Music Scene
Hot facts about 98 Degrees

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

Who da guys? If you have to ask, you might be better off not knowing. OK, OK, these are the heartthrobs of 98 Degrees, and they're heading for a concert at World Cafe Sunday night. Many screaming young female fans await. 98 Degrees 8 p.m. Sunday; doors open at 7 p.m. World Cafe, 1130 N. Nimitz Highway $35 526-4400, www.goldenvoice.com All ages welcome

Think you know everything there is to know about 98 Degrees?

You may be surprised by the information we dug up on the harmonizing heartthrobs, who are in town for an intimate gathering at World Cafe on Sunday.

So grab a seat next to your nearest poster of Nick, cue up "My Everything" and read on. Because if you want to be the world's greatest 98 Degrees fan, you've got a lot to learn.

Meet the guys

Justin Jeffre

Full name: Justin Paul Jeffre

Age: 28

Birthplace: Mount Clemens, Mich.

Sign: Pisces

Favorite movie: "Friday," "Braveheart"

Loves to eat: Pizza, doughnuts, Skyline Chili

Enjoyed reading: "The Greatest Salesman in the World" by Og Mandino, "The CIA's Greatest Hits" by Mark Zepezauer

Cheers on: Cincinnati Bengals

Favorite artists: James Brown, Stevie Wonder

Drew Lachey

Full name: Andrew John Lachey

Age: 24

Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio

Sign: Leo

Favorite movie: "Braveheart"

Loves to eat: Pizza, doughnuts, anything junk food

Enjoyed reading: "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer, "Black Hawk Down" by Mark Bowden

Cheers on: Kansas City Chiefs

Favorite artists: Marvin Gaye, Prince, Take 6

Nick Lachey

Full name: Nicholas Scott Lachey

Age: 27

Birthplace: Harlan, Ky.

Sign: Scorpio

Favorite movie: "Die Hard"

Loves to eat: Skyline Chili, steak, pizza

Enjoyed reading: "Hannibal" by Thomas Harris, "Animal Farm" by George Orwell

Cheers on: Cincinnati Bengals and Reds

Favorite artists: Boyz II Men, Sade, Jodeci, Brian McKnight, Take 6

Jeff Timmons

Full name: Jeffrey Brandon Timmons

Age: 28

Birthplace: Canton, Ohio

Sign: Taurus

Favorite movie: "The Shawshank Redemption"

Loves to eat: Seafood, steak

Enjoyed reading: "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, "Conversations With God" by Neale Donald Walsch

Cheers on: Dallas Cowboys

Favorite artists: Boyz II Men

The stuff you didn't know

• The band almost went with the names Just Us, Next Issue and Verse Four before settling on 98 Degrees. Why? They felt it conveyed the feel of heat and romance in their music.
• The strangest thing Nick purchased was a penthouse condo in the top floor of the shell of an old Model T Ford factory and showroom in Cincinnati. Jacuzzi included.
• Though the boys are a vocal group, they each play an instrument. Drew plays drums, Jeff plays trumpet, Justin plays the trombone and Nick plays the sax.
• To prepare for their new role of urban boy band, the foursome joined a Baptist church choir in Harlem when they were just starting out.
• MTV's "Total Request Live" retired two of the band's videos: "I Do (Cherish You)" and "The Hardest Thing."
• Jeff is the founding member of 98 Degrees.
• Every year Nick makes the same New Year's resolution — to stop biting his nails.
• The difference between 98 Degrees and their boy-band counterparts? The boys of 98 don't dance. They don't even attempt it.
• Jeff played inside linebacker and defensive end in high school.
• Aside from performing on talk shows and at sporting events, 98 Degrees has even performed live on the Home Shopping Network.
• Drew, who's 5-foot-6, is the only band member who wishes he were taller.
• The guys call Nick "NL Cool Lachey" after his rap debut in the single "Dizzy."
• Jeff would be the first person voted off the island in "Survivor" because he snores loudly. Nick would voluntarily quit.
• Never call Drew "Andy." He hates that.