Biography
Something Corporate distinguished themselves among the wave of youthful alt-rock outfits surfacing in the early 2000s through piano-driven compositions and broad commercial viability. The musicians had scarcely finished high school when Drive-Thru Records signed them, allowing the group to reach a substantial following of West Coast teenage trendsetters in search of a band to adopt as their own. Instead of punk, they delivered refined, articulate, radio-friendly alternative rock—a commercial approach that drew MCA’s notice before the major label paired with the act for an introductory EP titled Audioboxer. Issued in late 2001, Audioboxer included just six tracks yet illustrated the band’s potential by merging alt-rock guitar force with touches of intense, emo-inflected writing. An added asset was the authentic heartthrob figure of songwriter/pianist/vocalist Andrew McMahon, a developing artist who would go on to create his separate endeavor, Jack’s Mannequin.
Prior to operating as Something Corporate, McMahon, drummer Brian Ireland, and bassist Clutch had performed in an earlier ensemble formed for a high-school battle of the bands event. Although they prevailed in that contest, the group dissolved soon afterward. McMahon later encountered guitarist Josh Partington at a high-school gathering, and the pair, newly motivated, began playing together under the Something Corporate name. They promptly recruited guitarist William Tell and started performing at local venues, which led to occasional support slots with acts such as Sugar Ray and Better Than Ezra.
Drive-Thru detected the growing interest and approached the band. Although the label was known chiefly for youth-oriented punk releases, and Something Corporate operated well outside that sphere, the arrangement proved logical; Drive-Thru saw the act’s crossover prospects while Something Corporate valued the indie’s established credibility. MCA entered chiefly as distributor yet applied its influence to promote the group. The summer-infused debut album Leaving Through the Window, bearing both labels’ logos, surfaced in spring 2002. Extensive touring ensued before the somewhat somber follow-up North appeared in October 2003.
Guitarist William Tell departed amicably in early 2004 to pursue solo work, shortly before Something Corporate embarked on a national co-headlining tour with Yellowcard. Bob Anderson, previously of River City High, filled the guitar position for the shows, enabling the band to reproduce many vocal harmonies from the record onstage. A live DVD titled Live at the Ventura Theater, documenting the revised lineup, was released in November 2004.
An ensuing hiatus saw McMahon return to California and initiate his solo project Jack’s Mannequin. The first Mannequin album appeared in mid-2005, yet its supporting tour was halted after McMahon received a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in June. Following treatment, he recovered by year’s end from a successful bone marrow transplant donated by his sister. McMahon then devoted himself fully to Jack’s Mannequin, whose debut Everything in Transit had entered the Billboard Top 40. A subsequent Jack’s Mannequin album arrived in 2008, leaving Something Corporate’s prospects uncertain, though the band staged a short reunion tour in 2010.
Prior to operating as Something Corporate, McMahon, drummer Brian Ireland, and bassist Clutch had performed in an earlier ensemble formed for a high-school battle of the bands event. Although they prevailed in that contest, the group dissolved soon afterward. McMahon later encountered guitarist Josh Partington at a high-school gathering, and the pair, newly motivated, began playing together under the Something Corporate name. They promptly recruited guitarist William Tell and started performing at local venues, which led to occasional support slots with acts such as Sugar Ray and Better Than Ezra.
Drive-Thru detected the growing interest and approached the band. Although the label was known chiefly for youth-oriented punk releases, and Something Corporate operated well outside that sphere, the arrangement proved logical; Drive-Thru saw the act’s crossover prospects while Something Corporate valued the indie’s established credibility. MCA entered chiefly as distributor yet applied its influence to promote the group. The summer-infused debut album Leaving Through the Window, bearing both labels’ logos, surfaced in spring 2002. Extensive touring ensued before the somewhat somber follow-up North appeared in October 2003.
Guitarist William Tell departed amicably in early 2004 to pursue solo work, shortly before Something Corporate embarked on a national co-headlining tour with Yellowcard. Bob Anderson, previously of River City High, filled the guitar position for the shows, enabling the band to reproduce many vocal harmonies from the record onstage. A live DVD titled Live at the Ventura Theater, documenting the revised lineup, was released in November 2004.
An ensuing hiatus saw McMahon return to California and initiate his solo project Jack’s Mannequin. The first Mannequin album appeared in mid-2005, yet its supporting tour was halted after McMahon received a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in June. Following treatment, he recovered by year’s end from a successful bone marrow transplant donated by his sister. McMahon then devoted himself fully to Jack’s Mannequin, whose debut Everything in Transit had entered the Billboard Top 40. A subsequent Jack’s Mannequin album arrived in 2008, leaving Something Corporate’s prospects uncertain, though the band staged a short reunion tour in 2010.
Albums
Played In Space: The Best of Something Corporate
2010
North
2003
Leaving Through The Window
2002
Audioboxer
2001
Singles
