MCR Interview with Frank
MCR Interview with Frank
By P.J. Murray
2006
Frank Iero is 24 and is the guitarist for one of the hottest bands on the planet “My Chemical Romance”. They played the Ambassador last Thursday the 10th. I got to talk to Frank before the gig. Having only woken up just as I entered his dressing room I wasn’t sure what to expect. However I was greeted with a firm welcoming handshake and “Hey Man I’m Frank” as if I didn’t know who he was. He was in Ireland for the first time, but only literally for a day as they left for Wales on the Friday.
M.C.R was started in the year 2000. Frank was not a founding member, however he was there from the beginning. “I’m one of the original members as far as being on that first record” But he wasn’t on the first demo that was released under the name “M.C.R” But Frank remembers getting that first demo and falling in love with it. He was in a band that ended up going nowhere so they split up. At the time he was helping M.C.R with practice space and shows. He was a major fan of the band. “When they asked me to join, I got to join my favourite band. That’s how I feel”
Frank has always said that joining M.C.R saved his life. He goes on to reveal his depression and unhappiness pre M.C.R. His voice softened and he became more sombre as he opened up what seemed to be a bad chapter in his life. For me what I heard could be summed up in this analogy “Sometimes I would go through intersections and close my eyes and hope that something would happen” He describes how he would sit around and do drugs and try to hurt himself. This does not seem like the confident outgoing guy sitting in front of me. However if anything, it goes to show the power that music has.
But now he is a solid guitarist in one of the best bands in the world and things could not be better. Since joining he has experienced signing to a major record label, member changes, and their popularity explosion. “The way we have evolved we have toured and lived together and we have bonded and got to know each other as people and become brothers.”
The high point in his career, I thought he would say its been rocking out to stadium audiences or the many television appearances, but it was surprising to hear what he had to say. “I get to watch my parents brag to their friends and smile from ear to ear” It was something I felt that really humbled such a music icon and keeps a good sense of family values.
Nirvana were a major influence especially “In Utero.” When asked what rumour about the band he would start, he thinks for while and a grin appears on his face as he says “Mikey Way killed Laura Palmer”
Frank’s first taste of M.C.R. was meeting bassist Mikey Way at a party. “We used to call him Mikey party, because he was always partying” Then he met Mikey’s brother Gerrard at another party “These were all Indie parties, and people would show up to see who was there. Gerrard wasn’t like that and neither was Mikey. Mikey just wanted to have fun and Gerrard wanted to hear what you had to say.”
For Frank and the rest of M.C.R touring has been a hard experience. The first time they came to Europe they rented a van, yet they couldn’t drive a stick shift, and driving on the “wrong” side of the road was a unique experience for them. “We still get sick everytime we come over here, you have European bugs. I call them mites.”
Almost every female reaction to M.C.R. is “they are so hot” however Frank doesn’t see the attraction. “Dude we’re gross” as he explains that they don’t shower and they are stuck together on a bus. At this point lead singer Gerrard Way enters the room, and Frank transfers the question to him. He proceeds to laugh and says “Man I have yoghurt on my pants, I’m not really that hot right now”
When I ask him about his Tattoos and piercings “they came in a I wanna be punk rock box” he jokes. But he sports a tattoo across his hands that says “Halloween” It is his birthday and his favourite holiday.
Future plans for M.C.R include a new album once they have finished their tour. They are releasing a cd/dvd package this month, and Frank hinted at a summer tour that will be amazing. Possibly with Taking Back Sunday. However he couldn’t really confirm or deny anything. But one things for sure, this will not be the last we hear of Frank
Iero.
By P.J. Murray
2006
Frank Iero is 24 and is the guitarist for one of the hottest bands on the planet “My Chemical Romance”. They played the Ambassador last Thursday the 10th. I got to talk to Frank before the gig. Having only woken up just as I entered his dressing room I wasn’t sure what to expect. However I was greeted with a firm welcoming handshake and “Hey Man I’m Frank” as if I didn’t know who he was. He was in Ireland for the first time, but only literally for a day as they left for Wales on the Friday.
M.C.R was started in the year 2000. Frank was not a founding member, however he was there from the beginning. “I’m one of the original members as far as being on that first record” But he wasn’t on the first demo that was released under the name “M.C.R” But Frank remembers getting that first demo and falling in love with it. He was in a band that ended up going nowhere so they split up. At the time he was helping M.C.R with practice space and shows. He was a major fan of the band. “When they asked me to join, I got to join my favourite band. That’s how I feel”
Frank has always said that joining M.C.R saved his life. He goes on to reveal his depression and unhappiness pre M.C.R. His voice softened and he became more sombre as he opened up what seemed to be a bad chapter in his life. For me what I heard could be summed up in this analogy “Sometimes I would go through intersections and close my eyes and hope that something would happen” He describes how he would sit around and do drugs and try to hurt himself. This does not seem like the confident outgoing guy sitting in front of me. However if anything, it goes to show the power that music has.
But now he is a solid guitarist in one of the best bands in the world and things could not be better. Since joining he has experienced signing to a major record label, member changes, and their popularity explosion. “The way we have evolved we have toured and lived together and we have bonded and got to know each other as people and become brothers.”
The high point in his career, I thought he would say its been rocking out to stadium audiences or the many television appearances, but it was surprising to hear what he had to say. “I get to watch my parents brag to their friends and smile from ear to ear” It was something I felt that really humbled such a music icon and keeps a good sense of family values.
Nirvana were a major influence especially “In Utero.” When asked what rumour about the band he would start, he thinks for while and a grin appears on his face as he says “Mikey Way killed Laura Palmer”
Frank’s first taste of M.C.R. was meeting bassist Mikey Way at a party. “We used to call him Mikey party, because he was always partying” Then he met Mikey’s brother Gerrard at another party “These were all Indie parties, and people would show up to see who was there. Gerrard wasn’t like that and neither was Mikey. Mikey just wanted to have fun and Gerrard wanted to hear what you had to say.”
For Frank and the rest of M.C.R touring has been a hard experience. The first time they came to Europe they rented a van, yet they couldn’t drive a stick shift, and driving on the “wrong” side of the road was a unique experience for them. “We still get sick everytime we come over here, you have European bugs. I call them mites.”
Almost every female reaction to M.C.R. is “they are so hot” however Frank doesn’t see the attraction. “Dude we’re gross” as he explains that they don’t shower and they are stuck together on a bus. At this point lead singer Gerrard Way enters the room, and Frank transfers the question to him. He proceeds to laugh and says “Man I have yoghurt on my pants, I’m not really that hot right now”
When I ask him about his Tattoos and piercings “they came in a I wanna be punk rock box” he jokes. But he sports a tattoo across his hands that says “Halloween” It is his birthday and his favourite holiday.
Future plans for M.C.R include a new album once they have finished their tour. They are releasing a cd/dvd package this month, and Frank hinted at a summer tour that will be amazing. Possibly with Taking Back Sunday. However he couldn’t really confirm or deny anything. But one things for sure, this will not be the last we hear of Frank
Iero.