*NSYNC Stands Strong
by Joey Guerra
Every few months, someone has to say it. You’ll hear it from a bitter music critic, a disillusioned fan, an exhausted parent, even the occasional radio DJ. And for those eternal boy-band lovers out there, it’s a horrible phrase to hear: "*NSYNC is over."
Apparently, someone forgot to tell Lance Bass, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone Jr., Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez. All indications are that *NSYNC won’t be saying bye-bye-bye anytime soon.
Never mind the Super Bowl half-time show, the sold-out concerts, the record-shattering first-week sales, the countless MTV appearances — though every little bit helps. The real story here is how *NSYNC catapulted from a poor man’s BSB (that’s Backstreet Boys for the uninitiated) into the planet’s top boy-band.
Let us rewind, first, to 1998, and the release of *NSYNC’s self-titled debut album. Initially, the album goes nowhere, but once the promotion machine kicks in — and singles such as "I Want You Back" and "Tearin’ Up My Heart" are ingrained into every teenager’s head in the country — things begin to happen. Eventually, the album sells 10 million copies. A Christmas collection released later in the year also goes platinum.
Fast forward to 2000, and a more confident Fab 5 unleash No Strings Attached, an album that pop-wise is light years ahead of its predecessor. The album includes a contribution from TLC’s Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and more creative input from the group. The singles — "Bye, Bye, Bye," "It’s Gonna Be Me," "This I Promise You" — are probably still whirling around in your head.
Just when you think it’s come to a standstill — whoosh! *NSYNC has hit the megastar expressway for another dose of bubbalicious pop fun. You’ve likely already heard it on the radio, but *NSYNC’s latest single, "Pop," is just the tip of a very Titanic iceberg. The new single is a predecessor to Celebrity, *NSYNC’s third official album due in stores July 24. The album will feature more of the group’s writing and production skills, along with production from R&B/hip-hop producers Rodney Jerkins, Brian McKnight, the Neptunes and Wade Robinson.
"Pop," however, features production work from electronica/dance king BT (Brian Transeau) and incorporates elements of the two-step/U.K. garage sound currently sweeping the dance world, the group told Entertainment Weekly.
If you’re itching for a bigger sampling of Celebrity, fear not. *NSYNC plans to unveil a few of the new songs on the PopOdyssey tour, which includes a July 6 stop at the Reliant Astrodome.
Those who do get to feast their eyes on *NSYNC live will also see a five-story high main stage and plenty of other marvels during what is being billed as one of pop music history’s biggest tours. Souvenir stands will be selling *NSYNC single-use cameras, and the group asks that audience members click away, with the hope that thousands of flashes will create a "paparazzi" effect. One dollar from each camera sold will go to *NSYNC’s Challenge for the Children Foundation, which raises money for kids’ programs and other charities throughout the United States.
The *NSYNC train, then, looks to keep on rolling — at least through the end of this year. The tour runs through August — as of now — and endless promotion should keep them alive and kicking. Beyond group duties and all that boy power, however, *NSYNC’s individual members work effortlessly to keep themselves — and in turn the group — very busy.
Bass and Fatone have been busy filming On the L, a romantic comedy produced by Bass’ Happy Place Film production company. In the film, Bass falls in love with a beautiful stranger on a train, and spends the rest of the film trying to find her with the help of his friend, played by Fatone. Their plan is to put up posters of the mystery girl all over the city in hopes of tracking her down.
The Miramax film has a $10 million budget and features Dave Foley, Jerry Stiller and soul crooner Al Green. The soundtrack will feature at least two *NSYNC tracks and the whole band may make an appearance in the movie, which is scheduled to hit theaters in September.
Bass has also gotten into music management. His company, Free Lance Entertainment, represents country newcomer Meredith Edwards, whose first single, "A Rose is a Rose," earned some airplay. Her debut album should be in stores this month.
Former mop-top Kirkpatrick is also using his spare time in an enterprising way. He has own fashion line, FuMan Skeeto. It started out with screened T-shirts and hats, but has quickly expanded into designer denim and bedazzled T-shirts for women and sleeveless shirts and logo hats for guys. While Kirkpatrick doesn’t design the clothes himself, he does offer ideas and input for the line. The line is available at fine department stores across the country.
Chasez is also taking charge of his solo persona. He wrote and produced four songs on Fire, the new album from girl group Wild Orchid. Chasez and the girls are longtime friends, so teaming up was a natural occurrence.
And besides dating pop princess Britney Spears — which already seems like a full-time job — Timberlake is reportedly shopping around a proposal and a sample chapter for a young-adult novel, according to the New York Post. The book is described as an "exciting, fast-paced sports thriller that will appeal to both boys and girls." The proposal goes on to say that the book deals with the "glamorous world of sports stars and movie stars and explores the deep chasm of race in the country. ... It will challenge young readers to think about men and women, teamwork and friendship, and winning and losing."
Whew! And just think — they haven’t really even gotten started.
