Source: Access Online
TOKYO -- It was Backstreet Boys mania to the hilt. To describe the
atmosphere in the adjourning suites at the Four Seasons Hotel would be to
say it was frenzy at best, chaotic at worse. My sit down interview with the
Backstreet Boys was already 30 minutes past the appointed start time and
judging by all the commotion going on in the other rooms, it didn't appear
we were going to begin anytime soon.
>From my vantage point I could see two members of the Backstreet Boys Howie D
(Howard Dorough) and Kevin Richardson getting finishing touches from a small
army of makeup people and hairstylists. Behind them, another member, Nick
Carter, was being briefed about an appearance the group was slated to make
later in the day. Member Brian Littrell was no where to be seen but you
could hear comments being directed at him, and there was what appeared to be
a publicists from the record company that was trying to steer Backstreet
Boys' A.J. (Alexander McLean) to his next interview.
By the time Richardson and Dorough took up their seats in front of me, there
were already two staff people buzzing me in my ear about the need to wrap up
my interview in half the time we had previously agreed.
Both members talked of the demands of being one of the world's hottest pop
acts and the perils of staying on that perch both real and imagined. "We're
not a boy band," Richardson chaffed at the suggestion. Afterwards I
remembered thinking how difficult it must be to be relentlessly tugged from
all sides at once.
That the calamity mood did not manifest itself in their sold-out concert
that night which was frankly one of the best I had seen that year made me
revise my thinking. What I had witnessed earlier at the hotel was a boiling
kettle with the lid clamped down. Offstage, it was just a matter of time
before that kettle, in the form of the Backstreet Boys, would blow off some
serious steam.
That was three years ago. Fast-forward to the Four Season Hotel and the
Backstreet Boys in the present tense and some things have changed.
Baby faced Littrell is now a proud father. "I get to change diapers and all
of it. The Backstreet Boys have always been number one and so important in
my life. Now it is kind of like I have a little boy that watches every move
that I make. For me to stand up for what I believe in as a father figure, as
a husband and as a family man, I think that helps my attitude towards the
group in working harder because I want my son to look up to his father.
Being a pop idol is one thing but being my son's hero I would take over
anything," he said.
McLean has kicked a substance abuse habit and has learned to appreciate life
in the slow lane. "Outside of Backstreet Boys we are all five, just regular
guys. This is a job that we all enjoy and are very passionate about but at
the end of a work day you go home and enjoy your personal time."
Carter still embodies the wild streak of the group but with a new record
label under his wings, and high profile romances to the likes of Paris
Hilton behind him he said he is more focused than ever and looking forward
to the group's new CD their first since "Black and Blue" release next year.
"It's great to be back with the guys. The album is a variety and a mixture
of our influences that we have kind of gotten throughout our careers. It has
a little bit of R&B mixture, some rock influence and maybe a small amount of
hip-hop. I mean we really took some time. We have recorded about 40 to 45
songs and we are still not done yet. When it comes to the album, we just
want to make sure that it is the best album possible."
If there are any ill effects from their self-imposed hiatus it was not
apparent as all five members met the press to talk about their return to
Tokyo and to the pop music limelight. Older, and looking a lot better for
the wear, they exuded a maturity that has been instrumental in shaping their
new priorities.
"I think that it is a testament to our history together. We've gone through
a lot together and the fact that we have been blessed with the success that
we've had, this time away I think has made all of us gain perspective on
what we truly had accomplished together. I think it really helped us respect
each other more and want to get back together and to go forward again,"
Richardson said.
He added that a number of factors finally blew the lid off of one of pop
music biggest success stories. "We had pretty much reached the point of some
burnout and it was not as joyous as in the past. On our last tour, a lot
went on in the world with 9/11, which happened while we were on tour. That
made it kind of difficult along with A.J. going through rehab. The fact that
we have taken the time off I think has been so beneficial for all of us.
A.J. got the time to really work his recovery program like he really needed
to and we all got a chance to recharge our batteries."
Dorough agreed. "We are very lucky to have a chance for a second go round
especially in this time and age in an industry as crazy as it is where so
much searching is going on. We are very fortunate to have a label that stood
behind us. That's a big factor. A lot of artists don't have that chance."
Though much has changed, there are some constants about the group's appeal
in Japan... then and now.
One constant could be seen outside the Four Season Hotel. Like before, an
army of women fans camped out in the parking lot, lobby, and bathrooms of
the hotel hoping to catch a glimpse of their idols. Some pulled out
bandanas, others hand-made signs all with hand-scrawled messages. One of
them, Morai said she has been a fan of the group for five years. "They are
so cool," she said excitedly. Her friend Mina said she fell in love with the
group six years ago and couldn't be happier with their return. "My favorite
is Brian," she gushed. Another woman fan said the group's appeal in Japan is
straight to the point. "They sing songs that are so easy on the ears and
Japanese girls like love songs."
The feeling is mutual. "It's nice to see a lot of the familiar fans. We love
them too because they have supported us for all these years," Carter said.
The other was evident by just looking at the flyer promoting their five
Japan concerts. Marked across each date in bold red were the words, "Sold
Out!" Which is exactly where the group left off on that Japan tour three
years earlier.
Some things never change.