What do you do when you're a has-been superstar from the 1990s boy band era? 'N Sync's Justin Timberlake used his appeal to launch a solo music career. And 98 Degrees' Nick Lachey married Jessica Simpson, got a reality show, "The Newlyweds," and then the couple split - creating even more buzz. If you're Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean, Howie Dorough or Kevin Richardson, however, you cross your fingers, say a couple of prayers and record another album. And they've done it, after a five-year hiatus. The boys are back. They'll perform Sunday at the KISS 106.1 Jingle Bell Bash at the Tacoma Dome. Thus, a re-introduction - in their own words - to the Backstreet Boys.

Nick Carter: The Heartthrob

During the hiatus: He released his debut CD, "Now or Never", in 2002, tour extensively and gave a try at acting in movies.

How they got back together: "I had gotten a call from Brian, and he was saying how AJ was doing a special on 'Oprah' with his mom about his sobriety. We all decided to hop on a plane and go surprise him on the show. I remember when we all sat down in the room after 'Oprah.' We all said, 'OK guys, if we're going to do this again, it's going to have to be 110 percen.' We're blessed to do a tour again."

Brian Littrell: The No. 2 Heartthrob

During the hiatus: He married Leighanne Wallace in September 2000 and had his first son, Baylee, in November 2002.

The effect of his wife and son: "I think they add to me as a person and make me better.

AJ McLean: The Character

That was then: The hiatus was partly triggered by his need to go into rehab for drug and alcohol abuse.

This is now: "Now living a sober life, my life has changed 360 degrees for the better."

What will this tour be like: "We've kind of simplified our show from all the blowing everything up on stage productions we've done in the past. We still do dance, and we do go back to some of the old choreography that our fans are very familiar with, such as the hat routine on 'All I Have To Give'."

Howie Dorough: The Quiet One

During the hiatus: He got involved in business ventures.

His Backstreet Boys role: "This time around I'm trying to make sure that we keep account of all of our accounting. I review all the bills on behalf of the group, do all the signing off on checks and make sure that we're on top of our business."

Thoughts on the 'N Sync rivalry: "We've always had the utmost respect for them. It was a competition creaated more by the media...if anything, it was a good, healthy, friendly competition."

Kevin Richardson: The Leader

During the hiatus: He married Kristin Willits in June 2000 and starred as Billy Flynn in the musical "Chicago" in 2003.

The risks of taking a hiatus: "Everything moves pretty quickly in the music industry. It's all about what's new, what's next, what's going on, and whenever you take a break like we did...there's always a risk that when you're out of sight, you're out of mind."

Where the Backstreet Boys are headed: "We're going to take it day by day, album by album. And who knows, we may be like the Eagles or the Beach Boys or the Rolling Stones and the Temptations."