Hanson brothers Taylor, Zac and Isaac placed first, second and third, respectively, in their second attempt to beat out five fans on the simulated Formula I racing game, Indy 500, at Playdium Toronto, on May 19. The brothers also did a live interview and performance that was webcast on HMV.com.

The private event -- for 600 contest winners, including ten grand prize recipients who got to race against the brothers over two Indy 500 games -- was held at the massive three-tiered entertainment complex loaded with over 260 state-of-the-art attractions.

As they waited for Hanson to appear, some fans paid their own way to try out the games. Most of the kids, however, patiently positioned themselves in every conceivable site line. Meanwhile, music video footage cut for the singles from the band's new album, This Time Around, played on a giant screen. When the multi-platinum Tulsa group arrived, the screams were so loud from the pre-pubescent females that their radio interview was barely audible in-house.

Shortly afterwards, the brothers launched into a four-song performance that included "You Never Know" and "If Only," the lead two tracks from This Time Around. Drummer Zac, fourteen, guitarist Isaac, nineteen, and keyboardist Taylor, seventeen, (augmented by a bassist, keyboard player and second guitarist) were in fine form, although the sound was muffled amid bad acoustics and, yes, the screams. The kids waved their hands in the air on command; some jumped excitedly and sang along. Three girls waved red roses but couldn't figure out a way to toss them up to the objects of their affection.

Finally, the trio shifted to the Indy 500 area, where fellow teen-pop singer Billy Crawford posed for some pictures with fans until the race began and attention was re-focused on Hanson. In the first competition none of the Hanson siblings managed to take first place, though Taylor took the second race.

"It was fun. We've done that kind of thing several times," said Taylor afterwards. "Your butt is vibrating and you're like, 'Woh, this is weir-rr-rr-d."

KAREN BLISS
(May 23, 2000)