The Hanson Brothers in the Georgia Straight!

The Hanson Brothers at the WISE Hall, by Femke van Delft

By the way, avid Al-stalkers and idle local music geeks, I’ve got a little Music Note in the current Straight on the Hanson Brothers robbery scandal at the Portland show, if you’re curious about how that all turned out! (It ain't online and its only around til Thursday, so grab it while y'can!). It's a happy ending, tho' we have yet to hear if the guy who originally stole the poster met some unhappy karmic reward, as wrought on him by the referee's curse...

Would you fuck with these guys? I wouldn't. (Robbie Hanson by Femke van Delft)

Those of you who do not yet know that the Hanson Brothers have a new album, called It’s a Living, out, may be happy to further hear that Johnny Hanson’s Complete Guide To All Grain Brewing (an honest-to-God instructional video which also includes a few Hanson Brothers songs) is included on DVD with the CD version of the album. It is NOT, alas, on the double vinyl edition of the same. Johnny Hanson explains that he is “not sure how to press a DVD onto vinyl...” Those unconvinced that they need this album should listen to the samples on Myspace - these guys kick ass live! The CD and LP are not in stock at HMV, of course, but I've seen both at Scratch and Zulu, and I'd lay odds Red Cat has a few...

Welcome, Big Mike! (by Femke van Delft)

Further news, Hansons-wise: the Hanson Brothers’ cover of the song “Get It Right Back” is apparently slated to appear -- along with, Joe Keithley tells me, DOA’s new hockey brawl song, “Donnybrook” -- in the theatrical remake of Slap Shot, currently on the books or mebbe in production, I dunno. Johnny reported, when we chatted the other week, that the Hansons were “driving across Texas right now on our way to Austin for a show tomorrow,” and were “half way through this US tour now and looking forward to the 20 below temps in Chicago.” (Tonight the boys are in North Dakota). The Hansons “will be doing the rest of Canada during the playoffs in the spring with the exception of Victoria where we play on the 20th of this month.” Link to tour dates here. Johnny, when asked how the tour was going, reported, “Our van was towed in Oceanside. Lubbock smells funny. So does Tommy...”
Johnny and Tommy by Femke van Delft

Thanks to John Chedsey for facilitating all o' this (and Femke and the Hanson Brothers, o' course). Hurry back, boys, so we can have a new Nomeansno show and album! I need badly to mosh to "The River"again - it's about the only real exercise (and about the only significantly cathartic experience) I get in the year...

Oh, by the way: didja hear the demo for "Old," a new NMN tune, on their Myspace? Rob Wright's Irish roots are showin'...