OUR STORY 12 page

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 436.

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When you weigh up all the pros and cons of being in Westlife, says Shane, there are a lot more pros. In fact there is fuck-all bad about being in Westlife! Everyone gets annoyed about something in their job, and so do we. But not that much. Given what some people do for a living, how can we say otherwise? Going into this year off, I think we are more driven now than we've ever been. We've gone past the stage where one bad turn can implode the band overnight. We have so many plans for the future. We definitely want to cement ourselves as one of the biggest bands in the world, without a doubt. That's what drives us on. We are very aware that in the pop world, it's always about the next album. We want every new Westlife album to be massive, to sell all around the world, to be number 1 in all the big territories. That's how we think. To do that, we need great songs. That's what we all want - the record company, Louis and certainly the band. We want the next Westlife album to be our biggest yet. I definitely think we can get to our twentieth anniversary, without a doubt. Honestly, I don't think that's unlikely or unachievable, not at all. We will strive to do that and I see no reason why we won't be there in another ten years' time. I'd certainly love to be, because I'd be the happiest man alive to see my kids at a Westlife concert, old enough to bring all their friends and to know what the band has achieved. What we've done over this first ten years has been just like a dream, but it's our reality now. We just want to keep that reality going and that will keep the dream alive. I know the three boys more than my own brothers in a way, points out Kian. I've spent more time with them - ten years on the road - and sat in more rooms and had bigger debates, conversations, arguments, hugs, kisses, tears and pints than I've had with anyone else. I want to be in this industry for the rest of my life, I love being in this band. Doing this book has given me goose pimples talking about what we have done this past ten years. And it's made me certain we can do all of that again. This isn't over. This is just half-time. When you sign a record deal at such a young age, muses Mark, you immediately enter a totally different universe from the one you've grown up in. Coming from such an idyllic country life, that was especially the case for me. As you know, I put up a barrier to stop my life changing. But now it has changed beyond all recognition. And virtually all for the better, because what I know now is that I can have Westlife and all the crazy experiences that brings, but I can have my family and friends too. My fears about losing my Sligo life were unfounded. Sure, I can't be at home as much as would be ideal, but the swap is brilliant. I think, actually, that I am now addicted to Westlife. I don't think people realize this about me because for some reason I come across a bit nonchalant about the whole thing and a bit laid back, but I think about Westlife more now than ever. I love Westlife with a passion. Having said that, it is very important to keep a perspective on things. Westlife is a great pop band, we sing songs and entertain people and, to be fair, quite a few people seem to like what we do. However, as a band we are under no illusions. We're not saving lives; we're not operating on brains. It's a band, it's pop music and there are certain things that it could never compete with, like family, friends, love ... happiness. Westlife means the absolute world to me and I wouldn't want that last comment to come across like I don't care about it, because I do care about it more than almost anything in the world. What we have been so fortunate to achieve in this mad ten years is a successful life in Westlife and happiness with our families and loved ones - what an amazing privilege. I absolutely love being in Westlife. I chose to do this, very much so. I didn't do anything against my own will. Westlife has allowed me to live the most amazing life and experience the most incredible things for which I will always be grateful. I've learned so much and had the most incredible time of my life. Looking back now, I don't honestly think I'd change a thing. We're the only four people who have stood on that stage for ten years, says Nicky, sung those songs, made those mistakes, had those hits, had the adrenaline rush, had that same homesickness, had that same argument with Louis, that same praise from Louis, the same frustrations with the label, had their blood pressure shoot up to 190, met those famous people, spoken to those fans, been on those flights and those tour buses, recorded those words, played those gigs and been that band. Will there ever be a band that can outdo what Westlife has achieved? I doubt it, but who knows? Either way, we've achieved something special and I don't think it will be surpassed for a long time yet. We don't want it to end. Hopefully, now you've read this book, you'll feel like you've been up there on stage, in the tour bus and in the studio with us. It's been some trip.