Jun 19th 1-2-3: My Chemical Romance - From Tragedy To Catharsis
Something in the almost-summer air and current day events here in LA have made for a welcomed desire for catharsis. For a return to form against the backdrop of new historical happenings.
Been doing a lot of driving lately, and that means one thing: lots and lots of music. With the release of the remix of Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, I have found myself blasting some good ol’ My Chemical Romance yet again and I must say, their songs prove altogether timeless still.
This got me thinking about the band, what’s the story behind the story?
1: From Tragedy to Catharsis ( 4 minute read )
It is September 11th, 2001, and the Twin Towers in New York City were hit by planes hijacked my terrorists. Gerard Way is working in animation across the Hudson River watching as the tragedy unfolds.
Later on, he decides to start a band.
“Something just clicked in me. I just said, ‘I have to do something with my life.’”
Catharsis can be defined as releasing repressed or strong emotions. This in turn, provides relief. This decision to start a band was just this for Gerard. In the wake of a historical event such as 9/11, music would be his relief.
He writes their first song “Skylines and Turnstiles” for the band a few days later. He gathers Matt Pelissier on drums, finds Ray Toro for guitar, and then his brother Mikey Way to play on bass. Mikey Way then names the band after a book by Irvine Welsh: Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance. All the pieces were in place.
Now it is early 2002 and the band is self-recording their first album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love. This was done in a home studio in New Jersey, which was perfect for capturing their raw, emotional, and unhindered sonic energy. Later that year in July that album is released and gains an underground following through MySpace, message boards, and touring. While the album was a solid release, it would be nothing compared to what was to come.
My Chemical Romance’s performances were intense and relentless, allowing not only the band but also their following to feel the relief from the release. Catharsis had gained hold and was rapidly growing. In 2003 Frank Iero officially joined as their full time rhythm guitarist after contributing to their first album. With that, the lineup for what would be their breakout album was solidified.
In fall of 2003, Reprise Records (A Warner Bros subsidiary) signs the band after seeing them live. Their potential was clear even then. They would have a major impact on the music scene.
Howard Benson was the next missing piece of the revenge-puzzle. He would produce the album and challenge the band on refining the structure and clarity of their songs. From October of 2003 to February of 2004, the band would constantly be pushed to polish their music to get what would be their signature heavy, big, and emotionally powerful sound.
Then, midway through the recording of the album, Gerard and Mikey’s grandmother, Elena, dies. This was yet another tragedy that struck and would have yet even deeper and more profound effects on My Chemical Romance as a whole. Instead of pulling back, they leaned in.
“The emotions I went through with the loss of my grandmother… completely fueled Revenge.” — Gerard Way
This along with Gerard’s battle with alcohol and drug addition made for an unapologetic and emotionally vulnerable album that would shape music history as we know it (he would address his battle later in 2004).
On June 8th, 2004, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge was released, and it was a massive hit. It eventually goes 3x platinum in the US, and spawned a whole new drove of fans.
The album concept of a man and woman separated by death in a gunfight paved the way for an album that went beyond a story and translated truths about death, loss, mourning, and intense emotions to many.
My Chemical Romance would go on to release theatrical videos to compliment their songs, establishing them as key figures in the emo/punk revival of the 2000s. This paired with their red-and-black visuals and horror-western aesthetics influenced countless fans and artists for years to come.
They would go on to release two more albums after Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge: the gothic macabre rock opera The Black Parade and the original comic book-musical telling of Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys.
Both would see huge success, but there is always a special place in my heart for Three Cheers. I love all of their albums (even their first!), but Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge I believe represents a landmark for a whole generation on getting in touch with what it means to feel.
The tragedies transformed into creative purpose, and the tight-knit family and band chemistry made for some of the most unique and important songs in my life, and I am forever grateful for the continued inspiration that they have in my creative career.
Not if, but when life gives you a tragedy, turn it into something for others. Look for catharsis in creativity, and for goodness sake put yourself into it!
You never know how many people will resonate with it, and how much it will help you to process your own life.
2: Creative Prompts From Us (ex. Write a short story, a poem, a song, or draw a quick illustration of these! Let your imagination run free.)
I. What is going on in your life? Is there a way for you to use creativity as a way to process what is going on?
II. Pain is hard, burying it is harder. Face what is before you, and you will recover.
3: Inspirational Quotes From Gerard Way about Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
I. “…the story of a man and a woman who are separated by death in a gunfight and he goes to hell only to realize … the devil says he can be with her again if he brings … a thousand evil men …”
II. “After killing 999 evil men, “the protagonist must kill one final evil soul: himself.”
III. “Originally conceptualized as a story about star-crossed lovers … but the record ended up being much more about loss and real life.”
Thank you so much for reading!