A high-stakes war broke out last week at record stores everywhere. When the superhunk boy band ‘N Sync released a new CD, “No Strings Attached,” their fans went on the attack, pledging to break the first-week sales record of rival superhunk boy band Backstreet Boys. On the defensive, Backstreet fans bought additional copies of 1999’s multiplatinum “Millennium” to try to get that record back to No. 1. But alas, Backstreet fans’ baby-sitting money went for naught: ‘N Sync broke the first week sales record of all time, selling an astonishing 2.4 million copies in one week.
Here’s how the Backstreet vs. ‘N Sync trash-talk progressed in Internet newsgroups:
Forum: alt.tv.mtv
Subject: Re: Why the whole nsync-bsb record sales competition [stinks] Date: 03/22/2000
Author: foley
Backstreet Boys “Millennium” holds at No.17 this week. No way it’s gonna surge to No.1. Whoever thought of that braindead idea should be shot.
Forum: alt.fan.backstreet.boys
Subject: Re: So, did ‘N Sync break their record or not???
Date: 03/25/2000
Author: Amanda
Talent is only half of it. An extensive media frenzy is also a major part. But like I said, BSB has a much wider audience than ‘N Sync. They appeal to kids, teens, parents, grandparents, everyone. I’m always hearing BSB songs played on the local easy listening and adult stations down in New Orleans. The only stations that play ‘N Sync are the trendy Top 40 stations.
Forum: alt.fan.backstreet.boys
Subject: “Somebody kill me please…”
Date: 03/25/2000
Author: JuliaH NYC
I am ashamed to admit this, but I am going to the ‘N Stink concert at Foxboro in July. It all comes down to being a good sister and aunt. My little sister and my nephew both want to go. So I got tickets for them and naturally I had to get one for myself too.
I don’t think I’m betraying the Backstreet Boys (it would only be betrayal if BSB were touring nearby on the same day and I chose to go to ‘N Suck instead) but I really feel icky about this because I cannot freaking stand ‘N Stink.
Forum: alt.fan.backstreet.boys
Subject: Re: why ‘N Sync beat Backstreet’s record
Date: 03/26/2000
Author: Exar
“AJzGurl” wrote: ‘N Sync fans suck!!! The only [reason] why ‘N Sync beat Backstreet is because the fans bought 2 or 3 copies of the CD. –Brittany, Keeping the Backstreet Pride Alive
I went to sleep last night in the U.S.A. I guess I must have woke up in N. Korea or Russia, ’cause the last time I looked there was no limit on how many copies of a CD you could buy.
Date: 03/26/2000
Author: Labtectoby
Just wanted to say that if ‘N Suck didn’t go on EVERY single talk show imagined and [MTV’s] Total Request Live like EVERY DAY, the their new album would be nothing! It’s kinda hilarious how when I was in line with my friend.
I had my BSB shirt on to get them aggravated, and all the sales people were being [jerks] to the fans but when me and my friend got up to the register the guys like “Eh! We got a BSB fan here!! RIGHT ON!” and everyone looked at me and I’m like, “Yeah, all you ‘N Suck fans can go get a life and stop staring …don’t you have “better” things to do … like go home and listen to that [dumb] cd.”Forum: alt.fan.backstreet.boys
Subject: Re: Even MTV Knows What ‘N Sync Did!
Date: 03/29/2000
Author: Lindsey
First of all–NOT ALL ‘N SYNC FANS BOUGHT THE CD JUST TO BREAK THE PRECIOUS RECORD! I myself bought three copies, and let me tell you they are all put to good use. I bought a CD for myself, a cassette for myself and a CD for my little sister. … And ‘N Sync fans aren’t the only ones doing some “hating.” I saw the little e-mails going around from BSB teenyboppers, asking people to actually HIDE copies of [“No Strings Attached”] around record stores so people couldn’t buy it. Now that’s sad.
Forum: alt.fan.backstreet.boys
Subject: ‘N Sync CHEATED!!!!
Subject: Re: Backstreet vs. ‘N Sync
Date: 04/02/2000
Author: BrokBabe
The only good songs are “This I Promise You,” and “Bye Bye Bye.” You can barely hear the guys. The music is so loud it drowns ‘N Sync out. Which isn’t exactly a bad thing.
