The Boston Globe interview with Joey McIntyre on NKOTB Day

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/04/24/arts/new-kids-on-the-block-day-joey-mcintyre/

In 1989, Dukakis declared April 24 New Kids on the Block Day. Here’s how the band is celebrating its 35th anniversary.
By Matt Juul Globe Staff,

“For the governor of Massachusetts to give us a day was very cool,” McIntyre told the Globe in an interview by phone Tuesday. The singer, now 51, revealed that his “dad was a big union guy in Boston,” who was “good friends with Gov. Dukakis and did a lot of work together.”

While McIntyre says the day has now become an “excuse for us and our fans all over the world to celebrate,” he’s proud that the annual event began in Boston, the band’s hometown, which has been “very good” to them over the years.

“Being a part of Boston has always been a part of our story,” McIntyre said. “We wear it on our sleeves.”While a lot has changed for NKOTB, which disbanded in 1994 and reunited in 2008, what hasn’t changed is the intense support by fans who have followed the group step by step for decades.

“The intensity of our fans, the age of our fans back then obviously added an energy that can only be likened to lightning coming from the clouds,” said McIntyre, who has a new perspective on pop fandom now that he’s the dad of a Taylor Swift-loving daughter. “It was something to behold.”

“The cool thing about doing it nowadays, we get to be rock stars and they get to be 13 again,” he added.

As a treat for Blockheads, the group is releasing a new song, “A Love Like This,” on NKOTB Day, off their new record out May 17. The track promises to “bring all the feels,” according to McIntyre, who teases that their upcoming album “Still Kids” will offer a “good balance” of throwback vibes and fresh sounds.

“It feels honestly like so much of pop is still so influenced by the ‘80s,” McIntyre said. “We harken back to that time, but it’s also, a lot of this music is informed by our experiences as adults and lyrically bringing that into the picture.”

In addition to the album, McIntyre is looking forward to hitting the road as part of NKOTB’s “Magic Summer 2024″ tour, which will feature special guests Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff, as well as other surprises.

McIntyre is particularly pumped for the Aug. 10 show at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield. The singer has fond memories of the venue, which he knew as Great Woods when he was growing up, and can’t wait to get back there.

“We played there in 1988 the first time,” McIntyre said. “There’s an energy to those summer nights underneath the stars and the way music hits you in that kind of an experience that is going to feed the show that we put on.”

“Our hometown means so much to us,” he added. “It’s going to be a night to remember and it’s something that we’re looking forward to.”