Something Corporate performed its first headlining set with the original lineup in 20 years at House of Blues Las Vegas on Friday night.
The alt-pop band’s reunion gig sold out quickly, as did its When We Were Young festival appearances (also in Vegas) this weekend.
Because many Something Corporate fans were unable to attend those events, Veeps - the streaming service for live and on-demand events – presented a livestream of the club show. See below for viewing details.
Among the most memorable new groups to emerge from Orange County, Calif. in the early 2000s, Something Corporate released two full-length albums and an EP. Then singer/pianist Andrew McMahon went onto form Jack’s Mannequin and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. I have a long history with the band, having interviewed them a few times back then, not to mention McMahon's other projects.
In Las Vegas, the quintet – McMahon, lead guitarist Josh Partington, rhythm guitarist/backing vocalist William Tell, bassist Kevin “Clutch” Page and drummer Brian Ireland, plus auxiliary keyboardist/backing vocalist Zac Clark (from Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness) – delivered an exhilarating 20-song, 100-minute House of Blues set. They included a bulk of material from Leaving Through the Window, North and Audioboxer.
Before the guys took a stage, a montage of archival video clips and interviews were shown on the backdrop (later, each member got a spotlight clip). Opening with a high energy “Space,” McMahon jubilantly played a piano with reflective panels that mirrored abstract images behind the band. Everyone seemed to be having a blast onstage – especially Partington and McMahon.
“We’re honored to be here with you. Let’s relive some old memories and make some sweet new ones on this night together,” said the gracious frontman, early in the evening. Having Tell back in the fold as well as Clark gave the songs a big boost in the harmony vocal department.
Highlights included a blazing “I Woke Up in a Car,” “I Want to Save You,” sweeping orchestrated ballad “Cavanaugh Park,” insanely catchy “21 & Invincible” (McMahon said that someone jokingly suggested he change the chorus to “41 & Invincible”), the frenetic “Hurricane” with searing rock guitars and epic sensitive singer/songwriter ballad/diehard fan favorite “Konstantine,” where McMahon channeled Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz.
The musicians’ longtime friendship was evident in the way McMahon interacted with Partington and Tell while working the stage. The singer also made a couple forays into the crowd. By the end of spirited encore tune “Punk Rock Princess,” Something Corporate proved it still sounded tighter than ever.
Because many Something Corporate fans were unable to attend those events, Veeps - the streaming service for live and on-demand events – presented a livestream of the club show. See below for viewing details.
Among the most memorable new groups to emerge from Orange County, Calif. in the early 2000s, Something Corporate released two full-length albums and an EP. Then singer/pianist Andrew McMahon went onto form Jack’s Mannequin and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. I have a long history with the band, having interviewed them a few times back then, not to mention McMahon's other projects.
In Las Vegas, the quintet – McMahon, lead guitarist Josh Partington, rhythm guitarist/backing vocalist William Tell, bassist Kevin “Clutch” Page and drummer Brian Ireland, plus auxiliary keyboardist/backing vocalist Zac Clark (from Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness) – delivered an exhilarating 20-song, 100-minute House of Blues set. They included a bulk of material from Leaving Through the Window, North and Audioboxer.
Before the guys took a stage, a montage of archival video clips and interviews were shown on the backdrop (later, each member got a spotlight clip). Opening with a high energy “Space,” McMahon jubilantly played a piano with reflective panels that mirrored abstract images behind the band. Everyone seemed to be having a blast onstage – especially Partington and McMahon.
“We’re honored to be here with you. Let’s relive some old memories and make some sweet new ones on this night together,” said the gracious frontman, early in the evening. Having Tell back in the fold as well as Clark gave the songs a big boost in the harmony vocal department.
Highlights included a blazing “I Woke Up in a Car,” “I Want to Save You,” sweeping orchestrated ballad “Cavanaugh Park,” insanely catchy “21 & Invincible” (McMahon said that someone jokingly suggested he change the chorus to “41 & Invincible”), the frenetic “Hurricane” with searing rock guitars and epic sensitive singer/songwriter ballad/diehard fan favorite “Konstantine,” where McMahon channeled Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz.
The musicians’ longtime friendship was evident in the way McMahon interacted with Partington and Tell while working the stage. The singer also made a couple forays into the crowd. By the end of spirited encore tune “Punk Rock Princess,” Something Corporate proved it still sounded tighter than ever.
Let’s hope these three special live appearances lead to more endeavors in the future.
Setlist:
Space/I Woke Up in a Car/She Paints Me Blue/Straw Dog/Me and the Moon/I Want to Save You/Ruthless/Only Ashes/Astronaut/Watch the Sky/Down/Fall/Cavanaugh Park/21+Invincible/As You Sleep/Hurricane/Konstantine/If U C Jordan.
Setlist:
Space/I Woke Up in a Car/She Paints Me Blue/Straw Dog/Me and the Moon/I Want to Save You/Ruthless/Only Ashes/Astronaut/Watch the Sky/Down/Fall/Cavanaugh Park/21+Invincible/As You Sleep/Hurricane/Konstantine/If U C Jordan.
Encore: Walking By/Punk Rock Princess
Veeps All-Access subscribers can watch Something Corporate Live in Las Vegas for free; others can purchase a viewing for $16.99 via veeps.com until next Friday.
Veeps All-Access subscribers can watch Something Corporate Live in Las Vegas for free; others can purchase a viewing for $16.99 via veeps.com until next Friday.
Photo courtesy of The Press House.
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