My Chemical Romance

My Chemical Romance was formed in the early part of this decade, when animator Gerard Way (Vocals), began writing music with childhood friend and Drummer Matt Pelissier. With both parties pleased with their initial efforts, they decided to form a band adding guitarists Ray Toto and Frank Iero and completing the line-up with Way's younger brother Mikey on bass.

After some intense early shows, the group quickly drew the attention and fellowship of the local 'punk/emo' scene, including Thursday singer Geoff Rickly. This relationship with Rickly proved advantageous when he agreed to produce their 2002 debut 'I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love'.

The album including the standouts 'Honey this Mirror isn't Big Enough for the Two of Us' and 'Vampires Will Never Hurt You', exemplified the groups influences, from Morrissey to the Misfits, as well as the burgeoning New Jersey emo scene. The album also introduced the world to the now familiar introspective lyrics of Way, with many of the songs concerning his severe and long running depression.

Although by no means a runaway success, the albums sales and subsequent touring did raise the bar for My Chemical Romance, enough for the group to be courted and signed by Reprise.

The second album 'Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge', a loosely conceptive album, concerning "The story of a man. A woman. And the corpses of a thousand evil men...", arrived in mid 2004 to much acclaim. Upon first listen it was clear that the group had successfully raised their game, 'Helena' and 'I'm Not Ok (I Promise)' were pop songs which rocked hard enough for their older fans, while 'The Ghost of You' was a power ballad for the Good Charlotte generation.

In late 2004 Bob Bryar replaced Pellissier, apparently after a period of animosity with the group. This along with Way's decision to foreswear drink and drugs revitalised the previously flagging group, which when combined with Way's growing confidence as a darkly charismatic performer and as a sex symbol to many of his fans, successfully raised the band to a new plateau of popularity.

Biography by William Fuller