 
|
 |
Browse Bands by Name
|
|
Or enter a band name below to search:
|
 Bands Main
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shortly after MTV News' exclusive interview with My Chemical Romance, MTV News reached out to some of the band's fan sites and asked them to participate in a special online pre-screening of the show. Some of MCR's most loyal and hard-core fans responded to the segment in which they talked about the influences behind The Black Parade, and the process of creating it. As one fan put it, "My Chem has always been about reaching out to people and giving them a voice." Here's what they had to say:
|
From what My Chemical Romance are saying, The Black Parade seems to be their most structured and thought-out release to date. The creation of the storyline of the Patient's journey toward his own death is not only interesting to the listener, but it is also, as Gerard says, something that is universal and affects all of us, since we will one day end up a patient ourselves, whether we like it or not.
Something I really find is important about this album is that My Chemical Romance have tried to [explore] the genres that were lost after the '70s. They have re-created a genre of music, but in their own unique way and with a very modern twist to it. When listening to the record, you are taken over by a sense that this isn't something you hear every day. This is a very unique record, and it definitely reflects an immense effort on their part.
A very important aspect of the interview is when Gerard talks about the inspiration for the album, and the idea of mixing the grief of death with the happiness and excitement of a parade. As Gerard states, this is an album that reflects a very shrouded view of life, and upon listening, it is definitely an album that does not lack lyrically. The songs are well-written, and although they follow the theme of the Patient and his journey toward death, they are lyrics that at the same time can easily be related to our own lives.
The most important thing about The Black Parade, which I'm sure they will mention somewhere in the interview, is that it is not Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. Upon first listening, older fans may find it hard to enjoy the new style of music that My Chemical Romance are presenting, but it is definitely an album that grows on you. Ever since the album appeared on the band's Web site on Thursday, I have been listening to it over and over and over. It's that good.
— Joel, revengenetwork.com
|
|
I would like to begin by saying that I believe that My Chemical Romance had a wonderful idea of taking a different direction for this record. The idea of having '70s music in the 2000 generation was a great idea, since it allows today's teenagers to get a grasp of the past while still enjoying today's music. Once again, the band has decided to create a concept record, that allows fans to be eager for the next song to follow, as if trying to find the end of the story. I have listened to the record a few times, and I can see how the band has transformed their music over the last five years. Each song gives off a powerful message about life, death, and everything in between. I believe that My Chemical Romance will once again be a success with their third album, and I wish them the best of luck in the future.
— Janisa, revengenetwork.com
|
|
The cathedral-like setting for the interview is perfect; very elegant, haunted, and epic ... a lot like their new album.
Concept albums are really enticing to me, especially The Black Parade. My Chem do it pretty gracefully, so that you're able to interpret the songs into your own life, but you still have to think about each song and pay attention to the storyline. The concept that Gerard explains for The Black Parade in this interview is very defiant; the fact that everyone will essentially become the main character, the Patient, who is on his deathbed but sees his demise as a monument to a subconscious, happy memory, rather than something we dread.
I'm glad they explained how the '70s/majestic rock inspiration on this album was more instinctive than intended. Anyone who's seen My Chem live knows that they're an extremely theatrical band. I think it's comparable to Shakespeare's plays; he had very monotone sets and costumes, so he had to use his words to entice and motivate his audience. My Chem are the same way with their music, unlike a lot of other artists, who have to use pyro and crazy lighting for the same effect on the audience that MCR can achieve just by doing their thing. They've always been a theatrical and dramatic band, this album just carves it into stone. Their shows are very emotional and captivating, I think everyone should go see them at least once, whether they're a fan or not.
I like how he calls the album a "celebration of life and death," because a lot of people think that MCR are praising death and all things morbid, when it's actually the complete opposite. I've already heard a lot of people who wouldn't normally give this band a second thought say that they love the album. And I love hearing that: It makes me smile when people tell me they're embarassed to love this album. I hope more people will listen to it with an open mind.
— Emily, mcrfan.com
|
|
It was intriguing to me that a lot of the record sounded instinctual, and not something that they were specifically planning for. I think they have accomplished everything that they could with this record, and the sound matches their live performance, which is always over the top. What Gerard said about singles was interesting yet true, because so many bands today will only do a two or three songs that most people will hear, and the rest will be something that isn't even their best work at the time. My Chemical Romance always manage to pull many songs together into one record, with a storyline that always works so eerily well with the contrast of death and a celebration.
— Kelly, mcrfan.com
|
|
Gerard Way said, "If you're in a band, you should have a lot more to say than a two-three-minute song." The music of My Chemical Romance never fails to express a message, along with the musical entertainment value of their albums. As a fan, I am impressed with the fact that Gerard, Mikey, Frank, Ray and Bob always create music that speaks to the crowd as a whole, as well as to the individual on an extremely personal level. I started as just a fan of the band, but now I hold a very high level of respect for all five of the boys and the band itself. The rock scene has become too uniform in its presentation of music, lyrics and performance. But My Chemical Romance continue to create an experience for fans that is unlike anything else. Their music creates a moment that stands still in time, embodying the passion and dreams that they wish to share with the world.
— Lissa, My Chemical Romance Facebook group
|
|
My Chem has always been about reaching out to people and giving them a voice, and you can tell with this record they've strived to do so to an even greater extent. I think having the Patient be a universal character that everyone can relate to is a great way to go about it. People can listen to the songs about this guy's life and get out of what they need to. Everyone can see themselves in it and it makes the album that much more personal and memorable.
Hearing how much work they've put into the album — not only in shaping their message, but in also shaping their presentation — is amazing. These guys are truly artists who examine and fine-tune every detail, both sonically and visually. They've got something very specific to say and a specific way they want to convey it that they're not going to compromise in order to please their record company. It's what makes My Chem stand out from the rest of the bands out there. I'm glad they've decided to reach back [to the 1970s] for their sound on this record. It's going to be different from everything else out there right now, thankfully.
— Ashley, My Chemical Romance Facebook group
|
|
Before I was able to watch the clip, I was able to listen to their entire CD from their Web site. From the moment I heard the first chords in "The End.," I immediately thought of the song "In the Flesh?," the opening song from Pink Floyd's epic rock opera, The Wall. Both of these songs are very brief yet very haunting at the same time. They also sound very similar chord-wise, and they both end with a sound effect (for My Chem it's the heart monitor; for Pink Floyd it's a warplane crashing) that tied into the very next song. Another song that just screamed The Wall was "Mama." Not only does the title remind me of "Mother," but it sounds very similar to "The Trial."
It was these thoughts that made me love My Chem even more, because my dad introduced me to The Wall when I was in middle school, when he caught me listening to "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2." He got me to listen to the entire album as well as watch the movie, and while doing so explained to me what was going on and what Pink Floyd's real message was. To this day The Wall is my favorite album and movie (with "Life on the Murder Scene" as a close second, of course). It was because of my father that I became a Pink Floyd kind of girl.
I think it is those very obvious links between My Chem and Pink Floyd's The Wall (the two musical loves of my life) that makes their new album very endearing to me, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it. I wish My Chemical Romance all the success that they can achieve, and at the same time I want to thank them for making such a wonderful album.
— Sam, MCRmy Facebook group
|
|
This interview, along with the album, truly show why My Chemical Romance are above and beyond the best band to come out of the punk/emo/post-hardcore scene. They have evolved as musicians and people, and did not put out the same recycled garbage, like most other bands out there. I love how the interview gives a glimpse into the album, and the band's connection to the record. They poured their hearts and souls into the album and it shows.
— Steve, leader of MCRmy, the official MCR street team
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
