Pop teens seek success as they grow into men

By Donna Freydkin
USA Today

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Group efforts, solo projects 'N Sync is working on new songs for summer, but meanwhile, the guys are busy with their own projects: JC Chasez: His solo album, "Schizophrenic," arrives in stores Tuesday. Justin Timberlake: The Grammy-winning solo singer will play a reporter in the movie "Edison." Joey Fatone: He appeared in "Rent" on Broadway in 2002 and played a lounge singer in the 2003 drama "The Cooler." Chris Kirkpatrick: He has been writing songs with the Dallas band Ohno and is writing material for a potential solo project. Lance Bass: The would-be cosmonaut was a judge on "America's Most Talented Kid" and will be seen in Wes Craven's fall horror flick "Cursed."

Singers like Nick Lachey, JC Chasez and the Hanson brothers cut their pop teeth in telegenic boy bands. Now, they're trying to redefine themselves as adults with a spate of new releases:

Lachey, 30, who made his name in the pop group 98 Degrees and on the MTV reality series "Newlyweds," released "SoulO" last November. To date, it has sold only 123,000 copies.

The mmmbopping Hansons — brothers Isaac, 23, Taylor, 20, and Zac, 18 — are releasing the acoustic "Underneath," their first album in four years, on April 20.

After numerous solo efforts, the Backstreet Boys are back in the studio working on a new disc.

Chasez's sexy "Schizophrenic" hit stores last month. (Chasez was touched by the Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction" scandal when his performance was dropped from the Hawai'i Pro Bowl halftime show.) But the 'N Syncer is hardly kissing his group bye, bye, bye. He and his bandmates, including Grammy-winning solo artist Justin Timberlake, 23, are planning to work on new songs this summer.

But for now, Chasez (pronounced sha-zay), 27, is busy promoting "Schizophrenic" and quashing the inevitable comparisons to Timberlake, saying their records are "nothing alike." And he shrugs off any concerns that his connection to his pop quintet could hurt his credibility as a solo singer.

"I was in a band, so there's no getting away from that, and I don't see why I should," he says.

It's an open question whether performers can shed their boy-band pasts and enter adult territory. Or overcome the public perception that their music won't "have dimension or depth," says Jive Records head Barry Weiss, whose label is home to Chasez and Britney Spears.

To succeed, industry watchers agree, popsters need the singing chops to back up their ambition. Timberlake's solo effort was a critical and commercial hit because "looks aside, he is a genuine talent," says independent music consultant Tom Vickers. And his album, which sold 3.2 million copies, will add luster to 'N Sync's disc, Vickers predicts.

"He and JC are the star attractions and will power renewed interest in the band," he says. "Hanson will have the hardest time getting fan interest because no marquee star has emerged out of the group."

Still, top-notch tunes, risk-taking, working with hot producers — as both Timberlake and Chasez did — and giving yourself a defined, mature identity can take you back to the top of the charts.

"You have to have some authenticity," says Ron Shapiro, co-president of Atlantic Records. "If you are so manufactured throughout your rise to fame, so controlled by the record company and your parents, the public will use you up and spit you out."

Dating Cameron Diaz, as Timberlake does, can't hurt either.