Just How Sweet is Sweet D?

Maybe it’s his charming, laid-back, taking-it-all-in-stride attitude that makes everything appear so peaceful and trouble-free. Casually dressed in torn jeans (he’s even got cute knees!) and an old T-shirt, Howie appears content just being himself and seems comfortable allowing people to see and judge him as he is – for who he is. He spoke of a new direction for the group and about the serious side of being famous during a recent chat.

With their globe-crossing mega-tour finally over, the Boys have returned to the studio to complete their upcoming effort, tentatively titled Backstreet paradise, which is scheduled for release sometime in the spring.

A few of the tracks scheduled to appear on the upcoming album (“10,000 Promises” and “Touched By My Heart” in particular) were pulled from the group’s on-tour set list and were selected in response to very enthusiastic displays of fan approval. A great majority of the upcoming CD was written by the Boys, including the Brian-penned track "That’s What She Said.”

“During the ‘downtime’ we experienced with Brian being in the hospital, we did a little of our won songwriting,” Howie said. “So we’re definitely gearing towards including a lot of our own material for the next effort.”

Nick also did a bit of songwriting – although his new tune appears on little brother Aaron’s self-titled Edel-America debut CD (which also includes “Shake It,” “Crazy Little Party Girl” as well as cover versions of the New Kids On The Block hit “Please Don’t Go” and the Jets classic “Crush on You”).

“We have a lot to say about choosing the songs we record, although Jive usually intervenes with good judgment about what’s right for us,” Howie, who, at press time, was collaborating with Grammy-winning songwriter Gary Baker, admits.

A different version of the Backstreet Boys than the singers who got their start thanks to outside writing and production collaborations – the group’s new attitude encompasses all aspects of music-making, right down to all five Boys playing their own instruments!

“I mean, we’re not claiming to be ‘musicians,’ you know, ‘professional musicians,’ “ Howie chuckles (there’s that modesty again). “But we all dabble with different instruments. During the last couple of tours, A.J. and Nick were playing the drums and the piano while we all kind of picked up various instruments along the way.”

For those keeping track, Howie and Brian strum the guitar, Kevin (who has been taking piano lessons since he was 9) is getting even better on the keyboards, while A.J. plays bass and Nick keeps a steady beat going on the drums. Despite months of practice, however, Howie is quick to admit that Kevin and Nick are the most proficient when it comes to actually “playing” music.

Good-natured Howie also loves to give back to his listeners. In fact, he related a story where he was once trampled by dozens of fans during an impromptu autograph session. “I fell down like a turtle on my back with my legs sticking up,” he laughs. “Things can actually get kinda dangerous in Backstreet land if we’re not careful,” Howie adds with a concerned frown as he recalls a meet ‘n’ greet that took place in Canada this summer where several fans were injured. A Canadian newspaper reported that at least three girls fainted after being pressed against barricades while others simply hyperventilated in all the excitement. The injuries were prompted, in part, by rumors of a possible Backstreet Boy break up. “We’re usually pretty careful about making public appearances,” Howie says. “But sometimes things can get a little out of control.”

Underneath the bright lights, cheers, luster and excitement, Howie insists that, like the other members of BSB, he is just a normal guy. “I even have to do chores when I go home,” he says with a smile.

Howie, 24 and still single, talks briefly about the conflicts of touring with one of the world’s top-selling groups and maintaining a social life. While he mentions that it’s especially difficult to start or keep a serious relationship going, he adds that he will continue his search for that special someone he “knows is out there” waiting for him. “We meet other artists and entertainers and hang out with them when we’re on tour,” Howie says quietly. “It’s good to have company when we’re so far away from our families. But, well … let’s just say that it’s not the same as having a real girlfriend.”

Before he had to run off for yet another photo shoot and interview session, Howie paused for a few seconds and recalled the days when things were a little simpler. Back to a time before fame finally found him and the night he prepared a candlelit dinner for a certain young lady on her birthday. “Afterward,” he said with a wistful sigh, “we ended up going to the airport where he held hands, talked and watched the planes taking off and landing. It was one of the best evenings of my life.”