The biggest difference between Backstreet Boys fans in Europe and those in America is that their European fans already have their self-titled debut album while their American devotees are still waiting! Now it turns out that their album won't even be released in the United States this January as earlier promised. But besides that major annoyance, the Backstreet Boys--Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrel, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean--tell Bop that there are other differences, too.
"They are really aggressive, especially in Germany," 19-year-old A.J. says of the group's European fans. "They were following us in taxis and they were staying in the same hotels as us, buying us stuff and being at every show and actin crazy, fainting at shows." Seventeen-year-old Nick, too, will attest to the flair of their female fans overseas:"They are a lot more aggressive compared to American girls."
But don't misunderstand-the Florida-based Backstreet Boys love the attention of their European fans. They just wish they could do more for their American fans as well. "We haven't done shows, like, big fan-wise here in America," A.J. reports. "We also haven't done many shows here period."
Tell us something we don't know! But despite the fact that the Backstreet Boys have recently spent the bulk of their time in Europe, they still miss what A.J. refers to as "the aura of being in America." That includes their families, the food and the language. And, they do have fond memories of performing in the United States for their American fans. They especially enjoyed a performance they gave at a club called the Attic in South Carolina. "I didn't think that South Carolina was that big of a market, but they went nuts," A.J. remembers. "It was like, 'Whoa! They know who we are! And in our own country!'"
Now, for all of you American fans pining away for the Backstreet Boys, the group tells us they plan to release another single February 3, to follow up their previously released song, "We've Got It Goin' On." Finally, some good news for fans in want of Backstreet Boys fix!
