C. The Folks: Now
When the boyband era was over in the new millennium, it left question to many girls, and probably some guys who were no longer able to criticize them. What could have happened to the ex boyband members? There were plenty of them; surely it could not leave them all jobless!
Well, most of them went on solo career; the ones such as Robbie Williams, Ronan Keating, Stephen Gately, Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, and Brian McFadden, although not all succeeded. Some focused on song writing, like Gary Barlow who is now collaborating with major British musicians. Acting seems to be an alternative for them also. Donnie Wahlberg tried his luck by playing a minor character on Bruce Willis’ Six Sense. Not as successful as kid brother Mark, he did gain some recognition for his performance as Lipton on Band of Brothers. Lance Bass of *NSync had also played in several movies. The ex-98 Degrees lead vocal, Nick Lachey keeps his place on spotlight (or even more?) after marrying the pop princess Jessica Simpson and have their reality show Newly Weds.
That was it. Many things had been going on within the world of boyband which looked rather grey than black or white. Unlike in fairy tale, the good did not always win and the bad were not always bad. Anyhow, the trend seems to be slowing down now, and unlikely to boom again soon. However, I hope when it go on again, they would watch out their attitude more carefully if they still targeted to young audience.
Article comments
1 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
great stuff, Ayu, i too feel these ensembles are deserving of a bit of attention, if only on account of how unavoidable they are.
And let the duke be the first to admit, Take That were amazing a lot of the time. Back For Good? That shit was phenomenal.
2 - Ayu
Thanks Aaron. So you're from Ireland? I was a little bit worried that no one here knew whom I was talking about..you know, stuff like Boyzone, Westlife, Blue and Take That. Back then, Gary Barlow is a very talented musician...not quite the best dancer, but his song writing skill is brilliant. I think he can match Sir Elton John one day.
3 - Marty Dodge
Gary Barlow is still writing music for lots of different people. While he is not in the public eye as much as fellow Take That mate Williams, he is still in the business and doing rather well for himself. It could be argued he had the best voice in TT too.
4 - Ayu
That is what I tried to explain on the last part of my post, Marty. And I agree with you, Gary Barlow was the soul of Take That, as well as perhaps Jordan Knight in NKOTB or Ronan Keating in Boyzone. But hey, boyband is a collective project. One can't succeed without the support from the others. I still hope Gary will start singing again one day though.
5 - Marty Dodge
It will be interesting to see what the next stage of the boy-band thing is...what with Busted! ending and Charlie's new project bombing.
Freefaller seem to be the next in the can play instruments/write own music style of manufactured young male groups.
6 - Ayu
Apart from the rumors I heard about the return of Backstreet Boys and *NSync (Ummm...aren't they too old for a BOYband?), I think groups like Busted! or Freefaller are more acceptable nowadays. Perhaps I am now too old to go crazy over them, but the single Do This, Do That is quite catchy.
7 - Marty Dodge
Yes it is Ayu and they have got other stuff which is as good. My attitude is that if its any good who cares if its done by a bunch of pretty boys some record company is pushing? I don't look at em' just listen to em'.
8 - Ayu
Too bad I haven't gotten their album yet. I see you have posted a review on it...I hope it doesn't sound too "Blink 182" though.
9 - Marty Dodge
Yes, the album won't be out for a while. A few more singles, then an album.
10 - kaneshiro
i love british boy bands more than those american ones. i feel there's more soul in the songs done by british groups, i means they're better to listen to and has depth. i surely miss the time when there were still code red, worlds apart, and bed & breakfast
11 - Janet Summers
I appreciate your info in this article. I have 3 sons, 12 y/o twins and 14 who have been in a rock band in the Louisville area for the last 2 years. They played out with a 4th younger person (started ages 10 and 11, with 8 y/o singer)at popular spots all over Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. They took a performance sabbatical for 7 mos after leaving the 4th band member last fall, to become an all-brothers band and take their musicianship to the next level. They are now THE SUMMERS and are a strong teen band playing current rock, and a post-punk flavor of some alternative. Also play some classic rock depending on the venue. These guys have strong moral values and are entertaining, good looking, talented and fun! They have been told they have the "it" factor and are being looked at by some strong influences in the industry, looking to break out when the timing is right. No sex or drugs, these brothers communicate effectively with one another and are a great inspiration to other teens.
12 - el toro bumingo
I love the songs of Code Red, Plus One, Boyzone, Westlife, BSB, N*SYNC, 98 Degrees, 911, A1, 5ive, Caught In The Act, Take 5, Human Nature and all those boybands from the 90s. I'm a huge boybands fan :)