From New Kids on the Block to Backstreet Boys, from Hanson to Jonas Brothers, female fans are a huge part of these bands' existence and ultimate success, and in the midst of their shrieks and squeals, they have turned their fandom into a true phenomenon.

We will be traveling around the tri-state area (and hopefully venture off into other parts of the country) to sit down with fans and bands from all walks of the pop-idol world to talk about their stories and experiences.

If you are willing and able to have a sit-down interview with us about your love for your band of choice -- and have stories, photographs and enthusiasm to contribute -- please e-mail FANUMENTARY@GMAIL.COM with your current location (city and state) and your availability.

In the meantime, browse through this page to see our progress!
~Jessie & Alanna

It was a March afternoon and 12-year-old me was glued to the TV screen. I had probably been watching MTV all day long -- mind-numbing music video after another -- until one in particular caught my eye; “Mmmbop” by some band that I had never heard of. I think it was their youthful/cute appearance that intrigued me, also the song was catchy as hell. After the video was over, I went to my room and typed their name into the AOL search engine: Hanson.

A slew of articles immediately popped up. It didn’t take long before I stumbled upon a fansite and the rest -- as they say -- was history.



Between the ages of 12 and 16, my life was consumed with Hanson. Even the way I talked, dressed and acted was somehow inspired by them. If Zac wore khaki pants, I had to get a pair. If Taylor ate red jelly beans, I had to stock up on them.

I would cut class to catch small glimpses of Hanson walking in and out of TV shows, hotels and venues. I used to pay for teenybopper magazines with the change I would steal from my brothers’ piggy bank just for that one “really cute” pin-up that I could have just as easily printed out on the computer. I traveled to Florida with little to no money for a concert that I had already seen 20 times over in my hometown. My parents’ phone bill was through the roof every month because, on top of talking for countless of hours with local friends I had met through Hanson, I also managed to find Hanson fans from out-of-state to call, too. There was barely ever any substance or depth to our conversations, but we laughed, we cried, we bonded, we obsessed... All of my mundane pre-teen angst would disappear as soon as I would see/meet Hanson or listen to their music on repeat; it was as if nothing else existed besides me and them.

I can't exactly pinpoint why Hanson was such a huge part of me growing up, but perhaps they were the only consistent thing in my life at the time. I mean, after all, I was going through physical and mental changes all thanks to puberty and the pressures of Junior High/High School, but when I was amongst Hanson and their fans (my friends), I felt accepted, safe and the most like myself. Hey, sounds good to me.

We all have different stories and backgrounds, but one thing is certain, no matter how old you are, how over them you may be, or how long it has been since you’ve heard their music or seen them live, you will always be a fangirl at heart... Believe me, I would know.

~Alanna