There seems to be a lot of new BSB type bands around at the mo – does it bug you?
Not really. I mean, we’ve just been to N Sync’s show and the audience seemed to be a lot younger than ours. I think that’s because we’ve been around for so long. Our audience have ahd a chance to grow with us. But I tell you what – it really made me want to get back on stage as soon as possible. It’s my one true drug of life, getting up on stage. When I’m away from it for too long I start climbing the walls!
So what was the first concert you ever went to?
God, I can’t even think that far back! The first one I can remember is Michael Jackson, but it was the reunion tour with his brothers in Miami back in ’83 or ’84. I was only little so I sat up on my dad’s shoulders. And if I’m not mistaken I think I fell asleep halfway through the show!
Nick’s such a prankster – have any of you got him back yet?
Oh, big time! He got Howie to eat a really hot pepper once, but he was fine with it. Then Howie got Nick to eat one and his whole entire face, vecause Nick’s really pale, went bright red. He was sweating bullets, his eyes were watering. He looked like he was crying for hours, he was on fire. And Howie was just like, so proud of himself! I’ll never forget it – Nick came running into the dressing room and was drinking lots of water, which just makes it worse!
How are you enjoying your new house?
It’s really cool. You can scream at the top of your lungs and nobody cares. You can walk around naked and nobody cares. I had my family over for dinner yesterday and I cooked. They all said they liked it, but I don’t know if they were just being nice!
Where’s the strangest place you’ve been recognised?
A while back I took my truck up to Daytona with a couple of friends and we went into this biker bar, and this woman – she must have been in her 40s, decked out in leather, pierced nose, the cleavage, everything – goes, « You’re once of the Backstreet Boys, aren’t you? My son loves you guys ». I was just dumbfounded – you know, of all people?!
Se what’s going to be your next image change?
I’m actually thinking about getting my eyebrow pierced tomorrow but I’m really nervous about it. I’m also thinking about getting some more tattous to make it eight, and then I’ll be done. I did only want five, one for each guy, but I couldn’t resist the last one. It’s a kind of Gothic looking comedy/tragedy mask representign the theatre, and I put the quote, « Laugh Now » above it. Now I’m getting the exact same one on my right arm with a tear, and the words, « Cry Later »
If you could have a dessert named after you, what would be in it?
That’s cool! I’m kinda partial to kay lime pie, so a good bit of that, a little lemon meringue and a bit of strawberry. Then I’d put the whole thing on a layer of chocolate crust. Then I’d let you add your own topping, cream, chocolate or whatever. Damn, that sounds good! I might have to go make me a cake right now!
Have you bought yourselft anything nick lately?
I just changed my car. I had to get rid of the other one because it was bright yellow – everybody and their grandmother knew it and I’d always get followed. Now I have the kind of car a stockbroker would drive so no one looks. It’s a blue Mercedes and the windows are as black as night so you can’t see into it. It’s kind of subdued for me though, isn’t it?!
