The early 2000s saw the rise of reality TV, flip phones, and low-rise jeans, trends we now look back and cringe at. But this era was also defined by the punk rock artists and bands that reigned supreme during it. So let’s take a look at these punk rock icons and see what they are up to today, almost two decades later.
My Chemical Romance (MCR)
Every emo kid knows the heartbreak and pain they felt when MCR announced that they were breaking up in 2013. The Black Parade will forever be ingrained into fans’ heads along with making the G note on the piano synonymous with teenage angst and heartbreak everywhere.
The band’s lead singer Gerard Way went on to create the well-known comic, then turned show, The Umbrella Academy. Mikey Way, the bassist and backing vocals, followed in his brother’s footsteps to work at DC Comics. Fans rejoiced as the band announced their return, initially for one show but after receiving an overwhelmingly positive response the band is slated to go on tour this year.
Avril Lavigne
She made skinny ties and tank tops the hottest trend and provided the much-needed female presence in the punk-rock genre at the time. Unfortunately, according to an internet rumor, the real Avril Lavigne died in 2003 and has been replaced by a body double. But luckily, the singer is still very much alive and producing music to this day. Her latest album, titled; Love Sux, has bangers like Bite Me and ballads like Dare to Love Me.
Green Day
Who hasn’t sung along to American Idiot or cried as they felt existential dread while listening to Boulevard of Broken Dreams? This iconic band has been making music since 1986 and shows no signs of slowing down. They were going to go on the Hella Mega Tour, which was postponed due to COVID, and will now be touring in June 2022. Their latest album was titled Father of All… and was released in 2020 along with Billie Joe Armstrong’s album No Fun Mondays.
Fall Out Boy
This iconic band will be joining Green Day on the Hella Mega Tour. Fall Out Boy went on a hiatus in 2009, and even though we have had members release solo work, it’s just not the same! However, fans are thrilled to see their favorites like Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down and Thnks fr th Mmrs in person again and given the reunion, there soon may be new music to look forward to.
Paramore
It was Misery Business when Paramore announced they were going on a hiatus in 2019 since fans believed they were The Only Exception to the mass exodus of emo-pop bands. But, in 2021 Hayley Williams, the band’s lead singer, announced they were going to end their hiatus in a Rolling Stones interview. Fans are eagerly waiting for new music that the band has promised will be out sometime in 2022.
All Time Low
Stream Once In A Lifetime to keep up with the great music this band has released. After announcing a break in 2017, the band came back with a bang, and their 2020 single Monsters with Demi Lovato and black bear proves that they are here to stay and not a distant memory of the past!
In conclusion, the pop-punk icons of our past are making a resurgence, at least when it comes to their music. So, put on your darkest eyeliner, skinny jeans, and crimson smile to march along with the Black Parade.
Featured Image by Allison Geddie
