"Boyband Fever: 98 Degrees" (Author Unknown)

Jump Magazine (date unknown) -

THE BAND: 98 DEGREES

THE BUZZ: These Ohio guys admit they're not the smoothest talkers when it comes to girls, but they say getting discovered was one of the slickest moves they've ever pulled off. The story? "We were writing songs, working as doormen and delivery boys and waiting for our big break," says Jeff. On one of their off days, they hung out backstage at a Boyz II Men concert, hoping to wow the guys with a spontaneous song. Instead, they were invited to sing on a local radio station. Soon after, the harmonizing pop quartet got a record deal with Motown and released its second album, 98° and Rising. But these bashful babes barely know how to handle their new pinup-boy status. "This is all so new and strange to us. We're like, 'Are they screaming for us?'" admits Justin. "We just see each other as the four guys we've always been." Why all the fuss over another poster-friendly pop act? With red-hot talent like the Fugees' Wyclef and Pras and the masterminds behind Mariah Carey, Will Smith, and Mary J. Blige giving it up for these guys, they might just start a new R&B revolution.

THE BOYS:

Nick Lachey, 25, Cincinnatti, OH, Scorpio

Crybaby: No more egg rolls for this former Chinese food delivery boy. The only thing he's serving up these days is serious vocals - and maybe a few tears. "If he sees a sad movie, he's not embarrassed to cry," reveals brother Drew. "He's also the one who primps the most and will change his shirt three times before we go out. Awww.

Drew Lachey, 22, Cincinnatti, OH, Leo

Mama's boy: He might be the youngest, but the others look to him for advice on everthing from clothes to girls. "When Drew comes to mind," says Jeff, "I think of organization. He has a great personality, great manners... he's very classy."

Justin Jeffre, 25, Cincinnatti, OH, Pisces

Doo-wop dork: In high school, Justin and Nick sang in barbershop quartets and (surprise!) had a hard time with the ladies. "I was friends with girls, but when it came to kissing them... no way," confesses Justin.

Jeff Timmons, 25, Massillon, OH, Taurus

Jock talk: Jeff waved 'buh-bye' to his first career choice -playing in the NFL - after he seranaded a group of girls at a college party and left them swooning.

jesstimmons98@hotmail.com