Hiatus (2013-2019)

Lore & Background

The hiatus began with a gut-punch: a cryptic message on the band's website on March 22, 2013, simply announced their end. Fans were left reeling, but the Killjoys—a sprawling, tattooed diaspora—refused to let the spirit dissolve. Online forums buzzed with bootlegs and theories; fan art flooded Tumblr; tribute covers rang out from bedrooms and basements across the globe. Meanwhile, the members scattered like shrapnel: Gerard Way released the snarling solo album 'Hesitant Alien' and dove deeper into his comic book universes; Frank Iero formed frnkiero andthe cellabration (and later Leathermouth), playing sweaty club shows; Ray Toro unfurled a solo EP and album of sprawling, cinematic rock; Mikey Way thrummed through Electric Century and wrote. This wasn't a decay—it was a molt, each member sharpening their craft away from the collective spotlight.

In Their Own Story

The last show had ended, the confetti swept into dustbins. For six years, the Killjoys gathered in digital cathedrals—Reddit threads, Discord servers, Facebook groups—sharing bootlegs and faded memories. A fan in Tokyo traced the lyrics of 'Famous Last Words' on her forearm with a ballpoint pen before a show by a different band, the ink smudging in the rain. In a Brooklyn basement, someone played 'Welcome to the Black Parade' on a thrift-store guitar, the strings buzzing, and the echo traveled through time zones, through grainy YouTube uploads. Then, on Halloween 2019, a single post appeared: a new date, a new beginning. The silence cracked open, and the world remembered what it had been holding its breath for.

Reader's Guide

The hiatus was triggered by the band's breakup announcement on March 22, 2013, a shockwave that left fans scrambling for answers. In the years that followed, each member carved their own path: Gerard Way dropped the Brit-pop-infused 'Hesitant Alien' in 2014 and kept writing comics like 'The Umbrella Academy.' Frank Iero cycled through bands—frnkiero andthe cellabration (album: 'Stomachaches,' 2014), then Leathermouth—and toured relentlessly. Ray Toro released a solo EP ('Remember the Laughter,' 2014) and a full-length album ('The Devil's in the Details,' 2015), showcasing his guitar prowess. Mikey Way played bass in Electric Century and co-wrote a comic series. The fanbase stayed rabid, organizing conventions like 'MCRmy' meetups and keeping the lore alive on platforms like Tumblr and Twitter. The silence shattered on October 31, 2019, with a cryptic social media post—a black-and-white image of a date—followed by a reunion show announcement for December 20, 2019, in Los Angeles, reigniting the band's legacy with a roar.

Did You Know?

• The hiatus saw the release of a documentary, 'Life on the Murder Scene,' which chronicled the band's early years with raw, behind-the-scenes footage.
• Gerard Way's solo album 'Hesitant Alien' was released under Warner Bros. Records in 2014, blending glam rock and shoegaze influences.
• Frank Iero's band frnkiero andthe cellabration released the album 'Stomachaches' in 2014, a visceral, punk-laced project.
• The band's reunion was announced on Halloween 2019—a date chosen for its theatrical, almost gothic significance, perfectly in tune with MCR's aesthetic.