4B - The Michigan Daily - Weekend, etc. Magazine - Thursday, January 18, 2001 AUTO SHOW QUICK FACTS: 2 Fourteen semi-trailers are required to carry the 75,000-plus yards of carpet used for the exhibits and aisles at the NAIAS. With the average home using 125 yards, the carpet used at the NAIAS would cover the equivalent of 600 homes. 9 Auto show exhibits, theatrical lighting and sound equipment will use enough electricity to power a 360-home subdivision for six months. Equipment needed to set up the show includes over 1,000 semi- trucks, 14 million pounds of freight, 75 forklifts, 18 45-foot booms, 20 scissor lifts, and 12 miles of elec- tric wires. * It takes many personnel to pre-. pare the auto show,'including: 200 janitorial workers, 500-700 catering personnel, 65 vehicle polishers, 135 car porters, 87 full-time Cobo Center staff members and 20 additional part-time Cobo Center staff mem- bers. The total value of the exhibits in the NAIAS is in excess of $200 mil- lion, excluding the value of the more than 700 vehicles in those exhibits. l The auto show's annual Charity Preview event has helped raise more than $25 million for Detroit-area children's charities since its incep- tion in 1976. The 2000 Charity Preview raised $5.25 million. Source:'North Amencarntt. Auto Show AUTO SHO1N Continued from Page 313 but expect a premium to bring one home anytime soon. A fully loaded model - including removable top, 17-inch chrome wheels, traction control and unique interior trim color - is still priced under S40 K. Made here in Michigan with a 3.9 liter V-8 engine, the Thunderbird may signal a return to the glory days of big, beautiful American cars. Porsche 911 GT2 - Cleaners will have trouble keeping the carpets dry around the Porsche exhibit as car enthusiasts continue to drool over their latest beauties. The NAIAS gives us our first glimpse of the super-secret, super fast, greatest pro- duction Porsche ever built, the 911 GT2. Differences from the 911 Turbo include bigger brake cooling vents, a larger rear spoiler and a whopping 30 more horses under the hood. Porsche executives surprised the media by revealing the car will not have limited production. In other words, if you have the money, you can have the car. Jeep Liberty - Say goodbye to the 18-year-old Jeep Cherokee as the Liberty replaces one of the founding members of the booming SUV club. Built on a completely new platform, the Liberty is slightly larger than the Cherokee and available with an optional new 3.7 liter V-6 engine (4 cylinders are standard). Although the car's skin is updated from its boxy predecessor, the interior cargo area pales in comparison to other SUVs in its class. Built at DaimlerChrysler's new SI.2 billion factory in Toledo, Ohio, Chrysler hopes to sell at east 200,000 of these vehicles next year. Infiniti Q45 - With the grow- ing full-size luxury sedan battle heating up between the Mercedes S- class and Audi A8, Infiniti wisely redesigned their flagship into a more seductive, more sophisticated win- ner. Powered by a 4.5 liter V-8 that puts out an impressive 345 horse- power, this beast can race to 60 mph in less than six seconds. Available with a host of goodies, including voice activated stereo, adaptive cruise control and satellite naviga- tion, expect one at the nearest Infiniti deAlership by April. Mercedes-Benz C-class Sport Coupe - Along with the release of a new V-6 Kompressor (German for supercharged) engine, this car marks a new venture for Mercedes. Recognizing Americans' apprehen- sions with hatchbacks, Mercedes cleverly raised the roofline of the car to add rear seat and cargo room to compete with a standard coupe. However, the new Coupe does suc- ceed in adding a sporty flavor miss- ing from previous Mercedes models and faster acceleration times to match. A glass panel is mounted on the vertical surface of the hatch to aid rear-view visibility, ala the old- school Honda CRX. Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix - Can Toyota and Pontiac successfully share a platform? Perhaps more importantly, Why would they? These questions remain to be answered as the two begin production of these hybrid/crossover vehicles later this year at the GM-Toyota plant in California (where the Geo Metro/Toyota Corolla was made). - - a The Michigan Dais- Weekend, etc. BATTLE OF THE BOY It might sound crazy b ut it's DAVID KATZ 0atly tc From the Vault The Wh i i shine In i i lve classic A good live rock and roll album is a wolf trekking through the forest, angry and violent, stalking its prey, fast and furi- ous, unrelenting. But a great rock and roll album needs to eat that wolf, tearing through the soft flesh with razor-sharp incisors, spitting out all that is indigestible in a great arc of triumph, emitting a war cry meant as both a warning and a chal- lenge. That first guitar riff must blow you backwards and send you reeling like an electro-shock victim, the rattle of drums Onlookers gather to view the Lexus SC400's sporty design. By Jeff Dickerson TV/New Media Editor Not since Frankie goes To Hollywood has a musical act garnered as much atten- tion as pop sensation 'N Sync. With two multi-platinum albums under their belts, Justin, Joey, JC, Chris and Lance have captured the hearts (and panties) of America's youth. This boy band is far from a fad; their legacy has lingered for nearly three years. With a new album coming in the summer and the Super Bowl halftime show next week, 2001 promises to be another landmark year for the talented young men. The Michigan Daily: Thanks guys for giving up your time normally reserved for touch sessions with preteens, it's an honor to be with you. How are things shaping up for the big halftime show? Joey: We've been in Tampa all week getting ready for the big show. This is going to be a big event for us. We'll be on live TV Chris: Ever since I started my clothing line "FuMan Skeeto," I haven't really had time to think about the show. Right now I'm concentrating on this new venture. I have to be brutally honest. I'm 28 years old and this boy band thing isn't going to last much longer for me. TMD: Are there ever squabbles between the members? Recently Justin has been getting a flood of media attention because of his intimate relationship with Britney Spears. Does this pose a problem for the rest of you? JC: Do you know how much money we make? What's there to complain about? TMD: How does it feel to be in the limelight, Justin? Justin: I'm the cute one. Chris: Not true, we're all prissy bastards. JC: There's no "I" in 'N Sync! Lance: Whoa there, mouseketeer, I think you need to use spell check. TMD: How do you approach your albums knowing your rivals, the Backstreet Boys, are analyzing your every move? What kind of preparation do you guys under- go before heading into the studio? Joey: Good question. We don't really feel we're competing with any band out there. We focus on our music, on our fans, that's what it's all about. Justin: If you look at us and them, it's not really fair. We have an extra guy on our roster. A pinch hitter if you will. When we need another hit, he's always there. Aiming at taking away sales of the wildly popular PT Cruiser, both vehicles will have optional 4-wheel drive and aggressive ground clear- ance. Each will boast a completely redesigned interior; Toyota borrows design cues from the Celica, while Pontiac from the Aztek. Toyota Sequoia - Though the interior may have some cheap plastic parts, this S40K+ full-size SUV will give intense competition to the Ford Expedition and Chevy Tahoe. Based on the Tundra pick-up, the Sequoia is larger than a Land Cruiser and offers an easy-to-remove and roomy third row of seats. Achieving ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) status with a 4.7 liter V-8 engine forced Toyota to cut horsepower down to a "mere" 240. Resting on the strong Toyota heritage, the Sequoia may even win the hearts of many SUV naysayers. Concept Cars: Mazda RX-8 - Since the death of the RX-7 in North America, sports. car enthusiasts have been waiting for a replacement of their beloved speedster. Based on last year's Evolve concept car, this RX-8 is in the stages somewhere between con- cept and production. The RX-8 seats 2+2 (unlike the RX-7), but still uses one of Mazda's unique rotary engines, expected to pump out 250 horses. Sheathed in a beautiful candy-apple red, the RX-8 is distinc- tive and simply beautiful. Nissan Z - Nissan has had success with designs stemming from its Design International studio in California, so expectations ran high on the "Z," the future of Nissan's sports cars. Powered by a V-6 enaine and expected to go on sale in the See AUTO SHOW, Page 5B Live at Leeds The Who MCA Records 1970 Reviewed by aily Arts Wrter Joshua Grss should send any vet- erans caught in the backlash of the feed- back ducking imag- ined mortar fire, the rumble of the bass should send crows scattering from trees, blocking out the sun in a moment That's why it's so critical to ha more person singing. TMD: If I'm not mistaken, t Justin: I'm dating Britney S TMD: Justin, how would yo Justin: Joev is the womanize and JC's sleepy. TMD: Lance, would you say Lance: There is an idea of a I real me: Only an entity, somethii you can shake my hand and feel our lifestyles are probably comp Joev: What about me? TMD: Nobody cares about v Justin: I'm the cute one. N SYNC r THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES "A ONA FIDE PH ENOMENON, TH R M E$ A WORK F ART V ;1"1 volo Of HN901 N~i." "SIMPLY SPECCULAR." ENTEOTAIN WEEKLY I of fluttering panic. When the sky turns black, you know you're listening to quality. The Who's recording of a concert at an English college, "Live at Leeds, is such an album. Each member of the Who seems absolutely possessed in this recording, a quartet of demons, daring you to attempt an exorcism, prancing around the stage in a rambunctious, pure- ly visceral dance of doom. Roger Daltry sings with a cathartic rebelliousness, Pete Townshend plays with the intensity of a rowdy, reckless, drunken heathen, John Entwistle plucks his bass with the com- bined tenderness and violence of a domi- natrix, and Keith Moon pounds his drums with the primitive energy of a repulsive Neanderthal. They soar through Who sta- ples like "Substitute," "Happy Jack,""I'm A Boy," "Amazing Journey," "My Generation" (including a proto-punk jam lasting almost fifteen full minutes), and the operatic "A Quick One While He's Away." The songs poetically soar through the horror of parenthood, the horror of adolescence, the horror of old age, the pros and cons of talking to strangers, wrath (both divine and human), patholo- gy, voyeurism, fornication, pedophilia, gender roles, melancholy, fond remem- brance and the questionable trustworthi- ness of engine drivers. While all of these songs are available in any Who greatest hits compilation, this release infuses them with the sweaty frenzy of a prison not. mattresses burning and alarms crying like plaintive widows. Back again? The Backstreet B By Luke Smith :Music Editor Entrepreneur Lou Pearlman's creation first crash- landed on the music scene sporting boyish charm and simple sweet melody. They targeted an audience mas- terfully, digging deep into the hearts of pre-teen girls everywhere. With the release of their new album "Black and Blue," the men within the Backstreet Boys only strengthened their claim io the crown as the Kings of Music We Don't Write Ourselves. The Michigan Daily: You guys seem to re-invent yourselves on each record, its really uncanny how each song and each album sounds totally different than its predecessor. How do you do it? Howie: Well, when we go into the studio each time, we take about two weeks to sit down and write our songs for the re- Kevin: (Interjecting) Howie ... We don't write our own songs, remember, those guys in that city Sweden do. AJ: Yo man, dat's wack, Sweden is a state or sumthin'. My hat is sweet. TMD: The Backstreet Boys image seems to take a turn with each record. How would you describe the turns taken with this album? Kevin: Well, when the other band's record, No Strings A ttached, blew up we knew we had to come out swinging. Joey from our labelmates' band is a bit chub- by, so Lou thought it would be best if Nick started pack- ing away the double Whoppers so he could girth up. Our endorsement deal with Burger King has really paid off. The results have been amazing, our female fans dig the fat one. TMD: Nick, how do you feel about Lou telling you what you can and can't eat? Nick: What? I'm not picking my nose, I'm doing this (clearly picking his nose). Is that a problem? TMD: Brian, you seem to take center stage in this band a lot, although it's clearly a four piece and Howie. Brian, do you fear the limelight? Brian: With all due respect, could you call me B- rock from now on? I mean that is what everyone calls me. How can I re-invent myself when I'm constantly confronted with the past? But to answer your question, you hit it on the head. TMD: Uh. I asked a question? B-rock: Yeah and you answered it. TXMD: On the road things can get pretty hairy, always busy with touring and press. Do you guys have some- one who does cvervday things for you? Kevin: No we don't, and actually that makes it kind of ke ck git ten the me thi it Note to the reader: Although these interviews are primarily the product of.Jef//and Luke s imaginations, they are con these are the answers the band memhers would have provided ifthey werent "too husy" to Speak to The hc'higan A