Big Macs and Small Fries

Meet TAKE 5, the newest pop export from America. (And no, they don’t mind having a name that’s a cross between Take That and Five!)

Ryan, 18

Describes himself as: Energetic, sporty, fun-loving. "I’m the responsible one. I watch out for my little brother, Clay."

Best friends with: Tilky Likes: "Dancing in clubs and hanging out with my friends."

Reckons Take 5 are special cos: "We’re younger than most other boy bands. We’re clean cut too, with no ear piercing and no tattoos. Plus we’ll sing for anybody, any time, anywhere!"

His ideal girl: "Honest, fun and energetic. Personality is really important to me."

TJ, 14

Likes: Hockey, "aggressive in-line skating", clothes and watches - he has over 50!

Best friends with: Clay

Loves the laydeez: In the video TJ and Clay fall for the same girl, but in real life TJ actually stole Clay’s girlfriend! "I didn’t realise she was still dating him when I started dating her. Then I caught them in the park together. We decided she wasn’t worth it."

His motto in life: "Be yourself! I’m not going to change for anybody."

Stevie, 15

Describes himself as: Funny, out-going, wild and crazy. "I’m the wildest boy in the band."

Best friends with: "All of them."

Likes English girls: "They express their feelings more than American girls. A girl gave me a Nike hat yesterday and when I put it on she went, ‘Thank you for wearing it!’ then gave me a hug. Aw!"

His ideal girl: "Out-going, adventurous and daring."

Five things he’d take to a desert island: "A boat, a knife, a girl, a radio… erm, could I bring another girl?!"

Tilky, 17

Describes himself as: "Shy, fun, adventurous and a perfectionist."

Best friends with: Ryan

Likes girl who: "Are easy-going and fun-loving."

Would love to: "Write a song about my dad. I really look up to him."

If he had three days left in this world: "I’d go to everybody I know and apologize for anything I’d ever done wrong! Actually I’d probably spend two days at home with my family and on the other day do something crazy, like skydiving."

Clay, 14

Describes himself as: "Funny, energetic, happy, crazy, hyper - but I guess I’m the quietest one in the band."

Best friends with: TJ

Likes: Fishing, video games, action and comedy movies, and reading.

The last time he bought a present for a girlfriend: "Was six months ago. I bought some flowers and a shoe charm. I’m single now."

Five things he’s take to a desert island: "Sweets, a motorcycle, a hand-held fan, toothbrush and toothpaste."

If he had to write a song about someone he knows: "I’d choose my family or the guys from Take 5. It’d be all about how cool it is to hang with them."

Copyright TOP magazine, September 1998

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