Fucking Brilliant.

"I say, if all it takes is some asinine song lyrics and some black eyeliner to save your life, you probably weren't that suicidal anyways."

That was rather ignorant.

I have no idea what you know about suicide or what your experiences are with it, but as for your experiences with My Chemical Romance, you're completely and utterly wrong. They're not just "some asinine song lyrics and some black eyeliner", they're a band with an amazing potential to do things that others can only dream of doing. The message they put out is a positive one - they encourage kids to seek help if they're depressed, or suicidal. The fact that they might look menacing or repulsive to some narrow-minded people in this world is another matter altogether. Everyone has his or her own opinions but really, get your story straight.

"Quotes and lyrics deliberately used without permission--what are you gonna do, cry about it?"

Ah, one last bout of ignorance to shove out there I see. I'm thinking that you read too much of the Daily Mail. Just recently My Chemical Romance have been in more than a few newspapers, being held responsible for what 'Emos' do, which is apparently 'wearing small t-shirts' and sporting 'black hair'. And of course, slitting their wrists.

Give me a break.

What you're saying here is making about as much sense as they were saying there - it's absolute rubbish.

It seems to me that all you're really doing is jumping on the bandwagon here. My Chemical Romance is a band that has gone through stuff like any band does, like any person does, and they've overcome it like anyone else. However, maybe because of the way they dress, or the way they act, or because their words are misinterpreted by money-grabbing journalists with no experience whatsoever, they've been slated time and time again, being wrongly accused of this, that, and the next thing.

You've made what some might call 'harmless fun' at a band that really doesn't deserve it. And as for the kids who look up to them, well, if you think this is meant to change their minds then you're wrong. Again.

Get your facts right next time, and maybe then you'll earn a little more respect. Because for the time being it's almost painfully clear that you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

Last month's issue of Spin ruined my day.

I know what you mean. My day is ruined every time I see a new issue of Spin. "Oh, for the love of Holy God!" I say. "They're still publishing Spin? Why?!"

As for the rest of your article, well, let me simply add another quote to your arsenal of them here:

"'It may be bleak, but the music is really getting to the crowd.'
'Eh, making teenagers depressed is like shooting fish in a barrel.'"
-- Lisa and Bart Simpson

Right On! Your views on this crap are correct. All they are are a whinny bunch of babies who never intended to off themselves. But there is more too it. They are also very manipulative, in an abusive way. The terror they cause their families by cutting themselves and talking of suicide is ABUSE. Flat out ABUSE. No worse than a drunken parent beating the crap out of their child.

Brilliant.

You need to fight to get what you want in this world. Not whine.

sobbing over tepid lyrics like those found in "Drowning Lessons:" "From the times that I've killed you and then/We can wash down this engagement ring/With poison and kerosene/We'll laugh as we die/And we'll celebrate the end of things/With cheap champagne."


while I don't agree with most of your arguement, this is just plain stupid. The song is 5 years old, of course it's going to suck. That song hasn't been on a setlist in at least a year and a half. And frankly, they only have one song that directly talks about suicide, "Headfirst for Haloes". That was written as a joke, while high.
if you're going to try to make a point, at least get the facts right.

I have to agree though, 90% of My Chemical Romance fans suck.

"I am alone. . . . . . I am UTTERLY alone"--Lydia Dietz in Beetlejuice.

I love you all. Thanks for the Simpsons quote, Michael, you loveable bastard. Benjamin, you're right, I AM fucking brilliant, and you're brilliant just for reading me. Tterbed, you're DEAD on. Toby, keep fighting the good fight. As for you, Ashley and Katie, I love you the most because you two played right into the troll trap I placed for you. Thanks babes!

XOXO,
Your Retro Music Chick

Dear Retro Music Chick- You are wicked and evil, a heartless monster. I think I love you.

A lot of this nonsense seems to be an unfortunate side effect of being rich fat Americans. They mostly don't have anything but petty little "cracker problems" as Chef would say, and they're got the leisure to sit around moping and making stuff up.

I bet a week living in Darfur and fleeing government death squads would snap some of these goth motards out of their narcisstic self-indulgence.

Troll trap?

Get a grip.

Really, you're nothing but nonsense.

that's why hardcore music is so much better than emo sell-outs. Hardcore is all about being positive and standing up for what you beleive in. Fuck emo.

Dear Al,
I love you too. Let's get married. Gerard Way said he'd play at our wedding, but he won't be happy about it.

Dear Ashley,
As nonsensicle as someone who keeps replying to an essay they hate? *pinky finger to side of mouth*

Dear J,
Rock on. Or hardcore on. Whichever.

XOXO,
Your Retro Music Chick

Retro Chick- I think the only proper way to mark our marital union would be to have Morrissey sing at the reception - and finally at long last kill himself on stage.

I'm imagining that might end up like the Woodland Critters Christmas on South Park - "Blood orgy, blood orgy!"

The terror they cause their families by cutting themselves and talking of suicide is ABUSE. Flat out ABUSE. No worse than a drunken parent beating the crap out of their child.

this is a fun (and funny) article...but i can't let this particular comment pass.

i know someone who works in a shelter for girls. cutting behavior does go and for the most part, nothing is made up. go ahead a tell a girl who's been locked in a closet (for weeks on end!) by her parents to just cheer up....or maybe another who's been sexually abused by her father on a regular basis.

yea, just cheer the hell up, will ya??!!

pathetic.

actually, i knew a girl who cut herself. she did so because she was very emotionally crippled, i think. she wasn't some silly teenager. i don't know everything about how she grew up, but i'm sure there was verbal abuse. (christian household.) she acts out in all sorts of ways, has violent mood swings and trouble controlling herself in various ways. i caught her once in the bathroom and confronted her about cutting herself. it was not a pretty scene. if someone is cutting him/herself, it is a symptom of a larger, more dangerous and very real problem. teen angst only goes so far.

also, this girl had very good music taste and wouldn't be caught dead listening to this crap. and she rarely wore heavy makeup. she did wear silly socks with individual toes.

The reason I'm replying to this is because you're unoriginal and need to come up with better gags next time. Or whatever you want to call these accusations.

Although it does make no sense for me to keep replying, but I'm determined like that. or stupid, some might say. Either way, I know what I'm talking about and you don't.

Thank you for making me vomit inside my own mouth.

Instead of picking on a band, who you're obviously jealous of, go get a day job. Because you have way too much time on your hands.

"Think about it--you don't care about anybody else, so why would they waste their time caring about you?

I say, do it. Up the street, kid, not across the highway... Go on, apparently, all the cool kids are doing it."

You're a hypocrite. You're bashing these guys for supposedly promoting self-harm, then you yourself do it.
Suicide isn't funny, but making fun of it makes you a lot of things I have the decency not to type out.

Seriously remove the stick out of your rear end.
Kthnx.

Oh you haters, quiet yourself. Retro Music Chick landed a blow squarely on the face of a subset of teens, and this amazing piece that she wrote is correct.

"Suicide isn't funny, but making fun of it makes you a lot of things I have the decency not to type out."

I hope that one day you can fully appreciate the fact that nothing should be off limits of poking fun at.

Dear Sure- YOU say that suicide isn't funny, but that's just you wanting to prove your superior faux sensitivity. In fact, suicide or the idea of it can be highly amusing. Suicide is a common source of humor, even in vintage Warner Brothers cartoons.

Brother Saleski [comment 13] is as usual ever ready to play the sob sister. OK, there are a few kids locked in closets, beaten, raped daily by stepdads, etc. I'll consider sympathy for such things on a case by case basis.

But I'll bet that for every one of those, there are dozens of bored whiny rich kids like the Chris Kattan and Molly Shannon Goth Talk sketches from SNL decrying the desolation and misery of working at Cinnabuns.

Hmm... why yes suicide is so very amusing, I can't imagine why I thought differently. Let's go watch someone blow their brains against the wall or try to hang themselves. I'm sure it'll be a real riot.

As for me having 'superior faux sensitivity,' that doesn't really come over as an insult. Maybe I have PMS and my thoughts are clouded, but laughing at a person who wants to kill themselves doesn't seem to be right. Call it fake if you want, but at least I have some.

Amazing. Absolutely brilliant.

I truly hate the bands like MCR. I guess that my bands such as Pantera, Slayer, Lamb of God, and Otep aren't much better in eyes of people like you.

I think that emo kids should really just suicide instead of being attention whores. At least metalheads like myself aren't attention whores... we're just pissed :)

Nice article though.

I must reply on a general basis to some of these comments above me.

If you're a person who cuts yourself for attention, obviously that's retarded, I know a ton of rich-ass kids who just want attention, they're just the posers who want to feel loved.

Clearly, being abused by your parents is an entirely different thing. But, I can say that you're still just a weak and worthless sack of flesh if you don't buck up after awhile and get over it. Seriously.

My dad kicked me in the nuts when I was only 12 years old. It took me less than a week to get over it.

Grow up, kiddies. You're never going to get anywhere if you take solace in your self-pity.

I'm not sure that teen suicide is funny, per se, but I'll say this: I remember some kids in high school committing, or attempting, suicide. Not one of them, not a single one, was goth. They were mostly waspy, preppy kids. The goths' approach to dealing with teenage angest and hormone-charged mood swings seemed to be a lot of sulking and playing Nine Inch Nails CDs really loud.

In sum: Serious psychological depression and actual (successful or attempted) suicide? Not funny. Using depression and the prospect of suicide as a fashion statement? Not sure that's funny either, but it sure as shit ain't to be taken seriously.


P.S. All of that said, I'm fairly sure that if my dad had kicked me in the nuts when I was 12, he and the Louisville Slugger in my closet would have done some bonding.

ok Im not emo or anything but um this is not right ok you guys dont even know the mcr fans or the guys. I mean My chem are nothing but a bunch geeks that really care about their fans and know how they feel for excample gerard used be a fat depressed drunk kid then when he got older he said to himself "i got to stop this before i hurt myself" but they do not I repeat DO NOT cut or hurt themselves. and gerard kids alot so thats not true. And if you really respect god and stuff I wouldnt be jugding these people if were you like the bible said "Judge not ye be judged." Io I suggest you do more research and get you story right.

This is a bunch of crap.

Get a grip.

Ahh, to be a teenager. Kids, you who are commenting here, do yourselves a favor: bookmark this site. Then come back when you're 25, so you can be amused at yourself at 17.

Terribly mean-sounding, I know, but also terribly true. I wouldn't have believed it back in the day either, but hey! There it is.

The "adults" should do the same thing.

Sure, I do in fact have a day job. I'm a college English professor and I teach creative writing at a youth center, so actually, I have TWO day jobs. Thanks for playing.

This has got to be one of the stupidest things I've ever read. My Chemical Romance is an amazing band that cares a lot about their fans. No, I'm not going to say they've saved my life. But they have changed it for the better. I find it funny how someone can say something like this when they obviously can't even figure out the meaning in their songs.

I'm disgusted with this article

You're the only wannabe around here. You wrote this just to get a reaction and here is mine.

You know nothing about MCR and what they do for their fans, and how you've just portrayed them, tells me how ignorant you are. If they can help kids with their music, then why question it? You may not understand it, but don't knock it. And as for calling kids "Weasel-faced wankers" that's disgusting.

If these kids want to believe that MCR saved their life and it makes them feel better, then let them believe. Who are you to make fun of them?
Oh and BTW, I'm not a teenager; I'm 36 years old and love all types of music including My Chemical Romance.
Mia

Go and listen to their song Cancer and then tell me that their music sucks.

You haven't got a clue lady.

My Chemical Romance are famous all over the world. You my dear, are not.

Keep your sad opinion to yourself.

Jack

i refuse to finish that article. you and your narrow mindedness disgust me.

i don't believe in jesus, but i believe in My Chemical Romance. they give me a will to live. they have helped me through so much.

in my opinion, the only reason you dislike them, is because you do not understand them! [Edited]

my chemical romance have always been there for me. and always will, even if they ever break up. so consider other people before you flout your stupidity on us.

I have a newsflash for all of you dudes out there.

Most of "teen culture," "pre-teen culture" and the rest of the garbage is made up by people who have products to market and want to make money.

If someone didn't hustle the idea of "teen rebellion" and "teen angst," they wouldn't be able to make money off of a multi-billion dollar entertainment industry.

In short, they would be out of work, and would have to find jobs at Burger King feeding frozen whopper patties into a broiler, instead of selling huge whoppers of bullshit that result in thousands of hours of air time on "entertainment" shows that sell the latest idiot dressing himself like a fool to sell a lousy song.

Next time you put on the TV, note carefully who is targetted for sales, and you'll understand what I mean.

Wow! You are so awesome! Being a snide, heartless, Internet-brave bully of a music snob is totally original! You are so much better than everyone because you listen to Morrissey! That is so groundbreaking! Oh, and because you're "retro" too, huh? From this article, I can probably correctly guess that you were the one making your classmates lives a living hell. In all honestly, I felt the Spin article went a little overboard, but belittling the kids who like MCR and making them feel like shit because a band made them feel better about themselves is disgusting. [Edited]

did that make you feel tough?

I see near the add comment box... "Personal attacks are not allowed. Please read our comment policy."

Does this rule apply to articles? Does this article constitute a personal attack on the boys in MCR?

oh well, I have my own for the blogger....

Ignorant

Wow, this is the most narrow-minded, horrid thing I've ever read. The Daily Mail article was funny, but this is over the top.

You know NOTHING about MCR or their fans, obviously, or you wouldn't post this. I found it annoying that kids at my school seemed so narrow-minded about My Chem, but to have a fully grown woman like you writing an article about a band you hate so much makes my laugh.

I love MCR. I'm not going to say they've saved my life, but they've certainly changed it. I'd never felt anything towards music before, until I found MCR, then I finally felt I'd found a band that means something to me. Not only do they have awesome songs (which a sad person like you are probably jealous of) but they are the most amazing "celebs" I've ever seen. In a teen-world were the cool thing to listen to is The Pussycat Dolls and P Diddy, MCR are a band that stand up for what they believe in and set out to touch peoples lives with their music. They, unlike so many bands and artists that are popular with teens today, actually care about their fans and the messages they hear and how they lead thier lives. That is why thier fans are so dedicated and protective - This band has done more for them they anyone else probably will.

I'm going to quote Gerard Way now - Maybe it will make you see some things clearer. "If for one minute you think you're better than a sixteen year old girl in a Green Day t-shirt, you are sorely mistaken. Remember the first time you went to a show and saw your favorite band. You wore their shirt, and sang every word. You didn't know anything about scene politics, haircuts, or what was cool. All you knew was that this music made you feel different from anyone you shared a locker with. Someone finally understood you. This is what music is about.""

I'm going to leave you with that quote, and hopefully it will make you realise that so much you have said is wrong. You don't understand it at all, really. Please, do some reasearch before jumping to conclusions and making judgements - Judging and labelling happens everyday with teenagers and your no better then ignorant bullies that are normally the people that drive a lot of teens to suicide. Thing before you judge.

P.S Did you know that MCR LOVE Morrissey? Gerard goes on all the time about how they made a huge difference in his life. Theres a similarity between him and you.

Oh, and you make want to check out this link: It might make you realise some things, and if not, it must be great to know how many people you've offended.

WOW CONGRADULATIONS FOR BEING A CRUEL HEARTLESS PERSON LIKE THE REST OF THE JERKS IN THIS WORLD.YOU HONESTLY DONT KNOW WHAT PEOPLE GO THRU EVERY FRICKEN DAY LET ME GUESS YOU LIVE IN THIS PERFECT LITTLE WORLD WHERE EVERYONE IS EXCEPTING AND KIND AND THERE IS NO RACIAL DISCRUMINATION OR STEROTYPICAL GROUPS GET REAL GIRL WHERE I COME FROM (THE REAL WORLD) ITS SURVIVAL OF THE FITESS ESPCIALLY IN HIGH SCHOOL HAVE YOU EVER FELT ALONE OR YOU JUST WANNA GIVE UP IN LIFE CAUSE NO ONE WILL GIVE YOU A BREAK OR A CHANCE IN LIFE THATS HOW I FELT AND I HAVE HAD FRIENDS WHO NEVA RESPECTED ME AND MCR DONT CAUSE SUICIDES THEY HELP PEOPLE THEY CERTAINLY HELP ME AND I STILL CANT BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE COMMITED SUICED SO FFFFFFFFFFFFFFF *******************K YOU (LITTLE BIRDY SHOWING U RIGHT NOW)

wow congrats on only caring 4 urself

heres sumthing 4 ya they are a gr8t band and dont make people suicidal wot world do u live in if only i could go on but i would love to settle this on my url on my space and so wot if myURL IS A BIT DODGEY??

and also you have just ruined my day why dont you read some interviews or watch the interview on utube and i have met the band there a gr8t bunch of guys sounds like to me someones trying to get publicity hmmm????

You say this as if all kids who want to commit suicide are cutters.Thank you, but I'm more of a stand on a balcony and stare at the ground until I finally decide that my nice comfy bed would be more inviting. Suicide isn't brought on by music. In fact, My Chemical Romance and so many other bands are lifelines. Why? Because they give us something to relate to. We realize that we're not the only ones going though this, and that if they can survive and get as far as they have, we can too. Have you listened to his speeches? Have you experienced the same pain as we have? It's not always teen angst. It's moving, abuse, loneliness. Your views are opinions, don't be so harsh. I'll listen to your music and say whether I like it or not, but I wouldn't slander you and call you names because of it. It's really painful to see articles such as these, because I was taught all my life to know what I'm talking about before I argue a point.
For all the fans out there, I'm sorry people like this are trying to get you down. Stand up, and shove it back in their faces. They don't deserve your words.

thats gold.

Music makes people want to harm themselves? Crap. Someone should have told me this before now.

Why stop there? I mean horror novels and violent movies must make us want to do bad things too. I was trying to figure out why I was having this overwhelming urge to sneak a suitcase full of snakes onto a plane and spout really bad dialogue, but you are a frickin genius.

Thanks for clearing it all up for me. (Incase you haven't noticed, I am talking down to you)

Was this article a joke? You mentioned trolling .. do you believe that stuff about MCR though? They do make a difference to people's lives, and you can say that if it stops them hurting themselves they can't have been that depressed in the first place, but if the pain seems real to them, then can't they just enjoy their lives seeming a little better? It's just music. It's going to affect people differently. I don't get why you guys (some of the people who've commented) have to be so agressive and insulting. It's like racism ... well not racism, but like persecuting a people for their religious beliefs, something they chose for themselves. You'd all come off as much more mature than the 'scene' kids who go 'emo' for attention if you just let them be. You can't pander to the attention seekers, but you can't say every miserable teenager is that way for the attention, or that every person who wears black or listens to bands like MCR or Greenday, or, (i dont know) the Used, cuts themselves. I guess I'm just repeating what other people have mentioned .. and maybe you'll flame me for this, or make some smart comment reducing me to one of the many labels used on here. It's just music. It's a living for the musicians, yes, and some fans take it way to far, but it's about appreciating something that touches you. Some people get that from the top 20, some from classical music, some from dance, and a fanatic of one of those will be considered 'weird' by others; maybe the world is just sick of teenagers. You guys have to be patient with us, we're trying to find our own path, if we bother you use a condom and stay out of MCR concerts and Hot Topic (i dont shop there, but apparently its an emo scene shop?). Peace.

Personally, Retro Music Chick, I suspect that you would probably find it helpful to, you know, do a little bit more research on MCR, and maybe listen to the songs, and perhaps get your facts straight. I can't believe nobody's thought to suggest these things to you yet!

You are wrong. DEADLY WRONG. As the aunt of a teen who killed himself, I can only hope that your advise to ignore depressed kids is a fucking joke. I wish my nephew had found My Chem in time - I wish he would have shared his feelings of isolation, abandonment with us, his family, or his friends, or his teachers, I wish he would have found this band the way so many others have. I believe My Chem does save lives, I believe those of us who have never really belonged anywhere, can relate to them, and their music and find strength there with our own kind.
I am in my 40's and have listened to MCR for years. They are artistically and philosophically brilliant, they give hope where there was none before. I honor the spirit of my nephew Joshua, each and every time I listen to My Chemical Romance.
After looking at your site and YOUR taste in music (and I use that term loosely) I understand why you don't get it! AND YOU NEVER FUCKING WILL!

I can't understand why you would put these kids down like you have. These days kids need something to believe in, and if it is MCR then I think that's great. Personally I wish they had been around when I was a teenager. I don't think the band promotes any kind of self hurt or suicide. I personally love them and I am 37, but no they have not saved my life, but I talk to kids all day who say they have. Who the hell are you to judge these kids? I co-own a fansite for fans over 30 years old, and I hear the same stories from these people as the teenagers. MCR does save lives whether you like it or not. Shut up and get a life!

Oh I just wanted to put in this quote from Gerard Way, against negative self-image.
"Hey, girls, you're beautiful. Don't look at those stupid magazines with those stick-like models. Eat healthy and exercise. That's all. Don't let anyone tell you you aren't good enough. You're too good. Love your family with all your heart and listen to it. You are gorgeous whether you're a size three or fourteen. It doesn't matter what you look like on the outside as long as you're a good person. As long as you respect others. I know it's been told hundreds of of times but it's true. Hey, girls, you're beautiful."
Can anyone reading this seriously say that MCR is an emo-death-cult band which encourages fans to self-harm themselves?

Whatever...MCR are a band that understands young people who decide to lead that life....Not everyone likes the same stuff as you!

Get a life!

Libby Cudmore was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma but raised in
Cobleskill, New York. The daughter of a storyteller mother and an author father, Libby was gifted with an active imagination from the beginning and pursued her love of the written word throughout her childhood. In high school, she attended
numerous writing conferences, including the Pen in Hand--of which she is a
three-year alumnus--The St. Lawrence International Conference and in her senior
year, was selected as one of 25 writers in New York State to attend the Silver
Bay conference. Libby is entering her senior year at Binghamton University as
an English/Creative Writing major, and was recently named a recipient of the
2004-2005 Andrew Bergman Scholarship for Creative Writing and was a
first-quarter finalist in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest.
Libby's previous publications include CosmoGirl, Long Story Short (Where she
was the featured author for July of 2003) and About Teens.
******L> Ron Howard??? Isn't he a fucking scientologist??? abducted by aliens or some shit??
writing for "CosmoGirl" the next Stephen King, I suspect!!
WTF retro-music chick Hope you aren't still teaching young people -

This article was an awful assault on My Chemical Romance. Horrible. Just...ugly. Attention all MCR fans, we shouldn't even be here glorifying this, or paying it any mind.


"I see near the add comment box... "Personal attacks are not allowed. Please read our comment policy.Does this rule apply to articles? Does this article constitute a personal attack on the boys in MCR?"


I agree. If personal attacks aren't allowed in the comments, then it damn sure shouldn't be allowed in the article. And Gerard Way was very much singled out and attacked.

Attention whore: What's the difference between cutting your wrists for attention and writing a very scathing and controversial article? They are both "in".
I have a hard time believing you are a college professor who writes "anyways".
Bravo.

Wendy, there's nothing wrong with wanting some attention, particularly to your ideas as formulated in a story for public consumption. For one thing, it's a contribution to civic debate, and could even conceivably do a bit of good. Maybe some moping MCR fan somewhere will read this and clue up.

It's an entirely different thing, however, to be going around acting all self-destructive and suicidal to get attention. I'm going to tend to look at that as wicked and wrong, a vampiric abuse of other people's natural empathy.

Angel [comment 51]- Not to put too fine a point on it, stop with the baby whining. How old are you to be carrying on like that? You're going to run to teacher to complain that the writer shouldn't be allowed to make fun of a cheesy pop singer?

Seriously, do you have such a limited scope of knowledge of the world that a digital slight against a singer would even make it onto your radar screen as an injustice requiring intervention?

k so i find this article rather rude.

I also agree that if personal attacks are not allowed then they should be in this article too.

*giggles*
You talk crap =D Major crap! xD

Hey Al Burger (#53) Spoken like a true van halen fan. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
THERE was music with a meaning!

your wrong mcr is one of the most dedicating bands ever they are heping these kids your full of it go playin traffic:)

Yes indeed, The Other. In the Diamond Dave era, Van Halen were indeed beautiful, sophisticated music with deep meaning. VAN HALEN PHOTOS

Separately, besides being much better MUSIC (you know - melody, rhythm and harmony) than any of these cheesy goth bands, classic Van Halen would be a much more mentally healthy and uplifting thing on which a confused or depressed teenager could fix their mental energies. "Mean Streets" for example would likely tend to inspire determination and resolve to rise above your tough circumstances rather than go out and shoot yourself.

wat is wrong with u!I am 1 of those many mcr fans and i for one think tht you are very wrong!not all the ppl who listen to mcr are suicidal or have those kind of problems!I listen to mcr because there music rox!

I am 32 years old and I don't wear black any more often than anyone else. I don't throw temper tantrums while cutting myself. I've never tried to kill myself and I'm not an attention whore. I work a full time job as a counselor and write and sew in my spare time. On lazy Saturdays I watch MASH reruns and drink tea with friends.

I love My Chemical Romance.

You can call me childish. You can call me 'emo'. You can do and say whatever you like. But you will never be able to call me cruel, that which is the worst of human nature. You on the other hand, seem to reach pinnacles of ecstasy by rolling in the derelict filth of degradation and judgmental spitfire. This blog is completely uncalled for and represents nothing more than yet another pathetic attempt at making oneself feel better by cutting down others. You call the fans of MCR childish teenies?! Your behavior here reminds me of bullies in high school.

I find it terrifying that you run a writing workshop. I hope that your prospective 'students' are aware of the lengths to which you will go to cut down their creativity and judge their inspirations. I certainly hope that this foray into cruelty has brightened your day. I feel sorry for you. It is my hope that one day you can rise above your own insecurities to embrace passion and life in others. It doesn't matter what inspires us...the world needs all of the happiness and excitement that it can hold. Be glad that kids haven't killed themselves and be happy that others have found an emotional 'home'. You may not understand it, but that doesn't make it invalid or wrong. Look in the mirror and see if you feel better about yourself after stereotyping an entire group of people that you clearly know nothing about. If you don't like it, don't listen. I certainly don't plan to ever READ your bullshit ever again.
-Kate

Oh, dear.

Ruvy tried to spell it out for you (#32), but he appears to have been too abstract about it. RMC was even more blunt, but it still seems to have gone over your heads. Maybe I can bottom-line it here.

Nobody is suggesting that My Chemical Romance makes adolescents sullen, moody, or bleak. God knows, if there's one group that needs no help at all being bleak, it's adolescents.

What My Chemical Romance does to adolescents is actually worse. They exploit your inherent tendencies towards sullenness, moodiness, and bleakness. They tap into it, and very successfully I might add, because they understand that doing so will allow them to sell records.

The haircuts they sport, the clothes they wear, the accessories they carry--their image--is what we commonly refer to as MARKETING. It is designed to appeal to a certain cross-section of consumers. And so, I might add, are their magazine interviews, album covers, videos, photo shoots, t-shirts, posters, and other merchandise. They want you to buy those things so they can make money, and to do that they have to convince you that their product is important to you.

Did you note that word "product"? That's what their music, and everything else they do in public, is. It may be art--that I don't dispute--but it is also product. They may be artists, by the same token, but they are also capitalists. They are contracted to Reprise Records, which is owned by AOLTimeWarner--making My Chemical Romance a subdivision of gigantic American corporation.

MCR know that adolescents are miserable: adolescence is a miserable time to be alive. And what they do, in essence, is take their knowledge of your misery, pretty it up with pop melodies and lyrical cliches, put it in an attractive package, and sell it to you.

It's business that peddles to your emotions, just as surely as Doritos are business that peddle to your appetite.

If it appeals to you, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. If you despise it, there's nothing wrong with that either. (And even if there was, I assure you, Gerard Way is perfectly capable of taking care of himself.) Just recognize it for what it is: business, manufacturing and selling you a product.

But you almost certainly won't listen to me, and you probably shouldn't. It's part of growing up. Just ask yourself this: if MCR genuinely cares about you and your wellbeing, if all they want is to save your life and be there for you when no one else will....how come they're charging $16 a CD and $30 a concert ticket? Would someone who really cares about you, charge you for their caring?

Come on now #61 Michael - Of course they are selling a product, but is that not what all bands do? I am sorry but you just don't understand kids these days. I know for a fact that parents are not as involved in their kids lives as they should be, and these teens need someone to turn to. To my kids music is very important, and yes I grew up in the Van Halen era (I even saw them in concert) but they had no message. Shit as far as I am concerned they were drunk drug addicts. Gerard has cleaned his act up and shown these kids they can get through their problems without drugs or self hurt. Have you seen his high school picture? I am sure he had a hard time in school and that his lyrics come from experience. Who are they hurting? Why are the adults so scared of them? Maybe you should talk to some of these kids and see what I see. MCR does save lives and I love them for that!!

I think the next well thought-out blog should be on how bad these (so-called) artists:
* Tom Waits
* the Smiths
* Siouxsie and the Banshees
* Warren Zevon
* Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
* Joe Jackson
* The Cars
* The Police
* Cherry Poppin' Daddies
* Royal Crown Revue
* Anne Dudley
* Danny Elfman
* Oingo Boingo
* Sting
* July for Kings
* the Killers
* Reel Big Fish
* One Who Stayed
* The Gin Blossoms
* Westz
* the Lightning Seeds
* Cracker
* the Trash Can Sinatras
* Billy Joel
* early Elton John
* The Crash Test Dummies

SUCK REALLY HARD! [Edited]

You disgust me....narrow minded, self centred rants about something you know nothing about!
i myself am a 32 year old mother of 3....I had the classic emotionally scarred childhood....many many seriously disturbing experiences that you could only ever think up in your warped little mind.
My Chemical Romance are a Major part of my life...and i feel sorry for you.....sorry because you will never get the feelings other MCR fans get when listening to these lyrics.
I can only pray that you find other ways in future to pass off your shitty, pathetic, unwanted opinions. No one wants to know what you think if you cannot write it without assulting a band because of the music they write/play.
I pity you....

Ok Iam 28 I also dont wear black anymore then anyone else. My hair is its natural color. I dont own black eyeliner. My babies nursery is not decked out in black bats or skulls.Iam one of the most optimistic and bubblie people you will ever meet.Yet I love My Chemical Romance. There is no way MCR can be exploiting anything because you dont have to be depressed to enjoy them. There music has reached out to people in need but wheres the crime in that? Thats what music does, it inspires and if it doesnt then whats the point? Why do you care so much that depressed or happy people found a band to lose themselves in? Why is that so ofensive to you? Leave us MCR fans alone let us enjoy what we want. Its our money and our ears not yours. Just because you cant relate doesnt mean you should put it down.

Well, well... that was quite the tirade. Not the most intelligent piece of writing I've ever read but then the fact that the writer doesn't "get it" (i.e. MCR's music & message) shows a lack of intelligence anyway... As does the use of name-calling (wanker, turd, etc, etc) - in fact, it was the most childish piece of writing I've ever read. But then, you know what they say - people who resort to the use of swear words have a limited vocab.

I will be 34 years old next month and am a big My Chem fan. I have never attempted suicide and only ever contemplated it in my teens once, but then I had just watched my mother die of cancer so I think I was entitled to at least one moment of self-pity. I work full-time for a law firm as an IT professional and own my own home. I have met loads of teenage fans at My Chem shows and they are not all suicidal and depressed - in fact the fans I've met looked pretty happy to be seeing their favourite band. They do not promote self-harm - far from it and in fact Gerard Way has been known to track down kids he has seen in the crowd who clearly self-harm and talk to them and their parents about getting the teen some help. Anyone who has ever been lucky enough to see MCR live would agree that they are a fun band who give kids/fans who feel like they don't fit in a place to belong. How can that be a bad thing?

PS: And yes, I wear some black but it's a very flattering and slimming colour!!

You're a little close-minded and don't get life at all. People find what makes them happy and if MCR is it, it's not for you to judge. I'm 28 yrs old. The happiest and brightest girl you could ever meet. You may not understand me because of my love for the 5 guys, but don't put me down.
I agree some teenagers do things for attention. There are others who really do hurt inside and this music helped them. Yes, HELPED them. Everyone has different opinions about everything in life. But when it comes to music, it's just opinions and you shouldn't dislike or put down what you yourself don't like. I absolutely cannot stand when a band screams lyrics...I totally don't get it, but some people love it. And good for them. It makes them happy.
You're so full of hate. If you can tell teenagers to go ahead and "do it"... you just seem like an evil evil lady to me. It must be so terrible to wake up every day with such anger inside of you. I'm sorry for you. Try taking a vacation and clear that head of yours. You need some joy in your life. I know!!! Pop in The Black Parade CD and you will feel so fabulous!

You remind me of this interview I read when reading a book about John Lennon. After he said that thing about Jesus, A Klan member accused the Beatles of promoting Satan worship.

Insulting people for no reason is immature and useless. Please do a little background research before speaking writing something like this.

I usually hate music today. I really do. Other than Muse, The Arctic Monkeys, a bit of Fall Out Boy (good workout music, oddly enough), and The Bastard Fairies, I'm not much liking the music these days. I don't care much for Hot Topic and I find the Nirvana romanticism these days nothing short of puerile. I don't like that kids worship Kurt Cobain, he was a heroin addict that got his wife addicted to smack and killed himself leaving her and a little baby when people were determined to hate her. It was a really dreadful thing for me to realize there would never be another MC5 again. I can't believe what AFI did to themselves. The two Saint Davids of rock: Bowie and Byrne, are two of my heroes. I have a dependance on Fleetwood Mac and Patti Smith. I've actually spent time praying to Joey Ramone. I feel sick for having been born the same year Freddie Mercury died, but I think it's so cool I have the same birthday as Morrissey.

That's right. I'm fifteen. Going on sixteen.

In May, 2004, I was not looking forward much to my thirteenth birthday. It was a terrible year. I won't go into detail, but a lot of restrained memories came flashing back and not just in my head. I never cut myself, I never attempted suicide. I did not wear all black. I had friends down the street and everyone thought that for a twelve-year-old, I was a pretty happy person. In reality, I had nothing and didn't really give a shit about anything. I did not want to die, but I didn't care if I did.

For my thirteenth birthday, I got a burned CD from a new friend who had just moved from Jersey. It was MCR's first CD, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love.

I listened to it and started caring again. I had a rough summer, but I had that CD to hold onto. I wasn't even too sure who they were or what the names of their songs were (she had not labelled the CD), so imagine my surprise a few months later when I learned that the same band had come out with their first major-label release exactly seventeen days after my birthday.

Therefore, I started loving MCR BEFORE they became big. Fuck, their first record still hasn't gone Gold. BUT I LOVE THEM.

As for Gerard Way, one thing I guess that I especially like about him is that to me, when everyone was worshipping Kurt Cobain, he seemed like the Anti-Kurt Cobain. He TRIUMPHED over his alcohol and Cocaine addiction. He resisted suicide and still held love for his music. He treats his band members with respect and loves his fans.

And guess what? Not only do I believ in MCR, I also believe in Jesus. And I believe Rudy Guiliani could make a great President. Not really the stereotypical MCr fan, am I? Even though I'm a teenage girl?

I also believe something Iggy Pop (who loves Peanut Butter even more than I do) said recently about how there don't seem to be many real bands these days; just one person with the talent then a bunch of backup musicians with the same haircut. But every member of MCR contributes to the songwriting, which makes them by Iggy Pop's standards a real genuine band.

But guess what? I don't dwell in sad shit. I love to write. I want to write when I grow up. And I want to be a comedian. I love laughing and thinking of stuff in a funny light. I thought the Black Parade sounded like a chapter in the civil rights movement. See? I don't actually cry much, accept when I stub my toe (That really fucking hurts) or watch The Parent Trap (don't ask). I laugh. And now I'm laughing at you.

And yes, I am an attention whore. But I don't get it through acting sad and shit. I don't see what is wrong with liking attention as long as you don't try and get it through destructive or overexcessive methods. Usually if I want attention I'll shout something like "ANNE COULTER IS LUCIFER!" or "Oh wow! There are WORDS in this book!" in the middle of a Barnes and Noble. Or I go up to my mom and kiss her on the cheek. Or I tell my friends I love them.

I do that stuff a lot.

And I think in addition to this, if I want to do something funny, I'll think about this blog and laugh about just how stupid you really are.

One more thing-- If My Chem really just cared about using the dark thing for money and did not give a shit about their fans, then they'd be doing ads for hot topic-esque crap instead of spending hours at meet and greets. Because let's think: It's really easy to have your picture taken and people pay you for it. Meet and Greets: No one is paying you jack shit and after playing a draining set you're hustling outside and standing their for hours in the cold, signing pieces paper so that everyone there is not disappointed.

Hmmmmmm.... Which are they doing again?

Oh yeah, the Meet and Greets.

I can hardly bring myself to reply. I really can't believe so many people have jumped on the 'don't-have-a-clue-about-music-or-life-but-let's-slag-off-MCR bandwagon'! And why would people actually WANT to prove their lack of intelligence by spouting all this non researced trash?! YAWN!

TO: -- Proud to be Fifteen Year Old Girl, so get over it.


I think you said it all. You will be an awesome writer one day!

We have now several testimonials from fans of MCR saying that they don't fit the goth stereotypes that the RMC invokes in the article. That's fair enough. I'm sure she'd say that it's an if-the-shoe-fits deal. Hey, I've even heard from Black Sabbath fans who are apparently not glue sniffing Beavis and Buttheads.

But the sanctimony of some of y'all here who denounce the supposed wicked cold heartedness of the Retro Music Chick is not very convincing. How DARE anyone question YOUR unique and special pain? To quote the perhaps most obnoxious version of it here:

But you will never be able to call me cruel, that which is the worst of human nature. You on the other hand, seem to reach pinnacles of ecstasy by rolling in the derelict filth of degradation and judgmental spitfire. This blog is completely uncalled for and represents nothing more than yet another pathetic attempt at making oneself feel better by cutting down others. You call the fans of MCR childish teenies?! Your behavior here reminds me of bullies in high school.

HOLY SHIT !!

okay go get a job than playin around !!
well i have no cmnt about ur stupid fuckin article !!!

ppl i mean real mcr fans stop cmntin this crap !!
we have alot of things 2 do 4 our guys than reading stupid things like that well i feel fuckin sry 4 u cuz u dont rly know whos mcr n they did change this world mcr rawwwwwks n i do love n support them till death so get over it n goo get a job !!!
seems like u envy them cuz they did a great job !!
n they play music 4 us not only 4 fuckin money n u do the same too, u work for money every1 is doin the same .....
so stop sayin shit bout them also gerard way is a good man !!!!
I LOVE HIM !!! hes an amazing person also he has the most beautiful personalty in the whole intire world hes totallly amazing !!

N btw this stupid article will nvr change our thoughts bout them cuz they rock !!!!!
MCR WE LOVE YOU GUYS KEEP ROCKIN THIS WORLD

I'm 46 years old and I love My Chemical Romance. They have helped me a great deal. I have met a lot of great people and made a lot of friends through MCR. I know that you and your "you're-so-right" fans will make fun of me, but I'm sure my MCR friends never would. It must be great to be so knowledgeable about all music that you can pass judgement on it without really understanding it.

The fan base of MCR is mostly teens now but it is growing in other age groups, too. They're getting more and more fans in their 30s and 40s. That must be due to their clever marketing schemes!

Oh, well, like I said, if you read this at all, you'll probably just make fun so you go back to your narrow category of music you enjoy and I'll go back to mine. You wouldn't fit in with the MCR fans anyway.

[#53.] I am 21 years old. Not a "baby", thank you. And I assure you, Sir, I wouldn't waste my time posting another comment (or, in some cases comment. after comment, after comment.) here unless I was personally addressed. Which I was. I have already said my piece, why did you find it necessary to single out others who, just as you(over, and over, and over, mind you.), only wanted to express their opinion. Please, I'm asking that you do not address me anymore at all. I am not planning to visit again so I will not be able to defend myself. Get free publicity for your blog, or whatever it is that you do, from insulting someone else. Thanks. My previous statement stands.

It's too bad personal attacks are not allowed in the comments, when there are so many of them in the article itself.

I suppose this whole exchange would be more entertaining if adolescence were not actually full of emotional pain and frustration, if we didn't all go through this phase of life where we used whatever we could to make us feel better, if people's musical choices were not so personal and therefore so sensitive a thing to attack, and if we all were as well-adjusted and mature as teenagers as the author obviously was, with such critically-acclaimed impeccable musical taste, and not at all self-pitying.

The thing is, pretty much everyone does and says things as teenagers that we are embarrassed about later. And all of us were told at one time or another, by an adult who ostensibly knew better and had been through it all already, to suck it up and get over it. And of course none of us "listened", it didn't make any of our problems any less real or any of our emotional pain any easier to bear, just like none of the kids you're so respectfully addressing in your article are going to smack their foreheads and say "You're right! The music I like is horrible! I'm just going to suck it up and stop feeling sorry for myself!"

And it would be more interesting if none of this had already been done many, many times before. Actually I'm pretty sure I read another satirical article a few months ago by a different writer talking about how teenagers should stop whining about how they're suicidal and just do it already. I highly doubt they were the first, either.

I personally like MyChem. Aside from liking the music itself, I find something very energizing and cathartic in singing along with the lyrics. I think for most people, regardless of personal musical taste, there is something about a sad or depressing or angry song that can make you feel better listening to it and singing along, even for such a simple reason as it makes you feel better to know that someone else feels like you do and understands.
Personally I found inspiration in Duran Duran to help keep from slitting my own wrists when I was a teenager.


Also, I think there should be an apostrophe in here somewhere:

"You and every other terrible rotten shitty emo/goth/suburban pseudo-punk band exploit their fans sadness because if they're not miserable..."

A couple people have been saying MCR is all product. But if you go back a few years you'll realize you are sorely mistaken. They were one of the biggest messed up pack of guys you'd seen. They've simply cleaned up their act. Everything you're seeing in them is a creation of your own imagination. They're really big goofs with hearts of gold. You're just to blind to see it. They really are beautiful people.

If you actually listen to the words in their music, "I am not afraid to keep on living" "We'll carry on" etc. Does that sound like they're tapping into teenaged angst and depression to gain fame and fortune? No. They're trying to give you a message. One that you've seemed to so clearly miss.

Before you pick apart everyone else, examine yourselves first. No one is without flaws.

If people said that what you wrote is "Brilliant" then they don't know what they just read. How could you write such horrible things about such amazing people? If you actually knew everything the band ands their fans went through then maybe you wouldn't have written this. I can't even believe that you could write something so hateful and so degrating. Have you seen the things that people have said to you because of it? I'm not talking about the praise I'm talking about the heartfelt comments that meant something and hopefully you will take it to heart. My Chemical Romance isn't just a band they are life savers. So many people haven't died because of the songs that they have sung. They don't sing songs that are worthless they sing songs that save lives. So what you're basically saying is I hope people die. So thanks for wirting something so hateful, because you have made me love this band that much more. Hopefully your hateful words have opened the eyes of others so that they know never to read anything you have ever written or will write. After i post this you will never hear from me again because I hate what you have written. "So long and goodnight".

Your post is down right hateful & mean! MCR rocks & you know it. It's people like you that torture other's that makes us want to cut. I'm not going to say anthing else to sink down to your level so," So long, & Goodnight."

Okay, #72 -- Al Barger
"Take one of these bands that she likes, and explain what sucks about them."
Okay - I will go slow so you understand - NOTHING is wrong with her bands, just like there is NOTHING wrong with My Chemical Romance! If you professional opinion-givers shut the hell up long enough to fucking listen you would GET IT!!!
I was simply making a point - I would not listen to any of her bands, but by the same token I would not denegrate and mimimalize what they have to say (IF of course, they said anything at ALL - which they DO NOT). You forget she also attacked Billie Joe Armstrong, who actually has the balls to say what he believes in. What do the Cars believe it?? Billy Joel? Elton John?? BBBBBBenny and the Jets?? WTF??
I DID notice there were NO Beatles, no Pink Floyd, and no Clash.
Do you possibly understand that some people expect a little MORE from their music than silly-ass lyrics that don't say any fucking thing at all?? JUMP??? Go ahead and Jump - was Van Halen also talking suicide???
I wonder . . .

Just curious. Does anyone here think that personal attacks shouldn't be allowed in the articles if they're not allowed in the comments?

Michael J West, you appear to be a rather conflicted individual. You did not seem to be supporting what this person said, then you seemed to back it, now you are calling out this person's hypocracy. Hmmmm...

I'm not so sure you passed the test on satire. While you were certainly mocking and at times witty, I fail to see where you exposed any wickedness (at least on anyones part but your own). I feel sure you wrote this mainly for the known response you would get - all of us writing to you in defense of our favorite band.
It really wasn't very nice what you said. And I don't think Jesus would approve of you anymore than you think He would approve of MCR. But, that's being judgemental.
You may be pulling an Ann Coulter. Go ahead, say it, I was just joking. OK we forgive you. Now straighten up and go out and have a nice day.
PS By the way, you are certainly not the only one who relates music to their past. The first time I saw Queen. A Friday night The Midnight Special. Thay sang Bohemian Rhapsody. The same weekend I had my first kiss. Now isn't that sweet. The fact that MCR reminded me a little of Queen didn't hurt.

I noticed that Al is pretty verbal while the author is curiously silent. Judging by her usual blog page, with little to no comments on any post, all this attention is pretty scary and overwhelming for her, and she has decided to stay in the background. She even directed her blog page "traffic" to this page, yet only Al seems to be speaking up for her.
Hey Al, isn't so-called civic debate in your words supposed to be 2 sided?

Hey, Wendy, we have the same name.

How amatuer of you.

Hey Wendy, I was wondering the same thing...

Al Barger

Are you married to Retro music chick? Sounds like you're one in the same.

So where is your wife? She had a lot to say yesterday, but now, nothing..... Maybe she feels embarrassed about writing such crap without getting her facts right.

So she should

Yeah - NO QUEEN listed on her music list
so she obviously is NOT THE SHARPEST KNIFE IN THE DRAWER!!!
You "normal" people are some hypocritical, sorry bastards, aren't you?
ANOTHER reason I would not like to be like YOU.

I GOOGLED our Retro Music Chick and found this:

Libby Cudmore is especially qualified to teach a class on personal writing because she is the most self-absorbed person she's ever met (see what I mean?) When she isn't getting dressed in the mirror or fawning over the various men in her life, she is sitting in front of her computer drinking French roast and writing until her fingers cramp up.

That would sure make her parents PROUD ~

oooh, wait is that TOO personal?? Maybe you should just go JUMP!

hahaha...THE OTHER...you rock!!!!
Thanx for saying exactly what i wanted to!

if you would have listened to their lyrics or
done some research before you wrote this
then you would have known
my chemical romance are totally against that.
they've done interviews about teen suicide and
and self harm. they think its wrong
also if you havnt heard
they've helped alot of kids.

im sorry but thats just the most fucked up thing to write when you obviously dont know shit about the band.

xoxo

You are quite Welcome, Nikki!
All US losers have to stick together so the "normal" people don't corrupt us and take our souls like the VAMPIRES they truly ARE!!

He won't ever let them hurt us, he promised

go play in traffic!:)

LOL @#90...... omg! J i fuckin luv ya...........you rock!

wendy... maybe... i dunno. someone asked why more people aren't defending the author's pov.

one reason is that, while her main point (mcr exploits its fans) is solid, her method of going about it was a little manipulative. so, she deserves what she gets, because she obviously wanted it.

that plays into the second reason for why no one is here to defend her: who wants to get in a verbal fight with a bunch of rabid, kamikaze teens about some teenie-bopper band?

not i. go on, have a fit.

I. Am. Not. Exploited.

By the way, if you don't want to get in a fight, then why exactly did you say anything?

hey post this shitty blog down!!

Ummmm excuse me...but "who wants to get in a verbal fight with a bunch of rabid, kamikaze teens about some teenie-bopper band?" call me confused.......but rabid i am not.....kamikaze.....no way.....teenie bopper band...i think not.....god damn it,...people for fucks sake believe what you wanna....just dont share the negatives unless you wanna get into a verbal fight......there are too many people of many ages who will support MCR.

Suck it up. So what! Think what you think but geeze. MCR are accomplishing way more than you are, sitting at your computer trashing them, when they obviously could care less. For god sakes maybe if you didn't jump to conclusions liek that you'd realize you don't understand the reality. For god sakes SUCK IT UP.

Know what's stopping me from teen suicide?

About 5 years of age.

I got 1 and a half years...we should get started on the mid-life crisis suicide post...

This article is really uncalled for, its just music and like all music some people will like it and some people won't, there really is no need to go into a full-on personal attack on all of MCR's fans and MCR themselves. I'm 17 and have never felt depressed or suicidal, on the contrary i'm the happiest person i know and i still love MCR's music.
I personally don't like Morrisey, but to be perfectly honest i've never taken the time to properly listen and understand their music, if i did maybe i'd have a different view. But instead of writing a poorly worded and offensive article about something i clearly don't understand i'd keep my views to myself, because lets be honest theres more important things going on in the world to complain about.

well for someone who is a "college English professor" and "teaches creative writing at a youth center" you seem like an incredibly unintelligent, immature, and misinformed person who has nothing better to do than sit and write articles bashing, viciously misquoting, and taking the song lyrics completely out of context, in which case you could take almost any song from any artist and come up with the same image you have portrayed. you want to know why? because, that's life. that's what happens, so that's what artists write about. if you want to be constructive, then why dont you talk about some of the songs country singers write? i'm sure you'll find alot more "emo" lyrics and things about suicide and depression then MCR's. then there's also rap music. lyrics that talk about drugs, rape, and other related topics? isn't that a bit worse than a band whose message states: "i am not afraid to keep on living" or "we'll carry on"? and honestly, if you have to mindlessly spout out negativity, you could at least get your facts straight first. you are obviously a selfish person who couldn't care less about other's feelings. did'nt you ever stop to think that maybe all the crap in the world might not happen if people could just shut the hell up instead of going around bashing other's thoughts and opinions senselessly? try being a bit more open-minded. if you don't like something, then suck it up and get over yourself. going around putting others down about it isn't really going to change their opinion, and it only makes you look like the immature, unintelligent person you are. if you don't like My Chemical Romance, then fine. you don't have to. and frankly, they dont care. cause they're here for the people who do care, and realize that they can make a difference in this world. i seriously dont understand why someone would devote so much of their time just to write something derrogatory. and if it is, as many people who go around putting others down say, "just to see people get angry" or other things to that effect, then who is the real messed up one?

"that plays into the second reason for why no one is here to defend her: who wants to get in a verbal fight with a bunch of rabid, kamikaze teens about some teenie-bopper band?

not i. go on, have a fit."

I am 39. Surprise!
And, I am quite sure you have not seen a fit yet. But this author has not warranted a fit by any means.
Her insensitive comments about suicide are just that. Comments.
The reason no one else defends her pov is that no one until now has read her.
She really doesn't deserve any more attention. Unless, Of course, she starts "masturbating with a razor blade."
Anyways...Such a cultured vocabulary for a "college professor."

Music does not make a person want to kill themself. The person already had issues to begin with. If you spent more time helping a person instead of bashing MCR then maybe you would be a better person yourself. I am 41 and listen to MCR and love their music. My brother killed himself and music had nothing to do with it. All we can do is support each other instead of bash each other. I don't like you but at least I am not bashing you.

I didn't post earlier today because I was at a wake, and besides, I've said all I need to say, I'd like thank each of you indidually and as a group for making me one of the most commented on articles on blogcritics.

XOXO,
Your Retro Music Chick

I'm sure I speak for many of us when I say that I'm glad we were able to give you the attention you needed. Any time you want to write another overwhelmingly nasty article about something a lot of people love and the people who love it, I'm sure more people will come forward to make yours one of the most commented articles again.
Well done.

To #72 My dear Al,

"To quote the perhaps most obnoxious version of it here:

But you will never be able to call me cruel, that which is the worst of human nature. You on the other hand, seem to reach pinnacles of ecstasy by rolling in the derelict filth of degradation and judgmental spitfire. This blog is completely uncalled for and represents nothing more than yet another pathetic attempt at making oneself feel better by cutting down others. You call the fans of MCR childish teenies?! Your behavior here reminds me of bullies in high school.


Oh my! What an evil monster she is! This makes me feel all tingly!"

Hmmmmm...obnoxious. Nevertheless, I've certainly gotten your attention haven't I? I never said my pain was more important or unique than anyone else's...and if that's what you got from reading my statement then I wonder if you can comprehend the english language.
I said there is no need to be needlessly cruel. But you appear to be big proponent of random cruelty as well so I suppose it's not surprising that you took a shot at me. I hope this behavior works out for you.
Let me ask you something...when was the last time that being slapped when you were hurting helped you? ...I'm waiting....

By the way...I'm glad I made you all tingly. I'm drooling about it as I write this. Lickity split. ;-)

I've always thought putting others down to make yourself feel better was always a juvenile thing. This whole article made me cringe in embarrassment for you. I hope you've gotten your angst out in a way that best suits you (writing this article); the rest of us will cope in a less obnoxious manner by playing our My Chemical Romance and our Green Day.

"Billie Joe Armstrong, I'm talking to you!"

Do you think he's listening? I don't think so. I've never in my life thought of Green Day as a band to listen to when you're feeling miserable. A lot of your article was unfounded, but that took the cake. I'm not sure which barrel you scraped the bottom of to find that gem.

#112 Retro Music Chick

You're more than welcome, sweetheart. Making this blog the most read in the entire universe doesn't make you better or more popular...it means that more people than ever know what a cruel and scared person you are. I'm happy for your success! :-)

I deal with kids all day every day.
I teach kindergarten and I have a teenage daughter.
I love My Chemical Romance to the point where I will not miss a show in my area, buy their cds and concert tickets on presale, and spend a hell of a lot on merchandise.
As someone who is old enough to know, I think your opinion is ignorant. Anyone who has researched My Chem at all would understand that the opinion and/or image you have attempted to color them in is presumptuous and false.

Well goodie for you Retro chick... Your blog is very popular, and you have lots of people talking about it and you.

*A QUOTE FROM RETRO*

" I'd like thank each of you indidually and as a group for making me one of the most commented on articles on blogcritics."

I'm glad you're the most commented person on blogcritics..I hope people keep talking and talking about you and your disgusting article.

You've made a fool of yourself and now you have nothing to say.

I bet you get paid for each comment we make. What do you get? $1.00 for each post?

lol what a joke!

Here's my $1.00... use it to buy a heart.

Suicide would probably improve many of the comments.

Just because you listen to a band that someone who is suicidal listens to doesent make you a cutter, and that shouldent label the band either! if i listened to a song Hitler listened to does that mean im gonna start killing Jews or something? And for another thing, those who are truly suicidal dont tell everyone, they hide it. and it IS a sickness, theyr not doing it for attention. but the trend of cutting yourself for attention is growing, about the only good point you made, but saying its a bands fault is ridiculus. Maybe it was (god forbid) the parenting, not the music lyrics that fucked up these kids. MCR is a great band with beautifull lyrics of love and passion and somrtimes dark elements, but thats great. everyone needs to see some darkness every once in a while to let them appreciate the light. Read the song lyrics to cancer and then you say this band is stupid and meaningless.

Back to my sheep. Tomorrow is Spring planting fer my turnips and okra. If ya all have questions about farming just ask. Glad to help.

Come on now #61 Michael - Of course they are selling a product, but is that not what all bands do?


BINGO.

Howdy ho, all you MCR fans. I was just watching SOUTH PARK - specifically the "Raisins" episode with Butters explaining explaining to the goths exactly where they're wrong. I HIGHLY recommend this episode. I was obviously thinking of y'all as I watched it again.

If y'all are wanting a singer who understands pain, and felt the presence of perhaps even literal demon spirits, then I've got just the thing for you to check out: ROBERT JOHNSON. You'll note that I have his entire catalog available for free download. I recommend you start here with "HELLHOUND ON MY TRAIL".

Also on the other side, I confess to never having paid a lot of careful listening to My Chemical Romance. I've seen them in passing on video a time or two, but none of what I heard made enough impression to inspire me to seek them out.

However, I've kinda backed into an argument with MCR fans - though I've not really criticized MCR specifically, more the general idea of goth. But the general point of not criticizing stuff you don't know about in various comments does have merit, so I'm hunting down some MCR on the LimeWire. So far, I've got "I'm Not OK" and "Welcome to the Black Parade." I'm not particularly impressed with either of these songs, but they're not just horrible. I'll give them a couple of spins, see if I'm missing anything. I'm listening as I type.

But I'm just guessing at song titles. What are the couple of best MCR songs I should be checking out to see what they're capable of?

A couple of y'all, apparently a bit lacking in love interests, are curious about me and Miss Libby. She is but a sister Blogcritic. She caught my special attention here though, especially with the part about razorblade masturbation in heaven. As Eminem would say, that talk makes my pee-pee go da-doing-doing-doing. Wild thing, I think I... love you.

On the other hand, I may be too evil and coldhearted even for a beast such as Miss Libby. Heck, I'm even an ANN COULTER FAN. What could be more evil and heartless than that?

By the way, I think you visiting MCR fans should direct your ire to that Matthew T Sussman guy. He's TRULY wicked and heartless. He's far worse even than me. Why, he's even a... REPUBLICAN. Sic him!

okay, first of all i am disappointed that anyone would publish such subjective content. I thought that being a "writer" meant being able to objectively propose the "reader" to make up his/her own mind about art. You are entitled to your freedom of speech, but to attack something that you don't understand or like is pure ignorance. This type of writing is offensive to me. YOU ARE teaching the teenagers to subjectively look at art and impose their beliefs on others with the written word. HOW ARE YOU HELPING THE TEENS YOU PROFESS TO WANNA "SAVE" FROM THIS MUSIC?! You are no different than those who picked on kids in highschool and bulllies everyone to think like them. What kind of artform would be left in this world if it was left up to you? Butterflies and kisses?!? Well, that may exist but to those who really see life, they know that the butterflies and kisses can turn cold. It's called loss and growing up. I am 30 yrs old and yes, MCR helped save my life literally. So, next time you want to author anything, please keep in mind that you are not the almighty judge. Your style of writing proves that you need to grow up. If u don't believe me, just read what you wrote...
"Gloomy McMopeypants." -very original and mature

"I can't imagine a more pathetic scene than a bunch of pre-teens with eyeliner running down their faces, (especially the boys, yuck) sobbing over tepid lyrics like those found in "Drowning Lessons:" - okay, enough said. I think this proves my point.

YOU ARE teaching the teenagers to subjectively look at art and impose their beliefs on others with the written word.

She's teaching teenagers to be music critics?

MCR helped save my life literally.

Literally?

Like, you were about to fall off a cliff, but the band members caught you at the last second?

Hey Al

off their 1st album

Early sunsets over Monroeville
Skylines and turnstiles


off their 2nd album

To the end
Thank you for the venom
The ghost of you
Helena

Off their 3rd album
I don't love you
Disenchanted
The sharpest lives
Cancer


If you can't find these songs
go to this link and read their lyrics, they're amazing. Put the music and the lyrics together and you get something brilliant.

The Other [comment 80]- It's curious to me that of all the many musicians I've written about, you'd pick up on Van Halen as a point of mockery. I might have thought you'd go for making fun of perhaps Conway Twitty or Porter Wagoner and his nudie suits.

But instead you picked maybe the exact best counterpoint that I would have picked out of all my fave acts there against the whole goth thing. It's not like Van Halen didn't have their demons - and they've sure gone to seed now. But they were looking at those "Mean Streets" as a challenge and promise rather than as a curse.

It's particularly precise that you'd pick to read your suicidal and defeatist goth stuff into.

I get up, and nothing gets me down.
You got it tough. I've seen the toughest around.
And I know, baby, just how you feel.
You've got to roll with the punches to get to what's real

#124 Al Barger

Try "Famous Last Words" and "Cancer" those are their most powerful, besides "Welcome to the Black Parade." And look up "Teenagers" that's about gun violence in schools.

Thanks Mia- I've just got "I Don't Love You." I'm digging up some of these others as I type. And do please hit MY MP3 STASH. Again, for that dark flavor, I recommend trying some of the Robert Johnson.

"Questions" by Ray Charles. Sample lyric if it gets your goth juices flowing, "I didn't mean to sound too morbid, and I hope I didn't spoil your day (ha, ha, ha!)"

Hey Al,
so you're listening to MCR?
Look out!
You may just find that you're going to turn into a fan.
MyChem are bloody fantastic.

Will do Al

I think it's only fair that if you're listening to the music I love, then I should listen to the music you love.

wendy: "I am 30 yrs old and yes, MCR helped save my life literally."

wendy, same wendy?: "I am 39. Surprise!"

yes, yes i am.

on to other things. i second al's robert johnson suggestion.

obviously, al doesn't like goth. neither do i much, but i appreciate good music whether or not it's got some darkness in its soul. so:

try these:

joy division

oh hell, that's enough. now there's a guy who found beauty even if he was depressed as all fuck. of course, he did end up hanging himself, so if you are dangerously close to any such thing, either stay away or learn a lesson from his silly, stupid act.

hey mike, wendy said they "helped" save her life, "literally." so, there must have been some firemen there or something and MCR were there, you know, like telling them there was this woman on a cliff and that their uniforms were really inspirational and all that.

Does anyone realize that the point o' this bloody article isn't even My Chemical Romance? I think you're focusing on the wrong things here. Especially the adults. You did do critical reading in high school and college, aye? Read between the lines, young jedi. The true meaning, you will see. Yesssss.

Actually no. Don't do that either. Just ignore the words My Chemical Romance and read it...

We must all obey, he that is Gerard Way,
The One True Path can be found through the
Bryar patch
We cut ourselves to feel alive,
yet while we live, could we ever die?
The Black Lord himself will sieze your soul
and %$&# you gently with his chainsaw hold
Into the depths you'll flee to suffer at
the hands of Dark Lord Way, all ye who blaspheme against, all that is Our Chemical Romance.

A plague o' both your houses! I'm writing about this in my Livejournal, Retro_music_chick!

"Heck, I'm even an ANN COULTER FAN. What could be more evil and heartless than that?"

Not much. Have any opinion you like, but Ann is a bastion for idiolic, senseless conservative, bitter bridges bullshit. I see now why you were threatened by what I wrote...because it was intelligent.
Good luck with cruel longings....they will serve you well in your next 80 katrillion lives, not to mention this one that you have the unfortunate karma to blunder through.
And should you think that you're 'above' all that 'karma' nonsense...then just what do you think 'do unto others' means? We're treating you just as you've treated us....does it feel good, honey?

Yours in Ann Coulter orginess,
Kate
*oh yeah, lick me Ann*

#123 -- March 16, 2007 @ 00:37AM -- Al Barger

I wasn't mocking or ridiculing Van Halen - hell, I listened to them WAY back when - before I knew better and Freddie Mercury made music art again.
My point is only that music touches each individual human being differently and all us "Freaks" need our haven just as you "normal" people control the universe (and doing a bang-up job of it too, I might add).
You are right about Conway Twitty and the Porter Waggoner - If I would have seen those I probably would have pissed myself with laughter, but maybe another time.
I will credit you with TRYING to understand us - unlike the blog mistress. She is locked in her own personal hell, me thinks.
I find it curious that you use blues music as an example. Isn't the blues terribly depressing, causing, dare I say it, (in my best church lady voice) SUICIDE??

"Like, you were about to fall off a cliff, but the band members caught you at the last second?"

I envisioned more of the lead singer jumping toward her Secret Service style in slow motion yelling "nooooooooooo" as he batted the razor blade out of her hand.

Mike,

Thanks for the back-up at comments #61 and #116. Nobody wants to get it through their heads a point that Shark likes to make - "marketing is news and news is marketing." And marketing is all about pulling money from your pockets - like $16 for a piece of plastic with "music" on it.

Teen "culture" is as artificial as a cigarette commercial and is based on squeezing money out of the the raging hormones that teens have in their bodies. But if you read HISTORY, not to mention real literature, you realize that HISTORY is largely the story of what teenagers did because they were viewed as adults. Their bodies had matured and they could make babies - and did. They could fight wars - and did.

Alexander the Great didn't masturbate with a razor. He taught his soldiers to use razors to shave their beards so that the enemy couldn't pull them closer and stab them with swords. He was a kid when he became king of Macedonia. He died at the age of 33.

Miss Kate [comment 131] sez: "I see now why you were threatened by what I wrote...because it was intelligent."

Yes, that's exactly right. You are WAY too smart and insightful. I am frightened, intimidated and repulsed by smart, fiercely independent minded women. It's kind of odd, though, that you deduced that from my interest in Ann Coulter, which would seem to go to the opposite point.

Well, Ruvy, I'm not entirely sure that it's much healthier to treat teens as full-grown adults: even Alexander didn't join in military campaigns until he was 18 (and didn't lead until he was 20). The hormones that wreak havoc on their skin and reproductive systems do the same thing to their brains. And having been a teenager not too long ago, I certainly wouldn't trust them with either a baby or a swo