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February 2003
Page 6
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NJ Concert
\review: 'Street' Scene Gets Tough
back up
Source: Newsday
As a solo act, Backstreet Boy Nick Carter wants to rock
MUSIC REVIEW By Kevin Amorim, STAFF WRITER
Meet the tough new Nick Carter.
He wears a black commando sweater (100 percent wool no doubt, very
itchy). He has a biker wallet with a chain dangling from his big leather
belt. He flails around on stage, throwing his mike stand and splashing
the front rows with his water bottle. And what's this? The cutest of the
Backstreet bunch slings a guitar - for a couple of songs at least.
He's a rocker now.
Carter also wears his influences on his commando sweater sleeve, which
he took off after "My Confession," an apparent Bryan Adams homage. Then
there's the "Pour Some Sugar on Me"/Def Leppard feel to "Girls in the
USA," the sold-out show's opening number. And the Bon Jovi-like ballad,
"Heart Without a Home (I'll Be Yours)"; to be fair, its Jersey sound
shines through more on the album version.
Carter's solo debut from last fall, "Now or Never" (Jive), is what
brought 1,500 people - the majority of which looked to be the future of
Long Island womankind - to the Vanderbilt Saturday night. The girls got
more than just one Carter, though. Little blond bro Aaron, at first
hidden in a parka, introduced the night's headliner, "Give it up for my
big brother." (Aaron was later spotted in the WBLI/106.1 FM skybox,
causing a mad dash for autographs and photos.)
But big brother managed to keep most of the eyes on him. Carter, 23,
dipped back into the Backstreet Boys' catalog a few times, most notably
on "Shape of My Heart," from 2000's "Black & Blue" (Jive). This "Heart"
took shape during the night's special acoustic segment, with all the
musicians sitting around on chairs, a la "MTV Unplugged."
Carter also sneaked in some covers, including the Cars' "Just What I
Needed" (Ric Ocasek call your lawyer!) and a roaring techno version of
the Isley Brothers' "Shout" that mutated into Tears for Fears' song of
the same name. For the latter tune at least, he sounded as tough as had
been advertised, even for a guy who uttered early on, "Plainview! Yo! Yo!"
Warming the stage for Carter was the Charlotte, N.C., five-piece
Justincase, which played rootsy feel-good Hooters-esque rock (hey, at
least it wasn't emo). At Justincase's core are the teenage Tosco
siblings - Justin (of course), Nick and Hannah. The group played an
earnest set from its self-titled Maverick debut, and even covered Tommy
Tutone's old power-pop gem "867-5309/Jenny." It was the sound of a beer
commercial from an underage band.
The night's openers, a Windy City trio named Vi3, had the stage presence
of a Beastie Boys for the pubescent set - without any good rhymes. It
was their first national tour, one of the boys said between the three
(!) songs they performed. But everyone knew that from looking at the
group's new, blindingly white sneaks.
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Backstreet Boys working
toward harmony
back up
Source: Dailybulletin.com
By Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith
Will the Backstreet Boys rise again?
It appears they are going to try, despite numerous stories of fighting
between band members and their handlers ever since their last album,
2000's "Black and Blue," did disappointing business ...
And despite Nick Carter's launch of his solo career last fall ...
And despite the $75 million lawsuit filed in November by Backstreet Boys
Inc. and Backstreet Productions against Zomba Recording Corp. It alleged
that the label had hindered the release of the Backstreet Boys' fourth
album to focus on Nick's "Now or Never" solo disc, possibly costing the
band (including Nick, ironically enough) millions of dollars.
"They haven't broken up. All five are in touch," insists the band's
management. And, "They plan to resume writing and recording in March
with the goal of a summer release for the CD. They also are talking
about touring. Right now Nick is finishing up some solo tour dates."
(Nick, by the way, won't be with the band at the Grammys this weekend.
He's going with his brother, pop star Aaron Carter.)
Insiders will recall that the day after the Backstreet Boys filed their
breach of contract suit against Zomba Recording Corp., German media
giant Bertelsmann completed its acquisition of Zomba, adding another
twist to the arcane and ever-shifting Backstreet Boys business story. As
it stands now, the boy band, which has sold some 65 million albums
worldwide over the past decade, is still pursuing the suit.
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AJ Mclean: Why I
cheated on my fiancee
back up
Source: US Weekly
For the past 2 hours,AJ Mclean has been talking at his Malibu,
California, home about the alcoholism that led him into rehab in 2001.
Then, through puffs of cigarette smoke, the Backstreet Boy delves
deeper. He has something he wants to get off his chest:He has screwed
up. Bad. First, he blew the more than a year of sobreity he had since
leaving the Sierra Tucson rehab clinic in Aug. 2001 by popping a few
prescription drugs and smoking pot.
But thats not all. When aspiring singer Sarah Martin, his fiancee,
passes by he runs and grabs her into a bear hug. But the tall beauty
remains reserved. As she sits downm she's still wearing her engagement
ring on her left hand. Then she confirms it:Their wedding, originally
scheduled for Valentine's Day, has been postponned-indefinitely-because
Mclean cheated on her.
Though the original announcement of the delay was first attributed in
the press to "need more time for planning", Mclean 25 and Martin
27-together for 3 years-confess a more agonizing story. Just over a
month ago, Mclean left the home they share to do some studio work for
the night-and ended up in the arms of a fellow AA Confidante. When he
got back a suspicious Martin battered him with questions, then called
his AA friend who confessed everything. Now Martin is moving out. And
Mclean has been living with his sponsor until he can find the courage to
move back into their empty 7,000 sq.ft home. He is weary, contrite. "I
chose to go out and have sex with someone else, with no meaning, just to
validate myself,That's how insane I am.That's how insane all addicts
are." And now he badly wants to get it right. "I love this woman
unconditionally," says Mclean. "But I need to work on being on a better
man. It has nothing to do with her. I need to work on me. This is God
giving me my last chance to get it straight."
In 2001, Mclean seemed to have it together when he left rehab telling
reporters,"I feel great and I look great." Soon after, he was back on
tour with the band. Four months later, he was engaged with Martin, whom
he met at a karaoke bar in 2000. And just weeks after that he bought the
Malibu home and he and Martin moved in. It was everything counselors-wary
of relapses had warned against. They begged him to finish working
through his issues ,including depression following the 2001 death of his
grandma. Says Mclean:"Now that's all resurfacing."
Slipping Up
Dragging on a chain of cigarettes, Mclean struggles to explain his
addiction. Why him? Why are the other Backstreet Boys-who also have
access to the same vices of rock and roll stardom-additicon free? "They
had control." says Mclean, a Florida native who began his drinking at
14. "Me? I had a drink every night." Jack Daniels. And sometimes cocaine
from a friend. "I didn't even know half the things that were wrong with
me mentally-depression-wise, self-esteem issues, not feeling wanted."
He began skipping sound checks and arriving late for events; partying
left his vocals scratchy. In July 2001, in the middle of the band's
Black and Blue Tour, everything came to a head. The guys had agreed to
pitch for a Boston Little League Game, Mclean who had partied late,
refused to rise in the morning, causing his bandmates to fly into a
rage. Mclean shifts in his chair as he remembers: He decided to quit the
band, he was so furious. Then, later that morning he broke into sobs. He
knew he was out of control. Within hours he was arranging to fly out for
rehab.
The tour was out on hold, costing the band millions of dollars. "The
guys weren't jerks about it or anything," Mclean says, "But there was a
lot at stake." So 30 days after his month long stay, he went back on the
road with his rehab sponsor on tour with him. Mclean remained sober but
"I was already feeling those self-destructive issues. I thought, how can
Sarah love me if I can't even love myself? I thought if I put her on
lockdown by putting a ring on her finger everything would be OK" On Dec.
17, 2001 in front of Martin's Mom, he popped the question.
Other Troubles
But then came the $75 million lawsuit the Boys filed in late 2002
against their label, Zomba Records, as well as the email from his mom
telling him she wouldn't be attending his nuptials (she has been
managing his career and was upset he sought out more professional
management). Mclean was devastated. He raided a friend's stash of
Vicodin and pot. Though he swears he got right back on the wagon, a few
weeks later, he lost control again-this time cheating on his
bride-to-be. "I realize that I wanted to get married because I didn't
want to be alone, he says but I just couldnt say it. Instead I go out
and do something hurtful". Martin is composed but angry "I don't like
the man who cheated on me," she says. Still he touches her often - a hug
here, a brush there. And she let him. She pledges to support him, even
joining Al-Anon, a group for loved ones of alcoholics. But for now they
consider themselves "separated".
Mclean is simply grateful she's still around. "i'm in love with her," he
says. But a lot of work lies ahead. He's sober again (90 days), he is in
therapy, he attends weekly AA meetings and he talks everyday with his
sponsor. "I figure I got 2 choices. Either I can be the man I want to
be, or I can start drinking again and using again and end up dead or in
jail. I really don't want option 2."
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Nick Carter - Boston Review
back up
Source: The Boston Herald
Genre-jumping Carter delights
By :Sarah Rodman
Nick Carter, at Avalon, Boston, Monday night.
If the screaming women, age 5 to 25, who packed the house at Avalon
Monday were hoping Nick Carter would sing a few Backstreet Boys songs -
in addition to tunes from his new solo album ``Now or Never'' - Carter
did not disappoint.
During the obligatory ``unplugged'' section of the 75-minute show, the
youngest, blondest of the Backstreet Boys sang a medley of his band's
biggest hits, including ``I Want It That Way.'' But to judge by the
smorgasbord of musical styles that Carter and his five-piece band tried
out during the show, it's unclear exactly which way the 22-year-old
singer wants it.
Does he want to be the new Richard Marx, as in swoony piano ballads such
as ``Do I Have to Cry for You?'' Or perhaps Carter envisions himself as
the second coming of Def Leppard, as the big-beat pop-rock of such Mutt
Lange clones as ``Girls in the U.S.A.'' imply?
It's hard to tell, since Carter also played several Backstreet-breezy
pop tunes, a frantic cover of the Cars' new-wave chestnut ``Just What I
Needed'' and a snippet of Guns N' Roses' ``Paradise City.'' He even
flirted with a featherweight rap metal tune.
The show lacked a cohesive attitude, with Carter seemingly at war with
his own impulses. And his already whiny voice sounded painfully hoarse.
But he clearly was right at home alone on a smaller stage, sans fancy
dance moves or special effects.
Although he may have demonstrated some rock 'n' roll credibility, the
supremely caucasian Carter almost derailed his own train when he
proclaimed, ``For all them playa haters who didn't show up, they're
going to miss one hell of a show.''
He may try on many styles in the future, but Carter might want to leave
Gangsta Nick at home.
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Celebs put a stamp on fur war
back up
Source: USA Today
By: Alison Maxwell, USA TODAY
Celebrities are sporting rhinestone necklaces embossed with the
letters "FF" at red-carpet events and insider parties.
"Friends forever"? Not quite. The letters stand for "Fur free."
During pre-Grammy parties at the W Hotel in Times Square, MTV VJ Hilarie
Burton, singer Katie Cassidy (daughter of '70s legend David Cassidy),
Latin pop group Miah (pronounced mee-ah) and actress Fran Drescher were
spotted in the jewels. Actresses Rachael Leigh Cook, Rosario Dawson,
Tatum O'Neal, Anna Paquin, Ashley Scott, Dominique Swain, Mena Suvari
and singer Liz Phair sported the necklaces at Sundance Film Festival
parties.
"Unlike a political button or a colored ribbon, this is a more subtle
approach to standing up for a cause," says Scott, star of the WB's
canceled Birds of Prey. "It's also just a cool piece of jewelry."
Singer/actress Chynna Phillips plans to wear the anti-fur necklace to
the Humane Society of the United States' Genesis Awards on March 15.
"Everyone needs to do their part to protect the planet and animals," she
says. "And (this necklace) proves it's possible to do it with style."
The necklace is the brainchild of Danny Seo, who worked with Chloe
Sevigny and Tara Subkoff at the fashion house Imitation of Christ. Seo,
who is now an activist and eco-stylist for Christian Bale, Alicia
Silverstone and the Backstreet Boys' Kevin Richardson, created the Fur
Free Society, a group of fashion designers and celebrities who are
anti-fur.
"Fur is a touchy subject," says Seo, who gives the necklaces to
fur-free celebs. "But this is a way where people who do wear fur won't
feel preached to. It will plant a seed in their head."
Seo dreamed up the idea for the necklace after seeing photos of Alyssa
Milano wearing a "J" necklace in entertainment magazines.
"Everyone wondered if it meant Justin Timberlake," Seo says. "My thought
was if one celeb wearing a 'J' necklace got so much attention, imagine
40 wearing an 'FF' necklace."
The necklace, which is manufactured by Alex & Ani, will be available in
about two months (price to be determined) via the Fur Free Society's
soon-to-be-launched Web site
furisnotfabric.com.
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