Mmm pop.

That was the sound of teen-band Hanson's career bursting as quickly as a Bazooka gum bubble several years ago.

The three-brother group sold 8 million albums, thanks largely to the stick-in-your-brain single "MMMBop." Before two band members could legally enter an R-rated movie, however, commercial winds blew and Hanson - though accomplished songwriters and more talented than boy bands - became yesterday's stars.

On Tuesday night in Madison, Hanson emerged from music's where-are-they-now graveyard. Playing a private, promotional mini-show at Ward-Brodt Music Mall's Presentation Room, Hanson enjoyed a 100-plus frenzied audience of Z104 contest winners.

Over the years, the trio's voices changed, but the fans' screams didn't.

"I'm only 21," pleaded Hanson lead singer Taylor Hanson during an afternoon interview. "We're still younger than many bands. This is when other bands start out."

Without any preconceived notions about them, Hanson probably would still earn notice for its new album, "Underneath." Taylor Hanson, who aged into a handsome adult far better than most ex-teen heartthrobs, has grown into a confident singer. His brothers, guitarist Isaac, 23, and drummer Zac, 18, remain a potent songwriting team.

And thanks to their notoriety, Hanson landed its new single, "Penny & Me," on MTV's airplay rotation and they performed the song live during "TRL."

"I never feared: Are we going to get back out there? I felt we would in my gut," Taylor said, then acknowledged MTV's renewed support. "It feels really good. There were points between now and then (during its heyday) of struggle, frustration and hardship."

Hanson formed its own record label to release its fourth original album, "Underneath," although a major distributor will place copies in record stores. The band will tour Canada, southeast Asia and South America as well as the United States this summer.

Now they're going from city to city, making personal appeals to radio stations for airplay. Taylor Hanson doesn't want to be a nostalgia act less than two months after reaching the legal drinking age. Still, talk to Taylor and the subject turns to "MMMBop," which he co-wrote at age 12 with his brothers.

"It's about finding the things that really matter in life," he said. "That's the thing people don't get about 'MMMBop.' It's really kind of a sad song. It was originally almost a ballad."

Regardless, the peppy "MMMBop" launched Hanson's "Middle of Nowhere" in 1997. It still receives radio airplay, and even Phish did a radically different version in concert.

At the Madison show, Hanson played "MMMBop" as its second song. "This one," Taylor told the crowd, "is an oldie but goodie."

Hanson supporters, almost all female, are mostly in their late teens now. Tuesday's crowd included three fans who waited more than 11 hours to get the best spot.

Lisa Fabio, 20, of Edina, Minn., came to Madison specifically to see Hanson. She described being a Hanson fan during the band's commercial height.

"We didn't feel like we belonged to anything, but we had Hanson. We could fit into a crowd," Fabio said. "There's something amazing about that."

Taylor appreciates that loyalty. His personal life operates in a similar fashion. He got married nearly two years ago when he was 19.

"For most of my friends, I definitely do not recommend them getting married at my age," he said. "It's all about who you are. I'm very happily married. I like that in my life. For me, it's amazing to have that kind of support and that special person."

Later, he stepped back and reflected on his whirlwind early teens as a pop star. At one point, the band appeared on boxes of Eggo waffles.

"Because of our ages, a lot of (marketing) opportunities were presented to us," he said. "I don't know if I ate out of my own box of waffles."

He paused and laughed. "Yeah, I'm sure I did."

Contact Tom Alesia at talesia@madison.com or 252-6122.


Thanks to Lynn (lynnbop)