INTERVIEWER: OK Bri, we know you're a bit of a clown, but we also know you're a deep person....

BRIAN: Yeah, I guess you can say I am. I think about things a lot, and I certainly like to talk! During interviews it's a chance to really express yourself, becuz the interviewer is gonna write down exactly what you say--not the way you look or somethin'--so you've gotta make it count.

INTERVIEWER: How much do you give away in interviews?

BRI: I think I'm very honest. I don't really have anything to hide. Of course, there're some things that everyone keeps to themselves. You need to keep something for yourself--it's for your own sanity.

INTERVIEWER: So how much of your life do you think the public should know?

BRI: They should definitely know who we are as people. It's important for me that fans know what sort of person I am. Not that I want them to follow me or do as I do, I just hope I set a good example.

INTERVIEWER: You really care about people, but do you sometimes find you have to be a bit aloof?

BRI: Yeah, I can't get as personal with people as I'd like, but it's becuz of lack of time--not the restrictions of the band. I hate the fact that I can't spend much time with the fans now, but I always stop for a chat whenever I can.

INTERVIEWER: Being a BSB, are there any certain things stops you doing?

BRI: In the beginning I was a lot more timid about what I did, but as I got older I think people want to know the real me. So I'm a lot more relaxed in public and I'll do anything that I wanna do. It's about enjoying life.

INTERVIEWER: Are you good at hiding your feelings?

BRI: Sometimes--it depends what sort of mood I'm in. I get down like everybody else, but I try to keep it in control.

INTERVIEWER: But say it got too much, would you go to a therapist ?

BRI: Hmmm, it depends how bad off I was. If I really felt I had things to get off my chest, and I didn't have anybody to turn to, then I probably would talk to a professional. But I'm lucky I haven't experienced anything really bad.

INTERVIEWER: Do you ever worry about getting too close to people ?

BRI: No, I'm a warm kinda guy--I like getting to know people. All the stuff about kiss 'n' tell stories just doesn't bother me. Those stories happen anyway, whether you've done anything or not.

INTERVIEWER: You're seen as the joker of the band, so are there two different sides to you?

BRI: Yeah, I suppose there are. I think the real me is the comedian, but I have got another side. When I'm talking about my emotions or how I am on the inside, I like to get into more detail. I do try to show my funny side when I'm with the fans cuz I want people to see the happy me as that's what I am 99% of the time.

INTERVIEWER: So do you get days when you just don't want to be funny ?

BRI: Yeah, there are days when I wake up and I haven't had enough sleep, or I've just got out of the wrong side of the bed and I've got a huge chip on my shoulder. And like everyone else I can be a real grouch. The guys are like, 'What's wrong with you?' and I'm like (in a very grumpy voice and face),'I ain't in a good mood, leave me alone!' and we've been together long enough for them to know when to back off. But everyone has days like that!

INTERVIEWER: When you're out, are you always aware of people staring at you ?

BRI: I'm the type of person who's really aware of things that are going on around me. It's relly weird. Like, we were on stage recently and I spotted this person with a videocamera way out in the audience (of course, you're not allowed to video the show). So I ran to Randy at the side of the stage and told him to go grab it.

INTERVIEWER: Now you're so successful, do you think you're drawn to the 'beautiful people'?

BRI: I guess we're kinda put on pedestals and thrown in with some of the more 'elite' people. Like, when we were in LA some time ago, the record company put our names on the door of the Sky Bar (the most exclusive club ib town), so I guess just by being there we're catapulted to this sort of 'high position'. But it is weird cuz you're an entertainer--you're put in that position and we know we're no better than anybody else. It was really funny actually, cuz Cindy Crawford walked past us and Howie was like,'Huuu, huuuuuu!' He couldn't breathe. It was really cool!

INTERVIEWER: You always look so at ease when you're on TV. Have you ever thought about taking it any further ?

BRI: I don't see why not! I mean, I've never taken any acting lessons or anything, but I reckon it'd be really cool to be a VJ, or even star in a Jim Carrey flick or something. Actually, we're already in talks about doing a Bakstreet Boys movie. We want it to be kinda off the wall, a bit like the Batman films, all gothic. We're still looking for proper funds for it. But it's based on the comic books Nick's working on.

INTERVIEWER: You're an intelligent bloke--do you ever fancy going back to college ?

BRI: I would love to if our schedule ever got more laidback! I'd like to get a teachers' degree in physical education or something. I love sport and I reckon it'd be fun to help out at schools, as a substitute teacher--I wouldn't expect to be paid, I'd just like to be involved with the kids.

INTERVIEWER:What do you think will be the cause of the Backstreet Boys breaking up ?

BRI: You know, I honestly don't know! I suppose it's just so far from our minds at the moment. Yeah, we have fights, but we all want to achieve the same things. If we ever got to the point where we felt we were so successful that we couldn't achieve any more, then we'd have to think about it. Of course, there's the prospect of solo careers... We all want to do it at some stage and I must admit, some of us have had offers already. It's no big deal right now--the main thing for us at the moment is to concentrate on getting this right. It's going to be a long time before we think about calling it quits...

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