My Chemical Romance look back at how they formed the day after 9/11, as a "direct result of everything we experienced and witnessed during those horrific events".
My Chemical Romance have shared a powerful statement marking both the 20th anniversary of 9/11, and the day the band formed.
Frontman Gerard Way famously wrote the song Skylines And Turnstiles in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 after being so affected by the tragedy, with the New Jersey rock titans' formation date marked as September 12, 2001.
In a statement on social media, they reflect that, "Starting My Chem was a direct result of everything we experienced and witnessed during those horrific events. The world changed that day, and the next day we set about trying to change the world."
They continue that, "The past 20 years have been about healing, dusting off and getting back up, and living life to our highest potential. On this monumental anniversary let us all think about those we lost that day and the days since. Keep those loved ones close and their memories alive by thinking, 'What would they have wanted us to be doing today?'"
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Read the full statement below:
"To whom it may concern,
"2021 marks the 20 year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Consequently, 9/12 marks the 20 year anniversary of My Chemical Romance. Like many of you reading this, 9/11 changed our lives and effected every aspect of our consciousness. Starting Mychem was a direct result of everything we experienced and witnessed during those horrific events. The world changed that day, and the next day we set about trying to change the world.
"Mychem has always been bigger than its parts. Even when the band took time away the MCRmy was there spreading the work and living the message of “Keep Yourself Alive!” Today we are collectively older and wiser, but still there to carry on when we hear the call. The past 20 years have been about healing, dusting off and getting back up, and living life to our highest potential. On this monumental anniversary let us all think about those we lost that day and the days since. Keep those loved ones close and their memories alive by thinking “what would they have wanted us to be doing today?”
"Proudly living and breathing our true authentic selves? Being kind and compassionate to one another? Being creative, unique, and extraordinary? Maybe just trying to be better than you were yesterday?
"We have found that when in doubt, love is and always will be the answer.
"Thank you for showing us love and for walking by our side these past 20 years. We truly are stronger together and thankful you are here with us.
"Romantically yours, MCR"
In 2019, Gerard explained of the moment he formed the band: "So 9/11 happens, and I pick up the guitar again and I write Skylines And Turnstiles, and then I called Otter [Matt Pellissier, drummer] and then I called Ray [Toro, guitarist], and we got Mikey [Way, bassist] in – and we just started building this momentum.
"It became my therapy from the PTSD that everyone had experienced from 9/11, and processing that."
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