[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtIfZdzCBQ4&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]
Hanson ‘walks’ SF State
Golden Gate [X]press
Music group Hanson performed in front of Malcolm X Plaza the afternoon of Nov. 5 to bring attention to issues around the world.
The American rock ‘n’ roll band, made up of brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zach Hanson, started in The Village at Centennial Square by having the crowd to take off their shoes and walk barefoot with them to the plaza.
Since 2007, Hanson has partnered with shoe company TOMS doing “The Walk,” where they walk for one mile before giving a concert in an attempt to fight AIDS and poverty in Africa as well a number of other causes. For every person who put their name down on their list, Hanson will donate $1 to these efforts.
“We’re raising money to aid those that are less fortunate,” Taylor Hanson said. “This is not an awareness walk, this is an action walk.”
Hundreds of SF State students screamed and hollered as they walked with the band one mile from The Village to the plaza.
“It’s a great opportunity to speak to people and do something together,” Taylor Hanson said as he set out on the walk. “Even though there’s a million causes, a student can have an active role in creating change.”
Youngest brother Zach Hanson echoed his older brother’s message of hope to change the unfortunate conditions in particular parts of the world.
“We don’t need a government or nonprofit to reach out,” Zach Hanson said. “We got all the tools we need. Walks are just a way to provide people with a way to start.”
Not only did SF State students decided to join in on the march for a good cause, fans from all over also joined in.
“This is our second walk,” said Lauren Connelly, 19, who attends City College of San Francisco. “We did the Petaluma walk last year. It’s a great cause.”
When Hanson took the stage on the plaza, they performed three songs and they closed it with the crowd favorite “Where’s the Love.” Fans, however, were disappointed when the group did not perform their hit song “MmmBop.”
But Allie Berger, 20, was able to get Zach Hanson’s signature on her sweatshirt and said it was “The biggest day in my entire life.”
Hanson’s next stop will be at UC Los Angeles on Nov. 7, followed by the University of San Diego on Nov. 8.
Har Mar Superstar: The continuing adventures
In the six years since he left the Twin Cities for Los Angeles, Har Mar Superstar has always come back with a surprisingly long list of names to drop, ones straight off the A-list like Drew Barrymore, Ben Stiller, Kate Moss, the Jonas Brothers, Red Hot Chili Peppers and, most recently, Eva Mendes and Ellen Page.
So it was more surprising to hear the singer/actor/whatever-you-got-for-me-performer talk excitedly about the less starry group of people he met at a recent excursion to a songwriting camp with his close pal Adam Green of the Moldy Peaches.
“It was me and Adam at the Hanson brothers’ ranch in Oklahoma, with Weird Al Yankovic, the guys from Morningwood, Miles from Fastball,” Har Mar recounted by phone from the road last week. “It was intentionally a weird bunch, and really inspiring.”
Clearly, nothing is too weird for Har Mar. His journey to MMM-Bop Ranch was on the long list of answers to the question, “Where you been?”
Ridiculously conspicuous during the mid-’00s, the artist formerly known as local indie-rocker Sean Tillmann, 31, has been noticeably off the radar the past couple years. He hasn’t put out a Superstar album since 2004’s “The Handler.” His only on-screen appearance of late was a bit role as a fighting coach in Barrymore’s rollergirl comedy “Whip It!”
Returning to town tonight for a Varsity Theater gig behind his new disc, “Dark Touches,” the HMS explained that most of his work of late — and you knew he wasn’t just lying low — has been behind-the-scenes.
“I’ve actually been busier than most of the people I know who are in bands putting out records full-time,” he said.
Foremost among his ventures is a new sitcom called “Stitch N’ Bitch” with “Juno” star Page. It’s now in development at HBO (so confirms the Hollywood Reporter) and will star Page and “Arrested Development’s” Alia Shawkat as young hipsters in Hollywood who desperately try to blend in, with Har Mar playing himself and co-writing scripts.
Article: Yes, Hanson is back and set to play the Rialto on Tuesday
So, what have the brothers Hanson been up to since making ‘tween girls swoon and making the world go “MMMbop” in the ’90s?
Isaac, Taylor and Zac have since started their own indie label, released their fourth studio album and ventured into humanitarian work, all while raising seven children among them.
Their most recent album, “The Walk,” released in 2007, shows the band’s versatility, with songs ranging from the blues-infused, piano-heavy title track to the uptempo dance track “The Running Man.”
The band Sherwood opens for Hanson at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Rialto Theatre. General admission tickets are $22 in advance, $24 at the door. Reserved balcony seats are $25. 740-1000.
Check out Kris Allen’s single
Posted using ShareThis
Setlist: Denver, CO 11-3-09
Where’s the Love
Great Divide
Get Up and Go
Minute Without You
Running Man
Been There Before
You Never Know
World’s on Fire
Carry You There
Penny and Me
Use Me Up (Zac solo)
These Walls (Tay solo)
Hold On I’m Coming
Waiting for This
Crazy Beautiful
Twist and Shout
Lost Without Each Other
MMMBop
Something Going ‘Round
This Time Around
Live Streaming Details
November 5 – Live chat in San Francisco 6:00 PM PST
November 7 – Lost Angeles Walk – 12PM PST
November 8 – Live on the Bus! – 2:30 AM PST
November 8 – San Diego Walk – 12:00 PM PST
November 8 – Last Song San Diego – 10:25PM PST
November 9 – Live chat in Tuscon – 12:00 PM MST
November 10 – Soundcheck Party – 5pm PST
November 11 – Anaheim – 9:05 PM PST
November 11 – Last Song of the tour! – 11 pm PST
For more details check out Hanson.net. These are all Hanson.net Members Only Events
Video
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ2WYhTDN98&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]
Buffett bank favorite gets bigger
I thought this was an interesting snippet from CNN Money
Investors appeared to like the news of the FBOP (not to be confused with the annoying Hanson song MMMBop from a decade ago) acquisition as well. The stock was up about 2% in midday trading Monday.
Article: Last Night: Hanson and Hellogoodbye at House of Blues
Hanson, Hellogoodbye
House of Blues
November 1, 2009
Better Than: Spending $80 to sit in the nose bleed section at another concert
Hanson stopped in at the House of Blues last night to perform before a more than loyal crowd as part of its Use Your Sole Tour.
But these weren’t the kid stars you remember. Forget about the group’s teen days. And yes, forget about “Mmmbop.”
Hanson is all grown up and all business. There’s no need for stereotyping. They’ve got some actual talent.
Starting the night out with a rendition of “Where’s The Love,” the band gave audience members their money’s worth, playing songs from all of its albums, including Middle of Nowhere, This Time Around, Underneath and The Walk. And, for an additional treat, the Hanson brothers even gave a sneak preview of some songs on their upcoming 2010 album.
Playing both an electric and acoustic set, the band proved they can multitask. Taylor Hanson tackled both the harmonica and the keyboard during a classic performance of “If Only” while Isaac Hanson switched out guitars more times than you can count.
There aren’t many bands who sound the same live and in person as they do on a record but Hanson does.
Letting the music speak for itself, they didn’t stop much to chat in between songs. Although that’s not to say it was all work and no play. Continuously smiling out into the audience, the trio did make sure fans received an “A” in participation, encouraging jumping and clapping throughout the night.
And the crowd ate it up, singing every single lyric to every single song. Talk about loyalty.
Hellogoodbye was also on hand to join in on the night’s festivities. Opening for Hanson on the tour, this California band distracted from its music with their goofy comments and crazy antics, trying to convince the crowd that “orange” rhymed with “orange.” And, despite fun renditions of “Here in Your Arms” and “Baby, It’s Fact,” audience members concentrated way more on the fact that band member Travis Head decided to give in to a fan’s request and took off his pants on stage. (Just so you know, he prefers “tighty whities.”)
Oh well, the usage of the ukulele and the mandolin were still interesting too. No one can say they didn’t get their money’s worth of entertainment and talent.
Critic’s Notebook
Personal Bias: I started listening to Hanson when I was 10. I’m 22 now and still listening.
By The Way: Sherwood and Steel Train have also been performing on the “Use Your Sole Tour.” If you like enthusiastic and entertaining musicians, these are the bands for you.
Random Note: The couple standing next to me all night needed to get a room.