Jack's Mannequin on The Daily Show

Hey Everyone!

So this blog is gonna be really short, but I wanted to share this with you. Last week, Andrew McMahon of Jack's Mannequin performed on The Daily Show. I cant find an embedding enabled version of this video anywhere due to the fact that I am Canadian and "this video cannot be displayed in your region" messages are all that I can find. Thank you online video hosting for discriminating against your neighbors to the North! Anyways, here you go... you can watch the clip of the brief interview and performance of "swim" here. Its beautiful. Enjoy!

Rock On,

- Girl At The Rock Show

Long Awaited "Dear Jack" DVD Released Today!

Hey everyone!

I just realized that in my last post, I forgot to mention another exciting addition to stores this week! Personally, I've been waiting to see this for years, and if any of you are fans of Andrew McMahon's work (Something Corporate/Jacks Mannequin) you may know what I'm talking about. November 3/2009 marks the release of the much anticipated "Dear Jack" DVD.

Photo Credit: Me! (Toronto Warped Tour, July 2008)

"I'm alive, And I don't need a witness to know that I survived, I'm not looking for forgiveness.

I just need light, I need light in the dark and I search for the resolution"

- The Resolution by Jacks Mannequin (The Glass Passenger, 2008)

This film chronicles Andrew's difficult journey through his fight with leukemia. He bravely agreed to make a documentary (which he filmed most of himself with a hand held camera), to bring insight to the world of a cancer patient. Just seeing this preview alone nearly made me cry, and I'm pretty sure the full film will have a similar effect. 

I have a lot of respect for this man. He has done a lot of incredible things from the isolation of a sterile hospital room. He never let the cancer get in his way, continuing with plans to release music and make a difference. He has donated great amounts of time and effort to the cause of raising awareness and money for research. 

On a personal note, I have seen my fair share of loved ones battle this illness and that makes me appreciate what Andrew does even more. A lot of people encounter this, it effects everyone. And for an artist like him to step up and make a change is an incredible thing. I mean, he founded a charity, and matched thousands of dollars in donations raised for the Light The Night walk. He has seen and done a lot for someone who only just turned 27. I think he is honestly one of the most inspirational people I have ever had the pleasure of speaking with, no matter how brief it may have been. 

So I for one, am very excited to watch this DVD. I ordered my copy from Amazon early yesterday morning and can hardly wait the five business days until it reaches my front door. If you're interested in Andrew's story, definitely take a few minutes to check out his work. I'll leave you with a preview and some links to follow up on!

Links: 

Official website

Dear Jack Foundation

Interview

Andrew's Blogs (Starting the day of diagnosis)

Rock On!

- Girl At The Rock Show

Piano Rock

 Hello!

When you think of rock music, what instruments come to mind? Electric guitar, bass, drums... and keys? Or is that just my personal list? I fully support the adoption of pianos in rock. Though keyboards have been incorporated in the past with bands like Meatloaf, Fleetwood Mac and Queen, I have to say I'm a big fan of the recent resurgence. There's just something about the way keys fit into rock music... it makes it epic! It can also lend a soft side to a traditionally heavy genre. 

I find that there's a certain emotionality attached to pianos. Be it an electric keyboard with a flashy player, or the traditional full set up with a bench, it just comes with a level of soul. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch someone play in a live setting and you'll soon see for yourselves. 

I'll never forget seeing one of my favourite piano based rock groups, Something Corporate, play when I was about 15. Watching Andrew McMahon control that stage... jumping on his own personally painted stand up piano... it was pure, raw passion. When I had the opportunity to watch his new band, Jack's Mannequin, play from side stage at the Vans Warped Tour a couple years ago, it was the same awe inspiring feeling as the first time. Trust me, its difficult to compare their level of emotion and musicality to that of any other performer. 

So if you're into piano/keyboard rock, here are a few bands you should check out!

Something Corporate

Jacks Mannequin ( a band I will talk about A LOT) 

The AKAs (keyboard and synth)

The Hush Sound

The Fray

Keane

Eisley

Butch Walker

No longer is piano something you do as a child... bring it on! I'd much rather meet a guy who plays the piano and not the guitar. Girls- how much would you love one of these guys to play for you? I know I'm not alone here. I wish I never gave it up... too bad for me! Guess I could always pick it up again but it could be tricky to find the time these days. Its just the kind of instrument you cant play without some level of passion. Its always moving, and always beautiful. Enjoy!

Rock On!

- Girl At The Rock Show