My Chemical Romance (commonly abbreviated MCR) is a rock band—variously but debatably described as screamo, goth-punk, and post-hardcore—whose members come from Belleville and Kearny, New Jersey (except drummer Bob Bryar, from Chicago, Illinois). Bassist Mikey Way coined the band's name from Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance, by Irvine Welsh.[1]
My Chemical Romance | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | |
| Years active | 2001 – |
| Members | Gerard Way, Mikey Way, Frank Iero, Ray Toro, Bob Bryar |
The band was formed by frontman Gerard Way and ex-drummer Matt Pelissier in 2001. MCR released their first full album I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love in 2002 on independent label Eyeball Records, which earned them an underground following; it was not as successful as their next album.
2004 saw the release of their second album and major label debut Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge and their first hit single "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)". "Helena" was their second single, and it earned them five MTV Video Music Awards nominations and two Kerrang! Awards. (At the MTV ceremony, Usher met the band and called their lead singer "Steve". [2]) Their third single from Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge is "The Ghost of You". MCR will release in early 2006, Life on the Murder Scene which will be a DVD giving a behind-the-scenes look at their rise to fame. A third album is due out in 2006.
Members
- Gerard Way — lead vocals
- Mikey Way — bass guitar
- Frank Iero — rhythm guitar, backup vocals
- Ray Toro — lead guitar, backup vocals
- Bob Bryar — drums
Former Members
- Matt Pelissier — drums
Discography
Albums
- I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love (2002-07-23, Eyeball Records)
- Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge (2004-06-08, Reprise Records)
- Life on the Murder Scene (expected 2006-02-07, Reprise Records/WEA)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | UK Singles Chart | |||
| 2002 | "Honey, This Mirror Isn't Big Enough for the Two of Us" | - | - | - | I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love |
| 2002 | "Vampires Will Never Hurt You" | - | - | - | I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love |
| 2004 | "Headfirst For Halos" | - | - | - | I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love |
| 2004 | "Give 'Em Hell Kid" | - | - | - | Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge |
| 2004 | "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" | #86 | #4 | #19 | Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge |
| 2005 | "Helena" (music video) | #33 | #11 | #20 | Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge |
| 2005 | "The Ghost of You" | - | #11 | #27 | Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge |
| 2005 | "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" (re-release) | - | - | #28 | Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge |