Hanson is an American pop rock band formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma by brothers Isaac, Taylor, and Zac Hanson. They are best known for the 1997 hit song "MMMBop" from their major label debut album Middle of Nowhere that earned three Grammy nominations. Despite the enormous commercial success of Middle of Nowhere, the band suffered from the merger that eliminated Mercury Records and were moved to Island Def Jam Music Group, which they eventually left after conflict with the label about creative input. The band now records under its own label, 3CG Records.
History
1992–1996: Early years
Clarke Isaac Hanson (born November 17, 1980), Jordan Taylor Hanson (March 14, 1983) and Zachary Walker Hanson (October 22, 1985) are the first three children of parents Walker Hanson and Diana Hanson (née Lawyer). The Hanson family also includes younger siblings Jessica, Avery, Mackenzie, and Zoë.
The three young boys sang a cappella and recorded songs like "Rockin' Robin", "Splish Splash" and "Johnny B. Goode", as well as their own material. Their first performance as a professional group took place in 1992 at the Mayfest Arts Festival in Tulsa.[2]
Hanson also appeared on Carman's Yo! Kidz: The Vidz, which included Taylor cast as a young Biblical David facing Goliath, Isaac cast as an event announcer, and other members of the family including Zac in the stands cheering on this "sporting event".[citation needed]
All three boys started their musical careers as pianists. Isaac later picked up a second-hand guitar, Zac borrowed an old set of drums, and Taylor became the keyboard player of what turned into a garage band. The band recorded two independent albums in their hometown of Tulsa, Boomerang (recorded in autumn 1994, released in 1995) and MMMBop (released in 1996). The latter featured the original version of the song "MMMBop", which would later become the runaway single on their debut commercial record Middle of Nowhere. The boys then found themselves at the South By Southwest (aka SXSW) music festival in Austin, Texas. There, they were promptly signed by manager Christopher Sabec.[2] He shopped them to several record companies, most of which dismissed the band as either a novelty or fraud before Steve Greenberg, an A&R representative for Mercury Records, heard them play a set at the Kansas State Fair. After this performance, they were signed almost immediately by Mercury. They soon became a worldwide sensation with the release of their first major-label album, Middle of Nowhere, which was produced by the famous Dust Brothers.
1997–2000: Commercial success
Taylor in concert in
Madrid, 2000
Middle of Nowhere was released in the U.S. on May 6, 1997, selling 10 million copies worldwide. May 6 was declared 'Hanson Day' in Tulsa by Oklahoma's then-governor Frank Keating.[3] Although 'Hanson Day' was originally intended to be a one-time occurrence, many Hanson fans all over the world still recognize May 6 as Hanson Day every year. Hanson's popularity exploded during the summer of 1997, and Mercury Records released Hanson's first documentary Tulsa, Tokyo, and the Middle of Nowhere and their Christmas album Snowed In in the wake of their success. Hanson also launched MOE (which stood for Middle of Everywhere), a fan club magazine that ran for 12 issues.[4] After numerous unauthorized biographies of each of the brothers were published, Hanson turned to their close friend, Jarrod Gollihare of Admiral Twin, to write their authorized biography. Hanson: The Official Book reached number 9 on the New York Times Best Sellers List (nonfiction) on February 1, 1998.[5] The band was nominated for three Grammy Awards in 1998: Record of the Year, Best New Artist, and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.[6] During the summer of 1998, Hanson began a highly successful concert tour, the Albertane Tour. They performed a string of shows throughout stadiums and arenas in the U.S., targeting young audiences with a playful and energetic style. A live album, titled Live From Albertane, was released the following fall, as well as their second documentary The Road to Albertane.[7]
In response to the demand for their earlier work, Hanson re-released MMMBop as 3 Car Garage, minus 4 tracks, in May 1998. To date, the tracks from Boomerang have not been re-released. Three tracks from Boomerang ("Boomerang", "More Than Anything", and Rain (Falling Down)") and two of the remaining tracks from MMMBop ("Incredible" and "Baby (You're So Fine)") were released on the first MOE CD sent to fan club members.
During the Albertane Tour, Hanson wrote and demoed what would later become the songs for their fifth major studio album (Seventh overall), This Time Around. During this time period, Mercury Records, the band's label, had been merged with Island Def Jam. Almost immediately following the changeover Hanson released their seventh album, This Time Around, in May 2000 but due to lack of promotional funding sales were low and the label eventually pulled funding for their tour. The band toured through the summer and fall of 2000 on their own funds.[citation needed]
2001–2005: On independent career
After a 3 year struggle, depicted in the documentary film Strong Enough to Break by Ashley Greyson, the brothers left Island Def Jam Records. As appears in the documentary, the main struggle with the label was what the band felt was lack of creative freedom. This, after label executives refused over 80 songs from the band, believing new material lacked marketability, and insisting on restricting the recording process.[citation needed]
Hanson now records for their own independent label, 3CG Records..[8] The label has distribution deals through Alternative Distribution Alliance in the United States, Cooking Vinyl in Europe, Sony Music in Asia and with various other distributors throughout the world.[9] During the dispute with their former label, Hanson signed with the management company, 10th Street Entertainment, which also manages artists such as Meat Loaf and Blondie.[10]
The band's "Underneath Acoustic" tour occurred during the Summer and Fall of 2003. Music included acoustic versions of songs from the then-forthcoming release, Underneath. The tour ended November 5, 2003 with a performance at Carnegie Hall.[11]
Released on April 20, 2004, Underneath debuted at #1 on Billboard Top Independent Albums chart[12] and #25 on the Billboard 200 album chart[13], making Underneath one of the most successful self-released albums of all time.[14]
In autumn 2005, Hanson toured in the U.S. and Canada to support The Best of Hanson: Live & Electric. They also visited colleges to showcase Strong Enough to Break, the documentary chronicling difficulties with and departure from Island Def Jam. During college visits, the band held question-and-answer sessions about independent artists' role in the music industry.[15]
2006-2008: The Walk and tenth anniversary
On January 15, 2007, Hanson released on iTunes the first episode of their documentary podcast "Taking the Walk", detailing production of the studio album. The first episode of the band's documentary Strong Enough to Break was also released on iTunes. The program is edited into 13 episodes for release by podcast.[16]
In March, 2007, Hanson began a "preview tour" to promote The Walk and give fans a taste of recent work. Over 6-days, Hanson performed at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, Toad's Place in New Haven, Connecticut, The Crocodile Rock in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and The Supper Club in New York City. On March 30, Taylor and Zac appeared in Dallas, TX to screen their documentary at the AFI Film Festival. Afterward, the brothers held a Q&A session along with director Ashley Greyson. Hanson performed in the UK during April 2007, playing songs from The Walk. They also promoted the release of the single "Go" and UK release of the album.
The Walk, Hanson's fourth album with 3CG Records (thirteenth overall), was released in the U.S., Mexico and Canada on July 24. It was released in Japan on February 21 and in the UK on April 30.[17]
On May 6, 2007, the 10th anniversary of Hanson Day, the band re-recorded their first major label album (third overall), Middle of Nowhere, at The Blank Slate bar in their hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The band invited fan club members, causing hundreds to fly to Oklahoma for the acoustic event. Hanson played concerts in the summer of 2007, supporting release of The Walk. The band appeared in Providence, Boston, New York City, Toronto, and Los Angeles.
The record Middle of Nowhere Acoustic was released at the end of that year, exclusively on Hanson.net. Including all but 3 songs of those originally in Middle of Nowhere (Speechless, Thinking of You and With You in Your Dreams) and featuring the song Yearbook, never performed live before.
2009-present: New Music/Tour
It was confirmed in June 2009 that the upcoming Hanson album is completed, and that they hope to release it in May 2010. The band also announced that they will be co-headlining a tour with Hellogoodbye. The tour will start in Hanson's hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, on September 30, 2009 and will finish on November 11, in Anaheim, California. Other acts along for the tour are Steel Train and Sherwood.[4]
Hanson also released a five-song EP titled "Stand Up, Stand Up" that is available at shows and on the band's official website. The tracks are acoustic versions of four new Hanson songs, plus the album version of "World's on Fire" from the upcoming album.[5] It was released worldwide on iTunes on December 8, 2009
Meanwhile, in early 2009 Taylor Hanson launched a separate project including members of Smashing Pumpkins and Cheap Trick: Tinted Windows, a power pop quartet whose debut album quickly earned critical praise and repeat airplay on leading syndicated FM radio programs.
In December 2009, Hanson announced five consecutive concerts at New York's Gramercy Theater, each concert featuring one of the band's four previous albums in their entirety, and the premier of their upcoming Spring 2010 release. Dubbed 'Five of Five,' the engagement begins with a performance of Hanson's debut, 'Middle of Nowhere,' on Apr. 26, and then moves onto 2000's 'This Time Around' on Apr. 27. 2004's 'Underneath' follows on Apr. 28 with 2007's 'The Walk' on Apr. 29. The final night is when the band unveils its new as-yet-untitled studio album. Taylor Hanson says an official announcement on the specific release date for that will follow in late January, but he confirms it will be sometime in May. "There's lots of secrets over here," he chuckles. [18]
Charitable Acts
Hanson toured South America Mexico, Brazil and Argentina where a lot of Chilean fans traveled to Buenos Aires and Europe and performed their first full electric shows in Australia during the 2005 "Live and Electric" tour. In July 2006, the band recorded with a school choir in Soweto, South Africa to create "Great Divide", which was released in the UK and U.S through iTunes in December 2006. All proceeds from the song were directed towards research and prevention of AIDS in Africa.[19]
On September 10, 2007, Hanson began "The Walk Tour" in Nashville. During the tour, Hanson continued their work against poverty and AIDS in Africa, partnering with American company, TOMS Shoes. As part of TOMS' "Shoe Drop", for every pair of shoes sold, the company donated another pair for a child in Africa.[20] Hanson brought awareness to this campaign by asking fans to join them in a 1-mile barefoot walk before each concert, to represent what a typical African child goes through on a daily basis.
The Walk tour was suspended after Isaac underwent lifesaving surgery for a pulmonary embolism.[21] Doctors treated his condition by relieving blood flow restrictions caused by excess chest muscle and scar tissue from the repetitive motions of guitar playing[22] The tour resumed with Midwest and East Coast dates March through May, 2008.[6]. The brothers wrapped up the second leg of "The Walk Tour" after playing 20 concerts in four weeks.
Hanson embarked on the "Walk Around the World Tour" starting on September 7, 2008 in Portland, Oregon and ending November 16, 2008 in San Diego, California. Once again Hanson continued to help fight poverty in Africa by continuing their 1-mile walks before the shows. A coffee table book titled "Take the Walk" was released in late 2008 to coincide with their "Walk Around the World Tour". This book presents the band's story behind their inspiration for their fight on poverty in Africa. The book also features a special EP with new tracks recorded especially for the project. Both the music and the book will raise further funds for aid groups in Africa.
Hanson also joined the 9th annual Independent Music Awards judging panel to assist independent musicians' careers.[23] [24] [25]
Discography
Filmography
Popular culture
- On the December 13, 1997 episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by Helen Hunt, Hanson appeared in a sketch in which Hunt and Will Ferrell hijack an elevator at gunpoint and force them to listen to "MMMBop" as they slowly go insane. They played "MMMBop" earlier that night.
- The band was parodied in an episode of Celebrity Deathmatch, fighting against the Spice Girls. Both Hanson and the Spice Girls were killed by Marilyn Manson, after Manson cut down a lighting rig with a chainsaw, crushing everyone in the ring.
- They were parodied on Celebrity Deathmatch a second time when the band, who had mysteriously revived, attempted to kill Marilyn Manson in the same manner that he had killed them. However, Isaac and Taylor chose Zac to handle the chainsaw, which was too powerful for him, and he ended up hacking himself and his brothers to death.
- On the March 28, 1998 episode of MADtv, Downtown Julie Brown (played by Debra Wilson) interviews Hanson in the year 2015, which portrays the trio still looking and acting like teenagers: Isaac still has braces, Taylor still has long hair (albeit, he's balding), and Zac is still hyperactive and is also morbidly obese. After the interview, the band debuts their "comeback" video for their new song, "Ling Ling", which is dubbed by a female voice and is an obvious parody of "MMMBop".
- Hanson is mentioned in the 1999 New Radicals hit "You Get What You Give" in the controversial closing lines: "Fashion shoots with Beck and Hanson / Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson / You're all fakes, run to your mansions / Come around, we'll kick your ass in". Recently, Gregg Alexander of New Radicals has been collaborating with Hanson.
- Hanson have been recurring characters in the comic strip Superosity by Chris Crosby since their first appearance on May 4, 1999. In the comic they are portrayed as nigh-omnipotent beings who are sometimes mistaken for demons. Taylor Hanson explained this to a main character when he discovered their secret: "We're not hellspawn, Bobby. If there were a Satan, and there most definitely is, we would be his most-hated enemies. Which we are!" Isaac Hanson continued: "All Hanson brothers are granted magical, almost omnipotent powers at birth. Sort of like David Blaine: Magic Man. Or God." Other memorable appearances: auditioning for Star Wars: Episode II and fixing the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards so that David Alan Grier sweeps every category.
- Hanson is mentioned in the 1998 Korn song "All in the Family": "You look like one of those dancers from the Hanson video, you little faggot ho".
- In an interview made by EW with Michael Cera and Kat Dennings in 2008, the co-stars were asked what band they would "run around all over New York city in order to see", and Kat responded by saying "If Hanson did a revival, Middle of Nowhere album show, I would be there".
- In an episode of Family Guy called Chitty Chitty Death Bang, there is a scene where the Hanson tour bus breaks down in front of the Griffins' home, and Peter mistakes them for the fictional Children of the Corn and shoots them.
- In the Family Guy episode "A Fish out of Water," Glen Quagmire reacts with horror when his friends inform him that, contrary to his longstanding assumption and sexual fantasies, Taylor Hanson is a guy.
- The brothers are also featured in the episode Anthology of Interest I of Futurama, as heads in jars, singing "MMMBop" until a giant Bender falls on them.
- The Cheap Suits released a song entitled "Lead Singer" that pokes fun at the feminine aspect of Taylor Hanson. Lyrics include "I fell in love with the lead singer of Hanson, I'm so happy now that I'm dancing" and also "I have sold all of my records and I'm no longer a fan because I found out that Taylor Hanson was a man."
- A similar incident occurred on the short-lived TGIF show, "Teen Angel." The main character, Marty, says to his friend, "These Hanson Girls are hot, especially the middle one. MMMBop!"
- One of the stories in Jon Stewart's first book, Naked Pictures of Famous People, focuses around fictional Christmas newsletters sent by Diana Hanson to family members. The letters get more and more disturbing as the boys grow older.
- Hanson were featured in an episode of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (Season 6, Episode 9, "A Birthday Witch"). In the plot of this episode, Isaac Hanson had been a previous boyfriend of Roxie, a character on the show. The band performs their song, "Hey", at the end of the show.
- On January 24, 2007, Hanson appeared on Deal or No Deal, as a surprise appearance while contestant Jackie Monroe, a fan, was playing.[26]
- In the first season of Gilmore Girls, Taylor Hanson is mentioned while Lorelai Gilmore is trying to explain to her daughter Rory Gilmore not to be afraid to love someone. She uses Taylor Hanson as an example and describes how they met at a concert. Rory responds with disdain, questioning if Hanson is still a band. Lorelai responds, calling them the "new BeeGees."
- In October 2007 Hanson appeared on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to surprise a fan whose house was being rebuilt, and sang the family a couple of songs.
- In an episode of American Idol 6, Jordin Sparks said that MMMBop by Hanson is the song that "always puts a smile on her face."
- A vampire is wearing a Hanson tee-shirt in the season 6 episode "Bargaining Part 1" of the cult television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
- In the Jonas Brothers' hit song called "That's Just the Way We Roll" they mention Hanson saying, "Pop and lock, battle dance against Hanson."
- In an episode of Malcolm In The Middle entitled Old Mrs. Old, Hanson's 'Smile' is playing when Malcolm and his friends are on a joyride.
- In an episode of House, M.D. (Season 5, Episode 4) House's phone rings and the ring tone is "Mmmbop." He reveals that this is the ring tone he uses for his diagnostics team. The ring tone plays again in several future episodes when House's team is looking for him.
- Hanson is mentioned countless times in K. A. Applegate's book series Animorphs.
- Hanson appeared as the guests in the episode "Girl hair" of the TV series: Space Ghost Coast to Coast
- "Weird Al" Yankovic included MMMBop in his polka medley Polka Power! on the album Running With Scissors.
- In an episode of Lizzie McGuire (Season 2, Episode 21) entitled Lizzie's Eleven, Lizzie, playing the DJ at a Monte Carlo night, played MMMBop and asked the crowd if they remembered the song.
- In an episode of season 2 on NBC's Chuck, the song is heard playing in the gym where Chuck and Sarah are attending her high school reunion. Casey, who is undercover as the DJ, starts dancing and clapping to the song.
- A 2009 episode of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson opened with Ferguson and others wearing blond wigs and lip-syncing to Hanson's "MMMBop."[27]
- In ABC's Ugly Betty season 4 episode 10 Betty is revealed having had a passion for "the Hansons" when she was 12, writing in her diary that if she didn't marry a Hanson brother she was going to die.
References
External links
