Check out what your favorite rockers have been up to since 2013.
My Chemical Romance brought the rock world to its knees when they announced in 2013 that the band’s days and legacy were behind them. The band was quite possibly the most iconic of the decade, moving their fans with their artistic presentation and poetic lyrics and today one of their most beloved albums, The Black Parade, turns 10! MCR may cease to exist with no reunion possibility (yet), but the core members are still alive and creating. In honor of the anniversary, let’s check out what they’ve been up to.
Gerard Way
The singer/songwriter/musician/comic genious hasn’t turned his back on the music scene. Not too long after the split, the Killjoys’ leader released his solo album, Hesitant Alien, still rocking his red hot hair. The album had a ton of positive feedback and made it to Alternative Press‘, Rock Sound‘s and Kerrang!‘s 2014 album of the year lists respecitively.
The Jersey native has made quite a name for himself in the comic world too. Many are familiar with The Umbrella Academy and if you’ve seen the videos for “Sing” and “Na Na Na”, you HAVE to read The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys. Most recently, he attended the NYC Comic Con to talk about his new pop-up imprint, DC’s “Young Animal”.
Mikey Way
Mikey couldn’t stay off stage for long. He formed Electric Century with Sleep Station vocalist, David Debiak and they released their first song “I Lied” in Febuary 2014 and made their way on to Alternative Press‘ “100 Bands You Need To Know” list. In March 2016 they went to release their debut album For the Night to Control.
The Way brother has been on stage with many artists since 2013. At this years APMA Awards, he joined the Black Veil Brides frontman, Andy Biersack, Christian Coma, John Feldmann, and Quinn Allman in what Andy called an “all star band”. He’s even featured on Andy Black’s “Louder Than Your Love” which Gerard co-wrote and Waterparks’ EP “Crave”. He then joined Waterparks and Good Charlotte at Reading and Leeds festivals.
Frank Iero
Frank’s pop punk solo project, Frnkiero andthe Patience continues to release music and tour. In 2014, he released album Stomachaches under the project’s previous name, Fnkiero andthe Cellebration. After the MCR breakup, the musician felt a dramatic increase in pain from the digestive problems he’d experienced his entire life. He created a makeshift studio in his basement and made songs to distract himself which birthed the album.
The rest of 2016 and early 2017 will be full of excitement! His new album, Parachutes is set to be realeased on October 28th. Not only that, but he’ll be joining Taking Back Sunday on a UK/Europe tour in Feburary and in March, he’ll be touring in Russia!
Ray Toro
Ray certainly didn’t step away from the music scene either. He recorded Remember The Laugher in his home from 2013 until 2016. He took on the project in its entirety; writing, producing, engineering, mixing, and playing most instruments. He’s said that his wife and son who was born when he began working, are his biggest inspirations. It was the first time he’s “written lyrics or songs on (his) own.” His solo debut is set to release November 18th.