Andrew McMahon Post #3

a dozen things you didn't know about andrew

Ms. B

1. While recording "Everything in Transit," Jack's Mannequin's first album, Andrew had been feeling under the weather. Immediately after finishing the last recording session, Andrew went to the doctor and was diagnosed with leukemia.

2. Many people have observed that if you listen to the songs on "Everything in Transit," the number of references to illness and cancer are really startling, especially when you realize Andrew didn't know he had cancer until after he finished recording the album. Spooky...

3. Andrew was only 22 years old when he learned he had leukemia. On the day of his diagnosis, he recorded a video of himself saying that he was beginning his fight and ready to survive.

4. Andrew kept an inspirational video diary while undergoing cancer treatments. That diary, along with other facts about his life, has been made into an hour-long, truly beautiful documentary called "Dear Jack."

5. Because of his long but successful battle with leukemia, Andrew founded his own charity, The Dear Jack Foundation, which raises thousands of dollars every year to support cancer research. 

6. "Cavanaugh Park," one of the most popular songs Andrew wrote for Something Corporate, is about a place that Andrew has never been. He said that as a teenager, he drove past a sign that said "This Way to Cavanaugh Park" with a friend and told her, "I'm going to write a song about that place someday."

7. Many of his songs have references to his life. Almost all of the songs on his album "Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness" make reference to life with his wife and baby daughter, Cecilia. He wrote one song for his sister called "There, There Katie," and has written many songs that include his wife's nickname, Annie.

8. Andrew is known for standing on his piano while performing during concerts. 

9. Andrew skipped his 10-year high school reunion because he wrote a really unpleasant song about one of his classmates -- and didn't change any names.

10. Andrew's hair has been a different color in each of his band "phases" -- strawberry blonde for Something Corporate, dark brown for Jack's Mannequin, and bleached almost white for Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness.

11. His fans are known for being cult enthusiasts -- they know every word to every song, and sing along loudly during concerts! 

12. "Swim," a song Andrew wrote for the second Jack's Mannequin album ("The Glass Passenger"), has become an anthem not only for those battling cancer, but for anyone struggling to overcome a challenge. Listen to it below and be inspired!

Swim - Jack's Mannequin

Andrew McMahon standing on piano. Digital image. Flickr.com. N.p., n.d. Web.

"Andrew McMahon." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 02 Mar. 2015.

"Jack's Mannequin-Swim (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 02 Mar. 2015.

Lux, Rachel. "If You C Jordan: 10 Years Later With Something Corporate’s Andrew McMahon." Alternative Press. N.p., 28 July 2010. Web.