The Backstreet Boys beat New Kids On The Block to the punch in terms of regrouping when they released Never Gone in 2005, yet there seems to be little animosity between the two factions.

In fact Backstreet Boy Nick Carter is hoping for the best for the Boston-based boy band.

“We are excited and we’re actually rooting for the New Kids because what they represent is what we represent, which is good pop music that needs to come back and stick around,” Carter says prior to launching their Canadian tour in St. John’s. “So we’re rooting for them and we want them to succeed.”

Backstreet is back in Toronto tonight to play the Molson Amphitheatre.

Touring behind last year’s Unbreakable record sees the group down one member after Kevin Richardson left the band in June 2006. But Carter says the remaining quartet — Carter, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean — have persevered.

“The hardest part was becoming acclimated to the fact that Kevin was gone and becoming used to it,” he says.

“Once we kind of got around that, we realized that it was just as strong. We could still hold the harmonies live, we still have the drive and competitive spirit to continue on and we can still put on an amazing show.”

According to reports from shows in Europe, the performances include a lot more choreography.

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