WESTLIFE VERSES STEPS AND STARSAILOR - November 2001
Controversy is something Westlife does not seem to shy away from. This time, Westlife has made the first move in dissing another group - the Steps. Nicky said, "I don't think they're churning out good music anymore. The songs they're releasing aren't as special as the stuff they did three or four years ago."
But those who giveth must also taketh. British indie rockers, Starsailor, recently slammed Westlife by claiming that they should write new songs.
Lead singer James Walsh said, "It gets awkward when you get a band like them saying, 'I think our music is as important as the Beach Boys.' No it's not. If you're going to come out with a statement like that, go away for five years and come back with songs that are good enough. Just because everyone's waiting on you hand and foot, don't start thinking, 'I must be good. I must be really really good.'"
He doesn't seem to have problems with other pop groups saying, "I prefer bands like S Club 7 and Steps who have more understanding of what they do and who they are. You see them in interviews and they're fun, because that's what kids wants to see. S Club have the TV show, and when it's all done they're still nice people."