Andrew McMahon, must have known something about the future when in 2004 he named his side project Jack’s Mannequin. Created as an outlet for songs deemed too personal to play with his primary project, Something Corporate. McMahon’s new band emerged from a song he had previously written titled “Dear Jack” about a friend coping with the recent diagnosis of his younger brother with childhood leukemia. McMahon himself was diagnosed with leukemia one short year later, only months before releasing his debut studio album, Everything in Transit (2005), under the moniker Jack’s Mannequin.
Following McMahon’s diagnosis and full recovery, he was back to business as usual, but with a new outlook. “I think anyone will tell you that a near death experience will alter your perspective on life,” admits McMahon. “Having leukemia really encouraged me to help out.”
Since McMahon’s personal battle with the disease, he has taken a variety of different measures in hopes of raising awareness for those struggling similarly. In July 2006, McMahon founded the Dear Jack Foundation to precipitate change for young adults fighting blood cancers, and in 2009 he embarked on a solo tour across the country in support of his documentary, also titled Dear Jack, which offers a first-hand look at McMahon’s personal experience with the disease.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJH6s-9zrJg[/youtube]
Recently, McMahon has been at work in the studio on his third Jack’s Mannequin album, People and Things, which is set for release sometime later this year. “This record hammers back to a period of time where I stick and fight for things,” says McMahon, after admitting the inevitable consequences a life-threatening disease can have on the different aspects of one’s life. “I got away from the love songs on the Glass Passenger (2008),” which was written predominantly during the time that McMahon was sick.
Those anticipating People and Things should also know that McMahon’s fresh outlook on life won’t be the only determinant accounting for a distinct sound on the new album. While still preparing music for the album, McMahon got together with his friend Matthew Theissen (lead vocalist, guitarist, and pianist of pop-punk outfit Relient K), and the two co-wrote three songs that will appear on People and Things. “He’s such a good buddy,” says McMahon of Theissen. “The songs sound like a deep conversation between two friends.”
Fresh out of the studio and awaiting the final production changes in preparation for the release of People and Things, McMahon and company are currently on a tour of North America. The band will appear at House of Blues tonight. McMahon concedes to being a sucker for the “traditional tour stuff” while in town. “I like to get my hurricane on or have beignets at the Cafe Du Monde.”
Jack’s Mannequin plays House of Blues tonight with Steel Train, Lady Danville and River James. The show starts at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available online.
