Suprise! I’m sick again! I may look like a boatswain and smell like a corpse, but the shows are still a go for the weekend. Please try and check us out at Maxwells this Friday with The Lawndarts and The High School Sweethearts. We’re very excited to be playing Maxwells and it’s been a personal dream of mine ever since I was a kid going to shows there. There are some people flying out and travelling many miles to see us so keep them company and meet some new friends. Click SHOWS and get the skinny on where it’s going down.
We’re also trying a first this weekend for My Chem- 2 shows in one day. This Saturday we have the pleasure of playing Alissa’s Basement at 6:00 and then we hop in the van to make soundcheck at The Loop as soon as we finish. Eyeball label-mates, Little Joe Gould are coming out all the way from Indiana for this show so we’ve decided to risk health and safety to play both shows. If you’ve seen the shape of us after just one set you’re probably curious what we will be like at the second show – so are we. I can assure you a night of “hot male action” and “stinky boys”.
Also check out our good friends in The Ghost and The Exit in our links section. We had the good fortune of seeing both bands play 2 nights last weekend and they were great. Drinking in The Ghost van outside of CBs with Jordan and T-Top was definitely a plus.
I need a shave, a new dye-job, and some decongestant so I’ll leave you with the image of me sitting in my house watching Mad Monster Party, moaning, sweating, boxer-clad, and trying to hit the high notes in Headfirst For Halos. – g”
04/16/2022 frank’s instagram“When my dad would drive, he’d have this old, brown leather briefcase and would play drums on it in traffic. When he finally decided to get a new one, I went and fished the old one out of the trash and kept it. The lock code was the address from my childhood house – this thing just meant something to me. When My Chemical Romance got together, we had this idea of doing something cool with the merch with something we could pop open at every show. Gerard [Way] and I went to a fabric store, and we lined that old briefcase and it became our merch set-up.” – Frank Iero07/2016 death spells interview
pov it’s christmas 2002 and mcr wants to party with you
“12.25.02
Merry Christmas everybody! Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday. We’d like to thank you all for giving us the greatest Christmas gift…your friendship and your appreciation of our music. Besides the show in Boston on the 29th, we’re taking a short break over the holidays, but will be back rocking for you starting January 5th. Come party with us! Again, thanks for everything you have done for us.
04/16/2022 frank’s instagram“When my dad would drive, he’d have this old, brown leather briefcase and would play drums on it in traffic. When he finally decided to get a new one, I went and fished the old one out of the trash and kept it. The lock code was the address from my childhood house – this thing just meant something to me. When My Chemical Romance got together, we had this idea of doing something cool with the merch with something we could pop open at every show. Gerard [Way] and I went to a fabric store, and we lined that old briefcase and it became our merch set-up.” – Frank Iero
07/2016 death spells interview
“they were calling me speed stick because I smelled so bad. and um basically he’s like “I want you to go to my cd collection. I want you to pick out whatever you want and I’m gonna give you a microphone and you’re gonna basically karaoke it. since I was like “yeah- you can’t fake singing and so we put on black flag and I was singing “nervous breakdown” and this guy comes over with a beer and just starts spraying me with water. and this is like shit i’d never.. let people do. and I was super into it. just got me soaking fucking wet. headbanging and singing. and it’s one of my favorite photos. and it ran in a page I think the guy from stellarstar was in it. and that was the first spin thing”
Jessica: Can you give us a brief synopsis of the past two years, like how it all got started?
Mikey: Basically, we went to this evil magician and we told him to make us rock & roll superstars. So he took a pint of each of our blood and put it in a cauldron.
Ray: Obviously he fucked up, cause look at us.
Mikey: We’re not rock & roll superstars, but we’re sweet little dudes.
Frank: It’s been really good. We’re really lucky.
…
Mikey: He wouldn’t answer because he’s dead. I’d probably ask Morrissey how it feels to be a sweet little dude.
Frank: He might show you too.
2003 interview rec room magazine
ID:
My Chemical Album
My Chemical Romance are nearly done recording their upcoming debut album “I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love”. The group suffered a few setbacks in the studio due to some illnesses but have now recovered and plan to finish up work in the studio next week. A July 23rd release through Eyeball is being planned. In other news, the group have added guitarist Frank Iero to their lineup and will be playing a show at Club Krome in South Amboy, NJ on June 14th. Keepsake, Random Task and more are also on the bill.
Suprise! I’m sick again! I may look like a boatswain and smell like a corpse, but the shows are still a go for the weekend. Please try and check us out at Maxwells this Friday with The Lawndarts and The High School Sweethearts. We’re very excited to be playing Maxwells and it’s been a personal dream of mine ever since I was a kid going to shows there. There are some people flying out and travelling many miles to see us so keep them company and meet some new friends. Click SHOWS and get the skinny on where it’s going down.
We’re also trying a first this weekend for My Chem- 2 shows in one day. This Saturday we have the pleasure of playing Alissa’s Basement at 6:00 and then we hop in the van to make soundcheck at The Loop as soon as we finish. Eyeball label-mates, Little Joe Gould are coming out all the way from Indiana for this show so we’ve decided to risk health and safety to play both shows. If you’ve seen the shape of us after just one set you’re probably curious what we will be like at the second show – so are we. I can assure you a night of “hot male action” and “stinky boys”.
Also check out our good friends in The Ghost and The Exit in our links section. We had the good fortune of seeing both bands play 2 nights last weekend and they were great. Drinking in The Ghost van outside of CBs with Jordan and T-Top was definitely a plus.
I need a shave, a new dye-job, and some decongestant so I’ll leave you with the image of me sitting in my house watching Mad Monster Party, moaning, sweating, boxer-clad, and trying to hit the high notes in Headfirst For Halos. – g
“at the recent bloomfield ave show, me and my friend steve were waiting in line for the bathroom. gerard comes over and gets in line with us. we were talking about various things such as his lack of leather, the scene, etc. meanwhile, the rest of the band were halfway through setting up. when it’s steve’s turn for the bathroom, gerard was like
“dude, i really gotta be on stage, but i don’t want to seem like a rockstar or nothing by cutting you in line.. do you think i could piss in the sink while you go?”
well, needless to say, i was very careful about my business when it was my turn, so i wouldn’t have to use that sink.
a month later, at hellfest, i caught gerrard on his way to the port-a-potties. and informed him that there were no sinks to urinate in.“
“Jack saved my spot and I walked over to the merch tables and who do I see?
Frank Iero the only member of MCR I haven’t met yet.
I walk up to Frank and give him a little tap…
Frank: Hey man whats up?
Drew: Nothing Frank, you know your the only one I havent met?
Frank: Really dude? Shit! Whats your name!?
Drew: Im Drew. Haha, yeah lemme get a picture Frank?
Frank: Of course!!
Drew: Shit thanks Frank!
Frank: Aw man its really no problem!
Drew: Could you do me a favor tonight?
Frank: Sure Drew.
Drew: My good friend is here tonight and two of his really good friends tickets tonight but they couldnt make it tonight. Their names are John and Nick, and I was wondering if you could dedicate “Vampires Will Never Hurt You” to them?
Frank: Of FUCKIN course Drew!
Drew: Sweet Frank, rock for me tonight.
Frank: That wont be a problem at all!
Ah man, Frank is fucking so nice. Their all so nice. It blows my mind how a band can give so much back to their fans. But then what happened next almost blew my mind…
After talking to Frank Im looking at some stuff on the wall when I feel someone tap my shoulder and IT IS RAY TORO.…
Ray: Heyyy Drew hows it going!!!
Drew: Holy shit! Hey Ray its good!
Ray: Thats good to hear Drew, thanks for coming out again! Jesus how many times have you seen us now?
Drew: Haha, this is only my 3rd Ray, but their coming rapidly.
Ray: Alright man! Thank you so much.
Drew: No problem Ray, Ill talk to you later rock on tonight!
Whew. That blew my mind. I didnt go up to Ray, Ray came up to me. And remembering my name after nearly a month? I thought I was going to faint.
I went back to my spot in the front and told Jack that Frank was going to do the dedication. Jacks eyes blew up to the size of sausages and he started to thank me like crazy. Its really not hard, all i had to do was ask!“
photos by Gaelen Harlacher on flickr
story from drew on lj
(he downtown at farmingdale ny 7/25/2003 – fan account below)
“Ah. The walk outside. Fresh air. I called Jodi overratedantime who lives in COLORADO!!! And we talked for a little bit. MCR was hanging out by their van and packing stuff. I stood at a tree. Watching Gerard. My idol. Cigerate in one hand. Towel over his neck, basking in himself. Talking to two guys from Jersey about where he grew up. Geard. Gerard. GERARD.
I asked Gerard to do my voicemail:
Drew: Hey G, I met you at Knitting remember?
Gerard: Yeah man, whats up Drew?
Drew: Nothing could you record my voicemail?
Gerard: Course, give me 5 minutes.
We went to a dominoes a few feet away and got pizzas. They were subpar. We went back and Gerard recorded my cell phones voicemail:
“Hey youve reached Drew, hes not here right now, leave him a fucking message. This is Gerard from My Chemical Romance.”
Want to hear it? Send me an IM: xPhantomsForever saying your gonna call or call me, and listen to it. If I pick up just tell me who you are and ill just not pick up when you call again. The number: 000.000.0000 Gerard and I talked for 5 more minutes. I was getting to scared to talk to him anymore so I gave a firm handshake and said goodbye as I walked away…Gerard Way.“
photos by Gaelen Harlacher on flickr (account says the photos were taken 7/25/2003)
got a vhs player and some converters to upload the mcr bootleg soon.
It says fireside bowl 2002 lol and it’s likely the version on yt
but dammit what if it’s not
It was made after 2010.. but curious @spaceyraygun this isn’t your bootleg is it? highly doubt it due to the fact that the vhs references like 3 different eras.
We’ve got “2002” then a 2005 scan of mcr and then the danger days spider (2010). there’s no telling.
There are 15 of these vhs out there and available through the link if anyone is interested.
darn. the bootleg contained the brad nolan recording that has been available on yt for a couple years. 12/02/2002 fireside bowl chicago il – brad nolan video from katies music archive and fanremaster
in notes @spaceyraygun explained there were bootlegs of brad nolan’s videos (of fireside bowl 2002 &2003) that showed on youtube in the last couple of years. which confirmed that the tape was created relatively recently lol
there was this moment with with these letters at the beginning that are new. it could be an early brad nolan watermark (don’t quote me on that I have no idea what it is)
google translate: “no book” also it told me the language might not be supported and it couldn’t detect it.
“Chemical Reaction forms Chemical Romance”
What a year it has been for My Chemical Romance. Only just forming this year and now they are on the verge on releasing their debut album later this month. It seems nothing can go wrong for these guys at the minute so I though I would be apart of the good fortune and ask Gerard a couple of questions and what the key too their success was, this is what he had to say.
Anemic: Hey Gerard, thanks for taking you time to do this interview?Gerard: You’re welcome. Thank you for giving us one. Sorry it took a bit to respond.Anemic: No problem at all mate, so how are you doing today?Gerard: We’re doing very well thank you. Mostly healthy and almost all of our teeth!Anemic: Well I must say it’s been a rapid rise for you guys to say the least, you only formed at the start of the year and now you have an album coming out next month on Eyeball Records, how are you taking in all in?Gerard: It’s been more than would could have imagined when we started the band. From our first show we’ve been getting such a nice positive response. Getting signed by Eyeball Records really clinched it and since then we’ve been on a roll. We’re all smiles.Anemic: So how has it been getting your material out their, I mean you guys must be doing a great live show for people to stand up and take notice of how well you guys are really doing?Gerard: After recording we were a little rusty as far as performing the material live but after the last weekend of shows we’re back to 100%. We try to put on the most honest, energetic, and intense show we possibly can and it has paid off for us so far. It’s really like therapy for us to be up there, we would do the same show for 5 or 500 people, the same energy would be there. Getting radio play and having a pressence on the web has helped get the material out there but our biggest push has been word of mouth.Anemic: With live shows there must be a lot of fans, how would describe you fans?Gerard: Well it depends. Alot of people that come out to see us have just heard about us so they don’t know what to expect. Generally after we start playing alot of people just take a step back, this just happened in Deleware last weekend. I think they may think we’re going to hit them but I always try and promise them we won’t, we would never do that. We just go crazy up there. The fans that know us are all great, they are always friendly and our first biggest fan, Carlos, is the head of our street team now. The best way to describe our fans would be “diverse”. We get all kinds.Anemic: Who has been the best band you have played along side so far?Gerard: Pencey Prep, without a doubt.Anemic: How was it recording the new album, was their a good vibe in the studio were you could go about things the way you wanted them too without having any hassles in the process?Gerard: The vibe in the studio was excellent. Very positive all the way through. Geoff, Alex, and John were great to work with and brought alot to the table creatively. It was hard to finish because there was a situation where Gerard ended up in the emergency room 5 times and it slowed down recording but we were still able to come under the deadline and make exactly the album we wanted.Anemic: What should we expect from the new album?Gerard: Well it’s our first album so I would expect to see a band that evolves from the first songs that were written to the last. Expect a very different sound from what is out there right now. Very honest, sincere, aggresive. We make music that we would want to hear and thats why we play it so hard.Anemic: Once the new record is out and selling to you guys plan to seel it on a global scale i.e maybe in Australia?Gerard: Eyeball Records just got hooked up with worldwide distrobution, so the album will be available in Australia upon release I believe. We’re very excited about that!Anemic: Who are your musical influences, I guess you would have heaps and heaps but who are the ones that stand out the most for you?Gerard: Classical guitarists, The Smiths, The Misfits, Queen, At The Gates, Iron Maiden.Anemic: Before starting the band what did you guys do to occupy you time?Gerard: Ray is a film maker. Matt is a mechanic. Mikey was in college. Frank was in college as well. Gerard is an artist. Other than that we used to play video games, watch zombie movies, drink beer, hang out, stuff like that.Anemic: Some rumours I have heard is that you guys like Bats, what’s the fascination with them, is it the Will Haven song BATS, or you just like the species?Gerard: Haha…the whole bat thing came about at an early practice when Mikey joined and we finally gelled. Our energy just came together and a giant heavy metal vortex opened up and out flew a swarm of bats. We all saw it. It was like an awakening. After that we accepted bats into our lives. It was also while we were playing “Vampires Will Never Hurt You” so it probably had alot to do with that.
interview by simon from anemic magazine may 2003
Check out this awesome never-before-seen footage of My Chemical Romance recording their 2002 debut album.
Nada Recording Studio has posted a great mini-documentary of the band recording I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love a whopping 12 years ago. AMAZING.
8.14.02
Suprise! I’m sick again!
I may look like a boatswain and smell like a corpse, but the shows are still a go for the weekend. Please try and check us out at Maxwells this Friday with The Lawndarts and The High School Sweethearts. We’re very excited to be
playing Maxwells and it’s been a personal dream of mine ever since I was a kid going to shows there. There are some people flying out and travelling many miles to see us so keep them company and meet some new friends. Click
SHOWS and get the skinny on where it’s going down.
We’re also trying a first this weekend for My Chem- 2 shows in one day. This Saturday we have the pleasure of playing Alissa’s Basement at 6:00 and then we hop in the van to make soundcheck at The Loop as soon as we finish. Eyeball label-mates, Little Joe Gould are coming out all the way from Indiana for this show so we’ve decided to risk health and safety to play both shows.
If you’ve seen the shape of us after just one set you’re probably curious what we will be like at the second show – so are we. I can assure you a night of “hot male action” and “stinky boys”.
Also check out our good friends in The Ghost and The Exit in our links section. We had the good fortune of seeing both bands play 2 nights last
weekend and they were great. Drinking in The Ghost van outside of CBs with Jordan and T-Top was definitely a plus.
I need a shave, a new dye-job, and some decongestant so I’ll leave you with the image of me sitting in my house watching Mad Monster Party, moaning, sweating, boxer-clad, and trying to hit the high notes in Headfirst For Halos.
– g
flyer from notoastghost
gerard’s memo about the alissa’s basement show from mcr’s 2002 website
recording from spaceyraygun
08/17/2002 alissas basement kinnelon nj
spaceyraygun: Wasn’t aware this show had a flier!
love you all
(ask from tumblr)
anon: heyo i just want to send a message to thank you for the crazy amount of work you’ve done on the site and the fucking amazing amount of value you’re bringing to the fandom by putting in the effort to archive. truly staggering and i wanted to thank you also because you have saved my ass looking for interviews and clips more than once. i hope you have a good day and just. jesus christ thank you. you’re amazing.
aw wow omg!! lol well thank you anon that’s so kind of you. i’m nothing much just wanted it to be good for people. glad to hear that it has helped!! makes me excited about plans to improve it coming up. may mcr see you through all life’s endeavors. I hope you know how much I appreciate this sweet message. you didn’t have to send this but you did <333 so just know i’m grateful
04/24/2003 skate and surf fest grand arcade asbury park nj – idolize magazine
01/07/2003 horseshoe tavern toronto on – photos from leafangel55 on lj dead link saved by cathedral decay on tumblr (@cathedraldecay I can take you off if you want just say the word I know I didn’t ask)
04/16/2022 frank’s instagram “When my dad would drive, he’d have this old, brown leather briefcase and would play drums on it in traffic. When he finally decided to get a new one, I went and fished the old one out of the trash and kept it. The lock code was the address from my childhood house – this thing just meant something to me. When My Chemical Romance got together, we had this idea of doing something cool with the merch with something we could pop open at every show. Gerard [Way] and I went to a fabric store, and we lined that old briefcase and it became our merch set-up.” – Frank Iero 07/2016 death spells interview
the casbah tremont music hall appalachian state university charlotte nc 12/13/2002 nicole from app state
themorningcall mychemicalromance.com mychemicalromance.com rollingstone 08/31/2002 allentown fair allentown pa photos david aulettajohn despirito
bullets release show 07/19/2002 loop lounge nj photos by lauren dwyer from her 2003 website bullets promo message from ray on mcr’s 2002 website flyers
google translate: “no book” also it told me the language might not be supported and it couldn’t detect it.
new (old) flyers from mikeys story! 09/17/2024 05/12/2003 the shelter detroit michigan 01/14/2003 the globe east milwaukee wi
“Chemical Reaction forms Chemical Romance” What a year it has been for My Chemical Romance. Only just forming this year and now they are on the verge on releasing their debut album later this month. It seems nothing can go wrong for these guys at the minute so I though I would be apart of the good fortune and ask Gerard a couple of questions and what the key too their success was, this is what he had to say. Anemic: Hey Gerard, thanks for taking you time to do this interview? Gerard: You’re welcome. Thank you for giving us one. Sorry it took a bit to respond. Anemic: No problem at all mate, so how are you doing today? Gerard: We’re doing very well thank you. Mostly healthy and almost all of our teeth! Anemic: Well I must say it’s been a rapid rise for you guys to say the least, you only formed at the start of the year and now you have an album coming out next month on Eyeball Records, how are you taking in all in? Gerard: It’s been more than would could have imagined when we started the band. From our first show we’ve been getting such a nice positive response. Getting signed by Eyeball Records really clinched it and since then we’ve been on a roll. We’re all smiles. Anemic: So how has it been getting your material out their, I mean you guys must be doing a great live show for people to stand up and take notice of how well you guys are really doing? Gerard: After recording we were a little rusty as far as performing the material live but after the last weekend of shows we’re back to 100%. We try to put on the most honest, energetic, and intense show we possibly can and it has paid off for us so far. It’s really like therapy for us to be up there, we would do the same show for 5 or 500 people, the same energy would be there. Getting radio play and having a pressence on the web has helped get the material out there but our biggest push has been word of mouth. Anemic: With live shows there must be a lot of fans, how would describe you fans? Gerard: Well it depends. Alot of people that come out to see us have just heard about us so they don’t know what to expect. Generally after we start playing alot of people just take a step back, this just happened in Deleware last weekend. I think they may think we’re going to hit them but I always try and promise them we won’t, we would never do that. We just go crazy up there. The fans that know us are all great, they are always friendly and our first biggest fan, Carlos, is the head of our street team now. The best way to describe our fans would be “diverse”. We get all kinds. Anemic: Who has been the best band you have played along side so far? Gerard: Pencey Prep, without a doubt. Anemic: How was it recording the new album, was their a good vibe in the studio were you could go about things the way you wanted them too without having any hassles in the process? Gerard: The vibe in the studio was excellent. Very positive all the way through. Geoff, Alex, and John were great to work with and brought alot to the table creatively. It was hard to finish because there was a situation where Gerard ended up in the emergency room 5 times and it slowed down recording but we were still able to come under the deadline and make exactly the album we wanted. Anemic: What should we expect from the new album? Gerard: Well it’s our first album so I would expect to see a band that evolves from the first songs that were written to the last. Expect a very different sound from what is out there right now. Very honest, sincere, aggresive. We make music that we would want to hear and thats why we play it so hard. Anemic: Once the new record is out and selling to you guys plan to seel it on a global scale i.e maybe in Australia? Gerard: Eyeball Records just got hooked up with worldwide distrobution, so the album will be available in Australia upon release I believe. We’re very excited about that! Anemic: Who are your musical influences, I guess you would have heaps and heaps but who are the ones that stand out the most for you? Gerard: Classical guitarists, The Smiths, The Misfits, Queen, At The Gates, Iron Maiden. Anemic: Before starting the band what did you guys do to occupy you time? Gerard: Ray is a film maker. Matt is a mechanic. Mikey was in college. Frank was in college as well. Gerard is an artist. Other than that we used to play video games, watch zombie movies, drink beer, hang out, stuff like that. Anemic: Some rumours I have heard is that you guys like Bats, what’s the fascination with them, is it the Will Haven song BATS, or you just like the species? Gerard: Haha…the whole bat thing came about at an early practice when Mikey joined and we finally gelled. Our energy just came together and a giant heavy metal vortex opened up and out flew a swarm of bats. We all saw it. It was like an awakening. After that we accepted bats into our lives. It was also while we were playing “Vampires Will Never Hurt You” so it probably had alot to do with that. interview by simon from anemic magazine may 2003
more crunches from the 2003 “FIGHT!” theodore grimm myspace music video just ones I didn’t share in the last one
02/05/2003 irving plaza nyc nc photos by justin borucki from mychemicalromance.com 2004 source: web.archive.org
08/18/2003 backstage before 9:30 club washington dc by johncheeseisrad on youtube
04/24/2003 skate and surf fest grand arcade asbury park nj – idolize magazine
