Something Corporate

Something Corporate (also known as SoCo) was an American rock band from Orange County, California, formed in 1998. Their last line-up included vocalist and pianist Andrew McMahon, guitarists Josh Partington and Bobby Anderson, bassist Kevin Page and drummer Brian Ireland.

Something Corporate
Background information
OriginSanta Monica, California, United States
GenresAlternative rock, pop punk, emo[1]
Years active1998–2006, 2010
LabelsDrive-Thru, Geffen, MCA
Associated actsFirescape, Jack's Mannequin, William Tell, Streamline, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
WebsiteSomethingCorporate.com
Past membersAndrew McMahon
Josh Partington
Kevin "Clutch" Page
Brian Ireland
Bobby "Raw" Anderson
William Tell
Richard Hernandez

Following their formation, Something Corporate recorded demos that were eventually released as an independent, studio album entitled Ready... Break. Soon after, they were signed to MCA Records but were released under the Drive-Thru Records banner for their debut EP Audioboxer. Their first single, "If You C Jordan", was their most successful, peaking at number 29 on the Alternative Songs chart. Their first album released through the major label was Leaving Through the Window (2002) which premiered at Number 1/Hot Shot Debut on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart on June 8, 2002 and eventually peaked at number 101 on the Billboard 200.

Something Corporate went on hiatus in 2004 and no longer had any recording contracts with their record labels. During the hiatus, McMahon found success in his side-project Jack's Mannequin. Something Corporate briefly reunited in October 2006 (at a Jack's Mannequin show) to play a short set. In December 2009, Something Corporate officially announced their reunion to tour in 2010 and released a greatest hits album. McMahon announced during an August 3, 2010, visit to Milwaukee that the band had collectively sold over 1 million total records in the band's ten years of existence.

History

Formation and early releases (1998–2002)

Andrew McMahon and Brian Ireland had a class together at Dana Hills High School, during which the pair often talked about music. Ireland received a drum set for Christmas, and the pair subsequently started a band[2] with bassist Kevin "Clutch" Page. The group, known as Left Here, was formed for a Battle of the Bands contest. Despite winning, they ended up breaking up shortly afterwards.[3] In September 1998, McMahon, Page, and Ireland, merged with lead guitarist Josh Partington and rhythm guitarist Richard Hernandez, to form Something Corporate. Following a few shows, McMahon realised that he would be unable to pursue a career in music if he was in education. McMahon's parents were supportive of his music, but suggested doing college applications if the band didn't work out within a year.[4] The group were unable to secure gigs due to being underage outside of parties and various Battle of the Bands competitions.[5] During this time, the group shared an apartment in Dana Point, where McMahon wrote a number of the band's early material.[6]

Throughout high school the band tried to play at local venue the Coach House, which was owned by Gary Folgner.[6] He kept declining the band's offers as they didn't have any releases out. However, when Folgner saw the band live, he gave them money to record their debut album Ready... Break at the Coach House and Galaxy Theater.[6] The band released Ready... Break in November 2000.[7] On March 27, 2001, Something Corporate announced an official change to the band's lineup; Hernandez was replaced by William Tell. The band signed with MCA Records and Drive-Thru Records and released the band's official debut effort, an EP titled Audioboxer (2001). It was promoted nationwide through tours, in-store performances at Tower Records stores and a television appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn on February 25, 2002. The EP featured the single "If U C Jordan", with its music video starring American Pie's Chris Owen.

Debut album and follow-up (2002–2004)

In May 2002, Something Corporate released their debut major label album, Leaving Through the Window. It contained the singles "I Woke Up in a Car" and "Punk Rock Princess". The album hit number one on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart and number 101 on the Billboard 200.[8] Something Corporate released a half-hour home video on DVD, titled A Year in the Life in November 2002. Furthermore, they released the B-sides compilation EP Songs for Silent Movies, only available in Japan.

In October 2003, Something Corporate released their second full-length record, North. The album debuted at number 24 on the Billboard 200. They launched the album with an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, performing the songs "If U C Jordan" and "Space", the latter of which became the only single from the album. In February 2004, it was confirmed that William Tell had left Something Corporate to pursue a solo career. Bobby Anderson, formerly of the band River City High, became Tell's replacement. After Tell's departure Ireland assisted in the recording of his debut album, You Can Hold Me Down. Ireland has several credits on the album, including drums, programming, and background vocals.[9] Ireland also toured and performed live as part of Tell's band. On May 20, 2004, Something Corporate filmed its concert at the Ventura Theater in Ventura, California. The footage was released as the band's second DVD, Live at the Ventura Theater, on November 9. The band supported its release with a short two-week college tour in November.[10]

Hiatus (2004–2009)

In summer 2004, the band grew exhausted from spending years on the road and decided to take a break. The band promised the break would not be a permanent one in a 2005 interview with Concert Pipeline. McMahon said "I think for all of us it just got to the point where we were like 'Let's just go be our own people for a minute'-- not out of a desire to leave the band or break up Something Corporate-- quite the opposite. Let's reconnect with all the things that spawned the band in the first place."[11] In January and February 2005, the band toured across the U.S. alongside Straylight Run, Hidden in Plain View, The Academy Is...,[12] and Armor for Sleep.[13] In April, 2005 the band played an outdoor concert at Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity at Indiana University as part of Little 500 festivities.[14]

During the hiatus, McMahon, Hernandez, and Anderson formed a side project named Jack's Mannequin. The band released an album entitled Everything in Transit in August 2005. The day that recording for the album was completed, McMahon was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He has since gone into remission. In 2008, McMahon released a second album with Jack's Mannequin, The Glass Passenger. The album debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200, surpassing the success he achieved with Something Corporate.[15] Partington also formed the band Firescape, who have released an EP and studio album. In 2006, Ireland joined the Louisiana-based band Streamline as their drummer.[16] He wrote two songs ("Let Go" and "Anything") for Streamline's 2009 EP, The Alchemist and the Arsonist but left the band in November 2009. Ireland formed the band Live Oak Revue with his brothers, Derek and Matt Ireland, and friend Zak Salazar and released the EP, When the Dawn Breaks, on June 21, 2011. McMahon is featured on the track "Sinner's Heart."[17]

In December 2005, the band announced they would re-group in January 2006 for rehearsals and plan to write their third album.[18] In July 2006, McMahon said the group's hiatus wouldn't be permanent, and that they talked of touring early-to-mid 2007 and enter the studio after McMahon was finished working on the second Jack's Mannequin album.[19] In October 2006, Something Corporate reunited to perform three songs; "Konstantine", "I Woke Up in a Car" and "Hurricane". They played at the end of McMahon's set with Jack's Mannequin at the Bamboozle Left festival.[20] In December 2007, McMahon said that Something Corporate's status as a band could be described as is in "suspended animation". He told Alternative Press that he is more "nostalgically charged" than "creatively charged" to make another Something Corporate record.[21]

In a February 2009 interview with Lansing State Journal, Andrew McMahon discussed the future of Something Corporate. He said, "As for releasing a full-length with a tour in the classic sense, I don't see that happening. But we're all great friends, and I do see us putting together new material and hitting the road. The fans have been so supportive and such a huge part of our lives that I would feel horrible not to at least give them something."

Reunion (2009–2010)

On December 3, 2009, it was announced on AbsolutePunk.net that they would be playing the Bamboozle Left Festival in Anaheim, California on March 28, 2010.[22] On February 22 at the House of Blues in Chicago, Andrew McMahon announced that Something Corporate will be at Bamboozle Chicago on May 15. On March 29, 2010, AbsolutePunk.net reported that Something Corporate will also be playing Bamboozle Right in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on May 1.

In February 2010, Andrew McMahon announced that Something Corporate was planning a greatest hits release for the spring of 2010. The band returned to the studio to re-record two old songs which originally appeared on their canceled "Galaxy Sessions" album: "Letters to Noelle" and "Wait".[23] Adam Young of Owl City produced a new remix of "I Woke Up in a Car".[24] The greatest hits album, named Played in Space: The Best of Something Corporate was released on April 27, 2010. On May 15, 2010, Something Corporate announced their August 2010 Reunion Tour on their website.[25] In August 2011, McMahon said the band went back on hiatus.[26]

Musical style

AllMusic biographer Jason Birchmeier described the band's sound "polished, literate, radio-ready alt-rock."[3]Leaving Through the Window[27] and North[28] have been described as pop punk.

Band members

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[29]
US Heat.
[8]
UK
[30]
2000 Ready... Break
  • Released: November 4, 2000[31]
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Coach House
2002 Leaving Through the Window 101 1
2003 North
  • Released: October 21, 2003[34]
  • Format: CD, DL, LP
  • Label: Geffen, Drive-Thru (B0001190-12)
24 152

Extended plays

Year EP details
2001 Audioboxer
  • Released: October 2, 2001[35]
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Drive-Thru (DTR#25, 088 112 734-2)
2003 Songs for Silent Movies
  • Released: May 27, 2003[36]
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Drive-Thru, MCA (UICC-1091)

Compilations

Year Album details US
[29]
2010 Played in Space: The Best of Something Corporate
  • Released: April 27, 2010[37]
  • Format: CD, DL
  • Label: Geffen (B0014195-02)
155
2013 Icon
  • Released: March 19, 2013[38]
  • Format: CD, DL
  • Label: Geffen (B0018004-02)

Live and video albums

Year Album details
2002 A Year in the Life
  • Released: November 5, 2002[39]
  • Format: DVD
  • Label: MCA (088 113 961-9)
2004 Live at the Ventura Theater
  • Released: November 9, 2004[40]
  • Format: DVD
  • Label: Drive-Thru, Geffen (B0003521-09)
2004 Fillmore Theatre – November 5th, 2003
  • Released: March 9, 2004
  • Format: CD, EP
  • Label: Geffen

Singles

Year Song Peak chart positions Album
US
Alt.

[41]
UK
[30]
2002 "If You C Jordan" 29 68 Leaving Through the Window
"Hurricane"[42]
"I Woke Up in a Car"[43] 44
"Forget December"[44] Non-album single
2003 "Punk Rock Princess" 33 Leaving Through the Window
"Space" 37 North
2004 "Ruthless"[45]

Non-album tracks/unreleased albums

References

Citations

  1. Ding, Tony (June 30, 2002). "Something Corporate hope for mainstream success". The Michigan Daily.
  2. ALT 98.7 FM 2010, event occurs at 0:36–56
  3. Birchmeier, Jason. "Something Corporate | Biography & History". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  4. Lott, Kristen (January 24, 2012). "Piano Man: CM Interviews Jack's Mannequin". College Magazine. Archived from the original on October 15, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  5. Gennet, Robbie (January 1, 2010). "Jacks Mannequin Andrew McMahons Piano Pop Phenomenon". Keyboard. Archived from the original on October 15, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  6. Woolsey, Brittany (June 7, 2015). "Andrew McMahon: The Dylan of Dana Point". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  7. "News". Something Corporate. Archived from the original on 2001-04-11. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  8. "You Can Hold Me Down - William Tell | Credits | AllMusic". Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  9. "News". Something Corporate. Archived from the original on October 24, 2004. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  10. "Jack's Mannequin's First Interview 5/10/05 Part 1". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  11. Shultz, Brian (January 4, 2005). "Something Corporate / Straylight Run / Hidden In Plain View / The Academy Is". Punknews.org. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  12. Adams, Chip (February 1, 2005). "Armor For Sleep Launch US Tour". Fader. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  13. "Young Buck, Something Corporate to perform during Little 500 week". Retrieved 2017-03-27.
  14. Kinsler, Robert. "Former Something Corporate drummer Brian Ireland rocks again with Streamline", Orange County Register, 10 January 2008. Retrieved on 1 August 2013.
  15. "Live Oak Revue Set to Release Debut EP When The Dawn Breaks on June 21, 2011 / Jamband News". Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  16. Paul, Aubin (December 12, 2005). "Something Corporate comes off hiatus". Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  17. Seabaugh, Julie (July 12, 2006). "In Sickness and in Health". Riverfront Times. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  18. "Bamboozle Left: Festival definitely isn't Warped". Orange County Register. October 17, 2006. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  19. "Alternative Press | Features". Altpress.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  20. "Ladies and Gentleman ... - News Article". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  21. "Something Corporate back in the studio for 'best of' album". idobi. 2010-02-22. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  22. "News | Adam Young". Ayoungmusic.com. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  23. "tour". Something Corporate. Archived from the original on 2012-08-06. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  24. Graff, Gary (August 30, 2011). "New Jack's Mannequin Album Is a Do-Over". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  25. Marshall, Bob (July 1, 2015). "41 Pop-Punk Albums All 2000s Kids Loved". Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  26. Trowbridge, Jacob (April 21, 2016). "15 Greatest Pop Punk Albums Of The 2000s: 13. Something Corporate - North". WhatCulture. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  27. "Something Corporate Album & Song Chart History - Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
  28. Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: DJ S – The System of Life". Zobbel. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
  29. "News". Something Corporate. Archived from the original on 2001-04-11. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  30. Henderson, Alex. "Leaving Through the Window - Something Corporate | Release Info". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  31. "Corporate, Mannequin Singer Diagnosed With Leukemia". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 3, 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  32. Leahey, Andrew. "North - Something Corporate | Release Info". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  33. Unterberger, Richie. "Audioboxer - Something Corporate | Release Info". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  34. "Songs for Silent Movies - Something Corporate | Release Info". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  35. Leahey, Andrew. "Played in Space: The Best of Something Corporate - Something Corporate | Release Info". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  36. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Icon - Something Corporate | Release Info". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  37. "A Year in the Life - Something Corporate | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  38. "Live at the Ventura Theater - Something Corporate | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  39. "Something Corporate Album & Song Chart History - Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
  40. Hurricane (Sleeve). Something Corporate. MCA/Motor Music. 2002. none.CS1 maint: others (link)
  41. https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-09-27.pdf
  42. Forget December (Sleeve). Something Corporate. Drive-Thru. 2002. MCAR-25770-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
  43. Ruthless (Sleeve). Something Corporate. Geffen. 2004. GEFR-26082-2.CS1 maint: others (link)

Sources

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