A Day in the Life: New Kids on the Block

By Emily Tan Posted Feb 16th 2010 03:30PM

New Kids on the Block have been in the game for over 20 years, and though Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Joey McIntyre and brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight took a long hiatus in the mid-'90s, the group's comeback in 2008 with its latest album, 'The Block,' proved that this boy band was still "hangin' tough."

The guys recently came to New York City to promote their tour documentary, 'Coming Home,' and their upcoming two-night stint at Radio City Music Hall in June. With hordes of dedicated New Kids fans -- many of whom are now well into their 30s -- still camping out days before an appearance, the guys never seem to get tired of the attention they get.

"It's an ongoing fun kind of thing," Jordan tells PopEater. "It's like we play cat and mouse or boy-girl in the playground like when you're little. You know, it doesn't get too old. I'll be honest -- we like their attention as much as they like our attention, so we feed off each other. It keeps it fun."

If you're going to get around New York City with New Kids on the Block, there's no other way to travel than by caravan. Packed into the back seat of a black truck, Donnie, Danny and Jonathan tried to get rid of their "morning show-itis" by cracking jokes, laughing about high school -- Donnie even gave us a bit of lesson in Mandarin, or at least what he remembered from the classroom -- and finally reminiscing about the NKOTB reunion tour. The guys explained that coming back after the long break was a mind-blowing experience and that they didn't expect the positive response they received from the fans. "My legs were like rubber," Danny says about NKOTB's first show in Toronto. "I wasn't prepared to be that nervous."

However, as the New Kids got to each stop on the international tour, it became easier and that energy felt like what they experienced as teenagers. "At our shows, [the fans] really let loose," Danny says. "It's pretty amazing seeing that. It's like a girls' night out."

New Kids on the Block didn't stop there, giving about 2,000 fans the chance to go on a cruise with the group for a few days in May 2009. With the endless cocktails, non-stop club music and access to the band, the fans were able to take their hair down and just party it up. "We're always trying to find new and exciting ways to get together," Joey says. "The idea is to keep it fresh for us. If we're excited about something, the fans will be excited about something. We were a little reticent about getting on a boat with 2,000 people, and it turned out being one of the best things we ever did."

As the guys hopped from interview to interview throughout the day, it's obvious that they still have the same energy as they did when they were teens, perhaps even more. Goofing around whenever they can, they even showed off their love for MTV's hit reality show, 'Jersey Shore,' at every chance they got -- fist pumping in the lobby of the Time and Life Building and even singing the chorus of LMFAO's 'Shots' through the streets of midtown Manhattan. So, what sparked this fascination with pumping one's fist?

"The thing about the fist pumping is it's so goofy," Jordan says. "It's like to let yourself go and do something that goofy is fun, and that's probably why it's so infectious. And ['Shots'] is very obnoxious and perfect for the fist pump."

Despite their funny, energetic and goofy ways, the men of New Kids also have a different side, especially when they talk about their families. For most of the group, fatherhood has not only made them look at getting back into the music business differently but also made them feel whole. "It changes your priorities, how you spend your time trying to figure out, 'OK, how am I going to do what I love to do?" and be there for your family," Joey says. "It's tough. It's a very human thing, to balance work and family. It gives you a lot more perspective in life, makes you a better person, a better artist."

Whether it's giving a show-stopping performance, staying at home with their kids or even just challenging anyone to a fist-pumping battle, New Kids on the Block have come full circle -- and they have no plans of stopping there. With 'Coming Home' on DVD now, the Radio City Music Hall and other gigs on the schedule, as well the second annual NKOTB cruise to the Bahamas, it looks like these Kids have really turned into very fine men who'll never stop pleasing their fans.

"They've been a big part of this reunion," Donnie says. "If the fans want it, we give it to them. We let them dictate."

Watch NKOTB Perform Live at Sessions

Tags: Danny Wood, DannyWood, Donnie Wahlberg, DonnieWahlberg, Joey McIntyre, JoeyMcintyre, Jonathan Knight, JonathanKnight, Jordan Knight, JordanKnight, New Kids on the Block, NewKidsOnTheBlock

Comments

(79)

Thursday 18 February

By MaryLou

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Never followed NKOTB, but LOVED Wahlberg's portrayal of Lt Lipton in Band of Brothers. Hope that he sticks with acting. H

By SUBHUNTER23

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THESE ARE TRULY GOOD GUYS, THEY DID A BENIFIT CONCERT IN BOSTON FOR TOYS FOR TOTS. GAVE ALL OF THE GATE AND MORE. NEVER HAVE BEEN A FAN BUT HAVE TO LIKE THEM

By Kim

I saw them in concert not to long ago, they looked good, sounded good and had lots of young, hot fans. Anyone that hates them is just jealous, just like back in the day.

By Nita

I love these guys and always will! They look great and still sound great! If you don't like them, ummmm why did u click to read about them? Haters are truly funny! Much love to Danny, Donnie,Jordan,Jon, and Joey Joe! See u in Hammond!

By diane

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i think tiger made some really bad choices but we are not the ones to critisize i hope they can do whats best for their children and no matter what happens i hope he returns to golf he is the greatest golfer ever and it would be such a waste of talent if he did not return we the public need to stay out of the personal part of his life

By Ive

What a bunch of haters, that was music not like these days that everyone can sing a stupid song and all the teenagers follow them because all the lyrics are about drugs and sex. All these haters probably be teenagers, Im 35 and I grew up listening to them and I still love them go back to school and learn something productive instead of spreading your hate. And by the way they still sexy. :P

By drew lampkin III

NEW kids? they were new in the 1980's/ more like old men on the block (OMOTB). and i'll bet all their screaming teeny bopper fans all have 20 year old children of their own. Mick jagger forever !

By Sara

JON GIRL FOREVER!!!!!!

Friday 19 February

By Heidi

I love them and always will. They are all still super hot Jordan is the hottest. I have been a fan for 22 years.

Friday 05 March

By Amie Salmon

Love them, love them!!! They still make me smile : )

By TJB

Hate, Hate, Hate...Don't you know by now that it's never gonna stop 'em? They are great! Always have been and always will be! Keep it up guys! More lovers than haters! See you in June at the The Venue! LET'S GET THIS! BUCKEYE BLOCKHEADS love ya! NKOTB 4ever!!!!

Sunday 21 February

By Sole

Hey I love NKOTB. They are great to their fans and they are great live. They have my full love and support.

If you don't like the group that's cool no one is forcing you to read about them or go to their shows. If I dislike a group I just ignore their stuff I don't bash them for my own juvenile kicks.

I'll be loving them forever!!!

:)

Wednesday 24 February

By CLAUDIA

NKOTB , I love them, and I think they look and sound better now than even before. I play their music very often in my fitdance classes and even my teens girls clients enjoy to workout with their music
love them forever!!!

Saturday 27 February

By Sandra Heffelfinger

Man they had haters 20yrs ago and still have them same jealous haters today, such ashame people just cant leave these guys alone, I have seen a couple of their concerts this time around and I have to say, they did better now then they did back then, and I loved them then and now. Those guys are in great shape, look good and make me proud that I loved them all these years. HATE ON HATERS BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE THE NEW KIDS ARE HERE TO STAY. I love NKOTB forever.

Sunday 28 February

By cherrie

ginny/ballerina/mindy/whatever name you're using today: you're obviously the SAME douche named SCOTT using different aliases. you know you love NKOTB. admit it. why else would you spend so much time replying to this link day after day?
PS: just because your mama and her mama had kids at 13 doesn't make these guys old grandpas. but when they ARE, they'll still be hotter than you.

Tuesday 02 March

By Amy

Ok, so I was a huge NKOTB fan years ago, and while I am not a "diehard" fan anymore, I am happy for the guys that they continue to be successful and can still entertain fans. For those of you who want to be jackasses and not show respect for them as artists, and people--get a fu**in' life!!!

Thursday 04 March

By Denise

yep, they could do with a polish and smile (looks liek they were forced to get back together) but...

kinda adding to their charm and the bad bad boy appeal (very naughty appeal)

need to quit the dancing thing though...they got enough money to make other learn dance routines.

video not bad but felt like i should expect the 90's NKOTB to pop up in video. they need to make it seem like they are brand new band.

Friday 12 March

By NaTaLiA

It's pretty clear that there will always be people that don't know how to respect other people's likes, dislikes etc. No one said NKOTB were the best singers or the best looking. The time spent arguing this would be lowering myself to people who don't have much to do in their day. All I can call it- is envy. Because I can say personally that they are great people who put on a great show and care about their fans. People who insult them and give them no credit for what they have earned, just prove that they have made it happen once again. After 20 years, they still got it! It's only when your on the top of list, is when people want to knock you down. So in one way, we should thank these people and laugh at them for wasting their own time. NKOTB are still going strong!!! I love it!!!!

Monday 29 March

By Amber Gengenbach

This is a very nice article and very well written. I love the New Kids, always have since late 1989. The pics are awsome too. Thank you very much.

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