As the oldest of the three Hanson brothers, Ike acts as the calming, 'grown-up' member of the band, although he knows how to have fun just as much as the other two.

Playing the guitar since the band played their own instruments, Ike is the only member who sticks to his instrument for virtually all the performances - Hanson's rigorous promotional duties after the monumental release of 'MMMBop' saw them playing a whole host of live venues, TV slots, and many other events, and Ike was usually providing the tunes for the performances whilst singing his part of the three-part harmony style that characterises Hanson's live sets.

Ike confides that he is not always happy with his appearance - apparently he considers himself 'too gangly'.

Though the band proclaim to have no lead singer, just as Taylor sang most of the leads on Middle Of Nowhere, Ike took the vocal duties for most of their earlier recordings, including much of the 'MMMBop' album, later re-released as '3 Car Garage'. Ike's voice is a deeper, gruffer affair than his younger siblings, perhaps helping the band's argument that their music is well beyond their years.

Ike wrote his first proper song, 'Rain Falling Down', at the age of nine.

During the two years between 'Thinking Of You' and 'This Time Around', Ike improved his guitar technique considerably, and the difference shows on the new album, where he is joined by blues supremo and fellow prodigy Johnny Lang.

Without wanting to stir up the petty-fact-grabbing contingent, Ike decided to lose the long hair around the middle of recording 'This Time Around'.

Check out these Ike pics:

Ike on the guitar
At the mike
Caught on camera
Axe hero!
Close-up
Speaks for itself
Smiling for the camera