Former My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way isn’t rocking out like a vampire anymore. He’s gone full-on British rock for his upcoming solo debut and just dropped an awesome new video for a fuzzy pop-rocker called “No Shows.”
“No Shows” is a catchy pop song wrapped in layers of woozy distortion. In the final chorus, the persistent lead vocal, the backing vocal, the guitars, and percussion all swirl into one very college rocky conclusion. In case you missed the lyrics, you can read them all on Way’s official site.
Yup, Way is definitely in love with the ’80s. He may have left the spooky imagery behind, but it seems he’ll never lose the eyeliner. According to Way, the new project was heavily influenced by British rock icons like David Bowie, Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker, Blur’s Damon Albarn, and even American rockers who were often more appreciated in England, like the Pixies’ Black Francis.
Just boarded, about to take off- leave you with this- #HesitantAlien final album cover. See you in the UK… pic.twitter.com/Wy3fn9rQPl
— Gerard Way (@gerardway) August 17, 2014
Way played his first live solo gig via a brief, surprise performance at Warner Bros.’ Summer Session Aug. 8. He has not yet announced any more North American dates, though he’ll play his next show at Hampshire, England’s Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms Aug. 20. After that, he’ll play England’s Reading and Leeds Festivals on Aug. 22 and 23.
“No Shows” is the third track on the forthcoming LP Hesitant Alien, which drops Sept. 30 on Reprise Records. He has also shared the audio from another new song, titled “Action Cat.”
Here is the complete track listing from Hesitant Alien:
1. Bureau
2. Action Cat
3. No Shows
4. Brother
5. Millions
6. Zero Zero
7. Juarez
8. Drugstore Perfume
9. Get The Gang Together
10. How’s It Going To Be
11. Maya The Psychic