They’re back, but this time they will be closer than ever. The blonde-haired heartthrobs who make up the band Hanson will stop in Philadelphia for a concert on Oct. 28. Taylor Hanson gave the latest details on the band’s upcoming tour, new album, future recordings and documentary in a recent interview. The band’s Live and Electric tour kicked off on Oct. 18 in Atlanta and wraps up on Nov. 23 in their hometown of Tulsa. “This tour is kind of a transition from ‘Underneath’ and the next album,” said Hanson. He said that fans can expect a different show from the “Underneath” tour two years ago that includes brand new songs, underplayed songs from older records and the classics that the fans know and love. “We try not to be one of those bands who doesn’t like to tour,” he said. This statement is proven by the fact that during the Underneath Tour, Hanson went to each continent twice to play shows. “We have the same level of success around the world,” Hanson said. “By touring we keep fans alive.” The Live and Electric tour will help promote the band’s new album Live and Electric, which is a record of live songs from the Underneath tour. The album includes songs played over two shows in Melbourne, Australia in 2004, such as cult classics like “Mmmbop,” covers of Radiohead and U2 songs, and other hits fromprevious albums. “We just felt like as a band we really wanted to capture what we were doing…[it’s] the most complete example of who the band is,” said Hanson. He added by saying that the new album became more of a “best of” record than a collection of live songs. The band also hopes to release a record containing brand new music within the next year. “Our focus is writing and working on music for the new album,” said Hanson. So when will they visit WCU?
It must be the begging question on every former teenybopper’s mind. As of publication, one or two of the brothers is planning on stopping by campus on Oct. 28 to show the band’s documentary, “Strong Enough to Break.” The documentary was filmed by a friend of the band, Ashley Grayson, over the past five years. It showcases the positives and negatives about the music business, details that eventually caused the band to split from their label and form their own, 3CG Records. The documentary will also highlight the importance of independent music. The event is tentatively scheduled from 1-3 p.m. in one of the ballrooms in Sykes. There will be a question and answer session about the film following the viewing. Times and places are subject to change, but look for fliers and advertisements around campus in upcoming days.
The brother(s) will also interview at the radio station and The Quad on the day the documentary will show. Students unable to attend the documentary screening during the afternoon of Oct. 28 can still purchase tickets for Hanson’s show at The Trocadero later that night. “We’ve had a couple of great shows in Philly,” Hanson said. The show is general admission with tickets priced at $32.00. For those who can not make either of the band’s appearances, the Live and Electric album will provide a rockin’ live experience.