Don’t be surprised if you see a second-generation Backstreet Boy at the supergroup’s upcoming concert.
If you go
Backstreet Boys with Mindless Behavior
Where: Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts, Filene Center, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Info: $45; wolftrap.org
At a recent concert in Raleigh, N.C., the 7-year old son of a member introduced his dad’s band, according to the News & Observer. “It’s a great time for us,” member Howie Dorough said. “Each of us is [also] working on individual solo projects and still really enjoying working with the group. I have a new chapter in my life with my family and helping others.”
When the Backstreet Boys formed in Orlando during 1993, it quickly gained fans and hits starting with its self-titled 1996 debut. As fans know, the band has sold more than 130 million albums, making it one of the most successful groups in history, according to Billboard.
Of course boy bands and their fan bases grow up, but the Backstreet Boys have maintained popularity. The band’s 2009 album, “This is Us,” netted the group its seventh consecutive Top 10 album and debuted at No. 9, according to Billboard.
Recent reviews of the group’s concerts report that the band is still a hot live ticket, too.
“It is all about the music, we have always said,” Dorough said. “You just have to grow with your music and grow with your fans. It’s a natural progression, not forced, to do what comes.”
What has arguably made the difference for Backstreet Boys versus other boy bands is that the members take their more mature attitude to all aspects of their work. The members have always been involved in A&R (artists and repertoire, which is basically the creative development of a band). That shows in “This is Us,” which took the band’s music back to the dance-pop that originally carved its success.
“We write some songs ourselves and we definitely accept [songs] from other people,” Dorough said. “When choosing the songs, once we record them, then the demo might sound great but it just doesn’t work. Other times there are songs that we don’t think will work but when we add our vocals to them, they are amazing. The cream does rise to the top.”
But don’t get the idea that the band members see themselves as elite musicians. The four members of the band see themselves as family entertainers.
“We are who we are,” Dorough said. “We put out good, quality albums with good music and a good, entertaining show for families and all ages. For us it’s not rocket science. We’re not politicians, we’re whole entertainers. We do pride ourselves on that.”
