Frank Iero – Leeds Key Club

WHEN MY Chemical Romance came to the UK they filled Manchester Arena and when frontman Gerard Way debuted his solo album he filled Manchester Academy.

Now it's former MCR guitarist Frank Iero's turn, and with a capacity of around 300 he doesn’t have to work as hard to fill the Key Club in Leeds.

The audience offer quality if not quantity, packed together, arms constantly waving, creating an electric atmosphere for the support acts let alone their hero.

Iero himself works as hard as he can: after the first 20 minutes of punk overload it’s amazing he and his band, The Cellebration, (correct) have the energy to continue.

Forget the publicity pictures of a fey chap sitting dreamily on a log with his guitar, or his talk of playing ‘intimate’ venues like the Key Club: on stage Ireo is very much a powerhouse rocker.

The first songs, all scream and drive, are perhaps a statement of intent, very different to the catchy, epic, theatrical sounds of his days with Gerard and the boys.

There’s a smidgen more familiarity as Iero settles into his set, however, with more-tuneful mid-tempo anthems, even a heavy-but-heartfelt ballad, that I found more to my liking.

David Knights