Things I Like :)

Point 1: It’s incredibly common for bands to sell reissues/deluxe editions of their music. It’s normal for them to sell different vinyl variants. That isn’t “selling a car on tv.” They’re not giving up their values to sponsor some external product. This isn’t Shaq selling you Icy Hot, or whatever. They’re literally selling their own music, like any other musical act.

Point 2: If you’re so disappointed in their lack of discussion of politics in the current world, you’re confused about who you’re listening to. MCR tackles politics and current events through veils and metaphor. They ALWAYS have. They have never spoken on these things explicitly. They’re practically putting on a stageplay. If you want a band that speaks on politics more explicitly, go listen to them, instead. They are very much out there.

You listen to MCR for MCR. You listen to punk for punk. Don’t get it confused, now.

I hear that MCR just played a song live for the first time and I think “oh, rad! I love that song!” And then I look at the response to it, and it’s all MCR fans talking about how they want to kill everyone who got to see that setlist + “why did THEY get to see it and not ME” + “I’m going to hurt Frank Iero for this” yadda yadda…

And I KNOW people are gonna tell me “hey, man, people are just joking when they say that stuff,” but my point still stands that the negativity, the forceful and aggressive intensity, and the bizarre, envious attitudes are all antithetical to a fun, supportive fan community. I never see it anywhere else. It’s weird, and it’s exhausting. When folks I knew told me they hated me and wanted me to die etc. etc. for seeing songs played live that they had wanted to see, I didn’t feel like a part of a community, I felt like they were being mean to me… because they were being mean to me. It wasn’t “aw, man, I wish I could have seen that performance,” it was threats and aggression and guilt tripping. Because I was at a certain show. And then show after show, setlist after setlist, this happens to new crowds and different fans, and it isn’t fun. It’s weird and overzealous. It makes me not want to engage with other fans at all.

Once, I expressed excitement over seeing Na Na Na live again, and they judged me because “they play it every time.” Okay? I like Na Na Na. Where is your fucking joy? Do you not love the music? People keep coming back for TBP over and over. Can I not enjoy the same song a second time, purely because I like it?

For once, I think it’d be really dope if people could just express enjoyment of MCR shows without being bitter and tearing other people down, or being performatively overdramatic. It’s like the whole thing is a competition to show everyone else that you’re a crazier fan than they are.

I’m not saying they’re wrong to be annoyed, but you have to expect a big, moneymaking band on a major record label to act like it’s a big, moneymaking band on a major record label.

If you want to see a band + interact with a band that acts like a small, indie band, go see a small, indie band.

My Chemical Romance never would have happened if no one invested in the NJ post-hardcore scene 25 years ago.