This entire tour was full of Gerard dressing up differently and that's amazing, I feel it helped them express themself exactly like they want, cat ears included lmao It just really feels like MCR finally feel really free, without burden of depression or addiction, and that's the best thing about reunion tour for me (I saw them in Poland, my favorite concert in years) Also a fun fact, Bury Me In Black is a very deep cut, it was a bonus track off of 04 live album, this tour was the first time they performed it
My brother had a huge grunge phase when I was very little and my mum banned it in our house after I repeated some...questionable lyrics. So I was taught that that kind of music wasn't allowed, but it was never explained to me that it wasn't age appropriate, just that it was "Bad". So when I was in high school, I saved up money from my part time job to buy a "secret iPod" (they totally knew) with all my emo music on it. It got me through some tough times. I'm 27 now, and I have a much broader taste in music, but the music I listened to as a teen will always be special to me. MCR however, is special. There was a point where I "grew out" of it, but as my tastes broadened, I found myself coming back to them specifically. I've found that my broader tastes have allowed me to appreciate the music itself instead of my personal emotions tied to it. I think my attitude towards the band, the community and my music is better because I grew up, broadened my tastes, and circled back to truly appreciate it.
Some notes (I was in the pit on Sunday night): - I'm probably the only person to say this, but Danger Days is my favorite album - There was some very mild moshing in the pit on Sunday night. - There was quite a bit of crowdsurfing - I mostly just enjoyed the moment but I took about 8 pictures when I had a good shot and recorded two 1 minute videos for friends who couldn't be there of songs they specifically asked me to get for them if they were played.
there have definitely been mosh pits at my chem shows. you can find some of their earlier sets at stuff like Hellfest, Reading, and Download festivals on youtube where they go heavy. and yeah, they never liked being called emo/goth. They have pretty deep punk, hardcore, and metal roots and that’s what helps make them hard to classify and gives them their distinct sound. Ray (lead guitar) is a metal dude, Frank (rhythm guitar) is from the hardcore punk scene, and Gerard and Mikey grew up listening to Queen, Black Flag, the Misfits, the Smiths, Maiden, and black metal. so they’re all over the place in the best way. I mean hell, if a band with hardcore and metal roots can get Liza freakin Minnelli to do vocals on a track and Brian May to play with them live, they must be doing something right 🤷🏼♀️
seeing them live in exactly a week!!!! im 26 now, and ever since i was like 13 their music / meaning has aged as i have. i still find new ways to appreciate them and i find them highly resonant! most influential rock band of the 2000s next to Linkin Park imo.
The album that got me through my teens was I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose by Bombay Bicycle Club... As an indie boy with skinny jeans, a floppy fringe and a plaid shirt who played in bands, they were the epitome of cooooool.
When you drop nuggets of dad knowledge, I really love it! "When you're having a bad time with your kids, you're screwing up in some way." I really felt that. This is correct and you are doing the right thing, I think. My oldest is 7 and it took me forever to realize that when we aren't getting along, it's usually because I'm not being tolerant or accepting enough of how he sees things and what he likes and I'm being a grumpy old man. I have had to immerse myself in the story, music and gameplay of Five Nights At Freddy's and others and found that even if I'm not totally into it, to see his eyes light up when we can have conversations about it, is what it's about. Relating to your kids over an interest they feel isolated in until you become the person in the house that are on the inside with them is so rewarding and great for the relationship!
MCR was definitely my phase band. They were my first favorite band and got me through arguably the worst time in my life. I never stopped liking them but they did stop being my favorite during the breakup. They mean so much to me and I will probably never stop liking them
My phase music was most DEFINITELY king gizzard and the lizard wizard. Back in 2020 my ridiculous obsession with them saved me from the monotony of quarantine - they’re such a boundlessly obsessable band, between the fan lore, the memes, the ridiculous amount of albums, the RUclips content… I gave high school speeches on king gizzard, tried to get all my friends to listen to them, spent hours on their fan Facebook groups and subreddits. I’m pretty sure I listened to an average of 3 king gizz albums a day. I’ve definitely never renounced them, but I think they became such a big part of my identity that I felt like I still had to act like “the king gizzard guy” even when I hadn’t listened to them for months. I think, now that I’ve finally started to accept that I’m not into them like I used to be, I can start appreciating them as a great rock band again. I successfully got one of my friends in a king gizzard phase so we’ve been discussing them regularly, I’ve revisited (and loved!) one of their albums that I never used to care for, and I bought one of their records on vinyl and very much enjoyed listening to it. I’m finally seeing them live next month! So it was quite affirming to hear you say that eventually, you get to just appreciate your phase music as good music.
my phase music which has now just become my loved music was they might be giants. i got super into them between 18-20, died out with them around 21, and have slowly started re-listening to them more and more since their latest album from late last year. the first few semesters of college was a really turbulent time when it came to adjusting to new friend groups, personal schedules, and just getting my driver’s license. their wit and attitude made those times so much more enjoyable, and they might be one of my favorite bands of all time in retrospect
Great example. I never had a phase with them, but my first girlfriend did. Took me to a few shows. I’m probably their only fan who only owns their 90s stuff.
I had a similar experience with tmbg. Got really into Flood in maybe 9th or 10th grade, then eventually I branched out to I Like Fun and My Murdered Remains, then Glean, then Nanobots. That's about where I stopped. I heavily associate their newer albums with a specific time in my life, late high school into early college. I loved that time, but it was also very difficult for me in a number of ways. Covid hit during my senior year, and lockdown persisted through my first college semester, when I was living in a dorm room 13 hours away from my hometown. I ended up transferring schools after that (just couldn't handle the distance), so I feel pretty melancholic when I think about that first semester. I haven't gone back to those albums yet, though I have no doubt that I will eventually, and I haven't listened to any of their earlier stuff other than Flood. Maybe I will
one more note: the 9/11 thing is true. Gerard was on his way from Jersey to NYC that morning to pitch a show to cartoon network (he’s a comic writer and artist first, musician second… and his comics are amazing) and watched it happen. he went home and started the band the next day to help him process his grief.
I retain my great respect for Pink Floyd. Their bleakness made them relatable -- but currently I find myself not going back to them due to that bleakness.
Thanks 💐. I'm 59 -- never outgrew the bands of my childhood/teens (Beatles, Queen). Got into MCR months ago & have become, like, a neo-adolescent over them. Enjoyed your detailed review, & your take on your kids' development.
Could you recognize if any of the songs were in lower keys? Gerard seemed to be singing pretty high still. All of their songs (excluding some chill ones) have him constantly singing really high even though he doesn't have that much of a range. I hope his voice will stay healthy till the end of the tour cuz they made some comments about it on the first show in the US.
mcr was my phase band as well. they helped me when i was first beginning to experience a lot of depression and anxiety as i was transitioning from elementary school to middle school. i had a huge emo phase that continued throughout my middle school years, but as i started high school i started to really branch out in my music taste. mcr was nonexistent in my playlists for probably all of high school. i will say that i still liked (and continue to like) to rock graphic eyeliner and dye my hair crazy colors, but i had kind of forgotten about mcr. fast forward to last year (my freshman year of college) i had been going through my vinyls for some reason and decided to put on the black parade album and was reminded just how much their music had meant to me when i really needed something to hold on to. slowly my favorite songs of theirs started to make their way back into my playlists over the past year. i knew they were on tour and they were coming to my area, so in august i checked to see if i could get some reasonably priced resale tickets and got some pretty good seats. i surprised my little sister with the tickets because she recently started her own emo phase coincidentally and we went to see them on august 29th in philly. it was definitely one of my favorite concerts i’ve been to in a while. partly because of the pure nostalgia for sure, but there was just something special about seeing the first band i ever fell in love (especially because i never thought i’d get to see them). they were amazing live and i love that i now get to share something i loved growing up with my little sister
i left a little comment on your original review of welcome to the black parade and thinking about it if you want to know more about mcr you can look at wendigoon review and theory about the theme of welcome to the black parade. I am really glad that you enjoyed the concert, the band does a good performance and I asking once again to look up again on mcr with a fresh approach
i went through an Elliott smith phase from around 11-15 years old or so. i listened to him constantly every day... his music gives me massive nostalgia, but i hardly listen to him at all anymore.
You should have seen and been thru the Beatles invasion if you think you've heard screaming .I was at Dodgers Stadium to see them and you couldn't hear them above the jet engine volume level of screaming .
Phase music for me was definitely metalcore. Stuff like asking Alexandria, a day to remember, Of Mice & Men, the devil wears Prada. I got really into it in like 8th grade and was obsessed with it until around junior year of high school. Im 26 now and definitely catching myself revisiting these bands more for the nostalgia factor. It’s funny to think how important that kind of music was to me. Also prof. Skye please consider reviewing Mach’s rerelease of Wap Konn Joj!
My phase music is definitely Tame Impala. I listened to them a lot in High School. I often felt socially isolated at that time and their music offered me occasion to indulge in the range of negative emotions I was feeling, from embittered arrogance (“You will never come close to how I feel!” -Solitude Is Bliss), unadorned sadness (“Why Won’t They Talk to Me?”), and jealous longing (“I don’t suppose you could convince your lover to change his mind” -The Less I Know the Better). Their spacey soundscapes were open enough to encompass all that emotion and “legitimate” enough via taste makers such as Pitchfork. I felt as if my sadness was important because I could attach it to a band that was continuing a legacy of Good music in conversation with the Important psychedelic/indie bands of the past. Now the band sounds dull to me and their lyrical sentiments seem too myopic, but it’s possible my negative reaction is greatly informed by that HS self that I don’t like and haven’t gained enough distance from yet. I could reclaim them years from now!
I was really into pop punk from maybe 14 to 19, but specifically this band fireworks and the album gospel, which came out when i was a junior in highschool . I got a tattoo and everything. My taste in everything has expanded, but I still think that album has something that I haven't found anywhere else.
Personally I don't see mcr as a phase band bc it's been a constant in my life for like 7 years now, but other artists like panic!, Lana del Rey and Rob zombie definitely fit the bill for me
My phase music was Lana Del Rey, Troye Sivan, Marina and the Diamonds, Lorde and Melanie Martinez lmaoo I was pretty connected to the tumblr sphere of alternative pop artists at the time and was also a boy in the closet questioning my sexuality, these communities were very inclusive and the music spoke to me in ways you’d expect it to speak to sad middle schoolers. I wouldn’t casually listen to them now but I appreciate how much they helped me through a rough time in my life, as well as opening me up to alternative styles of music. Ribs by lorde becoming a viral tiktok song for being nostalgic really put into perspective how I really am growing up alongside my generation of internet kids. In my senior year of high school I had friends who cycled through the same artists in their middle school alt pop phases and we all danced & sang along to Ribs on New Years, such a special moment :’). idk, I can never hate the music I used to listen to
Nirvana was my "phase" band. Around the time I got into them I was dealing with a very abusive stepdad, suicidal depression, PTSD, and what looking back at it now was nascent borderline personality disorder. Nirvana was the first band that I listened to that I felt like *got* that feeling, it was like Kurt Cobain was channeling the feelings and frustration of every fucked up, angry kid in America and putting it into song form. Later down the road I got into punk, indie rock, and experimental music largely due to looking into Kurt Cobain's influences, so directly or indirectly, Nirvana is basically responsible for how my taste in music has taken form. I actually didn't get into MCR until I turned 20 because I unfortunately turned my nose up at them for being "corporate" or whatever, but the truth is that they're just a fantastic rock band. Bullets is top-tier post-hardcore, Three Cheers is a somewhat more poppy refinement of Bullets's sound, and the Black Parade is pop punk by way of Queen. I could never really dig Danger Days though.
I was at this show moshing the whole time in a section closer to the right side of the stage. I surfed during Famous Last Words :D Definitely wasn't the whole floor moving considering most of the audience is in their mid 20 through their thirties. One of the best shows of my life and was a long time coming. Have been a fan since Helena came out. My admiration for them dwindled when indie rock became larger as emo rock got shamed to hell by the media. But I grew a bigger love for them through hard times and I do continue to go back. Such a great live band and in fact underrated if you ask people in the grand scheme of rock music, where does MCR get placed. Interesting perspective from someone who did not grow up with them. Cheers.
I think your perspective is very interesting and I agree with some points, but not all. I do not fully agree with the idea of "phase music". To be honest, I think that your teenage years kind of shape your music taste and they stay with you even if you broaden your horizons musically speaking. I started listening to MCR when I was about 12-13 (I'm 29 now) and that was the time when I realized that I loved rock music and when I was starting to discover my favorite bands (like Green Day, The Offspring, Paramore, A7X, Billy Talent, Papa Roach, Incubus... so a lot of punk/pop rock, but also heavier and more alternative bands). I'm Spanish and I lived in a small town, so basically no one had ever heard of those bands apart from one or two friends (who knew them because I wouldn't stop playing their music to them). The bands that I mentioned are bands that I still listen to to this day, but there were many others that did not make the cut and I think that's partly because they were not as good. I do not pay much attention to The Offspring or Green Day's new albums cause I do not really "need" more of what they're doing anymore, but I definitely listen to their old albums and would go to one of their shows. In the case of MCR or Paramore, I'm interested in their new music because I feel like they still come up with new stuff that I may like. What it's true though, and what I think fits with your "phase" idea, is that I am not as interested in the music that was everything for me at that time (mostly new pop punk and punk rock bands) and that I listen to it with a slightly nostalgic feeling, but I definitely did not "outgrow" it in the sense that I don't just like it because it reminds me of that time: I still enjoy the music and apreciate their lyrics and personality. In fact, that's the music that opened my eyes to a whole new world of music that here in Spain is definitely far away from being mainstream. I think that the bands I listened to when I was a teenager and that I still enjoy are great bands and were my gateway to classic bands like The Bestles, Nirvana or Metallica and new artists like Big Thief, Phoebe Bridgers, Wet Leg, Julia Jacklin or Stella Donnelly, even if their styles are completely different. They sparked my interest in music; they taught me that there is a marvelous world beyond mainstream and that the best thing about music is the great variety that is out there.
Great review! I was shocked to see this video on my feed because I was at this show, and saw you got the same shirt as me there haha (the white one). On the topic of phases, funny enough I grew up hating MCR, thinking I was too cool for them and that their vampire/makeup shtick was corny (while at the same time my favorite bands were post-hardcore scene bands like Sleeping With Sirens, Pierce the Veil). anyway I 'outgrew' those bands but still love the albums that got me into them. When MCR announced the reunion tour, I wanted to give them another shot as they're one of my gf's favorite bands - I wanted to get excited with her. So over the past months I've just been obsessing over them, trying to learn as many of the lyrics cuz I know their call-and-response characteristic is part of what makes their shows so good. Man... Am I glad I did, I ended up going to both Toronto shows and now I'm flying with her to Chicago this week to see them at Riot Fest. They put on an incredible show and I haven't stopped thinking about those sets since I saw them. Best concerts I've ever seen along with the two RATM shows I caught this summer. So I guess this was sort of a reverse case of a band on the 'opposite end' of my scene phase ending up being one of my favorites. Like you said, it was just an awesome hard rock performance with no frills
I'm 30, loved them and their music since I was a preteen. I think people listen to stuff until they need a break, but can still like them. Was so happy to be in the crowd in Toronto last night (Monday) :)
He was dressing up for multiple concerts shows this tour apparently. Sweet cheers for sweet revenge lol No mosh because polite Canada? Lmao. Jokes. I wss expecting more moshing, though not as much as other concerts lol was nice not to be slammed overall though.
The only crowd surfing i saw was a girl who i am not sure will remember the concert try and end up feet up within seconds (no injury luckily) was surpised she was the only one i saw
Great video. I think its a cycle sometimes. I was an emo kid in highschool, MCR was my top bad, I am a musician that got into music in part because of Frank Ieros crazy stage presence. I was into other bands as well, blink 182, fall out boy (this is 2005-2008). I ended up highschool, got into pink floyd, jazz, prog rock, and so on... Moving now to pandemic, 2020, Im 27/28, Blink 182 had a new member, and I checked it out, at first it sounded weird, like child music, then it started growing on me, as soon as 2021, Im into Fall out bot, panic at the disco, MCR, blink 182 and a long list, some where bands that I loved as a kid, and in most cases they are putting new music out. MCR is again an inspiration. I just like you said, its not a phase now, its a relationship of inspiration and appreciation towards this bands that are just great at expressing angst, and open hearted pain. Cheers to everyone here who feels music wherever it comes from.
My phase music was the album Deathconsciousness by Have a Nice Life when I was going through heavy bouts of mood swings and suicidal ideation. I thought it was one of the best albums ever made at that point. However, now I'm kinda looking to sell my copy of it on vinyl. It's still a great album with fantastic songs but it just doesn't nearly have the impact it once had. It doesn't even have a comfort factor to it like Nirvana's MTV Unplugged does in my mind.
I discovered mcr from a friend at a school, i was obsessed with the f Last 2 albums but don't listen to them as much. I think the same thing is to former favourite band arctic monkeys. I meant be growing out of them a bit.
My phase music was probably $uicideboy$ from like 2015-2018. I was 21 at the start. I was couch surfing, working a dead end job and dropped out of college and was partying with no direction. Super depressed. I try not to cringe in hindsight but it’s hard. I was cringe. And that’s okay. Lol. It got me through finding myself before my brain was fully developed (questionable) and I became self aware.
I was in middle school when "The Black Parade" came out, and I loved it at the time, but still not in an obsessive way where I'd listen to the album front to back. I'm sure I tried to, but let's be honest, the album sequencing isn't great, the narrative isn't quite linear, and there was a lot of filler that just flew right past me. Mostly I loved them for their aesthetic and their singles. MTV was still a thing back then and they had some really cool videos. Also, the early 2000's was a good time for other emo-adjacent things as well, like Tim Burton movies and Harry Potter... Man, youtube used to have tons of MCR fan-made music videos set only to Harry Potter film clips! haha I was in highschool when Zack Synder's Watchmen movie came out, and MCR covered Dylan's "Desolation Row" for the soundtrack. (It plays in the credits.) Watchmen also opens with a montage set to "The Times They Are A-Changin'" and it's easily the best part of the whole film. I forget if I was a Dylan fan before Watchment or not, but regardless, to my mind, that film essentially put the two artists in such close proximity that it became impossible for me not to compare them. Discovering songs like "The Times They Are A-Changin'" made me realize that the angriest artists don't have to scream, and that "mature" can mean something much different than MCR's dark, horror movie aesthetic. As a teen I wanted to feel mature, and to appreciate mature art, so Bob Dylan became my off-ramp from all the campy, overly stylized, rock and hip-hop of the early 2000's. I was in college when I loosened up and finally allowed myself to enjoy campy, overly stylized, rock and hip-hop of the early 2000's again. There I discovered the bands Brand New and The Dresden Dolls. Despite both bands being from the same era and (loosely) the same emo genre as MCR, I was able to see past their sensibilities and actually take their music and lyrics seriously. I take them seriously in ways I still can't with MCR. In short, they aged well while MCR did not. Musically speaking, there's nothing MCR did that Brand New or The Dresden Dolls didn't do better. Gerard Way is a great front man, and a very expressive singer, but let's not pretend that their massive success back in the day wasn't majorly impacted by his pretty-boy looks.
Professor I’m not sure if you will see this but please review Realer 2 by NBA Youngboy… it just dropped today, and if you liked The Last Slimeto, you’ll LOVE this one.
I used to listen to a lot of mainstream post hardcore bands like Alesana, Pierce The Veil, sleeping with sirens and related metal bands like Bullet For My Valentine, Bring Me The Horizon, Underoath. Yeah just entry level emo
I seem to return to all my phase music. Except maybe some of the crappier punk...but was I ever into it that much? See, this becomes difficult. I took my kids to see P!ATD, so that's my parallel experience to yours. I think my kids liked MCR as well, as that goes along with Panic and maybe Maroon 5 or something? Seems like there are 3 bands that they all had to like.
It's my fault for listening to part of this, but in my defense I was thought I was going to hear a point get made instead of listening to a guy's DIY therapy session.
With all the crises that humanity is faced that stem from over-populqtion, don't you think two kids are enough? Should've had the snip at two kids dude...jesus
This entire tour was full of Gerard dressing up differently and that's amazing, I feel it helped them express themself exactly like they want, cat ears included lmao
It just really feels like MCR finally feel really free, without burden of depression or addiction, and that's the best thing about reunion tour for me (I saw them in Poland, my favorite concert in years)
Also a fun fact, Bury Me In Black is a very deep cut, it was a bonus track off of 04 live album, this tour was the first time they performed it
My brother had a huge grunge phase when I was very little and my mum banned it in our house after I repeated some...questionable lyrics. So I was taught that that kind of music wasn't allowed, but it was never explained to me that it wasn't age appropriate, just that it was "Bad". So when I was in high school, I saved up money from my part time job to buy a "secret iPod" (they totally knew) with all my emo music on it. It got me through some tough times. I'm 27 now, and I have a much broader taste in music, but the music I listened to as a teen will always be special to me. MCR however, is special. There was a point where I "grew out" of it, but as my tastes broadened, I found myself coming back to them specifically. I've found that my broader tastes have allowed me to appreciate the music itself instead of my personal emotions tied to it. I think my attitude towards the band, the community and my music is better because I grew up, broadened my tastes, and circled back to truly appreciate it.
Some notes (I was in the pit on Sunday night):
- I'm probably the only person to say this, but Danger Days is my favorite album
- There was some very mild moshing in the pit on Sunday night.
- There was quite a bit of crowdsurfing
- I mostly just enjoyed the moment but I took about 8 pictures when I had a good shot and recorded two 1 minute videos for friends who couldn't be there of songs they specifically asked me to get for them if they were played.
there have definitely been mosh pits at my chem shows. you can find some of their earlier sets at stuff like Hellfest, Reading, and Download festivals on youtube where they go heavy. and yeah, they never liked being called emo/goth. They have pretty deep punk, hardcore, and metal roots and that’s what helps make them hard to classify and gives them their distinct sound. Ray (lead guitar) is a metal dude, Frank (rhythm guitar) is from the hardcore punk scene, and Gerard and Mikey grew up listening to Queen, Black Flag, the Misfits, the Smiths, Maiden, and black metal. so they’re all over the place in the best way. I mean hell, if a band with hardcore and metal roots can get Liza freakin Minnelli to do vocals on a track and Brian May to play with them live, they must be doing something right 🤷🏼♀️
seeing them live in exactly a week!!!! im 26 now, and ever since i was like 13 their music / meaning has aged as i have. i still find new ways to appreciate them and i find them highly resonant! most influential rock band of the 2000s next to Linkin Park imo.
So strange seeing Roc Marciano vid and now this. Low key love it.
There is so much great culture to appreciate from all over!
The album that got me through my teens was I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose by Bombay Bicycle Club... As an indie boy with skinny jeans, a floppy fringe and a plaid shirt who played in bands, they were the epitome of cooooool.
When you drop nuggets of dad knowledge, I really love it! "When you're having a bad time with your kids, you're screwing up in some way." I really felt that. This is correct and you are doing the right thing, I think. My oldest is 7 and it took me forever to realize that when we aren't getting along, it's usually because I'm not being tolerant or accepting enough of how he sees things and what he likes and I'm being a grumpy old man. I have had to immerse myself in the story, music and gameplay of Five Nights At Freddy's and others and found that even if I'm not totally into it, to see his eyes light up when we can have conversations about it, is what it's about. Relating to your kids over an interest they feel isolated in until you become the person in the house that are on the inside with them is so rewarding and great for the relationship!
They've been my favorite band since I first heard them sixteen years ago.
MCR was definitely my phase band. They were my first favorite band and got me through arguably the worst time in my life. I never stopped liking them but they did stop being my favorite during the breakup. They mean so much to me and I will probably never stop liking them
My phase music was most DEFINITELY king gizzard and the lizard wizard. Back in 2020 my ridiculous obsession with them saved me from the monotony of quarantine - they’re such a boundlessly obsessable band, between the fan lore, the memes, the ridiculous amount of albums, the RUclips content… I gave high school speeches on king gizzard, tried to get all my friends to listen to them, spent hours on their fan Facebook groups and subreddits. I’m pretty sure I listened to an average of 3 king gizz albums a day.
I’ve definitely never renounced them, but I think they became such a big part of my identity that I felt like I still had to act like “the king gizzard guy” even when I hadn’t listened to them for months. I think, now that I’ve finally started to accept that I’m not into them like I used to be, I can start appreciating them as a great rock band again. I successfully got one of my friends in a king gizzard phase so we’ve been discussing them regularly, I’ve revisited (and loved!) one of their albums that I never used to care for, and I bought one of their records on vinyl and very much enjoyed listening to it. I’m finally seeing them live next month! So it was quite affirming to hear you say that eventually, you get to just appreciate your phase music as good music.
my phase music which has now just become my loved music was they might be giants. i got super into them between 18-20, died out with them around 21, and have slowly started re-listening to them more and more since their latest album from late last year. the first few semesters of college was a really turbulent time when it came to adjusting to new friend groups, personal schedules, and just getting my driver’s license. their wit and attitude made those times so much more enjoyable, and they might be one of my favorite bands of all time in retrospect
Great example. I never had a phase with them, but my first girlfriend did. Took me to a few shows. I’m probably their only fan who only owns their 90s stuff.
@@professorskye i highly recommend lincoln, but flood and apollo 18 are also amazing.
I had a similar experience with tmbg. Got really into Flood in maybe 9th or 10th grade, then eventually I branched out to I Like Fun and My Murdered Remains, then Glean, then Nanobots. That's about where I stopped.
I heavily associate their newer albums with a specific time in my life, late high school into early college. I loved that time, but it was also very difficult for me in a number of ways. Covid hit during my senior year, and lockdown persisted through my first college semester, when I was living in a dorm room 13 hours away from my hometown. I ended up transferring schools after that (just couldn't handle the distance), so I feel pretty melancholic when I think about that first semester.
I haven't gone back to those albums yet, though I have no doubt that I will eventually, and I haven't listened to any of their earlier stuff other than Flood. Maybe I will
Certain periods of time- music happens. Once it’s over, it’s a new era
one more note: the 9/11 thing is true. Gerard was on his way from Jersey to NYC that morning to pitch a show to cartoon network (he’s a comic writer and artist first, musician second… and his comics are amazing) and watched it happen. he went home and started the band the next day to help him process his grief.
when I was 14 pink floyd was the first band I dove into myself and now I barely listen to them but there’ll forever be one of my favourites
I retain my great respect for Pink Floyd. Their bleakness made them relatable -- but currently I find myself not going back to them due to that bleakness.
Thanks 💐. I'm 59 -- never outgrew the bands of my childhood/teens (Beatles, Queen). Got into MCR months ago & have become, like, a neo-adolescent over them. Enjoyed your detailed review, & your take on your kids' development.
P. S.: T-shirt on the wall -- see what ya did there nice going 🥀.
Could you recognize if any of the songs were in lower keys? Gerard seemed to be singing pretty high still. All of their songs (excluding some chill ones) have him constantly singing really high even though he doesn't have that much of a range. I hope his voice will stay healthy till the end of the tour cuz they made some comments about it on the first show in the US.
a fellow youtuber from Toronto (ish) yay, much love Professor!
A&W not my first Toronto food choice but glad you liked it.
One of my phase albums is Black Star (‘98)
mcr was my phase band as well. they helped me when i was first beginning to experience a lot of depression and anxiety as i was transitioning from elementary school to middle school. i had a huge emo phase that continued throughout my middle school years, but as i started high school i started to really branch out in my music taste.
mcr was nonexistent in my playlists for probably all of high school. i will say that i still liked (and continue to like) to rock graphic eyeliner and dye my hair crazy colors, but i had kind of forgotten about mcr.
fast forward to last year (my freshman year of college) i had been going through my vinyls for some reason and decided to put on the black parade album and was reminded just how much their music had meant to me when i really needed something to hold on to. slowly my favorite songs of theirs started to make their way back into my playlists over the past year.
i knew they were on tour and they were coming to my area, so in august i checked to see if i could get some reasonably priced resale tickets and got some pretty good seats. i surprised my little sister with the tickets because she recently started her own emo phase coincidentally and we went to see them on august 29th in philly. it was definitely one of my favorite concerts i’ve been to in a while. partly because of the pure nostalgia for sure, but there was just something special about seeing the first band i ever fell in love (especially because i never thought i’d get to see them). they were amazing live and i love that i now get to share something i loved growing up with my little sister
i left a little comment on your original review of welcome to the black parade and thinking about it if you want to know more about mcr you can look at wendigoon review and theory about the theme of welcome to the black parade. I am really glad that you enjoyed the concert, the band does a good performance and I asking once again to look up again on mcr with a fresh approach
Love that you used to be a dead head lol, gotta give 2-15-73 show a listen ! another great video Professor
Wonder if 808s & Heartbreak is phase music to me after thinking about this concept.
i went through an Elliott smith phase from around 11-15 years old or so. i listened to him constantly every day... his music gives me massive nostalgia, but i hardly listen to him at all anymore.
probably nirvana, maybe Radiohead but I still listen to Radiohead. Seattle punk bands mainly were the phasiest thing I had
My phase music was Simple Plan!
You should have seen and been thru the Beatles invasion if you think you've heard screaming .I was at Dodgers Stadium to see them and you couldn't hear them above the jet engine volume level of screaming .
Hell yeah brother
Phase music for me was definitely metalcore. Stuff like asking Alexandria, a day to remember, Of Mice & Men, the devil wears Prada. I got really into it in like 8th grade and was obsessed with it until around junior year of high school. Im 26 now and definitely catching myself revisiting these bands more for the nostalgia factor. It’s funny to think how important that kind of music was to me.
Also prof. Skye please consider reviewing Mach’s rerelease of Wap Konn Joj!
My phase music is definitely Tame Impala. I listened to them a lot in High School. I often felt socially isolated at that time and their music offered me occasion to indulge in the range of negative emotions I was feeling, from embittered arrogance (“You will never come close to how I feel!” -Solitude Is Bliss), unadorned sadness (“Why Won’t They Talk to Me?”), and jealous longing (“I don’t suppose you could convince your lover to change his mind” -The Less I Know the Better). Their spacey soundscapes were open enough to encompass all that emotion and “legitimate” enough via taste makers such as Pitchfork. I felt as if my sadness was important because I could attach it to a band that was continuing a legacy of Good music in conversation with the Important psychedelic/indie bands of the past. Now the band sounds dull to me and their lyrical sentiments seem too myopic, but it’s possible my negative reaction is greatly informed by that HS self that I don’t like and haven’t gained enough distance from yet. I could reclaim them years from now!
I was really into pop punk from maybe 14 to 19, but specifically this band fireworks and the album gospel, which came out when i was a junior in highschool . I got a tattoo and everything. My taste in everything has expanded, but I still think that album has something that I haven't found anywhere else.
Personally I don't see mcr as a phase band bc it's been a constant in my life for like 7 years now, but other artists like panic!, Lana del Rey and Rob zombie definitely fit the bill for me
My phase music was Lana Del Rey, Troye Sivan, Marina and the Diamonds, Lorde and Melanie Martinez lmaoo I was pretty connected to the tumblr sphere of alternative pop artists at the time and was also a boy in the closet questioning my sexuality, these communities were very inclusive and the music spoke to me in ways you’d expect it to speak to sad middle schoolers.
I wouldn’t casually listen to them now but I appreciate how much they helped me through a rough time in my life, as well as opening me up to alternative styles of music. Ribs by lorde becoming a viral tiktok song for being nostalgic really put into perspective how I really am growing up alongside my generation of internet kids. In my senior year of high school I had friends who cycled through the same artists in their middle school alt pop phases and we all danced & sang along to Ribs on New Years, such a special moment :’). idk, I can never hate the music I used to listen to
Nirvana was my "phase" band. Around the time I got into them I was dealing with a very abusive stepdad, suicidal depression, PTSD, and what looking back at it now was nascent borderline personality disorder. Nirvana was the first band that I listened to that I felt like *got* that feeling, it was like Kurt Cobain was channeling the feelings and frustration of every fucked up, angry kid in America and putting it into song form. Later down the road I got into punk, indie rock, and experimental music largely due to looking into Kurt Cobain's influences, so directly or indirectly, Nirvana is basically responsible for how my taste in music has taken form. I actually didn't get into MCR until I turned 20 because I unfortunately turned my nose up at them for being "corporate" or whatever, but the truth is that they're just a fantastic rock band. Bullets is top-tier post-hardcore, Three Cheers is a somewhat more poppy refinement of Bullets's sound, and the Black Parade is pop punk by way of Queen. I could never really dig Danger Days though.
I was at this show moshing the whole time in a section closer to the right side of the stage. I surfed during Famous Last Words :D Definitely wasn't the whole floor moving considering most of the audience is in their mid 20 through their thirties. One of the best shows of my life and was a long time coming. Have been a fan since Helena came out. My admiration for them dwindled when indie rock became larger as emo rock got shamed to hell by the media. But I grew a bigger love for them through hard times and I do continue to go back. Such a great live band and in fact underrated if you ask people in the grand scheme of rock music, where does MCR get placed. Interesting perspective from someone who did not grow up with them. Cheers.
I think your perspective is very interesting and I agree with some points, but not all. I do not fully agree with the idea of "phase music". To be honest, I think that your teenage years kind of shape your music taste and they stay with you even if you broaden your horizons musically speaking. I started listening to MCR when I was about 12-13 (I'm 29 now) and that was the time when I realized that I loved rock music and when I was starting to discover my favorite bands (like Green Day, The Offspring, Paramore, A7X, Billy Talent, Papa Roach, Incubus... so a lot of punk/pop rock, but also heavier and more alternative bands). I'm Spanish and I lived in a small town, so basically no one had ever heard of those bands apart from one or two friends (who knew them because I wouldn't stop playing their music to them). The bands that I mentioned are bands that I still listen to to this day, but there were many others that did not make the cut and I think that's partly because they were not as good. I do not pay much attention to The Offspring or Green Day's new albums cause I do not really "need" more of what they're doing anymore, but I definitely listen to their old albums and would go to one of their shows. In the case of MCR or Paramore, I'm interested in their new music because I feel like they still come up with new stuff that I may like. What it's true though, and what I think fits with your "phase" idea, is that I am not as interested in the music that was everything for me at that time (mostly new pop punk and punk rock bands) and that I listen to it with a slightly nostalgic feeling, but I definitely did not "outgrow" it in the sense that I don't just like it because it reminds me of that time: I still enjoy the music and apreciate their lyrics and personality. In fact, that's the music that opened my eyes to a whole new world of music that here in Spain is definitely far away from being mainstream. I think that the bands I listened to when I was a teenager and that I still enjoy are great bands and were my gateway to classic bands like The Bestles, Nirvana or Metallica and new artists like Big Thief, Phoebe Bridgers, Wet Leg, Julia Jacklin or Stella Donnelly, even if their styles are completely different. They sparked my interest in music; they taught me that there is a marvelous world beyond mainstream and that the best thing about music is the great variety that is out there.
Great review! I was shocked to see this video on my feed because I was at this show, and saw you got the same shirt as me there haha (the white one). On the topic of phases, funny enough I grew up hating MCR, thinking I was too cool for them and that their vampire/makeup shtick was corny (while at the same time my favorite bands were post-hardcore scene bands like Sleeping With Sirens, Pierce the Veil). anyway I 'outgrew' those bands but still love the albums that got me into them. When MCR announced the reunion tour, I wanted to give them another shot as they're one of my gf's favorite bands - I wanted to get excited with her. So over the past months I've just been obsessing over them, trying to learn as many of the lyrics cuz I know their call-and-response characteristic is part of what makes their shows so good. Man... Am I glad I did, I ended up going to both Toronto shows and now I'm flying with her to Chicago this week to see them at Riot Fest. They put on an incredible show and I haven't stopped thinking about those sets since I saw them. Best concerts I've ever seen along with the two RATM shows I caught this summer. So I guess this was sort of a reverse case of a band on the 'opposite end' of my scene phase ending up being one of my favorites. Like you said, it was just an awesome hard rock performance with no frills
I'm 30, loved them and their music since I was a preteen. I think people listen to stuff until they need a break, but can still like them. Was so happy to be in the crowd in Toronto last night (Monday) :)
Never stopped my parents from listening though, but they never had an overall interest
Apologies for the multiple comments, commenting as I watch haha.
Buildup was too long i agree haha.
He was dressing up for multiple concerts shows this tour apparently.
Sweet cheers for sweet revenge lol
No mosh because polite Canada? Lmao. Jokes. I wss expecting more moshing, though not as much as other concerts lol was nice not to be slammed overall though.
You know what they do to guys like us in prison. Its my favourite too haha
The only crowd surfing i saw was a girl who i am not sure will remember the concert try and end up feet up within seconds (no injury luckily) was surpised she was the only one i saw
Great video. I think its a cycle sometimes. I was an emo kid in highschool, MCR was my top bad, I am a musician that got into music in part because of Frank Ieros crazy stage presence. I was into other bands as well, blink 182, fall out boy (this is 2005-2008). I ended up highschool, got into pink floyd, jazz, prog rock, and so on... Moving now to pandemic, 2020, Im 27/28, Blink 182 had a new member, and I checked it out, at first it sounded weird, like child music, then it started growing on me, as soon as 2021, Im into Fall out bot, panic at the disco, MCR, blink 182 and a long list, some where bands that I loved as a kid, and in most cases they are putting new music out. MCR is again an inspiration. I just like you said, its not a phase now, its a relationship of inspiration and appreciation towards this bands that are just great at expressing angst, and open hearted pain. Cheers to everyone here who feels music wherever it comes from.
where did u get that franz kafka poster?
At the Kafka museum in Prague. Out of print now.
@@professorskye pain!
Great weejio
My phase music was the album Deathconsciousness by Have a Nice Life when I was going through heavy bouts of mood swings and suicidal ideation. I thought it was one of the best albums ever made at that point. However, now I'm kinda looking to sell my copy of it on vinyl. It's still a great album with fantastic songs but it just doesn't nearly have the impact it once had. It doesn't even have a comfort factor to it like Nirvana's MTV Unplugged does in my mind.
Damn by Kendrick Lamar, I didn't completely renounce it was in 2017 that year was depressing, Pride is still my most listened song to this day.
I discovered mcr from a friend at a school, i was obsessed with the f
Last 2 albums but don't listen to them as much.
I think the same thing is to former favourite band arctic monkeys. I meant be growing out of them a bit.
My phase music was probably $uicideboy$ from like 2015-2018. I was 21 at the start. I was couch surfing, working a dead end job and dropped out of college and was partying with no direction. Super depressed. I try not to cringe in hindsight but it’s hard. I was cringe. And that’s okay. Lol. It got me through finding myself before my brain was fully developed (questionable) and I became self aware.
You should check out Dermot Kennedy! He is AMAZING!
I was in middle school when "The Black Parade" came out, and I loved it at the time, but still not in an obsessive way where I'd listen to the album front to back. I'm sure I tried to, but let's be honest, the album sequencing isn't great, the narrative isn't quite linear, and there was a lot of filler that just flew right past me. Mostly I loved them for their aesthetic and their singles. MTV was still a thing back then and they had some really cool videos. Also, the early 2000's was a good time for other emo-adjacent things as well, like Tim Burton movies and Harry Potter... Man, youtube used to have tons of MCR fan-made music videos set only to Harry Potter film clips! haha
I was in highschool when Zack Synder's Watchmen movie came out, and MCR covered Dylan's "Desolation Row" for the soundtrack. (It plays in the credits.) Watchmen also opens with a montage set to "The Times They Are A-Changin'" and it's easily the best part of the whole film. I forget if I was a Dylan fan before Watchment or not, but regardless, to my mind, that film essentially put the two artists in such close proximity that it became impossible for me not to compare them. Discovering songs like "The Times They Are A-Changin'" made me realize that the angriest artists don't have to scream, and that "mature" can mean something much different than MCR's dark, horror movie aesthetic. As a teen I wanted to feel mature, and to appreciate mature art, so Bob Dylan became my off-ramp from all the campy, overly stylized, rock and hip-hop of the early 2000's.
I was in college when I loosened up and finally allowed myself to enjoy campy, overly stylized, rock and hip-hop of the early 2000's again. There I discovered the bands Brand New and The Dresden Dolls. Despite both bands being from the same era and (loosely) the same emo genre as MCR, I was able to see past their sensibilities and actually take their music and lyrics seriously. I take them seriously in ways I still can't with MCR. In short, they aged well while MCR did not. Musically speaking, there's nothing MCR did that Brand New or The Dresden Dolls didn't do better. Gerard Way is a great front man, and a very expressive singer, but let's not pretend that their massive success back in the day wasn't majorly impacted by his pretty-boy looks.
Professor I’m not sure if you will see this but please review Realer 2 by NBA Youngboy… it just dropped today, and if you liked The Last Slimeto, you’ll LOVE this one.
I used to listen to a lot of mainstream post hardcore bands like Alesana, Pierce The Veil, sleeping with sirens and related metal bands like Bullet For My Valentine, Bring Me The Horizon, Underoath.
Yeah just entry level emo
panic at the disco isn't really goth or emo anymore their newer music connects to a different set of people
I seem to return to all my phase music. Except maybe some of the crappier punk...but was I ever into it that much? See, this becomes difficult. I took my kids to see P!ATD, so that's my parallel experience to yours. I think my kids liked MCR as well, as that goes along with Panic and maybe Maroon 5 or something? Seems like there are 3 bands that they all had to like.
MCR is legendary
It's my fault for listening to part of this, but in my defense I was thought I was going to hear a point get made instead of listening to a guy's DIY therapy session.
OMG early first!!! FIRST!!!!
no
@@lcof8318 yes!
It was not a phase mom
With all the crises that humanity is faced that stem from over-populqtion, don't you think two kids are enough? Should've had the snip at two kids dude...jesus