Jack's Mannequin Definitely Earn Their Supper

Hey Everyone!

So on friday I headed out to Toronto to check out the Jack's Mannequin "Sing For Your Supper Tour". One word to sum it all up? Astonishing. Never have I seen a band play with more passion and pure, untainted talent. If you missed out, well thats kind of depressing because this is something I feel everyone should see and hear for themselves!

The night started off with opening act, Fun. This american indie pop band warmed up the crowd with happy tunes and FUN instrumentation. Some of you may recognize front man Nate Ruess as a former member of the group- the Format. They played a great set of memorable songs and had the crowd in an audible frenzy when Andrew McMahon joined them on stage with booze to inspire a Happy Birthday chant for Nate. All around the group was flawless musically, and captivating to the audience. I heard many people trying to find out the groups name and discussing the purchase of CDs. Well done, Fun. The name could not be more fitting for that set!

Next up was the headlining act, Jacks Mannequin. The crowd chatting excitedly as the small brown grand style piano is carted out on the stage and amplifiers are decorated with colorful bottles of alcohol and comic book heroes. As the lights dimmed, Andrew and the boys took the stage, greeted with cheers and applause. He sat behind the piano and broke into "I'm Ready" and a heartfelt version of "The Resolution". Beautiful piano break downs were met with rousing approval as the set list carried on through old and new favorites. Also incorporated into the performance were a few rare B-sides and tracks off the latest EP to accompany Andrew's documentary "Dear Jack". A couple specific track that made the night memorable were "Hammers & Strings" and "Swim". Both songs sparked a make shift sing along with the audience almost drowning out the stage. You could just see the way Andrew's eyes lit up as he briefly turned toward to audience and encouraged the chants. Its just one of those moments that make a concert unforgettable. On a side note- I definitely appreciated the between song score updates on the Canada/Slovakia hockey game... he acknowledged how important the game is to our country and how grateful he was that we had chosen to miss it for his show. Thats right Andrew, we are a hockey nation, thank you for understanding! haha

The night was amazing. My hunger for piano rock has been insatiable since that show. I still find myself humming along to Hammers & Strings, my poor kittens having to listen to my 3am kitchen karaoke sessions... This song here is another favorite of mine, give it a listen, hope you love it as much as I do! (sorry its a live version- best audio I could find on youtube!)

Definitely recommend checking out Andrew's bands on upcoming J.M tours and POSSIBLE Something Corporate reunion (anyone else excited for this?!?!?!)

Did you catch one of the Sing for your Supper dates? Thoughts/Pictures/Reviews?

Let me know!

Rock On,

- Girl At The Rock Show

Kill The Messenger

Hey Everyone!

So I'm not gonna make this a big long post, just wanted to share this video with you because I'm pretty certain that I have goosebumps every time I see it. To set this up, I'll say that I am off to Toronto Friday to see the breath takingly talented Andrew McMahon (Jacks Mannequin/Something Corporate) play at the Sound Academy. I missed out on their last headlining tour because they cancelled it to join The Fray on tour so I am well overdue for this show! Cant wait to sing my lungs out, its been too long. In honor of this upcoming event, I've been listening to a LOT of J.M music, and this one has always been a personal favorite of mine... specifically this version that I stumbled across on Youtube. Soooo beautiful. The track is called Kill The Messenger and it can be found on their first album, Everything In Transit. Check it out below!

Was that not amazing?! I'm sorry, I just LOVE piano ballads!

Will I be seeing any of you there? I certainly hope so :)

Rock On!

- Girl At The Rock Show

Top Ten Tunes For Making An Escape

Hey Everyone!

To all the students out there, I hope you had a good (and maybe even school productive- HA!) slack week. I know I did just that, slacked off. It was nice not having a paper due or a class to run to. Got a few shifts in at work, managed to save up a few bucks which is never a bad thing. Though I have to say, maybe I would have been better off spending that cash and hitting a beach somewhere... Its been far too long since I felt the sun shine on my back, the cool ocean waves against my skin, and the warm sand between my toes! But alas, I digress. Sadly, the beach will likely evade me for a while longer I suspect.

On the topic of vacations- have you ever felt the urge to just escape? To just run as far as your feet can take you, as long as that adrenaline keeps pumping- To just keep going until your lungs give out? Sometimes we all need to get away, to just pick up and start fresh somewhere new. Thats how I'm feeling right now.

I wish I werent in class til April... and I wish I didnt have to immediately start working to pay my rent. If I had the chance, I'd pick up and head to Quebec for a week or two with nothing but a backpack... stay in hostels, walk through the old city, sip coffee in little cafes to stay warm. I just need to get out of here and have some time to think, you know?

I know that was a long rant, but its just the best way to explain this top ten list. Sometimes we cant take those vacations, and there is something that stops us from running. As much as we dream about it, real life has a tendency to get in the way. So when you cant make a physical escape, sometimes a mental escape can be just as good for the mind, body, and soul. If your brain needs a vacation like mine, I suggest the following. These ten tracks, a hot cup of tea and your favorite book. If you're really into it, put on a slideshow of beach pictures and crank up the heat!

In no specific order...

10) The Great Escape by Boys Like Girls

9) All At Sea by Jamie Cullum

8) Island In The Sun by Weezer

7) Holiday From Real by Jacks Mannequin

6) Gone (Going) by Jack Johnson

5) One Love by Bob Marley

4) Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz

3) Paradise City by Guns N Roses

2) Half Way Around The World by Oasis

1) Somewhere Only We Know by Keane

I think that I might take my own advice later tonight, after class. Grab some hot coffee, plug this list into my ipod and get these essays off my back. Its sounding like the perfect plan for me tonight.

How about you? Need an escape? Tell me about it! I'd love to hear from you

Rock On,

- Girl At The Rock Show

Something Corporate Back In The Studio!

Hey Everyone!

Exciting news, Something Corporate are officially back in the studio! I'm thrilled, I loved these guys when I was in high school, so a reunion tour would be killer.

This news follows not long after the announcement for Bamboozle Left in California which the guys will be headlining. The group went on hiatus shortly after the release of their last album North. The band members each went off to their own projects. Perhaps most notably, Andrew McMahon's very successful solo effort- Jack's Mannequin.

So what do you think of the possibility of new something corporate tracks???

Rock On!

- Girl At The Rock Show

Warped Tour Announces Presale!

Hey Everyone!

Get ready, mark this one in your calendar! Warped Tour has announced that the majority of their pre-sale tickets will be on sale March 26th. The select number of pre-sale tickets will include a 2010 tour compilation CD, a jump the line pass (which I have never really understood) and a limited edition souvenir ticket. More details to come in February!

In the mean time, why not become part of the Warped Panel? Fill out a series of surveys for Vans (usually about one a month until May) and they will randomly select 10 winners per date to win a VIP Pass. I won back in 2008 and I have to say, the experience was well worth it. Its not ALL fun & games... had to hand out surveys and then input the data onto little palm pilots before we were allowed entry... but we beat the crowds by an hour, saw the tour being set up, met bands (actually got to watch the Butcher from The Academy Is paint which was cool), and the piece de resistance, you get to choose a band to watch from side stage. I chose Jack's Mannequin and it was breath taking. Never going to forget that. Ended up standing beside Matt Thiessen and William Beckett... pretty sweet way to watch one of your favorite groups! So yeah, check it out, write the surveys and keep your fingers crossed!

Thats all for now!

Rock On,

- Girl At The Rock Show

Andrew McMahon: A Song For Katie

Hey Everyone!

I'm sure you're all getting a wee bit sick of my Jack's Mannequin blogs on her, but I cant help myself. I'm sorry, please forgive me. I just want to share this song with you... its incredible. Its called Katie, written about his sister Katie when he found out that she was a match for his stem cell donor. This is explained in his documentary Dear Jack and I swear, it about had me in tears. I wont bore you with this any longer, but below is the song (live performances only) and the lyrics. Let me know what you think! Personally, if I were Katie, I'd be floored and I think she was.

LYRICS:

Katie you're a brave girl, and I know its only just started.
I'm gonna be there at 6, with some flowers on sticks
That were clipped just to make the weak strong.
And Katie, its a strange world when girls can get so broken hearted
If it were me and the universe, I'd get the worst of this gone.

Katie, Katie I'm sorry that in your condition
The sunshine's been missing but Katie,
Don't believe that it isn't there.
Oh and Katie, Katie be happy
This world can be ugly, but isn't it beautiful?
We're not really here, and we're really not there
We're really not there.

Katie you're a brave girl and courage is something I'll need now.
'Cause its been a hell of a day I've spent fading away
We all fade sometimes, I believe
And Katie its a strange world as I watch the tables get turned around
And you've got the strength that I've lost in a thought that would carry me.

And Katie, Katie I'm sorry that in your condition
The sunshine's been missing but Katie,
Don't believe that it isn't there.
Oh and Katie, Katie be happy
This world can be ugly, but isn't it beautiful?
We're not really here, and i'm really not there

Whoa
Whoa

And it's not the end of the world,
It's not the end of the world,
It's not the end of the world,
'Cause the cops wouldn't break up this party.

And Katie, Katie I'm sorry that in your condition
The sunshine's been missing but Katie,
Don't believe that it isn't there.
Oh and Katie, Katie be happy
This world can be ugly, but isn't it beautiful?
We're not really here, and we're really not there.

Oh Katie, Katie I'm sorry that in my condition 
Your sunshine's been missing but Katie,
Don't believe that it isn't there
Oh Katie, Katie be happy 
This world can be ugly but isn't it beautiful?
We're not really here, and we're really not there
We're really not there,
We're really not there.

Katie, you're a brave girl,
And I know its only just started. 

Rock On,

- Girl At The Rock Show

Exam Dance Break Day 8

Hey Everyone!

So I'm writing to you this morning from the uncomfortable plastic furniture in Western's Taylor Library. Basically, I have a physics exam on sunday afternoon so I'm stuck here with a 2hr loan course text that I will have to keep taking out until they tell me to give it up. I've been here about 2hrs now... book is due back at 11:11 and I have about 2 pages of notes to show for it. I'm thinking this could be an absolute disaster... can anyone say all-nighter? ME! OH ME, I CAN!

*raises hand and waves it frantically in the air* See, this is what happens when I get up before the sun (7 is just not a nice hour of the day when you go to bed about 4 haha). Anyways, I'll give up the sarcastic and strange banter now and move on to something a little more typical, MUSIC! So in case any of you forgot, today is the day that Jack's Mannequin tickets go on sale for the 2/26/2010 Toronto date. I know I have my order in, and I really think you should too! In honor of my excitement, lets go with an old, relatable Something Corporate classic that is sure to have you laughing off old memories and belting it out in the library... stop by Taylor, we can make it a duet! So here we go... I Kissed A Drunk Girl by Something Corporate! ENJOY!

I do apologize for my caffeine high this morning... it was necessary to get me here in the first place haha

Back to the books! Best of luck everyone.

Rock On!

- Girl At The Rock Show

Jack's Mannequin Add Toronto Tour Date!

Hey Everyone!

So Jack's Mannequin posted on their website today that they will be adding a Toronto date to their Sing For Your Supper Tour. The show will take place on Friday February 26th, 2010 at the Toronto Sound Academy. I highly recommend checking this out if you are at all interested in the band. They put on a fantastic show and tickets are only $30 (without service charges sadly). The support acts for the tour are Fun and Vedera. They will be available for presale on wednesday here and on sale through ticketmaster here on friday at 10am... I will warn you though, as nice as this venue is, its in the middle of no where... kind of a pain to get to! haha

Rock On!

- Girl At The Rock Show

Update: Weezer Cancels Remainder Of December Leg Of Tour

Hey Everyone!

Tour mates Jack's Mannequin are now confirming that due to the injuries sustained in the accident earlier today, Monday's show in Boston as well as the 2 remaining dates of the December leg of the tour (9th in Washington DC, and 10th in New Jersey) have been canceled. 

 

No news yet as to the severity of the injuries or if new shows will be planned in place of those that were forced to be canceled. The tour is supposed to pick up again on Jan.9/2010 in San Francisco, but it is currently unknown if this is still the case. 

Keep up to date on this story with these links!

Rolling Stone

CNN

Weezer Myspace

Rivers Twitter

Band Official Twitter

Pat Wilson Twitter

Band Website

Weezer Facebook

Again, Best Wishes To Rivers & The Band For A Speedy Recovery!

Rock On,

- Girl At The Rock Show