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| By Sandy Lo Editor-In-Chief May 2008 |
“It’s a start,” says Zac, who admits there are even bigger things he feels the band
could be doing to help out the less fortunate. He encourages people to purchase
their single, “The Great Divide” on itunes. Proceeds go straight to help people with
AIDS in Africa. “A 99 cent download seems like nothing at all,” He explains, “but
when you realize that the ARV drugs that someone who is positive with AIDS needs
to take only costs 17 cents a day, so 99 cents is like a week.”
could be doing to help out the less fortunate. He encourages people to purchase
their single, “The Great Divide” on itunes. Proceeds go straight to help people with
AIDS in Africa. “A 99 cent download seems like nothing at all,” He explains, “but
when you realize that the ARV drugs that someone who is positive with AIDS needs
to take only costs 17 cents a day, so 99 cents is like a week.”
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| MySpace |
Hanson is a band that is looked at in many different ways. There are the diehard fans who travel
around the country or even go overseas to see the brothers perform. Then there are those who
publicly make fun of the band and their first hit, “MmmBop” only to secretly enjoy every bit of
Hanson’s music. And finally the band is despised by some. Why? Simply because people don’t
know any better. Many uneducated listeners heard “MmmBop” and all the “boy band” hype
ultimately making them disregard Hanson as a manufactured fad who don’t know what real music
is. A word of advice to the third category: buy a Hanson album.
Now on their own label, 3CG Records, Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson are still making music
together. Although Hanson may not be the “it” thing anymore, they don’t mind as long as they’re
making music they love.
around the country or even go overseas to see the brothers perform. Then there are those who
publicly make fun of the band and their first hit, “MmmBop” only to secretly enjoy every bit of
Hanson’s music. And finally the band is despised by some. Why? Simply because people don’t
know any better. Many uneducated listeners heard “MmmBop” and all the “boy band” hype
ultimately making them disregard Hanson as a manufactured fad who don’t know what real music
is. A word of advice to the third category: buy a Hanson album.
Now on their own label, 3CG Records, Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson are still making music
together. Although Hanson may not be the “it” thing anymore, they don’t mind as long as they’re
making music they love.
StarShine caught up with Zac Hanson backstage on The Walk tour in Sayreville, New Jersey. The tour is supporting the
band’s latest album of the same name. The album was recorded in Africa and inspired the band to take barefoot one-
mile walks before every show. The walks are in conjunction with Toms Shoes who donates a pair of shoes to a child in
Africa with every pair they sell.
band’s latest album of the same name. The album was recorded in Africa and inspired the band to take barefoot one-
mile walks before every show. The walks are in conjunction with Toms Shoes who donates a pair of shoes to a child in
Africa with every pair they sell.
At the age of twenty-two, Zac is poised, but that wasn’t really surprising. All of the Hanson boys have been ahead of
their time since they started writing songs in elementary school. Now Hanson are all married with children, except for
Zac, who has one on the way. He already considers himself a father though. When asked which life was crazier
between being a rock star and a family man, guess which one he chose? Family man.
“It’s a difficult balance. We married the women we married for a reason. They understand and love what we do and
know how much time it takes.” Zac explains. “You just do your best to find the balance between making sure you’re able
to take care of the people that aren’t able to make themselves a priority everyday. They’re not going to call you up and
say okay I’ll meet you for playtime at four o’clock.” He laughs.
their time since they started writing songs in elementary school. Now Hanson are all married with children, except for
Zac, who has one on the way. He already considers himself a father though. When asked which life was crazier
between being a rock star and a family man, guess which one he chose? Family man.
“It’s a difficult balance. We married the women we married for a reason. They understand and love what we do and
know how much time it takes.” Zac explains. “You just do your best to find the balance between making sure you’re able
to take care of the people that aren’t able to make themselves a priority everyday. They’re not going to call you up and
say okay I’ll meet you for playtime at four o’clock.” He laughs.
After the interview, StarShine joined the band on the walk. Shoes were optional and
of course all three brothers grinned and bared it, literally. Fans happily walked
alongside their favorite band, snapping pictures and asking questions the entire time.
Soon it was show time, and by this point, everyone was pumped up. Hanson is
reminiscent of an indie rock version of the Beatles rather than a bubblegum boy band
who’s trying to make a comeback. Hanson never left. “We’re an interesting band in
the pop genre.” Zac says with a smile. “We consider ourselves a pop/rock band.
More and more we consider ourselves a rock & roll band. We grew up listening to
late ‘50s, early ‘60s R&B and pop. I think it‘s much easier to understand who we are
now than it was back then.” By “then” Zac is referring to 1997 when Hanson mania
broke out.
of course all three brothers grinned and bared it, literally. Fans happily walked
alongside their favorite band, snapping pictures and asking questions the entire time.
Soon it was show time, and by this point, everyone was pumped up. Hanson is
reminiscent of an indie rock version of the Beatles rather than a bubblegum boy band
who’s trying to make a comeback. Hanson never left. “We’re an interesting band in
the pop genre.” Zac says with a smile. “We consider ourselves a pop/rock band.
More and more we consider ourselves a rock & roll band. We grew up listening to
late ‘50s, early ‘60s R&B and pop. I think it‘s much easier to understand who we are
now than it was back then.” By “then” Zac is referring to 1997 when Hanson mania
broke out.
Hanson took the stage that night at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville and the crowd was wild. They knew every word,
every opening beat. Not only did Hanson croon, but they jammed. Playing hits like “If Only” and “Where’s The Love”
were a highlight of the show, but hearing The Walk album live was even more amazing. If you closed your eyes, you
might think you were at a Maroon 5 or Jack Johnson show. StarShine means that as a good thing. We would never
take away from Hanson’s own sound, which is definitely there. Hanson will be one of those bands who will be around
for years to come and will be remembered for being one thing: music artists.
every opening beat. Not only did Hanson croon, but they jammed. Playing hits like “If Only” and “Where’s The Love”
were a highlight of the show, but hearing The Walk album live was even more amazing. If you closed your eyes, you
might think you were at a Maroon 5 or Jack Johnson show. StarShine means that as a good thing. We would never
take away from Hanson’s own sound, which is definitely there. Hanson will be one of those bands who will be around
for years to come and will be remembered for being one thing: music artists.
Fan Dedication Song: "Rock & Roll Razorblade"
Zac Hanson: “It’s all about when you get cut by the rock & roll razorblade. It’s
like a battle scar you take with you for the rest of your life. You can’t get away
from it. It’s just about a guy who’s out of place in the world he’s living in, but he
can’t stop playing music. He goes out to LA and forms a band and he’s just
going for it because he can’t get away from the fact that he’s got to play music.”
Zac Hanson: “It’s all about when you get cut by the rock & roll razorblade. It’s
like a battle scar you take with you for the rest of your life. You can’t get away
from it. It’s just about a guy who’s out of place in the world he’s living in, but he
can’t stop playing music. He goes out to LA and forms a band and he’s just
going for it because he can’t get away from the fact that he’s got to play music.”
| Zac Hanson |
| Isaac Hanson |
| Taylor Hanson |
| Hanson |
Photos By: Sara Kinney/Sandy Lo
This Photo Courtesy of
hanson.net
hanson.net
