"For all those people in the press camp who don't want pop music to continue . . . sorry," Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell half-heartedly apologized at a press conference for the release of the BSB's third album, Black & Blue.

Not only do the Boys plan to continue doing that thing they do, they've been on a worldwide promotional blitz that hit six continents in 100 hours, wrapping up with a visit to New York City, where they announced the plans for their world tour behind the new album.

After video screens played the video for the Boys' new single, "Shape of My Heart" (four times), A.J., Brian, Kevin, Nick and Howie took the stage at the Hudson Theater to washes of squealing that made the old theater sound like a slaughterhouse. The group offered up an a capella version of "Shape" before settling down to field questions about Black & Blue and their impending tour.

As for the details of the Boys' tour, it is scheduled to launch on Jan. 22, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. They will stay on the road into March, hitting twenty-three North American cities. April will find the BSBs visiting Mexico and South America, before heading to Europe in May and June. They then plan to return to the U.S. for a stadium tour that will run through August and September. The tour will wrap up in November after visits to Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

As for the new album, on several occasions, the Boys brought up the subject of growing, both physically and creatively. "We took a trip to the Bahamas in May and June," said A.J. "We didn't know how it was going to go, but we came out with nine songs that we wrote. Just the fact that we wrote seven songs on [Black & Blue] shows growth. We're just taking this step by step . . . We're all getting older."

Among the other topics touched upon at the conference were comparisons to the Beatles ("I don't think we feel worthy," Kevin said), their personal security ("I'm building a taller fence," Brian said, referring to the dognapping that occurred earlier this year), the possibility that they would change their name to reflect their ages ("Boys for us will always be in the name, because it's just slang for friends," said Howie who listed the Beach and Pet Shop Boys as examples of juvenile band names that have endured) and, of course, first week sales records. "Whatever the tallies are for the first week, we won't ask for a recount," Brian joked. A.J. added, "Obviously it's going to be based on our fans. It's not about quantity; it's about the quality of the music. It would be nice to break records, but if we don't, we don't. As long as our fans enjoy [Black & Blue], that's all that matters."

When asked how the album was doing thus far, in its first day of sales, A.J. suggested that the Boys head over to the Virgin Megastore around the corner in Times Square and see for themselves. As though he had pulled the fire alarm, the screaming "Black & Blue Army" (as Nick dubbed their fans) scooted, leapt and tripped by, over and around chairs in an effort to exit the theater and greet the BSBs at the record store.

Dates, venues and ticket info for the remainder of the North American tour will be announced on Nov. 27.

ANDREW DANSBY
(November 22, 2000)