The band was formed in 1999 in Huntington Beach, California with original members M Shadows, Zacky Vengeance, The Rev and Matt Wendt. M Shadows came up with the name as a reference to the story of Cain and Abel from The Bible, although it is not a religious band.[clarification needed] Upon its formation, each member of the band also took on a pseudonym which were already nicknames of theirs from high school. Before release their debut album, the band recorded two demos in 1999 and 2000. Avenged Sevenfold's debut album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, was recorded when the band members were just eighteen years old and in high school. It was originally released on their first label,[clarification needed] Good Life Recordings in 2001. After lead guitarist Synyster Gates joined the band,at the end of 1999 when he was 18 at the introductory track "To End the Rapture" was re-recorded featuring a full band element. The album was subsequently re-released on Hopeless Records in 2002.
The band started to receive recognition, performing with bands such as Mushroomhead and Shadows Fall and playing on the Take Action Tour. Having settled on their fourth bassist, Johnny Christ, they released Waking the Fallen on Hopeless Records in August 2003. The band received profiles in Billboard and The Boston Globe, and played in the Vans Warped Tour. In 2004, Avenged Sevenfold toured again on the Vans Warped Tour and recorded a video for their song "Unholy Confessions" which went into rotation on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball. Shortly after the release of Waking the Fallen, Avenged Sevenfold left Hopeless Records and were signed to Warner Bros. Records.
My Chemical Romance [part2]
Current members
* Gerard Way — lead vocals
* Ray Toro — lead guitar, backing vocals
* Mikey Way — bass
* Frank Iero — rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2002–present)
* Bob Bryar — drums, percussion (2004–present)
Former members
* Matt Pelissier — drums, percussion (2001–2004)
Touring members
* James Dewees — keyboards, percussion (2007–2008)
Discography
Main article: 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)
* Untitled Fourth Album (2009)
Awards and Nominations
# Grammy Award 2008 Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package - The Black Parade
# Kerrang! Award - Won for Best Band on the Planet in 2006
# Kerrang! Award - Won "Best International Band" in 2007
# Kerrang! Award - Won "Best Album" for Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge and "Best Video" for "Helena" in 2005
# 2005 MTV Video Music Awards - Nominated for Best New Artist in a Video for "Helena"
# 2005 MTV Video Music Awards - Nominated for Best Rock Video for "Helena"
# 2005 MTV Video Music Awards - Nominated for Best Choreography in a Video for "Helena"
# TRL Italy Award - Nominated for Best New Artist
# TRL Award 2006 - Won for Best Group That Actually Plays
# MTV Asia Awards 2006 - Nominated for Favorite Rock Act
# MTV Asia Awards 2006 - Nominated for Favorite Breakthrough Artist
# MTV Asia Awards 2006 - Nominated for Favorite Video for "Helena"
# NME Awards - Won for "Best International Band" in 2007
# 15th Annual Music Video Production Awards - Won for Best colorist/telecine for "Helena" and Best Styling for "The Ghost of You"
* Gerard Way — lead vocals
* Ray Toro — lead guitar, backing vocals
* Mikey Way — bass
* Frank Iero — rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2002–present)
* Bob Bryar — drums, percussion (2004–present)
Former members
* Matt Pelissier — drums, percussion (2001–2004)
Touring members
* James Dewees — keyboards, percussion (2007–2008)
Discography
Main article: 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)
* Untitled Fourth Album (2009)
Awards and Nominations
# Grammy Award 2008 Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package - The Black Parade
# Kerrang! Award - Won for Best Band on the Planet in 2006
# Kerrang! Award - Won "Best International Band" in 2007
# Kerrang! Award - Won "Best Album" for Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge and "Best Video" for "Helena" in 2005
# 2005 MTV Video Music Awards - Nominated for Best New Artist in a Video for "Helena"
# 2005 MTV Video Music Awards - Nominated for Best Rock Video for "Helena"
# 2005 MTV Video Music Awards - Nominated for Best Choreography in a Video for "Helena"
# TRL Italy Award - Nominated for Best New Artist
# TRL Award 2006 - Won for Best Group That Actually Plays
# MTV Asia Awards 2006 - Nominated for Favorite Rock Act
# MTV Asia Awards 2006 - Nominated for Favorite Breakthrough Artist
# MTV Asia Awards 2006 - Nominated for Favorite Video for "Helena"
# NME Awards - Won for "Best International Band" in 2007
# 15th Annual Music Video Production Awards - Won for Best colorist/telecine for "Helena" and Best Styling for "The Ghost of You"
MCR The Black Parade (2006–2008)
My Chemical Romance started recording their third studio album on April 10, 2006 with Rob Cavallo, producer of many of Green Day's albums. It was originally thought to be titled The Rise and Fall of My Chemical Romance, but in an interview with Kerrang! magazine, Gerard Way suggested this was just the album's working title, stating "It was never the title of the album, more a spoof, or joke."
On August 3, 2006, the band completed shooting the videos for their first two singles from the album; including the first single, "Welcome to the Black Parade" and although not released until January 2007, "Famous Last Words". The "Famous Last Words" video was directed by Sam Bayer, director of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and Green Day's American Idiot videos. During the second single's filming, band members Gerard Way and Bob Bryar were injured. Way suffered torn ligaments in his ankle, and Bryar a burn to the leg which caused a severe staph infection that needed constant monitoring in hospital.[citation needed] Consequently, the band was forced to cancel a few tour dates. While these injuries were reported by several news agencies to have been the result of a car accident, a statement released by the band on their website and MySpace page confirmed that these injuries occurred on the set of the video.
On August 22, 2006, the band played a special one-off show at the 1800-capacity London Hammersmith Palais. The show sold out in 15 minutes prompting tickets to be re-sold on eBay well over the tickets' face value. The name of the album they promoted was announced and 20 people dressed in black capes with their faces obscured paraded around Hammersmith, followed by a large group of fans and street team members with signs saying The Black Parade. Later during the show the album title and the UK release date were confirmed. Before the band took the stage, it was announced that My Chemical Romance were unable to play, but they would be replaced by The Black Parade. After initial crowd hostility it became clear the band were simply performing under a pseudonym in keeping with the theme of the album.
My Chemical Romance on tour, wearing the clothes of The Black Parade
"Welcome to the Black Parade" was released as a single on September 11, 2006. On September 26, 2006, the music video for "Welcome to the Black Parade" was released in the UK, and on September 27 in the US. The single became the band's first number one on the UK Singles Chart in October 2006. The Black Parade was released on October 23, 2006 in the United Kingdom and on October 24, 2006 in the United States.
The Black Parade World Tour commenced on February 22, 2007, with the eventuating 133 shows featuring Rise Against, Thursday and Muse as support acts. Reggie and the Full Effect frontman James Dewees played keyboards/synth on the tour. In April 2007, it was announced that Mikey Way would temporarily leave the tour to spend time with his new wife, Alicia Simmons-Way. Mikey's temporary replacement was Matt Cortez, a friend of the band. During the third leg of the tour, as a support act for Muse, members of My Chemical Romance band and crew and members of Muse's crew suffered food poisoning, and consequently had to cancel six shows. The band later featured on Linkin Park's Projekt Revolution tour in 2007, along with, Placebo, Mindless Self Indulgence, Saosin, Taking Back Sunday and HIM.
My Chemical Romance received mixed accolades for the third album. In Kerrang! magazine, issue 1139 The Black Parade was rated the fourth greatest album of 2006. In Rolling Stone magazine's ranking of the top 50 albums of 2006, The Black Parade was voted the 20th best album of the year. My Chemical Romance went on to win the award for Best International Band at the 2007 NME Awards and Gerard Way also won the Hero of the Year award. My Chemical Romance was also nominated for Best Alternative Group at the 2007 American Music Awards.
Most of the concerts of The Black Parade World Tour involved use of pyrotechnics, especially during “Mama” and “Famous Last Words”.
Mikey Way returned to the band in October 2007 and in November it was reported that Frank Iero and Bob Bryar would be sitting out the UK tour dates, with Bob having wrist problems and Frank having to return home to be with his family because of the death of his grandmother. While guitar tech Matt Cortez replaced Iero, Bryar was replaced by a friend of the band named Pete, who "asked (the band) kindly not to say the name," according to Gerard Way.
On August 3, 2006, the band completed shooting the videos for their first two singles from the album; including the first single, "Welcome to the Black Parade" and although not released until January 2007, "Famous Last Words". The "Famous Last Words" video was directed by Sam Bayer, director of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and Green Day's American Idiot videos. During the second single's filming, band members Gerard Way and Bob Bryar were injured. Way suffered torn ligaments in his ankle, and Bryar a burn to the leg which caused a severe staph infection that needed constant monitoring in hospital.[citation needed] Consequently, the band was forced to cancel a few tour dates. While these injuries were reported by several news agencies to have been the result of a car accident, a statement released by the band on their website and MySpace page confirmed that these injuries occurred on the set of the video.
On August 22, 2006, the band played a special one-off show at the 1800-capacity London Hammersmith Palais. The show sold out in 15 minutes prompting tickets to be re-sold on eBay well over the tickets' face value. The name of the album they promoted was announced and 20 people dressed in black capes with their faces obscured paraded around Hammersmith, followed by a large group of fans and street team members with signs saying The Black Parade. Later during the show the album title and the UK release date were confirmed. Before the band took the stage, it was announced that My Chemical Romance were unable to play, but they would be replaced by The Black Parade. After initial crowd hostility it became clear the band were simply performing under a pseudonym in keeping with the theme of the album.
My Chemical Romance on tour, wearing the clothes of The Black Parade
"Welcome to the Black Parade" was released as a single on September 11, 2006. On September 26, 2006, the music video for "Welcome to the Black Parade" was released in the UK, and on September 27 in the US. The single became the band's first number one on the UK Singles Chart in October 2006. The Black Parade was released on October 23, 2006 in the United Kingdom and on October 24, 2006 in the United States.
The Black Parade World Tour commenced on February 22, 2007, with the eventuating 133 shows featuring Rise Against, Thursday and Muse as support acts. Reggie and the Full Effect frontman James Dewees played keyboards/synth on the tour. In April 2007, it was announced that Mikey Way would temporarily leave the tour to spend time with his new wife, Alicia Simmons-Way. Mikey's temporary replacement was Matt Cortez, a friend of the band. During the third leg of the tour, as a support act for Muse, members of My Chemical Romance band and crew and members of Muse's crew suffered food poisoning, and consequently had to cancel six shows. The band later featured on Linkin Park's Projekt Revolution tour in 2007, along with, Placebo, Mindless Self Indulgence, Saosin, Taking Back Sunday and HIM.
My Chemical Romance received mixed accolades for the third album. In Kerrang! magazine, issue 1139 The Black Parade was rated the fourth greatest album of 2006. In Rolling Stone magazine's ranking of the top 50 albums of 2006, The Black Parade was voted the 20th best album of the year. My Chemical Romance went on to win the award for Best International Band at the 2007 NME Awards and Gerard Way also won the Hero of the Year award. My Chemical Romance was also nominated for Best Alternative Group at the 2007 American Music Awards.
Most of the concerts of The Black Parade World Tour involved use of pyrotechnics, especially during “Mama” and “Famous Last Words”.
Mikey Way returned to the band in October 2007 and in November it was reported that Frank Iero and Bob Bryar would be sitting out the UK tour dates, with Bob having wrist problems and Frank having to return home to be with his family because of the death of his grandmother. While guitar tech Matt Cortez replaced Iero, Bryar was replaced by a friend of the band named Pete, who "asked (the band) kindly not to say the name," according to Gerard Way.
MCR Breakthrough (2003–2006)
In 2003, the band signed a deal with Reprise Records. Following a tour with Avenged Sevenfold, the band began working on their second album, entitled Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. Released in 2004, the album went platinum in just over a year.The band released four singles from the album; "Thank You for the Venom", "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)", "Helena" and "The Ghost of You". It was during this time that the band replaced Matt Pelissier with Bob Bryar, after returning from a tour of Japan in July 2004.
At the beginning of 2005, the band was featured on the first ever Taste of Chaos tour, and was also the opening act for Green Day on their American Idiot tour. They then co-headlined Warped Tour 2005 with Fall Out Boy and co-headlined a tour with Alkaline Trio and Reggie and the Full Effect around the US. That same year, My Chemical Romance collaborated with The Used for a cover of the Queen and David Bowie classic, "Under Pressure" that was released as a benefit single on iTunes and other Internet outlets.
In March 2006, record entitled Life on the Murder Scene was released, incorporating two DVDs and a CD. It included one documentary DVD chronicling the band's history, and a second DVD with music videos, the making of their videos and live performances. An unauthorized biography DVD Things That Make You Go MMM! was also released In June 2006. The DVD does not actually feature any My Chemical Romance music clips or performances, but contains interviews with those who knew the band before much of their fame. A biography titled Something Incredible This Way Comes was also released, written by Paul Stenning and published in 2006. It features their beginnings right through to their third album, The Black Parade.
At the beginning of 2005, the band was featured on the first ever Taste of Chaos tour, and was also the opening act for Green Day on their American Idiot tour. They then co-headlined Warped Tour 2005 with Fall Out Boy and co-headlined a tour with Alkaline Trio and Reggie and the Full Effect around the US. That same year, My Chemical Romance collaborated with The Used for a cover of the Queen and David Bowie classic, "Under Pressure" that was released as a benefit single on iTunes and other Internet outlets.
In March 2006, record entitled Life on the Murder Scene was released, incorporating two DVDs and a CD. It included one documentary DVD chronicling the band's history, and a second DVD with music videos, the making of their videos and live performances. An unauthorized biography DVD Things That Make You Go MMM! was also released In June 2006. The DVD does not actually feature any My Chemical Romance music clips or performances, but contains interviews with those who knew the band before much of their fame. A biography titled Something Incredible This Way Comes was also released, written by Paul Stenning and published in 2006. It features their beginnings right through to their third album, The Black Parade.
MCR Early career (2001–2002)
The band was formed by frontman Gerard Way and drummer Matt Pelissier approximately one week after the September 11 attacks. Witnessing the planes crash into the World Trade Center influenced Way's life to the extent that he decided to start a band. Way wrote the song "Skylines and Turnstiles" to express his feelings about September 11 and shortly thereafter, Ray Toro was recruited because at the time Way couldn't sing and play the guitar at the same time. The first recording sessions were undertaken in Pelissier's attic, where the songs "Our Lady of Sorrows" (formerly called "Bring More Knives") and "Cubicles" were recorded. The band refers to those sessions as The Attic Demos.[citation needed] After hearing the demo, Mikey Way, the younger brother of Gerard, decided to join the band after dropping out of college. While with Eyeball Records, the band met Frank Iero, the lead vocalist and guitarist for Pencey Prep. Following Pencey Prep's split in 2001-02, Iero became a member of My Chemical Romance, just days prior to the recording of the band's debut album. They recorded their debut album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, just three months after the formation of the band and released it in 2002 through Eyeball Records. Despite only joining the band a few days before the album recording sessions began, Iero played guitar on two of the tracks, one of which being "Early Sunsets Over Monroeville." During this time, the band was booked at the infamous venue, Big Daddy's, where they began to receive more attention.
My Chemical Romance [Page1]
My Chemical Romance is a Grammy-nominated American rock band from Jersey City, New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, bassist Mikey Way, guitarists Frank Iero and Ray Toro and drummer Bob Bryar. Shortly after forming, the band signed to Eyeball Records and released their debut album I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love in 2002. They signed with Reprise Records the next year and released their major label debut Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge in 2004; the album was a commercial success, selling over one million copies.
The band eclipsed their previous success with 2006's The Black Parade, featuring their hit singles, "Welcome to the Black Parade", "Famous Last Words", "I Don't Love You", and "Teenagers". The band also filmed a live DVD in Mexico City, titled The Black Parade Is Dead!, which was released in July 2008.
The band eclipsed their previous success with 2006's The Black Parade, featuring their hit singles, "Welcome to the Black Parade", "Famous Last Words", "I Don't Love You", and "Teenagers". The band also filmed a live DVD in Mexico City, titled The Black Parade Is Dead!, which was released in July 2008.