Jack’s Mannequin

Angel interview front man Andrew McMahon

As our regular readers know, CONFRONT had the opportunity to conduct many interviews at the 2008 Vans Warped tour when it stop at Parc Jean Drapeau and this week’s Round Table is with Andrew McMahon, front man of Jack’s Mannequin, a piano rock band from Orange County, California.

Because of the late afternoon hour and the pouring rain under which the interview was being held, Andrew and I opted for a quick fire question session of a few hot topics that hopefully will teach the fans something new and be a valid introduction to those who are unfamiliar with this band.

Enjoy!

On how he Jack’s Mannequin came to be

First, I got into music when I was about nine years old and started playing the piano.  My parents had a piano in the living room and I started writing songs on the piano after I learned a Jerry Lee Lewis song that a friend of the family taught me.  I’ve had the bug ever since; I was always making songs, making demo tapes and stuff like that.  When I was in high school I started my first band which eventually turned into something corporate.  And after the corporate thing, I started to burn out and started working in the studio on my own and Jack’s Mannequin sort of came out of that.

On the Vans Warped Tour 2008

It’s my first time on the tour as Jack’s Mannequin.  I did the 2002 Warped Tour as another band and several subsequent Warped tours but as Jack’s Mannequin this is the first.

This is our last day on the tour.  I mean it will be good to go home and shower – something I haven’t had to luxury of doing in several days – but we’ve had the chance to see a lot of friends and there are a lot of people out here that you become fond of so walking away from that feels like walking away from summer camp.

On the bands he’s discovered on the Tour

There was this band that I’ve been talking about a lot called A Cursive Memory which is a really cool band that I’ve really been impressed with and been checking out a lot.

On what fans can expect of the new album (released Sept. 23^rd, 2008)

I’ve worked on it for so long.  You know, when you zoom in on something so close, you start to lose perspective.  It’s been three years since the last release and I’ve been working on the new album for over a year, almost two years now.  In a sense, I think what you’ll find a wide range of material.  It’s the longest record I’ve put out – there are 13 songs and a bonus track.  It’s a lot of music and has some of my best pop tracks on it.  And I think we sort of took the advantage of making an LP.  We thought we’d take our time on this and sit back and do essentially like a double vinyl album.  That’s how we treated it.  We took our time; there’s a lot of groovier stuff and some of the stuff is a little more laid back.  It’s a very dynamic.

On touring to promote the album

Before the album comes out we’ll be on the Paramore tour and then after that I’m imagining we’ll probably [go on a headlining tour].  I can’t say for sure because we are still putting our plans together.  We are looking at doing some stuff overseas as well.  We are gonna take a few days off after the Warped but right after we’ll be right back out there.  Especially now, because of the new record, this is a busy time.  Sometimes you don’t see home for close to a year.

First and last albums purchased

My first album purchase was probably Blind Melon or maybe Pearl Jam.  The most recent I purchased… hmmm, you know the iTunes thing makes buying music so passive and I’m trying to think of the last album I bought and I’m drawing a blank.  Oh you know what I bought… have you ever heard of Michael Penn.  There’s a song he did in the 80s [called "No Myth Romeo In Black Jeans"] and I love that song.  And a guy that works on my records played in his band so I said I had to check it out.  And it’s actually a Killer record.

First concert attended

My first concert attended was Billy Joel in Cleveland and it was amazing.

Where he sees himself (ideally) in 10 years

On a boat in the middle of the ocean (laughing) you know what I mean?  Marooned on some island where nobody can call me.  I don’t mean that in a bad way, I’m not that reclusive; but somewhere with a lot of peace and quiet.  I plan on making music of course – I can’t not play music it’s the only thing I know how to do – but it would be great to be in a position to do this and also not feel like you are strapped to a bomb all the time.  I love everything about music but this past six years or so of making records has been particularly tumultuous.  I have a really great life but I’m looking forward to stretching out and getting some sleep at some point.  Maybe in ten years it will happen…

www.jacksmannequin.com

www.myspace.com/jacksmannequin

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