The Load Out – Jack’s Mannequin @ The Chance 7/1

“I’m alive, but I don’t need a witness, to know that I survived, I’m not looking for forgiveness, Yeah I just need light, I need light in the dark as I search for the resolution.”

Those are the words Jack’s Mannequin frontman, Andrew McMahon, sings in “The Resolution.” For those who are familiar with Andrew or his bands, Jack’s Mannequin and Something Corporate, they know the story and the unexpected path he had to take to release 2008’s The Glass Passenger.

He was 22 and Something Corporate was at the height of their career, but he wanted to do something different. He went into the studio with longtime producer Jim Wirt and laid down what would become his first solo record, Everything In Transit. Just as he was about to release it, he was diagnosed with leukemia. The album, The Glass Passenger, would be his toughest album to date to write and record, as a lot of it deals with the struggles he faced.

Fast forward to 2011, with countless world tours under his belt in support of The Glass Passenger and now he—along with bandmates Jay McMillan, Bobby Anderson, and Mikey Wagner—are about to release the third Jack’s Mannequin record, People And Things.

I had the chance to sit down with Andrew before Jack’s headlining set at The Chance Theatre in Poughkeepsie, NY, on July 1. After doing nearly 75 Project Greenrooms, this one was definitely the most special. Talking with Andrew was like talking to an old friend. There was no “rock star” about him at all. Just a guy who feels like the luckiest guy on this earth to be doing what he loves and to still have people lining up hours before to see his band.

During the interview, we talked a lot about People and Things, along with how he would love that gold record. Furthermore, I may have just convinced him to pull off Bruce’s “I’m On Fire” at the Stone Pony show Aug. 9.

I have seen Jack’s countless times but tonight was by far the best Jack’s show and the best show I have ever seen. Just four guys on stage with no “fancy” extra additions, the way music should be.

They took the stage to a sold-out crowd screaming at the top of their lungs, and went right into the first song off The Glass Passenger, “Crashin.” From then on, the crowd was completely immersed in their 90-minute set that included songs from both Jack’s releases along with two new songs. Oh, and a special song I’ll mention in a minute.

The new songs, “Amy, I” and “Release Me” were that perfect Jack’s Mannequin sound, but a notch higher. “Amy, I” was being sung by the crowd by the end of the song, that’s how fast the chorus stuck! “Release Me” had the heaviest guitar riff that I have heard in any Jack’s song and was super-powerful. Lets just say this; this record is going to be amazing. Unfortunately, we have to wait till the fall to hear it.

Throughout the set, he sprinkled in fan favorites like “Bruised,” “Swim,” and “Holiday From Real.” The last song of the main set was an amazing rendition of, “MFEO.” Featuring an extended bridge, it was the perfect ending to a main set, and as always, Andrew was on top of the piano.

Then, Andrew took the stage for the first encore song and shocked the entire crowd. Everyone that follows Andrew knows the Something Corporate song, “I Woke Up In A Car,” has a line that says; “I woke up in New York City from my sleep behind the wheel, caught a train to Poughkeepsie and time stood still.” You can tell the crowd wanted to hear it and when he came out and laughed, “We’re going to attempt something different, and I mean attempt cause I practiced it once today,” the crowd went nuts. It was a beautiful, stripped-down version of the song with just him on piano.

Next, Jay came back in on the drums and the band kicked into one of their biggest hits, “Dark Blue.” Their staple closer, “La, La, Lie,” finished the set. Complete with Andrew crowd surfing and band introductions, it was the perfect end to a true rock ‘n’ roll set.

If you have not started listening to Jack’s Mannequin yet, I recommend you do. If you love anything from Tom Petty to Coldplay, Jack’s will definitely strike a chord with you. Most importantly though, to know one of your favorite bands is backed by a group of guys that are some of the nicest I have met in my travels doing these interviews.

Make sure you catch Jack’s Mannequin @ The Stone Pony Summerstage on Aug. 9 as they co-headline with Guster. Remember, you may hear a Bruce cover…

Oh, and by the way, when People And Things does come out, make sure you buy it. Andrew and company definitely deserve that gold record.