Ten questions for Backstreet Boy Nick Carter

Nick, you practically went straight from the Backstreet Boys’ This Is Us tour into the NKOTBSB tour – which means you’ve been on the road since Oct 2009. How on earth do you keep sane?
Going to the gym, physio, cardio… video games. Now that we’re older there’s a certain amount of maintenance that needs to be done to keep the body going.

2012 is the year of the reunion tour. Who would you most like to see reform?
Stone Temple Pilots. I’d also like to see Metallica.

Did anyone really have to have their arm twisted to reform?
No, everyone really wanted to do this. This was something that was exciting, that was different. Two different generations have the chance to come together and share the things they have in common [New Kids formed in 1984; Backstreet Boys in 1993]. That was the exciting part about it. Musically, professionally, it really is the best of both worlds.

You’re an ambassador for dolphin protection and a huge fan of the oceans. Will you be surfing in Australia?
Honestly, one of the things I love most about Australia is the ocean. It’s absolutely gorgeous. I spent some time out there after one of our tours. I took a vacation out there so this time it will all be about trying to find time to do the same, because the tour is going to pass through so fast.

What have the meet-and-greets been like? (Ker-ching!)
We totally do the meet-and-greets everywhere and it’s a really cool experience, because they get closer than they would ever get at a concert, and they also get to watch a few songs in a soundcheck.

Have you had any strange gifts?
We sometimes do. Our fans in Japan always give us the craziest gifts – weird little snacks and treats and things that I don’t even know what the hell they are, you know what I mean?

Are you playing any new material?
Yeah. We are actually going a song that we did together called ‘Don’t Turn Off the Lights’. It was released in America, did really well, and we perform it during the show.

Are bands always over it by the time they get to Australia?
I don’t think so because you really are on the other side of the world; it’s a different world. I absolutely love Australia and I just can’t wait to get there.

We didn't think Americans had heard of Australia?
Right now Gotye is so incredibly big in the States. America is obsessed with him right now.

Is there anybody in NKOTB you like to watch side of stage to admire their moves?
They’re all really good performers in their own individual ways. It’s really cool to look at them because you get the opportunity to look at yourself in a way.

NKOTBSB, Allphones Arena, May 26.