Concert Review: Gerard Way

A year since he last took the stage with his former band, My Chemical Romance, Gerard Way seemed relieved to be performing again as he claimed the mic at The Fonda Theatre Tuesday night. His time off had taught him a thing or too about life and the music industry, and he didn’t hesitate to share his findings with his fans.

“Rock and roll is about control – who’s got it, who wants it, who’s giving it away for free and who’s trying to take it away from you.” said Gerard Way after “Maya the Psychic.” “You have to take it back. That’s why I love it.”

The doors opened at 8 p.m. and the show was set for 9 p.m., but that didn’t stop fans from lining up outside The Fonda Theatre at noon in order to ensure a spot on the front rail and the opportunity to get just that much closer to Way. Some sported tour shirts with a big, bold letter “G” on them – these were the fanatical, the die-hards who had seen him play at The Troubador the night before. When asked about their shirt, they beamed with pride, happy to be recognized as true members of the MCRmy – the name for My Chemical Romance’s fanbase. One group of teenage girls had bought two dozen roses in order to shower their hero, who is also nicknamed “Gee,” as he came on stage.

The fans would have to wait until after The Eeries, who are opening for Way throughout his North America tour. The fledgling band put on a good performance, despite the obstacle of playing to a crowd that was already exhibiting signs of tunnel vision directed towards the headliner. The mob of Way fans was on a mission and only the former pop-punk prince could satisfy them.

Someone shouted “When do we get to see Gee?” and, like a stone in a pond, it sent out ripples of similar sentiments across the theater floor.

The age range of the show was something to behold. Way has mentioned in recent interviews that one of his intentions in making his debut album, “Hesitant Alien,” was to make music that appealed to people of his own age. While the majority of the crowd seemed to be of the age demographic he had sought to win over, it was hard to discern whether they had been brought to Hollywood that night by Way’s new Britpop, shoegaze solo album, or if these were simply My Chemical Romance fans all grown up.

Either way, the room was electric as Way took the stage, walking out just in time to take the mic for high-stepper “The Bureau,” which was quickly followed by the first single from “Hesitant Alien,” “Action Cat.” The album was released on Sept. 30, yet the crowd sang along with the opening songs like they were choice selections out of My Chemical Romance’s back catalog.

Way made a string of dedications that night. From catching a rose and tossing it to his wife, Lyn-z on the side of the stage before “Drugstore Perfume,” to dedicating “Brother” to his younger brother Mikey Way and My Chemical Romance guitarist Ray Toro hiding in the upper balcony. It was clear that Way was proud to start this new chapter of his career surrounded by friends and family.

Way ended the show with “No Shows,” the second single of his debut, and a cover of Jesus and Mary Chain’s “Snakedriver,” and then stuck around to touch his fans’ outstretched hands before blowing a kiss to the balcony as the curtain closed. There would be no encore.

As the crowd dispersed, a mother exited with her two young daughters. She herself wore an old, faded t-shirt from My Chemical Romance’s first album “I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love.” Her older daughter, in her late teens, wore a “Black Parade” tour t-shirt. Her younger daughter, middle-school aged and too young to have seen a My Chemical Romance tour, was propped up by her mother after a long night in the pit. She wore a brand new shirt, one with a big, bold Gerard Way “G” on it.

– Nick LaRosa