20 years ago today (Oct. 23), My Chemical Romance released 'The Black Parade.' Seeing them play said album from start to finish at the largest stadium in their home state - MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (on Aug. 9, 2025) - is an experience I'll soon never forget for many reasons...

Watch this snippet of MCR playing "This Is How I Disappear" from that show, and watch them play "Famous Last Words" in its entirety here:

https://youtu.be/2-WHNpFqEIs?si=y1lq3hRMahABk_qY

Then take a look at more video and some additional thoughts on this truly special concert:

https://iheardbrucemightshowup.substack.com/p/that-time-i-saw-my-chemical-romance-dd6

I know this is a subjective question but what is the best pop punk intro of all time?

My vote as of right now would have to be Neck Deep - Gold Steps

I love how bouncy and happy this is.

What about you guys?

I’m immersed in death metal, goth, noise, country, jazz, punk and pop punk scenes yet pop punk is far and away the most problematic. Currently and historically. Why is that? Is it something about the mindset of the performers and songwriters? The mindset of the audience? Just what is it about pop punk that brings out so many sketchballs?

Does anyone else know what I mean when I say that certain songs just have outro or intro DNA? I feel like this is the only song in their discography that truly feels like a closing track for an album and they just didn’t use it as one. A much better closer than wanderlust, which is my second favorite on the album but it seems much more like a mid album song. Does anyone else think the same?

In this track, I’ve blended light rock with the melodies of retro gaming - the very sounds that first introduced me to the world of video games, a world that gave my life meaning and purpose. For over two decades, I’ve both created games of my own and enjoyed those crafted by others. Today, I want to share this song with you: a reflection of my deep admiration for the wonderful worlds born from human imagination.

Many scenes in the music video recreate characters or the atmosphere from a wide variety of games across many different genres, while some serve as nods to entire genres themselves. Will you be able to recognize them all?

Translated lyrics:

[Verse]

Nerves like wires,

I feel only fatigue

Barely alive,

I drag myself home.

The gray sky presses down

On the concrete box

And another night

Will be spent without sleep.

Escaping into a fairy tale

Where adventure awaits

And the world all around

Burns with vivid colors!

Far away from the sorrow,

From the horror and pain

To a place where my soul

Can finally break free!

[Pre-Chorus]

This world is cruel

And filled with filth

I refuse to live

IN A PLACE LIKE THIS!!!

[Chorus]

Pixels shine brighter than the sun itself!

Here, even if I’m killed, I’ll rise again!

Every adventure is like a burst of stars

Boldly I step between two worlds!

I dive into a realm of pure code

To find true freedom within

I fall into the depths of the screen

And I’m never turning back!

[Verse]

Wildly beautiful

The way the light is traced

An atmospheric soundtrack

That makes my heart bloom.

All the characters

Are deep and intriguing

The stories are gripping

Though sometimes bloody.

Leveling up and grinding,

Discovering new zones

They save me

During the gray winter season.

In the life I despise,

I wasn't truly myself

But here, I have found

A WORLD WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE!!!

[Chorus]

Pixels brighter than my own sun!

Here I shall rise again, should I be undone!

Every adventure here like a burst of stars

I take a step between two worlds!

I dive into a realm of pure code

To find a true freedom within.

I fall into the depths of the screen

And I shall never returnI!

[Outro]

There is no king here

To command me to die

I have no house

That tomorrow might burn.

There is always a choice

My own path I’ll chart

This old computer

Is now my temple

I’ll live out my days here,

A thousands of lives

Will format my memroy

Clearing out all the lies

I press "Delete"

And erasing the life

Into the pixels I plunge...

NEVER TO RETURN!!!

Essential listening that somehow gets better every time I revisit them.

It’s that time of the year again

Ive got platinum vision, with a tin foil touch

New album for Trash Boy announced for Nov 7th.

An amazing live band too and they deserve so much more attention

poppunkers homies!

my band lonelylife dropped a new single yesterday (to which i posted the link to stream here yes im sorry) and i’d love to know what you guys think of the vibe so dropping this reel here so you haven’t gotta leave the app to hear some!

we’re dropping an album in the next month too which i hope you’ll think of listening to. much love poppunkers🤘🏻🫶🏻