With all the rampant rumors and speculation about the private lives of MCR, Gerard in particular at the moment, we thought it would be fitting that our first editorial addresses this issue.
Feel free to post your replies to our views on this thread.
So, without further ado...
My Chemical Romance has shared so much of themselves with us, their fans. From online interviews detailing their on the road habits, to the ever so powerful, Life On The Murder Scene. From basements and vans to sold-out arenas all over the world. From the earth to the morgue. To me, the gentlemen of My Chemical Romance are the most gracious beings this world has ever encountered. And with all the trail and trivulations they've endured, they still manage to love us each step of the way. Whenever given the opportunity, they always thank us by saying things like, " We have the best fans in the world. They're a newer, unafraid, more dangerous model. But dangerous in a positive way." MCR has always been a band that saves lives. They inspire us to be strong, to be great, and to never turn your back. So come - take my hand and lets embrace the awesomeness that is My Chemical Romance and not choke it to death.
I'm sure that if I were to ask anyone reading this, 'Tell me about MCR?' that you would talk for hours about the band, their music, their lives. And you know what? I think that's wonderful. We all do know a lot about them. So why the desparation for more? Gerard wrote a song about his beloved grandmother and put it out for everyone to hear. That was very bold of him and scary, I'm sure. Not many 'rock stars' would do such a thing but Gerard being who he is, was willing to do so and it turned out to be a true gift for all of us. What a brave man - to be able to put something so personal out for people to hear. It must have had him torn a bit but he did it and it was not only a success, but he did it without exploiting his pain or his grandmother's death.
LOTMS - The most personal video a band can put out. Years of blood, work, sweat and tears right there in front of you. There were a lot of very memorable moments in that film. One of them for me was when Gerard spoke of his addictions and we all watched in horror as we saw our beloved frontman embark on a downward spirial. We even saw him in his most embarrassing moment when his pants fell down during a live show in front of a crowd. He shared his feelings, his struggles and his triumphs. For me, Gerard's bravery and courage are what inspire me to be a better person. I think it inspires a lot of us too.
I'm sure by now you're all agreeing with me about the band sharing so much of their personal lives with us, right? Who knows what Gerard's favorite food is? Who can tell me what Ray's favorite game is right now? Who can tell me what Frankie's grandfather's name is? What's Ray's girlfriend's name? Where's Mikey? (I often wondered about that one) So is it possible that maybe they can have something for themselves? Don't they deserve it? Like love. Love is a very personal thing. We all know by now who Gerard loves - his wife. Is it really any of our business how it came to be? And why is everyone so willing to believe that Gerard is drinking and doing drugs again? After everything that he went through to get to where he is, why do fans all of the sudden wanna give up on him? Because he's married? His marriage has nothing to do with us. Let him have something. Let all the band members have something. Embrace - don't choke. Just as long as they keep doing what they're doing, their love lives have nothing to do with us.
Risen Magazine had the chance to ask Gerard some questions. One of their questions was:
"Eddie Vedder went into a deep depression after one of his obsessed fans drove
their car into his house. Do you worry about things like that?"
Gerard's response (and this is good for those of you who write fanfics):
"It's a fear that you have, especially with a band that deals so much with fiction
and mythology and worlds that don't exist. People could end up living in those
places in their heads too much and develop relationships in their heads that
they have with you that don't exist. But I don't know how I would feel with that
if it did happen."
Just ask yourselves, people. If something like there were to actually happen, what do you think it would do to Gerard or the rest of the band for that matter? It's a very scary thought, don't you all think? I just want all MCR fans to keep the fucking faith, you dig? Women aren't that malicious. Lyn-Z, Alicia, Jamia, Krista and Kate aren't breaking the band up. Don't be ridiculous!
I think I've said everything I had to say - for now. You're probably all thinking, what the hell is she trying to say? What I'm basically trying to say is embrace - don't choke.
~ Millieann
"I'm quite self-confident," he says, "but the healthy dose of arrogance I have is blended with extreme self-consciousness. So when we're at meet'n'greets or signings, I hardly say two words to people. I'm very closed off because, after a gig, I feel like I've spilled my guts and if I meet people after that it's almost like they know something about me but I know nothing about them. And that's weird, an unfair trade.",
Gerard Way
That says so much. Thank you to my girl Voluptousity for bringing that quote to my attention. I had never seen it before her posting it.
People complain he isn’t as approachable. He seems distant. I have met Gerard 3 times since Nov 2006. Each time he was cordial and approachable. The first time was the best. He was relaxed and open. This was because there were only about 20 people and no one was bum rushing him, or Frankie or Ray, who all took the time to chill with us... take pictures and sign autographs. The other two times, he wasn't rude, or obnoxious. Just reserved, had his guard up. Meet and Greets are so sterile and forced to keep the line moving. It is hard for them or the fans to really be open in an assembly line atmosphere. But the genuine smile was the same every time.
That brings me to the current state of uproar regarding Gerard's choices as of late. I still get taken aback at the amount of insight some fans feel they should have into their personal lives.
When they get on stage they give us a show, they make CDs and we choose if we want to buy them. That does NOT give us any right to their personal life choices.
When they aren't on the stage, or in the studio what they do is not our property. Their lives are theirs. Just because they are in the public eye for shows it does not give us the right to be peeping toms in their day to day life.
Do I care about them as people?
Sure I do. Is it my right to speculate about if they are being good boys or not and smear it all over the world wide web? Not at all.
All the rumors of Gerard "falling off the wagon" and sneaking out of a signing for a bathroom snort are ludicrous. If Gerard is struggling with his sobriety, he has people around him to support him and help him. There is nothing we as fans can do to "help" him if this is a fact. But I know one thing for certain, the rampant rumor mills about his choices based on speculation and gossip would be nothing but detrimental if he was in the frail state some people assume he is in.
If he makes a mistake, and he will because he is human, then it is his business and a million fair-weather fans shouldn’t be wagging their fingers at him!
Do they really think if any morsel of the speculation was accurate, that stomping him personally over the internet is helping that? Hardly.
These actions could make them loose respect for fans in general. They likely feel invaded, and intruded upon. They can have no privacy, to even struggle on their own if they did have a problem.
I myself used to wonder why they were so tightlipped about their private lives, it made you wonder even more about them. Then I see all the controversy over anything that does become public, the outcry over Gerard's engagement to Eliza, the virtual meltdown over Gerard and Lynz. I just shake my head in amazement over the feeding frenzy and how one action is picked apart and analyzed to death until it is made into a completely different animal.
Why do people involve themselves so deeply into something that doesn’t concern them. I am happy for Gerard & Lynz, Frank & Jamia, Mikey & Alicia, Ray & Krista and Bob & Katlyn. Life on the road is not a picnic. To have someone you love beside you to support you or just listen when you need a friend is a great comfort and we as fans should not want to deny them such a privilege.
We feel we know them because they come into our homes via the TV or internet. We listen to their music and relate to their message. But in reality, we don’t know them and they don't know us.
I don’t judge them, or their choices. They are artist and I enjoy their work. Their private life is not my business.
They get on stage and give us a show. Go see it or don't, but they don't sell tickets to their life.
Raven
