chemical burn by jeff schechter 06/2004 amp scans from mcrhollywood

“THE LIGHTS DIM, AND WITH THE CROWD MILLING AROUND THE energy amongst the young fans in attendance at the Majestic Café in Detroit seemed like a pocket of gas, pent up and ready to erupt. Like a match struck, My Chemical Reaction hit the stage with an explosive presence and the room goes from dormant to devastation. "The crowd’s energy was amazing tonight,” says singer Gerard Way, “The kids climbing up and diving offstage; man that’s why we love Detroit.”

Tearing through a set interwoven with fan favorites, and songs off the impending release on Reprise Records: Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, My Chemical Romance left the stage littered with equipment, and the crowd screaming for more.

Since the release of the debut, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love in the summer of 2002, it has been a relative landslide of hype about the band. Well- deserved hype at that. From starting the fire on the Warped Tour, to tour-ing constantly throughout the United States, My Chemical Romance has established a heightened state of street credibility and a much wider fan base, as well as a growing energy in their songs and stage performance. Described as an explosion of rage and integrity, whether at one of their shows, sweating and screaming right along with singer Gerard Way, or enchanted by the melodies of “Demolition Lovers” screaming from a stereo, all in question have to agree that My Chemical Romance is a prevalent force to be reckoned with in the years ahead.

Recently signing with the major, Reprise Records, My Chemical Romance jumped right back to work after relentless touring that has spanned the United States and much of Europe; in the UK, Germany, Holland, and Spain. As they now come into their own, My Chemical Romance does not plan on taking their music, newfound position, or their fans for granted. Like a snake full of fresh venom, My Chemical Romance curl up to attack, back in the studio recording what is described as, the darkest and hardest music to date by singer Gerard Way. After such intense songs as “Headfirst for Halos” and “Cubicles” it will be an anxious wait to see what this fresh young band will crank out next.

“We went for a grainy, dirty sound, trying to capture the intensity of our live performance on the album,” stated guitarist Frank lero. “We were a bit apprehensive, waiting to see how the label treated us in the studio. But it worked out great, Reprise gave us creative license to create the sort of record we wanted, this is definitely the record we set out to make.” After a debut record that made such an impact, receiving acclaim from Keith Morris of Black Flag, and the Circle Jerks fame, it will be quite a thing to see how the band has approached their sophomore effort. “Keith Morris is one of my musical idols,” lero admits with enthusiasm, “He contacted the band, and expressed how much of a fan he was of what we were doing. He is actually on Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. That is one of my greatest experiences so far, writing a piece of music for one of my heroes to perform on our new record.”

My Chemical Romance is like a chemical reaction leaving all things in their wake changed forever. These guys come right off a freight train of rock and roll fury; first stop, right in your face. Raw talent, dark lyrics, and heavy angst cover the debut I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love. Layered musical tent coupled with a fierce sense of annihilation unleash an addiction for My Chemical Romance that is manifested in their solid, loyal fan base. Such a diverse sound was cultivated from the individuals in the bands different tastes.

“We are all different guys, musically,” says lero. With tastes from Brit-Pop, to classically trained guitarists, and hardcore punk rock enthusiasts, My Chemical Romance is a melting pot of beautifully chaotic sounds. “Heading back into the studio, we were anticipating it to be more difficult, so having a lot of ideas already prepared helped in the process.” lero comments on the recording process, “As a band we wanted to capture the live aspects of our shows, because we didn’t feel that the first record did our live performance the justice it deserves.” While exuberant in the youth of My Chemical Romance, this band has paid their dues, and it is like.breaths of fresh air to have such an original band make such an impact in so short a time. Hailing from the turbulent streets of urban New Jersey, the tale of My Chemical Romance chases these five young men back to the days of high school. As acquaintances in younger con-years, the members of My Chemical Romance were tried and true members of the local music scene. It was in their own individual bands that they began a fledgling approach to the world of an indie-rock movement. As time goes, so did the bands, and they all head off in separate directions, seeking separate paths. Keeping in touch over the years, it became apparent that each man’s path wasn’t leading to the places they had imagined. Singer Gerard Way was living in his mom’s basement, making transit to New York City doing animation, when he called up drummer Matt Pelissier, and found they were both in precarious limbos. Not sure where they were headed, the two got together to play some music. After rounding out the roster with Ray Toro and guitar and Mikey Way on bass, the seething seed of My Chemical Romance was born. lero recalls the early days, “After they had all gotten together, Gerard, Ray, Matt and Mikey, I was a huge fan of the music they were making. After the band I was in at the time split up, they decided to get another guitarist, and asked me to join.” The story behind the band is as captivating as the music they create. “This new record is really gonna blow up, it is just as true to what was done with ‘Bullets’ but more energetic and over the top. I can’t wait for the fans to get their hands on the new record. We are set up to tour so much in the next year; I forget what my house looks like already.”

With the release of Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge slated for June, the growing fever of the band’s energy criss-crosses the nation with Avenged Sevenfold on a tour that kicks off in Detroit April 3rd, also look forward to them on this summer’s Warped Tour www.warped-tour.com. With all that lay ahead of them, it is impossible to see just how far My Chem’s signature sound can go. You can check them out online at www.mychemicalromance.com, or wait and find My Chemical Romance in your town, tearing a relative black hole for the masses to peer into throughout the country. In the opinion of this writer, the harder they rock, the darker the better.“

06/2004 amp scans from mcrhollywood