My Chemical Romance facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance in Oklahoma City, 2022. From left to right: Mikey Way, Frank Iero, Gerard Way, Ray Toro, Jarrod Alexander, and Jamie Muhoberac
Background information
Origin	New Jersey, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock emo pop-punk post-hardcore punk rock hard rock
Years active	2001–2013 2019–present
Labels	Eyeball Reprise Warner

Members	Gerard Way Ray Toro Mikey Way Frank Iero

Past members	Matt Pelissier Bob Bryar James Dewees
Logo

My Chemical Romance is an American rock band from New Jersey. The band's current members are lead singer Gerard Way, lead guitarist Ray Toro, rhythm guitarist Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way. They are known as one of the most important rock groups of the 2000s. They are also a big name in the emo and pop-punk music styles, even though the band members don't like the "emo" label for themselves.

The band started in September 2001 with Gerard, Mikey, Toro, and drummer Matt Pelissier. Frank Iero joined later. They signed with Eyeball Records and released their first album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, in 2002. The next year, they signed with Reprise Records. Their first album with a major label, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, came out in 2004. Soon after, Bob Bryar replaced Matt Pelissier as drummer. This album became very popular, selling over a million copies.

The band's 2006 album, The Black Parade, was even more successful. It was a rock opera with a story. The song "Welcome to the Black Parade" from this album became a number-one hit in the UK. This album made the band even more famous. Their fourth album, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, was released in 2010. Bob Bryar left before this album came out. In 2012, they added touring keyboard player James Dewees. In 2012 and 2013, the band released songs they had recorded earlier, called Conventional Weapons. My Chemical Romance announced they were breaking up on March 22, 2013. A collection of their best songs, May Death Never Stop You, came out in 2014. A special tenth-anniversary version of The Black Parade was released in 2016.

On October 31, 2019, the band announced they would play a reunion show in Los Angeles on December 20, 2019. In January 2020, they announced more shows and a Reunion Tour. This tour started in 2022 after being delayed for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tour finished in early 2023.

Band History

Forming the Band and First Album (2001–2002)

Witnessing the September 11 attacks influenced Gerard Way to form My Chemical Romance.

Singer Gerard Way and drummer Matt Pelissier started the band in New Jersey. This was shortly after the September 11 attacks. Seeing the World Trade Center towers fall made Gerard want to start a band. Soon after, Ray Toro joined as the guitarist. Gerard said he secretly always wanted to make music. He wrote the song "Skylines and Turnstiles" about his feelings after September 11.

Gerard's younger brother, Mikey Way, suggested the band's name. Mikey was working at a Barnes & Noble store. He saw a book title by Irvine Welsh called ...: Three Tales of Chemical Romance. The band first recorded songs in Matt Pelissier's attic. These songs were "Our Lady of Sorrows" and "Cubicles." The band calls these "The Attic Demos." Mikey Way heard the demo and decided to join the band. While with Eyeball Records, the band met Frank Iero. Frank was the singer and guitarist for another band called Pencey Prep. After Pencey Prep broke up in 2002, Frank joined My Chemical Romance. This was just days before they recorded their first album.

They recorded their first album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, very quickly. It came out in 2002 through Eyeball Records. Thursday's singer, Geoff Rickly, produced the album. The band became friends with him while playing shows in New Jersey. Frank Iero played guitar on two songs, including "Early Sunsets Over Monroeville." The band started getting more attention from playing at a venue called Big Daddy's. The album had three singles: "Vampires Will Never Hurt You", "Honey, This Mirror Isn't Big Enough for the Two of Us", and "Headfirst for Halos". My Chemical Romance offered free downloads on PureVolume and MySpace. This helped them gain their first fans.

Signing with a Major Label and Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2003–2006)

On August 31, 2003, the band announced they signed with Reprise Records. Their second album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, was released on June 8, 2004. A month later, Bob Bryar replaced Matt Pelissier as drummer. The band released four singles from this album: "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)", "Thank You for the Venom", "Helena", and "The Ghost of You". The album sold over a million copies in just over a year.

In early 2005, the band was part of the first Taste of Chaos tour. They toured with bands like The Used and Killswitch Engage. My Chemical Romance also opened for Green Day on their American Idiot tour. They then shared the main stage at Warped Tour 2005 with Fall Out Boy. They also toured with Alkaline Trio and Reggie and the Full Effect across the US. That same year, My Chemical Romance worked with The Used. They covered the Queen and David Bowie song, "Under Pressure". This song was released to help raise money for tsunami relief.

In March 2006, the album Life on the Murder Scene was released. It included a CD and two DVDs. One DVD was a documentary about the band's history. The second DVD had music videos, behind-the-scenes footage, and live performances. An unauthorized biography DVD, Things That Make You Go MMM!, came out in June 2006. This DVD did not have any My Chemical Romance music. Instead, it had interviews with people who knew the band before they became famous. A book called Something Incredible This Way Comes was also released in 2006. It was written by Paul Stenning. It covered their beginnings up to their third album, The Black Parade.

The Black Parade Era (2006–2009)

Announcement of The Black Parade at London Hammersmith Palais, 22 August 2006

My Chemical Romance started recording their third album on April 10, 2006. They worked with Rob Cavallo, who produced many of Green Day's albums.

On August 3, 2006, the band finished filming videos for their first two singles. These were "Welcome to the Black Parade" and "Famous Last Words". Both videos were directed by Samuel Bayer. He also directed Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" video. During the filming for "Famous Last Words," Gerard Way and Bob Bryar were hurt. Gerard injured his ankle, and Bob had serious burns on his hands and legs. Because of this, the band had to cancel some tour dates.

On August 22, 2006, the band played a special show in London. It was at the Hammersmith Palais, which holds 1,800 people. Tickets sold out in 15 minutes. At the show, they confirmed the album's title. The band was performing at the Reading Festival. Fans of the band Slayer threw bottles at them. Gerard Way later called this their "greatest victory as a show."

The band during the Big Day Out in February 2007

"Welcome to the Black Parade" was released as a single on September 11, 2006. Its music video, directed by Samuel Bayer, came out later that month. The song became the band's first number-one hit in the UK in October 2006. The Black Parade album was released on October 23, 2006. In the US, "Welcome to the Black Parade" reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. This is the band's only top ten hit on that chart so far.

The Black Parade World Tour began on February 22, 2007. Rise Against and Muse were opening acts. Reggie and the Full Effect singer James Dewees joined the band to play keyboards. In April 2007, Mikey Way temporarily left the tour. He wanted to spend time with his new wife. Matt Cortez, a friend of the band, filled in for Mikey. During another part of the tour, some band and crew members got sick. They had to cancel shows. The band later joined Linkin Park's Projekt Revolution tour in 2007.

My Chemical Romance received many awards for The Black Parade. Kerrang! magazine called it the fourth-greatest album of 2006. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it the 20th best album of 2006. It was also 361st on their list of the top 500 albums of all time. My Chemical Romance won Best International Band at the 2007 NME Awards. Gerard Way also won Hero of the Year. The band was nominated for Best Alternative Group at the 2007 American Music Awards.

Most of the concerts on The Black Parade World Tour involved the use of pyrotechnics, especially during "Mama" and "Famous Last Words".

In 2008, the band released a live DVD/CD called The Black Parade Is Dead!. It included two concerts from October 2007. One was the final Black Parade concert in Mexico. The other was a small show in New Jersey. In 2009, an EP of extra songs from The Black Parade was released. It was called The Black Parade: The B-Sides. The band also released "a collection of nine never-before-seen live videos." These were from the Mexico City show in October 2007. This release was called ¡Venganza! and came on a bullet-shaped flash drive on April 10, 2009.

Media Attention and Discussions

Some British newspapers, like the Daily Mail, described the band and their fans as "emo" in 2006. They also called them a "cult of self-expression." The Guardian newspaper said My Chemical Romance was linked to emo because of Frank Iero's look. Also, their first album was produced by a member of Thursday. The band members were also open about their personal challenges. However, the newspapers noted differences between emo and My Chemical Romance's music. The band disagreed with being called "emo." They also disagreed with the idea that their music was dangerous. They compared it to similar discussions about Judas Priest in the 1980s. This media attention, which happened when The Black Parade came out, may have made the band more popular in the UK.

In May 2008, the Daily Mail published an article. It talked about a 13-year-old girl who passed away. The newspaper linked her passing to an "emo cult" and My Chemical Romance. The article was based on comments from a coroner. The coroner was concerned that her "emo" lifestyle made difficult feelings seem appealing. He suggested her interest in My Chemical Romance was connected to her passing. The Mail then published more stories. These stories also described the band and emo as "dangerous." Fans of emo music contacted NME to defend the music. They said it does not encourage difficult feelings. The band responded by honoring the girl. They said their music is "against violence and against difficult feelings." They aim to help fans feel better. They encouraged fans with sad feelings to seek help.

A group of British fans planned a march in London. They wanted to protest how the band was shown in the media. The march was planned for May 31. It was expected to start at Hyde Park and end outside the Daily Mail offices. Organizers thought 500–1,000 people would join. Police had concerns, so the march was called off. Instead, about 100 fans gathered at Marble Arch.

The Daily Mail defended its articles. They said their coverage was "fair and careful" and "important for the public." They stated they were reporting concerns raised by the coroner and the parents. They also pointed out that they published letters from readers defending the band. They also published positive reviews of the band's albums and tours. Kerrang! later said the original story had a "strong approach and incorrect facts." They said it made the emo subculture seem bad. In 2022, The Guardian called the strong reactions against the band and emo music a "moral panic."

Danger Days and Changes (2009–2011)

In February 2009, My Chemical Romance released a new song. It was a cover of the Bob Dylan song "Desolation Row". They recorded it for the 2009 film Watchmen. While working on their fourth album, the band first worked with producer Brendan O'Brien. He had worked with bands like AC/DC and Pearl Jam.

In an interview with NME, Gerard Way said the band's next album would be a rock album. He said, "I think [the next album] will definitely be simpler." He also said the band missed being a rock band. Way also commented that the new album would be less like a play. He said it would not be "hiding behind a veil of fiction or uniforms and makeup anymore." In another interview, Way said the next album would be "full of strong feelings." He also said, "There's more of a raw feel and more energy [live]. I'd like to capture some of that, finally. That's the goal for the next one."

On July 31 and August 1, 2009, My Chemical Romance played two "secret" shows. These were at The Roxy Theater in Los Angeles. They were the band's first concerts since May 2008. The band also played several new songs from their upcoming album. One song was reportedly called "Death Before Disco." Way said he was very excited about it. The song was later renamed "Party Poison" and was on the new album. Way explained in a Rolling Stone interview that "it's a completely different sound for the band — it's like an anti-party song that you can party to."

Gerard Way also said in a November 2009 interview that the fourth album would be their most important work. On March 3, 2010, Frank Iero announced on their website that Bob Bryar had left the band. He wrote:

As of 4 weeks ago, My Chemical Romance and Bob Bryar parted ways. This was a painful decision for all of us to make and was not taken lightly. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors and expect you all to do the same.

My Chemical Romance performing at a concert in 2011

Since Bob Bryar left, My Chemical Romance has not had a full-time drummer. In a March 2010 MTV interview, Gerard Way said about the new album, "There's no title yet ... I'm actually kind of excited about that. It's kind of 'anything goes' at this point, but I'm so happy with the songs." The band decided on the title for their fourth album, but kept it a secret. They said on their website it would be revealed "all in due time."

At the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con, Way announced the band had finished recording the fourth album. Frank Iero confirmed this on the band's website. In September, a video trailer was uploaded to My Chemical Romance's YouTube page. It was called Art is a Weapon. It announced the album's title: Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys. On September 22, 2010, the band played their song "Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)" on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show. The song was officially released as a single on September 28. The album came out on November 22, 2010. The second single, "The Only Hope for Me Is You", was released on October 12, 2010. Other singles from the album included "Sing" and "Planetary (Go!)".

My Chemical Romance performing in 2011

Rock Sound magazine reviewed the album positively. They said "the way they've used everything they learned on The Black Parade and tightened up in certain places feels natural and confident." They also said it showed "the creativity of the band taking flight musically, graphically and literally." Michael Pedicone joined the band as a touring drummer in late 2010. He replaced Bryar. During a show in Wembley Arena on February 12, 2011, Way announced the band would play at a UK festival later that year. They also performed at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Carlisle, England, on May 15, 2011.

On September 2, 2011, Frank Iero posted on the band's site. He said, "The relationship between My Chemical Romance and Michael Pedicone is over." He explained Pedicone was no longer with the band because "he was caught taking things from the band." He also hoped to find a new drummer quickly to avoid canceling shows. On September 4, 2011, it was announced that Jarrod Alexander would be the new touring drummer.

Conventional Weapons and Break-up (2011–2013)

On April 28, 2011, US broadcaster Glenn Beck called the My Chemical Romance song "Sing" "propaganda". This happened after it was featured on the TV show Glee in February 2011. Beck said, "It's an anthem saying 'Join us'. How can you and I possibly win against that?" The lyrics Beck pointed out were: "Cleaned up corporation progress, dying in the process / Children that can talk about it living on the railways / People moving sideways / Sell it till your last days / Buy yourself the motivation / Generation nothing / Nothing but a dead scene / Product of a white dream". Gerard Way responded on the band's website. He wrote, "I think the word Glenn Beck was looking for was 'subversion' not 'propaganda', because I don't know what it would be considered propaganda for—truth? Sentiment?" He also said he was "shocked that no actual fact-checking was done on the lyrics." Bassist Mikey Way told the BBC, "If we're getting reaction from people like that we're doing something right."

In an interview with Rolling Stone in October 2011, guitarist Frank Iero said new music might be out "by summer." On December 18, 2011, the band appeared on Nick Jr. Channel's Yo Gabba Gabba!. They performed a song called "Every Snowflake Is Different (Just Like You)". This was part of a Christmas special for the show.

Gerard Way at the festival Big Day Out in February 2012 in Australia

My Chemical Romance started working on their fifth album in early 2012. Its working title was The Paper Kingdom. The band worked with engineer Doug McKean. He had worked on The Black Parade and Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys. In September 2012, the band announced a new project called Conventional Weapons. This project included 10 unreleased songs recorded in 2009. These songs were made before Danger Days. The band released two songs each month for five months. This started in October 2012 and finished in February 2013. According to the October 2012 issue of Q Magazine, Frank Iero said early sessions for the next album were going well. He commented, "Jarrod is a rad guy and a fantastic player. It's been really fun making music with him these past few months."

On March 22, 2013, the band announced their break-up on their official website. They released this statement:

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.

Gerard Way posted a longer message on Twitter two days later. He confirmed the band was breaking up. But he said that disagreements between band members were not the reason.

After the Break-up and Reissues (2013–2017)

On March 25, 2014, the band released a collection of their greatest hits. It was called May Death Never Stop You. It had songs from their whole career and one new song. The new song, "Fake Your Death", was available digitally on February 17. It is the only My Chemical Romance song with James Dewees playing keyboards.

After the band broke up, the members continued making music. Lead singer Gerard Way announced his first solo album, Hesitant Alien. He released a song called "Action Cat" before the album. Hesitant Alien came out on September 29, 2014, in the UK. It was released a day later in the U.S. Hesitant Alien was quite successful. It topped the US Billboard Alternative Albums chart. It also reached No. 16 on the US Billboard 200. Hesitant Alien was also named one of the "Ten Essential Albums Of 2014" by Alternative Press.

Rhythm guitarist Frank Iero sometimes worked with My Chemical Romance keyboardist James Dewees. They formed a band called Death Spells. Frank also played in Reggie and the Full Effect with Ray Toro. They released No Country for Old Musicians on November 19, 2013. After that, Frank announced he signed with Staple Records. He would release a solo album called Stomachaches under the name "frnkiero andthe cellabration". The album featured former My Chemical Romance touring drummer Jarrod Alexander. Stomachaches was released worldwide on August 25, 2014.

Bassist Mikey Way formed Electric Century with David Debiak in 2014. They released their first song, "I Lied," in February 2014. The duo announced their first EP on March 10, 2015. It was released on Record Store Day on April 18, 2015. Lead guitarist Ray Toro released a song called "Isn't That Something" on May 24, 2013. On January 1, 2015, he posted a new song, "For the Lost and Brave," on his website. He dedicated the song to Leelah Alcorn, a transgender teen who passed away.

On July 20, 2016, the band posted a video on their official Twitter and Facebook pages. It had the piano intro from "Welcome to the Black Parade". It ended with a mysterious date, "9/23/16". The video was also on the band's YouTube channel, titled "MCRX". This led to many rumors about the band getting back together. But it was later revealed to be a new version of The Black Parade with unreleased demo songs. This new version, called The Black Parade/Living with Ghosts, included 11 demo and live tracks. Two months before it came out, an early version of "Welcome to the Black Parade" was available to listen to. It was called "The Five of Us Are Dying".

In 2017, Gerard Way talked about his work on the comic book Doom Patrol. He told Billboard, "I wouldn't rule out (a reunion), but at the same time everybody's doing stuff in their lives now that they're really enjoying."

Reunion and New Music (2019–Present)

My Chemical Romance performing at their 2019 reunion show

On October 31, 2019, the band announced they would reunite for a show in Los Angeles on December 20. They also announced new merchandise. The announcement had the words "Return" and "Like Phantoms Forever...". The show sold out almost immediately. At first, people thought it was a one-time show. But almost a week later, the band announced more dates in Australia, Japan, and New Zealand for 2020. They later shared that they had first met up again in 2017. They had been working together since then, before the official announcement in 2019. The concert made $1,451,745, with 5,113 people attending.

In January 2020, the group announced plans for concerts at Stadium MK (Milton Keynes, England). They planned for June 18, 20, and 21, 2020. Tickets for each day sold out in minutes. Later that month, the group released a mysterious video on YouTube. It ended by announcing a North American tour. The North American tickets went on sale on January 31, 2020. They sold out in less than six hours. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all the shows planned for 2020 were delayed to 2021. This included the North American shows. These tour dates were then delayed again to 2022. The tour started on May 16, 2022, at the Eden Project. It finished on March 26, 2023, in Tokyo, Japan.

On May 12, 2022, the band released "The Foundations of Decay". This was their first new song since 2014.

My Chemical Romance was a main act at the When We Were Young Festival 2024 in Las Vegas. They played alongside Fall Out Boy. The band performed their 2006 album The Black Parade completely. After the festival, the band announced the Long Live The Black Parade tour. This North American stadium tour in 2025 will also feature them performing The Black Parade in its entirety.

In November 2024, the band's former drummer, Bob Bryar, passed away at his home. Even though the band had other drummers after he left in 2010, Bryar was the last full-time drummer for My Chemical Romance.

Music Style and Influences

Band's Sound and Categories

My Chemical Romance is mainly known for their "goth-like" look. They also have dramatic singing and songs with "deep, personal lyrics." The band's music is mostly called alternative rock, emo, pop-punk, post-hardcore, punk rock, and hard rock. The band has also released songs described as emo pop, hardcore punk, gothic rock, pop rock, arena rock, glam rock, progressive rock, heavy metal, pop, screamo, and garage punk. Gerard Way has publicly said he doesn't like the term "emo." He has called the genre "f***ing garbage." However, he has also reportedly described the band's style as "What-else-ya-got-emo."

The band's first album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, has a raw sound. It features fast guitar riffs, very energetic singing, and sometimes screaming. This album has been compared to Thursday's music. It has been called emo, post-hardcore, screamo, punk rock, gothic rock, pop-punk, and garage punk. It also has influences from hardcore punk and heavy metal. The band's next album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, has "super active" instruments and "strong energy." It was described as alternative rock, emo, pop-punk, post-hardcore, punk rock, and pop rock.

The band's third album, The Black Parade, is a "classic concept album." It has "powerful guitar riffs and soaring guitar solos." It has been called alternative rock, emo, pop-punk, progressive rock, post-hardcore, punk rock, and hard rock. It also has influences from 1970s classic rock, glam rock, pop, and gothic rock. The band's fourth album, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, added elements of power pop, psychedelic rock, proto-punk, pop rock, and electronic rock to their sound.

What Inspired the Band

My Chemical Romance have cited Queen (top) and Misfits (bottom) as key influences.

Gerard Way told Rolling Stone, "we love bands like Queen, where it's huge and majestic. But also bands like Black Flag and the Misfits, who would go absolutely crazy." Way has said the band is greatly influenced by Queen, Iron Maiden, Misfits, Black Flag, At the Gates, Descendents, Pantera, Van Halen, the Cure, Joy Division, Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Smiths, Morrissey, and Thursday. The Smashing Pumpkins also had a big impact on the band. Way said My Chemical Romance has followed the Pumpkins' career path.

In a 2007 issue of Kerrang!, the band listed songs that influenced their music the most. These included Taking Back Sunday's "MakeDamnSure", Say Anything's "Alive with the Glory of Love", and Thursday's "Understanding in a Car Crash". Frank Iero's guitar playing is inspired by Sonic Youth guitarist Thurston Moore and Jack White. Ray Toro names Megadeth, Metallica, Pantera, and Iron Maiden as influences. My Chemical Romance's other inspirations include the Stooges, Ramones, Sex Pistols, the Clash, Minor Threat, Nirvana, and Operation Ivy. They also noted that their lives, childhoods, books, and movies have influenced their music.

Band's Impact

Music and Culture

Music writer Em Casalena said that "Any conversation about bands that defined the emo sound will likely at least mention My Chemical Romance." Rolling Stone noted the band was "somewhat unusual in New Jersey's growing pop-punk and emo scene." They then became famous with Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, an "instant emo classic." In 2022, The Guardian wrote that at their peak, they were "unexpected superstars, outsiders who accidentally became mainstream." But with their reunion tour, the band would "return to a pop culture they helped to shape." Christopher R. Weingarten of The New York Times said The Black Parade inspired many musicians in the 2010s. This included Twenty One Pilots, Halsey, and Billie Eilish. It even influenced the sound of movie musicals like Frozen II. In 2016, Nylon wrote that the album "took the idea of a concept album and used it for the digital age." Musically, it was a rock opera "as ambitious as any post-Queen rock opera could be." NPR Music wrote that the band was "earnest, dramatic and unapologetically massive." They called The Black Parade a "defining album" for a generation of pop-punk fans.

In 2020, Kerrang! called the band "the rock superstars of the 21st century." They said "no other band has had such a musical or cultural impact over recent years." The magazine also noted their influence on the "current music scene" of alternative rock. Vice named My Chemical Romance the "artist of the decade." Writer Hannah Ewens said they "influenced rock throughout the 2010s—even though they were inactive for most of the decade." In Paste magazine, Eli Enis wrote that "it is pretty much accepted canon at this point that My Chemical Romance are one of the most significant rock bands this side of the millennium." James McMahon of The Independent said Gerard Way "set a blueprint for emo's image." Entertainment Weekly's Kyle Anderson said they "offered up spiritual solutions to real problems." They did it with "huge riffs and big theatrical stage shows, with rarely a hint of irony or detachment." He added, "it's unlikely there will ever be a band quite like them again."

Supporting the LGBT Community

In Archer magazine, Vince Ruston talked about the band's popularity with the queer and LGBT communities. He said, "My Chemical Romance wanted to speak to and raise up every person who had ever felt outcast, downtrodden, or alone. Queer teens were a huge part of that group." Michelle Hyun Kim also called Gerard Way a "queer icon" in Them website. She said that after the band announced their reunion, she saw many messages from LGBTQ+ people. They said My Chemical Romance helped them understand their identity. The band has always supported LGBT rights and welcomed their LGBT fans.

Tours and Performances

Bassist Mikey Way, dressed in his Black Parade uniform

Tours in the 2000s

My Chemical Romance played in many big tours in 2005. The band toured with Green Day in 2005 on the "Green Day Presents American Idiot Tour". They were also part of the Warped Tour that same year. Gerard Way said about Warped Tour, "For a lot of kids, it's the one thing they look forward to all year." He added, "They save up for it. They get to see all the bands they like in one shot."

My Chemical Romance shared the main stage with The Used on the Taste of Chaos tour. Then, they started their first headlining tour, simply called the "My Chemical Romance Tour." This tour began on September 15 in Ohio. It stopped at 30 places in the United States to promote their album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. Other bands like Alkaline Trio and Reggie and the Full Effect opened for them. This tour was the start of the big theatrical shows they later became known for. Way talked about his plans for the tour in an interview with MTV. He said, "we'd talked about bringing out dancers for our headlining tour in the fall, but it's a big undertaking." He added, "We've always wanted to do a big theatrical tour. But you have to do it in steps."

The band joined headliners Linkin Park and Taking Back Sunday on Projekt Revolution 2007. This tour ran from July 25 to September 3, 2007. During the tour, Gerard Way married Mindless Self Indulgence bassist Lindsay "Lyn Z" Ballato. After the Projekt Revolution tour, they opened for Bon Jovi in October 2007.

Tours in the 2010s

On September 19, 2010, the band announced "The World Contamination Tour." This tour took place in parts of the UK, France, Amsterdam, and Germany.

The band went on a joint tour of the United States with Blink-182 in 2011. This was the 10th Annual Honda Civic Tour. The tour was announced on May 23, 2011. Both bands met at the Rainbow Bar and Grill in West Hollywood. Members of the band's fan clubs got the first chance to buy tickets. This exclusive pre-sale started on June 6. On June 8, anyone who "liked" the Honda Civic Tour's Facebook page could buy tickets. All other tickets went on sale to the public on June 10.

The band reunited privately in 2017. They announced a reunion show on October 31, 2019. This show took place in Los Angeles on December 20, 2019. A week later, they added a small tour with dates in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

Tours in the 2020s

On January 28, 2020, the group announced plans for three concerts in Milton Keynes (UK). These were planned for June 18, 20, and 21, 2020. On January 29, 2020, the band announced a North American tour.

In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the group delayed its Milton Keynes events. They were first moved to June 2021. In June 2020, the band delayed all North American events to September and October 2021. In April 2021, the Milton Keynes concert was delayed again to May 2022. The rest of the tour was later delayed to 2022.

The tour started on May 16, 2022, at the Eden Project. It finished on March 26, 2023, in Tokyo, Japan.

Band Members

Current members

Gerard Way – lead vocals (2001–2013, 2019–present)
Ray Toro – lead guitar, backing vocals (2001–2013, 2019–present); rhythm guitar (2001–2002)
Mikey Way – bass guitar (2001–2013, 2019–present)
Frank Iero – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2002–2013, 2019–present)

Current touring musicians

Jarrod Alexander – drums, percussion (2011–2013, 2019–present)
Jamie Muhoberac – keyboards (2019–present)

Former members

Matt Pelissier – drums, percussion (2001–2004)
Bob Bryar – drums, percussion (2004–2010; died 2024)
James Dewees – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals (2012–2013; touring 2007–2012)

Former touring musicians

Pete Parada – drums, percussion (2007)
Matt Cortez – rhythm guitar (2007–2008), bass guitar (2007)
Tucker Rule – drums, percussion (2007–2008)
Todd Price – rhythm guitar (2008)
Michael Pedicone – drums, percussion (2010–2011)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love (2002)
Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004)
The Black Parade (2006)
Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (2010)

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2011	Yo Gabba Gabba!	Themselves	Episode: "A Very Awesome Christmas", performed the song "Every Snowflake Is Different (Like You)"