Backstreet Boys

A.J McLean has rock-solid proof that the new boy band on the block -- One Direction -- is just a Backstreet Boys knockoff ... because Backstreet Boys wastotally original and definitely not a knockoff.

It's barely November ... but the Backstreet Boys are already pretending it's Christmas time.

The entire band -- even Kevin -- threw on their obligatory ugly winter outfits for a performance of their new Christmas song at Disneyland this weekend ... sparkly sweater, checkered jacket, scarf, etc.

For the record, it was 94 DEGREES in Anaheim yesterday.

We're told the performance was pre-recorded for an upcoming Xmas special.

Backstreet Boy AJ McLean came face-to-face with the long arm of the law early this morning ... and even though he didn't say it specifically, he TOTALLY tried to play the celebrity card to get out of a ticket.

McLean was pulled over in Hollywood around 1 AM when the LAPD noticed a problem with his license plates.

Once the boybander got out of the car, the plea for mercy was on ... with McLean explaining how he just wrapped up a concert tour ... and simply didn't realize there was a problem.

During the stop, McLean brings up the tour several times ... making sure the cop knew how big of a star he is.

Unfortunately, the officer seemed to be more of a New Kids on the Block fan ... and at one point, McLean says, "We actually just got off tour with them."

So how did it end? Turns out, McLean's registration was fine -- but the cop issued AJ a citation for not having the proper proof of insurance.

You're not the only one who thought last year's Backstreet Boys/New Kids on the Block tour was painful -- a stagehand claims he was nearly killed before a concert ... after falling through a hole ... and now, he's suing the bands.

William Wesley Styron filed the lawsuit in Tennessee, claiming he was hired to set up for the boy bands' show at Fedex Forum in Memphis on June 20th, 2011.

According to the lawsuit, Styron was going about his duties when he accidentally stepped into a hole in the stage ... and plummeted 13 feet to the ground ... fracturing his skull and causing "traumatic brain injury."

Styron claims he suffered a "loss of consciousness, seizures, and convulsions" during the accident before someone called 911 -- and he was rushed to the hospital.

According to the suit, it all could have been avoided -- but there was nothing in place to warn Styron about the stage's hazardous conditions ... no signs ... no cones ... nothing.

Styron says the accident cost him tons in medical bills -- and now he wants at least $5 MILLION.

Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean and his new wife Rochelle DeAnna Karidis showed off their wedding rings -- and more importantly, their matching his & hers manicures -- at the Guns N' Roses concert in L.A. on Wednesday.

He's getting married next week ... but Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean has blood on his mind -- sending out death-themed invitations that look like they were designed by Ed Hardy and Dracula ... and we got pics.

A.J. and his GF Rochelle Karidis are set to tie the knot on December 17 -- presuming all his guests aren't completely freaked out by the invites ... which contain bloody lettering and creepy gothic imagery.

The ceremony will take place at the Beverly Hills Hotel -- and celeb photographer Tyler Shields is officiating.

Brian went on Bob 93.3 in North Carolina this morning, telling the host, "I'm proud that he would go into this situation willingly ... Last time it was a lot worse. He really went into rehab unwillingly the last time."

TMZ has learned A.J. -- who's struggled with abuse for years -- was so hammered and rowdy on a BB fan cruise last month, that several passengers lodged complaints ... with some even demanding a refund.

One cruise staffer tells us A.J. and his crew acted like "drunken fools" for the entire five-day trip.

But after the cruise, the abuse continued ... and more people in his life threatened to jump ship.

Sources close to the singer tell us A.J. became so difficult to work with during rehearsals for the upcoming BB tour that multiple people were "ready to quit."

One source tells TMZ McLean has been "out of control" in the last few months because of substance abuse, and it was interfering with plans for the Backstreet Boys' upcoming tour with New Kids on the Block.

Sources say on a Backstreet Boys cruise last month ... A.J. appeared under the influence much of the time.

McLean has battled addiction for years. He was in rehab in both 2001 and 2002 for alcohol and cocaine abuse.

McLean made a cryptic reference on his Twitter account, writing on January 9, "I love u all and wish me luck! I start my sober journey tomm!"

On January 10, McLean tweeted, "See u on the other side!"

Video shot during a BSB cruise for fans last month shows McLean with what looks like a beer -- amber liquid with foam on top.

It was all for a session with photographer Tyler Shields -- the guy who shot those semi-naked Lindsay Lohan "Inferno" pics.

AJ has been battling his issues with alcohol for years -- and we're guessing this whole thing was some sort of artistic interpretation of his inner struggle.

Question is ...

Sources tell TMZ .... the "Jersey Shore" star is close to a deal -- but he's not the only act that's being considered. We're told Boys II Men is also in the running.

BSB's rep tells TMZ, A.J. -- who was recently diagnosed with the leaky eye infection -- is "doing fine" ... and the band's current tour will go on as scheduled.

As for the other guys -- we're told the rest of the band was inspected by a doctor as soon as they discovered A.J.'s pus problem ... and they all tested negative.

It all went down inside the Hard Rock Hotel Friday night -- AJ and his then girlfriend Rochelle Karidis were partying inside the Wasted Space nightclub, when he sprinted to the jewelry store inside the casino, picked out a ring, and ran back into club.