Posted on 05 February 2010
New Jersey’s My Chemical Romance have been forced to cancel all their upcoming performances, including their appearances at the 2010 Soundwave festival and their side-show at Sydney’s Luna Park, due to singer Gerard Way being unable to perform as a consequence of severe vocal problems.
Way’s vocal-chords issues started during the recording sessions for My Chemical Romance’s yet-untitled fourth album (more on the album here). “I got some good news and I got some bad news....While in the studio recently, Gerard started having some problems with his voice,” guitarist Frank Iero wrote on the band’s official site. “At first we weren't too concerned about it and thought it would pass, as these things usually do, but the longer it went on the more worried we all got so he went to see the doctor. The good news is he's getting the best treatment possible and is going to make a full recovery, trust me we couldn't be more relieved. The bad news is it's not gonna go away overnight and we have to do what we hate doing most, cancel shows.”
Patrons holding tickets to the My Chemical Romance show at the Big Top, Luna Park, in Sydney on February 25 have to contact their point of purchase to arrange a full refund. The Soundwave festival organisers have announced that Arizona’s Jimmy Eat World (who, according to them, have consistently held the number one spot as the most requested band by Soundwave fans) will interrupt their recording schedule and fill My Chemical Romance’s slot on the festival’s bill.
“We are incredibly sorry for bumming anyone out by cancelling, and we hope you find it in your hearts to understand,” Iero posted. “We promise we will be back in Australia to make it up to you guys/gals as soon as possible. We miss you.”
The cancelled show dates are:
February 20 – Soundwave Festival, Brisbane RNA Showgrounds
February 21 – Soundwave Festival, Sydney Eastern Creek Raceway
February 25 – Luna Park, Sydney
February 26 – Soundwave Festival, Melbourne Showgrounds
February 27 – Soundwave Festival, Adelaide Bonython Park
March 1 – Soundwave Festival, Perth Steel Blue Oval
“When we started this band all we ever wanted to do was write songs that meant something to us and play them live for as many people as we possibly could, and now in our old age all we want is exactly the same thing… and that’s why cancelling shows kills us so much, playing for people is what we live for,” Iero wrote. “Your off-time applause, your beautiful dirty faces, your raw energy, and your wretched little voices singing our lyrics back to us fuel our fire, you make us feel alive, and we love every single one of you for that.
“So know that as excited as you guys were to see us, we were even more excited to see you. But in order to make sure that we can continue to create music and play it live for all of you for a long time to come we need to give G the time he needs to heal.”
We are sure MCR will live-up to their word and return Down Under as soon as Way recovers.
Hernán Alcérreca