June 23, 2004
Music Review - My Chemical Romance
Most bands, after receiving fame and acclaim from their first CD, fear the curse of the failure sophomore CD.
Fortunately for My Chemical Romance, that's not the case.
Who is My Chemical Romance, you may ask. They're not famous, you may exclaim.
True, they are not played on Mtv or aired on the radio, but MCR has gathered a huge fan following. Starting out in New Jersey on an local, independent label, MCR has been touring across the nation for the better part of two years promoting their last album, "I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love." For much of that tour MCR opened for headliners such as The Used, Finch, and Taking Back Sunday. MCR appealed to the fans of those bands, and opened them to a new host of people who hadn't heard of them prior. Recently MCR was apprached by a major record label, has been headlining their own tour, and cut their second album, "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge."
"Three Cheers," fortunately, does not have a different sound the "Bullets." Part of MCR's appeal is though they fit in with the "hardcore" or "screamo" crowds, their music is still pretty unique. Lead singer Gerard Way's voice can go from sounding sweet during slower songs, to a screaming frenzy during the quicker ones. Another of their appeals is for their songs, while sounding happy and fun, really are quite dark with morbid lyrics. This was prevelant on "Bullets" in such songs as "Demolition Lovers" and "Headfirst for Halos." This trend continues in "Three Cheers," an album that began as a concept album but later the band's experiences were incorporated into the story.
Helping to promote their new album, MCR has joined Van's 10th Anniversary Warped Tour. In addition, MCR has released a video for their first single, "I'm Not Ok (I Promise)." This video can be seen on their website, Yahoo's Launch, and on Fuse's "Oven Fresh" show. "I'm Not Ok" sounds more emo-ish and poppy than MCR's other music, so at hearing the track before the release of the album, I was disappointed. I was afraid that by being signed to the major label, MCR had changed their sound in order to achieve fame and Mtv TRL fans. Luckily for me, the rest of the CD sounds like good 'ol MCR. I received an autographed copy of their CD the day it came out, and after listening to it fell in love with it. While it doesn't sound exactly like "Bullets," it has the same general feel, but the band has matured and their music has as well. Of course, sounding like "Bullets" would've been as bad as if MCR went emo. There are some tracks on the CD which stand out to me. "You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us in Prison," featuring Bert McCracken of The Used, is very reminiscient of the sound of "Bullets." "Cemetery Drive" is another favorite, continuing MCR's feel of dark, morbid lyrics in their songs. Similar to "Headfirst for Halos" on their first album, "Hang 'Em High" is another high-paced, fun-sounding song, until you listen to the lyrics.
If you enjoy bands such as The Used, Finch, and even The Cure or Nine Inch Nails, you should check out My Chemical Romance. I first listened to them almost 4 years ago, and they're still one of my favorite bands to listen to. So go check out the video on their website, vote for them on Fuse and Launch, listen to clips from the CD on Tower Records' website, then order the (autographed, while remaining) CD. It'll definite be something different than what you've heard, and you won't regret it.
Links for the above mentioned items are all available on My Chemical Romance's website, at http://www.mychemicalromance.com.
Posted by Kris-chan at June 23, 2004 09:07 AM
Comments
Hey i love this site, and MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE ROX. i love them like soooo much and i KONW they get that alot, but i REALLY mean it. i mean if i ever got to meet them i would just die (literally). i would just be sooo happy. but we all know ill never meet them, i live in a small town and dont have the money for tickets, why would thing's change now. but if i did i would die. like words cant explain how hot Gerard is i mean WOW!!!!. Why wont they ever play in tyalor, tx ooooh let me guess its to small. well let me tell you a little about me i am 5'1, i have sort of long brown heair (but i might die it), i am 13 (i am way to young for the hot Gerard ~*lol*~) i love my chemical romance (as you can tell)i am learning how to play the drums i suck thow. and im learning how to skate and i suck at that too. and i dont no y i am wrighting cause ppl that have sights like this never wright back but if you ever doo send it to lil_key_key101@yahoo.com
Posted by: Kelsey Walton at March 16, 2005 08:31 PM
I so agree with you but what is depressing (in a bad way) is that these hollister abercrombie girlies are singing im not okay!!!!!!! theyre effin rich!!!!!!!mcr is (i think) for people who have problems, the weird kid in class, the one they pick on, the kid with two therapists...so, yeah.oh, im 13 (also too young for gerard *cries*) also a girl, dark brown hair shoulder length layered n choppy, 5'2, cant really do much besides photograph and write poems/song lyrics. if you live in central florida IM me at LadyinaBleuDress...i will find out if you are some middle age dumbass...you are warned
Posted by: Alex at March 24, 2005 07:00 PM
i loooooove My Chemical Romance!! They r soo awseome!! and by the way, Gerard is soo hot!! and also I'm too young (13 yrs, cries for an hour)but he is the king of hottness!My name is Alyssa I have Dark brown hair and I am 5'1. But back to Gerard (heaven's bells ringing**)I have so many pics of him and I would love to meet him or go to a concert but, my parents are always too busy and we don't really have the money. Every time I read experiences of people who have met him I just cry, "It's not fair!!" He is so nice, and hot!I even have dreams of me meeting him, I just wish it was real! They should come to Modesto CA, to play live, and they should cuz I live here!I listen to their CD every day about 4 or 5 times and never get tired of it. if I don't I feel really weird like there's something missing but anyways, gotta go,..even though talking about GERARD is so heavenly,I LOVE HIM!!! BYE, oh yeah if any of u want to talk MCR or Gerard w/me email me!! CemiclyRomanced@aol.com
Posted by: Alyssa at April 2, 2005 09:49 PM
Hey, I'm 14 years old (once again, too young for Gerard, dammit!Yes...I am a girl) But yea, MCR kicks arse and I am dying to see them when they go to the Pompano Beach Amphitheatre in August. Gerard is the picture of reality. He is real. He's someone unique. You don't see people like him walking down the street and I admire that. I hate the pop bands and how crowds of Hollister wearing beotchs cant decipher Backstreet Boys and NSYNC because their music sound EXACTLY the same. That not how people like MCR and The Used and other similiar bands are. You can decipher which one is which and what is unique to every one of them. That is what I love the most.
Posted by: PSP at May 12, 2005 06:13 PM
I am another to agree that Gerard is H-O-T! I'm 18... not too young lol. I think he's probably one of those people who are really, really sexy but they don't know they are, but that just makes him sexier. MCR are a great band and I love them!
Posted by: Stephanie at May 29, 2005 01:59 PM
i know MCR rocks and all but they say that Gerard is a bio do u guys think so to i mean i read this interview that said he enjoys guys grabing his butt!!! can anyone tell me if Greard and frank are gay or
a bio??
Posted by: sharena at June 3, 2005 06:28 PM
I would just like to say that I too am a huge fan of My Chem. Unfortunately I am also the one in my school that gets picked on and called stupid goth girl. They also like to make fun of me because I love Gerard Way so much and dream that one day I will meet him. I also wanted to thank Gerard for his music and tell him that it really makes me happy when I hear it. It makes me feel like I really do have a friend somewhere out there in the famous world. I am saadly only 14... but that doesn't mean I can't love someone. I used to have shoulderlength dark brown hair, but since I highlighted it, its red, blonde and brown! I am extremely pale and hate to wear anyother make up besides eye liner. I am learning how to play guitar from a total hotty in my class. I hope one day to be as good as Frank Iero, but I have to practice lots. Oh please e-mail me Gerard! I really could use some of your advice for this new band I'm singing for! What do you do to make your voice so wonderful? E-mail: grubbslinger@juno.com
Posted by: Lina at June 20, 2005 12:32 PM
MCR ROCKS!!! i just think that they're the coolest band! i am also teased sometimes for wearing black or for the type of music i listen to (most kids act like preps at my school). i'm 13 years old, and thinking of dying my long brown hair red (just the tips) i just saw mcr at the vans warped tour here in san francisco on july 3. i'm thinking of taking up guitar for the heck of it. people have been saying that gerard is bio. who gives a shit! as long as he stays as sexy as he is and keeps on rockin he's (in my opinion) the coolest guy ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if anyone lives in the bay area and wants to talk about MCR, e-mail Dani2592@hotmail.com
Posted by: Daniela at July 5, 2005 08:09 PM
I agree with all of you. I LOVE MCR!!! They are the best band ever. I am sooooo in love with Gerard Way(I'm sure there are people out there who agree with me). They are a kick ass rock band and I love how they put an edgy feeling to each song.If any one out there has met the band or Gerard please e-mail me and tell me what it was like or e-mail me if you just want to talk about MCR. My address is shelby2013@cableone.net
Posted by: Shelby at July 9, 2005 05:14 PM
i hate everyone
Posted by: Dave at July 10, 2005 06:32 PM
I find this entire group of comments hilarious. Poor Kris-chan.
Posted by: Pinky Scumbag at July 10, 2005 09:09 PM
Wow. From the look of the comments section, this is the single most popular thing we've had up here. Hey Nick, try to slip some MCR in the next strip. =p
Posted by: Streon at July 10, 2005 11:17 PM
I like that Gerard guy, he's so hot right now!
Posted by: MrGray at July 11, 2005 03:34 AM
OMGWTF Gerard Way is sooooo hot and totally not bio! I mean, he's just so pale and Goth and wears makeup, he's totally cute! I so wish I was old enough to make out with him, because of course that would totally happen!
Posted by: Kris-chan at July 11, 2005 10:27 AM
Gerard Way doesn't have a biography?
Does that mean he's never had a life?
*hides from the fangirls out to KILL him*
Posted by: Pinky Scumbag at July 11, 2005 10:54 AM
Bah, we all know My Chemical Romance sucks compared to Wierd Al Yankovich.
Posted by: Liquid-X at July 12, 2005 11:24 PM
Since we are are able to say what we want i'd like to say that My Chemical Romance is a great band i think. Peoples opinions are different who cares?I certainly don't, if you wear "hollister" and like My Chemical Romance who cares?Just don't come near me screaming Gerard is soo!!!hot!! i may murder you for being a shallow pathetic piece of shit. There's my warning, hooray for my chemical romance fans! hooray!
Posted by: Donna N at July 13, 2005 04:46 AM
I really really REALLY love my chemical romance, and i say this with all my heart. i think about them all day and all night, they are truely amazing performers, and they too put there heart in to every performance they do. i am desperate to go to the november london performance, but am devistated to find that all the carling brixton academy tickets in london were sold out. i am completely shattered and completely heartbroken at the fact that i wont get to see them, i feel like crying, i am actually crying as i write this. i am such a loyal MCR supporter and i think that it is unfair that i cannot see the one band i long to! Is there anyway that i can get a ticket to see my chemical romance in november, i think that i might just die if i dont get to go. please please PLEASE help me.
Devistated MCR fan :'(
Posted by: sana at July 27, 2005 06:51 AM
I really love mcr with all my heart they are not like all the other bands who sing for money and fame,They do it for the fans and to show the world that life is a dark place but at the end of the tunnel there is light and they dont just sing about love they sing about loss,fear,death, beauty,hate,love,confusion,everything and they do it to save lifes and I am one who can listen to their music and sometimes not relate to what they say but I can always understand what they are saying.I love them not by looks and fame but by how they feel and exspress themselves.
ALWAYS,
Brittany
Posted by: Brittany at July 28, 2005 07:44 PM
My favorite chemical is Gerard Way not because of his looks even though he is hot.I feel when I hear his voice everythig aroud me all my problems fear pain just gose away I feel that he and I relate to alot of thing we have so much in common and I have never felt this way tords any guy or music artist.I know that you all are thinking that I am just like everyother fan with a crush and teary eyes.But im not I have always felt like this my feelings for him run stong and deep and one day with the lord by my side we can be together.Gerard I LOVE YOU more than anything in the world
Gerareds Girl
ALWAYS and FOREVER,
Brittany
Posted by: Brittany at July 28, 2005 07:51 PM
I love MCR they are the best band I ever heard. I looovvve Gerard he's SMOKE'N! I am Unfortunately 14 years old. Today he has a concert in GA but I cant go because it's my parents anniversary . But i would do anything to just to see Gerard from far away smiling and hanging with his brother and friends. And Gerard I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!! *~_^*AND KEEP ROCK'N!!
YOUR #1 FAN BREN R.
Posted by: brenda ramirez at August 3, 2005 11:02 AM
ANY GIRLS WANT GERARD PIC THAN GO TO:
http://photobucket.com/tags/gerard/?o=280
Posted by: BREN at August 9, 2005 03:47 PM
OMG!!! i luv MCR more tha words can say...i try to find out everything about them and thatz how i ended up on this sight...and now im leaving a comment.....OMG!! i luv MCR so freakin much!!! i hope they win for all the VMA's they got nominated for...!!! and yes i am one of those gurls who thinks gerard is SO HOTT/SEXI!!! and for all the ppl that think gerard is gay...HEZ NOT!!!! hes to sexi/hott to be gay!! lol!!! besides...ive read interviews...it tells u everything...well...a lot of things and gerard a.k.a sexi/hot is NOT GAY!!! <3 i luv him to death!!!but yet i am only 11 yrs old...probably the youngest gurl ever to think that gerard is hott/sexi...but hey, hes hott and thatz that! well just wanted to let every1 out there know that i luv MCR and gerard!!!! and i hope they hit it big and become the best band ever(well they r the best band ever) but i want other ppl to see that to!!! one day the world will see it!!! i know it!!! well i guess thatz all.....I LUV GERARD!!! hes so freakin SEXI!!<3 ok...laterz...
katrina_the_mcr_freak!!!
p.s i luv gerard more than any gurls out there!! lol!!!
Posted by: Katrina at August 20, 2005 02:03 AM
i am 13 years old and gerard is the person i look up to not cuase of his looks cause of his songs and i dont give a shit if he is a bisexual that means nothing to me i dont understand how people could not like my chemical romance i geuss those people are heartless.
Posted by: Devin at August 20, 2005 07:39 AM
Yeah i don't care if he's bisexual! Man, I don't even WANT to be his girlfriend, All I know is that I am WAAAAAAYYYY to young for him.. I know in my heart that we will meet. Weather he remembers me or not.. I don't care either, just as long as I meet him.. that's fine with me!
Posted by: Caitlin at August 20, 2005 03:47 PM
You people disgust me. First of all, none of you can spell or use grammar and punctuation properly. And second of all, Gerard Way is an amazing, talented man who lives a happy life with his GIRLFRIEND. Sorry 13 year old teenie boppers ... move on to the next cool thing.
Posted by: Chellci at August 27, 2005 09:00 PM
Just leave them alone. They can dream and wish Gerard married them. I really like Gerard too. We can think what we want to think and enjoy his music. He is an amazing artist. Just let some people live the way the want. So many people like him. He should be happy to have so many fans that like him. Well I'm 13 and I can spell and punctuate properly. Looks like I'm not really going to move on to the next cool thing just beacuse you say so, Chellci.
Posted by: hey at August 28, 2005 10:09 PM
heya. gerard is way cute!!!i fancy him so much but not the biggest fan of him but still he is soo cute and i don't care if he is bio, if he is being bio makes gerard...gerard.
Posted by: agne at September 3, 2005 11:18 AM
dude! i love the band, im the #1 fan, and dont even think bout arguing w/ me, and u kno what? i kno them. like seriously, but who is his gf? im DYING to kno! whoever she is, ill like kill her! gerard is just the hottest boy ever!
Posted by: Helena at September 10, 2005 04:11 PM
i,m 16, what chance do i have w/ him?
Posted by: helena at September 10, 2005 04:12 PM
OMG i love Gerard hes so fucking hott!!!!!!! god i could make out with him. hes an amazing singer and artist too bad he doesnt have a biography! im 16 lol. who knows how old Gerard is? i wanna know!!!
Posted by: Cortnee at September 11, 2005 12:56 PM
I LOVE MCR and I love Gerard and for those hu thinks hes gay HES NOT!!! i love them so much how hot is gerad? um soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo HOT I LOVE HIM my favourite video clip of MCR is ghost of you its sad how his brother dies :( I LOVE U GERAD BYE
Posted by: zel at September 11, 2005 10:53 PM
MCR aren't a band I'd usually listen to because I'm more of a Children Of Bodom/Sonata Arctica Prog metal girl so american-y bands don't really do it for me, but there's something about My Chem Rom that are so amazing and intriguing so I'm completely hooked on them now.
I love Gerard's lyrics and his art, he is an exremely interesting person whom I'd love to meet, but I'd probably get so nervous.
I was going to see them in portsmouth but the tickets sold out super fast so that pissed me off a lot.
When I went through a HIM obsession when I was like 12/13, I made a promise to myself that I'd see them at some point in my life, and I did see them at 14, so I'm making that same promise to myself but with MCR.
They're a band that I NEED to see live.
It'd be totally breath-taking.
Posted by: Mystery Kid at September 13, 2005 02:59 PM
How old is Gerard???
Posted by: Ace at September 25, 2005 11:30 AM
I just have to say that I didnt know what love felt like until I saw Gerard Way......I love him so much.......He is the most talented singer and I wish that he would meet him and go out with him......but you see what hurts the most is that I can;t see him because I would just be known as nothing to him....let me tell you something....I am getting all of this money and then it adds up whe i am 18, 19, so on and so fourth....and then when I am 25 I get 45,000 dollars. I am so going to see him.....I want to meet him in person and tell him all of this....I know I have no chance but no girl can love Gerard as much as I can even if he has a girlfriend that I dont even know about I will always love him....I just will be upset for a couple of day more like a year or two or so on and so fourth... alll I can say is that I love him and no girl can love him as much as I can...there I just spilled my whole heart ouot.....I love you Gerard.....take care.....
Love ~always~
Justine marie Heffer
Posted by: Justine Heffner at September 26, 2005 04:31 PM
hey everyone im, 15 and i love my chemical romance!!!!!! they are my favorite band!!!!!!!1 dose ne one know if they are going to be in worrped tour this summer?
Posted by: ana at October 28, 2005 06:09 PM
it really bugs me when people go on the computer and say NO ONE CAN LOVE GERARD AS MUCH AS ME!!!!! but the trueth is they can not everyone can just have him. i am totally obsessed with him but i know the fact that i amy never have him. My Chemical romance rule and they should havre the right to shine even more than now
lv Chantal (wallace) xxxxx
Posted by: wallace at December 7, 2005 02:51 AM
Gerard way is the most beautiful guy ever
the band is cool , good and goth
I love this band I never want to part from it
Posted by: LadyB at February 9, 2006 01:35 PM
OMG i love them so much they are so different and thats what this world needs there are so much poppy shit around these days AHHHHH!!!! i hate it gerard is so sexi and seems so nice im a goth and i love it so dani and lina f*** every goth hater we rox!!!! love you mcr keep rockin!!
Posted by: kelly(mcrfan) at February 24, 2006 11:04 PM
MCR FUKKIN ROCKS SO HARD,IM A LAD AND I TO GET SINGLED OUT 4 LIKING MY CHEM,BUT HOW ON EARTH HAVENT PPL REALISED THAT THEY ARE MISSING SOMETHING IMMENCE WHEN MCR PERFORM LIVE. ITS OK THO BECAUSE GERARD,CONSTANTLY IS REASURING PPL LIKE US THAT OUR DAY OF RECOGNITION WILL COME 4 THAT MR WAY I THANK YOU,TRULY INSPIRING LYRICS AND A LIFE CHANGING BAND BEYOND BELIEF! ANY1 WANT TO GET IN TOUCH TO A ENGLISH MCR FAN DNT HESITATE..........DAVERYAN_BEATTIE8@HOTMAIL.COM
Posted by: DAVE RYAN(english) at June 11, 2006 09:14 AM
Well, I personally think Gerard Way is the fuckin' hottest piece of crap ever. He is also very very talented and has a very kool personality. I know that I do not know him, and you might think that I don't know what I'm saying, but I do. To be a diehard fan, you must know everything and anything about them. I know that I'm obssesed with Gerard Way and the whole band itself, but it's just one chemical I don't want to get rid of.
Posted by: Elisa.diehard.fan. at July 23, 2006 10:47 PM
ok. stupid little teenies...shut the hell up.
seriously. "gerard way is the king of hotness! LOL" and "i'm only 13 yrs old too young for gerard!! LOL"
god your annoying. i bet half you cant even name five songs off the first album or the other band members, or who the orignal drummer was. you guys suck. and your annoying.
yes, gerard is sexy, and yes, you are too young for him, but please, at least rephrase it.
Posted by: nicole at October 9, 2006 05:09 PM
gerard is the hottest guy on the planet. and the band is always going ot be the hottest ever. lol,lul to gerard.xoxoxoxoxo
Posted by: jessica at November 1, 2006 03:11 PM
my chemical romance is my fav band they have saved my life we have stuff in commen and i cant live without them and you know what bugs me the most is the little girly girls who think they like MCR but only like im not ok and that song is played all over. the stupid girls dont have a life when they do if u like the band u buy there merch and saport them as much as u can. and u know what bugs me the most it makes me want to kill someone. its when people wants gerard or frank take off there shirt more then liking the music. i guess its ok if you think they are cute but if you only like the band for the people in the band cuz of how cute they are and not the music go to hell ok. and if you are one of the people out there who thinks they have a chance with any of them and you think you are going to get together just stop thinking right there! lots of you are to yound 90% of you wont even get to meet them face to face and some has girls already. think befor you do anything in life.
Posted by: S.I at November 14, 2006 08:22 AM
i met My Chemical Romance when they first came over to England and played in small bars and wherever they could get a gig.
Theyre cool guys, and it was an amazing experience. im glad theyve succeeded, they dererve it. I dont know what its like in America, but here in England 90% of MCR fans are absoulte gimps, who all try to be different by dressing the same as each other.
Gerards new hair is great, and a good way for him to be more like th aptient, the concept of their new album. But to me, its also a huge statemant, a smack in the face of fake MCR fans everywhere, the type who one day deicded to like MCR and dye their hair black.
And oh my god, jeez. You gay little 13 year old complete idiots, egt a life. and yes, i say this in the hope no one else will have to keep saying it, GERARD IS TOO OLD FOR YOU. too old and too genuine.
And if you dont know who Matt Pellisier is, yes your one fo those gimps im talking about.
long live MCR. i wish most of thier fans would hurry up and start raving over the next big thing, and let us actual fans got on with enjoying thier music.
Posted by: Sarah at November 20, 2006 01:22 PM
wow this is so interesting reading everyone's comments.....its so....dramatic
Posted by: boo at November 23, 2006 09:44 AM
look all of you girls im going to be gerards girl because i have all the t-shirts of mcr i know how to draw i know how to play guitar and im going to singing lessons which which i already have a clear voice cause im in a high level of singer i make comic books and have all his albums i take care of my body and face so much i think he will want a girl like me i even draw him in murals so don't even think you will marry him because i have beeing drawing seens i was a little girl because god gave me the gift of art and sing *piece out*not!!!!!!
Posted by: brenda at February 19, 2007 09:34 AM
I hate you all. Grow up for the love of god. Yes, My Chem is an amazing band. Yes, Gerard Way is a very sexy man but you all need to grow up. "NO ONE CAN LOVE HIM AS MUCH AS ME. I'LL SAVE ALL MY MONEY AND THEN GO CONFESS MY LOVE TO HIM." And then he will introduce you to his girlfriend. Or just call security on you. MCR has saved so many lives but for more than Gerard's good looks. Maybe you should try listening to a song or two?
Posted by: Chellci at March 22, 2007 06:07 PM
Hey i love this site, and MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE ROX. i love them like soooo much and i KONW they get that alot, but i REALLY mean it. i mean if i ever got to meet them i would just die (literally). i would just be sooo happy. but we all know ill never meet them, i live in a small town and dont have the money for tickets, why would thing's change now. but if i did i would die. like words cant explain how hot Gerard is i mean WOW!!!!. Why wont they ever play in tyalor, tx ooooh let me guess its to small. well let me tell you a little about me i am 5'1, i have sort of long brown heair (but i might die it), i am 13 (i am way to young for the hot Gerard ~*lol*~) i love my chemical romance (as you can tell)i am learning how to play the drums i suck thow. and im learning how to skate and i suck at that too. and i dont no y i am wrighting cause ppl that have sights like this never wright back but if you ever doo send it to lil_key_key101@yahoo.com
Posted by: Kelsey Walton at March 16, 2005 08:31 PM