Nick: The best thing about it was we got to experience while we were young something a lot of people never get to do in their whole lives - I was 15 when we first went to Europe.
What about the language barrier - could your foreign fans understand your songs?
Brian: I think they liked what they saw and liked what they heard, even if they didn't understand everything. Coming from the United States, we were something different for them - it was totally fresh and new.
You've all wanted to be singers since you were kids. How come you went the group route, instead of going solo?
AJ: A group is more powerful. We've got five-part harmony, and we feed off of each other on stage. If you're solo, by yourself on stage, that's it. We give each other energy - it's an all around good thing.
Any downsides to being in a group?
Kevin: You have to learn to compromise and talk things out. You can't have what you want all the time - it's a team. Sometimes we fight - like about what song we should do first, what clothes we should wear.
Does all the attention you've been getting - especially from your female fans - every freak you out?
AJ: What five guys wouldn't want that kind of attention from girls? But then again, we used to be able to go out, have a good time and leave; now we have to plan it, have security!
When you're performing, what's more fun - slow jams or dance tunes?
Nick: All the songs are fun to do. When you do the up-tempo stuff, you get a chance to move around, but with the ballads it's a time to be more intimate with the audience.
So what's up next for you guys?
Brian: We're trying to write more of our own stuff
Howie: We're learning to play instruments too. We want to be well-rounded musicians, but our main thing is we're singers.
You all seem so grounded, like regular guys.
Brian: Well, that's another good thing about being in a group - we keep each other in check so we have our feet on the ground.
And is fame all it's cracked up to be?
Kevin: With success, there are all these people coming around, so you have to make sure you know what they're really interested in. A lot of people can try to get in your ears, but you have to follow your heart.
- Nina Malkin, Teen
February 1998