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Fan Tour Report: Chicago
Monday April 18, 2011 |
By. CassieAs I sit down to type this, my feet are throbbing, I am still covered in a mixture of my own sweat and the sweat of hundreds of other My Chemical Romance fans, my head is pounding, and I feel as if I may soon die. Those are all signs that April 15’s show at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom was a perfectly destructive force of hot and loud praise and energy exchanged between the “soldiers” of the MCRmy and the men who bring them together.
Read the rest of the review here
Killjoys, Black Parade marchers and Demolition Lovers alike could
find all something to love in MCR’s set. It included a song from I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, familiar favorites from The Black Parade, a few gems from Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge that I, personally, haven’t heard live in years and – of course – songs from Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys,
some of which fans here in the States are hearing live for the very
first time. My Chemical Romance played an eclectic and satisfying mix,
but the feeling My Chemical Romance brings reaches far beyond the notes
they play and sing onstage.
Just look to guitarist Ray Toro, for example. As he played, his right
foot bore a clunky cast and his gait was visibly slowed by a dragging
limp. However, the cast was not the only accessory he wore: his face
displayed a grin through most of the performance, and especially at the
end of it as they closed with “Bulletproof Heart.” His expression showed
the very definition of a love for playing. I will never forget how
confident and strong he sounded when I met him earlier in the day and
asked him if he were okay. “Yes,” he had said, almost nonchalantly,
standing tall despite his injury.You could also look to Frank Iero. Since the first time I saw My Chemical Romance in 2005, many things have developed and changed in the MCR world. One of the things that has remained a constant, however, is Iero’s chaotic energy. Frank, while swinging his guitar and thrashing about is a living middle finger to the phrase “slow down.” When MCR launched into “Vampire Money” early in their set, I was positive the aggressive song would cause Iero to destroy some set pieces…or humans.
One thing that has changed since that first show in 2005 is the stage presence of Mikey Way. I remember conversations I once had with friends in which we would whine, “I wish Mikey would come to the front more often.” Now, loud-and-proud, Mikey stands at the edge, his glimmering bass and golden hair a stand-out vision on the stage. I’m sure I speak for more fans than only myself when I say that watching the band grow and their confidence grow is beautiful.
And then there is, of course, vocalist Gerard Way, whose between-song banter is ever-caring and empowering. From his encouraging the audience’s helping one another when we fall, to his reminding us to “never stop running,” the vocalist leaves audiences with something to take to heart along with the messages of lyrics they have already internalized.
Gerard’s message of our helping one another in the crowd was certainly a necessity at the Aragon Ballroom, a place which, during soundcheck, James Dewees mentioned looked like the outside of a hotel the band had stayed in Spain and felt as if it were some sort of heat trap. No matter how sparse the crowd was in places (there were very few of said places, and I tried many of them after I finished shooting MCR’s first few songs in the photo pit), a steaming heat radiated from the intense kinetic energy of the show-goers. After the show on Twitter, drummer Mike Pedicone even called the venue “hot assed.”
“It’s hot as fuck in here. Hot as Hell,” Gerard had growled in foreshadowing to introduce “Mama.”
Eventually, when I ended up in the balcony beside the stage, I could see why the heat was so overwhelming—the floor was packed from the front to the back and lurched in nauseating waves with the music. It was so very tight that I saw only one circle pit break out during “Vampires Will Never Hurt You,” which was comprised of about 4 guys who could not keep the circle open in the packed crowd for more than a few seconds at a time.
No matter how uncomfortable it was, no one stopped. No level of appreciative fist-pumping, jumping, yelling along or headbanging could possibly repay the men onstage for the amazing night they gave us fans.
I would like to thank MCR for making my day, both with the show and also with the soundcheck I and a handful of others were allowed to watch, as well as the meet-and-greet. I thank Mikey for remembering his invasion of the Twitter-based chat I run; Gerard for remembering my boots from the last time I met them; Frank for joking with my friends and I and making us feel comfortable and Ray for coming to say "hi" despite his injured foot and being a complete inspiration to stay strong in the face of adversity.
The members of My Chemical Romance are more humble, hard-working and caring than most can imagine. It is my hope that every fan can someday get to see just how great they are as I have been fortunate enough to see myself.
Setlist:
Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)
Give 'Em Hell, Kid
Planetary (GO!)
Hang 'Em High
Vampire Money
Mama
The Only Hope For Me Is You
House of Wolves
Summertime
I'm Not Okay (I Promise)
DESTROYA
Welcome To The Black Parade
Teenagers
Vampires Will Never Hurt You
Helena
-ENCORE-
Cancer
Bulletproof Heart
Fan Tour Report: Grand Rapids
Monday April 18, 2011 |
Ever since I first heard “Welcome to the Black Parade” back in 8th grade, My Chemical Romance has had me hooked. From there, I discovered “I’m not Okay”, “Heaven Help Us”, and countless other tracks of theirs that I listened to on repeat, over and over. I bought every CD and downloaded every song I could, dreaming of the day when I could finally see them live. Unfortunately however, because I was in middle school at the time, my parents wouldn’t allow me to attend the Black Parade tour.
This time around, however, I was eighteen. I was finally going to be
able to attend their show and I couldn’t wait. I bought tickets online
and was planning on attending the Grand Rapids show with my best friend,
Zakk. A couple days later, while on the My Chemical Romance fan site, I
found the MCR Road Reporter contest and entered it on a whim, thinking
of how awesome it would be to win, but never imagining it would happen.
Then, however, I got an e-mail back saying that I was getting two free
tickets, two backstage/meet-and-greet passes, and a photo pass. I was
ecstatic! My excitement was barely containable. When I called Zakk to
tell him, half of what I said weren’t even words—it was just me
screaming in delight.Read the rest of the review here
My evening was absolutely magical—it was better than anything I had
ever imaged my first concert to be. Not only was I seeing my favorite
band, but I got to photograph them live & up-close and I was able to
meet them in person before the show. A few interesting things you fans
might like to know: Frank has an incredibly firm handshake and Gee’s
hands are softer than soft. They were all amazingly nice and I can’t
wait to develop the photo of us together. Up on stage, Gerard led the energized, passionate crowd in song after song, revisiting many of my old favorites and touching on some of the best songs from their new CD. Fans were crazy and energetic, all of us united by our common love for MCR. The hope, happiness, and energy radiating from us could barely be contained by the room; fans were jumping up and down, pumping their fists, screaming and singing along with every word and every magical guitar chord MCR played. Lights were flashing, people were dancing, stage fog filled the air.
Theatrical like always, Gerard was enchanting to watch. It was near impossible to take my eyes off him, but when I did, it was to watch Frankie bounce all over the stage, enthusiastically diving into his music. To me it seems that Mikey and Ray are near opposites; it’s a powerful thing to watch them— Mikey concentrates hard on his guitar and the power of the music, looking serious and somber the whole time, whereas Ray looks so happy and joyful while he plays. Combined together, the four make an amazing show. They are, without a doubt, one of the best bands out there. Perhaps one of the things that make them this is their ability to write songs and perform in such a way that connects with each and every fan individually, as if you are the only one in the room with them. They skillfully fill the room and their songs with hope, sorrow that can be overcome, happiness, and messages for people in all walks of life.
Thank you so much, My Chemical Romance, for always being here for me and for the rest of your fans. We will forever be grateful to you for everything you have taught us. And fans, never forget, “No matter what, just Keep Running”.
Fan Tour Report: Minneapolis
Thursday April 21, 2011 |
By. Amber E.
As I sit and type this, my smile hasn't left my face, and I'm still in amazment. I can't talk or hear correctly, but I could care less. Some girls were waiting outside the little First Ave venue since 3:30 that morning. Since it was my very first concert ever, I had no idea what to expect. I didn't know how big the venue was, and I was soo nervous to meet MCR. I'm 19 now, and have been listening to them since 13 or 14, so it was a very exciting day. We got there and people were lining both sides of the venue on the corner. Waiting for doors to open was nerve racking. I knew that once the doors opened, it would be a rush to the front. I got to go straight to backstage.
Read the rest of the review here
One of the tour managers lead us backstage, and suddenly, Gerard, Frank and Mikey walked in. I instantly smiled and kinda froze up. They shook my hand and signed a paper I brought and I asked them for hugs. We snapped a picture, and my camera didn't flash. So, feeling kinda dumb, the guy handed it back to me to fix it, and it's a nice touch screen I brought for the occcastion, and one of the boys said, "Ooo a stylus, that's fancy." I was so nervous I can't remember who said it, I think Frank, but the guys were so nice about it and laughed it off. Frank told us to enjoy the show, and they were just very nice and polite. It was short, sweet and to the point, but so worth it. I was wondering why I didn't get to meet Ray, but I found out. Gerard told us later in the show that Ray broke his foot the night before, but he was being a trooper, and still playing on. He must have been resting in the bus. Meeting MCR was amazing, and something I will never forget. It almost ties with my highlight of the night.
And what we were all waiting for, the amazing My Chemical Romance. All I heard when they walked out was screaming and "Look Alive, Sunshine." Then they went into NaNaNa, and the crowd went nuts! Gerard has such a way with the crowd that it just amazes me. I was in the middle of the crowd, but I'm pretty claustrophobic, so I ended up moving to the side more, and I got a perfect view of all the guys and it was a prefect spot for pictures.
One of the first songs was Vampire Money. I love that song because it just sounds like their having a great time! When they played Planetary, I started video taping. Watching the whole crowd jump up and down was amazing to see. I felt like we were just like this huge family supporting each other when we fell down, or making the new fans feel just as welcomed as the older fans. It was such an amazing feeling. I felt that feeling again, when we all sang along to Black Parade. To hear the whole crowd crying out the words was just heart pounding. I honestly cannot remember the songs in order that they played them, because I was so caught up in the moment, but Summertime was amazing. This warm feeling spread through my chest and I just smiled.
When they started playing, I'm Not Okay, I went crazy! That is one of my favorite songs. I was sick and had the beginning of strep throat, but I still screamed along! Vampires Will Never Hurt You made the third highlight of my night. I love when they play the old Bullets stuff.
Helena was absolutely amazing, as always. Mama is always a fun one to hear and sing too. I love Gerard's vocals in that song. Hearing everyone scream "Remember me" to The Only Hope For Me Is You was Awesome! That is one of my favorite songs off Danger Days.
Destroya got everyone's heart pounding. How can it not? It''s a great song and very loud, haha. Hang 'Em High, which is one of my very favorites, made me soo happy. When they started playing it, I turned to Derek and started freaking. I started jumping and singing. It was awesome.
Sing was so powerful. I was almost crying while singing along. It's such a heart touching song and made for people that need a little boost. Teenagers just made me laugh, I have always loved that song and it just made my day to hear it live. And of course, Gerard said, "This song's about us, this songs about you, it's called, Teenagers!"
They walked off stage and we all started screaming, "One More Song!" and then they started playing Cancer. Cancer just took my breath away and I did start crying it was that beautiful. I was so touched. I just wanted to hug the people around me. After Cancer, they ended the night with Bulletproof Heart. I thought it was a great ending, plus it's my favorite off DD.
As Derek and I were leaving, I was still in my own little lala land, and was just so excited and I just wanted to stay at the venue. As we drove away, I just started thinking about tonight and the next time I'll get to see them play. About 10 minutes after we left First Avenue, Derek proposed to me. We've been together 3 years, and he made the coolest day of my life into the most awesome day of my life. I got to meet Gerard, Frank and Mikey, and someone I love very dearly made me their Fiancee. It was just an amazing night.
Thank you so much for this opportunity and for my best ever first concert.
Stay Alive out in the Zones!
And have some great future concerts!!
As I sit and type this, my smile hasn't left my face, and I'm still in amazment. I can't talk or hear correctly, but I could care less. Some girls were waiting outside the little First Ave venue since 3:30 that morning. Since it was my very first concert ever, I had no idea what to expect. I didn't know how big the venue was, and I was soo nervous to meet MCR. I'm 19 now, and have been listening to them since 13 or 14, so it was a very exciting day. We got there and people were lining both sides of the venue on the corner. Waiting for doors to open was nerve racking. I knew that once the doors opened, it would be a rush to the front. I got to go straight to backstage.
Read the rest of the review here
One of the tour managers lead us backstage, and suddenly, Gerard, Frank and Mikey walked in. I instantly smiled and kinda froze up. They shook my hand and signed a paper I brought and I asked them for hugs. We snapped a picture, and my camera didn't flash. So, feeling kinda dumb, the guy handed it back to me to fix it, and it's a nice touch screen I brought for the occcastion, and one of the boys said, "Ooo a stylus, that's fancy." I was so nervous I can't remember who said it, I think Frank, but the guys were so nice about it and laughed it off. Frank told us to enjoy the show, and they were just very nice and polite. It was short, sweet and to the point, but so worth it. I was wondering why I didn't get to meet Ray, but I found out. Gerard told us later in the show that Ray broke his foot the night before, but he was being a trooper, and still playing on. He must have been resting in the bus. Meeting MCR was amazing, and something I will never forget. It almost ties with my highlight of the night.
And what we were all waiting for, the amazing My Chemical Romance. All I heard when they walked out was screaming and "Look Alive, Sunshine." Then they went into NaNaNa, and the crowd went nuts! Gerard has such a way with the crowd that it just amazes me. I was in the middle of the crowd, but I'm pretty claustrophobic, so I ended up moving to the side more, and I got a perfect view of all the guys and it was a prefect spot for pictures.
One of the first songs was Vampire Money. I love that song because it just sounds like their having a great time! When they played Planetary, I started video taping. Watching the whole crowd jump up and down was amazing to see. I felt like we were just like this huge family supporting each other when we fell down, or making the new fans feel just as welcomed as the older fans. It was such an amazing feeling. I felt that feeling again, when we all sang along to Black Parade. To hear the whole crowd crying out the words was just heart pounding. I honestly cannot remember the songs in order that they played them, because I was so caught up in the moment, but Summertime was amazing. This warm feeling spread through my chest and I just smiled.
When they started playing, I'm Not Okay, I went crazy! That is one of my favorite songs. I was sick and had the beginning of strep throat, but I still screamed along! Vampires Will Never Hurt You made the third highlight of my night. I love when they play the old Bullets stuff.
Helena was absolutely amazing, as always. Mama is always a fun one to hear and sing too. I love Gerard's vocals in that song. Hearing everyone scream "Remember me" to The Only Hope For Me Is You was Awesome! That is one of my favorite songs off Danger Days.
Destroya got everyone's heart pounding. How can it not? It''s a great song and very loud, haha. Hang 'Em High, which is one of my very favorites, made me soo happy. When they started playing it, I turned to Derek and started freaking. I started jumping and singing. It was awesome.
Sing was so powerful. I was almost crying while singing along. It's such a heart touching song and made for people that need a little boost. Teenagers just made me laugh, I have always loved that song and it just made my day to hear it live. And of course, Gerard said, "This song's about us, this songs about you, it's called, Teenagers!"
They walked off stage and we all started screaming, "One More Song!" and then they started playing Cancer. Cancer just took my breath away and I did start crying it was that beautiful. I was so touched. I just wanted to hug the people around me. After Cancer, they ended the night with Bulletproof Heart. I thought it was a great ending, plus it's my favorite off DD.
As Derek and I were leaving, I was still in my own little lala land, and was just so excited and I just wanted to stay at the venue. As we drove away, I just started thinking about tonight and the next time I'll get to see them play. About 10 minutes after we left First Avenue, Derek proposed to me. We've been together 3 years, and he made the coolest day of my life into the most awesome day of my life. I got to meet Gerard, Frank and Mikey, and someone I love very dearly made me their Fiancee. It was just an amazing night.
Thank you so much for this opportunity and for my best ever first concert.
Stay Alive out in the Zones!
And have some great future concerts!!
Fan Tour Report: Cleveland
Thursday April 21, 2011 |
“No talking shit!” was the playful threat about this review that Ray Toro left me with when I met the band for the second time this weekend after soundcheck at the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio. A chorus of laughs and an “Ooohh!” rose from the members of MCR as I joked back that I just might talk shit. I shook my head and reassured them: “As if I have a single bad thing to say about you guys.” Toro then shook my hand again, sealing the deal, telling me that he knew I wouldn’t with a smile.
But it’s not just because of a joking pact with Toro that I wont “talk shit” about My Chemical Romance or anyone who works with them. The truth is: I can’t think of one bad thing to say about the people who made April 17, 2011, hands down, the very best day of my life.
Read the rest of the review here
In the morning when my friends and I arrived to the area in Cleveland where the House of Blues was, something obviously stood out. Decorated by painted domino masks, vibrantly-colored hair, creatively conglomerated multi-colored costumes and true, vibrant Killjoy spirit, the monochrome city had obviously been infiltrated by our rogue Zone gang. As I watched a group of fans round a corner, I thought with amusement of some sort of raid in Battery City.
Despite the chilling wind in which fans had waited, their spirit was not extinguished before My Chemical Romance took the stage that night. Though, some may have gotten a little too much spirit coursing through and bumping into them, which caused near-passing-out in the heat of the crowd pretty early in the show. Still, the heat at the House of Blues was nothing like that of The Aragon in Chicago, where the band had played 2 days before Cleveland and for which I had written my first report of the weekend. Still, a woman named Thursday, who stood next to me at the barricade and had gone to both shows, remarked that though the House of Blues’ capacity was far smaller than The Aragon’s (less than half the size, to be precise), she felt just as much pressure coming from the excited crowd there as she had felt up front at the bigger of the two venues.
When MCR came out to “Look Alive, Sunshine,” the crowd blew up and surged forward, causing the metal barricade to bow out under the bodies that were pressed to it. People rushed in from the sides, squeezing us together, contorting normal body shapes to something quite unnatural in the sea of people. After having felt the crowd from pretty much every position in Chicago then standing up front in Cleveland, I know there is no place I’d rather be at a show. You feel ill, constricted, breathless and cramped the entire time, but the music hits you first. You’re closest to the energy. For bands like My Chemical Romance, who have such a connection with fans, the exchange is immediate, and you can even make occasional, semi-awkward eye contact with the members of the band.
Despite the heat, struggling to stay in place and fighting not to pass out, fans raged for My Chemical Romance, and the band threw it right back at us: Frank in the form of spitting massive amounts of water right on us and thrashing about; Gerard with jerky movements of his shoulders and hips and perfectly timed pantomimes to the music; Ray who, despite his injured foot was all smiles and even hopping slightly and Mikey who often looked straight at those of us in the crowd. And, of course, Mike Pedicone provided the amazing rhythmic backbone to it all while James Dewees propelled the set forward with his brilliantly-crafted between-song keyboard pieces.
I think one of my favorite parts of the shows I experienced this weekend was Gerard Way’s asking to see which audience members were experiencing their first MCR show and who had liked the band for a long time. He thanked us all for coming and thanked the older fans for being nice to the new ones, stomping his booted foot on the elitism that festers like a frothy, mucky hate-stew at shows of many other bands.
The wildness of the crowd was such that those of us in Cleveland were proclaimed a bunch of “bad-asses” by Gerard during the encore. For our bad-assery, we were handsomely rewarded with “Our Lady of Sorrows,” which I believe was a tour first and was what ended up being my favorite part of the set. I nearly died when they started to play it, not only because the crowd got really rough, but because I had been hoping they would play it since they had sound-checked it in Chicago a couple days before. Before “Teenagers,” Gerard had asked, “What do you guys want to hear?” which lead to a comedic, sea of babbling from the floor and balcony. My contribution to that babble had been: “SORROWS!! SORROWS!!” – YES!
Setlist:
Look Alive, Sunshine
Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)
Give 'Em Hell, Kid
Planetary (GO!)
Hang 'Em High
Vampire Money
Mama
The Only Hope For Me Is You
House of Wolves
Summertime
Neat Neat Neat [The Damned cover]
I'm Not Okay (I Promise)
DESTROYA
Welcome To The Black Parade
Teenagers
The Ghost of You [New Version]
Vampires Will Never Hurt You
Helena
-ENCORE-
Our Lady of Sorrows
Bulletproof Heart
I don’t think it was solely post-concert/post-meeting-MCR euphoria I was feeling when I left the Cleveland show dripping sweat, in pain and with a renewed awareness of the small and wonderful things surrounding me. I imagined myself at 14, a young, sad and under-confident new fan of My Chemical Romance. If only I could go back in time to let myself know that I would get an opportunity like this some day. I wouldn’t believe me. Driving home from the show with my friends, I looked to the sky from the back seat and could think only: “Life is beautiful.”
Thank you so much, MCR. You are so humble that you probably don’t even fully grasp just how positive your impact on fans’ lives is. You are my ultimate inspiration, and I learn something new through loving your band every single day. On April 17, 2011, at my 17th MCR show (lucky coincidence), I learned to see the world from a perspective I had lost for many months and didn’t think I would regain. Thank you for reminding me. Thank you for being so kind. Thank you for being loudly who you are and encouraging the same of us. Thank you.
Fan Tour Report: Philadelphia
Wednesday May 11, 2011 |
By. Emily O.
Seven years ago I found my best friend after we bonded over My
Chemical Romance’s music. We promised that, someday, we’d go see one of
their concerts together, but there was one minor problem: I lived in New
Jersey and she lived in Mexico. Over the years we put that idea on the
backburner, until one afternoon when I got an email offering me the
position of “Road Reporter” for the Philadelphia show of the World
Contamination Tour. Adriana was the first person I told, and by the next
day she had booked a flight to the United States so she could join me
as my guest and she could see her first MCR concert in order to finally
make our dream come true.
Read the rest of the review here
The intense traffic coming into the Philadelphia area almost made us miss the meet and greet, but we ended up making it in the nick of time and we had the opportunity to chat with and take pictures with the band members for a little bit. Since Adriana and I first met through an art organization, we decided to draw and present them with portraits of their respective killjoys, which they very graciously accepted. The guys were very sweet and happy to talk to us, and the opportunity to meet them started out the night on an excellent note.
The Architects and Thursday opened the show and both put on excellent
sets. As soon as the second set ended, however, there was a palpable
excitement in the air as everyone waited anxiously for My Chemical
Romance to take the stage. Every time a person went out to mark the
floor or test an instrument, a great cheer went up from the crowd and
the energy in the building swelled. The set changes were some of the
quickest and most efficient I have ever seen (props to the crew), so the
crowd didn’t have to wait long before the house lights dimmed and the
music kicked in. The band came out and everyone went crazy; NaNaNa was
the first song that they played and it had the perfect energy to get
everyone moving. Even in a theater with no general admission, people
managed to physically show their enthusiasm and excitement as they
danced and cheered from the rows in front of their seats until they
practically spilled into the aisles. The band followed NaNaNa with a
balanced mix of songs from Danger Days, The Black Parade, and Three
Cheers for Sweet Revenge, and they even threw in Vampires Will Never
Hurt You for the I Brought You My Bullets (You Brought Me Your Love)
fans. When the band performed Helena and Cancer, I saw people around me
crying, and for good reason – the music was so powerful and moving that
it was hard to keep a dry eye!
Gerard’s singing throughout the night was impeccable; by far the best that I’ve ever heard from him over the past three times that I have seen My Chemical Romance in concert. Mikey, Ray, and Frank all played with so much energy and finesse that I was blown away by the strength of the music. I could really hear their skills come through in each song, and they seemed so connected to their instruments that photographing them playing was like photographing them in their natural environment. The whole band and the guest musicians played together as an extremely cohesive group and everyone seemed to be having a great time on stage; especially Gerard, who danced and pranced around the stage and even leaned over to give some lucky fans high fives and sign something while he performed. Gerard also encouraged Philadelphia to stand up to anyone or anything that may try to change them, telling the crowd not to throw bricks or punches but to sing. And sing we did, along with every song and from the bottom of our very hearts. Amid chanting and cheering, the band came out for an encore and raised our spirits with Bulletproof Heart after Gerard brought us all to tears with a solo version of Cancer. When the band finally did make their permanent exit, they left the crowd dancing out the doors and infecting the streets of Upper Darby with killjoy pride and power.
This show was no doubt the best My Chemical Romance concert I’ve had the opportunity to attend. While I have great memories from each show I’ve seen before, every aspect of this one topped the chart – from the fans to the sound to the mix of music; not even mentioning the personal opportunity I had to meet the band and take photos. The band played so well and just seemed so happy to be up on stage that I practically had to be dragged out of the theater; I didn’t want it to end! Adriana and I were able to fulfill one of our dreams, and we met some awesome people and had a great time in the process! It is a night neither of us will ever forget and I’m sure we won’t stop talking about how wonderful everything was… until next time we see My Chemical Romance together, of course!
Seven years ago I found my best friend after we bonded over My
Chemical Romance’s music. We promised that, someday, we’d go see one of
their concerts together, but there was one minor problem: I lived in New
Jersey and she lived in Mexico. Over the years we put that idea on the
backburner, until one afternoon when I got an email offering me the
position of “Road Reporter” for the Philadelphia show of the World
Contamination Tour. Adriana was the first person I told, and by the next
day she had booked a flight to the United States so she could join me
as my guest and she could see her first MCR concert in order to finally
make our dream come true.Read the rest of the review here
The intense traffic coming into the Philadelphia area almost made us miss the meet and greet, but we ended up making it in the nick of time and we had the opportunity to chat with and take pictures with the band members for a little bit. Since Adriana and I first met through an art organization, we decided to draw and present them with portraits of their respective killjoys, which they very graciously accepted. The guys were very sweet and happy to talk to us, and the opportunity to meet them started out the night on an excellent note.
The Architects and Thursday opened the show and both put on excellent
sets. As soon as the second set ended, however, there was a palpable
excitement in the air as everyone waited anxiously for My Chemical
Romance to take the stage. Every time a person went out to mark the
floor or test an instrument, a great cheer went up from the crowd and
the energy in the building swelled. The set changes were some of the
quickest and most efficient I have ever seen (props to the crew), so the
crowd didn’t have to wait long before the house lights dimmed and the
music kicked in. The band came out and everyone went crazy; NaNaNa was
the first song that they played and it had the perfect energy to get
everyone moving. Even in a theater with no general admission, people
managed to physically show their enthusiasm and excitement as they
danced and cheered from the rows in front of their seats until they
practically spilled into the aisles. The band followed NaNaNa with a
balanced mix of songs from Danger Days, The Black Parade, and Three
Cheers for Sweet Revenge, and they even threw in Vampires Will Never
Hurt You for the I Brought You My Bullets (You Brought Me Your Love)
fans. When the band performed Helena and Cancer, I saw people around me
crying, and for good reason – the music was so powerful and moving that
it was hard to keep a dry eye!Gerard’s singing throughout the night was impeccable; by far the best that I’ve ever heard from him over the past three times that I have seen My Chemical Romance in concert. Mikey, Ray, and Frank all played with so much energy and finesse that I was blown away by the strength of the music. I could really hear their skills come through in each song, and they seemed so connected to their instruments that photographing them playing was like photographing them in their natural environment. The whole band and the guest musicians played together as an extremely cohesive group and everyone seemed to be having a great time on stage; especially Gerard, who danced and pranced around the stage and even leaned over to give some lucky fans high fives and sign something while he performed. Gerard also encouraged Philadelphia to stand up to anyone or anything that may try to change them, telling the crowd not to throw bricks or punches but to sing. And sing we did, along with every song and from the bottom of our very hearts. Amid chanting and cheering, the band came out for an encore and raised our spirits with Bulletproof Heart after Gerard brought us all to tears with a solo version of Cancer. When the band finally did make their permanent exit, they left the crowd dancing out the doors and infecting the streets of Upper Darby with killjoy pride and power.
This show was no doubt the best My Chemical Romance concert I’ve had the opportunity to attend. While I have great memories from each show I’ve seen before, every aspect of this one topped the chart – from the fans to the sound to the mix of music; not even mentioning the personal opportunity I had to meet the band and take photos. The band played so well and just seemed so happy to be up on stage that I practically had to be dragged out of the theater; I didn’t want it to end! Adriana and I were able to fulfill one of our dreams, and we met some awesome people and had a great time in the process! It is a night neither of us will ever forget and I’m sure we won’t stop talking about how wonderful everything was… until next time we see My Chemical Romance together, of course!
Living On The Railways...
Saturday April 30, 2011
And I can't tell what he's angrier about- the fact that it's how I feel about the persistent sterilization of our culture or the fact that it's on network television for everyone to hear.
And railways? Is it 1863? Seen any children living on these lately instead of the internet?
I'm actually shocked that no actual fact-checking was done on the lyrics. I mean Fox is a major news channel, covering factual topics in an unbiased and intelligent-
oh wait-
To quote the man himself- "You don't have to live by the standards that society has set,"
I couldn't agree more.
g
PS- drawing is a depiction of an actual situation involving children, indeed "living on the railways" with one Jimmy "Backscratch Pete" Mulrooney, of Kansas City.
Triumph for My Chemical Romance
Wembley Arena
- London
- Sat 12 Feb 2011
Having been gone for 3 years, it's natural to expect that all fans of My Chemical Romance would be overwhelmed by their return. Yet that does put pressure on the band to not disappoint the fans that have been waiting for them for so long. A lesser band would not have lived up to the expections, but My Chemical Romance without a doubt far surpassed even the highest expectations of their fans. Having returned with a brand new look, a brand new album, and maybe even a brand new attitude, My Chemical Romance had the entire crowd of a sold-out Wembley Arena mesmerised. Energy, strength and pure musical genius lit up the entire room making it an unforgettable experience for the audience. My Chemical Romance are, without a doubt, a band well worth seeing again and again and again.
Favourite moment: The opening song of the show (Na Na Na) was the higlight as it opened the set with an explosion of sound and colour, really setting an amazing mood.
Setlist: Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na), Sing, Planetary (GO!), The Only Hope For Me Is You, Party Poison, Summertime, Destroya, The Kids From Yesterday, Vampire Money, Welcome To The Black Parade, Cancer, Mama, Teenagers, Helena, Give 'Em Hell Kid, I'm Not Okay, The Ghost Of You, Hang 'Em High, Vampires Will Never Hurt You, Our Lady Of Sorrow
Gerard Way: My Chemical Romance man talks marriage and babies
My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way initially intended to have a career in comic books - he graduated from the School of Fine Arts in NYC in 1999. Music came first, though now the 34-year-old lead singer has a successful comic book franchise, "Umbrella Academy."
He's also got a wife and a daughter. He married Lindsey -- better known as LynZ of Mindless Self Indulgence -- backstage at a concert in 2007. They live in Los Angeles with their daughter, Bandit.
Way, who is promoting his band's upcoming album "Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys" (also the title of a comic book he announced he was developing 2 years ago), sat down with theTime Out Chicago to talk about married life.
When asked what he and Lindsey argue about, he said, "Oh, oh. Biggie versus Tupac. When we got married, it was the only music we argued about. I really like Tupac. She has the same birthday as Biggie. She's very into Biggie."
Though Way used to subscribe to a live-fast-die-young philosophy, that's changed, especially now that he's a father. "It definitely cemented it. But I started to feel that way in my late twenties: 'Living is awesome! Life is great.' I realized what I liked. Performance is fine, yeah, but I like to create. I didn't want to run out of time. I just want to keep making things. If you're not around, you're not making anything."
When he set out to make "Danger Days," he wanted it to be a raw, old-school punk record, but he says that's not what the final product looks like. That's due, in part, to a conversation with a legendary rock star.
"I often say if Iggy Pop had heard both records, I'm certain he would have chosen 'Danger Days.' I got to do an interview with him in the middle of making the record, and he told me he was always doing the thing that people didn't want him to do. That's what 'Danger Days' is. He said he took up golf just because it would bother people. There's definitely that part of me, too. Maybe it's because I've never really grown up. Well, what does everyone not want us to do? Use color. F*** our hair up. Dress half our age."
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