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And they're dancing and singing just like old times, Nick Carter says

The Backstreet Boys beat New Kids On The Block to the punch in terms of regrouping when they released Never Gone in 2005, yet there seems to be little animosity between the two factions.

In fact Backstreet Boy Nick Carter is hoping for the best for the Boston-based boy band.

"We are excited and we're actually rooting for the New Kids because what they represent is what we represent, which is good pop music that needs to come back and stick around," Carter says prior to launching their Canadian tour in St. John's. "So we're rooting for them and we want them to succeed."

Backstreet is back in Toronto tonight to play the Molson Amphitheatre.

Touring behind last year's Unbreakable record sees the group down one member after Kevin Richardson left the band in June 2006. But Carter says the remaining quartet -- Carter, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean -- have persevered.

"The hardest part was becoming acclimated to the fact that Kevin was gone and becoming used to it," he says.

"Once we kind of got around that, we realized that it was just as strong. We could still hold the harmonies live, we still have the drive and competitive spirit to continue on and we can still put on an amazing show."

According to reports from shows in Europe, the performances include a lot more choreography.
"Yeah there's more dancing and there actually could be more dancing, there could be more choreography," Carter says. "But that's something we wanted to show people, that we're not frigging old. If New Kids On The Block can do it we can definitely be doing it."

As for the new album, Carter says he's been pleasantly surprised by the response but isn't too shocked given the band's previous commercial success.

"We've always felt like as long as we put out good music and as long as we stay true to who we are -- people will check it out and always be there," he says.

"I think we just cater to our fans and we cater to people who want to listen to our music.

"Unbreakable is kind of a beginning marker of a new era for the group and a sign of what is to come. We haven't reached our second peak yet so it's a good stepping stone."

Part of reaching that second peak will come in the form of a new studio album, something the Backstreet Boys are already planning to start after completing this North American trek in early September.

There's no set time frame for its release but Carter says the record is "going to be a shocker and it's going to be hot."

Most of the band is also working on solo projects. Dorough and McLean are close to completing debut efforts and Carter is also writing songs at his Nashville home.

"It's a discovery process and it's still under way," he says of the solo project, his first since 2002's Now Or Never. "I'm utilizing the Backstreet Boys discovery process musically to help myself as well because I feel that the two have to tie in together in order to make it something that our fans will enjoy and be able to relate to."

In the meantime, Carter says they've enjoyed their Asian and European legs and hope to do the same in Canada. The Canadian trek also included some dates in Atlantic Canada, a first for the group.

So have they had some time to enjoy St. John's? Maybe have a shot of Screech?

"Not yet. We walked around the city a little bit and it's so cool," Carter says. "It's really quaint."

source LD