We Are Young and We Don’t Care
Continuing with my music recommendations (if you didn’t see my first one, go check it out!), we have a pivotal group in the punk rock and emo genre: My Chemical Romance.
My Chemical Romance, commonly abbreviated to MCR or My Chem, is made up of Gerard Way, Frank Iero, Ray Toro, and Mikey Way. They were formed in New Jersey in 2001 because of the terrorist attacks of 9/11. They’re a popular punk rock emo band, becoming known as one of the most influential bands in alternative music in the early 2000’s that still has a large following even today.
The band’s founder and lead singer is Gerard Way. Gerard, outside of My Chemical Romance, has his own solo singing career that includes the chart-topping album Hesitant Alien. They are also an accomplished comic book writer, writing well-known Umbrella Academy, and working on the Netflix adaptation, and The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys. Gerard has been married to Lindsey Ballato since 2007, having a child with her in 2009 named Bandit Way. Gerard is known for being extremely supportive of just about everyone, being a part of the LGBTQ+ community himself and having struggled with gender identity, he is proud in supporting all his fans and their identities.
Not only the bassist for MCR and one of the founding members, Mikey Way also formed a band of his own dubbed Electric Century with vocalist David Debiak during MCR’s breakup years (2013-2020). He’s even debuted in acting and voice acting roles on The Aquabats! Super Show! and Transformers: Power of the Primes. Mikey married Alicia Simmons in 2007, later divorcing her in 2013. In 2016, Way married, and later had two daughters with, Kristin Blanford. He’s also Gerard’s younger brother. Way has spoken out about his past struggles with addiction and sobriety, now having been sober since 2014 after attending rehab.
Ray Toro is MCR’s lead guitarist and backup vocalist. Outside of MCR, he has a solo music career by his name and is a part of James Dewee’s band Reggie and the Full Effect. He’s also featured on many other musicians’ songs as background vocals and guitar. Toro married his wife Christa in November of 2008 and now has 2 sons with her. Some of Toro’s favorite bands and musical influences include Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Mötley Crüe, and Metallica.
Outside of being MCR’s guitarist and backup vocalist, Frank Iero has an extensive music career of his own. He fronted hardcore punk band Leathermouth, and has three separate solo careers by the names Frank Iero and the Future Violents, Frank Iero and the Patience, and frankiero andthe cellabration. Frank is known for his bold views and opinions, many of which are shown on his plethora of tattoos, including bands, a portrayal of Frankenstein’s Monster, and a matching “revenge” tattoo with James Dewees. He married Jamia Nestor in 2006 and now has a pair of twin girls and a son.
Some fun facts!
-Gerard drew the Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge album cover
-Mikey came up with the band name while shelving books at Barnes and Noble
-They appeared on Yo Gabba Gabba and performed a song called ‘Every Snowflake is Different’
-Iero and the Way brother’s actual mothers are featured in ‘Mama’
-There’s a Woody the Woodpecker reference in ‘Dead!’
-One of Tim Burton’s costume designers designed The Black Parade costumes
“Please understand it has to be this way/ Stand up… tall/ Don’t let them see your back/And take my… hand and never be afraid again”
