My Chemical Romance (MCR or My Chem) was founded in Newark, New Jersey on September 12, 2001, by Gerard Way (vocalist), Mikey Way (bassist), Ray Toro (lead guitarist), and Matt Pelissier (drummer). Rhythm guitarist Frank Iero joined the following year in 2002. They are easily recognized as one of, if not the most influential rock groups of the 2000s and a major act in the pop-punk and emo genres.
In 2002 MCR released their debut album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love. The next year in 2004, they signed a record deal with Reprise Records and released their major-label debut, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. The album was a commercial success, attaining platinum status over a year later. That same year, drummer Matt Pelissier left the band and was replaced by Bob Bryar.
Their next album, The Black Parade, cemented the band as a pop/rock/emo icon with help of the lead single “Welcome to the Black Parade”. The band’s fourth studio album, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, was released in 2010. That same year, just before the album’s release, drummer Bob Bryar departed MCR and the band has not replaced him to this day. In 2012 and 2013, the band released a series of singles they had recorded in 2009 under the collective title Conventional Weapons.
March 22, 2013, marks a sad day for the emo world as My Chemical Romance announced its breakup. In 2014, a greatest hits album titled May Death Never Stop You was released followed by a tenth-anniversary reissue of The Black Parade in 2016.
On October 31, 2019, the band announced a reunion show, which took place in Los Angeles on December 20, 2019. In January 2020, they announced additional shows and a Reunion Tour, which commenced in 2022 after being put off for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As for new music, there are only rumors right now but studio time has been booked by My Chem’s label for 2023.
Fun Fact: During the video shoot for the song “Famous Last Words” two band members were seriously injured. Vocalist Gerard Way tore multiple ligaments in his ankle and drummer Bob Bryar received second and third-degree burns on his leg, which eventually festered into gangrene.
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