By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Famous for 1997’s international megahit “MMMbop” the American trio Hanson grew over the last sixteen years from pop teen sensations into mature and independent rock’n’rollers. On Saturday, July 20th, the band of three brothers will bring their soul infused, solidly rock sounds to Barra da Tijuca’s Citibank Hall.
The brothers, Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson will play Brazil first in Rio as part of an ongoing tour in support of their most recent studio album release, entitled, ANTHEM. Then they go to São Paulo‘s Credicard Hall on Sunday, July 21st.
“The sound of this record touches on most of our musical influences,” oldest brother and guitarist and bassist, Isaac Hanson said. “[It’s] a bit of soul, a bit of song craftsmanship and some good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll … this time it just has a little more fight in it.”
Released recently on June 18th, ANTHEM comes after the trio marked twenty years of playing together in 2012. “When we first started, we were three kids harmonizing, we didn’t play instruments,” middle brother and main vocalist, Taylor Hanson told Parade.
Hanson began in 1992 when the three home-schooled brothers, realizing their love of Sixties rock’n’roll and Motown style harmonies, began to sing acapella together in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gradually all three began to learn instruments with each starting as pianists, eventually Issac moved more to the guitar, Zac took to the drums and Taylor has remained mostly at the keys.
“That was 21 years ago,” Taylor explained. “So we’ve changed a lot. We’ve been able to share music with fans all over the world, we’ve toured for years, and we’ve made many albums, but I think the thing at the center of our band that has really kept us together is just a genuine love of making music,” he added.
No strangers to Brazil, Hanson opened the Latin American leg of their Musical Ride Tour in São Paulo and also played in Porto Alegre during their 2011 Shout It Out World Tour in support of their highly acclaimed studio album of the same name.
When asked what she liked about Hanson and why she has been a “fanson” (fan of Hanson) since “MMMBop”, the creator of Portal Hanson Brasil, a Brazilian Hanson fan blog, told The Rio Times; “The passion they have for music, no matter the problems they face (end of contract with the label, almost the end of the band, voice problems..) they always come back with a vengeance and can produce incredible albums that seem to be made exclusively for me!”
The trio rocketed to success in 1997 when they released major label debut album entitled, Middle of Nowhere which included the single “MMMBop”. The album and single earned them their first three Grammy Award nominations.
Over the years more nominations would follow as would five additional major studio albums and over sixteen million album sales. The trio has also earned six top forty singles in the U.S.
The band changed labels in 1998, transferring to Island Def Jam records from Mercury Records, after a merger. However, due to creative differences there, they parted ways and started their own independent label, 3CG Records, in October 2003.
When asked what the upcoming show might be like given her previous experiences, Portal Hanson Brasil’s creator said, “Noisy!” She explained: “People are used to shows with high distortion of the guitars and guttural vocals … but Hanson is just LOUD! Brazilian fans also take part in the show singing every song louder than the amps.”
She concluded, “The happiness and energy [Hanson] has on stage is great! It will certainly be an unforgettable show!”
Who: Hanson
Where: Citibank Hall
Av. Ayrton Senna, 3000 – Barra da Tijuca
When: Saturday July, 20th, 8PM
Price: from R$80 to R$370 – tickets available here
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