June/July News
31st July 2001
'Life Goes On (www.dotmusic.com)
Westlife have reacted swiftly to diffuse suggestions that the band are about to split, dotmusic can report.
According to reports in the UK press this morning, Shane Filan is set to sign a five-album deal with the group's current label RCA.
However, a spokeswoman for the band this afternoon confirmed to dotmusic that the band are planning to release new material later this year.
"Despite rumours, RCA and Westlife would like to reassure fans that the band will not be splitting up", an official statement reads.
"Westlife are currently recording their third album and are very excited about the prospects of making this album their best yet."
Meanwhile, a comment from the band insists that the speculation is just that: "Rumours have been circulating that we're splitting up this is a load of rubbish. Bigger and better things from Westlife are yet to come."
The spokeswoman said a new single is expected in October, with an album due in September.
28th July 2001
Five Have Some Words for Westlife
Five have told worldpop they support Westlife's decision to give up trying to break the States.
In an exclusive interview Five's J said he understands why the band decided to focus on European instead of American success. 'It doesn't surprise me,' said J. 'Americans expect you to devote a year of your life to breaking America and unless you've got a burning desire to do it then it's not going to happen. You can't blame them for wanting to come home and see their families and friends. Why spend a year out there being miserable and depressed and lonely whille you have to appear on five million radio shows? It's not worth it.'
Ritchie added: 'We broke America with our first album but we were between deals and record companies were fighting to sign us. They wanted to turn us into Backstreet Boys clones and we didn't want to do it.'
Earlier this month Westlife's manager Louis Walsh explained why the band had given up hopes of breaking the States. 'We're not sure whether it will happen for us there,' he said before explaining that they will instead concentrate on maintaining their existing fan base. 'Our stronghold is in Britain and Europe. We are doing really well here and don't want to be associated with failure. We are one of the biggest bands in Europe and we want to consolidate that position. As far as we are concerned the US is off.'
In the past Westlife and Five have engaged in a war of words but Five also told us that their comments about other bands are often misquoted by the press. 'We have this reputation for slagging off other pop bands,' said Rich. 'But we don't. In an interview we're asked whether we like the new A1 or Westlife single and we say no, it's not our cup of tea. But that doesn't mean we wish that band harm. We're just giving an opinion.'
Rich went on to say he empathises with the Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean who has been admitted to a rehab clinic suffering from alcohol dependency. 'I can understand it,' said Rich. 'You're in a band, you travel the world but you don't see your family and friends and you're surrounded by two faced people who don't really care about you. It can take its toll.'
13th July 2001
Westlife Will Never Craic USA (from the Sun)
WESTLIFE have abandoned all plans to conquer America.
The Irish boyband have been in the States for the past few months, tirelessly plugging their debut album, also called Westlife.
They even re-recorded a number of tracks to better suit the U.S. market.
Kian, Mark, Shane, Bryan and Nicky also teamed up with Mariah Carey last year for their chart-topper Against All Odds in a bid to attract an American audience.
But they have now given up hope of ever breaking the lucrative market. They believe their clean-cut, craic-loving outlook will never catch on in America.
Westlife, who have notched up a record seven consecutive No1s in the UK, have now returned home to concentrate on Europe.
Their manager Louis Walsh told me: "We are not sure whether it will happen for us there.
"Our stronghold is in Britain and Europe. We are doing really well here and don't want to be associated with failure. We are one of the biggest bands in Europe and we want to consolidate that position. As far as we are concerned the U.S. is off."
His words are in stark contrast to a statement just 18 months ago when the band started their assault on America.
A spokesman then crowed: "They seem about to take the States by storm."
Some homegrown acts ARE having success in the States. Craig David, Gorillaz, BBMak and S Club 7 have all had chart hits.
Drop US Campaign (from dotmusic)
Westlife have abandoned their plans to take on and break America, it's been reported.
The Irish boy bad have spent a lot of time in the USA promoting their debut album and even collaborated with Mariah Carey in an attempt to win fans stateside. But according to 'The Sun' newspaper the guys are going to concentrate on promotion in Europe and the UK instead.
Westlife's manager, Louis Walsh, is unsure about the band's success across the pond. He told the tabloid: "We are not sure whether it will happen for us there. Our stronghold is in Britain and Europe.
"We are doing really well here and don't want to be associated with failure. We are one of the biggest bands in Europe and we want to consolidate that position. As far as we are concerned the US is off."
This news comes only a day after it was reported that Westlife will release a greatest hits package before the end of the year, increasing speculation that they might be heading for a split. They have apparently also shelved plans to record a Christmas single.
The band's spokesperson has been unavailable for comment so far today.
2nd July 2001
Check out the guys in Spain!
Wanna see what the guys got up to when they were in Spain? Check out these weblinks...
Clip: http://www.click2music.es/cfm/actualite_chroniks_fiche.cfm?obj_id=3338
Pics: http://www.click2music.es/html/exclusivas/imagenes1.html
5th June 2001
Ear Infection Hits Bryan
Westlife's world tour is continuing with just four members as Bryan McFadden recovers from an ear infection he caught in Asia.
Bryan McFadden has been ordered by doctors to rest and has been warned that if he flies he could lose his hearing. As a result Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Mark Feehily and Kian Egan have restructured their concert to perform without McFadden. Tonight the four will appear at Tokyo's Akasaka Bullets venue.
Bryan McFadden isn't the only star to suffer from an ear infection while on tour. Earlier this year, Andrea Corr was forced to cancel concerts after getting a severe ear infection. She told worldpop, 'There simply wasn't a choice about whether to cancel or not. I really was in a very bad way, I couldn't physically do it.' Thankfully, Bryan McFadden's infection is not thought to be too serious and he is expected to rejoin his band mates on stage in Barcelona on Friday.
Bryan McFadden's illness is the latest in a series of problems to beset Westlife on the current leg of their world tour. Firstly, the group were forced to scotch rumours of a split after Bryan McFadden spoke of his plans after the group eventually ends. Then their show in Israel was marred by the sound of gunfire throughout the performance, 16 fans were injured after an appearance by the band in Indonesia caused a stampede, and on top of that, some of Westlife's bodyguards were involved in a fracas with journalists at an airport in Singapore.
However, considering that Westlife have been on the road since February, they have fared better than many other bands on world tours. Oasis have seldom completed a tour without one or other of the Gallagher brothers disappearing in the middle, while the Spice Girls toured America with two band members pregnant and suffering from severe morning sickness!
Westlife will return to the UK next month where they will begin planning
---All the best Bryan - hope you're feeling much better soon!