42 Fun Facts About Hanson

Hanson's 2010 video for 'Thinking 'Bout Somethin'' pays homage to which film?

The Blues Brothers: Hanson restage the film's big dance routine, with a crowd of fans and locals joining in.

At the 2013 premiere of which comedy did Hanson give guests a first taste of their own beer?

The Hangover Part III premiere came as Hanson launched the beer to toast 21 years as a band.

What was the title of Hanson's 1997 major-label debut album?

Middle of Nowhere went four times platinum in the US, and in 2007 Hanson re-recorded most of it acoustically in front of fans.

Which label released Hanson's 1997 debut?

Mercury was later merged with its sister labels, so Hanson ended up at a different label before going independent.

Which production duo reworked MMMBop into its upbeat hit version?

The song first appeared at a slower tempo on the band's 1996 independent album of the same name.

MMMBop spent three weeks at number one in 1997; which song replaced it at the top?

I'll Be Missing You, a tribute to the Notorious B.I.G., took over, just as MMMBop had knocked his own 'Hypnotize' off the top.

Who directed the MMMBop music video?

The clip has the brothers in a suburban living room, on a beach, on the Moon and spliced into old Einstein footage.

At which Austin music festival was Hanson discovered by manager Christopher Sabec?

Sabec shopped the boys to record companies, most of which dismissed them before Mercury signed them.

What was the title of Hanson's 1997 Christmas album?

Mercury rushed it out in the wake of their summer breakthrough; a second Christmas record followed 20 years later.

What did MOE, the band's fan club magazine, stand for?

It ran for 12 issues, and the 25th anniversary tour in 2017 borrowed the name.

MMMBop lost Record of the Year at the 1998 Grammys to which song?

Sunny Came Home won, a song Shawn Colvin wrote after deciding to tell the story of the woman with a lit match in her album's cover painting.

What was the name of Hanson's 1998 stadium and arena tour?

Albertane took its name from a fictional city on Mars that the brothers mention in one of their own songs.

Which album kept Hanson's debut from reaching number one on the Billboard 200?

The album still hit number one in the UK, Australia, Germany and Taiwan and went four times platinum in the US.

What was the title of Hanson's second major-label album, released in May 2000?

The label pulled tour funding, so the brothers toured the Americas that year on their own money.

After years of disputes with executives over their new songs, which label did Hanson leave?

Island Def Jam's executives clashed with Hanson over the choice of producer and the need for an upbeat single, doubting the songs would sell.

Which documentary chronicles Hanson's split from their major label?

Strong Enough to Break toured colleges in 2005, with the brothers taking students' questions about the music business after screenings.

What is the name of Hanson's own independent label?

3CG Records was the brothers' own answer in 2003, founded after they left their major label so they could release music themselves.

At which New York venue did Hanson's 2003 acoustic tour end?

Carnegie Hall closed an acoustic tour on which Hanson premiered songs they would soon release on their own label.

Which 2004 Hanson album debuted at number one on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart?

Underneath was the album Hanson spent years fighting their old label to release, before putting it out on their own label.

Before shows on Hanson's fall 2007 tour, what did fans join the band to do?

Walk a mile: the walks raised money and awareness to fight HIV/AIDS and poverty in Africa.

Which shoe company partnered with Hanson on the band's fall 2007 tour?

TOMS gave a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold during the partnership.

At Hanson's 2010 'Five of Five' residency in New York, what did each night feature?

One of their albums in full: four nights revisited past records, and the fifth unveiled the new album Shout It Out.

Which Canadian singer toured Canada with Hanson in early 2012?

Carly Rae Jepsen opened Hanson's Canadian dates just months before Call Me Maybe became her breakthrough and topped the US Hot 100.

What was the name of the beer Hanson launched with Mustang Brewing in 2013?

Mmmhops takes its name from MMMBop, and Hanson first poured it for guests at a Los Angeles film premiere.

On which Food Network competition did Hanson serve as guest judges in 2013?

The winning baker's cupcakes were served at a concert and after-party with the band.

What was the title of Hanson's 2013 album, their eighth to reach the Billboard top 40?

Its lead single 'Get the Girl Back' reached number 39 on Billboard's Adult Pop Songs chart.

Hanson's 2018 album and tour with symphony orchestras was called what?

The orchestral parts were recorded in Prague under arranger David Campbell, and the tour hit the Sydney Opera House.

In which city were the orchestral parts of the 2018 symphonic album recorded?

Academy Award-winning arranger David Campbell led the sessions.

Zac Hanson broke three ribs and his collarbone in a 2019 motorcycle crash while preparing for what?

A cross-country ride: Zac credited good protective gear with getting him through the crash, and kept singing on tour while a friend drummed.

At which famous Alabama studio was the 2021 album Against the World recorded?

FAME Studios hosted the sessions for an album Hanson rolled out one song and video a month, from May to November 2021.

On the 2022 album Red Green Blue, which brother's songs made up the Green section?

Red was Taylor's, Blue was Zac's, and each brother produced his own third with Jim Scott and David Garza.

Which English band released 'MMMBop 2.0' with Hanson in 2023?

Busted re-recorded MMMBop with Hanson for their 20th-anniversary album, and Hanson then joined Busted's 2023 UK arena tour as special guests.

What is the name of Taylor Hanson's power-pop supergroup launched in 2009?

Tinted Windows signed to S-Curve Records, the label founded by Steve Greenberg, the A&R man who had first signed Hanson as teens.

As which costumed character did Hanson compete on The Masked Singer in 2021?

Russian Dolls kept all three brothers onstage, with two of them sometimes squeezed inside the largest doll.

In which Katy Perry music video does Hanson make a cameo?

The same year they performed MMMBop on Dancing with the Stars.

Which metal band's song did Hanson cover as a 2011 April Fools' joke?

Slipknot's 'Wait and Bleed' was the song, and the prank announced a whole album of Slipknot covers.

In which country is Hanson's annual 'Back to the Island' fan event held?

It is a week-long resort event with exclusive shows and merchandise.

What is the name of Hanson's occasional songwriting retreat for musician friends?

Fools' Banquet is, in the band's words, like camp for people who love making music, and its songs fed fan-club-only releases.

Which late-night host's 2010 comedy tour had Hanson as the musical guest in Tulsa?

Conan O'Brien took his act on the road after leaving The Tonight Show, on the Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour.

In which Australian soap opera did Hanson cameo in 2019?

The appearance came the same year as their two-night stand at the Sydney Opera House.

Which band does the youngest Hanson brother, Mac, front?

Joshua and the Holy Rollers joined Hanson's 2019 Wintry Mix tour as a musical guest.

Which Huntington Beach pop band co-headlined a 2009 US tour with Hanson?

Hellogoodbye shared the bill on a tour Hanson used to promote a live EP recorded at a members-only show in Tulsa.