We've done a few shows with the Spice Girls, and I think we're pretty different than they are. We have a lot of R&B influence in our music and I think that shows," declares Backstreet Boys Kevin Richardson.

Must be showing. The Backstreet Boys are happening all around the world. Fans flocked to enjoy their soulful, harmonizing hip-hop talents during their winter tour of Canada. Our neighbours to the north greeted the backstreet Boys with sold-out stadiums - 25 000 screaming devotees showed up for their concert at Toronto's Skydome. Fans were near hysteria!- several of the songs during their 17 song set were rendered unrecognizable, drowned out by the clamor of screaming girls.

When the boys made a TV appearances at MuchMusic [the Canadian version of MTV], 3000 fans pushed and shoved to get just a glimpse of the band, forcing the closure of city streets. Eight people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries ,while another eight were treated on site.

It's all happening for Kevin, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean, Howie Dorough and Nick Carter. The backstreet Boys have sold 13.5 million copies of their debut album world-wide although the music created by these Florida natives only touched America late last summer. The record has now sold over a half million in the States, but its still considerably less than the 1.8 million chalked up by their Canadians counterparts, especially considering our northern neighbours have 1/10th the population. Canada may currently be the Backstreet Boys' North American headquarters, but the band got their first no.1 record was in Germany. Europe enjoyed the lighthearted dance-oriented materials being presented by the wholesome fivesome. They toured relentlessly and it paid off. Last winter, police had to cancel a free show in Madrid, Spain when thousands fans had already gathered hours before the band was scheduled to perform. Apparently, the local police were not equipped to handle large crowds and the show was canceled for security reasons. Here's a vision of life on the road with the BSB:

What is your idea of paradise? Nick: beaches, water, sunshine,sand, palm trees, I like relaxing somewhere hot! Brian: Home!!!! We're on the road so much, I'm never there.

When you go on the road, what special things do you take on tour with you? AJ: I used to always take my blanket. I've had it for 14 years, and it went everywhere with me. My great-great-grandmother made it for me. But one day, I left it in a hotel bed in America, it looked like a rag and it got thrown away. So I fiddle with my jeans all the time now, I just rub the material together between my fingers. Howie: I always take the same pajamas. They are oriental silk PJs and I love them. They're so soft on the skin. Brian: I have to eat peanut butter and jam sandwiches or I can't survive. Nick: I love video games so I take my Play Station. I love Mortal Kombat and I love the football games. I beat Brian all the time.

Do you have any backstage rituals? Howie: Yeah, we pray together. We get in a circle and focus on the show and then we stretch out , warm up and say good luck!

What do you miss most when you're on tour? Howie: I miss not driving. I hate being in a bus or cab. I've got a Mazda 626, it was a present from my parents when I graduated from high school. I love to cruise around in it. I also miss my friends and family although they're not really things, are they?

On the road, the Backstreet Boys are together 24 hours a day, seven days a week, do you always get along? Brian: We do argue from time to time, but we usually make up straight afterward. We have days where we just can't agree on anything at all.

Who gets on the best in the band? AJ: Brian and Nick are so close they're amazing. Even though Brian in 23 and Nick 18, they are very, very close. They're like the same person sometimes a double act.

Do you get homesick? Nick: Yeah I do but when I'm on tour my parents are often with me. It's really weird living out of a suitcase. It's had to sit and relax. I always feel I should be doing something active.

What's a wild time on the road for you guys? AJ: We have our moments, usually after the show when the five of us hang out. We grab some drinks from the back of the bus so we don't have to pay for them at the hotel bar. Howie: I've been really tired since this tour started so I restrict the partying. I just crash out. Being on tour is cool enough. We don't have to throw tvs out of hotels. Kevin: I love going to clubs, but unfortunately we can't all go together because Nick is only 18. When I'm in London, I always go to Brown's or the The Bluenote.

How wild are your fans? Howie: They read my sister's name in the magazine and then they phone up the hotels we're in and say, " I'm Howie's sister". Then I'm like, "You're not my sister, she doesn't have a British accent!" AJ: Our fans are very wild but we like it! I mean, what guy wouldn't want all these girls throwing themselves at us? They do all kinds of wild things to get at us. They've tried to climb up the fire escapes...they say they're our maids.

What are some the most outrageous things your fans have done? Howie: On my birthday, a fan flew especially from Europe to America to bring me a gummy bear cake. She flew all the way to my home town, but I was in Germany, so she just gave it to my family. She was so sad that she missed me! But I did call her to thank you.

Do you have any girlfriends? Nick: I don't have a girlfriend, but if I did, she would dump me when she found out that I traveled around the world all the time.

Who has the most annoying habits on tour? AJ: Well, we don't have problem with smelly feet because we change our shoes as soon as we come offstage. Brian: We all have very smelly feet anyway. I bite my fingernails and the others can get quite annoyed by that. Kevin: I chew on my tongue when I get nervous, but I don't think anyone gets annoyed by that. We all sleep in separate rooms so we don't have to put up with snoring.

What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened on stage? Howie: I've fallen off the stage. One time, I fell over and went hurtling towards the edge of the stage when a security guard caught me and pushed me back on. If he hadn't caught me, I probably would have died, or at least significantly hurt myself. Kevin: Sometimes I can't keep ahold of my microphone stand. I'm such a butterfingers, it keeps slipping out of my hand.