No Authority

by Alix Strauss

Overview

The guys of No Authority have a pretty cool job. They get to do what they love (sing and perform) all the time. They get to work alongside their best buds (each other). And they have a pretty cool boss (Michael Jackson). Plus, with their sweet, slammin' music and super-hot good looks, these boys have throngs of screaming girls chasing them everywhere they go. Not bad for a boy band of four teenagers from Cali! Now find out what goes on off-state and behind the scenes, their plans for the future, their favorite things to do, and the kind of girls they think are fine!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781466870383
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/06/2014
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	145
File size:	208 KB

About the Author

Alix Strauss is a freelance writer living in New York City. A graduate of New York University, she has published articles in many magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times, Seventeen, Twist, React, Family Circle, Maxim and Marie Claire. Presently, she divides her time between writing, producing, and teaching.

Alix Strauss is a lifestyle trend writer whose articles have appeared in The New York Times and many other periodicals. The Joy of Funerals is her first novel. She lives in New York City.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

Strike Up the Band

Our story begins in California.

In a huge room, an audition is in progress: one of many for our musical heroes. The place is packed with teens who all look alike. Though each person struggles to stand out, that goal is almost impossible among the sea of bodies colliding and bumping into each other. Some boys pace nervously, some rehearse their lines by themselves or with a buddy, while others sit and sweat it out. The scene is a common one, and as time goes by the faces become more and more familiar. It isn't long before some of the performers start to give each other friendly gestures of recognition. A flick of the head, a smooth smile, an arch of an eyebrow. Little by little these strangers become friendly. They don't know it yet, but circumstance has brought them together, and fate has helped to seal their future.

Eric Stretch, Josh Keaton, Danny Zavatsky, and Ricky Felix all started out as kids auditioning in sunny, warm California. Little did they know that through their auditioning and rejection, a bond would take hold. That force was responsible for bringing the handsome foursome together.

Within a three-and-a-half-year span, these boys would sign with the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, record two albums, tour most of Canada, Europe, and the United States, lose a band member, gain another one, and become an overnight success. Get ready to meet No Authority.

Better buckle up — it's going to be a wild ride.

CHAPTER 2

Start Me Up

California Is Where I'm From

These days it feels as though boy bands are popping up quicker than you can grow a Chia pet. But it seems like each one is coming from a different state. Florida gave us the Backstreet Boys. Oklahoma introduced us to the Hanson brothers. The group 98° came from Ohio. Well, in sunny southern California, home to the rich and famous, a place where plastic and bikinis are prerequisites, a smart foursome popped up from nowhere. Its foxy heartthrobs were ready to join the mix of other bands, who all had the same dream — to become stars. What was different about them? What was going to set them apart from the other boy bands already recording albums, some making it, others collecting dust in the sales racks of music stores? Passion, tenacity, and a love for music. They named themselves No Authority, and they were going to become a huge overnight success. And no one was going to tell them differently.

Got to Have a Name

Ric was the boy genius behind the band's name. Having a good time, being able to do what you want and be your own boss, was the thinking behind the chosen title. The funky foursome was ready to take the world by storm, call the shots, and be the navigators of their own future. Like many of us would like to, these fellas were creating and living their dreams. Their goal was a simple one, and in their eyes easy to obtain. "I don't believe in giving up," Ric says candidly during an interview. "We're going to go to the top, and we're not going to stop." Hmm — sounds like that was the idea behind their hit single "Don't Stop." "We play by our own rules," Ric says during an on-line chat. "We're in control. We know what we want and how to get it. Whether it's expressing ourselves through our music, the style of our dress. Anything. We do what we want, and we don't listen to anyone." Sounds like the boys all suffered from Peter Pan Syndrome. That seems only fitting, considering they'd be flying from the seat of their pants, looking for fairy dust and meeting the owner of Neverland.

Don't I Know You?

"We all sang and danced, and we'd seen each other around from doing other artists' music videos," Eric Stretch explains to Teen Celebrity. The guys won't disclose which videos they worked on — they swear it would be too embarrassing.

"We were all in the industry, kind of acting and stuff, so we met through other people and jobs," shares Danny, the youngest member of No Authority, with Teen Machine.

One afternoon, the boys were all at a gig; it was lunchtime and the fellas were hanging out and relaxing. "We were messing around," recalls Josh to Teen Beat, "singing this song, and everyone took a harmony, and it was, like, wow! We were just messing around. We thought, we kinda have something here." And they did. A friend of theirs in the music business was having a birthday party. "So there were people in the industry there, and she asked us to sing, so we went up and sang," adds Josh. The song was an old Beatles hit and it hit hard. Everyone was impressed. "That's pretty much how we came together," Danny confirms. And so it began. A friendship and the love for music that each member of the band shared. Their industry friend wasn't the only one who was having a birthday. Unbeknownst to the guys, a band was born.

CHAPTER 3

Meet the Players

Diversity City

No Authority started with four sweeties, Danny Zavatsky, seventeen, Ric Felix, eighteen, Eric Stretch, nineteen, and Josh Keaton twenty. Each has a very different personality, style, and attitude. And each has brought his own uniqueness and originality to the group.

Before they even had to choose, it seemed as though their diverse personalities, their likes and dislikes, put each guy into his own category. Danny was the surfer; Ric, the dancer; Eric the partier; and Josh, the actor. "They're really great and terribly cute," confesses Sunny Bak, a photographer who has worked with the guys on several photo shoots. "Ric's always in the mirror. Eric, he's the manly boy. He's sort of quirky and always has a skateboard. Danny's the teen idol, the girls really go for him." And Josh is a sweetheart who's always ready for his close-up. As you can tell, the boys are as different as night and day. And it really works in their favor.

Danny

If you're looking for the laid-back, peaceful, easy-to-please "guy's guy" of the group, then Danny's your man. "No matter what happens," Josh tells Bop,"he's, like, 'No problem.'" Even though he claims to be the "shy guy," rumor has it he often plays tricks on his band-mates. In turn, they tease him about being the baby of the foursome. Because he's youngest, Danny feels entitled to stir things up. "I'm always getting into trouble, but I can get away with more," he explains to YTV Chat. "Youngest is awesome because I get away with everything." See, being last has its privileges.

Trendy, cute, and sweet, extreme sportsaholic in baggy clothing, he loves to flirt with the girls almost as much as he enjoys being in front of a camera.

If Danny's not in a club dancing, you can find him at the beach — not bathing in the sun but hitting the ocean. He's the quintessential surfer dude. "I love going for the bigger waves, which can be dangerous," he confesses to a reporter. "One time I was surfing and got thrown with my leash caught around my arm. I thought I was going to drown." Lucky for us, he stayed afloat. One of his favorite memories has to do with surfing, of course. He and his dad surfed together the day after Christmas a few years ago and for the first time golden boy caught a wave! From that point on he was hooked.

When Danny turned sixteen, he went for his driver's license test — a rite of passage for most kids. But it was not the fun event our singing star had expected. It seems Danny got a taste of stage fright. Pumped for his test, he waited and waited for the driver to administer the road exam. All that waiting got him really nervous. As a result he overexaggerated all his "car moves." He checked the mirrors, the speed limit, looked behind him, turned, signaled, looked over his shoulder — but everything felt out of proportion. Danny was desperate to pass so he was going to be totally careful. Hey, better safe than sorry. But he pulled through like a champ, earning 100 on his test.

Before he joined No Authority, Danny's first professional gig was for Oreo cookies. (Got milk?) He's also worked with the Dead Presidents and Menace II Society's Hughes Brothers. As for sound, Danny does the rapping for No Authority and the back vocals. Shy or not, Danny is one sweet guy.

Stats:

Full name: Daniel Jacob Zavatsky

Nickname: Danny or Spider G

Birth date: June 1, 1982

Birthplace: Long Beach, California

Current residence: Long Beach, California

Height: 5'10?

Hair color: Really, really blond

Eye color: Hazel

Parents: Steve and Debbie

Siblings: One sister, Jennifer

Pets: Dog

Favorite Facts:

Food: Taco Bell

Drink: Dr. Pepper

Actor: John Travolta

Actress: Alicia Silverstone

Movie: Speed, Scream

TV show: The Price Is Right, The Real World

Book: The Lost World, The Bad Place

Bands: 112, Ginuwine

Color: Light blue

Bonus round: Fav. girls he'd like to date? Jenny McCarthy and Britney Spears

Did You Know?

Hobbies: Surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding

Habits: Picking up girls and flirting, flirting, flirting Personal description: "Club-hopping, girl-loving surfer" (He's got himself down to a T)

First job: He and a friend sold strawberry-flavored Kool-Aid

What's Your Sign?

May 22–June 21: Gemini

Symbol: Twins

Element: Air, which equals intelligence

Best day of the week: Wednesday

Color: Yellow

Gem: Agate, associated with truth

Special flowers: Jasmine

Ruling planet: Mercury

Lucky number: 7

Danny is a Gemini, the sign of the Twins, which stands for communication and human respect. Geminis have a love of language and are very intelligent, witty, and attractive. They love to write and express themselves. What better way than through music? And they love to share their thoughts with others. Geminis are at their best when they have four of five things going at the same time. Because of their quick imagination and cleverness they can leap from one conversation topic to another with ease. They can also keep an audience glued to their seats with their charm, originality, and maybe even some fancy dancing moves. Gems are quick thinkers and have a gift for improvisation that can save the day — a very helpful trait that comes in rather handy when you're on stage or performing. Flirting comes easily to the Twins because they love to interact with others — so watch out, girls. They love to tell jokes. Ah, the prankster arrives. They also enjoy playing games and going to parties. Gems crave constant variety, which makes Danny a good traveler.

Of all the zodiac signs, the Gemini is the most unpredictable. Breaking the rules is their motto, and they often have trouble with authority. Coincidence? Does anyone hear the theme to Twilight Zone playing?

What better way for an air sign to get in touch with his main element than to surf, skateboard, and move really fast through — what else — air? The ruling body parts of Geminis are the hands, arms, shoulders, and lungs. Yeah — and Danny has a strong set of them! Plus with his surfer's arms and shoulders, they have to be totally toned and strong.

Ric

Ric is appreciated and respected by his bandmates for many adorable qualities: his sweetness, his talent, and for coming up with the name of the band. He's responsible for singing lead vocals, a very important job, as any musical performer will tell you. Ric is also the one who brings enthusiasm to the guys. When energy is down, Ric's the motivator. He's also a really good friend. "Ricky's like my therapist," Josh discloses to Bop. "A lot of times I'll be very guarded, and I don't really tell everything. I've been burned a few times and I don't want to do it again. Ricky knows that about me, so I talk to him about it because he really helps me."

Before Ric joined the party, he was spending all his time in the gym — the gymnasium, that is. Ric's first love was the floor. When he was four, he saw the Olympics and fell head over heels, so to speak. He decided that would be his lifelong goal. He can perform all the wacky, cool airborne moves you can think of, flips, twists, round-offs, you name it. Like Britney Spears, he took class after class and became incredible at the sport. In fact, he was ranked fourteenth in the state of California. But something changed and gymnastics lost its fun. The gymnast-turned- singer felt the sport was making him too competitive and stressed. So to keep an even keel, he decided to take some dance classes and release the tension. It was love at first move and he found that he enjoyed dancing more than doing flips on a padded mat. Dancing became his new passion. While he was studying movement at a school, he met a singing teacher. That teacher was the first person to tell Ric he had a good voice. And thus, a new career was born.

Turns out dancing was really where it was at for old Twinkletoes, and he started working with some of the biggest choreographers in the business, including Debbie Allen and Paula Abdul. One of his earliest jobs was for a Japanese Crisps advertisement, and as part of his costume, he had to wear flared pants. Not a good look even on this cutie pie. Ric also worked on the first Austin Powers movie. He can be seen in the opening dance number. FYI — it was during this time that his crush on Elizabeth Hurley developed. Pepsi recently snatched up the singer to be in their new commercial. He's definitely the voice of a new generation.

Part of Ric's claim to fame is being able to potty-train Mo, one of his two pigs, in just one day! He's also quick on the joystick trigger — Backstreet Boy Nick better watch out. His bandmates tease him because he's a big primper, spends too much time in the bathroom, and does "face exercises."

Unlike his bandmates Eric and Danny, this member has trouble introducing himself to girls. He has no qualms, though, when a girl gives him her number. And he actually enjoys being tackled by a girl or two, or three.

A total clotheshorse, this fella has a closet bulging with the trendiest clothing in the funkiest styles: retro patterned nylon shirts, fitted black shirts, and skinny tight pants. He's an individual through and through, so don't tell him what to wear or what's in style. He likes to set up his own look and be the "authority" on what's cool and hip. No matter how hard life gets, Ric tells himself to keep going, hence the title of the band's single "Don't Stop." Ric loves to meditate and practice yoga. That helps keep the singer stress-free and in a good mood. He also loves his music, his buds, his pigs, and of course, Madonna, Madonna, Madonna. He's quite a fan.

Stats:

Full name: Ricardo Felix Godinez

Nickname: Ric or Ricky G.

Birth date: December 2, 1980

Birthplace: San Bernadino, California

Current residence: L.A.

Height: 5'9?

Hair color: Dark brown

Eye color: Green

Parents: Alex and Debbie

Siblings: One brother, Hondo

Pets: Two pigs, Kitty and Mo

Favorite Facts:

Food: Pizza

Drink: Sprite

Actor: Tom Cruise

Actress: Uma Thurman

Movies: Truth or Dare, Babe, Spaceballs

TV shows: The Simpsons, Friends

Books: The Amazing Results of Positive Thinking, and an astrology book called The Secret Language of Birthdays

Bands: Madonna, Michael Jackson, Babyface, Stevie Wonder, Toni Braxton

Color: Green

Bonus round: Fav. subject in school? Psychology

Did You Know?

Personal description: "Dynamic, human, lucid, ambitious, loving" (All that and more!)

Hobbies: Choreographing, writing songs, yoga, astrology

Habits: He's a constant fidgeter — there's no sitting still for him

First job: He was in a dance video

What's Your Sign?

Nov. 23–Dec. 21: Sagittarius

Symbol: The Archer

Element: Fire

Best day of the week: Thursday

Color: Purple

Gem: Turquoise, associated with love, protection, and insight Special flowers: Dandelions and carnations

Ruling planet: Jupiter

Lucky number: 5

You couldn't find a more typical Sagittarius than Ric — and a little FYI, he and Britney Spears share not only the same zodiac sign, but the same birthday, as well.

Sagittarians are extremely honest, ambitious, and outgoing. Full of self- confidence, they can handle any hardship or challenge life may toss their way. Sags are optimistic from the start; if life throws Ric a pound of mud, this December boy doesn't just happily dive in — he brings the pigs along for a party, then graciously asks if anyone wants to share the wealth.

The Archer can get bored easily and is constantly seeking new targets and reaching for higher goals, so he's always asking questions and searching for answers. Sags are natural-born actors who will often change their minds at the drop of a hat. They are seekers of everything, and they love a chase. Often rebellious, Sags also have a bit of a temper, so watch out — they're not called the fire sign for nothing. They also have a little trouble with authority and taking orders. But this is no shock — after all, Ric didn't name the group No Authority on a whim. Sags never hold grudges and are always quick to forgive and forget. Most important to a Sagittarius is friendship; they are loyal to the end. Keeping the peace and the group together, that's Ric's job. Fun-loving, open, and warm, Sags make friends easily. Because they need action and variety, Sags are always on the go and looking for their next big break. Does a music career ring a bell? Sags are never lacking for new hobbies and, of course, there's always time for traveling — something Ric loves to do.

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "No Authority"
by .
Copyright © 1999 Alix Strauss.
Excerpted by permission of St. Martin's Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Title Page,
Copyright Notice,
Dedication,
Acknowledgments,
1. Strike Up the Band,
2. Start Me Up,
3. Meet the Players,
4. King of Pop,
5. Record Time,
6. Making a Video,
7. Touring,
8. Say Hi to Canada,
9. Special Events,
10. Living Large,
11. Can't We All Just Get Along?,
12. Tommy Boy,
13. Second Time Around,
14. Nick Tour — All That,
15. Sweetie Pies,
16. Fame, Fortune, and the Future,
17. Future Goals,
18. You've Got Fan Mail,
19. Wild Web Sites,
20. Total Trivia,
St. Martin's Paperbacks Titles by Alix Strauss,
About the Author,
Copyright,