It's been almost 11 years since Hanson charted with its debut hit "MMMBop," and although the boys may have left their long, golden tresses and pre-pubescent voices in the past, they maintained the important ingredients for any good band -- drive and passion for music and the innate ability to create smooth harmonies and undeniably catchy melodies and hooks.

The brothers Hanson are all grown up now, and all three are married with children and / or expecting (take a moment to feel very old). Currently, they are set to embark on the second leg of the Walk Tour in support of the 2007 album "The Walk," and stop at The Rave on Friday, April 11.

But Isaac (27), Taylor (25), and Zac (22) are making their mark in the industry with more than just their music these days. We caught up with Taylor recently to chat about the upcoming tour, as well as some other exciting projects that the band has been involved with.

OnMilwaukee.com: OK, so let me get this question out of the way first. I have to ask about "Man From Milwaukee." Do you guys feel morally obligated to play it every time you do a show in Milwaukee?

Taylor Hanson: I wouldn't say we feel morally obligated -- I mean, I don't feel like we would be struck down in the street if we didn't play it, but you play music that you feel is great for that show, and every show for us is a different show, so it's always a coin toss. But to be honest, I think it usually feels like the right thing when we're in Milwaukee because it's special for them.

OMC: Do you guys consciously notice a difference in the fans from city to city?

TH: Yeah, we do. I mean, there's definitely a contingent of fans that will travel to multiple shows, so there's a certain group that you know has seen a bunch shows and they might squeeze up to the front row a lot. But as far as the vibe of the audiences, I don't know if I can describe specific characteristics of all audiences, like this is what a New York fan is like, or this is what, but there is definitely a different vibe in some places. Like when you go to the West Coast, it just seems like they respond a little bit more to kind of doing slightly more musical things or sort of doing a longer jam session.

I don't know why that is, maybe we just feel like we should, but it seems like at the Fillmore or even some of the random small shows we've done in L.A., it just seemed like the vibe was kind of like they wanted to hear a little bit more random stuff here and there, kind of drawn-out songs. But in general I think we always try to create a really energetic show.

For me, as a music fan, I enjoy feeling like the band is trying to draw me in and let me let my own hair down. As an audience member, I hate it when a band stands there like they're almost embarrassed to be on stage. You're like, "OK, well I'm here to see you." My attitude is just to try and engage people with the music and everything from being able to play an acoustic set where people feel kind of really close to you and connect, all the way to getting people to scream their lungs out and just have a good time. I think that's the same for all of our shows - it really just depends on what seems like right that night and changing it up and keeping it different.

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Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by cassannndraaa on April 11, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (report)

WHAT TIME IS THE WALK TAKING PLACE!?!?!? i'm going to the concert...but really want to know what time the walk starts at

Posted by rainmorgen on April 9, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. (report)

I cant wait to do the walk!