My Chemical Romance Play NYC’s Knitting Factory
My Chemical Romance just finished playing an intimate gig post-VMA appearance right here in downtown Manhattan at the Knitting Factory. The venue was only about 2/3 full, so it felt more like a house party performance than a full-scale concert, but it was awesome. Maybe around 350-400 people were there? (???) Strictly fans and friends and family.
Gerard was giving shout outs left and right and also joked around by asking us not to throw bottles at them, obviously referring to the pelting they got at Reading.
They played some new songs off of The Black Parade including “Cancer” and “I Don’t Love You”, but capped off the evening with their biggest hit, “Helena”. Fun fun fun!
WATCH: “Ghost of You” by My Chemical Romance (live at Knitting Factory–Partial)
More photos over at Central Village Flickr.
VMA Kick Off Concert @ Battery Park, NYC
Hi all. I’m SUPER SUPER tired after standing in the rain for about 4 1/2 hours during the MTV VMA Kick Off Concert at New York City’s Battery Park in Lower Manhattan. I made it through Cartel, Chamillionaire, New Found Glory, Rihanna, and All-American Rejects.
They really weren’t kidding when they said the event was “rain or shine” because it sure was raining today. Luckily my friend suggested I buy a cheapo plastic poncho before heading over, otherwise I would have been drenched from head to toe. Instead I looked like a giant walking garbage bag. Hmm…I’m not sure if that’s better or worse.
In any case, my two favorite acts of the evening were the first and last bands–Cartel and AAR. I was so excited to see Cartel after totally missing them at Warped Tour earlier this month. They played a short short set, but if I remember correctly, it included the “hits”– “Honestly” and “Say Anything (Else)”.
Of course it started raining again by the time the All-American Rejects hit the stage (maybe around 8:30?? forget), but the Rejects would be damned if a little rain would keep them from giving a spectacular show. The only other time I saw them was in 2003 at Warped Tour, when they were promoting their first album. They sure have gotten bigger and better since then. So much energy, so much fun. The audience perked right up when they started their set off with “Dirty Little Secret”.
The set list was as follows: Dirty Little Secret/ Top of the World/ My Paper Heart/ It Ends Tonight/ Swing, Swing/ Move Along
Sleepy now. More later. Check out Flickr for more shots.
My Chem Debut “Welcome to the Black Parade” with Performance on VMAs
This Thursday at “Red Carpet on the Rock” for this year’s VMAs in NYC.
All Your My Chemical Romance/ The Black Parade Questions Answered
Watch this video and all your questions about The Black Parade will be answered.
Here are some highlights/news to look out for:
“The Black Parade” is in fact the name of the new album and the name of My Chemical Romance’s new persona.
The moment where Gerard pats off his sweat with a hankie. So dainty.
Gerard explaining the reasoning behind his platinum blond ‘do: He was sick of the dark, long, “swoopy” hair and wanted to change his hair to become more like the main character on the album simply called “The Patient”.
LIZA MINNELLI WILL GUEST ON “MAMA” ON THE ALBUM. Gerard and Mikey Way have been heavily influenced by their grandmother, who would play musicals like “Cabaret” for them at a young age and who’s favorite performer is Liza. This is their tip of the hat to that upbringing.
The band filmed two videos (”We Are the Black Parade” and an unnamed song) back-to-back with Sam Bayer, and a wall of fire was the cause of the 2nd to 3rd degree burns suffered by drummer Bob Bryar.
Can’t wait for the album to come out in October? Get a sneak preview by listening to this live version of “I Don’t Love You”. I think it sounds really different than anything MCR have done before, and since I love bands like Queen and David Bowie, I think this song sounds amazing and beautiful. For some reason it reminds me of Supertramp’s “Give a Little Bit” for half a second.
I think people who might dismiss the pop punk scene will be surprised to find that they might in fact like My Chemical Romance’s new sound. Very excited to hear the full album!
DOWNLOAD: “I Don’t Love You” by My Chemical Romance
Thanks so much to Torrey for fwding me the links since TBP mailing list hates my email. 
Links from various sources like the MCR LJ and TBP LJ.
Oh, and if you’re really digging the new Black Parade look, and have a few hundred dollars to blow, may I suggest buying this adorable “Chelsea” mini dress by Foley to sport during an upcoming My Chem gig?
The Black Parade March In Londontown
Last night My Chemical Romance pulled out all the theatrical stops and had their “Black Parade” march up and down the street for “ages” prior to their gig at London’s Hammersmith Palais.
Check out Andrew Kendall’s shot of the spectacle (Thanks to Nilina for the link):
When the lads took the stage they declared that My Chemical Romance would not be able to make it tonight so they, the Black Parade, would perform instead. They were decked out in black and white soldier uniforms, and Gerard still has that blond hair.
Cute Stuff Alert: Clandestine + 31 Corn Lane Collaboration
I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this cheeky little mirror that was a design collaboration between Pete Wentz’s Clandestine Industries and Brooklyn-based 31 Corn Lane. It reminds me of a mirror I adored when I was a kid, but the icing on the cake is the inscription of “Young and Impressionable”. I can’t wait to stock up on this cute find and dole them out to my girlfriends to use in the presence of cute boys.
The co-branded gear will be available on Clandestine Industries’s site…soonish? In the meantime, check out 31 Corn Lane’s “Holly” bag. It’s adorable.
Daniel Isaac on Next
I finally caught some of Daniel Isaac’s appearance on MTV’s dating show Next. It’s basically him laughing and calling the other guys douchebags. I missed the first 3 minutes or so, possibly missing some interesting gems, but he wears a pink striped tie and blazer. The other guys on the van are not so cute. The girl was trashy blonde. Here’s a photo I took of the TV w/ my little camera. Enjoy!
Taking Back Sunday + 30 Seconds to Mars - 40 Dollars = Booo
Taking Back Sunday and 30 Seconds to Mars will play an MTV/Lifebeat show at Webster Hall on August 30th. Tickets are a whopping 40 bucks. Password…ARGUS.
Daniel Isaac Helps Out at Wal-Mart
Check out the latest addition to the Daniel Isaac flimography, a video recorded in the wee hours of the morning on January 2, 2005 that depicts Daniel causing havoc in a near-empty Wal-mart.
