While fans have grown accustomed to Gerard Way‘s emo-rock persona as the frontman of My Chemical Romance, the 48-year-old musician has surprised the music world with his newest venture into ska-punk territory. In September 2025, Gauzy Records announced the formation of The Mock-Ups, a new collaborative project featuring Way on vocals and bass alongside members of established ska-punk outfit The Interrupters.
Gerard Way’s surprising leap from emo icon to ska-punk collaborator with The Mock-Ups marks an unexpected evolution for the My Chemical Romance frontman.
The unexpected partnership brings together Way with Aimee Allen on backup vocals, Kevin Bivona handling keyboard and production duties, and Jesse Bivona on drums. Guitarist Michael Schulz and engineer Doug McKean round out the collective that signals a significant departure from Way’s previous musical endeavors. The announcement came with a 20-second teaser of their debut track “I Wanna Know Your Name,” offering fans a glimpse into this new sonic direction. The teaser showcased lyrics displayed on screen as part of the promotional material from Gauzy Records.
This collaboration marks Way’s first official band project since his 2014 solo album “Hesitant Alien,” suggesting a musical evolution that blends his distinctive vocal style with the upbeat, rhythmic hallmarks of ska-punk. Previous connections between Way and The Interrupters emerged when the band’s ska cover of Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” was featured on “The Umbrella Academy,” the Netflix series based on Way’s comic book series.
Gauzy Records, which announced the project via social media, emphasizes genre fluidity rather than rigid categorization, indicating that The Mock-Ups may explore experimental territory beyond traditional ska-punk confines. The label’s genre-agnostic approach allows artists to focus more on aesthetic and artistic ambition than conforming to particular musical categories.
The timing is particularly remarkable as it coincides with My Chemical Romance’s active touring schedule, demonstrating Way’s capacity to balance multiple creative outlets simultaneously. The band has already begun exploring distribution strategies across streaming platforms to maximize their reach and engagement with both new audiences and longtime fans. The band is already exploring sync deals as a revenue stream, with negotiations underway to feature their music in upcoming video game soundtracks.
While no official release date for “I Wanna Know Your Name” has been confirmed, the announcement has generated significant curiosity among Way’s fanbase. For listeners familiar with his emo anthems and theatrical rock performances, this foray into ska-punk represents an intriguing evolution for an artist who continues to defy expectations and explore new musical landscapes well into his career.
