MYSPACE DARK HORSE PRESENTS VOLUME 1
By Joss Whedon, Gerard Way, Mike Mignola, Steve Niles, Gilbert Hernandez, Ron Marz, John Arcudi, Bob Fingerman, Fillbach Bros, Gabriel Ba, Fabio Moon, Guy Davis and Herb Trimpe.
The first six issues of MySpace Dark Horse Presents includes Joss Whedon’s complete rock’n'roll saga Sugarshock!, a fun-filled story about a quirky girl named Dandelion, and her love of music (and hatred of Vikings); Mike Mignola’s haunting holiday tale, lushly illustrated by Guy Davis, “The Christmas Spirit”; a lost Umbrella Academy chapter written by Gerard Way about our favorite curmudgeon, The Kraken; and a four-part story dedicated to Eric Powell’s The Goon. This volume also includes a wide range of established comics talent, and stories from newcomers who saw their professional debut in MySpace Dark Horse Presents.
176 pages, $19.95, in stores on Sept. 17!
Credit: Comixtreme.com
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By Alexis Gentry
It’s hard for me to write a review of a My Chemical Romance show without filling it with hyperbole and grand statements about how they are the greatest band ever. This is simply because they are, hands down, my favorite band of all time.
After seeing them last March at Magness Arena during their giant tour supporting The Black Parade, I was beyond excited to get another chance to bathe in the awesomeness of MCR.
Monday’s show was at the Fillmore and the smaller venue lead to a more intimate setting. It was like a time machine trip back to the days before The Black Parade made them multi-platinum superstars with high-production arena shows to match. This was much more the MCR of Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, their stellar second album, released in 2004.
Opening act, and fellow New Jersey band, Drive By got the crowd pumped before openers Billy Talent took the stage, getting the mosh pits going. All this was building to the inevitable crescendo when MCR’s Gerard Way, Ray Toro, Mikey Way, Frank Iero and Bob Bryar took the stage. They were joined by semi-member James Dewees, formerly of Reggie and the Full Effect.
Total madness spread through out the crowd in the front near the barriers as some started crying with joy while others screamed every lyric. There was a palpable electricity in the air as the energy level of both the band and the crowd grew with every song.
Best of all, they played not just their recent hits, but a selection of songs that went completely across the board. Fans got to hear classics like “Headfirst for Halos” from their first album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, released off New Jersey independent label Eyeball Records. We were also treated to some unreleased songs and b-sides like “Kill All Your Friends” or “Desert Song”, which made the experience exponentially more touching and memorable. Lead singer Gerard even acknowledged the diverse set list, claiming his brother Mikey bought a ouija board and used it to determine which songs to play.
Gerard’s commentary was certainly among the highlights of the evening. He even asked the crowd if they watched the season finale of VH1′s Bret Michaels dating show Rock of Love, saying that it blew his mind to hear Michaels make his final choice and ask, “Will you stay in the house and continue to rock my world?”
It was Gerard’s statement that the band will “go away for a couple years” after this tour that made it all so bittersweet. MCR has been on the road for what seems like an eternity, but they will soon take a break and work on their fourth album. Given the pattern of evolution with this band, their next record is sure to be a masterpiece, however not seeing them in concert for a few years will be tough for hardcore fans.
As I said in my review of their previous Denver performance, these shows are more than just concerts to the fans. This is more than just a band; these guys are like superheroes. Surely their inspirational presence will be sorely missed in the Mile High City until their inevitably triumphant return with the next tour.
On a personal note, I would like to say a huge than you to MCR’s head security guy, who got the band to sign a printed YourHub with my review from last year.
The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite has been nominated for a 2008 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award. It is nominated in the Best Limited Series Category. This is a huge acknowledgement for the series in the comics world.
Winners will be announced on Friday evening, July 25th at the awards ceremony held during Comic-Con International.
We will bring you all the info right here on My Chemical Freak!
By Clara Ridabock
For wweek.com
Oh, 2004. Who remembers 2004? It was the year My Chemical Romance came out with their commercial smash, Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge. Tweens and Teenagers all over the world fell to their knees to worship at the altar of frontman Gerard Way, insisting that they were “Not Okay,” and they promised. Hot Topic was suddenly a massive chain, and boys with greasy black hair and red eyeliner popped up all over the place. My Chemical Romance was not just a band-they were a way of life. They defined the generic “emo kid” of the early 2000s.
Today, things are a little different. The band’s latest album, 2006′s The Black Parade, is a huge step away from their old ways. Gerard cut his hair, guitarist Frank Lero got married. The Black Parade is quite the opposite of Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge. To be blunt, Three Cheers says they’ve given up-The Black Parade says they’ve grown up.
The crowd at the sold-out Crystal was so aggressive that I was told to stay out of the photo pit for at least half of the first song. Beefy security guards pushed all of their body weight against the barriers to keep them upright. When My Chemical Romance finally took the stage, the crowd went nuts. Many fans jumped over the barrier and fought to get closer to their idols. The band ate up the wild attention and fed off the crowd’s energy. MCR’s first song was no slow start-they threw us immediately into a roaring, fast paced set that did not slow until the encore. They played everything-new hits (like “Famous Last Words” and “Teenagers”, which is hilarious) and the songs that made them famous (“I’m Not Okay, I Promise”).
There are many things you can call the boys of My Chemical Romance, but poor performers is not one of them. Gerard Way (with his wild arm movements and gyrating hips) takes on a modern Freddie Mercury persona on stage, making the crowd go even crazier. The band filled its set with plenty of ‘witty banter’ (“There is a strong stench of marajuana in this venue”) and professed their deep love for Portland. “There is no where else in the world you can find a vintage Helio [Sequence] 7-inch,” said frontman (and new Portland resident) Gerard.
So scoff all you want, doubters who scoff at the idea of seeing My Chemical Romance in concert-there are few bands that can put on a show like these guys. They’ve made it crystal freakin’ clear that they too are now way better than just okay. They’re doing just fine, thank you very much.
MORE PHOTOS BELOW…
Review & Photos by: Nilina Campbell
For Localcut.com
On the MAX ride from the Zoo to Things From Another World comic book store (where My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way would be signing his own graphic offering, The Umbrella Academy), I squealed to my travel companion (and LC podcaster) Arya Imig about all about the things we might expect. What length will Mr. Way’s hair be!?!?! Will he have decided to go back to bleach blond?!?! What will his nose look like in person?!?! How much more beautiful will he be than in photos and My Chemical Romance’s ever-more-epic music videos?!!?!
Well, we got there and, expectedly enough, there was a long line of people parked in front of the store (under the undermining drizzle), waiting for their chance to own Way’s scrawl. We circumvented the line by asking for Aaron, the store’s district manager, who shepherded us inside-ahead of the mob that ranged from the predictable emo kids to older adults who were there as actual fans, parents or eBay resellers. Things From Another World brought out the big guns for the event-not only extra staff, but a plethora of security guards.
Aaron informed me that the photogenic Way wasn’t too stoked on having a camera there, but as long as I wasn’t too obtrusive, everything was cool. Gerard Way, resistant to photography? His face was made to be in front of the camera! So behind a red velvet rope I stood, shooting away as Gerard greeted teenage girls.
When we left, Arya remarked on how gracious and down to earth Gerard seemed to be-to the extent that he wondered if Mr. Way might have had to work on it. But we kinda decided that indeed he had not, as he came off as so authentic and authentically kind. He shook everyone’s hand (except for mine. I’m not offering my hand to Gerard unless it’s in marriage and given he has a wife that is not moi, well…). While red roses and feather boas decorated the table beside him, other things handed to him included a guitar (that had been buffed so his signature would not wear away) and a magazine. That was my favorite interaction…
The magazine was given to Gerard by the girl who had shot the photos of MCR inside of it. He recognized her the second she stepped up the table. They went back and forth over whether he could keep it or if he would sign it and give it back to her. Way got to keep the magazine, and in exchange offered the woman his phone number. Not as some groupie hook-up, mind you, but because he knows how to treat his fans right. His personal assistant-type friend got her number and they arranged a meet-up the next day following a meeting that Gerard had. Anyone know what that meeting was about? I hope it was in regard to real-estate, so that Gerard becomes even more of a PDX resident than the rumors testify to. I mean, how awesome would it be to have Way and his art decorating Floating World (the hipper comic shop across the river) every First Thursday?!!?!
Oh-and as the photos prove-there was nary a bullet proof vest in sight. Expect 50 Cent to follow the new trend and to start rocking more denim…
By: Trish
Via her BLOG
Photos belong to Trish also.
OK…you My Chemical Romance fans! Here’s something to eat your heart out about. Take a look at the pictures above.
Yes, that is Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance in a picture with my daughter (the really short brunette in front with G’s hand on her shoulder).
She had a backstage special pass to meet the band along with her friend and her family.
How, how, how can this happen, you say?
Well, ya jus’ gotta know the right people, folks and that’s all there is to it.
And the other picture…well, yes it is true. That is Ray Toro sitting on my daughter’s lap. He’s a nice fella. Loves his fiance…really.
And the next picture. That is Frank Iero alright with his brand new, custom made guitar by the guy next to him, Steve Zabriskie. Steve is my daughter’s best friend’s dad.
My daughter had a great time talking with these guys before and after the concert in Portland, OR. at The Crystal Ballroom.
Even more fun, her picture will now be on My Chemical Romance’s myspace site, hopefully soon.
Have photos of an encounter with My Chemical Romance? Want your story seen by over 3000 peeps?
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By: StrangePhantom on LJ
Blog found HERE
Gerard Way Signing 4/08
Well, I’ve been waiting for someone else to post a much more awesome re-cap of the signing Gerard did Tuesday at Things From Another World in Portland… But no one has, so I’ll post my crappy, second-hand retelling of the event…
I go to school in Eugene, and happen to have most of my classes this term on Tuesday, so unfortunately, I could not attend. So, I did what any college student would do: I sent my mom xD
My mom, being the awesome person that she is, went, taking all my Umbrella Academy comics with her, as well as buying the special edition with the cover Gerard drew when she got to the store.
After an hour of standing in line with screaming fan girls and such, mom finally got to Gerard, which took much longer than it should have since people were rude and decided it was ok to cut (for shame).
Gerard was sitting in the back of the store, hunched over a table, with sunglasses on. And, for all the people who give him a hard time about wearing sunglasses indoors…. think about this. The lady in front of my mom walked up to him, shoved a camera about a foot in front of his face, and took a picture, with the flash on. He’d be blind by now if it weren’t for those Ray-Bans.
Anyways, he shook her hand and asked her name, and my mom mentioned she was there on behalf of me, who had class, to which he replied “It’s good she stayed in class.” Here’s the rest of the not-verbatim conversation that sorta went like this:
Mom: Yeah, she’s an art major at the University. She wants to intern this summer at Dark Horse.
Gerard: That’s really great!
Mom: How do you stand the screaming?
Gerard: You know, I don’t know.
Mom: Well, thanks a lot, and enjoy your stay in Portland.
Gerard: Thanks! I really like it here.
Eh… so yea, that’s what my mom told me went down. Some people in line were pretty chill, one woman got her iPod signed, a ton others were trying to hurry so they could stand in line for the show later that night at the Crystal Ballroom (did anyone go, btw???). They ended up closing up about a half hour early since no one was there actually, which I kinda *headesk* at that thought, thinking I could have had an actual conversation about art, or comic books, or cake with him. I think mom had a rather exciting time, although you would never hear her admit it.
The American NME Awards have announced their list of nominees. The categories including My Chemical Romance are as follows:
Best Band
Kings of Leon
The Killers
My Chemical Romance
The White Stripes
Foo Fighters
Best Live Band
My Chemical Romance
Kings of Leon
The Killers
Queens of the Stoneage
Foo Fighters
For the complete list of NME Nominees CLICK HERE.
