Something Corporate

Something Corporate (also known as SoCo) is an American rock band from Laguna Niguel, Orange County, California, formed in 1998. Their currently active line-up includes vocalist and pianist Andrew McMahon, guitarists Josh Partington and William Tell, bassist Kevin Page and drummer Brian Ireland.

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. On September 9, 2022 the band reunited to play a surprise show for McMahon’s 40th birthday at House of Blues in Anaheim, California.

The band re-united its core line-up to play When We Were Young Festival in 2023 (and a headlining show at House of Blues Las Vegas), hosted a New Years Eve show in Anaheim, CA on December 30 and 31, 2023, and will be touring the Summer of 2024 as well as performing on the Andrew McMahon's Holiday from Real Cruise in November 2024.

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 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. In September 1998, McMahon, Page, and Ireland, merged with lead guitarist Josh Partington and rhythm guitarist Reuben Hernandez, to form Something Corporate. Following a few shows, McMahon realized that he would be unable to pursue a career in music if he continued his education. McMahon's parents were supportive of his music, but suggested doing college applications if the band didn't work out within a year. The group were unable to secure gigs due to being underage outside of parties and various Battle of the Bands competitions. During this time, the group shared an apartment in Dana Point, where McMahon and Hernandez wrote a number of the band's early material.

Throughout high school the band tried to play at local venue the Coach House, which was owned by Gary Folgner. 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. The band released Ready... Break in November 2000. On March 27, 2001, Something Corporate announced an official change to the band's lineup; Hernandez left to pursue college and was replaced by William Tell. The band signed with MCA Records and Drive-Thru Records and released the band's official debut, 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 yoU C Jordan", with its music video starring American Pie's Chris Owen.

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. 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 You 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 "Raw" Anderson, formerly of the band River City High, became Tell's replacement. Ireland assisted Tell 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. 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.