Yes, I'd let this man bite my neck anytime! :)
 

 Okay, ditto on the old pics and loving them so much!

Interview with Howie Dorough.

Howie - the sweet one

Interviewer  - Red text.
Howie - Orange text
 

You guys seem to work non-stop these days - are there times when you feel overworked?
I'm a workaholic, so I keep going out until my Energiser batteries run out!  Every once in a while, there are periods when our schedules get a little bit crazy and it's like people forget we're only human!  But, like I say, I love to work.  This is my life and I couldn't imagine doing anything else. 

Do you know each other's secrets?
Yeah, we all confide in each other a lot - we're like brothers.  I don't think there's any information about any of us that the others don't know.  We know about each others private lives, we know about secrets... we know everything!  It's cool.

Do you ever need to spend time on your own?
I'm a real person, but sometimes it's weird because the only time I have my own space is when I go to bed at night.  But I also get bored and lonely easily if I'm hanging around my house back home, I'll cll AJ or Kevin and ask them if they wanna do something.  I like being around people.

So who's your best friend in the Backstreet Boys?
Wow, it's really hard to pick just one best friend 'cos we all have such different qualities within ourselves.  I probably turn to Kevin or AJ most, because we're most alike.  We go to clubs and stuff.  We have the same kind of personalities.

Are there ever arguments?
Sure, hahaha!  We're like brothers - we have our good and bad moments.  Brian, Nick and I sometimes clash when it comes to the amount of work we do.  That's just own different personalities and that's what makes us who we are.

Do you ever feel jealous that Nick gets the most attention?
(Laughs) I think there's enough room for all of us.  He's the youngest and most of our audience is around his age.  If I was their age and I was a girl, I'd probably go after Nick.  I mean, they may look at me and Kevin and think we're too old!

Have you ever thought about leaving the band and going solo?
We've talked about what we want to do in the future, and what we'd do if we got offers for solo projects, be it singing or acting.  We've all said it'd be a group decision and we'd do whatever benefits the group most.  It could mean all of us taking time out to do solo stuff and then coming back together.  There's enough room for us all to shine and have everything we want in life.

Are you as sweet as people say?
I don't know! The guys nicknamed me 'Sweet D' 'cos they say I have a big heart.  I grew up with a big family, so I've always had a lot of love around me me.  I've never wanted to hurt people's feelings.

Don't you ever feel like being more rock 'n' roll?
I guess my hair is as rock 'n' roll as I get!  I never thought I'd have an earring, so I'd say this business really does open your eyes to change.  But I feel comfortable with the way I am, so I don't want to change too drastically.

Do you still get homesick?
Yeah, I do, but I've always had a fast-paced lifestyle, so I'm kinda used to life on the road.  I miss my family, my Mum's homecooking and my bed, but these days our fans are like our family, and the rest of the guys are like another family to me.

What one thing would improve the quality of your life?
(Thinks for a bit) Erm, decisiveness.  If I could make decisions really quickly, and not have to spend as much time contemplating them, I'd have a better life because I'd get a lot more accomplished.

HAve you ever been in love?
Sure.  What does it feel like?  It's a good feeling knowing somebody loves you, especially as it's someone outside your family - someone who has a deeper inner love for you.  It's a little bit frightening too, as you don't know exactly how long it's going to last.  It's especially hard with my career, y'know, trying to find somebody who'll out up with my schedule.  Right now, I'm putting love on the back burner.  My love is my career, and there'll be time for a settled relationship later on.

When did you first learn about sex?
(Shocked)  Wow, what kind of...?  Wow! I've never been asked that before! Ummm I guess I learnt things from my friends, but there wasn't any particular age when I learnt everything!  This is the 90's and I think sex is talked about a lot more openly, which is a good thing.  At least people aren't naïve and they're aware of how they can protect themselves.

Do you want kids?
Oh yeah, definitely.  I can't see it happening in the near future because my career's really taken off.  Planning a family definitely takes timing.  I'd hate to have a kid and not be able to be there for him all the time.  When I do get married and have a family, I want to devote all my time to them.
 

Check back for the next instalment of the Backstreet Boys' Interviews.

Go back to interview jump off page.

General Disclaimers and the likes thereof:
Smash Hits is distributed by Frontline, Park House.
Published by EMAP Metro on behalf of EMAP Consumer Magazines.
The interviews are reproduced without permission of any sort whatsoever. I am making absolutely nil money out of this little endeavour.  I am unfortunately skint, so if you do want to sue me (please don't!), I haven't got any money to pay the fine.

The pictures of Howie were acquired a while ago, and I can't remember where  I found them.
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