I've been only semi-lucky when it comes to my iPods -- it's plural because I'm technically on my third in three years. Not that it's any fault of my own: my gold mini iPod stopped working unless it was plugged in, my 30GB iPod Photo -- "Peapod the iPod" -- got that sad iPod face a couple weeks ago and now I'm on Peapod 2.0. Small note, get Applecare if you have an iPod cause then they'll replace your iPod.
My original point of this, however, is that after the sad face of death came to Peapod, I had to start from scratch, music-wise. After transferring all the music I had on my computer onto Peapod 2.0, I set to the task of copying CDs onto it. The first CDs I reached for happened to be the ones that I've been in love with since I was a pre-teen.
Now readers, I'm a youngin' and I will admit here and now that I am a former hardcore teenybopper. Oh yes, you better believe it. I grew up listening to the bubblegum pop that people love to hate.
You know that everyone knows the words to a few songs from the boy bands and pop princesses of the day.
Oh, I can hear the scoffs and see the rolling of eyes already. I know and you know that these groups are guilty pleasures for most. I just admit that I love them out loud.
In the '90s, the Backstreet Boys and *NSync were my obsessions. And, if you're wondering, I was not a Hanson fan until maybe two years ago. I spent my teen years disliking them and their girlie hair with a passion. Funny enough, this would be the one group I'd get to meet and interview. Oh, and using terms like "The Backside Boys" or "*Nsuck," no matter how childish, really won't sway my opinion in any direction.
Anyway, I've been on this music kick for a week now. My nostalgia was heightened when I stayed back home with my family last week and decided to root through my room to see what I could find that was interesting. Lo-and-behold, I found the large plastic container that now holds all the concert pictures, programs, light sticks, newspaper cutouts and a few other precious memories.
Digging through all those items -- and the recent need to rock out in my car to "No Strings Attached" and other CDs like it -- I felt the overwhelming want for those happy, fun moments to be back. I would love a reunion tour. In the shadow of Summerfest, how many of those bands were a reinvention of what they once were? Who wouldn't want to see a favorite band, group or singer take the stage once again?
As time goes on, these former teenybopper attractions are still garnering attention. I pay close attention to my celebrity gossip and a few stars keep popping up.
The Backstreet Boys have broken my heart with the announcement that Kevin Richardson left the group, even though they just released "Never Gone" a year ago. I state for a fact that the BSBs are not a foursome, there needs to be five members to be considered the BSBs. Brian Littrell also released a CD earlier this year, and although he was always my favorite, he's scared me off with being really Christian all of a sudden. And Nick Carter and his family are starting up a reality show.
*NSyncers JC Chasez and Justin Timberlake both have records coming out later this year. Justin's song "SexyBack" is already being played nonstop on the radio. The other band members have been really incognito besides rumors on MySpace and a few gossip blogs that really aren't new news.
As for those pop princesses, Christina Aguilera has "Back to Basics" coming out next month which is a duel CD that evokes a vintage feeling. And there's Britney Spears... I'm not even going to say what is going on with her because it's just tragic.
Anyway, I say to one and all, embrace that need to have a band/group/singer kick once in awhile. Maybe revisit some of those past bands that you spent hours listening to on repeat.
My original point of this, however, is that after the sad face of death came to Peapod, I had to start from scratch, music-wise. After transferring all the music I had on my computer onto Peapod 2.0, I set to the task of copying CDs onto it. The first CDs I reached for happened to be the ones that I've been in love with since I was a pre-teen.
Now readers, I'm a youngin' and I will admit here and now that I am a former hardcore teenybopper. Oh yes, you better believe it. I grew up listening to the bubblegum pop that people love to hate.
You know that everyone knows the words to a few songs from the boy bands and pop princesses of the day.
Oh, I can hear the scoffs and see the rolling of eyes already. I know and you know that these groups are guilty pleasures for most. I just admit that I love them out loud.
In the '90s, the Backstreet Boys and *NSync were my obsessions. And, if you're wondering, I was not a Hanson fan until maybe two years ago. I spent my teen years disliking them and their girlie hair with a passion. Funny enough, this would be the one group I'd get to meet and interview. Oh, and using terms like "The Backside Boys" or "*Nsuck," no matter how childish, really won't sway my opinion in any direction.
Anyway, I've been on this music kick for a week now. My nostalgia was heightened when I stayed back home with my family last week and decided to root through my room to see what I could find that was interesting. Lo-and-behold, I found the large plastic container that now holds all the concert pictures, programs, light sticks, newspaper cutouts and a few other precious memories.
Digging through all those items -- and the recent need to rock out in my car to "No Strings Attached" and other CDs like it -- I felt the overwhelming want for those happy, fun moments to be back. I would love a reunion tour. In the shadow of Summerfest, how many of those bands were a reinvention of what they once were? Who wouldn't want to see a favorite band, group or singer take the stage once again?
As time goes on, these former teenybopper attractions are still garnering attention. I pay close attention to my celebrity gossip and a few stars keep popping up.
The Backstreet Boys have broken my heart with the announcement that Kevin Richardson left the group, even though they just released "Never Gone" a year ago. I state for a fact that the BSBs are not a foursome, there needs to be five members to be considered the BSBs. Brian Littrell also released a CD earlier this year, and although he was always my favorite, he's scared me off with being really Christian all of a sudden. And Nick Carter and his family are starting up a reality show.
*NSyncers JC Chasez and Justin Timberlake both have records coming out later this year. Justin's song "SexyBack" is already being played nonstop on the radio. The other band members have been really incognito besides rumors on MySpace and a few gossip blogs that really aren't new news.
As for those pop princesses, Christina Aguilera has "Back to Basics" coming out next month which is a duel CD that evokes a vintage feeling. And there's Britney Spears... I'm not even going to say what is going on with her because it's just tragic.
Anyway, I say to one and all, embrace that need to have a band/group/singer kick once in awhile. Maybe revisit some of those past bands that you spent hours listening to on repeat.
Originally from Des Plaines, Ill., Heather moved to Milwaukee to earn a B.A. in journalism from Marquette University. With a tongue-twisting last name like Leszczewicz, it's best to go into a career where people don't need to say your name often.
However, she's still sticking to some of her Illinoisan ways (she won't reform when it comes to things like pop, water fountain or ATM), though she's grown to enjoy her time in the Brew City.
Although her journalism career is still budding, Heather has had the chance for some once-in-a-lifetime interviews with celebrities like actor Vince Vaughn and actress Charlize Theron, director Cameron Crowe and singers Ben Kweller and Isaac Hanson of '90s brother boy band Hanson.
Heather's a self-proclaimed workaholic but loves her entertainment. She's a real television and movie fanatic, book nerd, music junkie, coffee addict and pop culture aficionado.
