My Chemical Romance have hired Jarrod Alexander as their new drummer after Mike Pedicone was fired from the group.
The former Death By Stereo stickman played at the ‘Welcome to the Black Parade’ rockers’ gig in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday (03.09.11) after he replaced Mike, who was axed for allegedly stealing from the band following a performance in Washington on Thursday (01.09.11).
Pedicone was sacked by his bandmates after he “was caught red-handed stealing” from the group.
Guitarist Frank Iero posted a statement on the My Chemical Romance official website on Friday (02.09.11) explaining he and the rest of the band – who are fronted by Gerard Way – are “heartbroken” by his actions.
The message read: “Some s**t happened last night and before the blogosphere gets all crazy with false statements and ridiculous opinions we want the true story to come from us … But please listen close because this is the only time we are ever going to talk about this. The relationship between My Chemical Romance and Michael Pedicone is over. He was caught red handed stealing from the band and confessed to police after our show last night in Auburn, Washington. We are heartbroken and sick to our stomachs over this entire situation.
“The band has no intention of pressing charges or taking this matter any further than we have to. We just want him out of our lives. The people who play in this band are a family, and family should not take advantage of each other like he did.”
It is not yet known whether Jarrod will continue to drum for My Chemical Romance on their current ‘Honda Civic Tour’ – which sees them playing alongside Blink 182 – or if he will become a permanent member of the group.