“The song I released wasn't even supposed to be a
single. I guess after it came out… they were like,
'You've got to do a record now, it's kind of a big
deal.’”
-JC

5/4/04

Queer Ears for Straight Guys
(5/4/05) Gregg Shapiro Windy City Times

JC Chasez at House Of Blues, (312) 923-2000, on May 7

Straight men have long held a fascination for some gay men (and vice versa). There are those gay men who want to emulate straight men, while there are others who just want to seduce them. Whatever the case may be, plenty of gay men also have an ear for the music created by straight men.

He may sing about getting in with the women who dance with other women in “Some Girls (Dance With Women),” but JC Chasez (of N*Sync) must know that there are probably men who wouldn’t mind getting in with him. On his solo debut, the aptly titled Schizophrenic (Jive), Chasez embodies the vocal styles of several steamy and soulful vocalists, in lieu of giving the listener a clue into his own personality. He does a decent Enrique Iglesias on the aforementioned “Some Girls,” and then creates a Stevie Wonder/Michael Jackson hybrid on “She Got Me.” “100 Ways” sounds like Prince at his most purple and “Build My World” most closely resembles Chasez’s N*Sync style. However, on songs such as “Shake It” (one of the few songs on the disc for which Chasez didn’t get co-writing credit) and the electroclash-like “All Day Long I Dream About Sex” Chasez manages to diverge from the formula...

 

Blame It On Band Camp
(5/4/04) Mikael Wood Village Voice

Nick Cannon
Nick Cannon
Jive

JC Chasez
Schizophrenic
Jive


Two years or so ago, heavyweight r&b producer Dallas Austin was in Los Angeles putting together the soundtrack for Drumline, a putatively star-making vehicle for Nick Cannon, Nickelodeon's G-rated Dave Chappelle, thinly veiled as that rare Hollywood specimen: the breezily moralistic marching-band dramedy. *NSync's JC Chasez was in town too, "just chilling," he told me a few months ago, so one day Austin called him up and recommended he drop by the studio. Within days the pair had written "Blowin' Me Up (With Her Love)," a nutso hunk of chopping-board funk (with an actual drumline!) whose flavor long outlasted the film's.

That must've sucked for Cannon, but I bet the young star's even more peeved now that Chasez's solo debut has eclipsed his own self-titled bow, the cover of which features him snuggled inside the same fur-lined parka Paul Simon sported on his eponymous debut, in 1972. Cannon's problem isn't his so-so flow or, as befits an experienced bizzer, his taste in collaborators: Big-ticket beatsmith Just Blaze, a little adrift now that his Blueprint classmate Kanye West dropped out and turned on, laces "Get Crunk Shorty" with paranoid synth stabs, and R. Kelly turns "Gigolo" (a title Kelly's lawyers probably stress over daily) into pure fur-lined pleasure. Rather, it's the actor's inability to shake the pork from his fork that hamstrings Nick Cannon. He brags about expensive cars and inconsequential sex, but in jarringly likable after-school fashion; when Mary J. Blige flexes her Gucci-bagged gravitas in "Whenever You Need Me," she comes off like Cannon's mom calling him home for dinner.

On the agreeably pervtastic Schizophrenic, Chasez sounds as eager to shed his cream-cheese boyband image as Cannon seems to ditch his squeaky 'tween-TV profile. Mainly that means slipping off his SpongeBob SquarePants; though Justin Timberlake's Justified no doubt gets Cameron Diaz thinking very bad things, JC's record boasts a virtual vanilla sky of engorged Caucasian flesh: nightclub lesbianism, bedtime masturbation, waking-hour fantasy, one-night-only monogamy. Yet where Cannon macks like he's in an audition, Chasez really sells his shit, accessing a battery of convincing moans in "Shake It," overdubbing a choir of groans in "Come to Me," even graciously thinking up "100 Ways" to freak your lover. And the songs' grooves, courtesy of Basement Jaxx, Riprock 'n' Alex G, and Paris Hilton pal Robb Boldt, back him up with a sonic palette wider if not deeper than Justified's. If Chasez ever pees on somebody, I'd recommend covering this one up quick.

 

ADIDAS vid heading for MTV
(5/4/04) DirtyPop.net

A source tells us that Jive received the final edit of the "All Day Long I Dream About Sex" video last Friday. MTV is expected to start airing it at the end of this week or early next week.

 

Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic
Celebrities helping out Toby Keith's Golf Tournament Benefit
(5/4/04) Neil Haislop Country Forever Productions

NASHVILLE, TN Tuesday 5.4.2004 /netmusiccountdown.com/ -- Toby Keith is hosting the Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic here on May 23 and 24, 2004. The event, which benefits the newly-established Ally's House charity, will include a silent auction of items from sports, film, television and music stars, a golf tournament, and the chance for one
golfer to win a Ford truck.

Items for the auction have been donated by Vince Gill, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Jewell, Lonestar, Wynonna, Reba McEntire, Ashley Judd, Charles Barkley, Mookie Blaylock, Sammy Hagar, Tommy Lasorda, Willie Nelson, Dallas Cowboy Roy Williams, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Justin Timberlake and many more...

 

CFTC VI Fan Club Wishes
(5/4/04) NSYNC Official Website

Attention *NSYNC and Challenge For The Children® Fans:

This year we are offering another opportunity for you, the fans, to get involved with Challenge For The Children® VI. For the first time ever, you will have the opportunity to be a part of the Fan Club Wishes section of our exclusive, commemorative program sold throughout the weekend. This is a great way to get your message to *NSYNC even if you are unable to attend this year’s event.

All donations for ads in the Fan Club Wishes will go toward *NSYNC’s Foundation Challenge For The Children®. After we receive your order form, you will be sent an email serving as a confirmation that we have received your order and receipt of donation to the foundation. This receipt can qualify as a tax write-off for donations.

There is a limited amount of ad space available so act fast and be assured your wishes get to *NSYNC and your donations help Challenge For The Children® reach those in need. You can purchase either a quarter page black and white ad containing text and appropriate photos for $125 or a business card black and white ad containing text for $50. The deadline to order ads is June 4, 2004.

Please download the order form and read the guidelines before sending in your payment and photo-ready ad. Any and all questions may be directed to Challenge For The Children ® at (866) 497-2383.

We look forward to seeing all of you at this years Challenge For The Children® VI in Miami Beach, FL on July 23-25, 2004. Keep an eye on the office website www.nysnc.com for more information.

 

NSYNC ANNOUNCES RONEY PALACE BEACH RESORT AS OFFICIAL HOST HOTEL FOR 6TH ANNUAL CHALLENGE FOR THE CHILDREN® FOUNDATION CHARITY EVENT
(5/4/04) NSYNC Official Website (thanks Candy!)

Roney Palace Beach Resort
2399 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach , FL 33139

Official Transportation - Maroone Auto Group

ORLANDO (April 19, 2004)- Multi-Platinum Recording Artist *NSYNC announces Roney Palace Beach Resort as the official host hotel for the sixth annual Challenge For The Children â that will take place on the shores of South Beach in the Miami Beach area on July 23rd, 24th and 25th, 2004. A spectacular group of celebrity friends will join Justin, Joey, Lance, Chris and JC to raise awareness and money for The Challenge For The Children Foundation.

The Roney Palace Beach Resort is one of the newest oceanfront destinations located in internationally famed South Beach. The hotel features the largest hotel rooms on South Beach and 600 feet of pristine beachfront. “We are delighted to team up with *NSYNC in their efforts, ”enthuses, Steve Silverman, Director of Sales and Marketing for The Roney Palace Beach Resort.“ The Challenge For The Children foundation benefits so many children’s charities nationwide.”

A ‘Celebrity Skills Challenge’ will be held on the beach right next to the Roney Palace Resort off Collins Avenue on Saturday, July 24th and the signatory event, ‘The Celebrity Basketball Game’ will take place at the Office Depot Center on Sunday, July 25th. These high- energy events will showcase stars from film, television, sports and entertainment battling in front of thousands of appreciative fans. Celebrities such as last year’s participants Gabrielle Union, Donald Faison, Shannon Elizabeth, Jason Taylor (Miami Dolphins), Richard Jefferson (NJ Nets), Danny Masterson and Wilmer Valderrama (70’s Show), Benji of Good Charlotte and the members of *NSYNC will all come ready to play!

Tickets for both these sporting events including the ‘Celebrity Skills Challenge’ and the ‘Celebrity Basketball Tournament’ will be on sale at noon on May 22 nd through TicketMaster (www.ticketmaster.com).

Other Corporate sponsorships are available at all levels for events during this important Challenge For The Children VI Charity Weekend.

For More Information Contact (866) 497-2382.

 

JC superstar
(5/4/04) Attitude Magazine UK (thanks charlidos for transcribing!)

Nsync conquered America. Then Justin conquered the world. What's left for JC Chasez of the universe?

Now, you probably know the one about the former member of Nsync that went on to conquer the world. A little guy by the name of Justin. The obsession of gossip columnists, pin-up poster fodder of global teen culture, not overly kind to his ex in his videos?

Welcome, if you will, his antidote.

JC Chasez was one of the other four Nsyncers that dominated the American pop-chart and rode mechanical bulls round the stadia of the world in honour of their absolute pop supremacy. But all of that's behind him now. "I just wanted to have some fun," he says of the interim between Celebrity, the last band album and the next one, which no one really believes, post Justin mania, is ever going to happen.

JC is cool as a cucumber. He isn't breaking his back with promotional activity and brand awareness summits. He's just cut a fine solo debut., Schizophrenic (already the medical fraternity is up in arms, but frankly if they can't see the metaphor at work, so be it) and is enjoying shooting the luxury breeze in his London hotel suite. "It doesn't matter how it does, really," he says, with not a trace of the ambitious glee of his former compadre. The record has gone off on what American demographers would call "a limb". It may sparkly with MTV compatibility and a certain FM awareness but it's a looser, more experienced trip than Justified. JC is delighted with it. As well he might be. Allow him to tell you.

When did you first start thinking of making a solo record?

It was actually suggested by a friend of mine who's also a producers - Dallas Austin. We were hanging out and we did a song for the movie Drumline. We did a track for it together and I wasn't supposed to sing on it, but then we cut the demo and I did it. It wasn't supposed to be a single, then it turned out to one, then it turned into a video and after that I was pretty cool. I was mellow with it. It was a success. Fine. Then he said "you gotta do a record" and I was like "I don't know, man" and the I thought "yeah, why wouldn't I?"

How much time had you had off after Nsync?

I took a year.

How was it?

It was great, man. I hit the re-set button. I'd been on the road for 8 years, you know? Every thought you share is with 4 other people. They're awesome, amazing people, they were my best friends, but I think it was pretty clear that we all needed to breathe. To take a break. What I needed to do was hang out with friends that I hadn't had chance to spend quality time with in years. I got to hang with my brother, stuff like that. Stuff that gets you back to being you, that stops you being this robo-zombie.

Was it when you took time off that it dropped how much Nsync has happened?

My friends would really not let me do that. They made fun of me more than anything for it. When somebody comes up and asks for an autograph my freinds are like [adopts fawning voice] "ooh, can I have your autograph too!" It's cool. I got a good group of friends. They keep it all real.

What was your agenda when you sat down to cut the record?

Make good tunes. SImple as that, dude. Don't get caught up in anything. Just make good tunes. Don't think in terms of boundaries. That's why the record turned out to be so eclectic.You can't pin yourself into one style. Artists out there that have one sound end up in a corner. There's a lot of good music out there, you know? Investigate the possibilities. The artists that I respect the most do not think in boxes. You listen to Prince and he can totally rock out or be total R&B. Even Kid Rock, he plays country and hard rock and raps. As crazy as he is I repsect that he thinks in terms of music, not medicine or a formula. My agenda was to change gears completely. To do something different. This was never going to be an Nsync record.

So was it a relief?

You can hear it in the record that I had a lot of fun and freedom. The minute I say I'm cutting a record then everyone has a opinion and everyone is offereing suggestions. The record label was anxious for me to do one after the single exploded, but I said this is my record and if I'm going to do it I do it on my terms and if you guys don't like then, hey, I won't do it. They were cool with it. They gave me three months, sent me off, said "go do your thing and we'll see what we think". When I came back they loved it, which is really neat. But at the end of the day? I didn't care whether they liked it or not. I made a record that was comfortable and fun for me to do.

There are a couple of old Nsync-producers involved?

Yeah, those guys were my friends. They helped us through some tough times, when we were broke and nobody really had faith in the band, they helped us out. I like those guys. Meeting friends and making tunes with them? Dude, it doesn't get much better than that.

Do you know where your songs come from?

I don't know and I don't care. One day there's a lightning flash, and whoomph! there it is. Two or three of the songs were written in less than an hour. All Day Long I Dream About Sex was locked in an hour. When you're feeling silly anything can come out. That was not a brainiac at work. It's just a good time. You can't fight a good time. You roll with it. That stuff just has to come out with you. To me, you know, there are no more anthems out there. I don't know, man. I miss We Will Rock You. I want to have a beer and I want to have some fun.

And sing a song you couldn't sing with Nsync?

Yeah. My mom heard it and she said "son, I really like your music but I don't always like what you say". She's cool. Like I said. I didn't hold back.

It wouldn't have gone through with Nsync though, would it?

There's no way. First of all, stylistically, let's be honest, they would never have let it through. Those guys did not dig dance music. When we did Dirty pop even though it was Justin's song, I brought in BT to produce it. He was my friend.

Do you go out dancing?

Of course, man. I'm like anybody else. [with a twinkle] I like my fun. As long as there's something good going I'll be there.

Are you the first ex-boyband member to be influenced by Gary Numan?

When I first recorded it I found these sounds and it was literally, no one uses these sounds any more. Why not? It's sooo Gary Numan. It inspired that sound.

I daresay Some Girls Dance With Women isn't pleasing your mother either?

[laughs] It's just about flirting. It's a bout a tease. I'd gotten in from being out in a club and thought I wanted to do a club track but I wanted a different spin, lyrically. There are brilliant songs about going out to a club, but none of them have talked about the girls dancing together. It's like, that's the best part of the night. And I can't believe no one's written about it before. There are songs about shaking your backside, getting low, popping, rolling up the club, getting smashed out of your head, everything! But nobody had talked about anything as obvious as the pure sex of watching a girl dancing with another girl.

Is it a popular song with our lesbian friends?

I guess so. Yeah. Hey man, if you dig it, you dig it. I do not know the word "discrimination".

How much do you care about success?

I'm fortunate, man. I don't have to rely on it being successful because I had a little success already. I'm in a pretty good place.

Did people expect something a bit like Justified?

Justin cut a record because it was his sound and I cut this because it was mine. Neither of them sound like an Nsync record.

What's the future for the band?

We're going to write songs in the summer and send them to one another so whenever we have the right songs together we'll cut another record. We're not beating our heads against the wall about it.

That was 8 years of quite intense work, yeah?

Oh man. We enjoyed it, don't get me wrong. We played shows and sang songs and that was great but, yeah, it was a lot of work. No question. But if you enjoy what you do then you go for it.

Why did you want to work with Basement Jaxx?

Have you heard the records? Awesome, man. I went into their little garage in Brixton when I was over in London and we cut a record for their album, which is the best. It's amazing that they get that noise out of that little room. Then they returned the favour and did one for my album. I have ultimate repsect for them, they make music that is entirely their own. They're really creative people, they do everything themselves. It rocks. When you get inspired you run with it. It was a really cool experience. People over-analyse who's important to get on your record. Everyone wants the hit makers. No one takes a little chance. I'm not into doing something just for my career.

Was everyone in the band astonished at how well Justified did?

Everyone knew, dude. He's a superstar, there's no question. And he goes after it in that manner. In his mind he's constantly thinking "I have to be the biggest star in the world." That's his focus and it's toatlly cool if that's what works for him. That's what keeps him going. We all saw it coming.

What about the other guys?

Lance is getting closer and closer to going into space, which is crazy. He got a call saying he could go in the fall. He was on his way and then the shuttle blew up so all the space programmes went on hold. Chris is working on a record. And Joey's working on movies and television and he did Rent on Broadway. He's on fire, man. My Big Fat Greek Wedding was a huge deal. He's been on Broadway. That's his gig. You know, everyone thinks that Justin was the first one to go solo, but Lance was doing films while we were out on the road. Those guys were taking the initiative while we were sill working.

How does it feel alone?

It feels reall good. I'm back to square one. Just me, myself and I. It's a good place to be in.

The Nsync boys: What happened next?

Lance Bass: made hitherto unforeseen move from mechanical bull-straddling boyband popsicle to ahem, astronaut. Unfortunately, his moon safari was cut short by the unfortunate accident of a space probe blowing up mid journey. Now pencilled in for a autumn rocket ride. Spacey!

Chris Kirkpatrick: "Working on a record" is the official line. Still no sign of movement from the poor thing. Possibly the one that got away.

Joey Fatone: Taken to the boards. Before Nsync's semi-implosion had already shot his star turn in My big fat Greek wedding, the sleeper hit of 2002. Further success with a Broadway-busting lead in definitive 90's musical Rent. Therefore, Nsync's Adam Rickitt. Of sorts.

Justin Timberlake: Oh don't pretend you don't know. Last seen unfurling that hideous piece of metal ornamentation from La Jackson's Superbowl-tastic nipple. Perv. Likes a girl with acne. Double perv

 

Teen girls want Justin as their prom date
(5/4/04) Business Wire

According to a recent survey on the RED(TM) service, AOL's online experience for teens... 37% of teen girls picked Ashton Kutcher as their ideal (prom) date, narrowly edging out Orlando Bloom. Justin Timberlake and The OC's Adam Brody completed the list.

More than 50,000 teens voted in the polls, located on AOL's RED service for teens.

...Which celeb would you bring to the prom?

Ashton Kutcher: 37%
Orlando Bloom: 33%
Justin Timberlake: 22%
Adam Brody: 8%...