My Chemical Romance and other like bands revel in teen angst.
“She belly-flopped in front of a car wearing a suicide note... just another case of a geek trying to imitate the popular people and failing miserably.” — Shannen Doherty, Heathers
Last month’s issue of Spin ruined my day. I opened my mailbox to find Gerard Way’s stupid pasty Bowie-wannabe face staring at me from the pitch-black chasm of his metal coffin, suffocating among the unpaid bills and slicing his wrists on credit card offers. “Kids were gonna kill themselves. Then they heard our music,” blurbs the My Chemical Romance frontman. Funny — that’s how I feel when I hear My Chemical Romance — l like I want to do myself in.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments76 - Melanie
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..."
77 - Sure.
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.
78 - Ashley (MCRmy)
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".
79 - MCR Lover
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."
80 - THE OTHER
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 . . .
81 - Michael J. West
Just curious. Does anyone here think that personal attacks shouldn't be allowed in the articles if they're not allowed in the comments?
82 - Proud to be Fifteen Year Old Girl, so get over it.
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...
83 - Cathy
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.
84 - Wendy
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?
85 - Proud to be Fifteen Year Old Girl, so get over it.
Hey, Wendy, we have the same name.
86 - Frank
How amatuer of you.
87 - Mia Rose
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
88 - THE OTHER
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!
89 - Nikki
hahaha...THE OTHER...you rock!!!!
Thanx for saying exactly what i wanted to!
90 - katie
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
91 - THE OTHER
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!!
92 - Proud to be Fifteen Year Old Girl, so get over it.
He won't ever let them hurt us, he promised
93 - christina
go play in traffic!:)
94 - Nikki
LOL @#90...... omg! J i fuckin luv ya...........you rock!
95 - zingzing
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.
96 - Proud to be Fifteen Year Old Girl, so get over it.
I. Am. Not. Exploited.
By the way, if you don't want to get in a fight, then why exactly did you say anything?
97 - christina
hey post this shitty blog down!!
98 - Nikki
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.
99 - Kris
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.
100 - Matthew T. Sussman
Know what's stopping me from teen suicide?
About 5 years of age.
101 - reggie von woic
I got 1 and a half years...we should get started on the mid-life crisis suicide post...
102 - Shez
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.
103 - Ashley
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?
104 - Wendy
"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."
105 - Cemetary Vixen
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.
106 - Retro Music Chick
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
107 - Melanie
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.
108 - Kate
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. ;-)
109 - Jude
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.
110 - Kate
#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! :-)
111 - lucky
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.
112 - Mia Rose
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.
113 - Matthew T. Sussman
Suicide would probably improve many of the comments.
114 - Jerry
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.
115 - Billy Bob
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.
116 - Michael J. West
Come on now #61 Michael - Of course they are selling a product, but is that not what all bands do?
BINGO.
117 - Al Barger
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".
118 - Al Barger
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!
119 - wendy
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.
120 - Michael J. West
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?
121 - Michael J. West
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?
122 - Mia Rose
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.
123 - Al Barger
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. Diamond Dave is, of course, not speaking of suicide, but working up his courage to challenge his fears and approach the girl.
Of course, there's nothing deep or profound in such a thing, nothing truly meaningful. Obviously the true meaning of life is pain, and luxuriating in a warm glow of despair and morbidity is true soul of profundity.
Silly rabbits.
124 - Sure.
#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.
125 - Al Barger
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!)"