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| Life of teen pop star isn't always good By Rod Harmon Knight Ridder Newspapers Everyone dreams of being a rock start. You get fame, fortune, the adoration of millions, the chance to exercise your creative muse - and, if you're male, lots of girls. But there's a downside. Take LFO, for instance. Two years ago, the trio was riding the crest of the teep-pop wave as one of Lou Pearlman's gaggle of boy bands. Their first single, "Summer Girlz," shot to No. 1 and was on MTV's "Total Request Live" for more than a month. Their self-titled debut album went double platinum. They had fame, adoration, and girls. But they complained that they didn't have a fortune, and that they didnt get to exercise their muse. So, like the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC before them, they broke ranks with Pearlman and joined Clive Davis' new label, J Records, which issued their sophomore effort, "Life Is Good," in June. For members Rich Cronin, Brad Fischetti and Devin Lima, it's a chance to stretch their wings and prove they're not just a Svengali-created pop band. Here are some excerpts from an interview conducted a few months ago with Lima: Q: Was it more fun to make this album than the last one? I read you didnt have much time to make the first one. A: We had no time. It was different, because we came off the road, we came off the pressures of just living life, and it's like being stuck ina bubble. As a man, I got in tune with myself. I wrote more songs, I stayed by myself. I didnt really talk to many people. Even my girlfriend, she was outside the bubble. So it was hard, you know? Q: What cuts off the new album are you most proud of? A: Um, I guess I'm proud of the one I wrote, "If I Had A Dollar." Q: How did that come together? A: I just had an idea a long time ago, and I brought it to some guys, and they did a track. They sent it to me in the mail while I was on tour, and I wrote the rest of the song and hooked it up. That aws one of the first songs I played for the record company, and they loved it. Whether it's good or not, sometimes they'll be like, "It's not a hit." I'm like, "It's not supposed to be a hit. ... You're just supposed to like it the way I do." Q: Did you have to fight to get it on the CD? A: No. I had to fight for other sogns. I had other songs that didnt make the album because they didnt fit. So I had to deal with that. But that's just the way it is. Q: Everyone's been predicting the teen pop boom will be over soon. What's your take on that? A: I dont know - maybe. It's hard for me to talk about, because I'm a person who appreciates everything. I used to watch New Kids On The Block on TV. I used to laugh. I thought it was funny. I didnt say "Man, forget that stuff." I think people are so like that, that they will never get pop. I'll be singing my butt off and people will be like "Man, forget that white dude, he aint nothin'." That's just the way it is, and you'll enver get out of that, you know? Q: How does it feel to be the subject of adoration by thousands of lustful girls? A: (Laughs). That's such a good question. I guess, that's what keeps them interested, and through that, they listen to the music, so it's cool. Any guy will tell you, it's good to have girls have lover for you and want you. That's good. What you do after that is a different story, how you handle it when they come to your room in the hotel. Q: How do you handle it? A: Well, I've got a girl. As tempting as it is, I have somebody who loves me. But she doesnt want to be with me anymore. But in my heart, I still love, so it would just be hard for me to just do whatever I want... Q: What's next for the group, and for you? A: Just to always grow and a singer and a songwriter. We need to make some money this year. I have no money from last year. (Laughs). Just think about it. I live in an apartment, I bought a used car with 100,000 miles on it. That's just the way it is. I'm not complaining, I dont care... I can't complain about the past anymore, you know? I can't be, like, when people come up to me wanting my autograph, going, "Man, last year was so tough, I didnt make any money." (from Reading Eagle/Reading Times :: 12.13.01) |