Frank Iero has experienced creative liberation in producing his brand new album, Barriers – liberation that was only discovered through fear.
“It’s funny,” he begins. “It’s a stark disposition to how I started writing the record. I was hitting a wall, knowing I had to address certain things and not knowing how to start.”
The former guitarist of My Chemical Romance underwent some changes in his own right, morphing from frnkiero andthe cellabration to Frank Iero and the Patience, and finally into Frank Iero and the Future Violents, a moniker with which he’s been able to execute this deeply existential vision.
“The lineup for this band … I had this dream team of musicians I’d always wanted to work with. Knowing I had this opportunity allowed me to push down some of those barriers I had.
“Once that floodgate opened, I didn’t want to stop. It definitely felt very freeing and I think that’s what you’re hearing – me attempting things I’d always wanted to attempt but [perhaps] felt a bit scared of.”
Coming out the other side, Iero says he feels successful having achieved his personal goals – and that was a pivotal moment. From being up against a brick wall to having a massive burst of creativity, he suddenly found his niche.
“I think that’s why it’s so important to attempt the things that scare us,” Iero muses. “Because ultimately the worst thing we can do is fail, but that just provides us with more knowledge and ammunition when we try again, knowing how to circumvent that failure.
“To attempt something that scares you and to succeed at it, that just bolsters you with confidence, and I think that’s where you find out the great things about yourself.”
Sounding sage as he discusses his creative journey, Iero then laughs, “I think the idea of ‘the older you get, the wiser you are’, I think it’s more you don’t know very much and you’re more open to learn.
“When you’re young you think you have it all figured out, and that stubbornness, it’s hard to let knowledge in.”
Like Frank and the Future Violents, we as listeners are still learning about Iero as a musician, as an artist. Compared to his releases under the Frank Iero and the Patience moniker, Barriers is a far more stripped back, exposed perspective on him and his art.
It’s also a product of a musician in an incredibly creative space – a mental fertility that continues to surprise and astound even himself. “Every time, every day,” he says. “That’s why I still do it, because I am still learning. I’m still inspired by the creative process.
“I truly feel that if I was rehashing the same thing and going through the motions, I would have to stop. But it’s still scary, that’s when you know you’re doing something new – those are the really fun parts.”
And scary is the operative word – Iero still experiences a sense of fear and trepidation, but his own drive to succeed and create has him riding out the fear. “I am terrified at all times,” he chuckles, “and I think knowing that none of this is predetermined, yeah I’ve done things similar, but every song or show is a new opportunity, it’s not written.
“Anything can happen, and I think that’s what keeps us on our toes – that sense of fear makes you know you’re alive.”
“Here’s the thing,” Iero continues. “I’ve been in bands since I was 11 [years old]. In my experience, every time there is exponential growth in my playing and songwriting abilities, I was forced into a position of playing with people that inspired me and made me want to get better – it forced me to up my game.
“So that’s what I’m doing – searching for things that push [me], and that’s all I can hope for to continue this journey.”
Frank Iero and the Future Violents’ new album, Barriers, is out now via UNFD. Give it a spin via streaming services.
