Check out the OFFICIAL MYSPACE page for a new blog written by Gerard or you can read it below:
Hey guys,
Gerard here... I'm hanging out with Mikey in New Jersey, relaxing, drinking coffee, talking comics, and getting ready to take a drive down south tomorrow. I don't know what states I'm passing through but I know where I'm heading. Don't worry I've got a the Clockwork Orange audiobook, a Dr. Pepper air-freshener, and a GPS so I don't get lost. We figured b now everyone that's a fan of the band might be wondering what we're up to, what we're planning, so I thought I'd write this letter and fill you all in.
We're living, decompressing- The Black Parade took over two years to tour and six months to make so that's a lot of existing in a fictional world, and we're just extremely happy to live in a real one for a while. One thing I can let you know is that we're excited. Genuinely more excited then we have ever been to be in this band, make some new music. Genuinely more excited then we have ever been in this band, make some new music. And we have ALL been writing new material in our own separate worlds... I started a week after I got home, buying a good rig, an old Jag, and a bunch of pedals- just searching for the next sound.
Bob is recovering well from his recent wrist surgery- exceedingly well considering how risky the procedure can be. We're all really happy that when he picks up the sticks again he won't be in the intense pain he was in during the last year of touring. It's going to take him a while to rehabilitate but know him, he will most likely be playing the drums before the doctor says it's a good idea. He just loves playing, we all do. Franks on the road with Leathermouth and Reggie and The Full Effect so you should go see them and get spit on. I know Leathermouth doesn't have a record out yet, but Frank gave it to me in Mexico and I can easily say it's my favorite post-hardcore record of the year, so I know you will at least enjoy the songs if you don't know the words.
One of the best parts of the last five months was getting to see Ray get married and all of us be a part of the wedding. It was beautiful. I'm not sure where the happy couple is right now but I am sure wherever they are, they are really enjoying it. I have never seen him happier in my life. So we made plans to get together soon and make some demos, see where our heads are at, take it slow. If explosions happen in our heads right away who knows how soon we could have a record out, we aren't in any rush but we get just as anxious as you to find out what the next "thing is going to be.
So that about wraps it up... I'm glad I could stop by for a chat, I think I will do it more often. I'm writing more comics, writing more music, and missing my wife right now. Oh, and I heard a rumor that I died in a car accident.
I didn't.
xo.
g
Kerrang Awards!
MCR were nominated for Best International Band at this years Kerrang awards and unfortunately they didn't win this time around. You can check out the full list of winners HERE
Backstage Pics!
NIKONLIVE.COM have uploaded some behind the scenes images relating to MCR. You can check them all out HERE
Much Music!
Much Music have put together a list of 'The Field Guide To 10 Common Frontman Styles' with Gerard as #2 in the list naming him as 'The Spaz.' You can check out the list HERE
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GERARD INTERVIEW
Interview with Gerard Way!
My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way: 'I Think We Needed To Be Away For A While' Singer says band will 'take it slow' with 'stripped-down' Black Parade follow-up.
Last month, MTV News broke the news that New Jersey's own My Chemical Romance would be recording a cover of Bob Dylan's "Desolation Row" for Zack Snyder's forthcoming "Watchmen" film and that the song would be the soundtrack's first single when it hits stores this winter. That's cool and all, but what about the band's next studio effort? When can we expect that gem?
Well, not for a long while. See, My Chemical Romance have spent much of the last few years in promotional mode — touring, doing press interviews, shooting videos, etc. At the moment, they're in what frontman Gerard Way dubbed "go live" mode: They've all put MCR on the backburner as they pursue outside interests.
Of course, Way's been working on his comic book series, "The Umbrella Academy," and is penning a top-secret project for DC Comics. Meanwhile, his brother, Mikey Way, is also working on a comic book, Frank Iero is starting a new band called Leathermouth, Ray Toro is busy getting married and helming his Weezer cover band, and Bob Bryar, well, he's in Chicago for some unspecified reason. The point is, My Chemical Romance need to live like the rest of us for a bit before they return to the studio.
"We can't make any more music unless we live," Way explained. "But I'm already starting to get the ideas and the aesthetics and everything, and it's very different from [2006's] The Black Parade."
How so, Gerry?
"It's hard to say at this point, but musically, how Black Parade tapped into the glam, classic rock of Queen and Ziggy Stardust, this taps into something different — not punk, but maybe in its proto sense. The aesthetic — it is extremely different, and it is more stripped-down too. When we get a chance, we're going to get together and do some demos and start rolling. But we're going to take it slow. I feel like we needed to be away for a while. People need to kind of miss us because there was a point in the last two-and-a-half years where you could have seen us at least once a month if you wanted."
Way elaborated on the album's sound, contradicting recent reports that the band is moving in a more punk direction. "It's weird — sometimes you give interviews, and they catch you in a weird mood on the road, and you're like, 'Nah, I didn't say it was going to be a more punk-rock record, I just thought it would be more stripped of the bells and whistles,' " he explained. "But I think the concepts will always be progressive.
"It will be more direct, more about life, and have more social commentary in there," Way continued. "That's where it's kind of heading now. It won't be a 'boohoo' record about 'Oh, we got famous,' but a commentary on how the world is now."
Today is the 4th anniversary of Gerards sobriety. Congrats!
The Cure Remixes!
You may remember me posting something about Gerard remixing a track by The Cure. Well, below is some more information about the project.
"...The Cure announce an EP of remixes of the first 4 singles taken from their imminent new album to be released digitally and on CD on the 13th September.
Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance), Pete Wentz & Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy), Jade Puget (AFI), Jared Leto (30 Seconds To Mars) and 65 Days Of Static (who supported The Cure on most of their recent 59 date World 4Tour), have exclusively remixed the first 4 singles from the forthcoming studio album for this special EP, entitled ‘Hypnagogic States’, as follows:
"The Only One" - remixed by Jared Leto (30 Seconds to Mars)
"Freakshow" - remixed by Jade Puget (AFI)
"Sleep When I’m Dead" - remixed by Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance) and Julien-K
"The Perfect Boy" - remixed by Pete Wentz and Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy)"
From THECURE.COM
Bob Bryar - Movie star!
It appears that Bob sneakily appeared in a movie called 'Oh My Dear Desire,' back in 2003. He is listed in the CAST LIST as the character 'By Terah.'
This is the very same Bob Bryar from My Chemical Romance as you can view his IMDB profile page HERE or by clicking on his name in the cast list.
The Umbrella Academy Series 2!
Issue 1 of the second series of The Umbrella Academy, Dallas is now available to preorder on TFAW.COM You can take a peek of the cover illustrations by cliking the image below:
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J TRAIN VIDEO
J TRAIN VIDEO!
As some of you may remember, I posted an update informing you all that Frank would be making an appearance in the new video from Reggie And The Full Effect titled J Train. Well, the video is complete and you can watch it below:
For the people that don't know, Frank plays Frankenstein!!
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TBPID REVIEW, BREAKING DAWN, TIME MAGAZINE, FASHION ROCKS
The Black Parade Is Dead review!
A new review of The Black Parade Is Dead has now been uploaded to AMPEDREVIEWS.NET, which is my other website, so please check it out!
Breaking Dawn Playlist!
My Chem have a song featured in the playlist for Stephenie Meyer's new book, Breaking Dawn. You can check out the playlist HERE
Time Magazine!
Gerard is briefly featured in Time magazine, as you can see below:
FASHION ROCKS!
Gerard recently appeared in Fashion Rocks magazine, a free magazine that comes with fashion giant Vogue. You can see the scan HERE
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THE CURE REMIX, GUARDIAN GUIDE
Julien-K & Gerard to remix The Cure!
According to a blog post on Julien-Ks Myspace by Amir, Julien-K is remixing the new Cure single with Gerard. The song has to be turned in on monday and it is for charity but it is unknown whether or not Gerard is contributing vocals.
Heres what the blog said:
We just started a remix of the Cure's new single "Sleep When I'm Dead" with Gerard of My Chem. It has to be turned in Monday so expect to hear it very soon.
All the proceeds of the sale of this single will be going to Amnesty International.
The Guardian Guide
There is a piece in yesterdays Guardian about Comic-con which is entitled 'The Nerd Herd.' A section of the article talks about Gerard and TUA, there is also a picture of Gerard.
The jewel in the crown are Friday night's prestigious Eisner Awards, the industry's Oscars. This year's surprise winner, was My Chemical Romance singer Gerard Way's dysfunctional superhero saga The Umbrella Academy, picking up Best Limited Series for its first run - a sweet vindication after more than a few eyebrows were raised when he started the project with illustrator Gabriel Ba.
"A lot of people were probably thinking, 'He's not much of an underdog any more, he's a rock star now so this is easy for him,'" says Gerard. "So I got to be an underdog all over again. I didn't have it easy."
Deified in his day job, Gerard used to be able to walk around these things pretty much invisible. Now, all that's changed.
"At first I would just go to comic conventions and just walk around. Now I make that difficult for myself because I write comics. But it's so good to have a book that was appreciated. Acceptance was optional, I wanted the work to be appreciated."
You can read the full article HERE
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THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY, PROTEST, WATCHMEN
THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY!
My Chemical Romance Frontman Gerard Way Trades Concert Stage For Comic-Con Booth
Gerard Way may be one of the biggest rock stars in the world, but that doesn’t stop him from making the annual pilgrimage to Comic-Con. Way — who grew up reading comics, attended art school and interned at DC Comics before forming My Chemical Romance — attended the show to promote his Dark Horse book “The Umbrella Academy.” We’ll be bringing you much more from Way in the coming days, but hear him chat below about the latest from “Academy” as well as his love for all things Comic-Con. READ MORE HERE
On September 19 & 20th, 2007 Gerard Way made two in-store appearances in New York and Boston to celebrate the debut of his comic, The Umbrella Academy. VIEW VIDEOS HERE
NEW LAYOUT, MASKS, LA TIMES, KERRANG AWARDS, EMO ILLEGAL?, NEW COVER SONG, LEATHERMOUTH
NEW LAYOUT!
As you can probably see, there is now a new layout up! There are lots of changes within the site as most of it is now in PHP. If you find any errors, please let me know!
There is so much MCR news to catch up on so here we go..
BAND MEMBER MASKS FOR SALE!
As you know, the limited edition coffin boxes of "The Black Parade Is Dead!" are sold out. They came with Day of the Dead-inspired masks designed by each member of the band, but you can now buy each mask individually by clicking HERE. Only 5,000 of these masks have been made, so there are only 1,000 of each band member's mask. Head over to the MCR STORE and pick 'em up.
Gerard Way's Essential Shelf in the LA Times!
We're starting a new feature here at the Hero Complex called "The Essential Shelf" in which we invite some esteemed talents to tell us about their favorite graphic novels. Our first guest is Gerard Way, the lead singer of the rock band My Chemical Romance and the writer of "The Umbrella Academy," the wonderfully surreal Dark Horse series that (we hear) may be coming to a theater near you in the next few years. PART ONE / PART TWO / PART THREE
KERRANG AWARDS!
MCR have been short listed for the BEST INTERNATIONAL BAND catergory at this years Kerrang Awards! They are up against 30 Seconds To Mars, Madina Lake, Coheed and Cambria and Avenged Sevenfold. CLICK HERE TO VOTE and have the chance to win a table at the event which will take place at a secret location in London on Thursday, August 21!
EMO TO BE MADE ILLEGAL!
The Russian government is in the process of drafting a law to make emo and goth music illegal. Last month a parliamentary committee was convened to discuss a draft proposal of the Russian government's Government Strategy In The Sphere Of Spiritual And Ethical Education bill, the details of which were leaked to The Moscow Times. The newspaper subsequently reported that, among other things, the draft bill dubbed the musical movements a "dangerous teen trend" and called for emo and goth websites to be reg
