I can think of at least two bands, plus his own lead singer. Hell, he put one of his label's bands in another band's video in furry suits!

How many of those bands has P.Wentz made dress up in animal costumes, or interact with other people wearing animal costumes?

All of them. Well, possibly not The Cab. But everyone else has had to, I think.

Well?

Oh man, do you have specific questions? Or just an overview? I think I have some charts around here somewhere... ::rummages through Trapper Keeper::

I just don't really get it, so an overview, I guess.

Maybe a powerpoint presentation?

::ignores disturbing furry talk::

Bandom is ... well, fun! It's music with hooks, and often with really snarky, intelligent lyrics. I think there's a lot of joy in bandom that rubs off, as well -- these are, for the most part, really young people loving what they do, and it shows.

For me, it's a welcome respite from old favorites, and it's both danceable and sing-along-able, and a lot smarter than I initially gave it credit for.

Also, um, the pretty boys choir don't hurt.

Attempted (brief) overview:

Fall Out Boy: Snarky, but oddly effective, lyrics, great beat, definitely more rock than pop.

Panic at the Disco: Made of babies! For real, so young. Were: sort of techno-pop emo with a cabaret feel (born and raised in Vegas!), now exploring classic rock with a heavily Beatles-inspired, sunny, almost folky new record.

Um ... that's all I know, actually. Aside from MCR.

Bandom is ... well, fun! It's music with hooks, and often with really snarky, intelligent lyrics. I think there's a lot of joy in bandom that rubs off, as well -- these are, for the most part, really young people loving what they do, and it shows.

Yes, this. Very good hooks, snarky smart lyrics. And speaking from the MCR side of things, they're dorks made good. The MCR boys are open about being complete geeks. They cheerfully mock their dorktasticness and over-the-top theatrical tendencies while simultaneously being completely earnest about it. That is a winning combination for me.

The Epic Saga of Decaydance (The Short, Short Version):

Once upon a time there was a boy named Pete Wentz, who played the bass and screamed in hardcore bands in Chicago, and he got bored with doing that and wanted to do something "just for fun." One day, his buddy Joe met a kid named Patrick in a bookstore because Patrick butted in on his conversation who played a billion instruments and sang like an angel. Later on they got a leftist vegan drummer named Andy, and Fall Out Boy was born. They ruled the Chicago pop-punk scene, and eventually got signed to a label called Fueled by Ramen, and later to Island Records.

Pete's got a... fondness, shall we say, for the internet. Like, it wouldn't be far off the mark to call him a BNF. So one day, a little kid from Vegas called Ryan Ross started talking smack about Fall Out Boy in Livejournal, saying that Pete should listen to their band, because they're awesome. So Pete (being Pete) did just that. And then he flew out to Vegas to meet them. Ryan and his little band called Panic! at the Disco played some stuff for him, and Pete asked him to sign to his record label. Then, he had to fly home and ask Fueled By Ramen if he could have a record label, and thus Decaydance was born.

A few artists from FBR have migrated to the vanity label, and Pete's signed about four or five more himself. They're a weird mishmash of styles and genres, but they're mostly all ridiculously good looking and talented.

(Ohh, my rambling, it gets so long...)

Cobra Starship: tongue so far in cheek that I'm surprised Saporta hasn't bitten it off yet. Has the lovely Vicky-T on keytar, as well as Alex (bass), Ryland (guitar), and Nate (drums). Alex and Ryland have their own band - This Is Ivy League - which is fun folky pop.

Gym Class Heroes - made of win. Rock band fronted by a rapper - Travis McCoy. Disashi on guitar, Eric on bass, and Matt on drums. Intelligent lyrics about social issues, the music scene, love, etc.

::apparates in poof of glitter::

HI!

On-topic, I'm listening to the honky-tonk cover of Vampires Will Never Hurt You. Sadly, it's not that great. Corb could do it better.

Juliana - Corb is here May 6th... I'll buy your concert ticket....

(hey, it worked on me)