Common People - UK article

TV Hits

They’ve topped the charts, but when it comes to making dinners and babysitting, are they still number one? We find out just how normal Hanson really are...

TVH: We know you’re dead famous pop stars and that, but are any of you dab hands in the kitchen?

TAYLOR: Do you mean can we cook? Not really, I can cook cakes and scrambled eggs, but that’s about it.

ISAAC: Well, if I was to make myself dinner it would probably have to be cheese on toast!

ZAC: I can’t cook a thing!

TVH: You have quite a big family - who does the washing up at home?

TAYLOR: If I have to I do, but we all take turns helping out with the chore. That’s the worst thing about having a large family - there’s tons of dishes to clean and loads of clothes to wash!

ISAAC: I wash up - a little! But there’s always things to do round the house. Like any other family, we all help each other out!

TVH: So you can use the washing machine?

TAYLOR: I have tried - it just isn’t something I make a habit of!

ISAAC: I can do the easy things, but I’ve not had much experience of using the machine - mom usually takes care of that!

TVH: How about using the iron then?

TAYLOR: If you have anything to iron I suggest you keep it away from me - I’m not very good at it and end up burning everything.

ZAC: I can’t remember trying to iron, but I don’t think I’d be very good.

TVH: What are you like at babysitting your younger brothers and sisters?

TAYLOR: We’ve had to change plenty of diapers in the past, and I’m thankful I don’t have to do it too often!

ISAAC: I’ve definitely changed a couple of hundred diapers in the past!

TAYLOR: When our little brothers and sisters are with us, we all help out. But when we travel together they tend to stay in places longer then catch up later, so we don’t babysit that often.

TVH: What do you spend your money on?

TAYLOR: I buy anything music related, like a vintage guitar, or a keyboard - I’m not really a money person.

ISAAC: This year I bought a couple of guitar amps and I took them on tour - I was real pleased with them.

TVH: So, what’s your favourite way of spending an evening in?

ISAAC: I’m definitely a movie lover - I’d probably watch a few movies, then play a game of basketball.

ZAC: I like to play on our Playstation - I’m a whizz at it!

ISAAC: Zac’s definitely very good. We actually took it on tour with us so we got plenty of practice - our favourite game’s Street Fighter.

TVH: Taylor, have you started taking driving lessons yet?

TAYLOR: No, but hopefully I will soon, I’d like to buy a car. A very fast car would be nice - something like a Porsche. But I don’t want to worry every time I go round the corner that I’m going to crash - maybe I’ll need to re-think that!

TVH: Isaac, do your parents still tell you what time to come home?

ISAAC: No, they’re cool - they just like to know where I’m going and when I’m coming home. Besides, they only worry ‘cos they care!

TVH: Do you have to go to bed at a certain time?

TAYLOR: No, but it does depend what we have to do in the morning. We’re usually in bed by 12 o’clock, though.

ISAAC: If we have an early morning we like to get to bed by 10 o’clock to make sure we’re wide awake the next day - we have to be sensible!

TVH: When were you last told off by your parents?

TAYLOR: Probably when I did something stupid! When was that? Erm, I can’t remember - I’m not stupid that often!

ISAAC: Mine was pretty recently - mom and dad were a little bit angry, but I can’t think why. It wasn’t for anything really bad - but then again, I wouldn’t tell you if it was that bad anyway!

ZAC: I haven’t been told off for ages!

TVH: Will you be taking exams next year?

TAYLOR: Yeah, I’m sure we’ll have more next year! It really depends on what our parents say, ‘cos they teach us.

TVH: Have your neighbours ever complained about the noise coming from your garage?

ISAAC: No, they’ve been very good to us ‘cos we’re all very noisy! The only time they’ve complained is when loads of fans started turning up at our house.

ZAC: Between our house and the neighbours there’s two acres of land, so even if we tried they wouldn’t be able to hear us - unless they had supersonic hearing, of course!

TVH: OK, one last thing - do you still hang out with your friends?

TAYLOR: Yeah, most definitely. What? Even at the shopping malls? Yes, but obviously only when we’ve got time.

ZAC: I don’t really like hanging out at the shopping malls anymore - I did that when I was younger!