Emo kids from the early-to-mid 2000s – gird your loins. Huge news dropped on Halloween 2019 that I almost certainly would’ve believed was a hoax but is indeed true. New Jersey’s own My Chemical Romance have officially announced their first live show since 2012. On December 20, 2019, the band will perform at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium to 6,300 fans.
My Chemical Romance officially announced they were breaking up on their website back in March 2013, saying, “like all great things, it has come time for [the band] to end.” While all My Chem fans were heartbroken, there was still plenty of opportunity for people to catch the creative work of its members. Lead singer Gerard Way released a successful, Bowie-esque solo album Hesitant Alien back in 2014 before co-founding a comic book imprint at DC Comics.
Bassist Mikey Way explored his own musical landscape forming the group Electric Century and releasing an EP and record. Guitarist Frank Iero likewise developed his own solo projects under the name Leathermouth and later, Frank Iero and the Future Violents. Rhythm guitarist Ray Toro released a couple songs written and produced by himself alone, and additionally toured with My Chem’s keyboardist as the group Reggie and the Full Effect.
While My Chemical Romance’s most commercially successful record was undoubtedly 2006’s Welcome to the Black Parade, it seems that the band’s legacy has lived on with younger, growing audiences. Tickets for the Shrine Auditorium show – which were less than modestly priced at $149.50 a pop – went on sale the day after the band’s official announcement and sold out in less than two minutes, even with a 2-ticket per person maximum.
Fingers crossed New Jersey’s own will announce a few more shows, and possibly even some new material, but for now, let’s all remember to carry on.
