Not the Life It Seems - by Tom Bryant (Paperback)

About the Book

The definitive biography of emo rock band My Chemical Romance, based on hours of exclusive, unpublished interviews by the journalist who knows them best

Book Synopsis

My Chemical Romance is the most significant band in alternative rock in the last decade. Inspirational, original, and stunningly creative, they forged an extraordinary connection with their fans. Not the Life It Seems: The True Lives of My Chemical Romance is their definitive biography.

Author Tom Bryant has been given unparalleled access to the band over the years, and now he draws on interviews with Gerard Way, his brother Mikey, Ray Toro, and Frank Iero, as well as friends and associates, to bring their stories to life. In this unauthorized biography, he takes us behind the scenes from their very first show in front of thirty kids in New Jersey-the Ways downing beer to calm their nerves-to international arena-storming superstardom. He sheds light on the personal demons the bandmates battled and the haunted recording sessions that resulted in the brilliance of The Black Parade. He also explores the genesis of their music, the constant reinvention that culminated in the visual splendor of Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, and the strains that led to their split in 2013.

Insightful and revealing, Not the Life It Seems presents one of the most adored rock bands of this century, their story an epic saga of self-belief and the pursuit of dreams.

Review Quotes

"A pretty compelling read...The most exhaustive examination into the band that grew from a small indie punk group to one of the biggest rock bands in the world."--NeuFutur

"Fans of the band will want to check the book out as it does give a fresh look on the events surrounding the groups break up. The book also includes some interesting black and white photos of the band which are worth checking out on their own."--Media Mikes

"Incredibly thorough research and writing...A complex look at the world's most dangerous rock band."

--Shameless Promotions & Media

About the Author

Tom Bryant has written for Kerrang!, Q, MOJO, The Guardian, and others over a fifteen-year music-writing career. He lives in London.