Biographies

'N SYNC

'N SYNC didn't exactly start life the way we usually do. Joshua Chasez, better known as JC, was born on August 8, 1976 and met Justin Timberlake, born on January 31, 1981, both born in Orlando Florida, while performing together along with Britney Spears in the Mickey Mouse Club, for nearly three years. After that, Justin and JC had the same vocal coach in Nashville, and took dance lessons together.
Somehow, they mananged to get back to Orlando. I don't know how, but they came together with Christopher Kirkpatrick,(Travi-he's teh looks of the band!) born October 17, 1971, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Joseph Fatone, born January 28, 1977, born in New York. At Chris' suggestion, (Trav-he's one smart cookie) they began to perform, and soon James Lanceton Bass was acceptes as the bass vocalist, taking the name Lance (Matty-Now there's a guy I can relate to--or wish I was related to)
In 1997, they made a contract with RCA Records, and were soon travelling overseas into Europe, becoming popular there as well as America. The name 'N SYNC was formed from several parts of their names, though it's hard to tell which letter came from where.
THey started to make videos, especially popular songs were "I Want You Back" and "Tearin' Up My Heart" were made. Their faces started to show up in many Teen magazines, especiually for girls, as we all do know that's where they belong.
And still, they don't wear out. If they're a fad, then it's the longest fad of our time. They just keep the hits coming, yet at a pace we can all understand. With the mice and the men, or techinically, they're al men 'cept for our buddies Lance and Justin, they're tearin' up and are the music of our hearts.

BRITNEY SPEARS

Britney Spears was born Dec. 2, 1981, in Kentwood, Louisiana. She was first performing at age 11, she was finally accepted in the Mickey Mouse Club with Jc Chasez and Justin Timberlake from 'N SYNC.
After the MMC stopped in 1993, she went back home, but was hooked to acting and singing and dancing. SO she returned to New York, were JIVE Records gave her a record deal, and she started recording songs a bit after that.
In 1998, her first single was released "...Baby One More Time".
In January the entire album "...Baby One More Time" landed in stores, including to other extremely popular singles, "Crazy" and "Sometimes".
Now that she is so popular, she's a role model for girls whether she likes it or not, and something Guys wanna look at every morning. (I :Matty: know this because my brother loves her, I mean, alot!)
One rumor that is still left about Britney, or Britney and Justin TImberlake that is, is that she and Justin are going out. She said that it's not true, that her and all of 'N SYNC are great friends, and their "like big brothers" to her. I hope she keeps hittin' us with new singles!

RICKY MARTIN

Ricky Martin was born in San Juan, Peurto Rico, on December 24 (A Christmas baby!), 1971. As a kid, like you and I, well, actually in grade school, he acted and sang in school plays and in the choir (I hope his drama and chori teachers were better than mine). He was also in TV commercials (speaking of that, did you know he's gonna be in a Pepsi Commercial? You would if you were listening to Fly 92 a couple weeks ago).
When Ricky was 10, he discovered a Latin boy group called Menudo, and auditioned for it. As I would have guessed, he was rejected for being to young, he finally made it in in 1984, when he was 13. After a great success, Ricky was opted out (Basically, he got kicked out, but maybe not, maybe it's just my comprehension), and he moved to Neuva(New) York. He did not acheive the solo career he was after, so he moved to Mexico (he just can't sit still).
He was in a Soap Opera for a while in Mexico, Alcanzor una Estrella II, and then started a solo career, and sold two Spanish Albums. After great Success, he moved yet again to Los Angleles in 1994, where he was in the well known soap opera General Hospital (my favorite soap Opera, no really it is. In fact, it's the only one I like).
After selling his third Spanish Album, A Medio Vivir, he captured a role in the great Broadway Les Miserables (but don't we all wanna see him in CATS?). He was also in the Spanish Animation of Disney's Hercules.
After a year on Broadway, his fourth Spanish Album was released Vuelve, which acheived him a Grammy (Best Latin Pop Album).
And at lasr, his first English Album (well, mostly ENglish--we also got the Spanish version of Livin' La Vida Loca and She's All I Ever Had--Bella, and Cup Of Life, Which, by the way, is titled Ricky Martin, and I had a hard time finding it because I managed to get the last cassette before it was sold out.
We don't know exactly what makes him teh best of the best--I think it's his mix of great singing, fantastic dancing, great songs and videos, confident attitude, and endless energy.
And he turned down a film Remake of West Side Story, a rather good musical, because the way Peurto Ricans are portrayed in it (Thanks for that Info Kathryn!). So he's still goin', and goin', livin' La Vida Loca, Reachin' For the Cup of Life, and in my opinion, he's all will ever have (Or all I'll ever had).

Sugar Ray

Sugar Ray started out pretty normal. In the late 80's, Rodney Sheppards, the guitarist, and Stanley Frazier, now the drummer, were High School Students in Newport Beach, California, decided to start a band. They took the name Shrinky Dinx, took in the bass player friend Murphy Karges, and played at High School parties, playing classic 80's songs.
Now where did this Mark McGrath Character come from? Actually, no one expected the extrememly good-looking (okay guys, so you could care less, but he is!) and great singer to become the main vocalist. During a performance, Mark jumped on the stage and joined in singing. After some talking, he became the lead voice. Atlantic Records hunted them down being impressed by their visual appeal (Matty-I told you Mark was hot--(Travie) Shut up Matty!), they fixed them with some new songs and gave them a contract. They also changed their name to Sugar Ray, after a boxer (which has a better sound that Shrinky Dinx...)
There first album was in 1995, Lemonade&Brownies, then 1997, Floored busted into stores (this was after touring, which I missed becuz I wasn't a Sugar Ray Fan at the time). By this time, DJ Craig Bullock came from somewhere into the band, better known DJ Homicide, who does turntable scratching and stuff like that there.
Mark McGrath even quit the band once, when the very popular song "Fly" was chosen to be played, but that he came crawling back (not really, he most likely apologized, etc., etc.). He hated the song, but he must have come to like it, because you've heard it, yes?
Sugar Ray doesn't really think they're that good, but we know that they really are, that at School dances their songs blast on, that the radio has played "Sometimes" too many times, that MTV can't show "Every Morning" too much, that Sugar Ray is one of the most most popular Bands in the USA, Rock Bands that getcha going. And I know that I can never see Mark McGrath and the rest of Sugar Ray too many times in Teen magazines.
Now, their new album is set free, 14:59, which holds the greatest of Sugar Ray, I think, and I, being Matty, am getting it soon. Not to mention, Sugar Ray is going on tour soon.
Someday we'll see them live. Until then, I'll just look at my poster of them Every Morning.

THE OFFSPRING

The Offspring's beginning began with Bryan Holland (or Dexter, as he�s called) and Greg Kriesel, both good friends, decided to form a band. Bryan had come to like �hardcore punk� bands in his senior year of high school, so he came upon the idea as a good one. He decided he would play the guitar, and Greg would play the Bass. Neither had any musical practice, but both learned wuick. They all accepted another guitar player, Kevin Wasserman (Noodles) and Ron Welty, the drummer. Bryan enter USC, and split his time between it and the band, while Kevin attended Junior College. Greg was studying for a degree in finance and Ron was working in electronics. Still, with all this, they worked on the band on weekends, which was in Greg�s house. Bryan wrote the songs from the very beginning, with titles like �Police Protection� and �Very Sarcastic� (Matty-sounds like me!), and �Sorority Bitch� (Trav-Now THAT sounds like you! Matty-Hey!). They could not find any record companies who would accept the Offspring, as their name came to be called.. At last, after two years, they came to a record company, Nemesis. Time and time again, the Offspring set out albums, but got nowhere. No one liked them (Trav-don�t blame them:Matty-StoP!). But they refused to give up. It�s a good thing, because finally they set out a new album, which the demos of Brett Gurewitz, Epitaph Records owner, told Rolling Stone were perfect mixtures (Trav-of what? Pee? Matty-TRAV!) and sold thousands of copies, which they titled I gnition. But then they had the album Smash sell five million copies! But Critics didn�t care for their topics or ideas, but to kids�it was geniusness. Soon after, they switched to Columbia Records. Even though Columbia offered less money, they gave more. In 1997, yet another album was released, Ixnay on the Hombre, but was barely even half the success of their previous work. Still they moved on, and they started to help support enviromental and social causes, to help the enviroment and restore it to normal shape and donated to charities, and other supporting organizations. Then Americana was set out, and was a huge hit. It burst open right when Bryan got his pilot liscense and his own personal plane. Don�t you wish you could do that? What also helped them dig out of the hole was the great song and funny video �Pretty Fly� (Matty�s favorite) and �Why Don�t You Get a Job?� Because of the huge successes, they began to tour all over North America (Trav-that�s when the trouble began: Matty-only when your brother plays it uncontrollably). Now Bryan got a Ph.D�and millions of oppurtunities. But the band means the most to him now, so he�s sticking with his friends and his music. His teachers are kinda pissed (so�s Trav), but Bryan feels good about his decision. Don�t worry. They still have their job, and the best one you can get. Pretty fly for the Offspring guys!

GOO GOO DOLLS

The Goo Goo Dolls go way back�to Buffalo, New York. Robby Takac was playing bass for a Heavy Metal Band in 1985, who was 20 years old. Johny Rzeznik (do not ask us how to say that, we do not know), at 19, was joining a Punk band, the Beaumonts (ever heard of these characters?). The two became good friends, and decided to make their own band, while recruiting George Tutuska to play the drums. They started off playing as the Sex Maggots. But they were insisted to drop the name�going to the Goo Goo Dolls (don�t ask me how they got from Maggots to dolls). Guitar World liked their catchy tunes and lyrics, so they were contracted. Their first two albums were released were well-liked�but not at the greatest success.. �We Are the Normal�, �Sunshine on Your Love� blasted them off and made them really popular if you ask us. Well, maybe not. They were having a hard time getting up there�it�s their age. They were in tehir 30�s and were just kinda walkin� on the buzz. But after a year, they proved us all wrong�they had a platinum album in 1996. But just as things got better, they got worst. They dropped George, apparently too much �extraneous pursuits�. Now here�s the cool part. Mike Manlin, a long time fan, became their new drummer (so you say you wanna be part of your favorite band? Go ahead�give it a try!). Then they got a bigger and better record deal, with Warner Brothers Records. Then, a practically a miracle of God, Warner Bros. Asked Johny to write a song for the upcoming movie, City of Angels. Johny wrote the song�that�s write��Iris�. We know it all too well. Why? It was their very first No.1 hit of course! And only getting better, in 1998 Dizzy Up the Girl well high and dry�and platinum. After that, there was lots of tours. Including Europe and Japan, then after that stuff, returned to the U.S. for the Grammys and Opening for the Rolling Stones. Now in their greatest success ever, they keep going strong, in know intention of giving up. We realize they�re in their 40�s, mid-40�s, and we don�t give a damn. They�re latest hit, �Black Baloon� is helping them climb even higher. And they�re proud that all their hard work built them up. But we still have to give sume credit to George, right? They�re black baloon makes them fly and dizzies up these girls.

DIXIE CHICKS

The Dixie Chicks were first started in the South, in Dallas, Texas. Here was Martie and little sister Emily Erwin growing up. They were very fascinated with music, and learned how to play a variety of instruments while still in grade school. In 1984, they were teens and formed a bluegrass band, called the Blue Night Express (catchy, huh?). They performed throughout Texas, but when Martie turned 19 and Emily turned 16, they let it go. But then, they collected two friends and became the Dixie Chicks. Though they were only sidewalk performers, they soon were opening acts for Garth Brooks, George Jones, and others. However, the two friends quit (who were they anyway?) and Martie (who was married) and Emily were in no position to want to play frontman. They found Natalie Maines, who could play the Acoustic guitar and piano, but was most devoted to singing. She agreed in 1995 to be the Dixie Chicks� main vocalist. But something big changed. Not only did their style of cowgirls change, but their whole sound changed�for the better of course. Natalie was much louder and quicker, which came to much more than bluegrass. In 1998, Wide Open Spaces the single and album was a blast of success, and were much better off than before. But perhaps, it was �I Can Love You Better� that really sent them flying. It was their first Top 10 Single. On top of that, Wide Open Spaces was the best selling album in Nashville and in Country Music (probably because Pop fans like them too!) As if things couldn�t get much better, they won Grammys, Academy Awards, the Horizon Award from the Country Music Association, and got a CMA award. Than recently, Fly (which Matty bought right away�okay, so SHE didn�t buy it�), carrying the first single �Ready to Run,� from the movie Runaway Bride (a friend of mine said it was a �chick flick�). Only on week�s times brought Fly to No. 1. So now the Chicks are ready to run, and are lettin� er rip!

98 Degrees

98 Degrees was started by Jeff Timmons, born April 30, 1973, in Cincinnati, while Jeff was in the School for Performing Arts, then studied psycology. But he went with his musical talent and followed up to Los Angeles. He brought Nick Lachey, born November 9, 1973, next to him, who had been studying medicine at Ohio�s Miami University. Once they decided to become a groups, Nick suggested to let Justin Jeffre, born February 25, 1973 in the group. Drew Lachey, that�s right, Nick�s brother, born August 8, 1976, joined the band after a bit of working as an emergancy medical technician. They were various talent shows and auditions, and then got a shot with Montell Jordan, and before they knew it were making their first album for Motown. Records. In 1997 was the year fo their first hit, �Invisible Man�, in their first album 98 Degrees, becoming a gold record, then in 1998 they released 98 Degrees and Rising. The single �Because of You� got 98 degrees their first platinum record. They�re popularity continued to grow more and more, even a bit more than �N SYNC and {cough} Hanson! 98 degrees says they�re very different from �N SYNC and BSB. They�re older with different music (but that�s not the comparison!). Just the same, they do like BSB and �N SYNC a lot, and have nothing against them. I know this is the hardest thig you�ll ever have to do, but, that�s all the info I have on the not-so-invisible men.

Backstreet Boys

In Orlando, A.J. McLean and Howie Dorough were High School students and Nick Carter was in Junior High, and they constantly ran into each other rushing to auditions and whatnot; soon becoming friends and hanging out. They started to sing together, and began a band. Kevin Richardson was the first, and he brought in his cousin from Kentucky, Brian Littrell. They had only a few gigs at school, but soon they had small acts at big places, and then a record deal with JIVE records. After this, they hit America hard with the single �We�ve Got It Goin� On�, but hit Germany harder. They were soon the center of attention in Europe, a fresh, new sound. The Backstreet Boys became they�re name, for whatever the reason. They were very confident in their work, and knew what they were doing. They were already ready for action and hyper-activeness. And there was a lot of that. As they sold millions of copies of their first album, entitiled Backstreet Boys, teenage girls from everywhere were absolutely mad about them. They�re talent, they�re singing, they�re dancing�they�re looks. They also had to have bodyguards�everywhere. They were all basically Personal Space Invaders. Although of all this, they are often sent gifts by teenagers, but soemone�s missing. None of them have a girlfirend, no one they can call and tell �how they feel�. It�s kinda lonely up there you know. But the obvious is that they love their life, considering they�re hit songs, �Quit Playing Games with my Heart� and �As Long as You Love Me� has helped them climb taller. But they still have a long way to go. Though they�re probably the most popular boy band, and one of the first that reached this high, they only want to go higher to reach they�re dream . But recently, something bigger has come into effect. They�re new album, Millenium, sold over a million copies in the first week, a major record, which holds the hit song �Larger Than Life�, a song written for their fans. Then this December, will be a North American tour �into the millenium�. It�s going to be �futuristic� and �a journey into the millenium�. Quit playin� games, and be at this larger than life concert, cos no one we don�t care who they are, where there from, as long as we love them!
BTW, this background of Mark McGrath is like, ours, so like, don't try any funny stuff. I looked all over for this pic, so if you want it, ask. If you don't like Mark, tough. Sorry, but that's the way it is. The background will probably change constantly, so do not worry. One thing I can say is if you like Korn, you will never ever see that background here. Offspring and Limp Bizkit is possible (Matty like Offspring but Travie hates them, Travie like Limp Bizkit but Matty hates them), but never Korn.

P.S.-Did You know Trav's uncle went to school with the dudes from Goo Goo Dolls (of course you didn't!)And he picked on em! (MAtty-why those little Trav-that's my uncle your talkin about)