My Chemical Freak: My Chemical Romance All The Time

 By:  Maria Scully

“You want me to come to a concert with you that’s full of Emos?” My boyfriend,
Alan, asked me sarcastically.

“It’s My Chemical Romance,” I blurted, “they are so AMAZING! And Gerard Way
is FLAWLESS!”

“You got to be kidding me…”

It may not seem like I am the kind of person to be into “Emo”, dark eye make-up, anarchy driven music, but the Black Parade band – My Chemical Romance – has truly stolen my heart. When driving in my car I crank up their tunes, scream the words, use my steering wheel as a drum-set, while bouncing around in my seat (not the safest thing in the world, I know, Mom and Dad, I know).

All of my friends think I’m a little odd for having such a deep passion for this kind of band, but I guess you can say that is what makes me exceptional. My friend Ieva from Vail Mountain School also reacts to MCR like girls did Beatles mania.

Both she and I met last summer and began a friendship based on our love for the band. Barely knowing each other, we went to our first MCR concert at the end of summer, and decided to get tickets for the next upcoming event. The concert was planned for a Monday night, a school night, yes … but we HAD to go no matter what. It turned out she had extra tickets so, like a good, loving girlfriend, I dragged my boyfriend along with me.

School that day seemed to move along like a snail on Lunesta. I was hypnotized by the clock, swearing the hour hand was frozen in place. My last class was math, and as soon as my pencil hit the paper, I ripped through the test finishing in record time, (I’m praying I passed). The bell rang and I sprinted home, refreshed my make-up, put on tight-legged jeans and skater shoes, (in order to somewhat blend in with the punk crowd) and was off to meet Ieva and her dad. We all decided to wear white so we could stick out from everyone else, and boy did we!

As we walked down the endless line that seemed to extend beyond the horizon and into the concert, we were surrounded by interesting beings, that were actually probably human, but we couldn’t be sure. There were some with black and red strips painted on their faces, even children with black lipstick and eyeliner. Fish net tights, black skirts with chains, crazy colored hair, and black nail polish galore floated around us like a zombie scene from a Tim Burton movie.

My boyfriend, mewling like a baby in all his macho glory, held on to me tight as we passed through the treacherous forest of Emo. I, on the other hand, was fearless for I had encountered such shocking creatures before. After a long, amusing walk we
made it to the end of the line and waited for the doors to open.

Slowly but surely we made our way into the doors and stepped onto the floor
in front of the stage.

The arena was like an oven. We began to sweat and the floor hadn’t even begun to fill. Pushing our way through the Emo creatures (which was, in fact, pretty scary) we inched our way closer and closer to the front row.

Drive By, a new punk band, opened first. The room continued to heat up, but I was not about to move from my spot to get water.

The entire crowd swayed, writhed and pushed. We each held onto each other tightly, knowing we were stuck in the harsh movements.

Billy Talent, another new band, appeared next and the crowd grew even more anxious and pumped for MCR. People were jumping and shoving, swaying violently, with some hangin’ ten on top of the hands of the crowd. I was dripping in sweat, along with every one else I was smashed up against.

It was disgusting, muggy, sticky and awkward. Security guards in the front were squirting water into our mouths and soaking our hair and clothes in order to keep us cool. Instead, my clothes just grew even stickier and warmer against my skin. I imagined baby birds opening their mouths for the mother to throw up in their throats as we all opened our mouths in desperation for water.

How lovely indeed. I grew dizzy from the heat and gasped for air, but I would not let myself leave the wild, sweat-infested swarm; I knew that MCR would make it all worth while.

At this point it dawned on me: The one thing the really sucked about concerts was waiting for the band to finally make it on stage. We were dying, well, at least I felt like I was because of the heat and claustrophobia. It was as if the staff and bands were playing some cruel joke on us by playing annoying elevator music as we melted on the floor.

“All you need is love” by The Beatles began to play, and the crowd sang along but replaced the word “love” with “water.” “All you need is water, water! Water’s all you need!” The Emo jungle had turned into a singing, Emo-desert.

I was ready to give up; to leave and buy my own bottle of water and hydrate in the cool air outside, but the lights soon turned an orangey-red color and the crowd began to scream. I knew it was finally time and I was lifted up above the crowd.

I watched in awe as Gerard, Mikey, Frank, Toro, and Bob made their way onto the stage. I screamed and threw my hands in the air, and soon all of my pain was gone. They jammed out “House of Wolves” from their new album and I jumped with the crowd. I jumped so hard that before I knew it, we were all the way at the front. MCR was just a few feet from me, I could almost feel Gerard’s spit on my face.(Yes, spit is gross, but if you’re a teen fanatic, and it comes from Gerard, it is wonderful – just like
our mothers felt about Ringo).

Gerard’s shiny black hair was draped in front of his face as he sang beautifully. Meanwhile Toro and Frank stood next to him, chiming together on their guitars. Together they were a young group of poor and misunderstood New Jersey boys changing the lives of everyone in the room that night. Even though we all were sick with heat, we danced, letting our hands wave in the air and our feet lift above the floor. We sang as though we were the ones on stage holding the microphone. It was magical to watch everyone in that room feel nothing but excitement and bliss.

The concert ended sooner than I thought, yet I was thankful to finally cool off and let my knees bend into normal position. Walking back into our car, I looked back at their tour bus, realizing that during the show when Gerard wasn’t lying when, after gasping for air following a tiring song, he said, “You guys are the best audience we’ve ever had.”

By Maria Scully
For VailDaily.com

AWESOME PHOTOS! 

Photos Property of shnooker_doo13
Thanks Yekith for the tip!

Some fans and their banner with Frank and Alicia.

 Photo finds… Mychemicalobsessionbrazil

Photos Property of Vanna
For NBC5

Pics of the guys from the Chicago Show. 

Thanks Mychemicalobsessionbrazil for the find!

Yup, another musician with a clothing label. But this just isn’t your average apparel company. Skeleton Crew, led by My Chemical Romance’s Frank Iero is a social revolution complete with a manifesto and everything. Yeah, they make a mean t-shirt, they make a stylish hoodie but they also put out music, literature, support the arts and do a fair share of charitable contributions while they’re at it. They wear lots of hats, and all of them fit.

When did Skeleton Crew get started?

[It started] a couple of years back what Jamia (Frank’s wife) and a few friends started Bomb Shelter, a D.I.Y production company that put on shows at local VFW halls in North Jersey. It was a great thing because it formed a positive community of people that supported an underground movement. I remember seeing all my favourite bands play in a small room and it made a huge impression on me that kids could do this on their own. We really just wanted to be a part of something like that again so we decided to form a global crew, where like-minded individuals could get together and make a different in their own way and on their own terms. The clothing aspect is their flag to fly, a way of recognising each other and showing their affiliation. That’s why we encourage members to make their own S//C gear; it’s more creative that way. Any revenue that does come in goes right into supporting the artists that we showcase.

Who is Crew in Skeleton Crew?

Well, the board of directors – so to speak – are Jamia, Eddie, Sara and myself. We have final say over what happens with Skeleton Crew as a whole. But as far as who is ‘crew’? It’s the bands, the artists, the writers, the street teams, the friends we’ve made along the way…It’s everyone and anyone that wants to be a part of it. The great thing about S//C is that all are welcome. If you want to get involved log into the site and become part of something; the members take control of S//C.

Do you make everyone in the band wear your clothes? All your friends and family?

Nah, that’s not my thing. If friends want anything they ask me for it and I’ll give it to them but as far as travelling around with a load of goons all clad in S//C gear, that isn’t my style.

If you could have any one living or dead wear your clothes, who would it be?

Hmm…someone crafty and witty. I don’t know. It doesn’t matter as long as they have a great ass.

If Skeleton Crew was an animal what animal would it be?

The Tootsie Roll owl perched and ready to strike.

What bands are on Skeleton Crew records?

Well we’ve tried to keep the roster pretty diverse. We only put out bands we like and find interesting: David Costa, a hip-hop artist from Indiana who put out his first EP with us and it currently writing his follow-up. He is also playing Bamboozle East. A California-based band called New Tomorrow is our newest addition to the family. They are getting set to record soon and are playing Bamboozle Left. Leathermouth is a shitty murder rock band that hails from my basement; they definitely don’t get the attention they need ‘cause I’m always away. Hot Like A Robot was a great band from San Diego that split into different incarnations and the Mean Reds (RIP) were one of my favourite bands of all time who broke up way before they got the respect they deserved. Theirs was the first record we ever put out and was the catalyst that drove me to want to start Skeleton Crew. I wanted to work with that band so bad, I made a label for them.

How do you feel about so many musicians starting clothing companies? Is it ‘cause you can’t illegally download a hoodie?

Sure, it’s an easy way to make a quick buck. Make a name, throw some skulls on there, slap it on a t-shirt and you’ve got yourself a clothing company. It’s not Calvin Klein or anything but it’s a simple way to make cash off kids and not create anything new. It’s like starting a religion. But Skeleton Crew is different ‘cause God told me to start it.

What’s next for Skeleton Crew?

Next is the KGB. This is Skeleton Crew’s initiative to start a revolution one person at a time. Think about everyone you know doing one good selfless thing a day for the rest of their lives. It’s a pay-it-forward program that takes no money, just heart. We have homework assignments and different suggestions to make the world a better place but we want it to be publicly run. So this is our challenge for us and everyone.

Where can the kids go to find out more?

Click HERE to check out their site!

Article by Punk Rock Confidential
all rights reserved!

By Stacie Peart
For Salt Lake Community College

Other hits were performed from the band’s latest album including “Teenagers” where the general admission crowd thrust their fists in the air with every thump of the drum beat mimicking MCR’s well-known music video for the song. “Mama” was also well received as fans chanted along to the unique tune as the song’s distinctive sound grabbed immediate attention. MCR did slow it down for a moment to play the ballad “I Don’t Love You.” They also performed “Helena,” the song known as Gerard and Mikey Way’s tribute to their late grandmother.

Ok so I am volunteering this weekend to help the local Food Pantry out.  So there won’t be any major posts until at least Sunday morningish.  In the meantime, here is something nice for your eyes!

Photo property of Steve Mitchell
All rights reserved.

The Special Edition of The Black Parade on Vinyl is back in the MCR online store for all you vinyl freaks. The special edition comes in a slip-case box with two 15-page books and 2 triple gatefold sleeves with the vinyl housed in a center sleeve. Only 2,500 copies were made of this edition and ONLY 200 are left. Get your copy today here: MCR Store!

By Adam Graham
For detnews.com

My Chemical Romance makes music for and about teenagers. They sing about life and death with an urgency and fatalism only teens can truly understand. Heck, one of their biggest singles is called “Teenagers.”None of that bothers me, however. Although my teenage years are ancient history, I love My Chemical Romance.

OK, admitting a My Chemical Romance crush isn’t as embarrassing as saying I’m a 29-year-old Jonas Brothers fan. (I’m not, by the way.)

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My Chem’s 2006 album “The Black Parade” — a relentlessly thrilling rock opera about, you guessed it, life and death — was one of that year’s most acclaimed releases, and in its wake, plenty of rock critics stepped up to the plate and branded My Chem the real deal.

But there’s still something about the band — playing Saturday and Sunday at the Fillmore Detroit — that makes me feel like I have to apologize for liking them. Maybe it’s their over-the-top theatrics, the layers of make-up they wear onstage or the sheer pompousness of frontman Gerard Way’s wild-eyed delivery. Whatever it is, there’s something that says responsible married men such as myself should not have a childish obsession with this band.

I’m done apologizing, however, and I’m not ashamed. My Chemical Romance rocks my world.

It wasn’t always this way. When MCR first emerged, I wrote them off as another in the long line of disposable screamo bands that were emerging at the time. Taking Back Sunday, the Used, My Chemical Romance — whatever; life’s too short to study the intricacies of dozens of faceless, interchangeable bands.

Then I saw the video for “I’m Not Okay (I Promise).”

Cut to look like the trailer for a coming-of-age teen comedy, it was sharp, cutting and clever — and the song wasn’t bad either. A slice of ramped up, slap-you-in-the-face pop-punk, it was served with copious attitude from Way, who frothed, “but you really need to listen to me, because I’m telling you the truth, I mean this, I’m okay!” The next line? “I’m not okay.”

“I’m Not Okay” was followed by “Helena,” the “TRL” staple which cemented them as anti-teen idol teen idols. Set at a funeral and featuring a full chorus of dancers, it nailed everything My Chem was about: Black-clad and death-obsessed but hopeful and celebratory about life.

Both tracks came from the group’s second album, “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge,” which was a cut above the works of their peers but still fully emerged in the muddy waters of emo. But on “The Black Parade,” the band blew away their contemporaries by becoming bigger than life, and incorporating pieces of Kiss, Queen and the Green Day into their repertoire.

The album’s first single “Welcome to the Black Parade” is a rock opera unto itself — it’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” for the MySpace generation. It’s so epic in scope it transcends mere age demographics, and it one day deserves a spot on classic rock radio.

I’ve listened to “The Black Parade” more than any other album in the last year — when my iPod went kaput in December, I repurchased the album so I wouldn’t be without it — and it stands as one of my favorite albums of the decade.

I’ve never worn eyeliner; I’m not from New Jersey; and aside from my fanfare of horror movies, I don’t think about death more than anyone else. But I know good music when I hear it, and My Chemical Romance gives me a reaction like none other.