Haydn - My Chemical Romance

FOR ABBEY PALLETT

My Chemical Romance: (L-R) Ray Toro (Guitar); Mikey Way (Bass); Gerard Way (Vocals); Frank Iero (Guitar); Bob Bryar (Drums).

If you keep believing in us, well never stop believing in you.

Gerard Way

A s rock phenomena go, My Chemical Romance are different. Sure, like a hundred other bands, the New Jersey quintet sell records, fill dance halls and appear on the covers of magazines worldwide. In addition to the uniqueness of their accessible, genre-transcending sound, what sets them apart is the very personal manner in which the group interact with their fans.

Although My Chemical Romance possess a sound and image that is theatrical, grandiose and eminently suited to spectacular performances in vast arenas, their lyrics and individual statements are shot through with an understanding of the private, often unspoken fears and difficulties that are common within the minefield of adolescence. The band, led by vocalist and songwriter Gerard Way, have made a point of bringing topics such as bullying, self-harm, isolation and teenage depression into the rock milieu and, in doing so, have connected with an entire generation of young people whose thoughts and feelings made them feel like misfits and outcasts.

Unlike the many performers who have an agenda that includes changing the world, smashing the system, or saving the planet, the My Chem manifesto sees their fanbase as individuals rather than a vast demographic they can mobilise in order to make a point or promote a specific cause. This group have a one-item programme: that their followers pass through the difficulties of growing up, intact and able to function. The main thing that weve always wanted to do was to save peoples lives, Gerard told Alternative Press. That sounds Mother Teresa-ish and outlandish, but it really does happen. It does make a huge difference. Weve seen it in action.

An exploration of the many MCR fan forums bear out Gerards assertions, with scores of fans posting evocative accounts of the ways in which the bands lyrics and music have touched and helped them. Many of these teenagers find it difficult to open up to parents or other authority figures and have fallen through the cracks in established support networks. My Chemical Romance have provided an unconventional, but successful, source of inspiration and guidance to innumerable troubled fans who otherwise would have been isolated from any kind of practical assistance possibly until it was too late.

As unfeasible as it may sound to cynics and outsiders, this band really does save lives. Kevin, a My Chem fan from Manchester, found that the group helped him to overcome the death of his aunt and the painful break-up of a relationship. I love what My Chemical Romance stand for, its true and honest, he wrote on theblackparade.net forum. Theyre my escape, my inspiration and my saviour.

Many of those contributing their experiences to the forums have indulged in self-harm, or even attempted suicide as a means of striking back at a world which apparently has little time for them. Panita, from France, is one of those who assert that the group have helped her back from the brink of oblivion. Every time I feel like everythings all fucked up and I just want it all to end... theres Gerards voice, echoing in my head, telling me that its alright to be messed up, because you realise that everybody else is messed up... and then you overcome it. Similarly, Susana from Los Angeles explained that discovering the band also meant discovering a group of real people that understood how she felt because they had experienced similar feelings. When I listened to their music I felt like these guys understood and cared. Because at that point I thought no one cared and I felt so alone that I would cry myself to sleep at night, hugging myself. As I got to know the band more, I realised they were just like me. They went through what I went through. I stopped drinking and havent touched a drink since. Ive stopped cutting for the most part, but old habits die hard.

Perhaps more than anything, it is the common experience of feeling unloved, marginalised and desperate that has served to forge a unique bond between band and audience. As Gerard explained to Metal Hammer in 2006, My Chemical Romance was conceived as a collective front against hostility and indifference. We were originally united as a group because we ourselves were obvious outsiders. We were pretty much invisible and insignificant. When nobody pays any attention to you, you realise how mortal you are. Thats why teenagers that are troubled or are seen as outcasts are drawn to death. You have a lot of time to examine that subject when youre all alone.

From their earliest days, it became apparent to the quintet that being in MCR was providing them with a focus and direction they would otherwise have lacked. From that realisation, it required only a short leap of logic to see that the band could provide a clear demonstration of what can be achieved by misfits and losers.

One thing we can say for sure is that the band saved our lives. I always thought we had something to offer, observed guitarist Frank Iero, and I wanted to have some importance in my life, so this band was the best thing that ever happened to me. Before that I was on a fast track to doing nothing. I think we offer our fans a sanctuary rather than salvation. The band is a tool to save yourself. Were like a support group the AA of saving lives.

The intense belief that My Chemical Romances hardcore following have in the band is reciprocated, and has created a mutually supportive dynamic; the group is empowered by the unprecedented levels of dedication shown them by their fans, while the fans are empowered by MCRs success and their openness about the kind of experiences that many of them have undergone, but would be uncomfortable discussing. I feel like were definitely the champions for everybody who doesnt fit in, observed Gerard in an interview with Sugar magazine. If you come to a MCR show, youre probably a little fucked up, and thats OK because were just as fucked up as you. Its us against the world. And its great because theres thousands of us in one place.

The evidence that this message is not only striking a chord among the massed ranks of the MCRmy, but actually having genuine beneficial effects, can be found among the bands fan forums. Phoebe from London posted a statement summarising how the bands ethos had helped her overcome the death of her grandfather, depression and problems at school: Maybe Im a bit fucked up, but thats okay, because I have the rest of MCRs fans that have gone through the same kinda shit as me. Theres people out there that have it much worse, and now I cant thank MCR enough for saving my life. If it wasnt for them I wouldnt be here. If it wasnt for MCR I wouldnt be myself.

For his part, Gerard is quick to assert that the fans role in this mutually supportive dynamic is every bit as crucial as that of the band. Its all because of the fans, he told Big Cheese in 2005. Weve always been the underdogs and often our fans are underdogs with us. Were taking over the world with them. Thats whats special. Ive always said that if you dont believe in yourself, then people dont believe in you. Without that faith you have no power you have nothing.