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Art vs. The FBI: The Story of Frank Iero's Song That Triggered a Federal Investigation
In 2009, My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero’s side project, Leathermouth, released a song with a provocative title that landed him on an FBI watchlist. This is the story of artistic expression colliding with national security, resulting in a home search, a ban, and punk-rock defiance.
When you think of My Chemical Romance, you might picture theatrical rock anthems and eyeliner. You probably don't picture the FBI. But for guitarist Frank Iero, the two became intertwined in 2009 thanks to his abrasive hardcore punk side project, Leathermouth, and a song with a title designed to provoke.
A Different Kind of Outlet
While MCR was a global phenomenon, Iero needed a more aggressive outlet for his frustrations. He found it as the frontman for Leathermouth, a raw, chaotic hardcore band. Their 2009 debut album, XO, was a vessel for pure angst, tackling themes of depression, religion, and societal hypocrisy. But one track stood out, not just for its content, but for its seven-word title: “I Am Going to Kill the President of the United States of America.”
A Title That Triggered Alarms
The song itself was not a literal threat. Iero has explained it was written from the perspective of protesters he saw at a George W. Bush rally, capturing the vitriolic, extremist rhetoric he witnessed. It was intended as a piece of political commentary, an artistic snapshot of intense disillusionment. Unfortunately for him, the U.S. Secret Service doesn't typically parse artistic nuance when scanning for potential threats.
“I have these two federal agents in my house, telling me that I couldn’t write what I want to… They were like, ‘We get it, we get the artistic statement, it’s not a literal threat, but you can’t write this stuff.’ I’m like, ‘What about freedom of speech?’ They’re like, ‘Well, it doesn’t work that way.’”
The song's title was flagged, and Iero's life was quickly turned upside down. Federal agents visited his New Jersey home, interviewed his wife, and conducted a search. They explained that while they understood his artistic intent, the statement itself crossed a line. The result: Frank Iero was placed on an FBI watchlist.
Defiance in the Face of Censorship
The authorities issued a clear directive: he was banned from performing the song live. For any artist, being told what they can and cannot create is a chilling prospect. For a punk rock musician whose genre is built on a foundation of anti-authoritarianism, it was a challenge. True to form, Iero ignored the ban. At subsequent Leathermouth shows, he performed the song anyway, a defiant act of artistic freedom. He would often introduce it by explaining the situation to the crowd, turning the performance into a raw statement against censorship.
A Lesson in Context and Controversy
The incident remains a fascinating case study in the collision of art and authority in a post-9/11 world. It highlights the fine line between protected free speech and a perceived threat. For fans, it's a legendary piece of punk rock lore, showcasing an artist who was willing to risk federal surveillance for his creative principles. It serves as a stark reminder that words—and song titles—have power, and sometimes, that power attracts the attention of people you'd rather not have knocking on your door.