My Chemical Romance mug

BEGINNINGS: My Chemical Romance is a New Jersey band that was started by vocalist Gerard Way and after the 9/11 attacks. Before that, Gerard was working as a comic book artist in New York, but he didn't feel like his job was helping anyone. He wanted to reach out to people. 9/11 spurred him into action and it was also his inspiration for the song "Skylines and Turnstiles". He got in contact with his friend Matt Pelissier (drummer) and began running songs. Later he called up guitarist Ray Toro and asked for him to play. They still needed a bass though, so Gerard asked his brother Mikey Way if he would learn bass so he could be in the band. Frank Iero became a later addition (former lead guitar and vocals for the New Jersey band, Pencey Prep). Matt later left the group in 2004 and was replaced by Bob Bryar, the tech man touring with The Used. Gerard used to get drunk before every show to prevent stage fright. All the drinking eventually made him suicidal and he didn't want to go on like this way anymore. He decided that he wanted to take his life but was fortuantely talked out of it by his Tour Manager. August 11, 2004, Gerard went cold turkey from his drinking problem and taking pills (Xanax). He has been sober ever since. MUSIC: There has been controversy over the precise musical genre of My Chemical Romance. They have been things such as: punk, emo, hardcore, screamo, goth, and vampiric rock. I personally don't label them. They have an entirely unique sound all of their own that doesn't need a definition. Call them what you want, but to me, they are simply MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE. THE NAME: Bassist Mikey Way was working in Barnes and Noble when he came across some books by Irvine Welsh. One Title caught his eye: "Extacy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance". He proposed the name to the band after adding the "My" for a personal touch. ALBUMS: Their first album, "I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love" was released in 2002. There are videos for "Honey..." and "Vampires...", but they never reached the surface. They can be viewed on youtube.com. 1. "Romance" 2. "Honey, This Mirror Isn't Big Enough For the Two of Us" 3. "Vampires Will Never Hurt You" 4. "Drowning Lessons" 5. "Our Lady Of Sorrows" 6. "Headfirst for Halos" 7. "Skylines and Turnstiles" 8. "Early Sunsets Over Monroeville" 9. "This is the Best Day Ever 10. "Cubicles" 11. "Demolition Lovers" "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge" was later put out in 2004. The album sold more in the first week than "Bullets" sold in it's whole lifespan. Singles are: "Helena", "I'm Not Okay (I Prmoise)", and "Ghost of You". Rumors have it that the next song will be "Prison..." or "Cemetery Drive". "Helena" was about Gerard and Mikey's grandmother, Elena Lee Rush, passing away. 1. "Helena" 2. "Give 'Em Hell, Kid" 3. "To The End" 4. "You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison" 5. "I'm Not Okay (I Promise) 6. "Ghost Of You" 7. "Jetset Life Is Gonna Kill You" 8. "Interlude" 9. "Thank You For The Venom" 10. "Hang 'Em High" 11. "It's Not a Fashion Statement, It's a Fucking Deathwish" 12. "Cemetery Drive" 13. "I Never Told You What I Do For a Living" THE FUTURE: The band is now working on their next album, rumored to be called "The Rise and Fall of My Chemical Romance". Their DVD/CD documentary, "Life on the Murder Scene" was released March 21, 2006 to the joy of their fans. It includes 2 DVD discs of video diaries and live performances and 1 CD of live performances.