Quinn with Hanson vid
Posted on July 28th, 2010
Posted on July 28th, 2010
Holy crap! A lot of anger on Twitter. All I have to say is, where’s the love? It’s not enough!
I do want to clarify my stance on the Hanson show, because the drama queen minority are perverting the truth. In reality, I had a great time at the Hanson concert, and during the interview, I thought the members of Hanson were sweet guys, and we had a nice conversation about music. I was like, totally nervous, so I couldn’t get my brain to work very well, so I was more weird and nerd-ish than usual, but other than that it was a blast. I can’t stand watching myself, but I thought Quinn sounded really fantastic. I think Hanson’s new single is a really good, classic song. I even told them that. We also had a blast playing in front of a huge crowd in Buffalo who were a fantastic and fun audience. Those are points I want to clarify NOT to please all these angry preteens, but just because I feel strongly about them and I think there’s another perception being created. Look, everyone was having a nice time:
I saw that some people are angry because I didn’t say what I think about Hanson’s music. I did say I liked the new single a lot. If you really want my opinion, I only know their older stuff. Listen, I had to endure countless hours of ear-canal pain in the 90s when songs like Where’s The Love and Mmm-Bop and whatever else were being constantly blasted from radios, movie and mall-ceiling speakers, girlfriend headphones, etc.. Hanson used to be like, the embodiment of everything I disliked about popular culture, boring pop music, and vapid lyrical statements. There, are you happy, Angry Hanson Fan X? Presumably not. You would only be happy if I agreed with your every opinion.
And Angry Hanson Fan X, let’s quickly take an objective look at the situation, shall we? Some guy you don’t know says things you perceive to be mildly negative (which they weren’t) towards a boy-band that rose to fame fifteen years ago, and you spend your time being verbally abusive to that person for the next few days?? You think it’s appropriate, when someone expresses their opinion, to tell that person to go kill himself? To come up with methods of suicide in a way that isn’t even lighthearted or funny? To attack his worthiness as a human being, and his mental faculties, and his moral philosophy, and his general appearance and everything else? I’ve not been aggressive at all (except facetiously towards Rooney, fans of whom, interestingly, I haven’t heard a peep!), and you have been aggressive. You’ve attacked me on a personal level. You’ve even attacked people I care about and my family! What does that say about your stability and conviction?
17 Responses to “Quinn with Hanson vid”
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17 Responses to “Quinn with Hanson vid”
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I guess I’m not “Angry Hanson Fan X”, but I can say that I was put out by your original blog, and am very much feeling better about the whole situation after this one. Thanks for clarifying.
Chris, I just wanted to say, as a Hanson fan, I think you handled yourself alright. I wasn’t at the show but I did see the stream and read your blogs.
The thing is, as you admit yourself, the majority of people who remember the 90s see Hanson as “the Mmmbop kids” and Hanson fans are continously ridiculed. Its easy for us to go into defence mode over silly things – I think your comment that you found them pretentious as well as your assumption that Hanson fans are teens/ preteens was what rubbed people the wrong way, both of which were in my opinion very small crimes that didn’t warrant the reaction of a small minority (I do hope you really realize that it was a minority of the fans…) who decided to act like preteens (yes, sad fact, but most of those getting their hatchets out are in their 20s and not preteens at all).
Aanyway, you don’t seem like someone who would be phased by it so I do hope it really didn’t taint your experience. The group of hardcore militant Hanson fans are small enough that their hate is unlikely to affect your chances of a good career anyway, no matter how much they would like to think otherwise…
Good luck in the future!
Well said Chris…and may I say you won’t hear a peep out of THIS Rooney fan. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion.
Well written post my friend. I continue to stand by you.
Chris has talent in spades — that being said, Hanson would support him if he left a bag of flaming poop on their door step.
When Hanson left their label they did so on their own merit (no pun) and vastly promoted the idea of listening to independent music. They opened up THEIR tour to allow more obscure artists to showcase what they had. Thus we get Chris Merritt. The guy is a genius in his own right, “Pixie and the Bear” is an incredible album. Hanson supports his music because he’s fricken GOOD! Not because he’s a PR junkie!! He’s a musician, he’s not running for congress, SHEESH! Cut the guy a damn break. Chris isn’t just another corporate mainstream musician ruining radio. He’s refreshing! He’s different. From what I’ve read he’s a genuinely good/funny guy.
I’m disappointed that these mid-20 year old Hanson fans had to be so JUVENILE, and not eat up the AMAZING FREE MUSIC he’s pumping out to us. Be thankful Hanson showcased him. I bet if all the haters listened to 1 Chris Merritt album they’d be singing a different tune… pun intended
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Well,Chris,I think I’m not the Angry Hanson Fan X, but I was really upset of the way you talked about Hanson. I understand you now,after reading your blog,but you have to understand the Hanson fans too,because we’re tired of people just knowing Hanson about MMMBop and the 90s,you know? They’re very talented and some people don’t want to see this,and this affect us. They’re amazing and we don’t like when people don’t like them. You’re also very talented,but you have to understand our reaction. That Angry Hanson Fan X was wrong in saying that to you. It was very bad. Now you wrote this, we understood,but we’re fans and we love them even if you don’t.
Glad that’s all sorted then. Ice creams all round?
P.S. Nice tie, Chris!
P.P.S. Friday still on? FRIDAY.
The only anger I felt when reading your previous blog was directed towards your comments about Rooney. But, I’ve already expressed that opinion, so onto comments about this blog…
I believe that a lot of the reactions you were given for the blog were uncalled for and unnecessary. Hanson fans have a tendency to over-react to the slightest negativity. I wish that was something I could change but, unfortunately, I can’t.
Hanson said that you have talent, and they’re right, you do. I enjoyed the 2 songs you played on their LiveStream the other day. I think the interview itself was slightly awkward, but that could just be due to nerves.
While I appreciate the attempt at an apology, I’m not sure exactly what you are apologizing for. You’re only negative comment about Hanson themselves was where you called them “pretentious”. And though I am unsure of how that opinion came to be, it’s just that, an opinion.
Now, if you would like to apologize for your comments on Rooney, I’m all ears.
I’m glad that your perception of Hanson has changed for the better.
Good Luck with your career.
Chris Merritt does not have a pretentious bone in his body (have you seen the pants he wears?) and his sense of humor is highly evolved – i.e., everyone should laugh at themselves and not take life so seriously. He puts himself down more than anyone else and he would be shocked if he thought he had influence in others’ lives with his mere ramblings or opinions.
Chris is too busy creating the next song – and it will be SOMETHING YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY HEARD A MILLION TIMES ON THE RADIO – YOU MAY EVEN HAVE TO GIVE THE SONG 30 SECONDS BEFORE YOU LIKE IT!!! – maybe the critics will not consider it “commercially viable”, but “IT WILL BE FROM HIS HEART AND YOU WILL FEEL SOMETHING WHEN YOU LISTEN TO IT AND YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN”. To me, that’s worth gold, and we need more Chris Merritt’s in this world.
Dan the man,
I think you’re wrong, buddy. Hanson fans simply wouldn’t care for Chris’ music. The melodies are catchy but the problematic downfall is that Chris writes about things like quantum physics, the tragic lives of brilliant mathematicians, epic novels, and the ever sinking ship that is the “major label (Which the Hanson boys were able to see through and move past. Kudos to them. Island Records/ Def Jams is the anti-christ of the creative musical world anyway)”. Probably not the sort of motivic meat these teeny boppers could really sink their adorable little teeth into…….(K. just to CLARIFY, that was just a cheap, light hearted, little jab at the Hanson fans…in the midst of this unnecessary tension. All in jest…I know you’re not teeny boppers anymore…..you’re big twenty-something boys and girls…..please don’t suck my blood and crucify me
Steve, if you’re buying, I’ll have a cornetto!
Sir Bam Bam, your comment made me smile. Mmmm, us non-obsessed fans who don’t actually believe that the sun rises and sets by these three brothers are usually well able to laugh and poke fun at those fans who do. (I know I am anyway, it’s either that or feel constantly embarassed at being lobbed into the same fanbase…)
I really liked Chris’ music I must say, I like music that is different and thought provoking. (I know many many people won’t think Hanson are in this category, but they are to me – but then I grew up with the same musical influences as them and I get what they are aiming for with their music.) I certainly will keep checking up on Chris and soak in the great music, and I think many Hanson fans will be able to do the same. And yeah, as Chris himself and his fans obviously realizes, those who can’t see past that probably won’t get his music anyway.
Also, props to Chris and his fans for handling this situation so well and with maturity. It really made me respect you all that you could take it with a good sense of humour instead of lashing back. That’s the kind of fanbase people would be proud to be part of!
I LOL’d.
Chris Merritt looks like a special diaper baby man in this video. Did you see his drummer friend touch his nipple at the end of the interview?
Nice video, great job on Quinn. Hanson really seemed to dig it. I’m curious to see the rest of the livestream. Anyone have a link?
Let’s not forget the important thing here though, which is that TOMORROW IS FRIDAY, which means A NEW CHRIS MERRITT CD!!!!!!!!
Sir bam bam,
It’s Dan the woman lol!
I’m a true Hanson fan, I had the posters, the VHS (Live from Albertane of course!), the cassette tapes/CD’s (”The Walk” was my very favorite) etc… I regress,
I listen to bands like Bon Iver, The Books, Broken Social Scene, I like spending a little time to pry out the meaning of a song. Chris’ music is phenomenal to me. The fact that his lyrical content isn’t cliche is super satisfying. (Anyone who can put “rail-tail” into a song is a winner in my book.) Beyond that, while his melodies ARE catchy, it takes you 2 or 3 times of hearing the song to reeeeally appreciate the movement/direction it’s going. I totally respect music that doesn’t insult my intelligence; listening to Chris play — it’s like I dare him to take me to weird places and I’m never disappointed. Don’t be so biased to think Hanson fans can’t appreciate some of those fancy worded abstract songs. Chances are most of us are aching for more of that kind of sound! Thanks Chris
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“Holy crap?” Did you really say that, Chris? I love it. It reminds me of the discussion we had on the long car ride home about the intrinsic value of beauty, how, for a fly, a big cowflop is just as beautiful as a flower is for a bee, and how we, over the millennia, might end up with a sense of beauty for all useful things, so that, at some distant point in the future, we may develop to actually see a cowflop as something holy and beautiful because it is useful and plays an integral part in the cycles of nature. Holy crap, indeed. I’ll be walking behind my dog with a whole new level of respect and awe.
DUDE if you break a bass string you are doing something right! lol