Northwest Herald (Chicago)
Aug 17, 2004 |
The Hansons are ditching the "MMMBop" to start their rap careers. You can call them Ice Man (I-Boz), T-Bone and Fo Shiznle. Just imagine – Isaac, Taylor and Zac pimped out with do-rags and pant legs rolled up, rolling down the hood in a pink Caddy. Hmm, intriguing.
Even better, fans may see these stars rappin' this Sunday at Navy Pier and Aug. 12 at House of Blues. Of course, I am kidding about the rap thing ... well, somewhat. The boys were a hoot and were actually quite warm to my obnoxious humor. I respect the boys, but you sure as (bleep) won't see me wearing their T-shirts.
MMMEnjoy.
Isaac Hanson – at 23, the elder, wise leader of Hanson.
So, you're coming to my town, Chicago, how do you feel about it?
I actually love Chicago. It is actually one of my favorite cities in the entire United States. And the people, I find to be very approachable and nice.
Does it feel like coming home, you know, with you being from the Midwest?
It is in some ways. I like to say there is a certain element of Chicago that has a real friendly Midwest vibe, despite being such a big city. Growing up in Tulsa, we had similar types of people.
Are you thrilled to be back on tour?
Oh definitely. We are playing Navy Pier, which we have never played before, but we are also playing the Chicago House of Blues. And we actually just filmed a DVD at the Chicago House of Blues, which is just about to come out. It is an acoustic sort of DVD. It was shot in November of last year. That House of Blues is one of my favorite venues to play in the entire country.
Dude, how much do interviews suck?
Generally, not too bad. The thing about interviews that gets hard is that when you are doing a lot of them constantly, they can get old, and you get asked the same questions. Generally, for the most part, the silly questions have been kept to a minimum, which has been nice.
Well, they won't be a minimum with me.
(Laughs)
So, what interview question do you wish someone would ask you?
A lot of people have asked me that question and I never really have a good answer for them.
I was hoping I would be unique with that one.
I have answered so many random questions over the years, I don't think there is anything that I have ever not been asked.
Well, would you like to interview me then?
You know, I would, hmm, love to.
You are welcome to if you want. We can just turn this thing around and let you steer this boat.
OK. What's your favorite bands?
Hanson.
Yeah?
Yeah, Hanson.
That sounded a little like a cop-out. You know?
It's all for the readers. I did it for the readers.
(Laughs)
Got any other questions?
Um, hmmm. I could come up with a whole bunch of questions.
You want me to just take it over?
Yeah, probably.
Who's the sexiest of the three brothers?
You know, I don't really know where that is going.
You can just take full credit and call yourself the sexiest.
Uh, you know, I think we all have unique characteristics.
That's the safe answer.
Exactly. We are three very different people and I think our sexual appeal is very different to different people.
Who has the best hair?
Oh, definitely me.
There you go. That's what I was looking for.
(Laughs)
So, if you were a white rapper, what would your name be?
Uh, Ice Man.
Have you ever been asked that before?
Nope.
I accomplished my goal of finding a question you have never been asked before.
Yes, yes you did.
So, you guys toy with many different genres of music. If you became a rap group, what would you call your group?
I have never really thought about it. Not that I have any problem with rap, I am just not good at it. I think I will stick to the guitar. Wait. You know what, I think my rap name would be either Ice Man or I-Boz.
You can put some more thought into this and the next time we talk you will have a whole slew of answers.
Zac Hanson – 18-year-old little drummer boy, all grown up.
Why does everyone ask you about girls?
I think it probably derives from the fact that most interviewers want to get with a lot of chicks. They are all really playas. All journalists are playas.
All journalists?
I am just saying, because you said all journalists ask, so I am trying to come up with a reason for you. It's not my place. I am not a psychologist or psychoanalyst. I think it just derives from everyone being playas. They all just want to be in the playa's club.
Are you in the playa's club?
The playa's club is a secret organization with magic powers, so I can't tell you.
But I'm in it.
Then what's the secret password then?
I was going to ask you that, 'cause I can't tell you.
So, if you were a white rapper what would your name be?
Um, Fo Shiznle.
Is rap in the career front?
Oh yeah. I got the beats. I think rap is definitely in my future.
Who would you like to collaborate with when you rap?
Myself, 'cause I'm just so good.
So, if you and your brothers created a rap group, your name would be what?
We would be called Whitestreet. I took the band Blackstreet and turned it white.
But aren't you guys black?
Half black. Half black, half Danish.
I thought so.
Hey speaking of girls, mine thinks you're hot. Isn't that messed up?
Your girl thinks I am hot?
Yeah, you need to re-adjust the idea of your relationship. You have to decide if she's your girl or not. If she is talking about other guys she thinks is hot, you might have to re-adjust that relationship.
You should really talk to your sister about why she likes other guys.
That's not nice.
I was joking.
That's not nice.
Taylor Hanson – the maturing, married 21-year-old father, who's a pretty good musician.
I've talked to your two brothers about this sexy Hanson thing, who is the sexiest Hanson?
I guess it depends on what girl you are talking to.
Let's say you are standing there in the mirror looking at all three of you, which one can say, "I am (bleep) sexy!"
Um, well, I don't really think any of us are that sexy. I am not really that attracted to guys. I don't know.
Who has the best hair?
Um, again, I don't really put much thought into it. Everyone's hair is really greasy when you are on the road and no one is really all that clean anyway. So, I don't know. I think we are all hitting the bottom of the barrel.
It doesn't matter then.
It's rock 'n' roll hair. What's the idea, are you really into fashion? You seem focused on hair and sexiness.
Yeah, I am trying to host a new "Queer Eye."
I think you already established the "Queer Eye" thing, at least that's my opinion. I think there is enough "Queer Eye" to go around.
What would your white rapper name be?
I would probably be T-bone. With that being said, I don't have any plans to join a rap group.
What rapper would you want to help you guys get started?
Honestly, if I had to join a rap group, I would go back to Sugar Hill and bring the whole gang back and stand in a crowd of people on stage and just jump around.
So, how do you feel about Michael Jackson?
I think he is one of the world's greatest talents and I think it's a pity that he's in such a bad place right now.
How do you feel about Bubbles the chimp?
I don't really have any feeling on Bubbles the chimp. Until right now, I didn't even know who Bubbles the monkey was.
Bubbles is M.J.'s monkey.