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Bob Bryar

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Not to be confused with Bob Bryan.

Bob Bryar
Bob Bryar, a young white man with light hair, playing drums.
Bryar performing with My Chemical Romance in 2007
Background information
Birth nameRobert Cory Bryar
Born(1979-12-31)December 31, 1979
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedNovember 24, 2024(2024-11-24) (aged 44)
Shelbyville, Tennessee, U.S.
Occupations
  • Musician
  • sound engineer
  • tour manager
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Drums
  • percussion
Years active2004–2014
Formerly ofMy Chemical Romance

Robert Cory Bryar (December 31, 1979 – November 24, 2024) was an American musician and sound engineer who served as the drummer for the American rock band My Chemical Romance from 2004 to 2010. Born in Chicago, Bryar learned how to play the drums at the age of four, and played in several school bands. He later formed his own band before he went to the University of Florida to study sound engineering. By 2000, Bryar had joined the crews of several touring bands, including rock bands the Used and Thrice.

In 2004, he joined My Chemical Romance shortly after the release of the band's second studio album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004), replacing former drummer Matt Pelissier. He appeared in several of their subsequent music videos, and performed and co-wrote their third studio album, The Black Parade (2006). In 2010, for reasons that were undisclosed, Bryar departed from My Chemical Romance. He received co-writing credits for some songs on their fourth studio album, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (2010), and performed on their Conventional Weapons compilation album, which was recorded in 2009 prior to his departure.

Following his departure from the band, Bryar became a behind-the-scenes figure in tours for several bands. He later became a real estate agent and an active supporter of dog rescue charities and sanctuaries, auctioning off his old drumming equipment and one of his My Chemical Romance outfits and donating the money. In November 2024, Bryar was found dead in his home in Shelbyville, Tennessee. His autopsy report ruled out his cause of death as inconclusive.

Early life and career

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Robert Cory Bryar[1] was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 31, 1979.[2][3] He began playing drums at the age of four, and when he later joined his school bands, he chose to play the instrument. Throughout his life up until high school, Bryar participated in his school's jazz band, marching band, and orchestra. Once he reached high school, he quit participating in school bands, believing that nobody took them seriously. He began playing as part of a separate jazz band, which would mainly play at parties and coffee shops. He later joined a punk rock band, and a King Crimson cover band as their second drummer.[3]

One of Bryar's main influences was Rush drummer Neil Peart. According to Bryar, whenever he practiced drumming at the time, he would have Rush music playing in the background and try to keep up, and that his experience from doing so taught him more about drumming than any lesson he took. He also claimed that, eventually, he learned how to play every Rush song on drums, and that this accomplishment "continued through [his] drumming days".[4]

After the King Crimson cover band, Bryar formed his own punk rock band. He stated that, at the time, he believed that a band had to perform as much as possible. This conflicted with the lives of his bandmates, and Bryar gave up on the band.[3] Afterwards, Bryar studied for a degree in sound engineering at the University of Florida. He later became the audio engineer of the House of Blues in Chicago, where he worked for a couple of years.[2] Starting in 2000, he joined the crews of several touring bands, also as a audio engineer. These bands included the Used and Thrice.[2][3] He also served as a tour manager.[5]

My Chemical Romance

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Bryar first met My Chemical Romance while working with the Used on a tour that the two bands were doing together.[2] In 2004, My Chemical Romance kicked their then-drummer Matt Pelissier out of the band. Immediately after he was booted, the band asked Bryar to be their new drummer,[6] despite never hearing him play prior. He accepted the offer, subsequently relearning how to play the drums and quitting his current job.[2] These events took place shortly after the band had released their second studio album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004),[7] with Bryar performing as part of the band's promotional tour for that album within a week of Pelissier's departure.[2]

Bryar appeared with the band on "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)", where Bryar overcame an ankle injury he had endured prior to filming out of fear that he would be seen as unskilled.[8] He later appeared on further music videos and Life on the Murder Scene.[5][9] On the band's third studio album The Black Parade (2006), Bryar performed on and co-wrote all of its songs. The album was the first time that Bryar received credits on one of the band's works.[9] During the filming of the music video for "Famous Last Words", Bryar endured significant third degree burns to his leg, which subsequently was infected with staphylococcus aureus. The infection later spread across his body, reaching his face and putting pressure on his brain. His injuries led to the cancellation of several promotional shows the band had scheduled for the album.[10]

During the band's Black Parade World Tour, Bryar had to pull out of several shows due to injuries to his wrist that later evolved into carpal tunnel syndrome.[11] On the band's Myspace page, Bryar apologized for having to withdraw, stating that he had been experiencing wrist issues for a long time, with a "golf ball-sized lump" developed on his wrist while starting to "lose control and feeling in [his] fingers".[12] One of the band's shows in Maine was fully cancelled, while Bryar was replaced with Saves the Day’s Pete Parada or Thursday’s Tucker Rule on certain dates. However, he still came with the band on these dates to help set up the stage,[11] and later returned to drumming by January 2008.[11][13]

In February 2010, Bryar parted ways with My Chemical Romance;[14][15][16] according to biographer Tom Bryant, he was kicked out of the band.[14] In March, rhythm guitarist Frank Iero shared the news on the band's official website, stating that it was a "painful decision for all of us to make and was not taken lightly". The reasons behind his departure were left vague, and none of the band members spoke on the matter at the time.[14] In a 2024 tribute following Bryar's death, Iero stated that prior to Bryar's departure, 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".[17][18]

The band released their fourth studio album Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys in 2010.[19] Bryar is credited as a songwriter on five songs.[20] Later from 2012 to 2013, the band released Conventional Weapons, a compilation album consisting of ten unreleased songs that were recorded in 2009,[21] which feature Bryar as they were recorded prior to his departure.[22] In March 2013, My Chemical Romance announced their breakup.[23] When the band reunited in 2019, Bryar was not included as part of the lineup.[24]

Later life and death

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Following 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.[4] He largely avoided media attention.[25][26] In 2015, five years after he had been kicked from the band, he said that the event resulted in him becoming depressed and suicidal, though that with the assistance of medication, he had been recovering.[27] By October 2014, Bryar announced his departure from music, becoming a real estate agent.[28][29] In January 2020, Bryar participated in a remembrance for then recently deceased Peart, recalling his "teenage obsession" and friendship with him.[4]

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".[30] That month, Bryar auctioned off his drum kit from the "Helena" music video on eBay, and dedicated the money to the Williamson County Animal Control and Adoption Center located in Franklin, Tennessee.[30] 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".[31]

Bryar was last seen alive on November 4, 2024. On November 26, Bryar was found dead in his home in Shelbyville, Tennessee. According to his obituary, he died two days earlier.[32][33] His autopsy report labeled his cause of death as "best classified as undetermined", with factors such as his significant decomposition making it hard to figure out the cause. The report also noted that three open canisters of nitrous oxide were found next to his body, raising concerns of a possible overdose.[34][35] It also stated that his body seemed to have experienced animal scavenging.[34] My Chemical Romance paid tribute to Bryar through social media,[22] while Iero penned a separate tribute to Bryar on Instagram, recounting his friendship with him and revealed a tattoo dedicated to Bryar.[17][18]

Discography

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My Chemical Romance

Main article: My Chemical Romance discography

Notes

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  1. ^ Conventional Weapons consisted of ten songs total, with the band releasing two songs each month from October 2012 to February 2013.[36]

References

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  1. ^ "Bob Bryar, Si Pencinta Anjing Eks Drummer My Chemical Romance". CNN Indonesia. December 1, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Bob Bryar – Biography". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 10, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d Bryant 2014, p. 114.
  4. ^ a b c Pettigrew, Jason (January 13, 2020). "Bob Bryar (ex-My Chemical Romance) on Neil Peart, Joking with Rush". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Hughes, William (November 30, 2024). "R.I.P. Bob Bryar, former My Chemical Romance drummer". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on November 30, 2024. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  6. ^ Leahey, Andrew. "My Chemical Romance Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 29, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  7. ^ Lynch, Jessica (December 3, 2024). "My Chemical Romance Honor Late Former Drummer Bob Bryar". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  8. ^ Bryant 2014, p. 115.
  9. ^ a b Corcoran, Nina (December 3, 2024). "Bob Bryar, Longtime My Chemical Romance Drummer, Dies at 44". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  10. ^ Bryant 2014, p. 191.
  11. ^ a b c Bryant 2014, pp. 225–226.
  12. ^ Bychawski, Adam (November 12, 2007). "My Chemical Romance drummer explains wrist problems". NME. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  13. ^ "My Chemical Romance lose another member". NME. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  14. ^ a b c Bryant 2014, pp. 259.
  15. ^ Paine, Kelsey (March 14, 2010). "My Chemical Romance Splits With Drummer". Spin. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  16. ^ "My Chemical Romance part ways with drummer Bob Bryar". MTV News. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  17. ^ a b Peters, Daniel (December 4, 2024). "My Chemical Romance's Frank Iero pays tribute to late ex-drummer Bob Bryar: "I don't think I ever got to tell him I was sorry"". NME. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Nattress, Katrina. "Frank Iero Pens Emotional Tribute To Late MCR Drummer: 'Doesn't Feel Real'". iHeartRadio. Archived from the original on May 5, 2025. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  19. ^ Morrow, Brendan. "Bob Bryar, former My Chemical Romance drummer, dies at 44: Reports". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  20. ^ Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (Booklet). My Chemical Romance. Reprise/Sire. 2010. 9362-49618-3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ^ Goodwyn, Tom (September 17, 2012). "My Chemical Romance to release 10 new songs over the next five months". NME. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  22. ^ a b Lynch, Jessica (December 3, 2024). "My Chemical Romance Honor Late Former Drummer Bob Bryar". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  23. ^ Halperin, Shirley (March 22, 2013). "My Chemical Romance Breaks Up". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  24. ^ Cohen, Rebecca; Cookinham, Samantha (December 1, 2024). "Bob Bryar, former My Chemical Romance drummer, dead at 44". NBC News. Archived from the original on June 5, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  25. ^ Corcoran, Nina (December 3, 2024). "Bob Bryar, Longtime My Chemical Romance Drummer, Dies at 44". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 29, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  26. ^ Sanders, Hank (December 2, 2024). "Bob Bryar, Former Drummer for My Chemical Romance, Dies at 44". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 20, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  27. ^ Crane, Matt (February 25, 2015). "Ex-My Chemical Romance drummer was "angry, suicidal" after getting kicked out". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  28. ^ Lynch, Jessica (December 3, 2024). "My Chemical Romance Honor Late Former Drummer Bob Bryar". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  29. ^ "Bob Bryar on Twitter". Twitter. Archived from the original on August 18, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2016. I'm officially withdrawing myself from the music business. real estate classes start on monday!
  30. ^ a b DiVita, Joe (June 28, 2021). "Ex-My Chemical Romance Drummer Bob Bryar Auctioning 'Helena' Drum Kit". Loudwire. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  31. ^ Robinson, Ellie (October 25, 2022). "Ex-My Chemical Romance drummer Bob Bryar selling 'The Black Parade' uniform on eBay". NME. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  32. ^ "Mr. Robert Cory "Bob" Bryar Obituary (2024) - Shelbyville, TN - Feldhaus Memorial Chapel - Shelbyville". Legacy.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  33. ^ Harrison, Scoop (November 29, 2024). "Bob Bryar, Former My Chemical Romance Drummer, Dead at 44". Consequence. Archived from the original on November 30, 2024. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  34. ^ a b Brown, August (March 3, 2025). "Nitrous oxide tanks found beside late My Chemical Romance drummer Bob Bryar". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 5, 2025. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  35. ^ Burch, Christopher (March 4, 2025). "New details emerge surrounding death of My Chemical Romance's drummer". NJ.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  36. ^ Goodwyn, Tom (September 18, 2012). "My Chemical Romance confirm full details and tracklisting for 'Conventional Weapons'". NME. Retrieved May 28, 2025.

Sources

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