My Chemical Romance Break-up

It absolutely kills me that I'm having to write something like this. I first discovered My Chemical Romance just after my 11th birthday. They're the first band I truly loved, and naively, it never really occurred to me that one day they might cease to exist as a band. When I heard the news that they had disbanded yesterday, it came as a massive and unwanted shock. I never thought I'd be so saddened at a band breaking up. I wasn't this sad when Fall Out Boy, the second band I really dedicated myself to, went on hiatus, simply because it was only a hiatus and even it was a decade or two away, there was a glimmer of hope that one day they would be coming back. A break-up seems so final. I know their music will live on and it's always going to mean so much to me, but the thought of them not making music together anymore and the fact that I'll never get the chance to see them live is something that I won't be able to comprehend for a little while yet.

This break-up was definitely unexpected. In the past, each member of the band has said that MCR is forever, for life. They've always been lightyears ahead of every other band during their 12 year reign of rock music. Listening to their music now doesn't feel right somehow now. The day I heard about the break-up, I mourned them. Wore the t-shirt, listened to all their albums in order of release, watched the DVDs. My heart wasn't in it, and 3 days on from that, it still feels surreal that I have to refer to them in the past tense now. Maybe it's because of the message that broke the news - an eight-five word paragraph that seems so cold and impersonal, coming from a band - and one of the few bands - that are all about the fans, readily acknowledging that it's because of the fans that they got to make such a brilliant mark in history.

Since then, both Mikey and Gerard have tweeted about it. Two brief and sincere tweets from Mikey just thanking everyone for the 'unforgettable journey' while Gerard writes a lengthy and touching, though slightly vague, letter to the fans offering an explanation for the progress that kick-started My Chemical Romance's diminishing. After 12 incredible years, their hearts just weren't in it anymore. And for that reason, I have to accept their decision. If they were to continue as a band, unhappy and strained, the amazing efforts of the band so far wouldn't be succeeded. And both the band and the fans deserve for something amazing to be delivered. So despite all the rumours that MCR are breaking up just to reform under a new name, fuelled by tweets and messages from loved ones and close friends, the only thing I can do now is wait for whatever Frank, Ray, Mikey and Gerard do next. And I really do look forward to it, because, for me, they're some of the most inspiring and talented guys that I'll ever get to know of; I have no doubt that whatever they each do next is going to be equally as inspiring and incredible as the amazing journey they shared together as a band, as My Chemical Romance.

So while I'm truly devastated that My Chemical Romance have split up, I'm ultimately just really thankful that they existed in the first place, that they made it this long, and that they created some of the most meaningful and amazing songs that this world will ever be blessed with. The legacy that they've left behind is brilliant and it's one that I can't see any other band ever coming close to, a notion which I'm sure thousands of other fans will echo. Because it's true, My Chemical Romance are a band that have truly touched and united millions of fans across the planet. They're a band that has saved lives and they're a band that will continue to save lives. Even after their untimely demise, the music and message of My Chemical Romance will live on in the hearts and the souls of devoted fans. Though they no longer exist as a band, they will never truly die. They'll never be gone and forgotten. And that's just one part of their legend.

My Chemical Romance: 2001 - 2013.

LostAlone Album #3

One of my absolute favourite bands on this planet just announced details for their third album, that is 100% being released later on this year. I was super excited for it anyway, especially after hearing them play a new song from the album called ‘Hostages’ (which was absolutely brilliant) last month, and this news has only increased that. To further add to my excitement, LostAlone have teamed up with PledgeMusic in order to offer the fans a truly unique experience in the run-up to the album. By pledging, fans can gain inside coverage of the album, both the making of it and the run-up to it’s release, and also plenty of exclusive merch designed specially for pledgers, amongst other things including gigs and signed items – my personal favourite is the ‘Acoustic Show Anywhere on Earth,’ but unfortunately, I don’t have £1000 to spare.

 

Each and every pledge will go a long way in supporting LostAlone which is worthwhile in itself, but the rewards definitely make it that little bit more special. I have yet to make a pledge as I’m finding it really difficult to make a choice on which one to go for, I just want it all… Obviously some of the fans have made up their minds though, as the project was only launched 2 days ago and already, 25% of the band’s goal has been met, which is absolutely great. Hopefully, I'll be able make a decision  and add to that before the project closes in 177 days.

 

If you want to make a pledge and support LostAlone during the making of their third album, which I have extremely high hopes for, this is the link: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/lostalone. If you’ve never heard of LostAlone, definitely go and check them out at http://www.lostalone.com/. Once you’ve realised their complete and utter genius, please head over to PledgeMusic and make a pledge towards their goal – it’s definitely something that you won’t regret.

Song Of The Day: Fall Out Boy – Thnks Fr Th Mmrs

 

Thnks Fr Th Mmrs is, in my opinion, one of the best songs in existence. Fall Out Boy have been one of my favourite bands for about eight years now, but this is the song that awarded them the unchanging status of my all-time favourite band. One of a few all-time favourite bands anyway, but it’s rare I find a band that I’m truly dedicated to. Bar the questionable Kim Kardashian cameo in the song’s official video (which is really kind of wonderful), Thnks Fr Th Mmrs is pure perfection and complete and utter brilliance; it affirmed my belief that Fall Out Boy are masters of their art – both musical geniuses and lyrical masterminds. The song holds a lot of meaning for me personally too - the amount of times I listened to this song when Fall Out Boy first went on hiatus is crazy. And now that they're back, I love it even more.

Song Of The Day: No Doubt - Just A Girl

‘Just A Girl’ captures female strength perfectly. It flaunts a total disregard of the stereotypical expectations of women and I think that’s why I love it so much. Gwen Stefani, both in No Doubt and as a solo artist, is one of my biggest inspirations because she stands out as a strong force in a male-dominated industry and I love everything she stands for. She paved the way for a more liberated music industry, in which females in bands are taken seriously and don’t have to demand the respect they deserve – it’s automatic. She truly is a massively influential icon. This aside, this song is pretty much one of the best songs in existence anyway. It's an anthem for all strong females who truly believe in themselves, as despite a huge social movement and adjustment of expected views and stereotypes, it is still (arguably) a man's world. And though it’s not the song that made me fall in love with No Doubt (a feat evoked by both ‘Hey Baby’ and ‘It’s My Life’), it’s one that I’ll never tire of. Or one that I hope I never tire of. This goes for pretty much all of No Doubt’s other songs too, but I’m probably biased, as they are undoubtedly one of my favourite bands ever.