The Sept. 11 Tragedy That Catalyzed Gerard Way to Launch My Chemical Romance
The origin story of one of the 21st century's defining rock bands traces directly back to a commuting train ride into New York City on September 11, 2001.
Timeline of Events: From NYC Commute to Band Formation
The Commute into New York City
At the time, Gerard Way was staying with his parents and interning in New York City, where he was trying to pitch a show to Cartoon Network. His daily routine involved taking a commuter train from the station in Hoboken, New Jersey. On Sept. 11, Way was on board one of the train routes running toward the World Trade Center area when the attack unfolded.
A Surreal Experience on the Train
While Way did not see the moments the planes struck the towers, he watched alongside fellow passengers as the buildings crumbled to the ground. Reflecting on the moment in an unearthed interview, Way recalled that it felt surreal, comparing it to a disaster movie like Independence Day.
"It was like being in a science fiction film or like some kind of disaster film... It was exactly that kind of feeling. You didn't believe it. Like you felt like you were in Independence Day or something. It made no sense."
He described feeling nauseous and filled with empathy for the surrounding commuters, noting that while he did not have family in the towers, many around him did. When the first tower fell, he described it as an "A-bomb" of collective emotion.
Writing in the Basement
Following a somber train ride back to Hoboken and a long trip to his parents' house, Way went to the basement to process what he had seen. Channeling his emotional reaction, he began writing lyrics that would become the foundation of his musical career.
My Chemical Romance Forms
The day after the tragedy, My Chemical Romance was officially formed, driven by a new purpose to respond to the changing world.
"Skylines and Turnstiles"
The words written by Way on the night of Sept. 11 became the lyrics for "Skylines and Turnstiles," featured as the seventh track on the band's 2002 debut album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love.
Reflections on the Band's Mission
On their official Instagram account for their 20th anniversary, My Chemical Romance released a statement detailing how the tragedy defined their trajectory as a group.
The Band's Retrospective Statement
"Like many of you reading this, 9/11 changed our lives and (affected) 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."
Track Snapshot
| Song Title | Skylines and Turnstiles |
| Album | I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love (2002) |
| Track Number | 7 |
