My Chemical Romance Reunion is communion for punk-starved Angelenos

Almost a decade has passed since the disbanding of My Chemical Romance (MCR), the post-hardcore pop-punk group fronted by Gerard Way. And as a generation of Vans Warped Tour devotees grew, so did Gerard’s 13-year-old daughter Bandit, now of legal age to appreciate her father’s music in all its anguished glory.

At the Oct. 15 show of the band’s reunion tour, which had been postponed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gerard’s daughter took center stage at the Kia Forum with a squad of her friends. The singer dedicated his 2006 hit “Teenagers” to her, a surreal moment for adult concert-goers whose punk awakening also began in early adolescence.

“For this next song, I never know who to dedicate it to, but tonight I definitely do,” Gerard announced to the audience before pausing for added effect. “It’s my teenage daughter Bandit who is here tonight with all her friends. This is for you.”

Now 45, Gerard Way has not only retained his vocal range and energy, but also his baby face that looks like it’s barely aged in 20 years. He throttled the mic and had no problem hitting the sweeping high notes of songs like “Famous Last Words” while also throwing out deeper growls for the darker, drum-heavy material.

As is the way with the Ways – Gerard and bassist Mikey Way are brothers – there were plenty of anthems. “Helena,” from the band’s 2004 album, produced an audible rumble akin to airplanes landing at nearby LAX as guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero breathed new life into a classic. And it didn’t take more than a single note for MCR fans to instantly recognize the 2006 hit “Welcome to the Black Parade.” The only notable difference? Most of the songs were sung a half step down from their original key. But to Gerard’s credit, the change wasn’t inherently obvious – and since he formed the band at the age of 24, his vocal range has undoubtedly changed.

As for the new material, the band’s first new song since 2014, “The Foundations of Decay” served as a warmup and opened the show, but other tracks hark back to MCR’s 2002 debut “I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought.” Me, your love.” One of the album’s most popular tracks, “Vampires Will Never Hurt You,” made the setlist towards the end of the show on October 15, and Gerard celebrated the occasion by donning full Dracula garb.

The theatrics were present but not overwhelming as the band more than lived up to their entertaining responsibilities – Mikey, Toro and Iero certainly deserve plenty of credit, leaping and shredding across the stage and clearly enjoying the craft without apathy.

After such a long absence, MCR had much to do and lived up to the opportunity with five nights at the Forum. But more than a “reunion” show, it was a “communion” — from like-minded Los Angeles supporters of all ages and persuasions who sang “so long and good night” but figured don’t take it to long.