are going fast.

Just don't call this a "reunion" tour.

"There are a lot of misconceptions out there," says founding member Nick Carter, laughing. "People think we broke up or are returning after some time off."

In fact, other than a two-year hiatus that ended in 2004, the band has continued to record and tour steadily. After 13 years with the group, Kevin Richardson quit in 2006 to pursue other interests. He's composing the soundtrack for an animated movie, "The Spirit Bear."

Misconceptions aside -- and despite the make-nice comments to other media outlets -- Carter says Richardson's departure was a good thing.

"Kevin just wasn't into recording [the 2005 album] 'Never Gone' in a creative way. There were disagreements on every direction the band was taking, and he left because he realized he was hurting the group," Carter says. "With him gone, there don't seem to be as many conflicts, we aren't bumping heads anymore and things are flowing better musically."

Though the remaining members have repeatedly told the press Richardson is welcome back any time, Carter says he's not so sure.

"The dynamic of the band has changed," he says. "There can be no room for doubt -- four is the strongest. We are the Backstreet Boys."

The band formed in 1992. Richardson's cousin Brian Littrell came aboard in 1993. The Boys' first U.S. release was 1997's self-titled album, which delivered several huge hits, including "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," "As Long as You Love Me" and "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)."

The band's biggest success to date was 1999's "Millennium," which sold more than a million copies in its debut week and was that year's top-selling album. Hits from that include "I Want It That Way," "Larger Than Life" and "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely."

The band has had to re- establish itself as a quartet. The group's last album, "Unbreakable," was the first recorded without Richardson. It sold 81,000 in its first week but dropped out of Billboard's Hot 100 two weeks later.

"Working hard to prove ourselves isn't something we aren't familiar with," the 28-year-old says. "On the one hand, radio stations aren't playing us as much as they used to, but then again we know how it feels to see something begin to build again."

Carter knows a little bit about rebranding, having spent the last two years doing damage control after appearing on the 2006 reality series "House of Carter." The E! show featured the singer sharing a house with other members of his family. It didn't show him in the most flattering light.

"I was thrown into the whole reality TV world before I should have been. I had issues I had to go through and, unfortunately, I went through them on television," he says.

The camera frequently caught the Carter clan's dysfunction and disputes. Watching himself on the small screen was a wake-up call for Carter to finally grow up.

"I saw myself on television in an unhealthy state, both physically and mentally. It opened my eyes," he says. "I stopped drinking. I got back in shape. It took me two years, but I've changed my life around."

The Backstreet Boys return to the recording studio this fall. Carter hopes the new album, due out in the second half of 2009, will feature a more urban pop sound.

"I'm not sure if we got ahead of or fell behind our fans, but we are paying close attention to current music, and the next album is going to reflect that," Carter says. "We want to be played on Top 40 stations. If adult contemporary radio wants to play us, that's great, but we consider ourselves a pop band."

SOURCE: Chicago Sun Times

Backstreet Boy Nick Carter talks about work, fans, upcoming show

Posted By By Corina Milic

Posted 2 days ago

THE SAULT STAR

Backstreet's back on tour with a new album and one less band member but the boys don't seem to know the meaning of being lonely, and according to Nick Carter, are on track to once again becoming larger than life.

The foursome will hit Sault Ste. Marie with their smooth harmonies and upbeat stage show Wednesday to promote their latest album, Unbreakable. Tagging along are little sister band, Girlicious.

It is the Backstreet Boys first offering – and tour – without Kevin Richardson, who left the group on amicable terms in June 2006 to pursue other interests.

"We closed that gap and tightened our moves up and created a show that is the building blocks to the next phase of Backstreet Boys," said Carter, from a concert stop in Bloomington, Ill. Friday.

Unbreakable and their previous album, Never Gone (2005), recorded after a three-year hiatus, got less than stellar reviews in the United States. The new sound has been labeled "adult contemporary" – the ultimate snub for international pop stars used to filling venues like Toronto's Rogers Centre to the brim with hormone-ridden preteen girls.

Carter, the youngest member and once dubbed CosmoGirl's Sexiest Man in the World, said the screaming girls are still around, but so are their mothers.

"Our fans are like 12 to frickin' 80. I'm looking into the audience and I'm like, 'Is that a grandma and is that her little granddaughter?'" he said. "It's just phenomenal to see they're still as excited as they were before."

No matter how big their BSB collages, or ardent their devotion to the 15-year-old group, Carter said fans have never gone too far.

"I've seen so much in my life that I like them to try and outdo themselves now," he laughed.

The craziest thing a fan has done?

"We signed their back, all five of us one time, and they tattooed the signatures on their back."

Despite fan loyalty, the band's popularity has dropped since they released Unbreakable, with singles like Inconsolable and Helpless When She Smiles never reaching the top of U.S. music charts.

The boy's new sound has fared better in Japan, where "I Still..." debuted at number 1 – the first international single to do so in Japanese history.

Carter likened the experience to BSB's early days, when the band toured Europe and Asia before breaking into the American music scene.

"We had two or three albums out before we hit our first peak, which was Millennium (1999) and Black and Blue (2000) and now we're rebuilding again and we expect to hit another peak with another album in the future."

Carter said he thinks North America is ready "to be happy again." They want, apparently, pop music.

The Backstreet Boys are not the only ones ready to provide it. The 1980's "original" boy band, New Kids on the Block, has recently attempted a comeback.

Fans can stop their hopeful shrieking; no mega-boy band tour is in the works. BSB offered to tour with the group that largely inspired them, but the New Kids weren't interested, said Carter.

It doesn't seem to bother him too much.

"(North Americans) want pop music back and heck, we are the poster boys for pop music," he said.

SOURCE: Saultstar.Com

Interview with the Backstreet Boys

Interview with the Backstreet Boys:
Transcript From August 15, 2008
Photos & Interview by Sandy Lo (Editor-In-Chief )

Sandy: I’m here today with the Backstreet Boys. How are you guys doing?
AJ McLean (Backstreet Boys): We’re great.
Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys): Great!
Howie Dorough (Backstreet Boys): Good!
Brian Littrell (Backstreet Boys): [sings] Yay! [laughs]

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): [laughs] Thank you so much for speaking with me today.
AJ: You’re welcome.
Howie: Thank you.

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): We’re going to start with the fan questions. We got thousands of e-mails, but we could only pick a couple because time is limited. We’re going to start with Brandy Rivera. She wants to know if you feel Unbreakable would have been different if Kevin had been on it and how do you guys feel about his absence?
AJ: I think it would have been a little bit different, especially as far as the recording process, the writing process. We kind of went in with a completely open mind and just went in, wrote, and spent almost a month and a half in Nashville alone. We kind of locked ourselves in the studio and had two different rooms going with recording and writing. I don’t know. I think it definitely would have went a little bit different. I think Kevin’s opinion of certain music, certain sounds and certain types of production might have been different. He has a certain sound he likes. I think when the four of us went in, we just went in, like I said, with an open mind and said, hey if it’s a good song, let’s go ahead and do it. Then we also wrote--we wrote on how many together?
Brian: Four or five.
AJ: It was a different approach at making the record.
Brian: Well, we wrote on quite a few that didn’t even make the record.
AJ: Yeah, that’s true.

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): Yeah, it’s a change from Never Gone where you guys didn’t get any songs that you wrote on there, right? Is that correct?
AJ: Kevin did. “Never Gone”.
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): Oh that’s right! I forgot about that.
Howie: And I did one on the Japanese [album], it never saw the light of day.
AJ: Oh, and we also had “Rushing Through Me”, which was…I don’t know what album, like European…
Brian: There’s been a lot of records, a lot of recordings…

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): Is it very tiring to know that some of the stuff you’ve worked really hard on is never even going to make it to an album?
Howie: Oh, it makes it on the internet somewhere… [Everyone laughs]
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): Well, that’s true.
Nick: I said this one time, actually it’s kind of cool. I mean me being a fan of other groups and stuff like that, whenever I go on the internet or I happen to go search for something or I find something accidentally or somebody hands you something maybe you’ve never heard before, it becomes exciting. It’s almost like hidden treasures. I mean we have so many songs out that have never made it on albums and some amazing songs like… “Rushing Through Me” was an amazing song that we did with the Underdogs. True fans will get to hear those songs because they search for them.
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): That’s true. I actually had someone just send me all of your stuff, so I have like a hundred and twenty-something songs.
AJ: I think it would be cool if we ever did an unreleased [album], like have all of our hits, but also every song we ever recorded.
Nick: The Lost Ones.
Brian: The Lost Boys!
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): That’s a good one.
Howie: It would be like a three CD compilation.
AJ: It would be the Backstreet anthology.
Brian: It would be a volume of twelve CD’s.

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): That would be cool. Okay, so the next question is from Nayeli Cervantes. She says, “I love you guys, you’re amazing. My question is when you first met, did you like each other?”

[Everyone looks at each other.]

Nick: Heh. You know what’s funny, I’m the one who didn’t get along with the guys as much and that’s probably because having to go through puberty and not really relating to them because I was so young, so um, I would get into fights with pretty much everyone in the group.
Brian: But you and I were probably the closest.
Nick: Yeah, me and Brian were cool--I never really got into a fight with Brian. But I got into one with Howie one time. I got into a fight with AJ and I got into a fight with Kevin. Really it was just outraging hormones--outrageous hormones, I think, that really caused that problem. We’ve gotten into fights, but I think from the beginning we all loved each other. I think we all meshed really well.
AJ: If there wasn’t a camaraderie from the beginning we wouldn’t still be here. We would have just kept growing apart and growing apart and instead it went the other way.
Brian: I can see it being really different if I wasn’t family with Kevin because if I was just a friend brought in from Kevin…
AJ: Yeah.
Brian: It’s almost like, when you talk about me, it kind of made it a little easier to blend into the situation. It was strange the very first day we met at the band house. It was April 20, 1993 and…
Nick: [in a southern accent] How y’all doin’?

[The rest of the band imitate Brian as well, including Brian himself.]

Brian: Hey guys, I’m Brian!
AJ: Cut off sleeves, flannel shirt and pumps.
Brian: But I’ll never forget that moment…thinking, “this is really weird”. We were all so young, but I think it helped that I was a
family member because at least you guys knew a little bit about me or knew that if I was compatible with Kevin then we might be compatible.
Howie: We all grew to like each other. I mean, it is what it is.
Brian: Howie didn’t like me right off the bat.
Howie: I probably didn’t, Brian. [They both laugh.]
AJ: I’ve known Howie almost twenty years…

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): Yeah…I was watching “Parenthood” the other day by the way. [laughs]
AJ: I’ve seen that a couple of times when I was home.
Howie: [laughs] With my hair parted over to the side.
AJ: What’s the song that they sing?
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): “Close To You”.
Brian: [sings] Why do birds suddenly appear, every time you are near… [Howie joins in]
Howie: That’s such a great scene when Rick Moranis kisses the girl.
Nick: Did he really?
AJ: He did.

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): You know what’s funny is that was one of my favorite movies growing up before I ever became a Backstreet Boys fan and “Hi, Honey I’m Home” was one of my favorite shows before I became a fan. Look at that, it was destiny.
Howie: Skunk!
AJ: Great name for me.

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): Oh yeah. So our last fan question is from Anina Youroukova…
Brian: Sounds like a German tennis player.
Howie: Or Russian.
AJ: Or a gymnastics name.
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): Most of the questions were from other countries. The American fans were kind of…
Brian: Lame? Quiet?
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): Yeah, they weren’t good questions. No offense American fans! Okay, if you could change your lives with someone else in the band, who would you choose and why?

AJ: [sneezes] Sorry, that came out of nowhere.
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): Bless you. Was that a sneeze?
AJ: That was a sneeze.

Nick: Howie, because he has the most money.
Howie: [stretches] I don’t know about that. Kevin, because he has the most time off now.
Nick: Yo, we’re just joking. Honestly, I don’t think I’d change. I love who I am.
Howie: We’re all so stubborn, hard-headed…I don’t think any of us would change. [laughs]
Brian: And we’re all so different. We’re completely different people. It would be too drastic of a change.
AJ: I think we have a little bit of each other, though. I think it’s just kind of involuntarily, we’ve all gotten a little bit of each other; that kind of rubs off on us. I know for me personally I was never about business. I hate business. It’s crap to me. I want to just go up on stage and sing and dance, but obviously you need to be a businessman in this to understand it. I’ve learned a lot from these two guys [motions to Howie and Brian] because they’re very business oriented as well as artists. I would have never learned that if I didn’t have it rub off on me, so now I try to take things a little more responsibly as best I can.

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): [laughs] Howie and Brian are rubbing each other…
Brian: [laughs] That sounds bad…
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): Yeah, it does. Not in that way…on the arm.
AJ: And now Howie rubs me and I’ll rub Nick. It’s a chain, there we go. [He rubs Nick’s arm.]
Howie: Wow, sounds like that telephone game.

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): All right, now for my questions…
AJ: Dun-dun-dun! [All make similar dramatic noises]

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): Now it’s getting to the end of the tour…are you guys sad? Relieved?
[A few people burst through the door from the stage.]

Howie: Hello! Welcome!
AJ: Someone had their Wheaties today!

Nick: [getting back to the question] No, I think we’re excited because what we’re going to do is start to record a new album and there’s a new feeling of…I don’t know. I think we really feel that there’s so much to look forward to with the Backstreet Boys. I feel like things are starting to click now and the gap between Kevin leaving is starting to close and we’re becoming tighter than we were before. I think that we’re excited that it’s winding down so that we can get another album done and allow AJ to do his solo album. Just get an amazing album ready. We always talk about putting out amazing albums, but the thing about this one is that we know that this one--we’re not going to cut any corners. We’re going to do everything we can to team up with the right people and make this beyond an amazing album and it’s going to be light years ahead of the last two albums.

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): Very cool. Now, I heard rumors about working with T-Pain?
Nick: He was one of the people, I mean we’re throwing out all these different types of genres. People from Max Martin to T-Pain to Akon to Ryan Tedder to anybody! What we want to do is we want to attach ourselves and get with some amazingpeople who people know about because we believe that we’re talented. And we believe we still have what it takes as the Backstreet Boys. Now we just have to get the right material put behind us. That’s what we’re working on right now, so once we do that, we’ll release a single maybe first quarter of next year…a lot quicker than we’ve done before and get a tourgoing. We feel that this album is the beginning to the next phase and peak of the Backstreet Boys.

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): I’m excited to hear that you guys are doing another group album. Now I know “Helpless When She Smiles” is a great song, but I know you guys weren’t too keen on releasing another ballad type song. Are you going to be aiming for an up-tempo next time around?
AJ: If we stick to what we’re good at, that’s the one thing…unfortunately some people have labeled us as an AC (Adult Contemporary) group now because we’re older. A lot of the hits that have come over the past two records have been ballads. You have “Incomplete”, “Inconsolable”, “Helpless When She Smiles”. I think we definitely want to have more rhythmic, more tempo on this new record as well as continue to have the R&B ballads. I think it’s a nice mix between--if we go back to being what the Backstreet Boys are known for, it’s Pop/R&B. You’ve got the I’ll Never Break Your Heart’s, the All I Have To Give’s, that’s on the R&B sides. Then you have the Larger Than Life’s and Backstreet’s Back’s. Back’s…that sounds weird. But of today…Trying to add sounds of today, but just having great pop songs, great hit records. Hopefully we don’t stay in this ballad/mid-tempo world. Again, if it’s a hit, it’s a hit, you can’t really deny that.

Nick: AJ just said something really important. There are internal people--and I’m not going to say any names--but there are people that we’ve worked with who feel that we are an AC act and feel that’s all that we’re capable of doing. We believe that we are current. All we have to do is get the right tools.

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): I believe it, too. More power to you guys!
AJ: Thank you.
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): Let’s see, I only have fifteen minutes, so I’m trying to be quick…
Brian: You guys gotta be quick too… [laughs]

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): I’m not trying to rush you. [laughs] Um, solo albums…when are they all coming out?
Nick: [teasingly] Never. It’s all false.
AJ: It’s all fake.
Howie: Each of us are working. AJ’s probably the closest to releasing his album. The rest of us are working on our down time, but at the same time, we’re not trying to lose focus of what’s gotten us here and it’s the group. So it’s just a matter of making all of our schedules work together. We all want to be happy. None of us wants to ever hold anyone back. It’s just a matter of timing. We do believe there’s enough space out there for all of us to exist as solo artists, but at the same time supply our fans with what they want to hear overall, which is the Backstreet Boys.
AJ: I just know I’m going to have very limited time off next year. We’ll be on tour, then I’ll be on tour.
Brian: That’s a good thing. That’s a wonderful thing to be busy after fifteen, sixteen years in the business. [starts singing “There Is No Stopping Us Now”]
AJ: It’s a good thing. I do know I’ve got a lot in store for me, just like we all do, but as long as there‘s a healthy balance. Like Howie was saying, everyone wants everyone to be happy. We want to have an amazing Backstreet Boys record.

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): Last question is, if you could bring back any song that you’ve ever recorded on stage tonight, which would you pick and why?
AJ: Doesn’t have to be a single?
Nick: “10, 000 Promises”.
AJ: That answers my question.
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): No.
Nick: That’s his [choice] too.
AJ: Um, I would say either that or…
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): “Lay Down Beside Me”? [laughs]
AJ: Yeah, nooo…
Brian: Does it have to be one of ours?
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): You can do any one you want.
AJ: Honestly, I would say “Don’t Wanna Lose You Now”. There’s just something about that song…I love that record. I wish it would have been a single.
Howie: “Drowning.”
Sandy (StarShine Magazine):You guys don’t perform that song anymore?
Howie: That’s the one song off the Chapter One hits that we don’t do. Besides “Get Down”.
AJ: Or “We’ve Got Goin’ On”.
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): “Get Down” wasn’t on the American Chapter One. I have it.
Brian: She knows better than us.
AJ: Get your Chapter One’s right there, buddy.
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): I got three of them for Christmas one year. [laughs]
Howie: Stocking stuffers.
AJ: I miss “We’ve Got It Goin’ On”, too.
Brian: I will go with Howie’s choice, “Drowning”. I really like that song.
Sandy (StarShine Magazine): You should do it tonight.
AJ: The band doesn’t really know it. We could do it a cappella, but…
Howie: That would be a song we’ll probably throw back in.

[Brian sings “Drowning” in the background.]

AJ: Who was the other band that we said it sounded like?
Howie & Nick: Lonestar.

[Brian begins to sing “Amazed” by Lonestar.]

Sandy (StarShine Magazine): Okay, that’s it for the interview. Thank you guys.
Nick: Thank you.

BSB Standing Strong Onstage and Backstage

"We believe that we are current. All we have to do is get the right tools."-Nick Carter

Approaching the House of Blues in Atlantic City, one would think there was a semi-formal event taking place. Young females clad in short skirts, tight tops and heels lined up outside. What threw most onlookers for a loop was the young men sporting Backstreet Boys t-shirts. Yes, surprisingly enough--it was the men showing the pride while the women strut their stuff in hopes to grab Howie, Brian, AJ or Nick's attention.

With fifteen years behind them as a band, the Backstreet Boys' fans are still hardcore. Not willing to lose her spot in line, one woman actually pulled her pants down and urinated right on the floor. Unfortunately for her, she was escorted out by security and missed one awesome show!

The crowd waited anxiously, chanting and screaming every few minutes until the lights went out and BSB appeared onstage. Dressed in boxing robes and gloves and to the beat of Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger", the group appeared ready to put up a fight. From what StarShine could tell from their interview with the Boys, it may be members of their own crew they are battling. "There are internal people--and I'm not going to say any names," explained Nick Carter,
"But there are people that we've worked with who feel that we are an [Adult Contemporary] act and feel that's all that we're capable of doing." That's simply not the case. Tell that to the screaming fans at their concert throwing panties and holding signs that read, "I want to have your baby". They certainly think the Backstreet Boys have still got it as they brought back more choreography to their show and proved their vocals sound just as good as they did in the late '90s. "We believe that we are current. All we have to do is get the right tools," Nick said adamantly.

Blending the perfect mix of new and old, the Backstreet Boys sang all their major hits like "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)", "As Long As You Love Me", "I'll Never Break Your Heart" and "I Want It That Way" and their newer hits, "Incomplete" and "Inconsolable" . Surprisingly, the band left out their last single, "Helpless When She Smiles".

Though the song was dubbed as one of the band's favorite tracks off their latest album Unbreakable back in October 2007, it was not their choice in a single being that it was another ballad.

Backstage in their interview with StarShine, AJ McLean dished on their hopes for the future of Backstreet Boys. "I think it's a nice mix between--if we go back to being what the Backstreet Boys are known for, it's Pop/R&B," he says. "Hopefully we don't stay in this ballad/mid-tempo world." On tour, the band has been spicing up their ballads by adding nice touches to the stage. For "All I Have To Give", a garbage can with a faux fire is onstage as the four
guys stand around it singing as if they're on a street corner. "Show Me The Meaning of Being Lonely" has the guys sitting around playing poker, which creates a great story for the somber song.

Throughout the night, each member of the band had the opportunity to showcase their solo talents. Brian Littrell sang his hit single "Welcome Home" while Nick sang "I Got You", a European single from his 2002 release Now or Never. Both Howie Dorough and AJ performed songs off their upcoming debut albums. Howie sang "She's Like The Sun", a Spanish flavored song he rhythmically moved his hips to. While AJ came out with "Drive-by Love" and
both scared and seduced the crowd with his wild energy and pelvic gyrations.

Though each member of the group is working on solo records, it looks like another BSB album is front and center. "We do believe there's enough space out there for all of us to exist as solo artists," Howie explained. "But at the same time supply our fans with what they want to hear overall, which is the Backstreet Boys."

It looks like BSB won't be slowing down after the American leg of the Unbreakable tour wraps up. The Boys will be going right into the studio for the next album all the while progressing with solo plans. They're not crying about the lack of time off, either. "That's a wonderful thing to be busy after fifteen, sixteen years in the business," Brian says humbly.

Closing the show that night with "Everybody (Backstreet' s Back)" seemed even more fittingly than ever before. Watching the group perform and after everything that was said in the interview, it felt like it was 1999 again and the Backstreet Boys were breaking all the records. No matter what happens in the future of the Backstreet Boys, they will always be legends, but let's not say their story is done. We only had Chapter One…there's no doubt that the
Backstreet Boys have the ability to reign the charts once again, if the industry would just let them. Either way, they'll always be number one to their fans and you can see the feeling was mutual as the band jumped into the crowd and waved to crying girls every other minute.

It's been said many times before, but we will always say it again… Backstreet's Back, alright!

SOURCE: Starshine Magazine

Backstreet Boys Party Like It's 1999 at Wolf Trap

By Dave McKenna
August 20, 2008

The Backstreet Boys still make girls scream. And the yelps they inspire these days don't sound grown-up or ironic, either. No, all through Monday's show at a packed Wolf Trap, the Boys were hit with the sort of meaning-of-life squeals historically reserved for Tiger Beat cover kids. That's a role they haven't filled in this century.

Three of the band's remaining members -- Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and A.J. McLean -- are in their 30s; the fourth, reality-TV himbo Nick Carter, is a weathered 28. (Kevin Richardson, the oldest original BSB'er, is now 37, but left the group two years ago.) Littrell, who spent the night smirking and giggling, was about the only person on the premises who grasped the goofiness of playing a teen idol so far past one's teens. But he, like everybody in the Zip code on this night, was having a blast nonetheless.

The Boys hit the stage dressed in boxing robes and wearing fighters' gloves. That's fitting attire, considering how long the band served as critics' punching bags. But enough time has passed for longtime haters to admit that some of BSB's vintage material really did rate the love the fans gave it from the start. "I Want It That Way" from 1999 and 1997's "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," for example, remain pop gold.

The ensemble did a Motown-like line dance routine while harmonizing during 1997's "As Long as You Love Me," as the backing band played the very similar music of the Spinners' classic "I'll Be Around." Of the band's old-school smashes, only "Everybody (Backstreets Back)," a Michael Jackson homage full of commands for fans to "Rock your body!," came off as too kitschy.

There were signs that band members are preparing for life post-BSB. Dorough did a very adult samba strut while crooning a number from his solo career. And Littrell stood alone on the stage for a folksy delivery of "Welcome Home (You)," a tearjerker about the pain of growing up and leaving the nest. Professionally, that's a pain these guys haven't yet faced and, strange as it sounds, might not have to for some time.

SOURCE: Washington Post

BsB Fans Hit The Jackpot In Atlantic City

This past Friday I, along with several hundred other 20-somethings relived our childhood when seeing the Backstreet Boys' show at the House of Blues in Atlantic City. Having been performing for the past 15 years, the majority of them now in their 30s, those Boys proved that they still have it goin' on.

I should preface this review to explain just how hardcore some of my friends and I were dedicated to this band, hopefully not incriminating myself too much in the process. Back during the height of the BSB era two friends stood outside "TRL" with a "Beam Us Up, Carson" sign for hours, one making it on Channel 11's "News at 11," being interviewed by a reporter about the pandemonium outside the MTV offices with a record number of fans — think 10 times the extent of Jonas Brothers fans today. Another friend learned the entire "As Long as You Love Me" chair dance, and that's no easy task — trust me, especially for the uncoordinated like myself. I can't even do the "Everybody" dance, and I've tried many a time.

Sure, we got a lot of heat for liking them. Seventh and eighth grade definitely isn't an easy period in any kid's life, and I could never explain to people what "I Want It That Way" meant. Come on, could you? "Ain't nothing but a heartache/ Ain't nothing but a mistake/ Tell me why, I never wanna hear you say I want it that way." The Backstreet Boys made life a little easier. I could escape from that awkwardness of middle-school life and be in my own world listening to their music. And I did. Granted, they weren't the first "boy band" to walk the earth, and they definitely won't be the last, but you cannot deny the presence they've had on my generation's music influence.

The concert Friday night started out the same as every show of theirs I've been to — the continuous Backstreet Boys chant minutes before the venue goes dark. Soon thereafter, Brian, Howie, AJ and Nick were spotted onstage in wrestling attire as an announcer introduced each member to the crowd. Thunderous applause and the most exasperating high-pitched screaming I have ever encountered at any show followed. I think every woman unleashed her inner 13-year-old Friday night, myself included.

The Backstreet Boys' set began with a high-intensity performance of "Larger Than Life," then segued into a cover of Kanye West's "Stronger" before the venue went dark once more. Seconds later the Boys appeared in leather jackets for "Everyone" off of 2000's Black and BlueUnbreakable, with nonstop energy and impeccable dance moves. Their stage interaction with each other and the fans in the crowd demonstrated their prowess for performing. album and "Any Other Way" off of their latest album,

Whether it was Brian constantly making comical faces while waving to audience members or Howie winking and blowing kisses, their love for what they do was evident the entire night. Despite having lost one member — Kevin Richardson — and having not been on tour the past few years, the Boys proved to the crowd that they're not going anywhere, with the promise of a solo album from both AJ and Howie in the near future as well as another album in the works.

"We want to thank you all for 15 unbelievable years," Howie told the screaming crowd. "We want to thank you for keeping the Backstreet pride alive." Their nearly two-hour set included 26 songs from their 15-year career. The entire venue was singing along to many of their old hits and fan favorites such as a medley of "As Long as You Love Me," "I'll Never Break Your Heart" and "All I Have to Give" complete with their infamous hat dance. Their newer material, such as faster-paced, edgier "Panic" and slower ballad "Unmistakable," continues to showcase BSB's solid harmonies, catchy choruses and impeccable intonation.

In addition, each Boy took the stage alone, singing a song off of their previously released solo album (in Nick and Brian's case) or the debut of a song from their upcoming release (AJ and Howie). While Howie's song had a Latin vibe to it, AJ's was much more rock influenced and heavier than the Backstreet Boys' material.

It was evident that the Boys held a special appreciation for their Jersey fans. "I love Jersey so much that I actually married a Jersey girl," Howie told the crowd. AJ later added, "Just to set the record straight, my Mom's from Jersey. Hackensack to be exact," as the screams rose and echoed throughout the venue.

Screaming isn't all the Boys got from fans Friday night. During a slower take of their hit "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely," each of the four members sat down at a makeshift card table. While mimicking playing a card game and talking with one another before beginning the song, two fans threw their bras at the Backstreet Boys, practically hitting a startled Brian and Howie in the face. Another fan could be spotted on the balcony flashing the guys continuously throughout their set.

The crowd favorite of the night seemed to be "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," as the Backstreet Boys had everyone jumping along throughout the song. The last song before their encore of "Shape of My Heart," the guys got the crowd energized, and if they hadn't come out for one more song, I think fans would have walked away content. Singing their famous line "Backstreet's back all right," the Boys have proven that they have lasted 15 years strong. I'm interested to see what the next 15 will be like.

SOURCE: MTV News