Chatting to NovaFM on the phone shortly before dinner, MCR frontman Gerard Way sounded relaxed and reflective and he explained what it was that pushed the band to shift from the darkness of Parade, to the hopeful and spirited Danger Days.
“I think it was a response, even if it was a self-response. And I think it had to exist,” Way, 34, said.
“It’s as simple as that. It’s what we needed at the time in order to make a new album. It’s what we felt the band needed and I think it’s gonna be looked at later on as a really interesting time in the band’s career."
Way said the Danger Days process provided him with the opportunity to discover answers he didn’t even realise he was seeking. “I learnt during Danger Days, more than anything else. I even learnt more about The Black Parade through Danger Days which was interesting because I didn’t learn anything about The Black Parade while touring on it,” he said.
“I think I just understood why The Black Parade existed and I took more ownership of it. I was a lot more proud of it. “I learnt why we made some decisions on Danger Days, why we made another record... I just really learnt why.”
In order to give the upbeat, energetic and fast-faced Danger Days tracks the electricity and energy they deserve, MCR’s live shows have taken a huge turn since the band members were last Down Under.
“Ever since the first show (of Danger Days) there has always been this intense party atmosphere. It’s definitely a very different thing,” Way said. “The atmosphere is not created by set pieces anymore. It’s created by the light and all the colours we have on stage – and then the audience,” he said. “It’s a bit more ‘bare bones’ in that way.”
Despite releasing Danger Days more than a year ago, the tracks on their most recent studio delivery haven’t aged over the last 12 months. When you listen to “Planetry (GO!”), “Na Na Na”, “The Kids From Yesterday” and "Party Poison” they sound as energetic and alive as they did when they were unveiled.
“The digital element we’re referencing on Danger Days is directly related to stuff in the 90s, like Chemical Brothers and a lot of British electronic bands,” he explained. “That’s starting to come back now. For this whole culture of kids that missed the rave scene, it’s staring to exist pretty heavily again and I think because that stuff is everywhere now, it’s probably sounding very right now.”
Despite boasting a red-hot fiery hairdo, and appearing as energetic as ever in all of the MCR images and videos we see online, Way admitted that he’s been struggling with the demands of the band’s high-intensity performances.
“I feel our challenge (has been) constantly having energy – like pedal-to-the-medal – all the time,” he explained.
“That was a big challenge this time whereas Parade was less so that, and a bit more reflective –whereas this is more progressive. It’s like eating imaginary speed. So that (has been) a physical and mental challenge every night to do.”
But don’t worry MCR fans, even though Way’s having some issues, he won't go down without a fight.
“The live experience is something that I find physically more demanding as I get older because there is a lot of recklessness involved – and there always has been with the band," he said.
“It’s a very difficult thing to constantly pull off and my threshold for it is lower in terms of how much I can do and how often I can do it... But I can’t not get completely reckless up there and break something. I just can’t not do it.”
MCR last treated Aussie fans to wild Parade gigs back in 2007. Way said the guys were pumped to be heading back for BDO.
"My two favourite festivals have always been Big Day Out and SummerSonic in Japan. The coolest thing about Big Day Out is that it just lasts longer, so you can really build momentum on it. I''m really excited.”
BIG DAY OUT 2012 INFO
SUNDAY 22 JANUARY, 2012 - GOLD COAST PARKLANDS
THURSDAY 26 JANUARY, 2012 - SYDNEY SHOWGROUND
SUNDAY 29 JANUARY, 2012 - MELBOURNE FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE
FRIDAY, 3 FEBRUARY, 2012 - ADELAIDE SHOWGROUND
SUNDAY, 5 FEBRUARY, 2012 - BROWNES STADIUM, PERTH
Big Day Out dates and info:
MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE SIDESHOW INFO
My Chemical Romance with Closure In Moscow sideshows
Tuesday 24th January – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
Friday 27th January – The Hordern, Sydney
Tuesday 31st January – Festival Hall, Melbourne
Tickets for all sideshows are on sale now! Click here for info.
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