Menu

Topics

Connect

Comments

Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.

Gerard Way opens up about My Chemical Romance split

Gerard Way performs during the 2015 Voodoo Music + Arts Experience at City Park on October 30, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

It’s been nearly six years since world-renowned pop-punk outfit My Chemical Romance (or MCR), parted ways.

Story continues below advertisement

Over the weekend, ex-frontman and lyrical mastermind Gerard Way, opened up about the band’s split for the first time during an interview with The Guardian.

The 41-year-old was detailing his brand new Netflix show The Umbrella Academy, before being asked about MCR’s whereabouts. He revealed that pressure to create a worthy follow-up to the band’s most popular record The Black Parade (2006), had a lot to do with their collective decision.

“It wasn’t fun to make stuff anymore,” he admitted. “I think breaking up the band broke us out of that machine.”

Mikey Way (L) and Gerard Way (R) of My Chemical Romance perform as part of the ‘Honda Civic Tour’ at Shoreline Amphitheatre on Oct. 5, 2011 in Mountain View, Calif. Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

READ MORE: Panic! At the Disco fans trying to kiss Brendon Urie will be booted from concerts

During the studio sessions of MCR’s fourth and final record Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, is reportedly when the pressure significantly weighed down on the band. Way said they had felt it as soon as they dropped The Black Parade.

Story continues below advertisement

“When things start to succeed and go really well…” he said, “that’s when a lot of people start to have an opinion and that’s when you run into struggle. You get caught up in this trap of ‘Is it ever gonna be good enough?’

“Everybody had a f**king opinion about what MCR should be,” he continued, “so it made it difficult to figure out what direction to take next.”

According to The Guardian, Way credited the band’s split partly to the changing of the world — most notably with their opinions that former president Barack Obama’s America was changing things for the better, meaning that their job was done.

Upon reflection, however, the frontman admitted with Donald Trump in power he’s pondered their return.

“I thought about [it] when the world started to get super f**ked-up again,” he said.

“It definitely came into my head, but I’ve changed so much as a person. I don’t know how I’d fit into it any more. But the world is definitely in need of something positive.

Story continues below advertisement

“We definitely get offers regularly to reunite,” he said. “It’s a constant thing.

“It’s flattering and it’s really nice of people. I do miss playing with the guys, but I don’t think so,” Way concluded.

Gerard Way attends day two of WonderCon 2017 at Anaheim Convention Center on April 1, 2017 in Anaheim, Calif. Araya Diaz/WireImage

READ MORE: Paul Rudd spotted rocking out at Foo Fighters show

March 22, 2013, marked the official end of MCR. The band posted an official statement on its website explaining their decision:

Story continues below advertisement

“Being in this band for the past 12 years has been a true blessing. We’ve gotten to go places we never knew we would. We’ve been able to see and experience things we never imagined possible.

We’ve shared the stage with people we admire, people we look up to, and best of all, our friends. And now, like all great things, it has come time for it to end. Thanks for all of your support, and for being part of the adventure.”

In disbelief, many fans reached out to the band questioning the authenticity of the statement. In a since-deleted tweet, Way confirmed the breakup on his personal Twitter account, adding that there was no tension or altercations between the band members.

Way followed up his brief post with an even longer post — on a still active TwitLonger blog. “Since I am bad with goodbyes,” he wrote. “I refuse to let this be one. But I will leave you with one last thing.

“My Chemical Romance is done. But it can never die.  It is alive in me, in the guys, and it is alive inside all of you.  I always knew that, and I think you did too. Because it is not a band. It is an idea.”

Story continues below advertisement

“Love, Gerard,” the singer wrote.

Gerard Way performs on Day 2 of the Leeds Festival at Bramham Park on August 23, 2014 in Leeds, England. Ross Gilmore/WireImage

READ MORE: Vampire Weekend announces tour, 3 Canadian dates

Since MCR’s disbandment, loyal fans have been biting their nails in anticipation of any kind of reunion — especially after the group teased a special announcement back in 2016 for the tenth anniversary of The Black Parade.

To many of their fans’ disappointment, MCR was not reuniting but releasing a special anniversary edition of the iconic emo-anthem record.

Story continues below advertisement

“We’ve been really touched and blown away by the response to the teaser trailer,” they wrote on Twitter. “We are not touring and there is no reunion planned.”

Since then, the band has remained relatively inactive on social media.

“I think if we ever did MCR again, we wouldn’t be in that machine anymore,” Way told The Guardian. “It would literally just be like,’Here’s a new piece of music, we’re putting this out and that’s it, this is not up for debate.'”

Fortunately for MCR followers, each of the five former members has kept themselves busy with their own personal musical projects. Way is currently working on the follow-up to his debut solo record, Hesitant Alien (2014).

WATCH: The official trailer for Gerard Way’s brand new Netflix show, ‘The Umbrella Academy

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: Billy Corgan reunited with long-lost Smashing Pumpkins ‘Gish’ guitar

As of this writing, Way has insinuated that a My Chemical Romance reunion is unlikely — at least, anytime soon.

For those curious or slightly hopeful, you can find the band’s most recent updates — if you consider 2016 recent — on their official website.

Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy premieres on Feb. 15.

adam.wallis@globalnews.ca

Curator Recommendations
Advertisement

You are viewing an Accelerated Mobile Webpage.

View Original Article