Straight Lines Spotlight: My Chemical Romance

Straight Lines Music is a debuting a new feature this month...the Straight Lines Spotlight! Each month, Straight Lines Music will spotlight a different band or artist. This spotlight will highlight band history, discography, current news, music, and videos.

To kick off the Straight Lines Spotlight series, we start with My Chemical Romance.

My Chemical Romance was formed by lead singer Gerard Way and then drummer Matt Pelissier. Over the years Way has stated that the idea to start the band came after experiencing and living through the September 11th tragedy in New Jersey. Along the way, Way and Pelissier picked up guitarist Ray Toro and Way's brother Mikey. In addition, the group added a second guitarist in Frank Lero. After only being a band for about three months, the group recorded what would be released as I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love.

MCR's breakthrough year came in 2003. After a tour with Avenged Sevenfold, the band went back into the studio to record their sophomore record Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge. As things would turn out, for My Chemical Romance, the second time was the charm. Three Cheers went platinum in just over a year and hosted chart topping singles including, I'm Not Okay, Helena, and The Ghost Of You.

I'm Not Okay


Helena


The Ghost Of You


In 2003 and 2004, in addition to much success, My Chemical Romance found some unrest in the group. It was during this time that the group parted ways with original drummer Matt Pelissier. As a group, they have never gone into detail as to why Pelissier left the group. Bob Bryar took over the drumming duties shortly after the split.

Throughout 2004, 2005, and some of 2006 My Chem was on the road performing and headlining various shows and festivals including the first ever Taste Of Chaos tour and Warped Tour. In addition, the band opened for Green Day on their American Idiot Tour.

In April of 2006, My Chem began work on their third studio album, The Black Parade. The record was produced by longtime Green Day producer, Rob Cavallo, and was the band's first concept album. Lyrically, the album took on the topic of death. Musically, it was a smooth transition between emo-punk, rock, and ballads. The Black Parade took My Chemical Romance to a new level. It was rated the 20th best album in 2006 by Rolling Stone magazine and the fourth best album of the year that year by Kerrang magazine. In 2007, the band was nominated for an American Music Award in the category of Best Alternative Band.

Welcome To The Black Parade


Teenagers


Famous Last Words


During live shows in 2006 and 2007, My Chemical Romance ditched the MCR gear and became The Black Parade. The band played The Black Parade in its entirety each night to the delight of millions of fans around the world. The tour culminated with a DVD recording in Mexico that was released in October of 2007.

After The Black Parade tour concluded in 2007, MCR took a much needed break from the road and the studio to spend time with their families and pursue other individual interests.

The band reconvened in 2009 to do a song for the Watchmen movie soundtrack. On the soundtrack MCR covers the historic Bob Dylan and his song Desolation Row.

Desolation Row


Throughout the hiatus, numerous rumors popped up of turmoil within the group and drummer Bob Bryar left the band in early 2010. Like the last drummer, the band has not commented as to why Bryar left the group. In addition, rumors of various recording sessions reportedly took place, but much to the the chagrin of fans, no release date was announced. Until September of 2010 that is. In September, My Chemical Romance announced the release of their fourth studio album, Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys. Danger Days hits stores on November 22nd. My Chemical Romance has announced some concerts here and there, but an official tour has not been finalized. The band will be doing shows in St. Louis and at Q101's Twisted in Chicago, as well as some others overseas. Early reviews on leaked songs as well as Danger Day's first single Na Na Na have been stellar.

Na Na Na


The My Chemical Romance story is certainly one of uniqueness. The five band members from Jersey climbed the rock ranks extremely quick and not just with one off popular songs, but with classic albums that will stand the test of time. The distant future is cloudy for this band but the immediate one couldn't be clearer. With a new album, rejuvenated band, and a beyond excited fanbase, November and 20ll is shaping up to be another great year for My Chemical Romance.

DISCOGRAPHY
* I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love (2002)
* Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004)
* The Black Parade (2006)
* Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (2010)