Last Wednesday, the band Hanson visited Drake University’s campus. Their message, however, went beyond just their music.

Hanson became famous in 1997 for their popular hit single “MMMBop.” After more than 10 years of success in the music world, these brothers are doing more than just changing American music. They are fighting to make an impact on the world.

Zac, 23, Taylor, 25, and Isaac Hanson, 27, traveled to Africa before releasing their fourth album “The Walk” in the summer of 2007. What they witnessed on their trip inspired them to take action against AIDS and poverty in Africa.

“When we took that trip to Africa, we were blown away,” Taylor said. “There are so many solutions that are available. It comes down to a pair of shoes or a $.33 drug that a mother who has HIV needs to not pass on AIDS to her child.”

The numbers alone made it clear to Hanson that something needed to be done. Thirty-five million people die from AIDS every year. There are 14 million children orphaned because of AIDS, and this number is expected to increase to 25 million by 2010. Hanson knew they needed to make a difference and fight the disease.

“We want to be a generation of action, not a generation of awareness,” said Isaac, the oldest of the brothers. “Awareness is great, but it does not evoke the necessary change that needs to happen on the issue that we’re talking about.”

And Hanson is talking action in a big way. The brothers began “The Walk Around the World Tour” in September of this year. In every city that Hanson performs a concert, they also walk a mile barefoot. Fans are encouraged to join Zac, Taylor and Isaac as they walk in each city. Walking barefoot, though not required, encourages walkers to connect with the children in Africa who don’t have shoes.

“It’s Drake University’s campus – we’re not gonna die,” Isaac said. “It’s not that big of a deal, but at the same time, it is a big deal. Psychologically, we’re comfortable. We’re used to shoes, and so when you remove that everyday comfort and you recognize the needs that exist in the world, all of a sudden you go, ‘Oh, wait a second, well if something like a pair of shoes is that simple, maybe there’s a lot of simple things I can be a part of.’ So that action breeds more action.”

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One-time teen sensations Hanson, or as some might call them The Original Jonas Brothers, will play some area dates at local House of Blues venues this week, including the Hollywood location on Friday, November 14th followed by a stop in Anaheim on Saturday, November 15th. The “MMMBop” singers will be certain to sing some of their newer material along with some older hits.

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AT THE PHOENIX

Who: Hanson, with Matt Wertz, Everybody Else

When: 8 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Phoenix Theater, 201 Washington St., Petaluma

Tickets: $25

Information: 762-3565, www.thephoenixtheater.comBy any standard, it was a formidable line of fans waiting for a show at the mammoth South By Southwest Music Conference this past March in Austin, Texas.

The object of their devotion was not some new indie-minded trend-setter, but Hanson.

Yes, the trio of Oklahoma-bred brothers who gave us “MMMBop” are cool again, basking in critical praise for their latest independently released album, “The Walk,” and courting a mix of old and new fans on the road.

Always a magnet for screaming girls, brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac — now ages 27, 25 and 22, respectively — are looking out at a different niche in concert crowds: guys about their age, with their own bands.

“In the last five years, we have really resonated with younger guys starting bands now,” Taylor Hanson says in a phone interview.

“I was blown away when we were at South By Southwest because some guy in the audience would say, ‘My band’s down the road at this club and I remember when I saw you play drums at this show.’ ”

At least one band vaguely reminiscent of Hanson — the Jonas Brothers — is sparking teen hysteria with the help of the Disney Channel promotional machine. Although he doesn’t see similarities in the music, Hanson isn’t without a twinge of deja vu.

“There’s a surreal quality to looking at that audience and the sudden awareness of that band by so many people,” he says. “From their perspective, I hope they are able to harness whatever is most authentic about what’s going on right now and make a career.”

For Hanson, the road to sustaining a career led them outside the major labels. On two independently released albums, “The Walk” and 2004’s “Underneath,” the brothers have been able to make their own decisions.

The new release has sparked a wave of activism. Stops on the “The Walk Around the World Tour” include one-mile barefoot pre-show walks by the band and its fans to fight poverty and AIDS in Africa. The location of each walk is disclosed three hours before it happens at Hanson.net.

So far, the band has walked more than 6,000 miles toward its goal of 24,902, the circumference of the Earth. There also is a coffee table book and EP inspired by the project.

Fans also can organize their own walks at the band’s Web site. The band will donate $1 for each walk to buy shoes, support clean water, schools, medical research and health care. Hanson also teamed with California-based TOMS Shows to send 50,000 pairs of shoes to Africa.

The idea, Hanson says, is to use the independent avenues that have sustained the band’s music for a larger purpose.

“We’ve got so much access to one another today that didn’t exist even 5 years ago, and we need to use these ways we communicate as avenues to make a difference.”

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