|
On September 11, 2001, Gerard Way was in New York meeting with Cartoon Network about his cartoon, The Breakfast Monkey. He witnessed the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, after which he wrote his first song, Skylines and Turnstiles. After the attacks, he realized that he didn't want to do The Breakfast Monkey and decided to start a band with former drummer, Matt Pelissier.
They recruited Gerard's little brother, Mikey Way, to play bass. He didn't know how to play, but Gerard needed him, so he learned. They also recruited lead guitarist Ray Toro, who Gerard knew from high school/an Iron Maiden show as a guitar player. Their name, My Chemical Romance, came from a book written by Irvine Welsh titled Ecstacy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance. Eventually, Frank Iero joined as a rhythm guitarist, and the legend began. They signed with Eyeball Records three months after forming.
Their first album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, was an underground success. They toured in Japan and around the US promoting and selling their album. Gerard, an alcoholic and drug addict, would hardly ever appear sober onstage. Eventually, he had thoughts of suicide and isolated himself. Their manager, Brian, had to talk to Gerard for three hours to convince him that his life was worth living. Mikey also had been heavily drinking to mask his stage fright.
After they finished touring, Gerard went back home and started going to Alcoholics Anonymous and stopped doing drugs. Frank has been quoted as saying, “It was Gerard. We would’ve given him a hundred chances.” Shortly afterwards, My Chem signed with Reprise Records and released their second album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge in 2004. Their first single, I’m Not Okay (I Promise), was a hit. After filming the video, Matt Pelissier left the band. After hearing that they were in need of a drummer, Bob Bryar joined the band in 2004. They released their second single, Helena, which also topped charts.
In 2005, they were the headliners at the Van’s Warped Tour. They toured again later on their very first headliner with Reggie and the Full Effect and Alkaline Trio. The tour was a huge success. In early 2006, word started to circulate about a Black Parade. No one knew exactly what it was, but we all knew that it was something huge for the band. Eventually, The Black Parade was revealed to be the title of My Chem’s third album, and their first single was released, titled Welcome To The Black Parade. Not unlike their other albums, The Black Parade is a concept of death.
Since the release of The Black Parade on October 24, 2006, My Chem has appeared on talk shows, Myspace secret shows, MTV’s New Year’s Bash, and they are currently on their second headlining tour with Rise Against and Muse.
|
 News
Facts
Bob
Ray
The Band
Quotes
Bob
Ray
The Band
Bios
Bob
Ray
+ The Band +
Pictures
Bob
Ray
Project
With the Dudes
Hold the Fro
Thanks
Affiliates
Links
About Us
A Note From The Fans
Project BlueAfro
The Project
Submissions
|
|
