My Chemical Romance

Visual artist Gerard Way formed MCR in 2001 as an artistic response to 9/11. He recruited his younger brother Mikey to play bass as well as guitarist Ray Toro and drummer Matt Pelissier. Rhythm guitarist Frank Iero joined the following year after his band, Pencey Prep, broke up.

The band built itself up from scratch, building an audience at New Jersey basement parties, before breaking out with their second album, 2004's Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge and the hit single "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)."

MCR had an international hit with their 2006 concept album The Black Parade, which centered on a dying character with cancer known as "The Patient". Musically, it incorporated Broadway theatrics and Glam Rock.