Fastforward eight years and Hanson are still on the music scene though some don't realise and some insist they don't care. The sad thing is that stereotypes - like bad habits - die hard.

Well we at Portrait Magazine would like to take this chance to dare those of you who hold to the stereotype of three kids, long hair and an annoying song to get over yourselves and not be ostriche burying your head in the sand. Give this band a chance. Even music master Bono of U2 admitted to amiring the band on CD:UK recently "I admire Hanson. ‘MmmBop’ is one of my favorite songs of all time. They're an amazing band."

In 1997 Hanson released their first album 'Middle of Nowhere' which included the hit singles: 'Mmmbop', 'I will come to you' and 'Weird' (Did you know: The group released two independent albums before signing with their label: Mmmbop and Boomerang (some of the songs included in these albums were used for 'Middle of Nowhere' and were written when the band was even younger.) The album won three grammy nominations, went 7 times platinum and mmmbop debuted at number one the same week in both the US and UK (the first single to ever do this). Considering their three combined ages barely reached 40 at the time this was a stunning achievement. The same year they also released the Christmas album 'Snowed in'.

In 1998 Hanson released 'Live from Albertane' their first live album. (Did you know: The name 'Live from Albertane' comes from the song 'Man from Milwaukee' the lyrics read He says where he comes from is called Albertane. There they use more then 10 percent of their brain.) The same year they also released 'Three Car Garage' a mainstream release of some of the best tracks from their independent albums 'Boomerang' and 'Mmmbop'. (Did you know: 'Mmmbop' and 'Boomerang' were recorded in the Hanson families three car carage: Thus the name) Phew, those boys worked hard.

After taking some time off for writing. (Did you know: With the exception of the occasional cover Hanson write or cowrite (generally the former) all their own material and no, not just the lyrics.) In 2000 they released their critically acclaimed sophomore album 'This time around'. The entire album is poetry that shows pure depth rarely expressed by (lets admit it!) teenage boys. The critics loved it, the fans loved it but unfortunately sales didn't hold up to those already set by 'Middle of Nowhere'. The album included the singles 'If Only' and 'This time around'. (Did you know: Opening for Hanson's 'This time around' tour was a then little known musician Michelle Branch. A music exec heard her perform at the concert, signed her and the rest is history! Michelle also cowrote and lent backing vocals to 'Deeper', a song on Hanson's newest album.)

View the trailer for strong enough to break Here

After 'This time around' the band took some time off to work on their third album 'Underneath'. The album was completed in 2002 but problems with the bands label halted the release until finally in late 2003 Hanson went independent. “Our choice to become independent again was about our belief in the relationship between us and our fans,” said Taylor “We’re passionate about the future of independent music.” The recording of Underneath, their battle with Island/Def Jam, the formation of their record label 3CG (remember 'Three Car Garage'?) and the release of their third album 'Underneath', are all chronicled on their new film 'Strong Enough to Break'.

Wait? They made a movie?

Strong Enough to Break an independent film will be released later this year. The band are also working on a new website Are you listening? a website promoting and combining fanbases for independent artists.

Hanson's third album 'Strong enough to break' debuted at number 25 on the Billboard top 100; it debuted at number 1 on the Independent chart and is today one of the most successful independent albums ever released. The first single from the album 'Penny and Me' debuted at number 2. The bands current single is 'Lost without each other'. You can view both music videos at Launch!

In October the band released their second live album 'Hanson: Live and Electric' which features songs from 1997 to the present live in concert recorded in Melbourne earlier this year. We suggest you get your self a copy, or even better, go check out the band in concert, they're currently touring the US with future dates elsewhere to soon emerge. Visit Hanson.Net for tour dates.