Pencey Prep for new MCR fans

So ive decided I'm gonna blog about history stuff but only what i find cool, so basically here's a brief summary of Pencey Prep for new MCR fans/ those who don't know

What was Pencey Prep?

Long story short, Pencey Prep (or just Pencey as I’ll call it) was the main band Frank did before MCR. He was in several different bands, but Pencey has become the most of the pre-MCR bands mainly due to being the only one with notable music and having their stuff on spotify. 

Who Was in Pencey Prep?

Frank on vocals and guitars, Tim Hagevik on drums, John McGuire on bass and backing vocals, Shaun Simon on keyboards and moog, and Neil Sabatino on guitars and backing vocals

What did the members do after Pencey?

Frank played locally in several other local bands before he was invited to join My Chem shortly before the recording of Bullets, and outside of My Chem was in Leathermouth, Death Spells, Blood Nun, Frank Iero and the cellabration, Frank Iero and The Future Violents and L.S Dunes. Currently he does rhythm guitar and backing vocals for My Chem and L.S Dunes on guitar.

Neil Sabatino is currently the lead singer and guitarist for the band Fairmont, John McGuire did bass for Fairmont from 2004-2007 and did bass and backing vocals for Leathermouth from 2008-2010. He also appeared in 2013 with other Leathermouth members at New Jersey’s Skate and Surf Fest. 

Shaun Simon has since become a comic writer and wrote The True Lives of The Fabulous Killjoys comics with Gerard (both the California and National Anthem comics) and wrote Collapser with Mikey in 2019. He also wrote You Look Like Death with Gerard in 2019. 

Why did Pencey break up?

The band broke up in May of 2002 after low attendance at concerts and fighting between members.

Why is it important to My Chem history?

In Not The Life it Seems (which is basically the mcr biography) Gerard, Frank and the others discuss how some of the earliest My Chem were played alongside Pencey Prep. Pencey (as far as i can gleem) was fairly popular in the NJ emo/punk scene, and so this helped boost My Chem’s early popularity on the scene. Gerard also designed merchandise for them, as seen on Pencey’s myspace.

What genres were Pencey & can I listen to them online?

Pencey is considered to be emo and post-harcore alongside punk. Their music is somewhat similar to Bullets era My Chem and Leathermouth to a lesser extent. Their only album Heartbreak in Stereo was produced by Eyeball Records, which also produced Bullets. Their music can be streamed on spotify and other major streaming services.