jack's mannequin

J-14 is scouting out the hottest bands around... and this week's pick is Jack's Mannequin.

Here are five things you need to know about Jack's Mannequin, whose third album People and Things is out now!

1. From what started out as a side project created by Something Corporate's Andrew McMahon, Jack's Mannequin has turned in to a journey for vocalist and pianist Andrew and fellow members guitarist Bobby Anderson, drummer Jay McMillan, and bassist Mikey Wagner. "Something Corporate had done two full length records and an EP and toured pretty constantly for three, four years straight so I think in that moment it was myself and Josh, our guitar player -- we kind of decided to take a little hiatus and go and work on some other things while we were on those breaks," Andrew tells J-14. "So Jack's is what came out of it. Obviously it evolved and developed from there but that's how it began."

Andrew McMahon, lead singer/songwriter of Jack's Mannequin, had a busy year touring and completing the band's third album People and Things, out today! He recently took time out of his schedule to chat exclusively to J-14 all about his music's evolution, the new album, and life on the road.

J-14: How has your music evolved from your first album to People and Things?
Andrew McMahon: I think if you look at the music historically even from Something Corporate to the Jack's record, I think every record evolves in the same sense that I hope I, as a person, do as well. They're all records about that period of time in my life that they were written so I think largely this album sort of is a growth and reflection of where I'm at at this point.

J-14: Do you feel like you kept the same sound throughout the years?
Andrew: I think this record, from record to record, the sound definitely changes and adapts. I would say that this record more so than anything I've done before is a reflection of a lot of bands I grew up listening to like U2, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Billy Joel -- some of the more classic singer songwriter stuff that I was raised around.

Hey J-14ers!

My weekend was filled with beautiful weather, huge enthusiastic crowds, and plenty of music from some of my favorite bands when I spent Friday night and Sunday at The Bamboozle Festival in New Jersey. Showcasing past performers such as Fall Out Boy, the Jonas Brothers, Paramore, and Ke$ha at this annual event, this year's line up failed to disappoint. From Bruno Mars to our favorite Texas band Forever The Sickest Kids, I got the chance to see some of my favorite performers along with scoping out some new bands in the process.

Click "Read More" to see my photo diary from the festival.

Rock on,
Nicole, J-14 Photo Assistant