Bryar, who played on 2006’s The Black Parade, was an “important part of the history of My Chemical Romance,” the band said
My Chemical Romance paid tribute to their former drummer Bob Bryar, who died recently at his home in Tennessee.
“It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Bob Bryar, our former bandmate and an important part of the history of My Chemical Romance,” the band said in a short post on Instagram. “We send our deepest condolences to his friends and family at this time. May he rest in peace.”
Details surrounding Bryar’s death remain unclear, though law enforcement sources have said there’s no foul play suspected. The medical examiner is currently investigating a cause of death.
Bryar began his career as a touring sound engineer, working for bands like Thrice and the Used. He met My Chemical Romance while on tour with the Used in 2004; later that year, he was tapped to replace drummer Matt Pelissier shortly after the release of MCR’s second album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge.
Bryar stuck with the band for the next six years. He drummed on their landmark 2006 record,The Black Parade, and contributed songwriting to 2010’s Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys. While Bryar left the band in 2010, some of his songwriting contributions appeared on MCR’s 2013 compilation, Conventional Weapons.
In an interview with Alternative Press, Bryar spoke about recording The Black Parade, calling it “the biggest record I have ever done.” He continued: “As we were recording the record, I was getting more and more excited. It was turning out to be a very complete and a very entertaining audio story… I really feel every part of that record, down to the artwork, is pretty unbeatable. I hope those songs will be around for a long time.”
After leaving My Chemical Romance, Bryar continued to tour and work behind the scenes with various bands. He also became involved in dog rescue charities in sanctuaries. He decided to leave music in 2014 to pursue a career in real estate.
