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André Paine's rating
, It's the black eyeliner parade
By
André Paine
13 Nov 2006
They must be the only band with the nerve to record a punk-pop concept album about death with Liza Minnelli on guest vocals. But not everyone has welcomed My Chemical Romance's rise to rock stardom.
The group recently denied the suggestion in a newspaper article that their morbid songs encourage teenage self-harm. Then their number one single Welcome To The Black Parade prompted Brit-rock rivals Kasabian to denounce this "weird and dark" music, urging MCR's fans to "get out more and try and have a good time instead".
Last night, though, the New Jersey band's followers were doing just that and it was hard to see what all the fuss is about. Some of the fans were indeed dressed in black and daubed in eyeliner (boys included), but they weren't moping around. This was a celebration of alternative rock's chart triumph.
The presence of a few mums and dads may have embarrassed their rock offspring, but at least their cash came in handy for the £30 official band hoody. In fact, if merchandise stands are a reliable barometer of long-term success then MCR are going to be huge because the queues were 10 deep.
The band have done it by forging an intense bond with their teenage audience, so that every song was recognised immediately. And almost all the words were sung back at frontman Gerard Way when he tore through the opening trio of The End, Dead! and This Is How I Disappear.
It was a thrilling start and Way was particularly impressive. With his dyed silver hair and rather theatrical, airpunching-performance - there were hints of Freddie Mercury - he is one of the most charismatic of the new breed of US rock singers, albeit a slightly earnest one. "If you keep believing in us, we'll never stop believing in you," he said at one point.
Way also had his say on the "haters" and newspaper articles when he dedicated the song Teenagers to his fans. "The combination of all of you and all of us is very f***ing dangerous because we have something to say!" he shouted to the crowd, although the song itself was a silly glam-rock stomp with uncomfortable echoes of Noddy Holder in tartantrousers and top hat.
But their new album The Black Parade is a tuneful, versatile beast with several songs that were already live favourites. So Mama, a grisly piece of punk cabaret, sounded immense even without Minnelli performing her vocal, and the album's title track was rapturously received.
Perhaps the shaggy-haired Ray Toro should tone down his Brian May guitar solos. But with rock ballads such as I Don't Love You, MCR can expect to be as all-conquering as fellow pop-punks Green Day in the months ahead.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (4)
I saw MCR on thursday 22nd March and they were totally AWSOME! And thats an understatement.
I would love to go again!!
Like... NOW! 
I've been listening to them non stop ever since I came back from The Black Parade and I beg people not to go to their graves without experiencing it for themselves!
- Natalie, Daventry, Northamptonshire UK, 24/03/2007 21:54
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I saw My Chemical Romnce at Reading on Aug 27. They were fantastic! I am more of the Pearl Jam generation so they were the main reason we went, but I enjoyed MCR just as much. The Black Parade is the best album I have heard since Greenday's Bullet in a Bible. I am a psychiatric nurse and work with people who self harm on a daily basis. Those preaching mainstream culture need to look at their own values, beliefs and culture before pointing at scapegoats (rock music is hardly an original one) for the ills of the world. People who have no experience or education in self harm are hardly qualifed to comment.
- Kristina, New Zealand, 21/11/2006 11:17
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Sorry, this was the worst gig i have ever seen MCR play. There was no spirit, no passion, just something acutely well rehearsed, dull and generic. I felt like I was watching a third rate Queen tribute band, with Ray's guitar solos and Gerard's Freddie Mercury impression, it was awful to watch. I love this band, and have loved them for a long time. But I feel they've well and truely sold their soul to the corporate machine. I am gutted that one of my favourite bands has mutated into this creature. A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to see them at the Virgin Megastore signing, and they played that gig like the MCR I love. Brixton was just shambolic. Dreary, dull and uninspired. Even songs from "Three Cheers..." sounded laboured. Think I'll be selling my tickets for Wembley, don't think I could face "this tragic affair" again....
- Felicity, London, 15/11/2006 13:42
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That was the BEST DAY OF MY LIFE and i was at the front u can see me in one of the pictures I just want say no matter what SOME newspapers and bands *cough* Kasabian say about MCR they DONT premote self harming, in fact, their songs make you happy and just want to sing along. MCR were voted the Best Band in the World and I think they deserved it, because for my friends and I, My Chemical Romance IS the best band in the world. Gerard Way is the most amazing guy in the world, he can sing, he can dance, and he can put on an awesome show. And Ray's guitar solos are just astounding, even better live than they are on the CD. This band is going to become a legend and I'm with them all the way.
- Ali, croydon, UK, 14/11/2006 11:02
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