10 times My Chemical Romance members collaborated outside of the band
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a creative collective as tight-knit as My Chemical Romance. Even when they’re not all in the studio together, they seem to find a way to be, well, in the studio together… Last week, Mikey Way debuted a new single from Electric Century, his side project with David Debiak, ahead of their forthcoming album. […]
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a creative collective as tight-knit as My Chemical Romance. Even when they’re not all in the studio together, they seem to find a way to be, well, in the studio together…
Last week, Mikey Waydebuted a new single from Electric Century, his side project with David Debiak, ahead of their forthcoming album. Notably, the record was produced by his MCR bandmate, Ray Toro. When asked what the collaboration was like, Mikey unsurprisingly had nothing but positive remarks.
“All bias aside, I think that Ray Toro is a musical genius,” he explained. “We both speak this different language and know what each other mean at all times in the studio. He’s at the top of his game and in a league of his own.”
As standout as the response seems, we can’t help but assume the band members all have similar sentiments toward one another. After all, they’re pretty entangled in one another’s independent projects.
Read on for 10 times the My Chemical Romance members collaborated on projects separate from the band.
Mikey Way on Gerard Way’s “Millions”
Hesitant Alienmay have been Gerard Way‘s first release independent of the band, but that doesn’t mean he was going to do it entirely without his brother. Mikey contributed backing vocals to the track “Millions.” You can hear him clear as day around the 1:52 mark, singing, “It was really me.”
Mikey and Gerard Way on The Aquabats! Super Show!
The Way brothers’ collaborations aren’t limited to music, either. You may remember Mikey starring in anepisode of The Aquabats! Super Show! titled “The Anti-Bats!” in 2013. Did you know, however, that Gerard had actually co-written and co-directed that episode?
Mikey on Gerard’s “Baby You’re A Haunted House”
Have you ever gotten a vague undercurrent of brotherly love from Gerard’s 2018 single, “Baby You’re A Haunted House“? Well, that’s because Mikey’s contributions to his brother’s solo discography weren’t confined to a single song. Rather than lending his vocals, however, he took over the bass for this one. The song also included the Aquabats‘ Ian Fowles on guitar.
Mikey and Gerard on Andy Black’s “Louder Than Your Love”
Who would have expected the Way brothers to collaborate on a track that didn’t “belong” to either one of them? Andy Black, clearly… The duo teamed up on “Louder Than You Love” for Black’s debut solo album, The Shadow Side. Gerard walked away with a writing credit, while Mikey (surprise, surprise) was attributed to bass.
Think of Gerard’s “Into The Cave We Wander” and your mind probably goes to the frustration of not being able to get your hands on the physical release. Unless, of course, you were among the lucky 5,000 who did. The single has more context than that, though. It was Gerard’s first collaboration with Toro following My Chemical Romance’s split in 2013. Toro co-wrote the song and provided the backing instrumentals.
Thankfully for fans, the collaboration between these two wasn’t just a one-off. Toro also contributed his talents to Gerard’s 2018 single, “Getting Down The Germs.” In addition to co-writing the song, the My Chemical Romance guitarist was credited for playing bass and drums on it. We’d like to say we were surprised, but we already knew his skillset was far-reaching.
Gerard and Toro covers for The Umbrella Academy
If you’ve seen the first season of The Umbrella Academy, then you no doubt remember the montage to the Turtles‘ “Happy Together.” Did you realize that this was actually a cover done by Gerard and Toro, though? The pair also did a collaborative rendition of Simon & Garfunkel‘s “A Hazy Shade Of Winter” for the show’s first trailer. It played during the end credits of season 1, episode 10, as well.
Frank Iero and Toro in Reggie And The Full Effect
The My Chemical Romance members have so many side projects that it’s difficult to keep them all straight. Reggie And The Full Effect make things a bit easier, though, because it’s featured both Toro and Frank Iero at one point. The duo hopped on James Dewees‘ solo project for a brief stint circa 2013, contributing their talents to No Country For Old Musicians.
Toro on Frank Iero And The Future Violents’ acoustic sessions
Iero was notably the most removed from collaborative efforts following My Chemical Romance’s split, busying himself with a solo career. However, when Frank Iero And The Future Violents released their One On One City Winery recordings in 2019, a familiar face worked behind the scenes. That’s right: Toro mixed the session.
What are your favorite collaborations among the My Chemical Romance band members? Let us know in the comments below!