Emo music attacked over teen suicide

My Chemical Romance

Genre blasted again after 13 year-old 'emo girl' commits suicide

May 8, 2008
52 Comments
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An inquest in Maidstone has heard that Hannah Bond, a 13 year-old girl from Kent, committed suicide by hanging herself - and emo music has been blamed.

Roger Sykes, the coroner who gave the verdict of suicide yesterday (May 7), suggested that the fact that Bond was an obsessive fan of such music was linked to her death.

The inquest heard that Bond had discussed with friends the "glamour" of suicide, and was obsessed with American band My Chemical Romance (pictured). She had a picture of an emo girl with bloody wrists on her Bebo page.

Bond's father Ray explained that his daughter had had an episode of self-harm prior to her suicide, which she told him was an emo initiation ceremony.

Her mother Heather Bond, also provided some background on her interest in the genre explaining: "There are [emo] websites that show pink teddies hanging themselves. She called emo a fashion and I thought it was normal. Hannah was a normal girl. She had loads of friends. She could be a bit moody but I thought it was just because she was a teenager."

However as he gave the verdict of suicide, coroner Sykes criticised the genre saying: "The emo overtones concerning death and associating it with glamour I find very disturbing."

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Comments (52)

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neamychem

May 8, 2008

MCR is a band that want's to save peoples lives, NOT destroy them!!!!!!!!!

time_for_something_biblical

May 8, 2008

Oh dear, so young. My heart goes out to her family, but you don't get 'sucidial' just solely by listenning to 'emo' music, there are always deeper reasons and connections. My Chemical Romance aren't very emo to be honest, their last album had quite a lot about hope eg Welcome To The Black Parade & Famous Last Words. It's more pop-punk (Teenagers) then emo to be honest. I listen to emo music, it doesn't make me sad or anything, but I do listen to other stuff too, like metal and alt.....

LuvMark

May 8, 2008

I find it disgusting that small minded people would assume that music has that much of an influence, that someone would kill themselves because of it. Its not like my chem's lyrics said "go out and kill yourselves guys its fun". The idea of suicide has always been glamourised, even in films, but apparently it's easier to blame someone who has been slanted in the past. I listen to my chem as do many of my friends and we are happy people with happy lives. Maybe they should look closer to home for a reason for this girl's actions.

spenny44

May 8, 2008

so it would'nt be because emo is utter shite then....what a completly useless form of music it really is....mcr have to be the most pointless band in years...unfortunatly for this incident it'l prob gain popularity even more now...

booicore

May 8, 2008

Yep I blame emo too. If she'd listened to Kylie none of this would have happened.

Soundedd

May 8, 2008

Condolenses go out to her family and friends.

Gregblade05

May 8, 2008

I appreciate that this is a raw subject and that the suicide of a 13 year old has to be, and should be, taken seriously. But to come out and blame Emo directly I think is terrible, especially homing in on one band.I am not a "emo" but I do like to listen to some of the labelled "emo" bands. I have no feelings or thoughts of wanting to self harm or commit suicide after listening to the music.Perhaps it could be plausable to point the finger at "Emo" culture, but to put focus on My Chemical Romance is appauling. People all over the world commit suicide and self harm, normally it is a cry for help or because something is making them uncontrollably angry or upset and they can see no light at the end of the tunnel. My Chemical Romance do not push this behaviour or encourage it. Im sorry for the families lost but to say what they have said is wrong.

misterlamps

May 8, 2008

I don't think I'd trust a health professional whos verdict begins "The emo overtones..." It pretty much sounds like the biggest bluff in the world.

MrMuggles

May 8, 2008

Most emos are like that! I'm considered an emo because i cut myself but i'm not an emo. If you cut yourself, it means you have a problem not because you think MCR's new song rocks.Plus if you do those things to look cool for the style of some emo band, i doubt they would be too happy that you cut yourself for them.Jst think about it next time you pick up a razor blade!

cobbyshambles

May 8, 2008

Surely it stems from deeper reasons.The whole sub-culture of an "emo" is not just down to the music.If she really understood the band that much then she would see they're targeting kids like her but trying to help them rather that cut themselves or whatever.All too many times it is easy to pin the blame on an outsider such as,in this case music,when in reality the finger of blame could be pointed alot closer to home.

schnide

May 8, 2008

Condolences to the family, but she was a girl who listened to emo and committed suicide. Not a girl who committed suicide because she listened to emo.The poor girl breathed air as well, but I don't see anyone rushing to ban that (despite some people wanting to deprive MCR of it).

matto2

May 8, 2008

firstly let me say that MCR is my favourite band, that i listen to everyday and i am a very happy person with a happy life. i would also like to know whether the coroner and this girls parents have ever listened to MCR? clearly they have not done so because had they done this they would realise |MCR is AGAINST suicide. i think its very offensive to real music fans that these people can criticise something they clearly know nothing about. the MCR fanbase is massive and this one situation has put a bad shadow over a very successful band. maybe the parents should ask what REALLY caused this tragic death, and the coroner should stick to a proffesional attitude and find the REAL truth to this very unfortunate case.

lieutenantcrab

May 8, 2008

Losing a child must be one of the saddest things that a parent can go through, but I think that it is wrong to blame musicians for people's actions. What must also be questioned is whether or not cause and effect have, in this case, been confounded. Do you listen to emo because you are naturally predisposed to be unhappy or do you become unhappy because you listen to emo? I would suggest that, tempting as it is to flippantly affirm the latter, in fact the former is true. I can only have the best of wishes for all her family and friends. It is a terrible time for them all.

jaiandrews7

May 8, 2008

at the end of the day music like mcr is not enough to make a previously stable person kill themselves, i dont think any music is capable of this to be honest, the girl must have had problems to start with. but if your going to blame music, theres stuff a hell of a lot more likely to than fucking mcr, or emo full stop really, all it is is a load of over-the-top american shite not a million miles off from blink-182 and the like!The really heavy metal stuff would be far more likely to tip you over the edge, or generally dark music like Joy Division say - give a depressed person "Closer" to listen to and theyl be far more likely to top themself than listening to the fucking black parade!emo is just being used as a scapegoat in todays society for stuff like this really, as much as i personally hate it

x-Leahh

May 8, 2008

FUCK ALL YOUU WHO SAY EMO MUSIC IS TOO BLAME.Emo is just the stupid sterotypical name that people give too music/lyrics that has MEANING,but people seem too think because it is so apparantly 'depressing' or 'emotional' it makes people want too kill themselves/self-harm.If you actually listen too them bands they dont want theyre fans too self-harm/commit suicide, so its not fair to blame them bands.It bloody pathetic to blame a band for a suicide, do you think the band would want a fan too kill themselves???Yeahh, you will say some 'emo' people self-harm, thats coz maybe they get bullied for dressing alternatively and listens too different music, coz most people need too get a life.I listen too that sort of music and I LOVE My Chem, but im not depressed, im always really happy.You cant blame the MUSIC.Im sorry too her family and friends. xxx

mAttthhheaLy

May 8, 2008

How many My Chemical Romance fans are there the world over? And how many commit suicide?It's a very small percentage (naturally I don't know it exactly, but you get where I'm coming from) of kids who kill themselves because of "emo" music.Anyway, what I'm saying is, you cannot blame a genre of music, no matter how much black they wear, for the tragic suicide of a young girl. It would appear there was a history of depression in this girl's storyGod, next you'll be blaming rap music for all the shootings... oh, hold on...p.s. - booicore; have you ever sat through a Kylie album? THAT is depressing...

casmafen

May 8, 2008

I blame emo. MCR is not an emo band and therefore cannot be blamed. My Chemical Romance's lyrics do talk about death a lot but it is more about not being afraid afraid of death. this is in no way saying kill yourself. MCR songs help people (including me) through depression. It does not cause people to be suicidal. this girl simply gave in to the stereotypes of emo. It's very sad but not MCRs fault

GavinW

May 8, 2008

x-leah is right, emo is just a name given to people who like bands like mcr, instead of the fratellis or the shit that is razorlight! she was a girl who listened to emo and committed suicide, not a girl who committed suicide because she listened to emo.

ThoseSwellNachos

May 8, 2008

Emo is a state of mind, and one more stupid way to make people less unique.

[Sm]Emily

May 8, 2008

Suicide is no easy way out, to be able to kill yourself you have to really want it. More than anything, human instinct won't let you kill yourself as a fashion statement, it just won't happen. Condolences to anyone who knew this girl, I can see why somebody would want to blame something that isn't real to them - like music but there is no way that a person could kill themselves through listening to emo music.

funkfuel

May 8, 2008

I'm probably echoing a lot of other comments but no...emo music isn't to blame. It's more the "culture" which some get involved with because a particular band seems to advocate that style. I've seen lots of teenagers that attend my school change their style dramatically after listening to emo music and some cut themselves without real reason to do so. It was even a trend in some groups here! I suspect there are a few bands knockin' around that do glorify the darker side of life...and death but it isn't the same for all of them...and anyway, people define "emo" differently.In all seriousness, a girl has killed herself. You can't shift the blame onto a band, she felt strongly enough about ending her life and did so. It's an extremely tragic thing which needs to be taken fucking seriously. People need to know that they can ask for help.. x

klo_klo101

May 8, 2008

That girl went to my school. The reports in the newspapers today have totally upset the kids that knew her. The media is obviously just looking for an intresting story without actually thinking about how it affects people. Thousands of people commit suicide who listen to different kinds of music, there has been no point at all to putting it across the mass media but only to sell more newspapers and stir a reaction.

MeggieMooMa

May 9, 2008

I apprieciate that it is tragic a young girl should feel the need to take her own life, but i also feel that it disgusting that anyone could blame the music for such an action. Emo music, in my opinion, is great and should not be scapegoated like this! Emo should not be feared or seen to be sending messages for people to kill themselves!P.S. MCR is'nt even that emo

dashdash

May 9, 2008

The girl took her own life for her own reasons, it takes a lot to take your own life. Just because you don't understand something, doesn't mean you have to attack it. I personally believe that the reasons for her taking her own life are far deeper than you could ever imagine. The coroner doesn't even know the girl personally, how on earth can he conclude the reasons for this tragic loss. I believe that suicides are caused by complex reasons and are very hard to explain, it just seems like coroner was seeking an easy explanation.I give all my respect to the parents. I say just let the girl rest in peace.

-fightoffyourdemons-

May 9, 2008

music is music in my opinion. each person listening to it has a different view on it and gets a different meaning. but I mean i'm no fan of 'mcr' and they are getting classified emo? I doubt they are premoting emo, as far as I remember Gerard actually slagged emo in a magazine interview but singing the lyrics 'i'm not okay' is hardly gonna make people feel good.personally I thought the emo phase died a long while ago,but looking round bebo and there are tonnes of people like hannah with 'me, myself and I's' like ....'i'm emo ...so what' surely a cry out for attention?I wouldn't blame music in anyway,people have issues and parents who don't know their kids will always blame something. If i'm ever in a bad mood my mum suggests it because I listen to way too much metal which is a pile of crap.Every good artist I can think of has covered an emotional number of some sort I mean look at the classics: Guns 'n' Roses - November Rain, Metallica - Nothing Else Matters, Biffy Clyro - Machines these songs didn't make people wanna hang themselves did it?rest in peace Hannah x

my_revengeful_romanceMCRmy

May 9, 2008

ok first off My Chemical Romanceis against emo.they dont influence it.I love the band and yet im not emo.i honestly think that people shouldnt blame the bandfor things people do.My Chemical Romance is trying to SAVE lives NOT destroy it!!

artyone

May 12, 2008

I also go to the same school as Hannah used to and I know many of her friends, the newspapers have stated things so bluntly and have definatly not taken into account the feelings of all the friends. Many of them were in tears and a very close friend of hers started crying in our lesson. The fact the newspapers are blaming 'emo' music is ridiculous, I liike many of these so called emo bands, mcr would definatly not want anyone to self harm or kill themselves because of their songs.

Bee...!

May 13, 2008

This is so stupid, those people are just blaming her tragic death on something they probably don't even know about. Saying that she commited suicide because a genre of music is going to send out the wrong message to other young teenagers who like this sort of style, and they might think that to be 'emo' then they have to self harm too. I know alot of people who consider themselves emo, and i even went through a stage of liking that sort of thing, but no one i know self harmed or killed themselves. Is just people that didn't listen trying to put the balme on something else.

smithy n scott

May 14, 2008

people who think emo music is stupid and pathetic your fucking stupid and need a life. also booicore your a twat and a fucking hate your guts you stupid little fucking haw go fuck a cow you fucking lil slag :P

smithy n scott

May 14, 2008

EMO MUSIC RULES YOU STUPID FUCKER FROM ADAMSCOTT: EMO MUSIC ROCKS MY WORLD

smithy n scott

May 14, 2008

its stupid that she killed herself but you cant blame music its not aimed at people to go and hang themselves with their tie other people go through hard times but they dont go and kill themselvesam sorry for your loss tho DONT BLAME MUSIC !!!! :@

Bukowski72

May 14, 2008

Music has always been a likely scapegoat for those who does not wish to take responsibility for the wellfare of their own kids.. I don't like Emo too much, but I would never make EMO or any other music to be a scapegoat every time a kid takes his/her own life...

HelloKitty101

May 15, 2008

Ok, i have actualy had more than enough now. It's the same story every time, a teenager kills themself, and thay always blame the music...can i just ask...since when has MCR encouraged and made suicide seem "glamorous"? I am a huge fan of their music, and lots of other bands classed as "emo", and i can honestly say that they have helped me through a lot with their inspirational lyrics. MCR's message has always been that they aim to save people's lives, not encourage them to end it! So, if i were the people that started this whole thing, i would do my homework first before using "emo" music as a scapegoat every time someone kills themself!(sorry for the rant)xoxo

kyleighrae

May 15, 2008

my chemical romance is a band that supports anti suicide; the lead singer almost killed himself twice but his music saved him and they all hope they can save lives everyday with their music; it pisses me off when people say shit like the music made her do it and when its a band like my chem you dont even fucking know. Dont fucking blame music for someone killing themselves because thats shit. We dont know how her life was and what made her do such a horrible thing to herself at a young age, but fuck the people who are blaming amazing artists like my chemical romance for something so terrible. And one more thing...EVERY fucking genre of music is emo because every song ever wrote has a fucking emotion.

music~addict7

May 15, 2008

first of all, the band my chemical romance is not emo whatsoever. who ever labeled the band that way is most likely a superficial preteen that has absolutely no taste in music. secondly, if the girl was smart, she wouldn't have been an easily impressionable teen that would think to herself "gee, maybe I'll join that legion of stupid people who have no reason at all to self mutilate and commit suicide." obviously it seems that the family had no problems, she wasn't picked on in school, and she really didn't have real depression for anything. i don't know her but it is easy to assume she is just another one of those wannabee emo kids who go at all lengths to act the part. most likely she's one of those mallrat kids who make problems for themselves and live in a nice middle class suburban neighborhood.

NemoChem

May 15, 2008

My heart goes out to her family and all, but dont blame it on the emo kids. Its not their fault. This girl obviously felt that she had no purpose anymore and wanted to leave this cruel earth. Its not the music that did it to her. It was something that must have been eating her up inside and she just couldnt handle it anymore.

Scuzzlover69

May 15, 2008

No offence but I think that was a rather silly thing to do. I mean, you can't blame the music. It's JUST music. Nothing else. Probably experiences but if you think about it. Your not meant to take the music seriously! The child took her own life because she was stupid. Simple as. She took a FASHION and MUSIC style TOO far. It's not the musics fault. The parents should have looked 'emo' up on wikipedia. About 1/4 of 'emo's self harm because they have problems and alot of chavs etc do too.. Not for a stupid initiation ceremony. That's pathetic!

MCRmy_General96761

May 19, 2008

MCR saves livesthey don't cause suicide, they prevent it

x..touching_hands..x

May 19, 2008

Music is not to blame for this, but the media is. Publishing false propaganda like this 'The Emo phenomenon began in the U.S. in the 1980s. It is a largely teenage trend and is characterised by depression, self-injury and suicide' gives impressionable young people the wrong idea about a perfectly normal subculture. My Chemical Romance, in particular, have spoken out on many occasions about depression and suicide. Speak to any fan, and they will tell you that the most commonly used phrase on MCR forums is 'MCR saved my life'.Unfortunately, the fear and exploitation response of the media paints the picture that the Daily Mail, and their followers, have tried to represent. Ergo, impressionable teenagers respond to the idea of 'Emo' that is presented, rather than responding to the music and the idea of finding themselves which probably brought them to Emo in the first place.The Daily Mail and their cohorts should be ashamed to add to this propaganda. Their ignorant journalism is irresponsible and dangerous. But falsification, fear and speculation shifts copies, right? At the end of the day, The Daily Mail care more about making money and creating controversy than the death of an innocent young girl. And isnâ€™t that the most tragic thing about all this?

cataclysm_calamity

May 23, 2008

This is a really terrible thing that happened but the blame should not be pointed at My Chemical Romance. Listening to music does not make a happy person want to commit suicide. There must have been other things going on in her life that led up tp that final desperate act. My Chem does not even promote the idea of suicide. In fact they have said in interviews that they are against the idea of causing self harm. Alot of the songs in their latest album are actually about having hope and not giving up and to keep trying. This band has saved, not destroyed, many lives and has helped people overcome their depression instead of causing it.

mcrisinnocent

May 24, 2008

MCR is innocent.My chemical romance is anti suicide they are trying to stop kids from killing them selfs.U ASS Holes r making it so parents and guardins think they are a bad influence.they arent they are here to save lifes they saved my life!That girl mabye was depressed just because she listined to mcr dosent mean mcr made her kill herself."Suicide is fucking bullshit"-Gerard Way(lead singer of mcr).Wat does that mean to u?"Emo is fucking shit"Gerard Way. Dont blame them!i am getting noticed that way mcr dosent get blamed ass holes!"think happy thoughts"-Headfirst For The Halos,MCR SAVED MY LIFE!

takeastandforwhatyoubelievein

May 25, 2008

I thought news people were supposed to tell the facts! MCR is one of the few bands that is taking a stand against suicide. I'm sorry, but her parents should have realized. She was only 13. Emo is a label short for emotional, if you're not emotional, you're not human. Learn your facts then post crap like this. TAKE A STAND FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN!

slinkyman24

May 25, 2008

Ok i am mad for a few different reasons... One is that a beautiful girl would kill her self and that you guys have to fucking blame something on everything...What the fuck has this country come too...ok lets get into the emo topic...I am 13 years old the same age as hannah and i guess u can classify me as emo cause i wear the jeans i style my hair but yet to cutt..So emo you aren't forced to be it's what you beleive it's wat you choose so it is not anyones fault that anyone in the world has been chosen to become emo. I choose to dress and act the way i am because i feel that it's right...and i thought the fasion was always cool... and MCR isn't about killing yourselfs all the partents have to protect their statement is that there is one line in one of their songs saying something like "Even though you are dead and gone, your memories will still go on". That happenens to be one of the ony things that they can have to protect hri statement.. You aren't being forced to become emo listen to that music dress like it ITS YOUR CHOICE...So stop being the little fucking americans we are and having to blame something on everyone...and hanging on emo music..oh grow up.. oh and i thought i put this up there too MCR is now trying to prevent suicide from happeneing to young teens one line i guess promoted it but every other song that they made was agaisnt it and you should live through all of your problems.

Pandora666

May 27, 2008

It is most upsetting to lose a person so young; however, it is quite ridiculous to point the finger at a culture fad, or to zero in on one group. I love My Chemical Romance, I have never felt depressed or even remotely down while listening to them. Their music helped me when I was a senior in high school, stressed out, homeless and had no one by my side. Her parents said she had had an 'episode' before, what caused that? Plain fact the poor girl fell to stupid stereotypes which the media overplays. MCR has never endorsed 'emo' or harm of any kind.

p0lygraph

Jun 1, 2008

Don't blame music ! If that girl killed herself, it's because she, I guess, had problems...Please, My Chem have already saved loads of life and helped loads of people, including me ! Their lyrics are full of hope ! They have a stand against suicide ! You cannot blame or accuse people of being a suicide's cause without proofs ! When I feel depressed or just sad, I always listen to My Chem because their music is really helpful ! I mean, I think that they're like the angels of an entire generation ! MCR isn't the cause of that girl's suicide ! That's it. ( Sorry for my bad English... I speak French =/ )

lunaryktk

Jun 2, 2008

I don't think music is the problem here. Of course, Hannah Bond's death was tragic and will be remembered, but blaming music for her death is not correct. My Chemical Romance's album The Black Parade is far from emo, and is about having hope and courage so "We'll carry on," which is said in "Welcome to the Black Parade." And, as stated before, the phrase "I am not afraid to keep on living" also shows that My Chemical Romance is commited to helping people go on with their lives, or through a tragedy. My friend and I were having a very long talk about this topic just a few minutes ago, and we both have to say that music is definitely not to blame for Hannah Bond's death. When I was younger, I believed that my life wasn't going right, and I was feeling depressive to. But after my friend introduced my to MCR, my life have been a lot better now, and I'm much happier. Even kids that are different "lables" at my school listen to My Chemical Romace, and anyone that says that My Chemical Romance is emo is definitely wrong. Music has nothing to do with the death of this girl.

jamesclench,clenches

Jun 13, 2008

OMG!!!!how VERY stereotypical of those twats, id like to get my hands on james clench and make him have kittens out his arse, me and tara only made this account in an re lesson just so we could say that hes gay. haha knob jockey :D

medfinest

Jun 16, 2008

In my opinion they are just looking for a reason their daughter killed herself instead of facing the fact that they had no idea what she was actually thinking.Just because one little girl got carried away doesn't mean the genre is behind itEmo's don't go throught 'initiation ceremonies'.Thats like saying you have to self mutalate in order to listen to James Blunt.Do you think people kill themselves because they listen to him?Or 'Beethoven'?So why 'My Chem'?Rap music also sings about suicideFor example in the song 'Changes' sung by '2Pac' the lyrics include'I ask myselfis life worth living should I blast myself?'The rappers music is not that of the aparent 'emo culture' and yet we see the same issuses arising.So if music taste does infact effect how we perceive suicide, shouldn't ALL genres of music be blamed?Get your stories straight.

medfinest

Jun 16, 2008

Appoligies if I may sound heartless btw. Of course her death is tragic, I just feel strongly that her parents are pointing fingers at something they wish to blame her death on.

breeannugh

Jul 20, 2008

omg makes me mad hannah bond was said to be a big mcr fan and was also said sh fallowed the band and new all about them but...she got the so called message that mcr was telling you scuicide is okay now if she really faloowed them shed no mcr saves lives and has saving lives at thetop of there list music cant be blamed for her stupid move and her getting the complete opposite message....evan though in one song it says"evan though your gone your memory will still go on"it simply means if you get to the point when its tio ahrd or tyou do die its not worth it people care and you will always be rememberd no matter whatthats not a meessage to kill your self yet the oposite grrrrrall the best to her family thoguh

Simply_Skye_x

Aug 8, 2008

Hannah bond didnt kill herself over mcr idk why the paper is saying that , People have no idea why she actualy did she had problems of her own wich she wouldnt tell anyone about , theyre blaming it on mcr bcos she lisnd to it that doesnt mean nything she liiked them but she didnt kill herself over them , the newspapers are just really bad liars and just want a story for people to buy , yeah i feel sorry for her parents and things but no way did she kiill herself over mcr , R.I.P Hannah x