My Chemical Romance Interview
In only two years, My Chemical Romance has gone from a band of punks with a solid plan of getting out of their New Jersey basement to a world-wide touring rock group that has spawned legions of fans with their gothic version of pop-punk.
What’s a measure of success? In September 2002, MCR had a record release party at Maxwell’s (Hoboken, NJ), opening up for a bunch of unknown bands. The place was packed early, and when singer Gerard Way and his pack of Northern Jersey fiends jumped on stage, the spattering of fans went wild, culminating with an awesome sing-a-long to their favorite tune “Vampires Will Never Hurt You.” And that was after their first album “I Brought You My Bullets You Brought Me Your Love” had only been out for a week. Now it’s 2004, and My Chemical Romance returns to their home state for another record release party. This time it’s at the newly baptized Starland Ballroom. The venue is 20 times bigger than Maxwell’s; MCR is headlining and just as packed. The crowd goes nuts as Way crawls on the floor piping out tunes from both albums to overpowering cries from the venomous crowd. This time the album has barely been out for 24 hours.So what’s the band’s reaction been to the love they’ve been receiving wherever they go?According to guitarist Frank Iero, “It’s been just silly.”
“We’ve been given so many great opportunities and amazing things have come through for us,” Iero says. “Kids we never thought we’d meet just love the band. All our dreams have come true so far. Anything from here on is just going to be a blessing. ”
Initially, you guys mentioned that you had a plan for getting the band and your message out. Have you met these goals?
“When we started this band we set mini goals and then we had our ultimate goal,” Iero says. “We met all our smaller goals, we’ve gotten to meet and work with some of our heroes, and we’ve been able to reach an exorbitant amount of kids that we never thought we would ever reach. Our major goal was to actually make a difference, and I think we are on our way to that goal.”
Beyond your major goal, you guys have snagged the coveted ring, by scoring a major label contract in just over a year. That’s pretty incredible.
“That Eyeball record (”I Brought You Bullet”) came out two years ago, and we signed maybe six months ago, a year and a half after the record was recorded,” Iero says. “It really wasn’t that quickly, but we were so busy in those last two years, touring asses off that it didn’t seem so short. We got calls early on in the band’s life from majors and we were always like “thanks for calling, but we want to see how the record does.”
“At that time, a lot of bands from this scene/this state were getting calls,” Iero explains. We got courted by a few labels that actually heard the record and liked it and when we decided that going to a major was the step we wanted to make, we picked the labels that were there from the start and that ‘got’ us. We wanted to work with a label that would allow us to make the record that we wanted to make.”
So what have your parents thought of your newfound success?
“I’ve been in bands since I was 11 years old and my parents have always been supportive,” Iero explains. “They always let me practice in the basement with my band and as long as I was doing well in school I could play as many shows as I wanted.”
Produced by Geoff Rickley of Thursday, My Chemical Romance’s debut album “I Brought You My Bullets You Brought Me Your Love” was dark without being heavy, conjuring audible visions of bands like The Cure and Iron Maiden. Singer Gerard Way suffered through the recording of the album due to an abscess in his mouth causing some unintentionally brutal and mesmerizing vocal work.
Now signed with Warner Bros, My Chemical Romance’s sophomore effort is a tad more poppy and a lot more polished, but Way’s cathartic screams are still held together by his band-mates’ raging yet melodic punk hardcore instrumentation. “Going into the major label studios and having a bigger budget gave us so many more tools at our disposal,” Iero says. “We had three weeks to write in LA before we actually started recording, and we had more time to be secluded and just get in each other’s faces to really fine-tune the songs.”
“Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge” was entirely written by the band and many of the same musical aspects carry over form the group’s first release. “Helena” is an epic tune, similar in style to MCR’s breakthrough hit “Vampire,” but according to Iero there was never any intention to replicate the past. “We do have epics on this record, but there are also a lot of different feels on this “Three Cheers,” Iero says. “We tried to bring the listener on more of a journey through different mindsets. When listening through this record we want you to go through different emotions like a ride.”
For more MCR coverage, check out an interview we did with them just before their first record came out.
Click here for interview>>>
Kiwi said,
Wrote on February 22, 2006 @ 3:24 am
Skwee, I love these guys! They’ve been my favouritest people for like, years now. And Iero’s the best, just ’cause he’s cool like that. MCR saved my life!!
Ashley said,
Wrote on February 23, 2006 @ 5:02 pm
Hey MCR
Sup my friends and I love all your songs espically Helena it is so awsome. We also love The Ghosts Of You.The other ones are good to like I’m Not Ok. My friend’s name is Julia we love you Gerard.
chelsea said,
Wrote on February 24, 2006 @ 1:49 am
Hey MCR,
I really luv the song i’m not okay,
it’s sooo awesome…i luv u guys sooo much….I luv frankie Iero..he’s soooo hott*,:)*
Tasha said,
Wrote on February 24, 2006 @ 8:20 am
Hey Mcr,
I love your music, i love the way you sing with meaning, it has seriously helped me thru rough times! YOU’Z REALLY ROCK!!
pleeease come to new zealand! i’ll buy the first ticket!
luv tash!
(gerard sing ur heart out, frankie i love the way u play, and u ray bob n mikey! keep it up!)
K.P. said,
Wrote on February 24, 2006 @ 6:44 pm
god. you people are stupid. “I love MCR” blah blah blah. shut up for once.
Alexandrai DeFlorio said,
Wrote on February 25, 2006 @ 8:36 pm
hey
i LOVE ur music sooooooo much
gerard knows my cuz(Nicole)
so…ya
email me @
ArizonaxGrlx109@hotmail.com
much love!!!!
Brittany said,
Wrote on February 25, 2006 @ 10:57 pm
heyyyy i love you guys u r like my idols and i just love u gerard loves u so haha and u rock!!xoxoxox
Virginia said,
Wrote on March 1, 2006 @ 2:24 am
Youz guys are crazy good. You would definatly be on my top 5 bands. BUT you REALLY need to do more shows near the Pensacola area (it is an hour away from whre I live but you would NEVER concider coming to ELBERTA ALABAMA). The closest you have ever been was 7 hours away I believe. Anywhoo. Much love to you guys. Keep kicking ass, fools!
Love, Virgina
Magdalena said,
Wrote on March 12, 2006 @ 8:16 pm
Hi, me and my friends really admire and love the guys in My Chemical Romance. If you read this: Please come to Sweden!
febby said,
Wrote on May 25, 2006 @ 8:49 am
MCR!!!,awwwsome….you have amazing song and look!!i realy like your music n your lyric, and its becouse of the one hot-hot man,gee…GERARD WAY…i loph u so far…
baby hanny said,
Wrote on June 20, 2006 @ 5:59 am
HI MCR ,
HOPE U ALL MAKE ME FEEL U ALWAYS.
I RELLY CRAZY LIKE UR MUSIC,SONG,
VOICE,STYLE AND UR FACE… COZ U ALL
SO HANDSOME AND CUTE…
I LOVE U SO MUCH…
MUAAAAAAHHH……..
baby hanny said,
Wrote on June 20, 2006 @ 6:10 am
HI AGAIN,
ACTUALY, I FROM BRUNEI…
WOULD U SO FAR FROM ME,UR ALL
ALWAYS IN MY HEART.
I RELLY LIKE UR 1st N 2nd ALBUM…
IT AWSOME…
GERARD WAY,
I RELLY LOVE U AND U ALWAYS COME
IN MY DREAM…
baby hanny said,
Wrote on June 20, 2006 @ 6:18 am
MCR,
I WANT TO BE UR MEMBER…
romance said,
Wrote on July 6, 2006 @ 3:10 am
My Chemical Romance is my favourite band.They are at the top of my list. Their lyrics, music, videos, everything is awesome… i love ‘to the end’ & ‘ i never told you what i do for a living’. its fantabulous. in fact all the songs in the album is fantabulous.can’t wait for the new album. u guys should be together forever producing music. u guys r gr8 role models to ever1. i truely appreciate all your work and no matter wat crap ppl say, u r always the best for me… u r always my idols… take care…
codi richardson said,
Wrote on August 10, 2006 @ 7:15 pm
i love you guys you rock i have not known about you guys for awhile so its just this year but you know you guys are my fave i have the oddest name for a girl gerard you rock and mikey good luck to you and your future wife i herd she is very pretty from a friend i know who knows you guys i dont know her name though my parentd dislike you guys cuz she says you guys dont help me cuz i love black and i want pants at hot topic and shy says i would never want hoose pants if it wasny for you guys could you come to seattle or spokanne you did once but i missed it but one of my friend went and i could go if you came and gerard its hard to believe you wernt popular you are so cool
NiDa said,
Wrote on October 14, 2006 @ 2:39 pm
My Chemical Romance r ammmzinggg!!!
IncredibleIncredibleIncredibleIncredibleIncredibleIncredibleIncredibleIncredible &&& so fucking awesssome xxxxxxxxx
NiDa said,
Wrote on October 14, 2006 @ 2:40 pm
Mcr PPPLSSSS come 2 manchester
cameron said,
Wrote on October 19, 2006 @ 8:15 pm
i love your music it kiks ass, my mates do not like you but i sure do , i think gerard is multi talented he can draw and sing i think he is really clever rock on welldoned with your number 1 mcr
cameron said,
Wrote on October 19, 2006 @ 8:17 pm
its me again i think you r wikid if u ever read this plz send me a signed photo i would appreciate it ROX ON GERARD
Josie said,
Wrote on October 20, 2006 @ 4:50 am
Oh fuck, what to say? Um. . . . I really am a big fan and since I don’t know the extent of obsession from alll the other fans I really have no fight to say I’m the biggest most hardcore one, I might be I don’t know. I love everything you write and I’m sure your next album will be amazing, I could never doubt you guys, you saved my life and I love you from the bottom of my black little heart, COME TO AUSTRALIA SOON!
>>>>>>*tackles mcr*>>>>>> ^_^
Josie said,
Wrote on October 20, 2006 @ 4:54 am
oh yes, and visit me at my house, my mother will make you spanish food like enpanadas, shethinks you guys are nice and remind her of my friends,
I don’t know if that’s a compliment my friends are retarded. . . including me. SO PLEASE VISIT ME!!! I know you won’t
Valarie said,
Wrote on November 3, 2006 @ 7:36 pm
i just want you all to know (MCR) that i worship you. when i first listened to the music it really did work on my heart. you all pulled me through some deep crap and i want to thatk you so much!!!!
email me!!!
p1t1vroberts@gaggle.net
*school account*
Thanx
Fiona said,
Wrote on November 30, 2006 @ 11:56 am
OMG I LOVE MCR HOW SEXABLE OMG (GERARD) IS AND THE REST OF YOU TO
nyala said,
Wrote on December 2, 2006 @ 10:28 am
mcr are the best they sh*t all over the used. after u come to australia for the big day out can u plz come back for ur own shows PLZ
love u’s
damnedqueen said,
Wrote on December 8, 2006 @ 6:51 pm
all the souls are burning…i get so weak….but even everyone else thinks otherwise i love you so f***ing much…this band really woke me up from the lie i was living in
Lauren said,
Wrote on December 13, 2006 @ 6:21 pm
You rock my socks
Leo said,
Wrote on December 23, 2006 @ 5:20 am
MCR saved my life. Ever since my friend showed me the Helena video i just had to see all of there other songs and thats when I started to think they were the best band ever! MCR YOU ROCK!!
kaylea said,
Wrote on January 13, 2007 @ 10:42 pm
I love mcr!!!! Gerard,Mikey,andFrank are so fucking hott!!
sarah said,
Wrote on January 15, 2007 @ 3:37 am
I cant even describe how much i LOVE mcr. ive probably sang Im Not Ok [I Promise] at least 24659762 times. And the song Helena reminds me of my grandma who died from cancer last year. i love all 5 of you to fucking death [[[especially mikey]]] !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kristen said,
Wrote on January 29, 2007 @ 4:57 am
fuck yOu guys r sOo awsOme ii lOvee u guys tO death i lOve all ur sOngs cOz dey all rOck && i lOve all of yOuz but i lOve gerard the mOst cOz he is sOo fukin hOtt…u r really sexy lol
tash said,
Wrote on January 29, 2007 @ 5:01 am
mcr is da fuking bestest in the whole wide world…i love u guys soo much
gerard & mikey r such hotties `xox
RACHEL said,
Wrote on February 12, 2007 @ 11:03 pm
MCR IS MY FAVOURITE BAND IN THE WORLD PLEASE COME TO CHIRSTCHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND !!!!!
P.S GERAD IS SOOO HOT xox
Sar said,
Wrote on April 11, 2007 @ 2:04 am
Hey! I love ur band so much espeichally the CD “Welcome To The Black Perade” that is my most favorite somtimes i play it blasting in the house. The weird thing is that none of ur songs are boring or songs i would skip over like my other favorite singers, so that offically makes u my favorite band. My friends think i love the band 2 much. But, i can go much more wilder over u guys!!! Rock on!!!!!!!!! =)
poison princess said,
Wrote on April 25, 2007 @ 8:06 pm
wow u guys in mcr r awsum neva stop makin ur music. i luv u’s all. woweee!
juniper hell said,
Wrote on May 6, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
oh come on! everyone knows that mcr are genuises!duh!doink……im from the philippines are you from hell?
katie said,
Wrote on July 3, 2007 @ 5:15 pm
I LLLLLLUUUUUUVVVVVV U GERARD!!!!!!!!!! U R SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUCKING HHHHOOOTTTT!!!!!!
Alexa said,
Wrote on July 8, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
Hi MCR
I think you are apsolutely amazing, and you have saved my life. I doubt you actually look on here, but my favourite song is cemetery drive, its so emotional. And drowning lessons and famous last words. Erm…if you do look on here and you have some spare time, I was wondering if you have bebo and you could leave me a comment. Do you guys have bebo? Mines http://www.bebo.com/Mrs-Alexa-Way-xxx sorry if you dont or dont have time, i under stand
bye x
kaitlyn said,
Wrote on July 16, 2007 @ 7:17 am
you guys rock you’re definately my favorite band!!! all of your songs freakin kick ass MCR RULEZ!!! ^_^
Zeena said,
Wrote on December 10, 2007 @ 11:42 pm
i luve u guys and u guys are great fucking role models and ur soooooooooooooo hott
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
luvvvv ~Zee~
özge said,
Wrote on March 23, 2008 @ 9:21 am
I love MCR more than everything in my life. I want to see them in my country Turkey! They are my life(really). I love you GERARD!!!!!!!!!!!I love you Mikey. I love you Frank. I love you Ray. I love you Bob and… I have to love you James too:)
Kiba said,
Wrote on March 30, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
I’m not going to bash their music, because unlike the founder of this site I feel like people have the right to appreciate whatever they want to listen to. However I will point out that MCR is not punk and were never punk. MCR=EMO not punk. I lament for the days when punk was actually about some message and not just a means to talk impressionable teens into cutting themselves.
Taylor said,
Wrote on April 24, 2008 @ 3:01 am
…god i hate people who comment on how hot the guys are, i mean get a life. focus on how awesome and meaningful the lyrics are. the fact that there good looking is just a bonus.
Bella Camfield-Andrews said,
Wrote on May 23, 2008 @ 9:13 am
Hi guys
i love you lot so much
you have helped me and i owe you my life
i love your song demolition lovers and also our lady of sorrowsyour amazing
all your songs are incredible
i love you all
xxxxx
Dolores in NM said,
Wrote on August 18, 2008 @ 9:56 pm
I’m probably a LOT older than most posters here (in my 50s)but I just HAVE to comment on the song I recently heard of MCR “The Cancer Song.” I have ovarian cancer-diagnosed early,thank God. That song,while it (thankfully)doesn’t apply to my own situation,expresses SO MUCH for so many people who are fighting this horrible disease. My family has been battling cancer amongst our members for many years and this song is heartbreakingly real to families like mine. But,in some way,it also is helpful.It makes me cry very hard to listen, but not as hard as losing loved ones.