I think a lot of people aren’t open-minded enough for My Chemical Romance. They want to brand them as just another emo band and then move along. The group stands out though as hefty, violent romantics. They sing about life and death in ways that sensitive people understand immediately. My Chemical Romance’s connection with their fans really came through at last week’s show in Seattle, especially during the perfect “DESTROYA” (You don’t believe in God, I don’t believe in luck) and Cancer (Cause the hardest part of this is leaving you). The new song “Planetary (GO!),” from Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys should wake up any of the band’s naysayers. The set list incorporated songs from 2002’s I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love (“Vampires Will Never Hurt You” – sadly no “Honey, This Mirror Isn’t Big Enough for the Two of Us”), as well as “Helena” and “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” from 2004’s Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. To me, “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” just still might be the band’s signature song. Welcome to the Black Parade got some serious play with “Teenagers,” “Mama,” “House of Wolves” and the phenomenal “Famous Last Words”. Their latest, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys also introduced another great one, “Sing”. “House of Wolves” (Tell me I’m an angel/Take this to my grave/Tell me I’m a bad man/Kick me like a stray) from Welcome to the Black Parade showcased My Chemical Romance at their best – a band that changes itself just enough to keep things interesting, while maintaining their vigorous purpose.

My Chemical Romance – photos & review by Dagmar

Gallery of My Chemical Romance @ Showbox SoDo