Hazy Shade of Winter (Featuring Ray Toro)

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the track "Hazy Shade of Winter (Featuring Ray Toro)" by Gerard Way for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This song, a cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s 1966 classic, was released in January 2019 as a single for the Netflix series The Umbrella Academy, based on Way’s own comic book series. Featuring Ray Toro, former My Chemical Romance guitarist, and drummer Jarrod Alexander, the track draws heavily from The Bangles’ 1987 hard-rock version, amping up the energy with Toro’s blistering guitar riffs and Way’s cinematic vocal delivery. Way shared his excitement on Instagram, calling the recording process “surreal and exciting” and praising the collaboration with Toro and Alexander. Fans on Reddit went wild, with one user, u/Mr_Bear_, noting Toro’s unmistakable riff and admitting they didn’t initially realize it was a cover, a sentiment echoed across platforms like r/indieheads, where u/Hufflepuffgirl28 called it their favorite Way release at the time.

The song’s creation was a reunion of sorts for Way and Toro, who previously collaborated on Way’s solo tracks like “Getting Down the Germs.” Way revealed at Brazil’s CCXP panel in December 2018 that he recorded a cover integral to The Umbrella Academy, later confirmed as “Hazy Shade of Winter.” Posts on X from @UmbrellaAcad hyped the track’s release, linking it to the series’ trailer and highlighting the trio’s chemistry. The cover’s volatile energy and choral harmonies, as noted by Consequence, fit the show’s apocalyptic vibe perfectly. Some fans on r/MyChemicalRomance speculated about future collaborations, noting Toro’s West Coast proximity to Way made their work seamless, unlike with other former bandmates. The track’s release sparked buzz across X, with @rocksound calling it a must-listen for My Chemical Romance fans.

Gerard Way, born April 9, 1977, in Summit, New Jersey, kicked off his career with a passion for both music and comics. Raised in Belleville alongside his brother Mikey, Way’s early influences included Iron Maiden, The Misfits, and The Smiths. At eight, his grandmother gifted him a guitar, leading to short-lived bands like Ray Gun Jones with a young Ray Toro. By 16, Way appeared on Sally Jesse Raphael to discuss controversial comics about Jeffrey Dahmer, hinting at his lifelong love for the medium. After graduating from Belleville High School in 1995, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York’s School of Visual Arts in 1999, aiming for a comic-book career. However, the 9/11 attacks, witnessed firsthand, shifted his focus to music, inspiring him to form My Chemical Romance in 2001 with Toro, Mikey, and others. The band’s emo-punk anthems, like “Welcome to the Black Parade,” made them icons before their 2013 breakup.

Way’s solo career began with 2014’s Hesitant Alien, but his work on “Hazy Shade of Winter” and The Umbrella Academy cemented his versatility. Beyond music, he co-created the Eisner Award-winning The Umbrella Academy comic with Gabriel Bá and founded DC Comics’ Young Animal imprint, writing Doom Patrol. Fans can connect with him via his Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where he shares updates on music, comics, and more. Devotees gather on fan sites like MyChemicalRomance.com and TheUmbrellaAcademy.com, as well as Facebook groups like Gerard Way Fans, buzzing with discussions about his latest projects. Whether through his comics or electrifying covers, Way’s creative spark keeps the Zoo Freaks grooving.