My Chemical Romance rolled out of Newark, NJ in 2000 with an awesome and unmistakable punk-pop styling. The guys’ new rocket-fuel injected album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, holds nothing back. The riffs are intense, the lyrics are honest and the band gives new meaning to the genre they helped create known as thrash cabaret. Lead singer Gerard Way sounds off on Springsteen, Harry Potter and his chemical romance with Xanax…in the mtvU Hot Seat.
Q: Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
A: I got my head pecked to sh– by a black bird in San Francisco–it took my hair for a nest.
Q: What type of college class would you most want to take and why?
A: Mythology because I’m way into Medusa.
Q: What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
A: Los Angeles…it’s sleazy, glitzy and very good in small amounts.
Q: What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
A: If you believe in yourself you can do anything…my dad said that.
Q: What’s in heavy rotation in your mp3/CD player right now?
A: The Dresden Dolls’ new album…it’s amazing.
Q: The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to.
A: I’m reading Dharma Punks and I’m addicted to Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
Q: What’s the first concert you ever saw? How was it?
A: Bruce Springsteen at the Meadowlands; I saw it with my mom and it was amazing.
Q: What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
A: The Harry Potter books, Labyrinth on DVD and lots of Xanax.
Q: Who are your major musical influences?
A: Bruce Dickinson, Morrissey, Danzig, Tom Waits, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey.
