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Cross Your Fingers and Hope to Die. (article)
Im aware that what I am about to post is going to be reprimanded greatly, so I want to make it clear that my love for My Chemical Romance is un-wavering and will be, for the foreseeable future, but I feel that there is a growing resentment between The band and the Fans. As My chem has grown up in the past years it seems as though their reception and acknowledgement of their fans is, un-impressed. Like they recognize that they have achieved success therefore they are no longer obligated to send a message or be dedicated to the fans. But what is confusing about that alteration in the bands over-all persona is that the reason legions of fans come to their defenses, buy their album, promote them shamelessly etc is BECAUSE they were a band with a message. Success, fame, infamy wasn’t their goal or priority, or at least, that’s what they sold to us. They gave a voice for the kids who didn’t have anywhere to turn to or have anyone who quite understood. They were the voice for the people who felt different and wanted to remain different. Now, it seems as though they are under the impression that they are un-stoppable. Perhaps to an extent that’s the truth, but within that success it seems as though they have lost their true sense of self, maybe as individuals or maybe as a band entirely. I just wish they would remember that it was us, their loving supporting fans, who brought recognition and stability into their lives, and to no longer acknowledge the people who your bands entire basis once stood for, well, that doesn’t seem success worthy. I will love My Chemical Romance for what they represented and did for me. They told me it was alright to want to stand against the norm and they told me it was alright to love myself within doing so, but I can’t respect the men who stand before us in the year 2009 because they no longer respect us. Obviously, I am not and have never been deluded into thinking that they could remain the same (via 2004/2005) forever, but they have changed radically and, in my opinion, not in a positive way. There is a vast difference between maturing and within that maturing process recognizing that maintaining a certin attitude or image isn’t necessary and completely disregarding what the premise of your band stood for. This is simply my opinion and my intent is not to start any arguments or get anyone riled up. I just thought this concern should be brought to the surface and voiced.
| Posted by onetimesinner666 on 06/19/2009 7:35 AM | Visits: 250 |
totally ditto :)
First I want to say, that no one should reprimand this journal because its presentation is very respectful. HOW we say things is an important factor in how people intake what is being said.
My Opinion-
The resentment you speak of stems from psychological separation. While you believe this newfound "resentment" to be a 2-way street, I see it as 1 way. The band that fans related to during the "Bullets" era are no longer so obviously self representative of that phase. Therefore, fans feel they can no longer relate to the present day members as much and that brings about the separation in persona-likeness we once shared with 5 people whom we never met; and that caused fans to resent them for becoming estranged. That distant connection some felt, brought about a raising of praises served in the bands direction.
^No one forced any of us to buy a c.d., a ticket, a shirt, or a bond. The band owes us nothing different from what they always have provided us with... music. At what show, these guys literally hugged every audience member and gave out their phone numbers in case of emergency, I don't know of. It doesn't exist, so what lines of comparison you are basing MCR's ungrateful mannerisms on, I don't know.
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The band has climbed the progressive ladder in the entertainment business, as any group of extraordinary talented musicians will do. It is their talent and theirs alone that made fame possible. You bought that album because you wanted to, had to or just couldn't be without it and why? Because of the sound, theme and magic screeching from it. That is the foremost reason and that alone. Witnessing or hearing of any band-persona was secondary or would be 99% of the time.
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The reason fans still support them is because they made a choice... whether it be naturally or meditated. If the issue ever conflicted fan-dedication within a single solider, they had to choose between being happy that the 'My Chem voice' who resembled pride in nonconforming made it OR being upset that they couldn't share that feeling on more literal terms. If we could live through this band when we felt they were us, why not rejoice in the fact that someone like us can and has succeeded? Silver spoons come in black, too. xD Thanks to MCR, we know that for a fact and I'm damn proud of it.
If every MCR fan had self-progressed and made the same inner advances of spirit right along with MCR, this wouldn't be up for discussion. We would all be one big happy family but seem to prefer the happy miserable family? It's easy to pout if your without the better that someone you admire has.
If MCR, who protested being a therapy for both themselves and their fans, had remained as they were, wouldn't THAT mean their message to be worthless?
You say they have lost their true sense of self. I honestly believe that once upon a time, even the band had no idea who they truly were and what they were ultimately capable of but that didn't stop them from living in their moment and making history as they have. So, for anyone to decide that who they are is what they were, eliminates the purpose of defining. It's apparent that evolution moves at it's own pace and doesn't stop at desired limits.
I also believe that MCR is the same morally as they were before. Not professionally but morally. It is ones moral fabric that polishes their exterior... It seems people are choosing to tie their professional to their moral and that is the most unfair thing you can do when holding a successful musician's reputation hostage. A record label has more control over how a band is perceived than the band itself. Sad but true.
"All hail Eyeball! Warner, go fuck yourself." Say it with me now! xD
The youtube-take down for example- People didn't know whether the artists' greed was to blame or the the site itself. Of course the bigger targets are more likely to be assaulted. And MCR being one of those targets, has voiced their non-support of the video-take downs. They have acted against it even, and still, here we are debating if the issue of money persuades this band.
Charging extra money for tickets to a show and giving all of it to charity isn't enough either? But I understand. Since we are judging these guys negatively at all, (the band you held sentimentally indestructible) that means it ALL must be negative?? Fans are allowed to have as many disappointments as their little hearts desire them to; but to rule out what is considered as the 'undebatable good times' as being meaningless seems like an action sprouted from scorn. You said, "..or at least that's what they sold to us."? Hmm...
To my joyous eyes, they have acknowledged us ten fold! Through the long hard years of non-stop touring and song creation they remain humbled by their fans...
^Sorry for the shitty picture but to anyone unfamiliar, that is one of the inserts to The Black Parade is Dead dvd. It reads as follows...
TO THE MCRMY-
WE WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO SAY TWO VERY SIMPLE WORDS TO YOU.
THANK YOU!
YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO US.
SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
XOXO MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
^Who could ask for more? Feeling we deserve more is a judgment call. A bad one, if you don't mind me saying so. Paying closer attention to the little things may alter your perception. The merchandise sales on the site. 50% off is only HALF bad and aint' bad at all. lol Video posting to spite their record label and satisfy their fans. It goes on and on and so can I, so I'll stop right there.
A band can only be as dedicated to their fans as they are to making the music. After a well-deserved break they're on the ball says Ray and I can't wait!
I think the hidden question here is this...
Can a band remain genuine aboard the wings of success?
^A never ending debate- What is a sellout, really. A person who compromises his or her personal values, integrity, talent, or the like, for money or personal advancement.
^Has this become My Chemical Romance? Not at all. =)
It's a Gerard thing.
It's no secret that Gerard is seen as the bands mascot for obvious reasons. The man who once thrived of off self-isolation, depression and orbited around life-less living is now a happily married, responsible, successful, happy and more mature adult.
The changes that happened with him have stirred talk of group changes. Who he has become in his personal life to the person fans thought they knew him to be are polar opposites, so they say. How much of an artist' personal life should be taken into consideration when examining the professional is irrelevant, I believe. Some don't and feed off of their past perception of Gerard to measure him today. Gerard who once "did not believe in marriage" and "didn't need a piece of paper to prove his love for someone", is a husband and father today. That clash of morals doesn't sit well with some and they're determined to make theater out of it's very existence and whoever be responsible for changing him, has too much persuasion over the image of Gerard Way for fans to just sit comfortably robbed. It's easier to connect to the guy that's just as depressed as most of his followers are. He no longer is and those followers have a grudge to build up.
Amen, sistah!! xD
i think the people attacking me are so used to seeing people who are delisuonal into thinking they have any significance directly into their lifes that they arent hearing what im saying.
I DO NOT CARE WHAT GOES ON IN THE LIVES OF MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE. i simply dont. i do have a right to say that for me, for ME their message has been lost. and if your ignorance to what im actually trying to promote and get across is going to blind you so thoroughly your opinions are invalid.
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voodoochild93 said...
I don't get it, what have they done that annoys people so much? they leave messages to their fans on their webpage all the time, so i think they still care about fans. I don't get it when people say that they changed, how have they changed?
^ People! Not you in particular OR this journal in particular. I responded to her by saying some not you or all. If voodoochild93 was so convinced by your explanation of things, she would have addressed them. Sorry if it makes more sense for you to come across as heart broken over Gerard Way emulating a different person than for you to be upset over what isn't there to be upset over, according to the other opinion. For you to rule out everything I've said in compliance with the issues you say are afloat and completely avoid responding to them and then become so FURIOUS over a comment you claim has nothing to do with your reasoning, makes it hard to believe the 'personal lives' reason has nothing to do with your feelings at all.
I signed up to buzznet to remain in touch with the band news-wise. I like to buy that new album on its first release date and there's no better way to stay alert on such things than the internet. Anything in between is to pass time. I hate gossip and I always have. There's a difference between remaining in touch on the surface and digging 6 feet under.
The message of MCR is to stay alive, be yourself and take no ones shit. How has that changed?
There's nothing idiotic about an MCR fan using their feelings towards Gerard's actions and basing those feelings on overall band perception. It's a common thing.
ps. For future reference- after a few days, the journal comment updates don't show up. It's only out of sheer curiosity that I returned here. So, if you wish to interact with anyone posting here, it's safer to leave them a note. Otherwise, they wouldn't have known you replied to them at all.
Posting pictures and "plastering" our pages with MCR shit shows our support of the band. Or have you forgotten what that's like?
I presume you made a Buzznet account precisely to voice your opinion?
You make a very eloquent argument, and response - both in a passionate manner.
But you dont post it to the main MCR Topic board.
Is that because you dont want to be challenged, or because you think the people who are 'patroling' the message boards are beneath your intellect?
Maybe you are already on the boards under another name, or were once.
I find people like you, who make an account simply to post their objections to the Band (whatever kind of objection it is- yours' i guess is that their message is no longer valid) quite unsettling.
Loud and proud fans have every right to defend MCR.
Haters have every right to Hate. 'mcrdonotsavelives' have a thriving community you may be interested in!
I just dont get your stance? What is your reason for taking the time to write such a viewpoint, creating an account, and then not particularly wishing to discuss it with the masses?
You might say thats none of my business.... in which case why write the article anyway?