WHY WE DUMPED MR NASTY Sep 12 2003

Pop Idol comes first with Simon and we wanted to be number 1 says Westlife's Kian

WESTLIFE have dumped Simon Cowell for their fifth studio album because of his work with Pop Idol.

Simon has been the band's A&Rman for four and a half years but the group -- Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan, Bryan McFadden, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily -- didn't want to play second fiddle to the record man's other job -- as a judge on the reality tv show.

Andtheband believe if they'd waited for busy Simon to work with them, their careers would have fizzled out.

In an amazingly frank interview with 192, Kian from the group admits they are worried about the reaction to the new material and scared there is no interest in the band any more.

Kian, 23, said: ``We did the newalbum all by ourselves, there was no record company involvement.

``Simon has no involvement whatsoever. He's just too busy with Pop Idol and if we'd waited for him to keep it going our careers would be over.

``We took his role on ourselves and approached songwriters and producers, telling them we needed something newthat was exciting and fresh. We knocked someofthewritersbackandhadopenarms to others. We were trying to find a sound that was really, really strong.

``It was a big step for five young guys to take it upon ourselves. But we feel we've done a fantastic job.''

The first single from the album is certainly different to what we usually expect from Westlife -- those big slushy ballads.

Hey Whatever is out on Monday and is more Uptown Girl than the group's usual offerings. It's uptempo, with a few chunky guitars and the clap­along melody loved by drunken karaoke singers.

This is make or break for the band who admit they've probably got two years left before they call it a day.

Westlife, who have had 11 No. 1s, shouldn't be worried about changing a formula which has kept them at the top since their 1999 debut Flying Without Wings. But maybe cracks were appearing.

Their last No. 1 was Unbreakable but their last single Tonight/Miss You Nights only managed the third spot, beaten by Room 5 ft Oliver Cheatham's Make Luv and Gareth Gates' Spirit In The Sky.

Maybe the band are a bit jittery about younger stars like Gareth Gates stealing their thunder. But Kian disputes this.

He said: ``We're not concerned about what number it goes in at, we are concerned about how many people buy it andhowmany people are still interested in Westlife.

``If the single didn't go straight in at No. 1 it wouldn't be a disaster. We'd look at it to see if we had done something wrong.

``It's a big step for us, but we didn't want Westlife to stay where it was and slowly fade away. We want something big and powerful to mark our ground as Westlife.

``People like Westlife for the vocals and they relate to our songs. But we want to throw something into the mix to make it exciting for us and for them.''

Gone are the power ballads like Miss YouNights -- butdon'tthinkthenewalbum will be Westlife doing hip hop, or Westlife as Oasis. Kian said: ``It won't get rockier than Hey Whatever. There's a few chunky guitars but it's still a pop song which needs good singers.

``What we want are epic­style anthems that everyone can sing along to at football matches or concerts.''

The second single will probably be a ballad -- but will depend on the success of Hey Whatever. He added: ``If it doesn't do well, then we'll look at the album and we'll pick a safer record.''

KIAN admits much of the problems may have stemmed from their greatest hits package which drew a line under their first years and made people think they were about to split, despite calling it Volume 1.

Kian said: ``After the greatest hits album everyone was expecting us to break up. We always knew we weren't going to break up because we were getting on too well. It would be stupid to do that considering we are such good mates and still successful.

``Westlife will continue for at least another two years, no one wants to branch out just yet.''

Luckily for Westlife, there are no obvious contenders to their throne. Blue have carved an edgier path and haven't had the same single success.

And the others? Triple 8 and D­ Side have hardly set the charts alight.

Kian agrees: ``D­Side are Irish and decent lads, but we turned down Invisible quite a few years ago.

``And Triple 8 I don't think an awful lot of. They're good, but these bands will come andgo. It's abigdreamtodowhatwedoand it's been amazing it's been so successful.

``To succeed it's all about the songs and that's why we've spent so much time find­ ing the right ones for us.''

Their fanbase has changed as well. Where it used to be mainly teenage girls under 16, now 80 per cent are over 20 and most are between 20­40.

The younger fans have gone to Busted, Blazin' Squad, Girls Aloud and Justin Timberlake, but Westlife have grown up.

Nicky and Bryan are married. Shane marries Kian's first cousin Gillian Walsh in the winter. And while Mark stays a bach­ elor boy, Kian, after some revealing kiss and tells is settled into a relationship with Hollyoaks honey Jodi Albert, who plays Debbie Dean and who used to be in Girl Thing. Kian said: ``A lot of the stories about me are bulls****. I kick myselfwhen I seemynameattachedtopeo­ ple like Jodie Marsh. I think: ``Jesus Christ, whatwereyouever at. Youdofeelused,but I've learnt to live with it. We've been doing this for five years andyouhave to live a life. But you have to be careful.

``My Jodi is a brilliant girl. We have a great time and a great relationship. She was in a band so there's a very good under­ standing and it's nice to have that. And it's not strange dating another Jodie.''

They've known each other for six years and got back together after Jodi bumped into Westlife's manager Louis Walsh. They met in London and it kicked off.

His relationship with Jodi has stopped the continuing kiss and tells which seem to have dogged the best looking of the Westlife camp.

Kian became hot property in the London party scene dating Atomic Kitten Liz McClarnon and being chased by Amanda Holden and Jordan, although he turned them down.

So what does he think about Gareth Gates and Jordan? Kian said: ``He kept his mouth shut and thought it wasn't anyone else's business. But Jordan didn't see it that way and was looking for publicity.''

Andwhat about the other fame seekers -- like Gareth Quinn who he had a fight with in Sligo two years ago?

He sold his story in June this year claim­ ing it was Kian who'd started the fight and called them `tramps'. He also denied Kian's claims he'd broken his arm and given his pal a bloody nose.

But rather than distancing himself from the story, Kian said: ``He is a tramp, no two ways about that. At the end of the day I'm the one travelling the world, selling mil­ lions of albums and being successful.

``He accused me of provoking it which is extremely untrue. But I don't really care and don't pay attention to that.''

As well as the new album Kian is looking forward to the third Westlife wedding. There will beno Hello! style bunfights with journalists at this one, like there was with Nicky and Georgina Ahern's wedding.

And Kian will be a best man at Shane's wedding, as will Mark.

Headded: ``I grewupwith Gillian. I won't need to say any strong words to Shane about being good to her. He's very kind to her. We are all enjoying our lives.''




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