Bert McCracken, frontman of The Used, recently opened up about his complicated friendship with Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance. He shared candid remarks on Steve-O’s Wild Ride! The discussion centered on a long-standing joke between the two musicians and the evolution of their relationship over the years.
When asked about a reference to Chemical Romance in The Used’s song “Take It Away,” McCracken explained the context behind the lyric. He described how the two bands were on different trajectories at the time. My Chemical Romance eventually achieved massive commercial success with albums like “The Black Parade.”
“It’s been a long-standing joke kind of between us. We had a really beautiful friendship,” McCracken said. “I think they were on their own trajectory a little bit. They had a kind of a super dirty punk rock record out at the time. He’s wearing his black stinky leather jacket. It was just amazing. When we took him out, they put out what’s their second record? I can’t remember, but it kind of blew up and then Black Parade and they just went off the charts.”
McCracken acknowledged that the dynamic between them had been characterized as “fremies”—a blend of friends and enemies. He clarified that the tension came primarily from his side.
To understand McCracken’s recent comments, it’s important to revisit the origins of their friendship and the events that led to their estrangement. Their relationship was once the stuff of emo legend, but it has been marked by complexity and distance for nearly two decades.
The two frontmen’s friendship began in earnest when My Chemical Romance opened for The Used in the early 2000s, according to Blunt Magazine. Bert McCracken and Gerard Way bonded over shared experiences of touring, creativity, and hard partying. Tabloids dubbed them the “Toxic Twins”—a nod to their wild, hedonistic lifestyle during tours. Their camaraderie was celebrated by fans and even resulted in musical collaborations, most notably their duet cover of Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure,” which remains a beloved moment in emo history.
However, tensions began to surface after the 2004 Warped Tour. The situation escalated following the release of their “Under Pressure” collaboration in April 2005, as reported by idobi. After this release, the friendship appeared to fracture. By the end of 2005, rumors swirled that McCracken had heckled MCR’s set during a live show. Neither party has ever officially confirmed the details. McCracken later confirmed in interviews that the bands—and he and Way personally—were no longer speaking.
A significant factor in their split was Gerard Way’s recovery and decision to become sober. Management intentionally distanced Gerard from McCracken to help maintain Gerard’s sobriety, according to idobi. While McCracken later joked about being frenemies, he admitted to initially taking Gerard’s withdrawal from the party scene personally. He saw it as a rejection of their friendship as much as a rejection of their shared lifestyle.
When pressed about whether he took Gerard Way’s decision to step away from the party scene personally after getting sober, McCracken reflected on his past hurt. He also discussed regrettable comments he had made in interviews questioning Way’s artistic integrity.
“There was there was a moment where I was pretty hurt about the end of our relationship. It was sad. We were good make-out buddies,” McCracken said. “We’ve talked since and like I’ve ran into him. Super cool. I was like let’s go get coffee. Take us out on tour My Cam. I dare you. That would break the internet.”
McCracken concluded by expressing respect for Way’s commitment to recovery and his artistic achievements. “Yeah, it’s been chill. He’s amazing human being. Super talented, creative. He does it all. And he’s like all in on the recovery. Which is awesome. Didn’t realize that until after a certain amount of time. But yeah, I mean, full respect.”
The fallout between Bert McCracken and Gerard Way has become a notable chapter in emo lore. It is emblematic of the scene’s intensity and the personal toll of fame and addiction. Over the years, both musicians have downplayed the seriousness of their “feud.” McCracken has referred to their relationship as “frenemies” and suggested that reconciliation may be possible. Despite this, the two have not publicly collaborated since their 2005 duet. McCracken’s recent comments suggest a genuine appreciation for Way’s journey and accomplishments.
