Get The Look - Revenge era Gerard Way and Frank Iero

Hi guys!
As you can probably tell, I flippin' love MCR (My Chemical Romance) and 'Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge' is my favourite record OF ALL TIME! So, I thought it was a customary to show you how to get Gerard and Frank's look during that period. Get your red eyeliner at the ready because its about to get crazy!

Gerard

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The first thing is clothing. During this time, Gerard sported alot of black and red, so did the rest of the band! A black shirt is often a good place to start of a Revenge era look for any band member (apart from Frankie). Black skinny jeans or jeggings add to the look but if you dont have them, a pair of leggings do great aswell. Moving swiftly on... A red skinny tie is next on the agenda, if you don't know how to tye a tie, ask a friend or parent. A black blazer or suit jacket is a good thing to own. You can find them in most thrift shops or vintage shops for a reasonable amount of money. If you cant find one, ask a male family member. For that extra MCR touch, add the armband. If you can't find one online for sale, make your own! Take a black strip of material that fits around your arm, use white fabricpaint and draw on the guns in the circle, use fabric paint and draw on the letters MCR. Now, onto the makeup! Use a foundation that is a couple of shades lighter than your skin colour. Powder over the top if you want it to last. Applythe tiniest bit of red eyeshadow around your top and bottom lashline. If you want a more dramatic look, get some black face paint orl ipstick on a fine brush and draw one line horizontally right across your face underneath your eyes, one above and then fill it in. For shoes, a pair of black sneakers or combat boots will do.

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Frank

This look is a bit trickier and more expensve as it calls for an object you will have to buy online if you dont know where to find a bulletproof vest. Start off with a white long sleeve shirt. Add a red skinny tie and roll up your sleeves about an inch from your wrist. Just like for Gerard, a pair of black skinnies or jeggings will do. This time, add a studded belt and tuck in your shirt. Now for the tricky bit. Find a black bulletproof vest. They can be found on millitary and police clothing stores and on sites like amazon etc... If you want to add the Revenge touch, add the armband I told you how to make in Gerard's paragraph. Black sneakers or boots will also look good with this outfit. Any plain black shoe will do though. Accessorize with a single red fingerless glove. If you can't find an fingerless gloves, cut the fingers off of a normal red woollen glove. A pair of fake black plug earings or anything of that sort will do but if you don't have pierced ears then it isn't necesarry. If your hair is long, pull it over one shoulder and hairspray it to keep it in place. Use a hair chalk to colour one side either red or blonde. For makeup, use a red lipliner or eyeliner to line your upper and lower lashline. To go the extra mile, draw black crosses over your eyes.

There you go, folks. An MCR Get The Look! Have a spooky halloween!

So long and goodnight,
Liv
xxx

Quick, Cost-Effective Halloween Costume Ideas

Hi Guys!
Halloween is just around the corner. If you aren't looking for an expensive, time consuming costumes, this is the right post for you! Today I will be listing a few ideas for quick, cheap costumes that will sure get you noticed.

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Rosie The Riveter - This is one of the easiest costumes you can do. Most of you will have alot of the items already at home. Just put on a navy blue shirt and tie up your hair into a bun. Get a red bandana and fold it diagonally in half. Put the bandana around the back of your head with the top point facing downwards. Take the two other points and tie them up at the top of your head. Trouser-wize, a pair of jeans will do and for shoes, a pair of combat boots will do the job. For makeup, red lipstick amd a tiny bit of mascara is great

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Zombie - Another easy one. Just tear up an old, mismatched outfit. Make sure you DONT want to wear afterwards! Mess up your hair and maybe gently spritz some dry shampoo into it for a dirty, grimy look. For makeup, blend some matte navy, red, purple and black eyeshadow all the wayaround your eye sockets for a tired look. maybe dribble some fake blood from your lip making sure NOT to get it in your mouth and eyes. rub a little on your clothes and arms if they are exposed.

Vampire - Just dress all in black and buy a cheap cape from the £ shop or a costume shop. Use some light or white face powder (baby powder works aswell) and dust over the large areas of your face, neck and arms if they are exposed. Use white face paint (you can find this from supermarket around halloween) and use a cotton bud to draw on white fangs at the outer corners of your mouth. Drip some fake blood from the fangs and then your'e done.

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 Katniss Everdeen - A really good one for fangirls. Just put on a pair of brown pants. Chinos or jeans are best if you have one. Add a longsleeved black top. A black parka or leather jacket is good for a weather-proof costume for outside parties. A pair of brown or black boots will do shoe-wize. Plait your hair if it is .long enough. If not, just put it in a ponytail. If you have one, strap a toy (or real) bow to  your back.

Hope this helps you,

So long and goodnight,

Liv xxx

Gerard Way - Hesitant Alien (Review)

Hi guys!
Really enjoying blogging. I will try to come out with a schedule soon. Until then it will be random. So... today I will be doing a review of Gerard Way's debut solo album 'Hesitant Alien'. Check out +ThatAwkward MondayShow for another review (CLICK HERE TO WATCH)

1. The Bureau

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The opener track for the record. I think i does its job well. It's dramatic and has a good beat but overall, I'm not in live with it on it's own. I was surprised at hearing this sort of song on a record like this. After listening to the whole CD, I came to the conclusion that it sort of sticks out against all the lighthearted Bowie inspired,britpop feeling tracks such as 'Millions' and 'No Shows'.

2. No Shows
I really like 'No Shows'. It's a happy track with an in no way subtle influence from David Bowie and the britpop scene. Gerard states the track is about love being enough. Not having all the fancy possesions etc to be happy. I like the message of the song and it clearly comes through in the lyricaal portion of the song.

3. Brother
This is one of my favourite songs off of the record. I think it is so sweet that he wrote a song about Mikey since they are so close. It is definately one of the more ballardy (thats not even a word) tracks on the CD. My favourite lines are 'Remember when you and I would make things up? So many nights, just take me down to the place we would hear them play, I miss that sound'. I love the genuine side to the lyrics in this song. It overall reminds me of 'Kids From Yesterday' from Danger Days.

4. Millions
Another of my favourites off of HA. It would easily pass as a song off of Danger Days (like most of the songs on the record) but it has a britpop feel to it. I definately recommend it if you havent really listened to MCR or aren't familiar with Gerard. The video for the song is rather odd, I must admit. It reminds me of Windows 97 having a glitch. The song , though, is very fuzz-rock inspired with strong notes of Bowie (I feel like i'm describing a perfume).

5. Zero Zero
This song, especially, is very fuzz-rock inspired. Another one of my favourites. The echoing tone in his voice goes so well with the guitar. The lyrics, also, are very catchy and the tune sticks in your head. I suppose, that's what makes a good song. I feel this is one of the most rcok inspired track. Not as Bowie inspired as tracks like 'No Shows' and 'Action Cat' though.


6. Juarez
 It does take a couple of listens to get into it. At first it sounds a bit like noise but it is a good song! I must say, it doesn't really have a lyrical concept but it is a good song for a bit of a dance party (why am I doing this, I cannot review ANYTHING properly!). I can't really say much about it so give it a listen yourself!

7. Drugstore Perfume
Another ballardish (not a real word) song. In my opinion, not as good of a ballard as Brother but still quite good. From what I can tell, it's about a woman who wants love but she never gets a serious relationship. I can't really tell. If you have any ideas (if anyone reads this) then tell me what you think its about in the comments.

8. Get The Gang Together
I have mixed feelings towards this song. It seems that alot of others do. I have read some professional reviews of this album and 90% of the critics that I have read their review of have praised this song. If you wanted a pro's opinion, try this song. As for me, I like 'Zero Zero' and 'Brother' just that tiny bit more! It is more glam rock inspired than Bowie inspired.

9. How It's Going To Be
For some reason, it feels very inspiring to me. The tune really suits his voice. It is probably one of my favourites. It doesn't sugarcoat everything. It says things as they are. It has a very strong guitar tune to it (like most of the songs on HA) but it also incorperates alot of other instruments. I really


10. Maya The Physcic
The closing track. I LOVE THIS SONG SO SO MUCH!!! It tells a story so well, I can imagine what 'Maya' is like from the tone and lyrics of this song. A theatrical, loud, fuzzy ending to the album. I really do reccomend it. Unlike the opening track (The Bureau) you can listen to it on it's own and you can get a feel for the whole record.

I really love this album. Check out the links at the top of the post for some great, well put together videos and another review of HA from one of my internet friends Lewis (aka ThatAkwardMondayShow on youtube)

So long and goodnight,
Liv
xxx

My Top 5 Bands Of The 00s

Hi guys!

Today, I will be counting down my top 5 punk, metal, rock and alternative bands of the glorious noughties! The noughties were a great decade for alternative music! From Paramore to My Chemical Romance, there was something for everyone! So, without further ado, lets get stuck in!
  
5 - Fall Out Boy

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  The rock band from Chicago, Illinois was formed in 2001. The band's 2005 breakthrough album 'From Under The Cork Tree' brought two hit singles, 'Sugar We're going down' and 'Dance, Dance' into the world and went double platium, transforming the group into superstars. Shortly after that, in 2010, the band took a 3 year hiatus due to many reasons. Patrick was overweight (during the hiatus he lost 60 pounds), it has been announced that during that time Pete was divorced by his wife  and andy was severly depressed. Fall Out Boy then released their comeback album in 2013, 'Save Rock And Roll' along with special guests Elton John and Courtney Love.
4 - Paramore

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  Formed in 2004 in Franklin, Tennessee, Paramore have become popular among the alternative scene. In 2005, Paramore made its first video game appearance with the song 'Pressure' being featured in the console versions of the video game The Sims 2. Their most popular album to date, Riot, was released June 2007. It sold 44,000 copies on its first week in the US. It also entered the Billboard 200 at number 20. Paramore was featured on the cover of February 2008 issue of Alternative Press magazine and voted 'Best Band Of 2007' by the readers. They were nominated for a Grammy at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2008 for 'Best New Artist' but lost to Amy Winehouse.

3 - Blink 182

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   Formed in 1992, Blink-182 have skyrocketed to the top of many charts with their catchy lyrics, playful songs and edgy image. Their most popular song, 'All The Small Things' (released 2000) peaked at number 6 on the 'Billboard Hot 100'. The video features Blink performing parodies of pop artsists such as Backstreet Boys, 'N Sync, Britney Spears and Christina Agulera. Since then, the punk rock trio have won MTV Europe music awards in both 2000 (Best New Act) and 2001 (Best Rock Act).
  
2 - Green Day

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  The trio formed in 1987 by bassist Mike Dirnt and Lead Vocalist/Guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong in Berkeley, California. Later on they gained a member when Tré Cool joined the band. Since then, they have layed the foundtions for the 80s - current day punk scene. In 2004, the band brought out 'American Idiot'. Little did they know, this album would influence punk music for years to come! Green Day won multiple awards for AI (American Idiot) such as a 2005 Grammy for 'Best Rock Album' , a 2005 American Music Award for 'Best Pop/Rock Album' just to name a couple.
  

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1 - My Chemical Romance
  The New Jersey band burst onto the punk scene in 2002 with their debut album 'I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love' and from then on were a massive success. After touring with bullets, they headed back into the studio and came out with 2004s 'Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge' which blasted onto the charts like a hand grenade! In 2006, My Chem brought out their concept album 'The Black Parade' which won them NMEs 'Best International Band' in 2007. Sadly, they broke up early 2013.


I hope you enjoyed reading this post,
So long and goodnight...
Liv x