#james dewees

My dude Jack Cumes from Amor Mortal is SERIOUSLY channeling some MCR vibes here

An Open Letter to Kerrang! Magazine

(A disclaimer – No, I am not hating upon any band or any person. I am merely saying that every past member now be treated as their own individual solo artist).

Having been a fan of Kerrang! Magazine from age eight (up until recent years), I always supported the content they put out. They gave that link from artist to reader that I so desperately yearned for – I wanted to feel closer to and know what said artist was up to. Despite the countless issues that still reside in a drawer somewhere in my house, I’ve completely lost my love and affection towards this magazine, and mainly for one particular reason; my support for Frank Iero.

I’ll delve in a little deeper, starting with the release of stomachaches. Two years ago, almost to the day (at the point of writing this) it was released and I remember avidly waiting for reviews and to see this album being welcomed with open arms by many. By this point I had drifted from said magazine, but their review of this album in particular is what really began my questioning. Half the beginning of the review discussed what members of Iero’s previous band had been up to, even including lines about one not even being on the music radar. A strange start, perhaps it will improve? Apparently not. The majority of the review discussed Iero’s past and his role in another band. The very little I found for the album tracks themselves were brief, forgettable, something I find this album to be the complete opposite of. Fine, fine, with the recent breakup I was expecting “previous MCR member” as context, but not this drabble of the band’s history and members personal lives. The unrelated information I did receive in regards to different artists was regurgitated, even in the same magazine. A disappointment to begin many.

Fast forward through a few live reviews with the same beginning mention of MCR, despite the constant support growing for Frank with a solo title. That brings us to today with the recent release of Nothing Above, Nothing Below. By now, I, as well as many others supporting Frank, have expected the worst when it comes to Kerrang!, we don’t expect the focus on Frank as a separate being from MCR. We expect his name to be followed by countless mentions of said band, even in the most unrelated of sentences. Of course Kerrang! have covered the album by Death Spells, a duo made up of Frank Iero and James Dewees, something K! can’t seem to remember. The album review itself was pretty wonderful. We got descriptions of every song, the mention of MCR not even present I believe, something that’s important in this case. Death Spells are elements of both James and Frank’s creativity, powerful forces merging together to bring something to slap you in the face and make you think. It’s hardcore, it’s in-your-face, it strips you down and leaves you feeling both cleansed and filthy at the same time. The live shows are an unforgettable experience, but one wouldn’t get this from Kerrang!’s review.

Time and time again I’ve rolled my eyes at the same thing from you, Kerrang!. Whilst your twitter account previously posted and fed rumours of an MCR reunion, your magazine mourned what never was. This took up space on the front page, yet it took a fan run twitter account for me to know an article including Death Spells was present, (and me buying and searching through to know an interview surrounding Billy Talent’s new album was also there, but that’s for another time).

Issue No. 1633 is sat in front of me now, and it’s the reason I’ve come to write this. In said issue a review and poster surrounding Death Spells is included, but both are majorly disappointing, I could probably push that to disrespectful.

First, the review.
Ten lines in and there it is, the “MCReunion”. This takes up one of six paragraphs. The second paragraph, you ask? Mainly a comparison between the image of MCR, and the image of Death Spells; two bands that are in no way comparable or similar, bar the two members happening to be in both. The third paragraph, ending again in a “post-My Chemical Romance output” despite this not being necessary. Yes, picky of me I know, but it helps with the fact that every single paragraph included has a mention of the old group. The last missing the name and simply resorting to “Frank’s more famous band.”

Why am I upset by the constant mention of MCR? It’s simple. Being a fan of the band I obviously know people who are not, however some of those closest to me enjoy Frank’s solo or other projects. How did they know of his different style? Me, but I cannot tell everyone to listen to him, despite how much I try. This is why it’s important for you, Kerrang!, to help. How can new fans (who dislike the previous project he has been included in) possibly discover his new music and support him? By the consistent mention of said old band, possible new fans will be deterred. If an artist broke away from a band I disliked but every review and article regarding their new music started with (and continuously included) aforementioned band, I would scrap them immediately. You may call me closed minded, but how will I be aware that this artist is different and that I may become a huge fan if my first impression is riddled with a previous project I’m not fond of? Frank works hard, it’s easy to see, he deserves respect and support as his own person with his own style.

Didn’t we mention earlier that it was a duo? Oh, James Dewees. Name mentioned once in the Death Spells review, despite being the whole other half of the band. Yes, hidden away back there he may be easy to overlook, but it’s important to realise why he’s in the shadows. He is the one who brings us the beat that fuel the shows, who controls the “splatter-stained background projections” that create the Death Spells atmosphere. An inspiring and humorous man who I, as many do, find underappreciated. Kerrang! only adding evidence to this.

That leads me onto the Death Spells poster. Great photo, but there are two people in the band. The poster above has a total of ten! On one A4 sheet! Yet this poster simply includes Frank in the centre. As a Death Spells fan, I know they will not be making regular appearances in this magazine, so I want a full band photo. Its only missing one person, a very important one. A small complaint, as I know you do posters of single members, but with the other evidence this just seems wrong. James Dewees needs to be included somewhere.

In conclusion, please don’t disrespect the memory of MCR and the future of Frank Iero. You see, we don’t want to forget this band ever happened. It was bittersweet, but now it has to be closed. You’re dragging them through the mud and creating a mockery of a band that inspired many. They had their time, now please allow the members to step into a world fully their own and continue to create and inspire.

Thank you.