it's the interview i've been waiting for so long. i'm a big fan of the band. just a little bit disapointed with 'This time around'. but now, they are back, in the most energetic and artistic way. thanks MuzikMan.
i'd like to ask you a question. do you think the band want to show their maturity by not appearing so often on media? is it a good way?

Minh Le

The first time I saw them was when that "Mmbop" video first came on MTV. It was at 7 am in some hotel in Middle America and I woke up after 4 hours of sleep and turned on the TV. I saw the little midget kid drumming and I thought, "It's kind of cute that they have the cute lil girl sister singing."

I took notice of the catchy harmonies and started incorrectly singing the lyrics as "Mmbop doo bop scooby doo wop" and such nonsense while shuffling (it was too early to dance, mind you, after a late night) around my dingy hotel room. What a life I led. I had the song stuck in my head and hummed it for a couple of days after that.

Little did I know that the "cute," rosy-cheeked one was a boy. I later found that out and I still didn't believe it. Now, keep in mind, I was still a teenager myself when I saw this and that I'm all man. But damn, if he didn't look like a cute girl -- not HOT, because that would have made me gay. But cute.

I think I've heard a couple of their other songs on various TV talk show appearances and none of them have ever recaptured the Mmbop magic for me.

And I'm one of the funniest writers in America.

I think I'm officially going to quote these words for life. My guess is you got them from the tall, ugly, oldest brother -- he seems very self-serious and chatty:

"Hanson: Being "indie" is not a way to stick it to the man. [...] Young people today are being defined by what is played in the radio and seen on TV. [...] Know who you want to be. That [...] means every time you put out a CD or print a t-shirt you are showing and telling people what to think of YOU!"

Brilliantly idiotic words to live by. But I'll still always have Mmbop and that cute young man Zac Hanson.

Think I'm alone? See the following article excerpt from ItsIncredible Music News

'Lost in Translation star Scarlett Johansson became cautious about reading her own movie reviews as a child, after a journalist wrote that she resembled a member of 1990s boy band trio Hanson.
The blonde beauty was proud of her acting efforts as a youngster, but wasn't quite sure what to make of her comparison youngest "MMMBop" singer Zac Hanson.
She says, "When I was 12 and had just finished The Horse Whisperer, some writer said I looked like the youngest member of Hanson.
"My sixth grade teacher read it out loud to the class!"'

Now before you judge me for having thought Zac Hanson was a really cute girl (how did it now become REALLY cute?), think for yourself if you've ever thought Scarlett Johansson was cute and THEN judge me if you will, my darlings.

That is all.

Muzikman: Thanks very much for the Hanson interview. I have been following the band for years, and I enjoyed it greatly.

And to Bob A. Booey: If you are indeed one of the funniest writers in America (as opposed to, say, a boor who laughs at his own jokes), why is your post so entirely lacking in anything amusing? Jokes about Zac Hanson being "a girl", and not knowing the lyrics of MMMBop, grew old and flat back in 1997.

I've been a fan of the band for years as well. They've certainly earned their street cred over the years, not just through the evolution of their music from "teen pop" to old school indie rock, but also from having to put up with inane comments such as the ones Bob A. Booey treated us to. If I'm not mistaken Bob,aka "one of the funniest writers in America" a lot of your material seems to have been borrowed from some of the other "funniest writers in America". A lot of old material that is. Get over it Bob. Come into the light. So you had a thing for the "cute" rosey-cheeked one (which apparently left you confused and dazed) and it left you with a little displaced anger. Admit it. You did. Didn't we all.

Looks like you asked for Bob. I say good enough for ya! Thanks everyone for standing by the band, they are a great bunch of men that are making some quality music. Keep the comments coming!

Maria and Funnygirls, we got problems, chicas.

But that's nothing a little degrading threesome can't cure.

I'm not making fun of Hanson! I don't know if I'd use the phrase "street cred" to describe them, but I said I liked them! What? Why so sensitive, you dingy broads?

That is all.

But that's nothing a little degrading threesome can't cure.

BWAAAAHAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAA!! No thanks. I can't speak for Maria aka "chica" about her sensitivity, but you missed my point entirely. I just think you're a pompous idiot. And not a funny one at that.

That is all.

Funnygirl, who am I borrowing funny material from exactly? I'm curious to see who you think I'm influenced by and stealing from.

That is all.

Bob, I think she's referring to your use of the very old, very tired jokes about the Hansons looking like girls. Apart from that, I am not sure what the point of your post was. Anyway, I'm a huge fan of Hanson's music, and I plan to go to one of the shows this fall. Thanks, Keith for doing this interview.

Bob, you seem so bewildered by my reaction to your post, and by the reactions of the others here. Have you actually read your own post? Where did you say you liked Hanson? You gave numerous excuses for having once liked their song MMMBop (you were young, you hadn't slept well that night.) You repeat ad nauseum that you thought one brother was a girl. You make it clear that you're totally indifferent to all of their other music, to the point that you can't remember the name of a single song, or even if you really ever heard any other songs by them. You call one brother "ugly". You call their words "brilliantly idiotic". If this is the way you talk about those you like.... well, I'm not sure I want you to like me.

Here's a challenge: go to the website or the MySpace page linked in this interview. LISTEN to some of the band's music. Then, come back, and we can talk.

Deal? ;)

Hanson has tons of talent. They had more talent as young kids than most contemporary adult bands currently trying too hard to be creative.

They'll be doing great things for years to come.

Anyway, I love these guys... but not like Booey does, if ya know what I mean.

HANSON ROCKS!

(there, I said it.)

BTW: Booey, you're the one who sounds like a grumpy elderly person.

Who's yer granddaddy!
~Shark

When I was in COLLEGE there was a really cute blonde girl in my Alcoholism and Society class that I was a little shy about talking to. A friend who knew her told me she was a boy. Presumably I would have found out eventually.

Then there was this one girl with really small...oh, never mind.

Shark loves Hanson? :)

That is all.

thanks for your interview. i'm a big fan of the band and I was eager to read something like that.
I reckon the message Hanson will bring over to collges during this tour is one of the best things that's even happened in the music business.
Check out www.areyoulistening.com when you have a couple of minutes.

Shark loves Hanson? :)



Little did I know that the "cute,"
rosy-cheeked one was a boy. I later found that out and I still didn't believe it. Now, keep in mind, I was still a teenager myself when I saw this and that I'm all man. But damn, if he didn't look like a cute girl -- not HOT, because that would have made me gay. But cute.

Look who's talking! Come on Bob, admit it. You're all bent out of shape because someone caught you looking at Teen Pop magazine once and you've been forever traumatized by the fact that "the cute girl" made you question your sexuality. Let it go Bob. Don't blame Hanson.

By the way...I'm one of America's funniest therapists.

That is all.
That is all.

... oh, and Bob? If you really want to see the prototype for your "funny" material, search Google and see if you can find any of those old "Anti-Hanson" sites ca. 1997. Some may still be available online. They all stated that Taylor and Zac are girls, MMMBop makes no sense, and Isaac is ugly. I thought the adolescent boys who started those sites way back then might have grown up and started doing something productive with their time in the intervening seven years, but I see that same old garbage is rearing its ugly head again in your post.....

Wow, you Hanson yentas are almost as vicious as the Mariah Carey "attack lambs."

How DARE you call the ugly one ugly?!!!

And that "BWAHAHAHAHAHA," girls? Not hot at all :) The 3some is OFF!

That is all.

God! You people are just too funny!

I love this!

Give more controversy!!!

Have you listened to any music, Bob? Or is the important thing here who's "ugly" and who "looks like a girl"?

These are all important things, Nancy.

I'll have to check out this "music" that you speak of for myself. You say you listen to it with your ears?

Keith: But I'm the funniest, right?

That is all.

Yeah right Bob, uhhh, you are the funniest...I think...Don't even know who you are man, just know you opened the door to a lot of people blasting you, now that was funny!

And that "BWAHAHAHAHAHA," girls? Not hot at all :) The 3some is OFF!


BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH...twas I that told you that you could keep your goodies to yourself. I don't see why you'd need us yentas anyway. You seem to be getting off on your bad self just fine. Ewwwwwwwww. That's a disgusting visual.BWHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
That is all.
Wait, no it's not.
Why don't you post a link where we can take a look at your ugly puss. I mean, being "one of the funniest writers in America, you must be on some website somewhere! Come on bigmouth. We're waiting.
Now, that is all.

Oh, hey Keith! Loved the interview. This has all been very entertaining hasn't it?

Bob:
Who you calling Nancy? Read the posts. There does seem to be a nancy here, but it sure ain't me!

You're "funny" all right. Like someone's "funny uncle".

Yes, I listen to music with my ears. I actually don't want to know what you listen to it with.

I haven't decided yet whether or not you're a boor, but I'm quickly coming to the conclusion that you are indeed a bore. If you can't find some way to make a comment on the music that reflects some amount of thought and intelligence, I'm outta here. This game is a bit too childish for me; I don't want to play. Sounds like some of the other "yentas" are losing interest as well. Soon, you may have nobody to play with but yourself.

Maria to Booey: "Soon, you may have nobody to play with but yourself."


...and you can bet he'll be fantasizing about Zac.



PS: Hanson rocks.

Shark's such a yenta :) That's what you get for being all emotional and artsy and crap.

That was funny, me accidentally calling that broad "Nancy" -- unintentional comedy.

Funnygirl obviously wants me, in the Biblical sense. But I don't want any "love at first sight" thing happening, Funnygirl, because you'll join the rest of America and want to marry me. And you'll want Hanson at the wedding I'll never agree to. And that just won't do because I'll want Zac instead to be my blushing bride.

That is all.

Who you calling Nancy? Read the posts. There does seem to be a nancy here, but it sure ain't me!

That is too funny Maria!

Come on Bob, bogus "one of the funniest writers in America" who do you write your "funny uncle" crap for?
I have visions of you Bob, not in the Biblical sense, of you sitting in the basement of the science building with the other cyber nerds just getting your rocks off. "Look, hardyharhar, I called them all yentas, snort...."

Hey, get it right. It's the accountancy department building! We're way cooler than that. They cheer me on like my personal cheering section.

I'm nobody's Uncle. I'm like the rebel cousin who's at reform school.

Would I be less of a nancy and less of a cyber-nerd if I listened to this "music" you speak of?

That is all.

In response to:
'Would I be less of a nancy and less of a cyber-nerd if I listened to this "music" you speak of?'

I don't think anybody here knows the answer to that. Check with a mental health professional if there is a problem.

If you listened to the music, you might have something interesting to say, and that would certainly help the conversation around here.

Thankyou for doing this interviw. It's nice to see questions based on the music. Hanson are all about music. I love the music they make. I've been a fan for 8 yeas this month. I'm an adult Hanson fan. Keep up the great job guys. I wish you continued success in all you do. God bless you all!!!

Maria, have you had an opportunity to hear the band live during this last tour? I did and I was blown away. I'm hoping this new CD can convey the charisma that this amazing band has onstage. I especially loved their new take on some of their classic tunes. For example, their funky version of the song Speechless from MON was phenominal. I also loved their Radiohead and U2 covers. They are truly underrated artists. But their time has finally come I believe.

FunnyGirl: Yes, I saw them in June, in New Jersey. I wish I had gotten to see them at Mayfest, when they played with Leon Russell! Did you know that they're going to be on the Jimmy Kimmel show this Tuesday night? Rumor has it that they're going to play Underneath, which is one of my favorite songs.

I hope that mean, awful Jimmy Kimmel doesn't try to make any jokes at their expense about "Mmmbop" and looking like little girls.

That is all.

Thanks Maria! I didn't know that. I really like that song as well. I was really excited to learn that they wrote it with Matthew Sweet. He's another one of my favorite artists. I read an article about Matthew and spoke of his writing experience with Hanson and he gave them loads of kudos, said they were incredibly talented and amazing to work with.

Thanks, did not know they would be on the Kimmel show! Bob, I'm not worried about him making jokes like yours ... last time I watched Kimmel, he was funny.

(ba dum bum)

Maria, I was at the NJ show too, which was excellent. are you going to any upcoming shows? I just convinced two of my boneheaded friends to go with me to the DC show at the 930 club. It should be interesting.

Danascully, that's great that you're bringing people to the 930 Club Show!! If all works out, I'm hoping to get to that show as well. Who knows, maybe we'll get to meet each other! :-)

Thanks sooo much for the awesome interview! Hanson truly are one of a kind! I have been a fan since May of '97 and have seen them in concert 3 times. Each time i saw them they rocked! Hanson truly are about the music and are amazing :D I hope others well read your interview with them and realize Hanson are here to stay and will continue to amaze us :) Hanson Rocks! Take Care!

i love hanson so muchhhhhhh!!!!!!!
Valerya
from. Brasil

Hey I really liked the interview. I think your asked really great questions. I'm really excited about the new album and I can't wait till it comes out. Hanson is so talented, and they only continue to get better.

The MUSIC lives!!!!

For those of you who don't know I was and still am fan of Hanson. It has been already eight years since I first heard their hit single MMMBOP and got instantly addicted. I wasn't able to get the words of the song out of my mind and soon I was proud owner of their first album "Middle of Nowhere "- it actually was my first CD ever as few days ago I got Sony Play station console from my mother and finally had something not only to play games, but and to listen to music. I can definitely say that the music of Hanson enchanted my life. I made a lot of new friends (mostly girls, but that is understandable...). Because of Hanson I developed an interest in English and even learned how to use Internet. Pretty much they were the reason for my decision to attend a high school at the USA. I could feel many pages just describing the impact their music had on my life.

Here is the place where I must mention that for about 5 years I was mostly listening to techno music and like many teenagers got a taste of the rave culture with all the pluses and minuses of it. During the past 2 - 3 years I wasn't listening to the music of Hanson frequently - actually the occasions were pretty rare. Recently I got their new album "Live and electric - the best of Hanson ". When I heard it I felt shocked - it is a bit hard to explain , but somehow their music refreshed so many of my memories - when I listen to it I feel like 14 y.o - not because the music is childish - it is actually great energetic rock - but I feel like before , when I got addicted to them. The time has passed and many things are different now - Taylor is married, he even has children - the band has its own independent label and encourages people to believe that music can be made without the demanding huge corporations.

I want hanson to come to my house for my 16th birth day.[Deleted. It's just so not a good idea to put your contact info here, sorry. Comments Editor] Ask for Angel.So this is Isaac Hanson,And Taylor Hanson,and Zachary Hanson.Thank you.Love yall .Love Angel McGaha.

Hanson are great and i love there music they have gained more rythem in to there songs over the years but i think they are better now and they difined the word music because how good they are i am so in to bands that can play there own instuments it is so cool.
I am learning how to play bass because it is my ambission to play bass guitar 4 some one some day.
Hanson are the best !!!!!!!!!!!

Hello!I realy like your music...
I realy believe that all your alboums are great...
You are funny but first of all good at your work!
The point is that at Greece is difficult to found your alboum.I can't buy from internet for many reasons,but the point is that I can't found you at the music stores anymore...Why????

You guys don't even write about the music except for the good few of you. You act like freaking toddlers. I am 15 and I am more mature tha you. I have been listening to them since I could pick up a drumstick. Zac has been a big influence in my life. He is pretty much my role model. And yes, I am a girl. People used to make fun of me because I listened to Hanson. Here's what I say, " I grew up on these guys and that's not gonna change. GET USED TO IT!"