Frankie Muniz Performing at Soapbox with Band

By Alex Pompliano

There’s always a catch-22 when actors are in bands.

On one hand, it brings immediate attention to their music. On the other hand, their fame can overshadow the band’s sole purpose. Occasionally, some push through the misdirected spotlight and prevail (see: 30 Seconds to Mars), while others cave under the weight of their lopsided recognition (remember Dogstar?).

You can decide which side of the celebrity musician spectrum You Hang Up will end up on April 9 when Frankie Muniz will man the drums in the middle of the stage at Soapbox with his new band.

In the early 2000s, Frankie Muniz was one of Hollywood’s most bankable teens due to his role in the comedy television series “Malcolm in the Middle.” The show was immensely popular, earning a Peabody, seven Emmys and making Muniz a household name. It ran for seven years, making it almost impossible to distinguish Muniz from Malcolm.

Outside the series, he tried to shake off the typecast stigma by starring in lackluster, but popular movies like Agent Cody Banks, Big Fat Liar and My Dog Skip. More recently, Muniz has managed to seep into pop culture with an interesting cameo in “Punk’d” and minor roles as Buddy Holly in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and as a comic book-writer turned serial killer in “Criminal Minds.”

After trying his hand at executive producing, writing screenplays and car racing, Muniz has recently turned to music. Last year he filled the drummer position for Phoenix-based band You Hang Up. According to Muniz, he took interest in the instrument after being taught by how to (mmm)bop the drums by Zac Hanson.

If the mentioning of Muniz and Hanson doesn’t already evoke enough nostalgia, the music of You Hang Up will be sure to, as it recalls the heyday of emo-rock and will be sure to please fans of Yellowcard and The Early November. Their songs are polished and catchy with sensitive vocals backed with muscle from its driving guitars and drums.

You Hang Up is currently finishing up recording its debut album, which is set to be released on July 27. Check out You Hang Up at the Soapbox April 9 – but don’t expect a cover of “Boss of Me.” Details: 9 p.m. Saturday, 255 N. Front St., downtown Wilmington. $10.

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Hanson Sits Down With FOX Fort Wayne

Reported by: Kristin Mazur

Friday, March 25 2011

One word shot them to stardom…MMMBop.

"'MMMBop' is part of our history. It's part of the evolution of our band” says Zac Hanson, the youngest member of the boy band, Hanson, who was in Fort Wayne today performing.

As teens, Hanson stole the hearts of young girls. Now all grown up, Zac Taylor and Isaac are still making girls swoon.

Dozens of women in their 20s and 30s lined up hours before at Majic 95.1’s concert at Duty’s tonight to get a chance to her the guys sing.

"I think it's the ultimate compliment to have fans stick with you for years. I mean music changes just like people do” says Taylor.

The three brothers have been playing music for nearly two decades. The guys grew up in Oklahoma listening to The Beatles and the Jackson Five. They attribute the 60s and 70s for song inspiration.

"I think that attitude and that feel is probably one of the main things that we kind of cling to it's not sitting around and going 'we want our music to sound like this” Zac told FOX Fort Wayne.

Hanson hit the big times with their debut album 'Middle of Nowhere.'
Since then, they've released four other studio albums, including their latest "Shout It Out."

The group's definitely undergone some changes over the years, including now having shorter, darker hair.

"When we're out in the sun or running around it goes blonde. It's the adult blonde” jokes Taylor.

And in addition to the physical makeovers all three are now married with children. Sorry ladies.

But, what they say hasn't changed is the focus and inspiration behind each and every song.

"We continue to be focusing on making music that inspires us. We'll start out next project and I don't know, always focus on the creative juices that keep us going” says Zac.

"Shout It Out" is available in stores now.
Hanson will also be featured on Majic's Miracle CD, benefiting Riley Hospital.
That's set to be released in November.


To watch the video, click here.

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Hanson to release digital album for Japan quake victims

By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
Published: 3/23/2011 4:28 PM
Last Modified: 3/23/2011 4:47 PM

Last weekend, Oklahoma band of brothers Hanson helped organize one of the biggest music efforts to aid victims of the March 11 tsunami and earthquake in Japan.

Hanson and monster music and industry conference South by Southwest joined with the American Red Cross for a streaming online telethon to raise $100,000 — and blew right past that goal, confirmed the band’s publicist.

The Hansons announced on their website that they are compiling the performances into a digital album to raise even more money for the Red Cross. A release date has not been announced.

Performances included Hanson, Michael Stipe of REM, John “JoJo” Hermann of Widespread Panic, the North Mississippi Allstars, The Boxer Rebellion, Tulsa native Johnny Polygon, Andy Grammer, Stephen Kellogg, Anna Nalick, Jackson Harris, Charlie Mars, Bowling For Soup, Stephen Kellogg, An Horse, AWOLNATION, The Parlotones, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rayland Baxter and many more.

Find out more at tulsaworld.com/sxsw4japan.

Donations can still be made through the site, by texting RedCross to 90999 or calling 1-(800)Red-Cross.

By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer

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Lady Gaga, Hanson and Demi Lovato Raise Funds for Japan Tsunami Relief

by Teen Vogue March 22, 2011

Demi Lovato holds up "Please Help Japan" Poster / Credit Celebuzz.com

More than 20,000 are presumed dead or missing in Japan after a massive earthquake and tsunami hit on March 11th. In response, the music community has been actively trying to raise relief money to send the small island nation.

Last week, Demi Lovato drew a poster of the Japanese flag with the words “Please Help” across it, which she held up in Los Angeles for paparazzi to photograph, to urge fans to pitch in. She, herself, donated $1-million.

Lady Gaga designed a special prayer bracelet to raise money for relief efforts.The white and red rubber wristband reads "We Pray for Japan" and is available for $5 on her website. On March 14th, she tweeted about the project's progress: “Monsters: in just 48 hrs you've raised a quarter of a million dollars for Japan Relief. It's important we help. X”

And at SXSW in Austin, Texas last week, Hanson hosted a 12-hour live-stream benefit concert over the weekend to raise funds. The festival’s artists, including Michael Stipe, Ben Folds, and The Hours, teamed up with the American Red Cross and put their “hearts, minds and wallets together to raise support for Japan.” The event raised $103,771. Visit SXSW4Japan.org to see how you can pitch in.

To do your part in helping Japan, you can visit the Red Cross website or text "Redcross" to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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Pictures - SXSW4Japan

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