Busy, busy, Backstreet Boys

tabloid! chatted to one of the biggest boy bands ever ahead of their gig


By Kelly Crane, Staff Reporter, Published: 00:00 December 17, 2009



We're busy, busy boys," says Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean mid yawn.

"Sometimes I'm not sure what time of day it is because we're here, there and everywhere."

Over nearly 18 years of crazy highs and even crazier lows, the five that then became four have conquered both the album and singles charts, stepped out alone pursuing various solo careers and battled things out in courts. Having seen it all and come through the other side in almost one piece, McLean tells tabloid! there is no better feeling than the way the boys feel today.

"We were so naïve," he says ahead of their first concert in the Middle East tonight at The Palladium, Dubai.

"The good, the bad and the ugly have hit us hard over the years, but everything happens for a reason. We are a lot more careful now than we've ever been before. More protective, I think. As a group you mould yourself that way."

A new album, This Is Us, hit the shelves just a month ago, giving McLean the chance to chat about life on tour, what to expect and who the nose-pickers of the band are.

He takes us on a journey through the band's history through their albums.

Backstreet Boys (1992-'96)

The brainchild of boyband producer Lou Pearlman, the Backstreet Boys were manufactured from day one with auditions held in the US to be a part of a new "clean-cut" boy band.

"It all seems such a long time ago but it's also great to look back. We've come so far."

Backstreet's Back (1996-'97)

Having discovered Pearlman was taking a huge cut of their money, leaving the boys with just enough to survive, the group filed a lawsuit against him. They won the courtroom battle after many years.

Millennium (1997-'99)

Most of the Backstreet Boys' better known songs are on this album, including I Want It That Way, Larger Than Life and Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely.

"Our latest album is, in my opinion, comparable to Millennium. That's a big thing for us to say, but there are so many great hit songs on this record."


Black & Blue (2000-'01)

"We'd really been through the wringer at this point. The court battles had taken their toll and we were trying to show people the strength we have.

"It was times like this you needed to remember the small things and keep [your] spirits high. The guys are like family to me, and we know everything about each other. Let me tell you there is a lot of nose, dirty feet and finger picking among us."

Never Gone (2005-'06)

"A while since the last album, this was just to remind people we never went away."

Unbreakable (2007-'08)

After the 2005-2006 tour, Kevin Richardson left the group to start a family. The four remaining members have always refused to rule out a possible return for the singer. "You never know what the future could hold. Watch this space..."

About this album, McLean says: "I think when Kevin left, a lot of people — including the critics — thought that would be the end. They expected us to fall apart and disappear as if we never existed, and this album was our way of showing we never went away."


This Is Us (2009)

"The venue in Dubai is a bit smaller so we're bringing out the B-show rather than the A-show. But it's still our A-show, if you know what I mean," says McLean.

Sensing my confusion he laughs and tries eagerly to explain. Worried he was sitting on the other end of the line rolling his eyes at me, I re-read my notes to check it was just as confusing as it first sounded.

"I mean it's not our A-show — with all the cast and crew of dancers, because the venue isn't big enough. But we'll definitely give our A-show with regards to the performance, because we always do. There will be songs from every album and everyone will recognise something. It's something the parents and kids can share," he says."A positive show with positive music — a family affair. It's a good getaway for people to forget their problems for two hours."It's starting a rebirth of Backstreet Boys, which is awesome."

Posted in: AJ McLean,Backstreet Boys,This is Us