Hanson Is Cool. . . Seriously
Published on June 8th, 2010 in: Current Faves, Music, Over the Gadfly's Nest |
Photo © Peter Vernon
from http://www.sexpistolsofficial.com/
Underneath came out on 3CG in the spring of 2004 and shot to #1 on the Billboard Top Independent Chart in its first week. The album charted at #25 on the Billboard Top 200 and #49 on the UK Top 75. The band has since revealed that the costs of legal struggles and recording the album over such a drawn out period of time prevented them from being able to profit from this record, but it was more than an impressive start to getting their music out there for their fans to hear—it stands as an encouraging model for ignored and independent artists everywhere.
As of this date, Underneath has sold over 139,000 copies. The big, important industry suits who told Hanson that the band and their sound were old news were completely wrong. Isaac, Taylor, and Zac took it upon themselves to let their fans decide, and the resulting sales numbers became their own “Fuck You” to the record execs. So you may sneer at the notion that Hanson and the Sex Pistols have anything in common, but if you look at the facts, the Hanson brothers really are modern day punks. Never mind the bollocks, Hanson is sticking it to the corporate music industry as we know it and taking control of their shit!
In fact, back when they were struggling with the early stages of Underneath back in 2000, they decided to capture every step of the process on camera. What began as a filmed account of the making of their next album became an unfettered, uncensored, detailed chronicle of their battles with and eventual departure from a major label.
The resulting documentary, Strong Enough To Break, was first released in installments on YouTube and later as a full-length DVD, with the gnarly behind-the-scenes drama of the internal strife (and ignorance) within the industry out there for all to see.
The band is unabashed in its honest portrayal of the goings-on, including conference calls with a stuttering Jeff Fenster (their IDJ A&R rep) that become so frustrating the guys are shown giving the middle finger to the phone. Label big wigs are shown continually expressing their dissatisfaction with the new songs Hanson have written and brought to them with confidence, but act confused and become embarrassingly inarticulate when asked to explain why the songs don’t cut it.
“We just had to do something, because the current system is broken,” Zac explains in Strong Enough To Break, admitting something that seems obvious now, but what was then only a growing suspicion among frustrated musicians who suddenly found themselves lacking label guidance and support. Due to Hanson’s foresight and some serendipity, they were able to capture the exact point in time when the flourishing music industry of the ’90s was beginning to self-destruct.
In between more touring in support of a live album they released on 3CG in 2005, Hanson toured the college circuit, showcasing the film and holding question and answer sessions on the music industry and their personal experiences in the business thus far. They went straight to the people and educated them on what’s wrong with the industry today, the importance of the independent artist and their role in the music industry, and how fans can keep the music alive with their support. (To hear their eloquence on the subject, watch one of the Q&As here.)
Hanson may be mistaken for manufactured, sticky-sweet musical puppets of the system, but they are real and open and honest about the bullshit of the industry that gave them fame and fortune in the first place and then took it away. And if you’re willing to take them seriously for a second, they might actually teach you a thing or two.
14 Responses to “Hanson Is Cool. . . Seriously”
June 8th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Very extensive and an interesting read.
June 8th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Awh I really liked reading this. I feel just like you, being a Hanson fan is something special, Hanson are special, but they are hardly the best musicians out there (as a lot of fans believe!) – they are however the most giving musicians I know and certainly among the most passionate about their music.
I have to admit parts of this almost gave me goosebumps. Having followed Hanson from the start reading their career all chronicled like this is kinda like reading about part of my life for want of a better way to put it!
Anyway great article!
June 8th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Very impressive and extensive article. As a fan of 15 years, I full appreciate your commentary and honesty about the band and their music.
Fantastic! 😀
June 8th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
I don’t usually leave comments, but this was a great read, especially after some other article that mentions nothing about the new album.
Found this article quite humorous & informative for non Hanson fans to get up to speed with what the band’s been up to since 1997. Well done!
June 9th, 2010 at 2:07 am
this article was amazing. thank you for writing this, it made my whole day =]
June 9th, 2010 at 3:27 am
I’m a fan and a psychologist. You could be a Hanson fan whatever profession you have.
I read the 5 pages and I enjoyed your article so much I will recommend it to my close friends -who are not fansons. I’m not from the United States, so the band hasn’t been mentioned here many times.
June 9th, 2010 at 8:43 am
Thanks for writing a very fair and honest perspective from a fan. I agree with Nikki up there that having followed this band since 87 has been like reading about a part of my life. My son was born in 87, his name is Taylor and I have taken him and my older son to Hanson concerts to introduce them to music since they were little and now they are older, playing guitar, listening to Hanson and The Beatles and other bands like Weezer and Red Hot Chili Peppers etc. and I feel like Hanson was a great start for them.
The Hanson guys ARE special. And it’s true that if you don’t “get it” you won’t get the music. I think it takes a special sort of mind/heart connection to get it entirely. It’s like these boys are my long lost sons or something…. the family I had in another life. They write of things that matter to me, sing like soulful angels and have a great fun/funny but yet endearingly sweet nature. And that is COOL. Very happy for them that things are going so well for them and I hope it continues, as I will be watching and listening and cheering them on!
June 9th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
What an incredible, in-depth analysis! I never knew Hanson was so interesting and respectable! Top notch work.
June 9th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Ashley, thank you for reposting links to this article all over Facebook!
It is much appreciated.
Thanks everyone for your positive comments on this article.
LLM
June 22nd, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Incredible writing and fascinating story.
October 19th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Would it have killed you to post a more recent pic? It’s not like they’ve been in hiding for 13 years. THere are thousands of post-bop pics to choose from, and plenty from each album. Dig a little deeper, won’t you?
October 19th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Hi Jessie, thanks for commenting.
If you click through the rest of the article, you’ll see that there are several more recent photos of Hanson, not just the one of them on the first page.
Happy reading!
LLM
October 20th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Hey Jessie, dig a little deeper, won’t you?
January 8th, 2013 at 7:08 am
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