Randy J. Klodz - My Chemical Romance Brings ‘The Black Parade’ to Allstate Arena

Feb. 1, 2007

My Chemical Romance Brings ‘The Black Parade’ to Allstate Arena

By Randy J. Klodz

In a few short years, New Jersey-based rock band My Chemical Romance has ascended from Vans Warped Tour regulars to arena headliners. Chicago-area fans can celebrate the success of My Chemical Romance when the band’s “The Black Parade Tour” strolls through Allstate Arena on March 1.

My Chemical Romance—which includes Gerard Way (vocals), Frank Lero and Ray Toro (guitars), Mikey Way (bass) and Bob Bryar (drums)—is on tour in support of its latest effort “The Black Parade.”

My Chemical Romance built its way to arena-tour headliners with a modest start as a regular on the Vans Warped Tour as well as a support act on other popular tours with fellow pop and rock bands like Green Day and The Used.

The band’s videos are now quite popular with mainsteam media, and the My Chemical Romance obsession seems to swell each week.

And it’s deserving. The band displays catchy rock and pop songs about rebellion, death, love, and everything in between. Early on, songs like “Early Sunsets Over Monroeville” and “Honey This Mirror Isn’t Big Enough for the Two of Us” from the band’s debut album “I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love,” put My Chemical Romance on the map.

The 2004 album “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge” revved the My Chemical Romance fans into a frenzy with hits like “Helena” and “I’m Not OK (I Promise),” and the band’s latest album is helping My Chemical Romance add additional fans by the second.

The album’s title track, “The Black Parade” has been a regular fixture on radio and video outlets since its September debut. Also, the latest single “Famous Last Words” is drawing much attention, so much so the band performed the track during MTV’s New Year’s Eve celebration.

The raucous “House of Wolves,” the anthem-driven “Dead!,” the rebellious “Teenagers” and the solemn “Cancer” give the album a solid core.

Also, songs like “I Don’t Love You,” “Mama” “Sleep” are solid, giving the album several strong tracks fans are sure to enjoy at length.

Allstate Arena is at 6920 N. Mannheim Rd. in suburban Rosemont. Tickets for this all-ages show are listed for $30 each with showtime slated for 7:30 p.m. Chicago rock band Rise Against is also scheduled to perform. For more on My Chemical Romance log on to www.mychemicalromance.com.