Former My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way is breaking out on his own with a forthcoming solo album Hesitant Alien, and he's doing it by venturing into the past. After teasing a new single last week and unveiling some album artwork, today (Aug. 19) Way dropped a new song and music video "No Shows," heavily channeling the early 1980s in the process.
Poking fun at a fuzzy '80s low-budget public access program, Way's music video for "No Shows" features a simple live show on the intergalactic stage of "Pink Station Zero." Dressed in the blue suit from his Hesitant Alien album cover, Way and a hip yet bored backing band perform on the crappy white stage to an audience full of bizarrely dressed people (or aliens?).
The silly spin on the standard performance music video is secondary to the actual music of "No Shows." It's a bit glam rock, a bit early 2000s garage rock and all sunshine optimism.
"Pay for the devil a plug to a pedal I'm your type / Weak knees from the level I'm sick from the treble I'm your type of metal / Weak knees don't go / 'Cause we don't need no shows," Way sings to the hopeful, driving beat.
"No Shows" pulls away from the dramatic music of MCR, blending together the world of alt-rock and pop with jangling guitars and mid-range vocals. It's the perfect complement to the first Hesitant Alien single "Action Cat."
Watch the music video for Gerard Way's "No Shows" below:
"No Shows" is the new single from Way's upcoming solo debut Hesitant Alien. The album will be released Sept. 30, via Warner Bros. Records.
