My Chemical Romance

9/11 had a profound effect on everyone, including MCR's founder member Gerard Way - he thought that music would be one way of expressing his feelings. He got together with (now ex) drummer Matt Pelissier, guitarist Ray Toro, and bass player Mikey Way to form a new band, they named 'My Chemical Romance'.

MCR's first demo tapes were all recorded in Pelissier's attic. An agent from Eyeball Records was impressed by their music, and the label decided to sign the band. The boys were booked into the studio to record a debut album. Just before the sessions started they recruited another member, Frank Iero, to play guitar.

The band's debut album was I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, released in 2002. To support the album, the band played a number of gigs, slowing but surely building an enthusiastic fanbase.

In 2003, the band moved up a gear by moving to a bigger label Reprise Records. The first album under the new label was Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. Three successful singles were spawned - I'm Not Okay (I Promise), Helena, and The Ghost Of You.

As the band became more famous, tensions amongst the members grew. Matt Pelissier, the drummer (and founding member), apparently had an alarming habit of losing his timing and rhythm during live performance - Roy Toro even suggested he should play to a metronome hidden from general view. Eventually it was agreed that he be replaced by Bob Bryar.

After a period of intensive touring, the band returned to the studio to record their third album, The Black Parade, released in 2006. The Black Parade and Famous Last Words are both classic tracks from the album.

MCR are often named as the archetypal emo band - however the band members themselves are not too happy with this labeling, and prefer to see My Chemical Romance music firmly in alternative rock.