The views written here are the views of kerrang readers (issue 1210)

Amy - London: "People assume that, if someone is emo, they're automatically depressed and self harm. If people knew more about self-harm, they'd know that it doesn't just affect "emos" and most bands don't encourage it: they try and help people to be less depressed."

Matthew - via myspace: "'Emo' is being blamed for this sort of thing because it's what humans do: blame something they know nothing about. The term 'emo' has a much deeper meaning than the one people attach to it these days. I defy anyone to listen to Rites Of Spring, Gray Matter or The Get Up Kids, then turn around and say 'emo' causes suicide. No chance."

Steve - Worthing: "I'm sorry to hear about her death. To say that it was because of the emo culture is stupid. It's bullying that makes people go over the edge not music or a style."

Amanda - UK: "I am a 41-year-old mother to a 15-year-old girl who openly said she was emo. At no point did I have any fears or concerns about self-harming. This is due to a person's state of mind not the genre of music they prefer or the way they look."

Abi - Mansfield: "Why are the media and general public so ignorant? The term 'emo' is always misused in cases like this. I listen to the music I do because I love it, it makes me happy and I feel a connection."

The views written here are the views of kerrang readers (issue 1211)

Cutting Issue:

Does anyone think you have to cut your wrists to be emo? Because I for one think kids like Hannah Bond (RIP) have been given the wrong information on how to be emo. People think that all emo kids cut themselves, but that is not true. Don't people realise emo kids are normal people? Sure some of them have problems in their lives but doesn't everyone at some point? I would like to send my love and sympathy to Hannah's family and let them know I am thinking about them.

Keera Macrae, via email

Pointing The Finger:

I just wanted to share my absolute disgust that My Chemical Romance are being blamed for the death of Hannah Bond. When I told my dad about this he pointed out that people had been killing themselves long before My Chemical Romance were even born, so why now are they being pinpointed for the death of this girl? Well here's some news for you all - the teenage generation do not need the press to interpret our music. We make our own choices and as sad as it is that she killed herself, music cannot accept the blame for this.

Heather, via email

Never Mind The Bollocks:

I have just read the article in the ever intellectual Sun about the tragic suicide of a rock fan and the suggestion that My Chemical Romance are spearheading a cult that is sweeping the nation commonly known as 'emo'. What a load of bollocks! Anonymous, via text

Clueless:

Dear Kerrang!, I'm writing today because I'm pissed OFF at the Daily Mail. They're at it again! in today's paper, (Thurs May 8) a headline reads 'Suicide of girl, 13, hooked by cult that glamorises death' about an inquest over a girl that hung herself because she enjoyed 'emo' music. It also says 'Emo fans wear dark clothes, practise self-harm and listen to 'suicide cult' rock bands.' When the hell are these tabloid papers going to realise that they know NOTHING?! Oh, and they've labelled My Chemical Romance as 'one of the foremost of these 'suicide cult' bands' again. It also quotes about their single, The Black Parade, saying 'The Black Parade is a nickname for the place emo fans believe they will go when they die', as if 'emo' is a fucking religion! These people really have no idea what they're on about, do they. What twats! Hmm, okay, I think I've covered it all... Rant over!

Alex Richardson-Lee, via myspace

United We Stand:

My Chemical Romance and other such bands, do not condone self-harm, etc, their music is used to bring people together and help them through tough times, to make them happy when they feel down and to show them they are not alone. Suicide and self-harm are not the answers, the bands say so themselves. Music is an escape, not the reason to hang oneself.

Matthew Atherton, via email

The Young And The Hopeful:

It is appaling that they have decided to target ONE band over this issue. To say My Chemical Romance have encouraged it is absolutely ridiculous. Have they ever actually listened to 'Famous Last Words' - 'I am not afraid to keep on living'? Much love and respect to the girl's family, and to the guys of MCR.

Adele, via myspace

Blame The Nation:

The media always need a scapegoat, it's sad but it's nearly always music in cases like this. It's not just rock music, it's hip-hop and R&B too. Unfortunately these stories seem to be written be very narrow-minded people. It's a tragic loss of life and should not be used as a way to attack a genre of music.

Rosie, via myspace

Emotional Rescue:

This is fucking ridiculous. If someone is depressed enough to kill themselves music isn't gonna push them over the edge, they're gonna do it anyway. Music can save your lif but it isn't enough to push you over the edge and besides 'emo' is a stupid scene anyway. All music is 'emotional' what would be the point if it wasn't and now any rock song that is slightly sad is considered FUCKING EMO!

Benji, via myspace

Letter of the Week:

I see that The Daily Mail has struck once again with another set of insults against the 'emo' culture. Again the blame is on My Chemical Romance but the one thing that is different this time is the reasoning. The Black Parade -  a place which all 'emo's' try to get to or an ambum title? It's just an album title. I'm not an emo, yet I still listen to this band. When newspapers start to single out a band as the cause of a young girls death then they obviously haven't done their research. Many people listen to MCR and are still alive, and many of them haven't even taken a pair of scissors to their arm.

Rebecca, Grimsby, via email