I’m not going to make fun of Hanson. It would be a cheap and dastardly thing to do—to take pot-shots at a group of musicians who might deserve to be treated as mature artists just because they were prepubescent blondes when they made their first hit record. Besides, that was eight years ago. The boys have grown up. And for all you know, they’re one of the most talented bands on tour right now. Look out, Keith and Mick!

I asked Taylor Hanson, the middle brother and lead vocalist/keyboardist for the group, how difficult it’s been to get out from underneath the umbrella of “Mmmbop,” the Hanson single that conquered the charts in 1997.

“In a way, you would know that better than I would,” he replied, pointing out that I am a music critic and it’s the first thing I brought up in the interview. (Touché.)

Furthermore, Taylor added, he and his brothers are proud of, not embarrassed by, their early success.
“The truth is, we wrote a number-one song around the world that was Grammy nominated, and it was critically acclaimed, at the age of 11 (drummer Zachary), 14 (Taylor), and 16 (guitarist Isaac). So, that first record, in our minds, is something we’re very proud of,” he said.

And why shouldn’t they be? Most musicians go their whole careers coveting that kind of recognition, at least privately, and never come close. The natural reaction is to write off a band like Hanson as mainstream fluff.

“One thing we’ve never done is run from our past,” Taylor said. “It is always a struggle to keep from being put in a box,” he added, noting that the band is well aware of their public perception as child pop stars.

But while they do not want to run away from the past, they do want to embrace the future, a binary well documented in their latest release, “The Best of Hanson Live and Electric.” The CD, which was recorded at the Palais Theater in St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia, begins with a cover of Radiohead’s “Optimistic.” The group also performs U2’s “In a Little While,” as well as past hits like “Mmmbop” and some brand new material.

“When you listen to the live record, you hear the diversity and the combination of elements,” Taylor said. “We’re always going to be rooted in classic rock and roll music. It’s kind of our soul. But I think we just see ourselves not closing the boundaries.”

The release of the live album has been accompanied by a documentary of the band’s battle with its previous major record label. Hanson is now happy to report that they have gone indie. 

“The record company was one that we had inherited through a record company merger, so the story of the film takes you through the struggle we had with that corporate system, but ultimately the starting of our record company,” Taylor said.

The group has been showing their film, “Strong Enough to Break,” directed by Ashley Grayson, at several colleges during their current tour of the nation. They have also taken the time to speak with students and conduct question and answer sessions about the film.

“It’s just been a really dynamic time for our message, which is the importance of support for independent music,” he said.

Taylor spoke passionately about maintaining an intimate relationship with fans and working together with audiences to shape the music industry.

“We’re excited about it, because out of the destruction of the business and all the things that have gotten screwed up, I think there’s a lot of growth happening,” he said.

Taylor said Hanson is aiming to release their fourth studio album, hopefully by next summer. He believes the band members, who are now 20, 22 and 24 years old, have evolved significantly in their approach to songwriting and recording. He feels they have developed a distinct, recognizable sound and said they will work to strip the music down even further to its root elements.

Asked if the brothers have considered branching off and doing solo work, Taylor said that idea has not yet entered the picture.

“I think Hanson is going to be the center of what we do for a long time, and hopefully we’ll always come back to it,” he said. “One thing we’ve never done is all share exactly the same perspective on music. And part of what makes the band what it is, is that we all have a very different kind of approach and different tastes.”

Taylor, at the age of 22, is now married with two kids of his own. He said being a father has only fueled his musical drive.

“Having kids has just made my resolve that much clearer with what we do,” he said. “I’m inspired by being a dad and the importance of it,” he added, noting his wife and kids often join him on the road.
 
In their 13 total years as a band, Hanson has in fact garnered a great deal of respect from a wide array of sources. They have worked with artists such as Jonny Lang, John Popper, Matthew Sweet and Carol King, to name a few. The live record is still a bit on the poppy side, with familiar, peppy harmonization often emerging. But Taylor has developed bluesy, guttural vocal capabilities, and some of the tracks have genuine attitude.

In conclusion, the Hanson brothers have already released eight CD’s, toured the nation repeatedly, started their own record label, and made a documentary film. What the hell have you done? 


Hanson, with Averi
Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
Saturday, Nov. 5, all ages
Tickets are $24 in advance and $26 at the door
603-929-4100