Last year, the music industry saw the reincarnation of an old trend: the bubble-gum pop boy band.
During the last decade, groups like Menudo, New Kids on the Block and Take That delivered their smooth vocals and choreographed dance moves to obsessive teenage girls all over the world.
New groups like the Backstreet Boys, ‘N Sync and 98 Degrees have taken the boy band formula to a new level: They are more exaggerated than their 1980s counterparts and definitely more polished.
Not all components of the formula have changed; however, the new boy band still consists of three to six members who sing, dance and never touch an actual instrument. Each member fills a specific niche – both harmoniously and personality-wise.
Most of these groups embrace their status in the industry, but some are very sensitive when it comes to the boy band label.
In a recent interview with Launch, 98 Degrees member Jeffrey Timmons said, “98 Degrees is not a boy band, it’s a vocal group in the tradition of Boyz II Men and The Temptations.”
Sprinkled in this new fleet of boy bands is some very serious talent.
The British group 5ive is probably the most promising of the bunch. Its quirky members, mature lyrics and innovative mixture of hip-hop and pop give the band a universal appeal.
The group’s bad boy, Richard “Abs” Breen, is a natural performer who was professionally trained in ballet. Breen has a hopeful future in the entertainment industry.
Other groups have stand-out members as well. Howard “Howie D” Dorough of the Backstreet Boys, known for his high falsetto, already has solid acting experience. He has appeared in movies like “Kindergarten Cop” and “Parenthood.”
Dorough also had a guest spot on the TV show “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.”
‘N Sync member James “Lance” Bass may not have the best dance skills, but his voice is unmistakable. If any member of the group has solo potential, it’s Bass.
The biggest problem plaguing boy bands is their shelf-life as they are the most disposable acts in the business.
Jimmy Constable of UK boy band 911 said he recognizes his band’s mortality. In an interview with columnist Nina Ti he said, “Everybody knows, realistically, that boy bands don’t last that long.”
What 1998 holds for these groups is uncertain, but one thing is clear: As long as the boy band formula works, the music industry will continue to exploit it.
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