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Robert Cory Bryar (December 31, 1979 – November 24, 2024) was an American musician and sound engineer best known as the drummer of American rock band My Chemical Romance. He was the longest-tenured and last official drummer in the band, performing in the rock group from 2004 until his departure in 2010.
Bob Bryar | |
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.jpg) Bryar performing with My Chemical Romance in 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert Cory Bryar |
| Born | December 31, 1979 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | November 24, 2024 (aged 44) Shelbyville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2004–2014 |
| Labels | |
| Formerly of | My Chemical Romance |
Bryar joined My Chemical Romance shortly after the release of the band's second studio album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge in 2004, replacing former drummer Matt Pelissier.[1] He performed on all of the subsequent releases in support of the album, as well as the band's commercially successful concept album, The Black Parade (2006). Despite suffering numerous injuries while on tour, Bryar continued to tour with the band and joined them in the studio to record their fourth studio album before departing from My Chemical Romance in 2010. His final contribution was performing on the band's final release before their disbandment in 2013, Conventional Weapons.
After his departure from the band, Bryar became a behind-the-scenes figure in tours for several bands before retiring from music in 2014. He subsequently became a real estate agent and an active supporter of dog rescue charities and sanctuaries. Bryar died on November 24, 2024, at the age of 44.[2]
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Bryar was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 31, 1979.[3] He started playing drums at a young age, performing in his school's marching and jazz bands. One notable influence on Bryar was Rush drummer Neil Peart.[4] After graduation, Bryar studied for a degree in sound engineering at the University of Florida.[3]
My Chemical Romance (2004–2010)
Bryar was originally a tour manager and sound engineer.[5] In 2000, Bryar began working as a touring sound engineer for rock bands including The Used and Thrice.[3] During this time, he befriended My Chemical Romance while the band was on tour with The Used in 2004. Bryar quit his then job on the Projekt Revolution tour to become the drummer for My Chemical Romance when the band was holding a tour in Japan,[6] officially replacing former drummer Matt Pelissier shortly after the release of the band's second studio album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004).[7][8] Bryar concurrently relearned how to play drums, having not played in years since becoming a soundman full-time, as he quickly learned the band's repertoire to tour.[7]
Bryar was featured in all of the music videos for Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (except the first version of the video for "I'm Not Okay"; he was featured in the second version), and also performed on all of the subsequent releases in support of the album including Life on the Murder Scene and ¡Venganza!. Bryar performed on, recorded and co-wrote[5] My Chemical Romance's third studio album The Black Parade (2006). The album was favored by music critics and was a commercial success, being awarded double platinum status in the United Kingdom and the United States. Bryar and lead vocalist Gerard Way were injured during the filming of the music video for "Famous Last Words" directed by Samuel Bayer, with Bryar suffering third-degree burns on his hands and legs after he caught fire when he was too close to the flames.[9][10] Their injuries caused the band to cancel their performance at the San Diego Street Scene festival.[10][11] A month later, the band missed two tour dates after Bryar was hospitalized with a staph infection also caused during the filming of the music video.[9] The band released a statement two days later, apologizing for cancelling shows, stating that they "want to be by his side the whole time".[12][13]
When the band went on The Black Parade World Tour in support of the album in February 2007, Bryar began having complications in his wrist in November, causing the band to cancel their show in Maine. In response to his injuries, Bryar apologized on the band's MySpace, explaining that he has had problems with his wrist "over the past few years", and that he received a "golf ball-sized lump" in his wrist and began to "lose control and feeling in [his] fingers".[14] He sat out for the tour and the band continued with Pete Parada as his temporary replacement.[15] Although Bryar was unable to perform, he continued to tour with the band and assist with pyrotechnics and returned for the last leg of the tour in January 2008.[16]
My Chemical Romance reentered the studio in 2009 to record their fourth studio album with producer Brendan O'Brien. On July 31 and August 1, they played two "secret" shows at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, performing unreleased material from their upcoming album, including a song titled "Death Before Disco".[17]
On March 3, 2010, rhythm guitarist Frank Iero announced on their official website that Bryar had departed from the band, writing:
"As of 4 weeks ago, My Chemical Romance and Bob Bryar parted ways. This was a painful decision for all of us to make and was not taken lightly. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors and expect you all to do the same."[6][18][19][20]
In a 2024 tribute following Bryar's death, Iero revealed that before Bryar's departure from the band, he suffered a devastating loss when one of his dogs was killed after being scammed by a dog trainer. Iero explained that the incident was a turning point in Bryar's relationship with the band, stating that "he just couldn't keep it together anymore" and that his "sadness, anger and distrust were too much to handle and took over all aspects."[21][22]
Bryar remains the band's longest serving drummer as of November 2024,[23][24] with the band also not having a full-time drummer since Bryar's departure.[25]
Post-My Chemical Romance (2010–2024)
The band released their fourth studio album Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys in 2010, with Bryar being credited as a songwriter on five songs including the singles "Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)" and "The Only Hope for Me Is You".[26][27]
The band released Conventional Weapons, a compilation album consisting of ten unreleased songs that were recorded in 2009, prior to Bryar's departure and the making of Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, all of which include Bryar performing drums. They released two songs each month from October 2012 to February 2013.[28][29] My Chemical Romance disbanded in March 2013.[30]
After his departure from My Chemical Romance, Bryar continued being involved in the music business as a behind-the-scenes figure in tours for several bands.[31] On October 2, 2014, Bryar announced his departure from music, subsequently becoming a real estate agent.[32] However, in February 2015, he announced his interest in returning to music.[33][34]
On July 20, 2016, My Chemical Romance posted on their official Twitter and Facebook pages a video with the piano intro from "Welcome to the Black Parade", ending with a cryptic date, "9/23/16".[35][36] The video was also published on the band's YouTube channel with the video titled "MCRX".[37] This led to numerous rumors and reports on the band's possible reunion until it was revealed to be a reissue of The Black Parade with unreleased demos.[38][39][40] The reissue, titled The Black Parade/Living with Ghosts,[41] includes 11 demos and live tracks.[42] In September 2016, Bryar was featured in an exclusive interview with Alternative Press to promote the new album. In his first interview since departing from the band, Bryar recalled multiple memories of recording and touring The Black Parade.[43]
In January 2020, Bryar participated in a remembrance for then recently-deceased Rush drummer Neil Peart, recalling his "teenage obsession" and friendship with Peart.[31] In June 2021, Bryar announced that he had officially retired from drumming, citing his ongoing wrist issues, age, weight, and his desire to pursue "something new."[44]
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During his time with My Chemical Romance, Bryar was known for using kits made by C&C, a custom drum company based in Gladstone, Missouri, paired with Sabian "Paragon" cymbals and Remo heads. Bryar played Vic Firth's "ROCK" sticks, until switching to Vater's "XD-Rock" sticks in 2007.[citation needed]
Following his departure from My Chemical Romance, Bryar was active in dog rescue charities and sanctuaries.[31] In June 2021, Bryar auctioned his Helena-themed drum kit on eBay and dedicated the money to the Williamson County Animal Control and Adoption Center located in Franklin, Tennessee.[44][45] In October 2022, Bryar auctioned his uniform from The Black Parade on eBay and dedicated the money to abandoned and sheltered animals in Florida and South Carolina that were affected by Hurricane Ian, stating that "it's just sitting in a box doing nothing and people need help with money right now."[46]
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Bryar was last seen alive on November 4, 2024. On November 26, Bryar was found deceased in his Tennessee home. According to his obituary, he died two days earlier.[2] His cause of death has not yet been disclosed.[47]
My Chemical Romance
- "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (2004; Mariah Carey cover)
- "Under Pressure" (2005; with The Used; Queen/David Bowie cover)
- Warped Tour Bootleg Series (2005)
- Life on the Murder Scene (2006)
- The Black Parade (2006)
- Live and Rare (2007)
- AOL Sessions (2007)
- The Black Parade Is Dead! (2008)
- The Black Parade: The B-Sides (2009)
- ¡Venganza! (2009)
- Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (2010; credit only)
- Conventional Weapons (2012–2013)[Note 1]
- May Death Never Stop You (2014; greatest hits album)
- The Black Parade/Living with Ghosts (2016; The Black Parade reissue)[48]
- Conventional Weapons consisted of ten songs total, with the band releasing two songs each month from October 2012 to February 2013.
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