TAYLOR: Well, I have a few body parts I've grown. I have an extra leg [laughs]. Seriously though, I don't think I have changed. The whole reason we got into music was for that reason exactly, to get into music. I think just because you get notoriety or you get some people listening to your music, that shouldn't change the reason you do it or who you are. So we're still just the same people we were when nobody cared about Hanson or the music, and we're still enjoying it, so that's really the key for us.

TEEN BEAT: Since Hanson came out with their first album, Middle of Nowhere, there's been a tremendous growth in pop music. How do you feel about a lot of the acts that are out there? Do you ever sit back and say "Hmmm, we started this ball rolling"?

TAYLOR: I wouldn't say it's our influence, but definitely, since Middle of Nowhere came out, there's been a large change in what's playing on radios these days. I think it is interesting to watch that happen and we've always said music is constantly changing and I think that's cool. I think music should continue to evolve and keep things interesting. What's most important is that people continue to be creative and put out the best music possible so people can hear it. I think that's really the key.

TEEN BEAT: What's your take on groups like the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync, because you guys share a lot of the same audience. What do you think about their sound?

TAYLOR: As far as those guys, they're doing a great job. They're really working hard, and you can't criticize those guys because we know what it's like to be on the road all the time. You know, they're making their music and we make ours. Just being in the music business, even when someone barely even in the same market of music as us, you're still a little bit leveled because you're fighting for someone to buy your records.

TEEN BEAT: What about some other groups that sound similar to Hanson, like Next of Kin and The Moffatts?

TAYLOR: I actually haven't heard them. I don't know.

TEEN BEAT: Do you read articles on the band? Have you ever read a Hanson article that was totally untrue or that included a quote you never said?

TAYLOR: Yes, to both of them. A lot of times when we do read articles and a lot of times when there's something funny, where maybe the person writing it just misheard you or something, and they thought you said "but" when you said "and." It's just little things like that usually. But sometimes people just make things completely up, like I was cussing at the writer or something like that. So, there are definitely some very odd things people have made up.

TEEN BEAT: You guys have gotten offers to do TV and movies. Can you tell us about some of the projects you've turned down?

TAYLOR: Nothing too wacky. We've been offered movies and TV shows, things like that, but as far as we're concerned, we're musicians, not actors. We were once invited to become circus trainers. We were going to train large Guatemalan elephants.

TEEN BEAT: Why did you turn that down?

TAYLOR: I could not stand how small they were.

TEEN BEAT: Taylor, you especially get lots of love letters and marriage proposals. How do you feel about that?

TAYLOR: Well, actually I am getting married. No. I'm just kidding. But people sending love letters and proposals, it really has nothing to do with us personally. From the beginning of rock and roll and bands getting out there, girls walk up and go 'Oh, will you marry me?' You can't really ever take that stuff personally. You can't go, 'Oh, they really love me. Wow, this is great!' It's just about being a figure out there playing music. It really doesn't have anything to do with you. So, you can't get all caught up in it and lose sight of why you're doing it from the beginning. But I definitely think it's cool to get to read letters, and we get some awesome fan letters and fanmail, all kinds of things from fans, so you can't ever forget that. That's definitely a cool thing.

TEEN BEAT: What do you see as the main difference between having friendships with guys and friendships with girls?

TAYLOR: Well I think you'd have to be brain dead to not notice the pretty massive difference. I think of course there's a huge difference just because girls and guys are very different.

TEEN BEAT: Do you find that the romantic tension gets in the way of relationships with girls versus guys? Can you trust one or the other more?

TAYLOR: Well, I don't have a problem getting into relationships with a lot of guys [laughs], so that rules out that side of it. Like, if some girl likes you and says 'Let's just be friends,' that of course, is the fatal kiss of death. A lot of girlfriends I have are just friends, like anybody.

TEEN BEAT: The last time we talked to you, you were about to get your driver's licence. Have you done that? Are you a good driver and how do your brothers feel about having you behind the wheel?

TAYLOR: I got my driver's licence and I have to say a lot of times I drive Ike's car. He was like 'Uuuhh' when I was practicing parallel parking with him. But I guess I can't really say whether I'm a good driver or not. Driving is definitely fun, and it always is when you first start out. I enjoy it and it's very cool to have that freedom when you turn 16.

TEEN BEAT: What kind of car does Ike drive?

TAYLOR: I'd like to tell you, but it's kind of nice for people not to know because people find out what kind of car we drive and then it's like 'Oh, there's the car!'

TEEN BEAT: We've heard that you've gotten an earring. Have you guys gotten any different looks like tatoos or piercings or haircuts?

TAYLOR: We haven't done any freaky weird changing of faces or anything like that. I did get an earring, a cartilage piercing up on top. But everybody's just grown a little bit, voices have dropped a little bit, but besides that, we're the same guys. Hopefully, people won't be too freaked out. Not a whole lot has change in the appearence of Hanson, not in a bad way at least.

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