Get ready because Jacks Mannequin is coming to Alumni Gym on April 20. Though the Student Union Boards spring show is two weeks earlier this year, and the band is less known than past performers, the show promises to be just as entertaining.

Tickets are $10 with a Phoenix Card and $15 for the general public. From Feb. 26, when tickets first went on sale, through March 9, more than 400 tickets were sold. Jacks Mannequin may be unknown, they are still selling tickets.

Jacks Mannequin formed in 2004 as the project of Something Corporate lead singer and pianist Andrew McMahon. A lot of the bands attention goes to McMahon because of his former band and because he is in remission from leukemia. But Jacks Mannequin also includes guitarist Bobby Anderson, bass player Jonathan Sullivan and drummer Jay McMillan.

The band released its first album in 2006 titled Everything in Transit. The Mix Tape and Dark Blue are its most notable singles. They have a sound similar to Something Corporate and Ben Folds. The bands style is part piano rock, but with more energy and edge, according to senior Bevin Lesher, SUB music chair.

[Their show] is fun, enjoyable, uplifting and very energetic, Lesher said. She also mentions that McMahon cites Billy Joel as one of his major influences.

Farewell and Mercy Mercedes are the show openers. Both are local Greensboro bands with a good fan base, according to Lesher.

They play to the more energetic side of Jacks Mannequin, Lesher said. For people who like Jacks Mannequin, these openers are great too.

The SUB music committee tried to find a band with a different kind of sound than past years, while still satisfying as many people as possible. Previous years performances have included Maroon 5, Gavin DeGraw and O.A.R.

After taking a survey of the campus about various bands, price ranges and types of music, the SUB music committee narrowed it down to three artistsSister Hazel, Lifehouse and Jacks Mannequin. Lifehouse was higher than SUBs price range, so tickets would have cost more and SUB didnt want that. Sister Hazel was about the same price as Jacks Mannequin, but Jacks Mannequin puts on a better stage show. So by the end of fall semester, the decision was made.

It worked out for the show to be in April this year because both Alumni Gym and Jacks Mannequin were available.

Its generally in May because it works for Elon, Lesher said. Its nice because [May was] too close to the end of school.

SUB has worked since the beginning of the year to make this the best concert it can be. With the help of 15 committee members, the rest of the SUB executive board and 60 to 70 student volunteers, Lesher will make sure the concert runs smoothly.

Tickets are on sale in Moseley until the show. Doors open at 6 p.m. on April 20 and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Even if you dont know them, theyre a good show, Lesher said.

Copy Edtior: Mary Cunningham - 03/15/07