BBMak, love advisors

Girls' Life, Feb, 2001 by Karen Bokram

MARK BARRY, 22 * CHRISTIAN BURNS, 27 * STE (SHORT FOR STEPHEN) MCNALLY, 22

Why we think BBMak is qualified to give love advice? In short, they sing the songs that make the whole world swoon. Their debut album Sooner or Later covers all the love bases--lost love, found love and love that's just out of reach. "Love is a subject that everyone can relate to," says Ste. "Most of our songs are either happy love songs or sad love songs." Perfect!

WHY WE LOVE THEM? Their album is a break from the usual boy band formula of danceable pop or heart-wrenching R&B. Their lovely English accents. The fact that they like to impress reporters by showing how well they can sing and play--with their shirts off.

They also understand the meaning of sacrificing for your art. Says Mark, "When we started BBMak, I had to move to Liverpool from my hometown of Manchester. I was with this girl for two years, but trying to keep the relationship up long-distance would be really hard. So we broke up, and it was upsetting for us. We both cried." Aww!

The boys also know a thing or two about kissing--butt kissing, that is. "We couldn't get a record deal from anyone," says Christian. "No one wanted to sign us. So we decided to stand outside the offices of some major record companies and sing our hearts out."

It wasn't long before the hot shots noticed. Says Ste, "We did this show in Liverpool and invited the labels to come hear us. Before we went on, we looked out into the audience and every single label we invited was there!" Now if that doesn't make you qualified to know about love, what does?

So what was your best-ever opening line when you were 15?

Mark: I never had an opening line. I was always scared to approach girls.

Ste: My best-ever opening line was, "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Christian: "Hi, I'm a pop star!"

Did that work in high school?

Christian: No. It works now though.

Where did you go to meet girls?

Mark: In school, on the streets. We used to walk around Manchester in groups.

Ste: We always made it a point to cruise in different areas and go to different blocks. Friday nights, we'd go out with girls; Saturday nights, we'd just hang out.

Christian: I used to go out scouting. It was the same thing. But school was really the only place we could go.

Did you have any killer outfits?

Mark: My best outfit was my kilt. I wore it when I played the bagpipes.

There's something about a guy in a skirt....

Mark: Well, a few people liked it!

Christian: I had this leather tie. When I was about 12, I thought it was great!

Ste: Killer outfit? Probably my school uniform.

When you met your first real girlfriend, what was it about her that caught your eye?

Mark: Looking back, it was probably just a crush. But I was 15, and she was a little older. I was with her 21 months. Her name was Sara. She was a nice girl--very pleasant, she made me laugh. But one day, I just didn't like her anymore.

Christian: My girlfriend had blonde hair.

Ste: Mine was the best looking girl in school.

So what's your favorite flavor of lip gloss?

Mark: Cherry.

Christian: Strawberry.

Ste: Cherry.

Did any girl really break your heart?

Mark: Yes. There was a girl. She was called Sara, as well. She had blonde hair, and she was a stunner. Everyone fancied her. But she was doing things behind my back. And the guy she was cheating on me with--he was supposed to be a friend of mine! I punched him and broke his jaw.

Christian: I've gotten my heart broken a few times on various occasions.

Ste: The girl I was seeing at school for three years broke my heart. She recently called me, and I told her to go away.

What was your surefire way to get girls to notice you?

Mark: Just to be myself. I didn't try to do anything but be myself.

Christian: I did a lot of things in school. I was always in performing arts--being in plays and singing. If you want to get noticed, make sure you're onstage.

Ste: I'd do anything to get onstage. I was also the only guy in school with long hair.

Who's poster did you have up in your room?

Christian: Pamela Anderson.

Is she still your dream date?

Christian: No, that would be Ashley Judd.

Ste: My dream date doesn't have to be famous--she just has to be special.

Did you dread Valentine's Day in school?

Mark: Well, not really, but there was always a big competition to get the most cards. I remember once I got a really, really explicit card--it was really, really naughty. I ripped it up and put it in the trash bin at school. But later, the headmaster actually went into the bin and put all the pieces together! He literally put all the pieces together and the girl-- Kelly was her name--got suspended from school. It was really bad.

Ste: I used to go in the next day and say, "Yeah, I got tons of Valentine's cards." I just made it up. But I'm sure the guys used to make up how many cards they got, as well.

Christian: I got my first Valentine's card when I was 17. Sad.

Do you guys like Valentine's Day now?

Christian: Well, Valentine's Day is simply a working day for us.