It's not easy being in a boy band. Everyone seems to
be taking shots at them - critics, television shows,
and even fans. How do the members of 'N Sync cope?
Chris Kirkpatrick says he loves the fan Web sites
that poke fun at 'N Sync. "A lot of girls put
disclaimers:
'If you don't have a sense of humor, don't come
here.'
They're just out to have fun. I think it's their way
of showing their commitment and dedication to us.
They're tired of seeing all the Web sites that say
'J.C. is so hot.' 'Lance is so hot.' They basically
want to use their talents and their ability to be
witty, to make it interesting for people who have a
sense of humor. I love 'em. I think they're great."
And what did he think of the two TV shows on boy
bands - MTV's 2Gether and ABC's Making of the Band?
"I think 2Gether was a great show, because it's
poking fun at it. It's comedy. It takes all the funny
things we do and gives it a comic twist. I think Making the
Band is cheesy and kind of hurts our image. It has
nothing to do with us. Since it was made by one of
the guys [Louis Pearlman] who put money behind us in the
beginning, they flip it around and make it look like
he's out there, putting the group together, sitting
in choreography rehearsal, in vocal rehearsal. When in
actuality, we didn't talk to him for months at a
time. It kind of clumps us into a thing making us look
like that group. It takes away some of our credibility."
Last year, the boys of 'N Sync decided they'd had
enough of their contract with Pearlman, so they
jumped ship, leaving Pearlman and RCA behind, and headed
over to their new label, Jive Records. Pearlman and RCA
sued them and were counter-sued in return. Both
sides eventually settled out of court, granting the
Orlando, Fla., quintet the freedom to release No Strings
Attached, which has sold more than 4 million copies
in the United States since its release a month ago.
These days, 'N Sync works with Johnny Wright, the
former Backstreet Boys manager who worked with the
New Kids on the Block a decade ago. Last year, ex-New
Kid Jordan Knight toured as 'N Sync's opening act, and
his experiences enabled him to teach the Syncers a thing
or two, J.C. Chasez tells Wall of Sound.
"One piece of advice he gave us - it was kind of
inspiring - was 'Know your power.' When we were
going through the whole lawsuit thing I kept it in the
back of my head. 'Know your power; this is your career.'
People want to take things from you. It's not their
career. Don't be pushed around too much."
