Sub-genres are often exasperating for those on whom they're bestowed, and this is certainly the case for the young, mascara-wearing men of My Chemical Romance.
The debate surrounding the New Jersey rockers is whether their sound is alt-rock, pop punk, post hardcore, or 'emo' - that last label being a particular sore point with the five-piece.
'I think emo is f***ing garbage; it's bull****,' says lead singer Gerard Way. Guitar player Ray Toro, however, was kind enough to explain over the phone from New Jersey last week what emo is and why the quintet hate that description of themselves ahead of the band's appearance on Tuesday at the AsiaWorld-Arena.
'You don't have emo in Hong Kong?' he asks. 'Consider yourself lucky.' Toro explains that emo is a musical movement 'based around sh**ty music'.
'Not even so much music as what people are wearing and the kind of haircut they have or whether they're wearing makeup or not,' he says. 'Somehow we got lumped in with that and it's been a sticking issue - a real thorn in our side.'
It might have something to do with lead singer Way's predilection for eyeliner and black clothes, and the fact that his lyrics, sung over operatic rock anthems, are often about angst, alienation, vampires and killing his friends.