My Chemical Romance is an American rock band from New Jersey. The band's current lineup consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, lead guitarist Ray Toro, rhythm guitarist Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way.
They are considered one of the most influential rock groups of the 2000s and a major act in the emo and pop-punk genres, despite the band rejecting the former label.
named after: Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance
members: Matt Pelissier, Mikey Way, Frank Iero, Ray Toro, Gerard Way, Matt Cortez, Bob Bryar, James Dewees
formed in: New Jersey, Newark
labels: Reprise Records, Eyeball Records, Warner Music Group
genres: emo, post-hardcore, pop-punk, gothic rock, alternative rock, hard rock, alternative metal
influenced by: The Smiths, Misfits, Phantom of the Paradise, Black Flag
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The band was formed by vocalist Gerard Way and drummer Matt Pelissier in New Jersey, soon after the September 11 attacks. Witnessing the World Trade Center towers fall influenced Way's life to the extent that he decided to start a band. Shortly thereafter, Ray Toro was recruited as the band's guitarist because, at the time, Way could not sing and play the guitar simultaneously. Way has said, "Music was this thing I secretly wanted to do", and later wrote the song "Skylines and Turnstiles" to express his feelings about September 11.
My Chemical Romance are primarily known for their "goth-tinged" aesthetic, theatrical vocals, and "introspective, confessional lyrics". The band's music has mostly been categorized as alternative rock, emo, pop-punk, post-hardcore, punk rock, and hard rock. The band has also released songs that have been described as emo pop, hardcore punk, gothic rock, pop rock, arena rock, glam rock, progressive rock, heavy metal, pop, screamo, and garage punk. Gerard Way has publicly rejected the term "emo", describing the genre as "fucking garbage" (although he has reportedly also described the band's style as "What-else-ya-got-emo").
Gerard Way said to Rolling Stone, "we love bands like Queen, where it's huge and majestic, but also bands like Black Flag and the Misfits, who would go absolutely crazy." Additionally, Way has stated that the band is heavily influenced by Ink & Dagger, Circle Jerks, Stiffs, Inc., the Damned, Iron Maiden, At the Gates, Descendents, Pantera, Van Halen, the Cure, Joy Division, Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Smiths and Morrissey. The Smashing Pumpkins also impacted the band's trajectory, with Way stating that My Chemical Romance has patterned their career after the Pumpkins'. Gerard Way has cited the Dresden Dolls, Queen and the film Cabaret (1972) as an influence upon the band's cabaret songs such as "You Know What They Do to Guys...