Showing posts with label 98 degrees 2.0 album. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 98 degrees 2.0 album. Show all posts
August 07, 2013
Jeff Timmons and 98 Degrees return
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A chat with Stark County’s Jeff Timmons about his band’s reunion tour, album
Stark County had a direct link to the ’90s boy-band scene in Jeff Timmons, a 1991 Washington High School grad.
Timmons was part of 98 Degrees, a pop-R&B foursome known for creamy vocal harmonies and dreamy All-American looks. The guys scored hits with “Because of You,” “The Hardest Thing,” “I Do (Cherish You),” “Thank God I Found You” and “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche),” and sold more than 10 million albums in the U.S.
After the group unceremoniously broke apart in late 2001, Timmons released a solo album titled “Whisper This Way,” toured with Jim Brickman, appeared in a VH1 reality series “Mission: Man Band,” hosted the Miss USA 2011 pageant and did a guest-star stint with Chippendales in Las Vegas.
Timmons’ bandmates, all Cincinnati natives, have stayed in the spotlight. Nick Lachey starred in a high-profile VH1 reality series, “Newlyweds,” with his then-wife Jessica Simpson, released a hit solo album, “What’s Left of Me,” and hosted an NBC singing-competition series “The Sing-Off.” Drew Lachey, Nick’s brother, won season two of TV’s “Dancing With the Stars” and appeared on Broadway in “Monty Python’s Spamalot.” And Justin Jeffre ran for mayor of Cincinnati.
Now reunited and with a new album titled “2.0,” 98 Degrees will appear in concert with New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men on June 9 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Here, Timmons talks about being 40 and back on the boy-band scene.
Q. This is the first 98 Degrees tour since 2001, how are rehearsals going?
A. “We’re a little older, of course. But I think the fact that we’ve been doing stuff on our own has made the group better vocally and in the performing aspects as well. We had to hone our craft. Before it was always the other guys onstage, and you didn’t have to be ‘on’ at all times. I think we’re way better than before. We’re more relaxed, more seasoned, we’re all bringing our own flavors. It’s not so structured.”
A. “We’re a little older, of course. But I think the fact that we’ve been doing stuff on our own has made the group better vocally and in the performing aspects as well. We had to hone our craft. Before it was always the other guys onstage, and you didn’t have to be ‘on’ at all times. I think we’re way better than before. We’re more relaxed, more seasoned, we’re all bringing our own flavors. It’s not so structured.”
Q. I bet you’re glad to not be one of those super choreographed groups. That might really make you feel old.
A. “We’re actually dancing a little more than in the past. We’ve stepped up that part of our game. But we’ve all kept in pretty good shape. I think a couple of us are in the best shape of our lives.”
A. “We’re actually dancing a little more than in the past. We’ve stepped up that part of our game. But we’ve all kept in pretty good shape. I think a couple of us are in the best shape of our lives.”
Q. What’s it like touring with New Kids and Boyz II Men? Did you know these guys already?
A. “I know Jordan (Knight from NKOTB) fairly well, and Drew’s great friends with Joey (McIntyre, also from NKOTB) from when they were on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ together. Nick knows Boyz II Men from ‘The Sing-Off.’ We had this real cool press junket with the groups. Having Boyz II Men next to me was incredible. They’re the reason we formed a group in the first place.”
A. “I know Jordan (Knight from NKOTB) fairly well, and Drew’s great friends with Joey (McIntyre, also from NKOTB) from when they were on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ together. Nick knows Boyz II Men from ‘The Sing-Off.’ We had this real cool press junket with the groups. Having Boyz II Men next to me was incredible. They’re the reason we formed a group in the first place.”
Q. And you’ve just released a new 98 Degrees album. What’s it like?
A. “After we decided to get back together, we thought we should do some new music. We knocked it out fairly quickly. We didn’t write anything this time. We had a couple hundred songs to pick from. We’re blessed to have a song by Bruno Mars called ‘Long Way Home.’ We’ve got a song by Ne-Yo called ‘Lonely.’ We’ve got a whole diverse array of things. There’s some throwback stuff; one kinda sounds like Michael Jackson. There’s some contemporary dance vibe. It’s more well-rounded than our albums in the past.”
A. “After we decided to get back together, we thought we should do some new music. We knocked it out fairly quickly. We didn’t write anything this time. We had a couple hundred songs to pick from. We’re blessed to have a song by Bruno Mars called ‘Long Way Home.’ We’ve got a song by Ne-Yo called ‘Lonely.’ We’ve got a whole diverse array of things. There’s some throwback stuff; one kinda sounds like Michael Jackson. There’s some contemporary dance vibe. It’s more well-rounded than our albums in the past.”
Q. Have you kept in close touch with Nick, Drew and Justin all these years?
A. “We did but not as much as we should’ve. Three of us have kids. Nick was doing stuff with Jessica, then hosting ‘The Sing-Off.’ Drew did ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ Justin was doing politics. I did my solo record, and I went and stripped in Chippendales — that was a blast. But now we’re closer than ever. We were working so hard the first time, it was difficult to take a breath and take it all in.”
A. “We did but not as much as we should’ve. Three of us have kids. Nick was doing stuff with Jessica, then hosting ‘The Sing-Off.’ Drew did ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ Justin was doing politics. I did my solo record, and I went and stripped in Chippendales — that was a blast. But now we’re closer than ever. We were working so hard the first time, it was difficult to take a breath and take it all in.”
Q. You did Chippendales and a reality series (“Mission: Man Band”). Were you just trying to hang in there?
A. “I had some rough times. I had a really difficult first marriage. My ex-wife was extraordinarily difficult, and I had a custody battle that took me a good 10 years. I was doing work when I could, just hanging in there to pay the bills. My new wife is amazing.”
A. “I had some rough times. I had a really difficult first marriage. My ex-wife was extraordinarily difficult, and I had a custody battle that took me a good 10 years. I was doing work when I could, just hanging in there to pay the bills. My new wife is amazing.”
Q. Do you have more than one child?
A. “I’ve got four kids now. I have one with my previous wife, two stepkids from my new wife, and we just had a kid.”
A. “I’ve got four kids now. I have one with my previous wife, two stepkids from my new wife, and we just had a kid.”
Q. And you live in Vegas. What’s that like for a family?
A. “We live 20 minutes from the Vegas strip. It’s pretty normal suburban life. It could be anywhere except it’s hot.”
A. “We live 20 minutes from the Vegas strip. It’s pretty normal suburban life. It could be anywhere except it’s hot.”
Q. Congratulations about the reunion and the album and the tour. You sound like a happy man.
A. “I’m sitting here in this arena and it’s huge. It’s really hitting me. We’re really lucky to be able to have a second chance at this, on this big tour with our idols. Our last show was on 9/11 (2001), and the band never had any closure.”
A. “I’m sitting here in this arena and it’s huge. It’s really hitting me. We’re really lucky to be able to have a second chance at this, on this big tour with our idols. Our last show was on 9/11 (2001), and the band never had any closure.”
Q. When were you last in the Massillon area?
A. “I was there two or three years ago to visit my buddies. It’s always nice to go back and get a welcoming response. I’d like to do a gig performing there with 98 Degrees. I would love for us to play my hometown one time.”
A. “I was there two or three years ago to visit my buddies. It’s always nice to go back and get a welcoming response. I’d like to do a gig performing there with 98 Degrees. I would love for us to play my hometown one time.”
A chat with Stark County’s Jeff Timmons about his band’s reunion tour, album
98 Degrees' Recipe For Package Tour: A 'Hot And Steamy' Boy-Band Casserole
Sandwiches will also be served — a New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men sandwich, that is.
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Break out your vintage homemade signs and t-shirts, the Package Tourkicks off this week. And with the New Kids on the Block, 98 Degreesand Boyz II Men ready to belt out some of their biggest hits, it's bound to be every fan's dream.
It all kicks off Tuesday (May 28) in Uncasville, Connecticut, and will circle around North America, before wrapping up August 4 Indianapolis, Indiana. 98 Degrees are pretty stoked to be in the middle of a BIIM and NKOTB sandwich night after night.
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"Well, we like to say, if New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men had a child, it would be us," Drew Lachey told MTV News of playing second every night. "We kind of, in a lot of ways, took our inspiration from Boyz II Men — their harmony sound and things like that — [and] obviously New Kids On The Block, the way they pioneered the genre. So it really is just an honor to be on this tour in general. We said this tour is all about the fans coming out, giving them a fantastic show. It's gonna be basically three hours of hits. It's our job to come out and make sure you leave with a smile on your face."
Nick Lachey added, "We feel like we're part R&B [group] and we ended up being part boy band. We were kind of caught in the middle, so it's almost symbolic that were sandwiched between these two groups on this show." (Each night BIIM will take the stage first, followed by 98 and then NKOTB.)
If you think the fans are just in the audience, think again. The guys are also looking forward to watching the sets from their tourmates. "But that's the great thing about this particular show; even being a part of the show we appreciate how cool it is to be a part of the show. We're huge fans of both those groups," Nick said. "Boyz II Men, we can't emphasize enough, is literally the biggest inspiration we had. So to be on a tour with them, and New Kids for that matter, is kind of surreal for us."
Sure, the guys want to bust out newer 2.0 tunes like "Microphone," but know that they also have to include hits like "The Hardest Thing" and "Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)," so Drew notes, "You find a balance. It's like a recipe. How much of each ingredient do you put in? More like a casserole, hot and steamy."
Justin Jeffre joked, "It is going to be tasty," with Nick continuing, "There's enough for everybody."
May 31, 2013
98 Degrees, New Kids On The Block, BoyzIIMen talking on the Today Show about #ThePackageTour (video)
Talking about the Boston Strong Benefit Concert, getting back together after 12 years, and the tour.
May 29, 2013
Overheard: 98 Degrees tour to be 'hot,' 'tasty'
98 Degrees plans to keep this summer's "The Package Tour" as hot as their group's name.
The '90s boy band has joined New Kids On the Block and Boyz II Men for the journey, which kicked off Tuesday in Connecticut and will wind across North America until the tour's last stop in Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 4.
Speaking with MTV, 98 Degrees pointed out that the other two groups are their perfect complement, since they've drawn inspiration from both acts.
"If New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men had a child, it would be us," Drew Lachey said, as his brother Nick added that they're "part R&B [group] and we ended up being part boy band. We were kind of caught in the middle, so it's almost symbolic that we're sandwiched between these two groups on this show."
Or, put another way, they're like the balancing component to a recipe, Drew said: "Like a casserole, hot and steamy."
It'll be a "tasty" one, chimed in Justin Jeffre, as Nick promised, "There's enough for everybody."
May 28, 2013
May 24, 2013
98 Degrees Studio Session: Watch 'Microphone' Performance and Q&A
Source
With a full-fledged comeback highlighted by a new album and upcoming arena tour, reunited boy band 98 Degrees stopped by the Billboard studio earlier this month to perform their new single, "Microphone," and discuss the long road that led to their first extended collaboration in over a decade.
"Every day was an opportunity to get back together," says Drew Lachey, who formed the vocal group with his brother Nick Lachey as well as Jeff Timmons and Justin Jeffre. "It literally was just a matter of four different grown men going in four different directions, living their lives. But we always had the intention of getting back together and making music again."
After reuniting last summer to perform at the Mixtape Festival in Hershey, Pa., 98 Degrees -- best known for hits like "Because of You," "The Hardest Thing" and "Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)" -- decided to head into the studio and work on its first full-length since 2000's "Revelation." The result was "2.0," a new album featuring "Microphone" and other likable pop tracks, released earlier this month.
"The essence of us as a group, it's the same," says Nick Lachey. "We still love to sing together. We still get in the studio and do what we do best, and that's perform."
On Tuesday (May 28), 98 Degrees kicks off The Package tour alongside New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men in Uncasville, Conn. Watch the group's video interview with Billboard to find out what fans can expect on the arena trek, and check back with Pop Shop early next week to watch another 98 Degrees performance from their Billboard studio session!
Jeff on Sun FM (Audio)
After more than 10 years on an extended hiatus, 98 Degrees are back with new music, and even an upcoming tour. This summer they're hitting the road with the New Kids on the Block and Boys II Men with the highly anticipated "The Package Tour."
Alright, go ahead and get your boy band "package" jokes out of the way. No really, it's cool. I'll wait...
Alright, go ahead and get your boy band "package" jokes out of the way. No really, it's cool. I'll wait...
...
Okay, good! So the new album from 98 Degrees is called "2.0" and it's available online and in stores now. Yesterday Jeff Timmonsfrom the group called me up for a chat. We talk about the new material, his stint in the Chippendales, what he thinks of the new generation of boy bands, and he even reveals a surprising truth about Jessica Simpson.
May 17, 2013
98 Degrees rising: Boy band is back after 12 years
Source
It's like old times for 98 Degrees, who will hit the road May 28 to promote 2.0, their first studio album since 2000, and tour with fellow 1990s heartthrobs New Kids On The Block and Boyz II Men.
Singing together again "felt like the 12 years (apart) were never there. That was a relief to all of us. We knew that we got this," said Nick Lachey, 39.
"It sounds freaking awesome!" gushed Jeff Timmons, 40, whose 1995 Los Angeles vocal group morphed into 98 Degrees with the addition of Justin Jeffre and brothers Nick and Drew Lachey, all graduates of Cincinnati's School for Creative & Performing Arts.
Since their 2002 "hiatus" from performing together, the guys often talked about getting back together. They took their fans' temperature last August – singing on NBC's Today show and at Hershey, Pa. – then got serious about harmonizing their schedules.
"This takes a year-and-a-half commitment. That was our biggest hurdle in getting back together," said Drew Lachey, 36, the youngest of the group.
"We've been thinking about getting together for a long time. It just took us longer than we thought," said Jeffre, 40.
Getting back together already has yielded some pleasant surprises – the invitation to join the nostalgic boy band Package Tour, and the brisk ticket sales in February for the original 25 dates. They'll now do 47 shows through Aug. 4.
"To be selling out shows with legendary bands in huge arenas, that was super gratifying," said Timmons, a Las Vegas-based music producer, writer and performer.
Their 2.0, released May 7, is a worth-the-wait more mature reboot with songs about men in their 30s looking for love and relationships penned by Bruno Mars, R&B songwriter Ne-Yo and many unknown composers.
"We found a balance between classic 98 Degrees ... and fitting into the modern world," Jeffre said.
Their Microphone single will be followed by Impossible Things, a ballad with rich harmonies that Timmons called "a throwback to our old days." The guys didn't record any of their original songs to expedite the album. The release was set after being invited to tour for the first time with the New Kids and Boyz.
"We all like each other. We all complement each other," said Nick Lachey, who splits his time between Cincinnati and Los Angeles.
Jeffre recalled that his first 98 Degrees gig was singing Boyz II Men's National Anthem arrangement at Dodger Stadium – three days after he arrived in Los Angeles. Two days after Drew drove cross-country, he was opening with 98 Degrees at the Los Angeles House of Blues.
The 10-week tour is being squeezed in between New Kid singer Donnie Wahlberg's filming schedule for CBS' Blue Bloods drama, and before some Boyz II Men obligations and Drew Lachey's summer arts camp with his wife, choreographer Lea, in Cincinnati.
The 2013 tour will be different from 98 Degrees' first tour in 1997, when Timmons and Nick Lachey had 98 degrees tattooed on their right biceps in Phoenix. (Nick has since covered it with a larger tattoo.)
Performing solo in recent years "enhanced our ability," Timmons said.
"Being better individually made us better as a group. Finally Justin is pulling his weight," Nick Lachey said with a smile.
Jeffre didn't miss a beat. He noted that Lachey was the worst of the four at remembering lyrics. "Even songs he's written!" Jeffre said.
"We have a better perspective," Nick Lachey said. "We appreciate going on tour and making another record together."
Instead of scheduling a second show here, promoters added stops in Louisville, Columbus and Indianapolis. Doing 47 concerts in 69 days "is the most grueling schedule I've ever seen," Nick Lachey said.
"We're hoping we haven't killed each other by the end of the tour," his brother said.
But if all goes well, 98 Degrees could tour more, after a break in August, Drew said. "We'll probably go back out in the fall. Success builds on success."
The foursome from Cincinnati has a new album out ahead of this summer's Package Tour.
A new album, a summer tour.
It's like old times for 98 Degrees, who will hit the road May 28 to promote 2.0, their first studio album since 2000, and tour with fellow 1990s heartthrobs New Kids On The Block and Boyz II Men.
Singing together again "felt like the 12 years (apart) were never there. That was a relief to all of us. We knew that we got this," said Nick Lachey, 39.
"It sounds freaking awesome!" gushed Jeff Timmons, 40, whose 1995 Los Angeles vocal group morphed into 98 Degrees with the addition of Justin Jeffre and brothers Nick and Drew Lachey, all graduates of Cincinnati's School for Creative & Performing Arts.
Since their 2002 "hiatus" from performing together, the guys often talked about getting back together. They took their fans' temperature last August – singing on NBC's Today show and at Hershey, Pa. – then got serious about harmonizing their schedules.
"This takes a year-and-a-half commitment. That was our biggest hurdle in getting back together," said Drew Lachey, 36, the youngest of the group.
"We've been thinking about getting together for a long time. It just took us longer than we thought," said Jeffre, 40.
Getting back together already has yielded some pleasant surprises – the invitation to join the nostalgic boy band Package Tour, and the brisk ticket sales in February for the original 25 dates. They'll now do 47 shows through Aug. 4.
"To be selling out shows with legendary bands in huge arenas, that was super gratifying," said Timmons, a Las Vegas-based music producer, writer and performer.
Their 2.0, released May 7, is a worth-the-wait more mature reboot with songs about men in their 30s looking for love and relationships penned by Bruno Mars, R&B songwriter Ne-Yo and many unknown composers.
"We found a balance between classic 98 Degrees ... and fitting into the modern world," Jeffre said.
Their Microphone single will be followed by Impossible Things, a ballad with rich harmonies that Timmons called "a throwback to our old days." The guys didn't record any of their original songs to expedite the album. The release was set after being invited to tour for the first time with the New Kids and Boyz.
"We all like each other. We all complement each other," said Nick Lachey, who splits his time between Cincinnati and Los Angeles.
Jeffre recalled that his first 98 Degrees gig was singing Boyz II Men's National Anthem arrangement at Dodger Stadium – three days after he arrived in Los Angeles. Two days after Drew drove cross-country, he was opening with 98 Degrees at the Los Angeles House of Blues.
The 10-week tour is being squeezed in between New Kid singer Donnie Wahlberg's filming schedule for CBS' Blue Bloods drama, and before some Boyz II Men obligations and Drew Lachey's summer arts camp with his wife, choreographer Lea, in Cincinnati.
The 2013 tour will be different from 98 Degrees' first tour in 1997, when Timmons and Nick Lachey had 98 degrees tattooed on their right biceps in Phoenix. (Nick has since covered it with a larger tattoo.)
Performing solo in recent years "enhanced our ability," Timmons said.
"Being better individually made us better as a group. Finally Justin is pulling his weight," Nick Lachey said with a smile.
Jeffre didn't miss a beat. He noted that Lachey was the worst of the four at remembering lyrics. "Even songs he's written!" Jeffre said.
"We have a better perspective," Nick Lachey said. "We appreciate going on tour and making another record together."
Instead of scheduling a second show here, promoters added stops in Louisville, Columbus and Indianapolis. Doing 47 concerts in 69 days "is the most grueling schedule I've ever seen," Nick Lachey said.
"We're hoping we haven't killed each other by the end of the tour," his brother said.
But if all goes well, 98 Degrees could tour more, after a break in August, Drew said. "We'll probably go back out in the fall. Success builds on success."
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