Show: My Chemical Romance
Date: May 27, 2011
Venue: Hollywood Palladium
City: Los Angeles, CA
My Chemical Romance
Photos by Nicolas Bates
Written by Michelle Oberg
The marquee at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles screamed “SOLD OUT!” to city-goers (as if that were supposed to come as a surprise). My Chemical Romance graced the city with their presence for a two-night stint at the historic venue, baring the same signage for both performances. Gone are the years of the Black Parade and “all black everything” as Jay-Z would tell you, but you’re still guaranteed a hard-hitting, crowd-rebelling, amped-up rock set sans the dark and depressed image fans had come to emulate. MCR’s latest record, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, brought in a new look where everything seems to be brighter, more vivid, ALIVE, and come from both the artists and the hits they put out. The plant-eating quartet, who is frozen in time with their boyish good looks and cracked case of childlike energy, brought their A-game to the stage, encouraging thoughts that maybe we could benefit from a more roughage-filled diet as well.
As energies never seemed to dwindle or fade into the night, each tune got the same attention and personalized theatrical approach as the last, starting with the opening radio hit “Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na…).” The key to attending their shows is to never look away; you will miss something. Perhaps Ray Toro (guitar) tossing his guitar over his back while still strumming away or Gerard crawling across the stage belting out lyrics like a tantrum-riddled child. The latter, of course, is merely a metaphor as Gerard always gets his way.
Fans flock to see them for their ability to produce a show as reputable as their records (with the exception of louder vocals), extended instrumentals and a chance to party with band. “Planetary (GO!)” has the entire venue dancing at the command of the frontman. Regardless of Gerard’s request, it’s their pop-iest tune with an added club-hit dance factor that takes over your body, starting in your toes and moving its way up. The lengthened finish indulged in additional beats coming from Michael Pedicone (touring drummer) and Ray Toro’s speedy neck-scaling chord changes.
In the midst of playing the new record’s hits, some old favorites had their place in the show; “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” and “Helena” were played. While those tunes are the epitome of their darker years, the exhibition of MCR’s growth and not forgetting where they started is extremely favorable. Both tracks encompass the same heaviness as played for The Warped Tour six years earlier as each of the members jump, spin, crawl, head bang—you name it—across the stage.
Fictional, futuristic-California smash hit “SING” saved its place at the tail end of the night, shortly before the two-song encore. If only Glenn Beck had been in the audience to see the reception and to better research his tongue-in-cheek statement of calling the record “propaganda.” “SING” brought out one of the loudest echoing chorus’s I’ve witnessed.
My Chemical Romance takes full control of their music, how they are represented, and how they want to portray themselves. While there are undeniably record label influences constantly playing devil’s advocate, they don’t fight against the naysayers; negative feedback fuels the artistic fire. If the day comes when their efforts begin to slow, that’s when we should be looking for a new line-up, perhaps under a pseudonym. White Stripes is to Jack White is to The Dead Weather and Raconteurs. Until then, let’s let the artists stick to their trade and continue to work hard for their fan’s respect; they do it so well.