By: Kyle Anderson

As far as the very vocal readers of Spin are concerned, My Chemical Romance are some powerful wizards indeed, with enough mojo to conjure up the Readers Poll Band of the Year, Song of the Year, and Cover of the Year awards, and to win the distinction of Sex God for their frontman, Gerard Way. Though he may be too powerful to pick up a telephone anymore, Way IM'd with us from Australia (hysterical MCR fans, please note that it is not his real AOL screen name) to revel in the approval of his fans and explain his fascination with longswords.

SpinMag: Hey, Gerard. It's Kyle from Spin. Where are you?
NotOkayHelena: I'm on foot in Australia on a Sidekick.
NotOkayHelena: I'm surrounded by ferocious hotels.
SpinMag: Congratulations on basically sweeping the Readers Poll. My Chemical Romance won Band of the Year. Who'd you like to thank?
NotOkayHelena: The fans!
NotOkayHelena: We have the best fans in the world, actually. They're a newer, unafraid, more dangerous model. But dangerous in a positive way.
SpinMag: Who got your Band of the Year vote? Outside of yourselves, of course.
NotOkayHelena: Green Day!
NotOkayHelena: Green Day was the story of the year and the comeback of the decade.
NotOkayHelena: Now I'm on a ferry!
NotOkayHelena: We're also, like, two sides of the same coin, I feel.
SpinMag: How do you mean?
NotOkayHelena: We both come from the same kind of place...basements, vans...that's our world. We were both thrust into a position of importance...and both bands give a shit about these kids...they aren't a demographic to exploit...they are like a weapon.
NotOkayHelena: Exiting ferry.
SpinMag: Has Billie Joe offered up any sagelike wisdom to you?
NotOkayHelena: Tons of it...all very valuable...he gave me the courage to be a leader, to inspire others, embrace that and be fearless.
SpinMag: "Helena" was voted Song of the Year by our readers. Did you ever think a song about a grandmother would become so huge?
NotOkayHelena: I did have some sense it was going to be huge, but it almost had to be to honor a woman so amazing. When she died, I told her we would make a record so fucking loud that she would hear it all the way in heaven...or wherever it is you go. I was worried about it being huge because it was so personal -- I didn't want to exploit my pain and her death.
SpinMag: Did people make those accusations?
NotOkayHelena: Not to my knowledge. I was more concerned with my own accusations. You can't be in something unique and creative if you give a fuck what people say about you.
SpinMag: Shifting gears a bit, you beat out Trent Reznor and Pete Wentz for the Sex God award. What makes you sexier than those guys (and everybody else, for that matter)?
NotOkayHelena: Hahahahaha
NotOkayHelena: I can't honestly say what makes me sexy...I don't feel very sexy...that whole part of it is weird...seeing yourself, a recovering drug addict and alcoholic, on the cover of Teen Beat...it doesn't make any sense.
NotOkayHelena: I am who I am...there's no façade...no put on...and being voted sexiest doesn't concern me...maybe that's the sexy part.
NotOkayHelena: Stab wounds are sexy to me, though.
SpinMag: You know the guys from the Strokes are probably super concerned they didn't win this year.
NotOkayHelena: Hahahaha
NotOkayHelena: They are kind of sexy, though.
SpinMag: I bet they're upset they were usurped by an up-and-comer.
NotOkayHelena: No one likes the new kid in school.
NotOkayHelena: Because he smells weird and has a penchant for leather and the homoerotic.
SpinMag: My Chemical Romance showed up in a couple "worst" categories, as well. In fact, the cover you guys appeared on [in June] was voted both Best and Worst Spin Cover of the Year. Why do you think you're polarizing?
NotOkayHelena: We're not in this to be everyone's friend.
NotOkayHelena: People that don't get it can fuck right off.
NotOkayHelena: Hahahaha
SpinMag: I know you'll be proud of this -- your band won Best Live Act.
NotOkayHelena: That is probably the greatest honor. To win Best Live Act is exhilarating. We got good because the kids got good, and we work our asses off. There's nothing rehearsed, synchronized, or planned -- it is a live show in the very sense of the word.
NotOkayHelena: When we play live, it's like saying, "We mean this more than anything. This may be the last time we ever take a stage, so don't fuck with us."
NotOkayHelena: "You're either with us or against us."
SpinMag: What Dungeons & Dragons character do you play as?
NotOkayHelena: I can tell you exactly.
NotOkayHelena: A half-elvin ranger, specializing in bows and longswords. And I always wear a hooded cloak.
SpinMag: You mean your character wears one, or you physically wear a cloak when you play?
NotOkayHelena: Hahahaha. My character...and studded leather armor.
NotOkayHelena: Because you need to protect yourself.
SpinMag: I think that'd be a good look for you. Maybe it's a concept for the second record -- "My Chemical Romance goes Kiss."
SpinMag: Does the band have any new year's resolutions?
NotOkayHelena: None so far...I guess we'll just keep it real.
SpinMag: Just like a gangsta rapper.
NotOkayHelena: Oh yeah. We're street as fuck.