Spinner

Andrew McMahon Returns to Something Corporate After Battling Leukemia

Andrew McMahonWhen Orange Country pop-punkers Something Corporate disbanded in 2004 it wasn't supposed to be permanent. "We never really made the point to break up," frontman Andrew McMahon tells Spinner. "We went on hiatus was because we were good friends and we wanted to protect our friendship."

But then McMahon, who took the time to record his first solo album under the moniker Jack's Mannequin, was diagnosed with leukemia at age 22. McMahon chronicled his struggle with the disease in 2009's 'Dear Jack,' a documentary that features self-recorded footage from his time in the hospital. "Originally the plan was I'd do a Jack's record and then I'd do a Something Corporate record. Clearly, my life changed pretty dramatically in the midst of making that first Jack's record and I went a different direction," he says. "But it hasn't changed my love for what I created in Something Corporate and what we created together as a band."

After years of debating the right time to get back together, the group -- who reunited to perform three songs at Bamboozle Left in Pomona, Calif. in October of 2006 -- are getting together to do the reunion thing right, performing this Sunday, March 28 at Bamboozle Left in Anaheim and again May 15 in Chicago for Bamboozle in the Windy City.

So what made this the right time? "For us, we were signed in 2000 and we put out our very first recordings, an independent record called 'Ready ... Break,'" McMahon says. "Finally we came up on this 10-year anniversary of when we started making music in the studio together and it seemed as good a time as any for me, finally being through the bulk of what was attached to being sick."

Now healthy, McMahon says he can look back on that time with perspective. "It's weird when you're in a band and you jump into another one. It's like you do a bit of distancing yourself and you sort of disassociate in some ways. It was a bit of another life for me as I see it now," he says. "But it's a good time for me at this moment, being able to circle back and see how good it all really was on that side of it after this whole ordeal."

And what does he see? "Coming back and doing some shows with the boys is pretty awesome," he says.

Given that and the fact the break was never intended to be permanent, is there a chance for more Something Corporate happenings in the future? Yes and no, McMahon explains. "As far as our career as a recording band and a band that's making an effort to put out new modern albums, I don't necessarily see that happening. I feel like as far as where I am in my career, the way that I'm recording right now I'm just really happy," he says. "But at the same time I wouldn't rule out the idea of us going out and playing new shows. We have a catalogue of tons of songs and if the opportunity presented itself for us to sneak out and do a show here and there I could see it happening. But I think that will probably be the extent of it."

Watch Something Corporate's 'If You C Jordan' Video (2002)

All the AOL Music info you want to know

Greg Allman Engaged to Woman 40 Years…

The Boot

Paul Archuleta, FilmMagic Seventh time's a charm? Music icon Greg Allman is…

Kanye West, Kim Kardashian Attend…

The Boombox

WireImage Kanye West and Kim Kardashian were spotted canoodling at the…

Vision of Trees, 'Turn 2 U' -- Video of…

Spinner

Artist: Vision of Trees Video: "Turn 2 U" Highlight: "We wanted the video to…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

19 Comments

Filter by:
Victoria

my life inspiration.

March 06 2012 at 8:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nikola Tesla

Jen, Ash, and Ashley. Western medicine is exactly what the problem is and as far as knowing the best hospitals and doctors, well thats your opinion. Not necessarily the truth. You are misinformed because you believe everything you hear. A far as your comments, well the truth isn't always pretty and I'm sure neither are you. As far as Andrew is concerned I have nothing against him. But I do have a right to speak my mind. Just as you have. The truth is that the truth hurts and you guys a probably just groupies.

P.S. Grow up girls. Get off the computer and go out and get a job and help your family.

March 28 2010 at 8:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Nikola Tesla's comment
Victoria

andrew mcmahon is my life inspiration. you do not need to have fun putting someone down where everyone can see. that comment was not necessary at all, and those girls probably do have jobs. they probably are beautiful too, because they listen to beautiful music if they listen to andy. part of being a teenge girl is to be introduced to technology and be on the computer. its pretty darn regular. groupies are okay. groupies are the ones who initially start the band off and advertise it to their friends. my mother had leukemia and died from it. he has God on his side because he lived through it. twice. i doubt anyone could get through it twice, and he wrote music when he was going through chemo. truly, he is an amazing person to have on this earth.

ps. nikola tesla died in 1943 at age 86 from a heart attack, so if youre not his ghost reincarnation, id change your name.

March 06 2012 at 8:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steve_O

Whether it's Something Corporate or Jack's Mannequin, you guys or you are truly phenomenal!!! Stay healthy!

March 27 2010 at 11:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
danoncrn77

Glad that you are doing better! Keep up the Good work!

March 27 2010 at 9:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nikola Tesla

Too bad this poor fool had no access to real information that would have eased most of the pain he went through. A simple adjustment to his diet would have helped get him to the right place and even saved his hair. Look up the study on grape seed extract the University Of Maryland. Grape seed extract has been know to fight and eliminate leukemia cancer cells within days and naturally help heal you without hurting you or your organs.
P.S. Look around you might discover reality.

March 27 2010 at 9:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Nikola Tesla's comment
elena

glad to hear ur well. my first concert was u guys. what a great time!!

March 27 2010 at 9:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lipglozzjunkie

Awesome news to hear. Always loved Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin!

March 27 2010 at 8:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
biancamarz

I'm so happy to hear he is better and moving on. I was able to meet him outside a show in Providence, RI and he was so nice and not some pretentious up-himself jerk. THAT was awesome. :)

March 27 2010 at 7:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jerry the straight guy

The article said you had leukemia but it did not say what type. Continue to take care of your self and best of luck for a long happy, successful and healthy future

March 27 2010 at 6:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Jerry the straight guy's comment
Victoria

he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or cancer of the white blood cells characterized by excess lymphoblasts.

March 06 2012 at 8:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
etchasketch092

I'm glad you are doing well! I love your song "Swim" on your newest Jack's Mannequin CD! So inspirational!

March 27 2010 at 5:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply