Hanson
Live Chat on Rolling Stone Online
Wednesday, June 25 @ 8:00 PM ET
Very few bands have taken the world by storm as quickly as Hanson. What's even more amazing than the brothers' ages -- Isaac, 16, Taylor, 13, and Zac, 11 -- is that critics are practically fawning over their major label debut, "Middle of Nowhere."
In just over a month since its release, the first single, "MMMBop," has catapulted the album to near gold-record status. Since 1992, the brothers have recorded two self-distributed CDs, written more than 100 songs and performed hundreds of times.
With influences ranging from Chuck Berry and Bobby Darin to the Beach Boys and Otis Redding, Hanson's mix of jubilant pop, modern rock, '70s soul and gospel makes the band's precocious sound one for the ages.
So come hear about their overnight success, sibling rivalries and whether they're poised to make Hanson a career or take the money and run. These questions answered and more when the band chats with fans on Rolling Stone Online on Wednesday, June 25, 8:00 PM (ET).
Isaac: Hello! Peace and love!
Isaac: I would prefer to stay in the music business all my life. I love music. Music is a part of me.
What will your next single be and when will it be released?
Isaac: The next single is "Where's the Love." We shot the video in London and I am not sure when the exact release date is. It's July or August.
My friends and I are an up and coming female group much like you. How did you get started and heard? We have been giving out demos to all recording studios.
Isaac: We got started six years ago and really any band knows that you just take any opportunity you can get. You do whatever you can do. We used to sing at a restaurant we went to. It's kind of corny but funny. However, I don't necessarily recommend doing that. I would take any opportunity to get out there because exposure is what you wanna get. And then I recommend doing demos.
Hi! I was wondering if you sign autographs through the mail?
Isaac: We really don't. No. What made you use "MMMBop?" Why not "SSSBop?"
Isaac: "MMMBop" was originally written as a background part for a song. So it was really just kind of a coincidence. We liked the way the chorus sounded. A year later we finished the song. I don't know why we call it "MMMBop." It just worked. Did you ever think that you and your album would be as big as it is?
Isaac: Never. You never can expect this sort of thing. You just hope and pray for Top 40. So having the record doing Top 10 and the single hitting number one is an incredible experience and we're completely grateful to everyone that's gone out and bought the record. Thanks everyone!
Do you have exact tour dates set yet?
Isaac: No, we do not. The tour will be late fall around October, November or December. Not sure yet.
What are y'all doing in terms of school and junk while you're touring and what do you look for in girls?
Isaac: When I find out, I'll tell you. And if I limit myself to something I would prove myself wrong.
Have you guys gotten any movie or book offers yet?
Isaac: Yes. We have gotten offers. But really we're focused on the music. Who knows what we may do in the future, but right now we just look forward to playing for all you guys and continuing to make music. We'd also like to produce or co-produce our next record.
I'm 19 and would like to know how success at such a young age has affected you guys.
Isaac: In a lot of ways, success is very superficial because it can go as fast as it can come and you have to realize that. And if you don't realize that, you'll lose grip with reality. At the same time that it is an extremely cool and fun, it is a lot of work and we love the opportunity to be out there and that everyone is responding as well as they are. Thanks for giving us the success that we've had so far.
Taylor: Who knows what it will be like on the next album. We'll always be striving for the next best thing. You can't predict the future.
Do you have a lucky charm or anything when you go to perform?
Taylor: No, not really.
I know you guys have younger sibs, do they at all feel any jealousy of you three, since you are so in the spotlight now?
Taylor: Not at all. Not a single hint of jealousy.
You guys are great!! I love all your songs!!! Who is Lucy and Madeline? Anyone special? Your song "I Will Come to You" really helped me and my girlfriend out!! Thanks!! When are you touring?
Taylor: Unfortunately, they're just names. I'm glad you love the music and we'll probably tour late this year.
What's it like being young in a grown up industry?
Taylor: It's pretty wild, but we love it.
Why did the SNL guy tease you at the MTV Movie Awards about lack of schooling? Are you not in school?
Taylor: I do not know why he would. We go to school at home.
If we write you email will you respond or is a standard letter sent to everyone?
Taylor: We love to respond to as many as we can. But look at it now, there's 13,000 online.
What's it like going to school at home?
Taylor: What's it like not doing school at home?
Does it scare you that so many people know everything about you now?
Taylor: You'd be surprised what you don't know, but it's pretty wild.
Do you ever get jealous of one another?
Taylor: No. It's not like that at all.
What is the meaning behind your song "Yearbook"?
Taylor: It's for you to make up yourself. You decide.
What type of music do you like? Any favorite artists or bands?
Taylor: Spin Doctors, Natalie Merchant, No Doubt, Blues Traveler, all the old stuff --- Otis Redding, Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin... all the original rock & roll...
How do you feel about being compared to the Partridge Family?
Taylor: I'm stumped there. It's cool to be compared to anybody that was successful. That's the truth.
Is there any way I can get a copy of the music you recorded and distributed yourselves?
Taylor: It's pretty much out of the loop. We might release it much later on.
How does it feel to be looked at as a teen idol by so many young women?
Taylor: I really don't know. It's amazing. It's really amazing. It's an awesome opportunity for us.
Do you think becoming the hottest band has changed you?
Taylor: I didn't know we were the hottest band. No, it shouldn't change you and it doesn't.
Zac: I don't use my middle name and it just sounded cool. We just liked that name more.
How many other brothers or sisters do you have?
Zac: There's Hanson and we have two younger sisters and a younger brother.
I love Hanson! Especially Zac. My name is Natalia and I'm from New York City and I am 11 years old. How tall are you Hanson?
Zac: I'm like 5'1" -- that's not exact.
Is it true your father works for an oil company?
Zac: Yes, that is true.
What is your next project?
Zac: Right now we are working on promoting this album and our next project will most likely be the tour.
Zac: They've always been behind us and still are.
Are you a laid back group or are you always busy and never get to do your own thing?
Zac: We definitely have free time. We are kids that do stuff. There's a local place called "Laser Quest." We go there a lot.
How did you get started in music?
Zac: We started six years ago at a local festival ... at that point we were singing acapella. We got started because we love singing and we love music.
Have y'all had any people ask if they could come into your group?
Zac: Not really ... when we were younger, with our best friends we'd always say 'do you wanna be in a group?' But in the end it was just us ... in other words, we haven't.
What is it like to change the channel and see your face?
Zac: It's really cool. It's awesome to look and go, "That's me." It's a great feeling.
What is the best part in being in a popular group?
Zac: I don't know. You're the same person. The best part is getting the experience and getting to go to the different places. We've already gotten the chance to go to Europe and Japan. We've gotten a great opportunity.
Do you ever get in fights with each other (since you are brothers)?
Zac: No, we really don't. We get along very well. We're basically best friends.
How long did it take to get started? How did you show your parents you were serious about it?
Zac: We started at the age -- I was six -- when we started that young and wanted to sing, it was obvious we serious ... they encouraged us with getting bookings and things like that.
Have you guys experienced fans who have gone to unreal limits in order to be around you guys? How do you all deal with that sort of thing?
Zac: No, we haven't experienced that ... but having fans wait hours and hours to see you, that is pretty awesome to think people would wanna see you that much. Then again, what is unreal limits?
Do you get mobbed wherever you go?
Zac: No, not really. Today in New York, we were doing a photo shoot and there was a crowd following us... that was pretty cool.
Being in a band on the road at your age must be the coolest. What is the best place you have visited so far?
Zac: Our best place... I've enjoyed all the places. Italy has great food. In France, seeing the Eiffel Tower. In Germany, the Dom Cathedral.
We have time for one more question: When is your next video coming out?
Zac: I'm not exactly sure. Right now we're in the process of editing "Where's the Love." Hopefully, it will come out very soon.
Zac, any closing comments for your fans?
Zac: We love you people and thanks for talking to us. It's great to know someone's out there.