Monthly Archives: January 2011
What does a Bone Marrow Transplant Sound Like?
Jack’s Mannequin is an American rock band formed in 2004, originally hailing from Orange County, California. The band began as a side project of Andrew McMahon , the frontman for Something Corporate, and is composed of guitarist Bobby Anderson, newest member (as of 10/29/2010) bassist Mikey “The Kid” Wagner, and drummer Jay McMillan.
In June 2005, McMahon was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, just months before the release of Jack’s Mannequin’s debut studio album. They released the album, Everything in Transit , in August 2005. The album peaked at number 37 on the Billboard 200. McMahon made a full recovery and the band returned to touring. They released The Glass Passenger after a series of delays in 2008. It sold 49,000 copies in its first week and peaked at number 8 on the Billboard 200. ”The Resolution” was released as the first single and charted at number 27 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks
If the experience of a bone marrow transplant had an accompanying anthem, I’d argue that “Caves” by Jack’s Mannequin might be the first and best candidate for it. Here’s a bit of the lyrics:
I’m caught
Somewhere in between
Alive
And living a dream.
No peace
Just clicking machines
In the quiet of compazine.
The walls caved in on me.
And she sings
My bird dressed in white.
And she stings
My arm in the night.
I lay still
Still I’m ready to fight.
Have my lungs
But you can’t take my sight.
The walls caved in
Tonight.
And out here
I watch the sun circle the earth
The marrows collide in rebirth
In God’s glory praise
The spirit calls out from the caves.
The walls fell and there I lay
Saved.
Along with the Classes of 1979, 1995, and others – the Class of Project Life gathered for a big celebration for two decades of signing up potential marrow and tissue donors to aid all those suffering from life threatening diseases. Past coordinators of the annual student drives, donors, recipients, and many others gathered to share stories and express appreciation for how the Project Life experience has transformed their lives. The current campus coordinator of Project Life – now in its 20th year – has profound and particularly compelling reasons for devoting herself to this movement. Read more about her story here.