Delta Disaster: Backstreet Boy Bummed

The Backstreet Boys may have put on a mile-high performance Friday night at the Jingle Ball show in the Big Apple, but AJ had a rough ride back to his Hollywood home on Saturday when he spilled his Starbucks everywhere while boarding.

The crooner was obviously feeling cranky without his caffeine hit as he scoffed away at his sandwich.

"It's been a bad day so far, just as well I didn't spill my lunch too," the pop prince said. "Then I would have been real mad."

Meanwhile, AJ's bandmate Nick Carter took every opportunity to chat on his cell from takeoff to immediately after landing. Was it a special somebody?

Pop Tarts has been told that the boys will be up to some sins in Vegas over New Years as they "Rock Your Body" at the Body English in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

But one bopper who won't be behaving badly (we hope) is Howie Dorough, who tied the knot just last week in his home base of Orlando to his longtime love Leigh Boniello.

The 34-year-old wed the real estate broker in a traditional white wedding that our spy says was "so incredibly sweet and perfect. All the boys were there supporting Howie on his big day." Awww.

SOURCE: Fox News

“Hit Music” Exclusive Interview

Q: Japan has been a must place for your tour. How many times have you been here?
B: Oh yeah, many times. My son and my wife have been here twice, and I … about 7 or 8 times.

Q: And another concert here?
B: Yeah, in Tokyo.

Q: It is noted that you have written some of the song tracks in “Unbreakable”, and you have also done the bulk of the song production. So does this album represent the Backstreet boys to the most extent?
B: Absolutely! We are more involved in this album than the previous one, including the composition and the production of the songs (for example, we gather the composers and producers together to discuss). We have made efforts on this album. So we are actually more proud of it than the other ones. However we have tried different ideas and styles on the previous album. ‘Never Gone’, which is quite experimental, can be regarded as the lead-in to ‘unbreakable’, which when you listen to it, you will witness the growth and progress we enjoy. In all, this album can really represent the backstreet boys to the most extent, especially the backstreet boys nowadays.
A: What a good answer! (laugh)

Q: So you have been spent much more time on this album than on others?
A: Of course. It took us about two years and a half on this album, which might not have been taken so much time, because we stopped and restarted for several times during the recording. We on the one hand listened to music and on the other hand tried to fix the orientation of the album, still we examined how far we had gone in the recording, after that, we went back to the studio to start record. As a result, we are quite satisfied with this album.

Q: You’ve sold one hundred million records all over the world, and how did you make it?
N: Music, it is of the first place. Apart from that, it is hard to say, may be it was luck to some extent. I mean, first of all, our voice must sound perfect to touch people’s heart. And next, we should be harmonious as a group. We are trying to show to our fans our best selves, in vocal, appearance and ideas. At the same time, we have been looking for something new, hoping that our fans would have new experience and discovery every time we release our album.
A: In addition, we found ourselves lucky enough to survive in the severe music industry nowadays. In fact, I mean, nowadays it is difficult for an indie band to sell 50 million within 5 years as we did at that time. It is the tendency, because there are new media taking part in the competition of the music industry. We were in the time when people still wanted to buy CDs, and meanwhile our music was appreciated and suitable to the people. To some extent, we are quite thankful to those fans who always hold out the hope for the Backstreet boys and supported us with their passion along the way.

Q: To mention the record industry, how much are your new album influenced by the change of the music industry nowadays?
A: Nowadays, pop music is more rich and varied in styles, with a wider tolerance compared to the situation several years ago. As a pop singer, what he can sing is not just pop, but pop-rock or alternatives. Meanwhile, media and fans are influenced mutually; their favors and tastes push or indirectly change the tendency of the record industry. The biggest change in record industry is the prevalence of the download music, which decreases the CD sales, and the internet singers. However, it is just a tendency which cannot be considered good or bad. In terms of music, it is hard to say how big the influence is. But that we are trying to do something new is definitely affected by the download music tendency. Not to say the new album, we can to some extent see how the tendency will be from our first album. In terms of the tendency, we still value the CD industry for there will be many people willing to by our CDs as long as our music is wonderful, and worthwhile.

Q: In those 15 years, the world witnesses your achievements. What do you think is the biggest achievement of the group?
B: For me, I think the biggest achievement lies in the same belief we share together from beginning till now. 15 years is quite a long time, however, it passes swiftly. In those 15 years, we grew and made progress together, though everyone changed a lot. We are always doing the same thing, staying in the same group, and singing the same song, which I found it gratified and proud. Of course we are lucky in deed to be able to carry off the trials and tribulations till now.

Q: You’ve mentioned that the 2008 world tour would be of the most magnificent spectacle. Will China be included?
N: In addition to the magnificent spectacle, we will try something new. Just wait and see, we will show you the most wonderful concert of the Backstreet boys. The ‘Never gone’ tour was good, but the dance and entertainment covered a large proportion. We also dance this time, but the style of the concert will be like the ‘Black&blue’ tour. We are looking forward to giving concerts in china and to the Chinese fans. But it would be even better to giving concerts all over the world.(laugh)
A: For me, I want to go to China. There is the possibility, which we cannot be quite sure about it. We are still unforgettable about the warm welcome we received from the Chinese fans and the people we meet in Shanghai and Beijing…it will be happy if China is in our schedule. (laugh)

Q: This is an important question. You have come to China for 4 times. What impression does this country left to you? Chinese fans welcome you any time.
BSB: The Great Wall! (They said in chorus)
N: I took a photograph of the people who were climbing the wall, from the mountain, at the Great Wall, which is still hanging on the wall of my apartment.
A: Oh, I still remember that we have been to a quite large studio, in which there was a nice football field whose name escaped my mind, but the field was very large and nice on which the footballers in red were training. We also went to other places, and we were so much surprised. China is really a charming place that is quite different as we imagined before.

Q: What else do you want to say to your fans who support you along the way, except’ thank you’, especially the Chinese fans?
A: It is the destiny to have acquainted you and loved by you through music. We will keep moving on, through the new album and live show to let you see the new backstreet boys. Listen to our music carefully, and came to our show. We won’t let you down, haha(laugh). Thanks to you, thank-you will never be enough. Thank you for being patient to wait for us, and we hope you will like this album!

Source: amy_lee @ bsbchina.com

A Kissmas miracle, for teens at least

Tuesday night, a lead singer walked onto the stage of a sold-out HSBC Arena, strumming an acoustic guitar. And before he broke into the first verse, it was clear that he knew his audience.“Let’s see you put those cell phones up!” urged Martin Johnson, lead singer/ rhythm guitarist of Boys Like Girls, the opening act of Kissmas Bash 2007 — an event in which 75 percent of the audience was probably too young to be carrying a lighter.

And judging by the sea of glowing cell phone screens that appeared in the crowd, the kids were having a ball. A Boston- based quartet touring in support of its self-titled debut album, Boys Like Girls dished out a buoyant, snappy set of cookie- cutter pop-punk tunes, with the exception of the aforementioned ballad, “Holiday.” And while they weren’t lacking in energy — especially drummer John Keefe, who was throwing monster fills all over the place — they couldn’t compete with the tweens, teens and “cool” moms, whose ear-shattering shrieks marked the beginning and ending of practically every song.

But the shrieking didn’t begin (or end) there. The “hosts” of the evening, the Backstreet Boys, kicked off the evening, and the rambunctious cheering they received proved that while they may be dead, they’re certainly not forgotten. Brian, A.J. and Nick appeared in different parts of the arena throughout the evening to make important announcements, like which section had just won free food from McDonald’s.

After the first Backstreet interlude came Good Charlotte, a five-piece group that should be credited for having more staying power than your average Sum 41. Their set gave a few clues as to why they’re still hit-makers.

Far from just antiseptic second-generation Green Day, Good Charlotte’s performance featured elements of power pop, Goth rock and glam. Sure, a pseudo- rap by lead singer Joel Madden was ill advised, but at least he tried to mix it up. Not exactly a Kissmas miracle, but close.
After another riveting Backstreet Boys moment, where they rubbed their Backstreet “Backsides” on a Kiss 98.5 DJ, teen sensation Sean Kingston took the stage. Despite a muddied soundboard mix, which left his lyrics mostly unintelligible, the Miami-born, Jamaica-bred singer’s blend of lite rap, reggae and R&B was undeniably charming.

The beats were soulful and sunny, and Kingston’s energy was tough to dislike. While the between-song banter needed rehearsing — at one point, the singer just pointed to random areas of the arena, saying “I see some girls over there” — his set was the most refreshing and entertaining of the evening.

Speaking of ending it all, the Backstreet Boys followed Kingston by trying to get the crowd to sing “Frosty the Snowman” with them. Needless to say, when Simple Plan subsequently hit the stage and opened with their song “Addicted,” the response was better.

Like most bands of their mainstream punk stock, this Montreal quintet performs with confidence and conviction, and has nothing new to offer musically. But after three hours of the Kissmas Bash, Simple Plan’s sheer exuberance was a needed kick in the pants.

The night’s final set was reserved for Hinder, an Oklahoma City band that has been flying high, thanks to one of the most ham-handed power ballads in recent memory, “Lips of an Angel.”

Unfortunately, the five-piece band’s performance possessed no more substance than its hit single. A melange of recycled grunge riffs and a thoroughly unconvincing hair metal shtick, Hinder makes the most recent wave of derivative alt-rock, like Creed and Nickelback, seem almost innovative.

While the songs aren’t breathtaking, the band’s real weakness is singer Austin Winkler. The guy was clearly trying to channel the elastic pipes of his idols — Axl Rose, Steven Tyler, etc. — but he just couldn’t do it. Even his rock-star scream sounded weak, and as anybody at last night’s show could attest, a healthy scream is the true meaning of Kissmas.

Any old dump like me is going to complain a little about this show, especially with all the shrieking, but we can’t forget that the Kissmas Bash lets thousands of young people have fun listening to live music.

Like it or not, loving Good Charlotte is still art appreciation.

What was truly annoying about the event was what happened between performances.

As soon as the last song of each set ended, two screens on either side of the stage began playing TV commercials and music videos of Kissmas Bash artists.

Immediately after Boys Like Girls finished their last song, “The Great Escape,” the screens started playing the video for it. Something just felt wrong about that.

But then again, my idea of a good time is falling asleep while trying to finish a movie.

Source: The Buffalo News

Unbreakable brings Backstreet back

For those of us re-living our childhood and still engrossed in the world of pretty boys and bubblegum pop music, this year’s Christmas came early. Oct. 30 marked the release of the Backstreet Boys sixth studio album, Unbreakable.

These five boys have brought us soothing harmonies and crisp dance moves for 13 years now. True fans have stuck through rehab, an embarrassing reality show, marriages and children. Fans have also recently had to come to terms with the band’s loss of a member.

But we’ve been here all along. We’ve known the dance moves to “Everybody,” we’ve serenaded someone with “I Want it That Way,” and we’ve all shed a tear over “The Perfect Fan.”Now the Backstreet Boys that remain, A.J. McLean (29), Brian Littrell (32), Howie Dorough (34) and Nick Carter (27) have matured and brought us one of their best compilations yet. Get ready, because once again, Backstreet’s back…all right.Unbreakable returns to Backstreet’s roots, reviving the pop sounds of the ’90s that put the band on the radar. As on their first album, they charm us with their ability to harmonize. Unbreakable opened at No. 7 on the Billboard 200.

The first single off the album, “Inconsolable” is led by youngest, and my personal favorite member, Carter. It is sure to be a solid radio hit through 2007.

BSB secures their name by adding heartfelt ballads that will make your knees weak and have you singing for years. “Unsuspecting Sunday Afternoon” and “Helpless When She Smiles” have deep lyrics that reflect the maturing lives of men in their late 20s and early 30s.

Don’t think that Backstreet’s gone all old people on us though; they remain youthful in their upbeat dance songs like “Panic” and “Everything but Mine.” These songs could easily hold their own in Hollywood’s hottest clubs.

“Treat Me Right” is one of the most innovative songs on the album written by the band’s own McLean, and rival *NSYNC-er JC Chasez. Although BSB fans used to despise those of *NSYNC, I think it’s safe to say that we won and that we shouldn’t shun Chasez. We knew it was only a matter of time before they would be “bye - bye - bye.”

Unbreakable is basically the best album since 2000’s Millennium, which broke the record for sales in its first week and was nominated for five Grammy’s. Unbreakable, along with Nick Carter’s 44 lb. weight loss is exactly what we need to pep us up for a classic BSB world tour!

That’s right folks, break out those old concert T-shirts, the BSB jet (you know the one I mean, it sports all of their pictures) is being fueled up and ready for takeoff. BSB kicks off its fifth world tour in February starting in Tokyo. The band should be in the United States by late 2008.
There you have it. You’re officially ready to sing and dance with your favorite Hollywood hunk (even it was Howie) and for those of you who managed to escape a boy band phase in your life, it’s never too late! I invite you to indulge in Unbreakable.

Source: The Good 5 Cent Cigar

Backstreet Boys back in the Hub

Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough is all grown up - and a husband. But the ex-teenthrob said he’s not too worried about breaking up any catfights between his new bride, Leigh Boniello, and his adoring fans now that Backstreet’s Back.

“You know Leigh’s been with us from the beginning,” said Dorough, who met his bride when she worked as the boy band’s Webmaster. “She knows what this business is all about and she loves it. She’s amazing.”

What’s more amazing is that eight years after their heyday, the aging Boys - Dorough, Brian Littrell, A.J. McLean and Nick Carter - can still draw a huge crowd of screaming, panting females (in the middle of a blizzard!) to the Boston Billiard Club. The mini-concert, for a keyed-up crowd of MIX 98.5 listeners, is part of the Kevin Richardson-less band’s push for its new album, “Unbreakable.”

In between belting out hits like “I Want It That Way” and “House of Cards,” the Boys talked to the crowd about their comeback as well as past memories of performing in Boston.

“The last time I was in Boston was when I left for rehab,” a sober McLean proudly shouted to his cheering fans. “I’m now five years sober!”

Dorough shared what he described as his “fairy tale” wedding to Boniello in Florida last weekend, adding how “incredible” it was to have all the Backstreet Boys (including Richardson, who left the band in 2006) together again at the ceremony.
“This has just been so crazy and beautiful,” Dorough told us. “To get married and then come out here and perform - we’re back full force.”

The Boys high-tailed it out of Boston to make a gig in Hartford last night - but promised to return soon. They’re slated to perform at the TD Banknorth Garden sometime next spring.

Source: Boston Herald