By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
September 2, 2001
Don’t use the “B” word around Vi3.
That’s right, the Chicago-based trio doesn’t like to be lumped with boy bands. But let’s face it–if it looks like a boy band and dances like a boy band, well …
“I know what people will think,” says Lucas Bowers who, like the other members, is 22 years old. “If they want to call us a boy band there’s really not much we can do. But we’re trying to differentiate ourselves from all the other groups out there.”
Justin Roman adds, “We think ‘N Sync and the Backstreet Boys are great. But if you asked any of us for our influences we’d be more likely to answer Brian McKnight, R. Kelly or Michael Jackson than Justin Timberlake.”
Alrighty then, boys, we challenge you to sing. Now!
So they do. Very well, too. The trio launches into a sweet rendition of “Nowhere” that is smooth as butter.
“No voices piped in with us,” Stevie Evans points out. “It’s all us.”
The trio is just a couple months old, but Evans and Bowers have sung together for three years as half of the now-defunct Faze Four.
“When [Justin] agreed to join us in Vi3, we knew we had the perfect addition to the group. He writes songs, is a great musician and fantastic singer.”
Oh, and about that name of theirs: they liked the fact that Vi3 sounded like VIP.
Boys will be boys.
Vi3 will be part of the lineup at Jessica Simpson’s show Sept. 7 in the parking lot of Golf Mill in Niles as well as at the B96 Halloween Bash Oct. 27 at the Allstate Arena.
