My Chemical Romance Smashing Pumpkins conspiracy theory
[Photo by: My Chemical Romance/Spotify, The Smashing Pumpkins/Linda Strawberry]

My Chemical Romance are emulating the Smashing Pumpkins⁠—here's why

Despite rumors constantly circulating on social media, between the MCR fanbase and on news outlets, the group remained silent. On June 7, Joe Jonas shared with the KISS FM Breakfast Show that My Chemical Romance were reportedly rehearsing together in New York at the same time as the Jonas Brothers’ rehearsals. “I’ve got some dirt,” Jonas said. “My Chemical Romance apparently were rehearsing next to us in New York recently. I thought they broke up, so I don’t know.”

Read more: My Chemical Romance reunion show sells out almost instantly

Frank Iero playfully responded to the Jo-Bros denying the rehearsal rumors but left the window cracked open for future speculation. “I survived a bus accident, so anything is possible,” Iero said.

Conspiracy theories based around the group’s eventual reunion have spiraled out of control for years, but one theory has always stood the test of time—literally.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Mikey Way claimed that after seeing the Smashing Pumpkins at Madison Square Garden, the band had a revelation. “Me and [Gerard] were both like, ‘This is the band we want to be,’” Mikey recalls. “We want to save people’s lives.”

With that being said, we’ve worked to decode the Smashing Pumpkins and MCR theory.

The Smashing Pumpkins formed in 1988, whereas My Chemical Romance formed in 2001 as the result of the group’s need for an artistic outlet following 9/11. 

The Pumpkins announced an indefinite hiatus May 23, 2000, 12 years after their formation, while MCR announced their hiatus March 22, 2013, 12 years after their formation. Are you picking up what we’re putting down yet?

The Smashing Pumpkins played their farewell show in their hometown (Chicago, Illinois) Dec. 2, 2000, while My Chem played their final show May 19, 2012 at Bamboozle in their hometown (New Jersey).

After seven years, the Smashing Pumpkins made their return May 22, 2007 in Paris, France, before performing at the Live Earth concert in New Jersey. Speculation that MCR would pull a stunt similar to the Pumpkins has circulated on the internet for years. Now, that speculation is a reality. After a nearly seven-year hiatus, My Chemical Romance returned Oct. 31, 2019 to announce their reunion show Dec. 20 at L.A.’s Shrine Expo Hall. 

Read more: 27 best reactions to the My Chemical Romance return

Ironically, we noticed that the Smashing Pumpkins and My Chemical Romance’s farewell and reunion shows are the same months, but the opposite of one another. The Pumpkins played their final show in December, whereas MCR are playing their return show in December. MCR played their final show in May, and the Pumpkins played their return show in May. Maybe we’re reading into this too far, but we’re convinced that Gerard Way has something to do with these similarities.

Fans also speculated that the holiday associated with the Smashing Pumpkins would be Halloween, which is the day that MCR announced their return. 

Card

 Following MCR’s cryptically announced return, the MCRmy began speculating the context of the imagery and what it could mean for the group.

MCR 5 Is Happening. Here’s The Evidence from r/MyChemicalRomance

 

 

Could the five branches in each post mean that the fifth My Chemical Romance album is indeed on the way?

All we know for sure is that MCR are back, and we’re not OK.