My Chemical Romance

My Chemical Romance is arguably one of the most influential bands of the early 2000s, garnering a gigantic loyal fanbase over the years who do everything from following their tours to supporting their causes in public demonstrations.

When the native New Jersey band disbanded back in 2013, followers believed it was the end of an era, but that proved untrue with a powerhouse reunion in 2019. And now, the long wait for more dates is over as Way, along with his brother Mikey and bandmates Ray Toro and Frank Iero are back with a vengeance.

My Chemical Romance started as the brainchild of lead singer Gerard Way. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attack, the vocalist was inspired to write about the event and start a band with guitarist Toro, his brother Mikey on bass, Iero on rhythm guitar, and original drummer Matt Pelissier.

My Chemical Romance released its first album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, in 2002. While it wasn’t a major hit, it used the music to cultivate a fan base following via MySpace. These efforts plus solid touring performances led the band to sign with Reprise Records in 2003.

In 2004, MCR’s second studio album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, climbed to a respectable position on the Billboard charts, peaking at #28, and went platinum within the year. Pelissier departed soon after the record’s release, so Bob Bryar took over behind the drum kit.

Over the next two years, My Chemical Romance opened for bands like Green Day on the American Idiot Tour and Fall Out Boy on the Warped Tour. With a robust following, the band was ready to amp things up.

In 2007, the band released its magnum opus concept album, The Black Parade. This rock opera centers around a central character dying of cancer. The band staged powerful events like a hosting live gig using a pseudonym that almost resulted in the audience revolting and a releasing faux parade of black-robed marchers.

Not only did The Black Parade solidify My Chemical Romance’s burgeoning cult following, it was a huge commercial success. The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts and went on to go triple platinum in both the US and UK.

Mistreated and misunderstood by some media outlets, Gerard Way and his band had to overcome controversies generated by misinterpretation of MCR’s lyrics. After releasing their fourth album, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, in 2010, the band would release a series of singles over the next two years compiled as the Conventional Weapons album.

Then, almost without warning, My Chemical Romance amicably broke up. But by 2019, a surprise show in LA signaled a reunion tour. COVID-19 postponed it in 2020, but now the boys are back and ready to take the world by storm.

Prior to forming Franz Ferdinand singer/guitarist Alex Kapranos played in the groups The Kareila and Yummy Fur, the latter alongside friend and percussionist Paul Thompson. Kapranos later taught his friend Bob Hardy how to play bass, and met co-guitarist Nick McCarthy soon afterwards, completing the band's lineup. Having initially practiced in McCarthy’s house, Franz Ferdinand soon found an abandoned warehouse, affectionately named the Chateau, where they could hone their skills. In early 2002 the band recorded a host of material that generated a significant amount of buzz, ultimately resulting in Franz Ferdinand signing with Domino Records in 2003.

The band’s debut label release “Darts of the Pleasure EP” was released in 2003, followed in early 2004 by the hit single “Take Me Out”. The single reached No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 66 on the Billboard Hot 100, introducing the band to an international audience. Franz Ferdinand’s self-titled debut album was released in February 2004 to critical acclaim and comparisons to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, the Sex Pistols, and Blur. The album subsequently won the 2004 Mercury Music Prize, an Ivor Novello Award, and two BRIT Awards in 2005.

Franz Ferdinand’s sophomore album “You Could Have It So Much Better” was issued in October 2005 once again on Domino Records. The record proved popular again among critics and fans, with the album topping the UK Albums Chart, aided by the singles “Do You Want To”, “Walk Away”, “The Fallen / L.Wells”, and “Eleanor Put Your Boots On”. Choosing to team up with pop producer Dan Carey, Franz Ferdinand’s third album took the group in a more dance/pop direction. Released in early 2009, “Tonight” was led by the single “Ulysees”, and subsequently “No You Girls” and “Can’t Stop Feeling”. Following appearances at Glastonbury Festival, Coachella Festival and on Green Day’s 2009 tour, the band released the dub compilation album “Blood” in June 2009.

“Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action” appeared in 2013, charting at No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 24 on the Billboard 200. Recorded in Black Pudding Studio in Glasgow, Scotland, the album features producers Alexis Taylor, Joe Goddard, and Todd Terje. The album, like its predecessors found favour among critics and spawned the singles “Right Action”, “Love Illumination”, and “Evil Eye”.