Hanson first rose to fame in the summer of 1997, cannoning into the charts with their number one hit 'MMMBop', mixed by the Dust Brothers. However, the Hanson story began years before their big breakthrough.

Brothers Clarke Isaac, Jordan Taylor and Zachary Walker had been singing together from the word go - "there was always singing in the house", recalls Ike. Their parents were members of a gospel group, and the knock-on effect of this deeply musical background was for the brothers Hanson to begin their rollercoaster career as a three-piece band - "It was the most natural thing in the world for us to sing together."

Their father's job took them to a year in the South American jungle, and the story of the 50's rock'n'roll tape that so inspired them is becoming legendary. With no English radio this tape was to become the brother's sole influence, brining into their style elements of blues, r'n'b, and good old rock.

After performing their own renditions of these songs the brothers decided to make their own. "We didn't even think about it, it just happened," remembers Taylor. Piano lessons followed and a third grade Isaac had penned his first proper number - the song was called 'Rain Falling Down'.

Originally calling themselves 'The Hanson Brothers' the trio began 'touring' in 1992, mainly performing covers of their idols but also using the odd original. In 1995 the brothers had their own CD out. Entitled 'Boomerang', it was sold by the brothers at their concerts - indeed, at one point the method was to take names and addresses down at the end of the gig, then the trio would deliver copies in person!! Copies of this CD are now, understandably, extremely valuable.

Despite moderate success throughout the States, The Hanson Brothers weren't happy with their act - "We were white kids doing R'n'B and it didn't exaclty work," says Ike. This was when The Hanson Brothers became simply Hanson, and where their music took its final big turn to take it in the direction it is in now.

Of course every band has its setbacks, and in the case of Hanson, the problem was instruments. None of the brothers had instruments to play, so Taylor apparently borrowed a keyboard, Isaac bought himself a guitar and Zac chanced upon an old drum-kit in the attic. The framework was in place.

MMMBop, 1997

"We're pretty much self-taught, and when we started playing we just did simple stuff, bang, bang, bang," says Zac, the youngest of the trio and for whatever reason the only one to go by his first name.

Putting in hours and hours of practice and producing over 100 songs as a result, the band worked through over 250 gigs before they were ready for the big-time. 1996 saw Hanson record their second, independent, album, entitled 'MMMBop', also one of the tracks on the CD and of course the song that would get them their record deal. As the record sleeve for the re-released version, entitled '3 Car Garage' in reference to the place and way in which the album was recorded, says, these were the songs that got Hanson signed.

Following 'MMMBop' were 'Where's The Love' and 'I Will Come To You' in 1997, and 'Weird' and 'Thinking Of You' in 1998. With the video for 'Weird', Hanson were able to work with US director Gus Van Sant, who came up with a concept video featuring, among other things, the band in a mysterious white room. To this day no one will reveal how the effect was achieved.

Christmas 1997 saw 'Snowed In', a Christmas record recorded over three months in Reading, England, and this was followed in 1998 by 3 Car Garage and a live album from their Albertane tour, 'Live From Albertane'.