Most people when they hear Hanson think “Mmm-bop” but there is more to this band than just the number one single released when they where 10 years old. This band has developed into a serious rock band that has been flushed away by pop culture. Band member Zac Hanson said, “It doesn’t bother me that people associate this band with ‘Mmm-Bop,’ but I want people to associate this band with other things. You always want to move people forward.”
One of the hopes is that The Walk, Hanson’s latest album joins the ranks of the things that are associated with the band. “With this album in particular, we made a really conscience effort to make sure that none of the messages of the songs would get lost,” said Zac Hanson. “I think this record is about hope. It’s about the struggles you have as an individual.”
Hanson is gearing up for a concert at the House of Blues on September 29 and 30. This concert is part of The Walk tour, which is centered on an increase of poverty and AIDS awareness in Africa. Hanson had friends who were giving away technology to a hospital in South Africa. “It cost them a couple of million dollars to do it and they were just giving it away, hadn’t made any money with it, hadn’t done anything else with it,” stated Zac Hanson.
Zac Hanson attributes the band not going off the deep end into the downward spiral of Hollywood to one thing. “One big element is that we’re not guys from Hollywood. We’re guys from Tulsa, Oklahoma.”
Hanson’s latest album The Walk is available now and the band will be in Chicago at the House of Blues September 29 and 30. Ticket, band, and album information can be found at www.hanson.net