There's a saying in the press world. All publicity is good publicity. Most of the time, this unwritten law works, however, there are exceptions, and I think we've found a prime example. Getting bigger by the day, My Chemical Romance have come a long way, and are probably only going to get bigger. Oh how we should savour this rare, deep insight into the band offered by Micheal Way, bassist in the band. Enjoy the amusing tour stories offered, and appreciate the dedication with which they apparantly wrote their latest offering "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge." I liked this album alot. I've kind of gone off it slightly. I'll let you make up your own minds though. Read on for the full interview. TS: Well hello there... could you please explain to us who you are, and what you do? MCR: Hi, my name is Michael Way and I play bass in MY chemical romance TS: My Chemical Romance - an interesting name... is there a story behind it? MCR: I used to work at a Barnes and Noble, and one dark and stormy night, someone left a stack of irvine welsh novels on the ground. The words "Chemical Romance" caught my eye and that's all she wrote. My was added for a personal touch. A personal commentery if you will. TS: What influenced you to join a band, and more to the point, what influenced you to play the music you do? MCR: I could pinpoint the live album by Iron Maiden "live after death" as the catalyst for me wanting to play music. From the theatric intro to the thundering choruses..what else could you want in rock and roll. I was sold... TS: What do you think has been the high point of your careers so far? MCR: so so many high points, david letterman,TRL, conan obrien, crazy jersey shows, playing in japan..the list goes on and on, we have been so fortunate. TS: So let's talk about record labels. Ok... so you are signed to Reprise Records - how does being a signed band differ from being unsigned? MCR: Being a signed group gives you the ammunition to reach a broad spectrum of people. It allows your message to get to the biggest ammount of people, which was appealing to us. TS: Do you feel there is a certain degree of pressure from being signed? MCR: We have yet to feel any sort of pressure because of our loving family at warner brothers. They have given us the leg room to truly grow as musicians and song writers. TS: By jumping from an indie to Reprise of the WBR group, there was an undercurrent of "sell out" comments - what do you say to this? MCR: No matter what happens when you sign to a major label, people are going to start swinging the sell out flag at you. If that's someones opinion, then they are entitled to it..its a free country. My take on it is, yes...we have sold out some shows, thank you very much TS: Finally on this subject - what are the top tips you can give to any band who are actively trying to get themselves signed? MCR: The best thing I can offer as advice to an unsigned band is to get in the van and make yourself known. Waste no time and destroy the touring scene and make your band a force to be reckoned with. Nothing in the world can top a god honest fan base. TS: Now onto a little album banter... "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge" - Why should I, a disconcerting member of the general public buy it? (what should we expect?) MCR: I would tell someone from the general public, if they were interested in a gods honest rock and pop explosion, then that should look no further than "three cheers" TS: When creating the album, did you have any aims to achieve with it? (and did you achieve them?) MCR: We didn't really have any expectations of of goals to reach with this album. We made an album that we liked and hoped people might like it too. Thankfully, people responded positively and we have many loving fans. TS: What do you feel the album means to you? (and do you have any favourite tracks etc) MCR: I feel that the album is a celebration of us as human beings in a hustle and bustle world, trying to have our voice heard. TS: If you had the ability to pick yourself up a cheap De'Lorean with a flux capacitor as standard, travel back in time and change something on the record, is there anything you'd do? MCR: I would have to say that I would have added more cowbell... TS: Gah! Well. Some tour talk now. I've just noticed that this Friday you'll be playing in London (my home town) and I don't have a ticket. I'm a fool. TS: Right now you are actively touring - What's been the highlight so far? MCR: So far the highlight has been Japan. Being able to bridge the language barrier and share our music with the japanese people has been an unforgettable experience. TS: What's the best bit about being on tour? MCR: The best bit about being on tour would definately be seeing the world and rocking their loving faces off. TS: You've opened for quite a few big bands - is there anyone you'd love to open for you? MCR: I would love to have a stand up comedian open up for us,...we tried it once a long time ago and it went over swimmingly. TS: ...and the last question on this subject, are there any amusing tour stories you'd like to share with us? MCR: Amusing tour stories? I don't quite know what I don't find amusing out on the road anymore. TS: It's Random question time. Let your creativity flow TS: What's the meaning of life? MCR: Rock Fury TS: What's your favourite website? MCR: www.robhitt.com TS: You've got one day left to live - what do you do? MCR: Eat fruity pebbles until I puke TS: and finally, the last question, I promise... is there anything you'd like to say to the world? MCR: Lighten up. Well. On that note - I hope you enjoyed the interview. Thanks to MCR for their time.