More about: Arctic MonkeysBlurGerard Way

Gerard Way: illustrator, comic book writer, Britpop fan, modern day rock icon. As the former My Chemical Romance star returns to the UK with brilliant solo debut Hesitant Alien, we sat down with Mr Way to talk about his influences, and love of Blur, Pulp and the impact of Arctic Monkeys.

Watch our video interview with Gerard Way above

Despite being one of the biggest biggest American alt-rock exports of his generation, Way's artistic spirit was influenced by that of Britpop. We talked to him about why Arctic Monkeys resonate so strongly, what Blur have in common with MCR, the aspirational fashion of 90s Britain, and why he dedicated his youth to Britpop instead of grunge. 

"It was kind of a mundane existance growing up in New Jersey, and I never really let go of that," Way told Gigwise. "There seemed to be no limits to Britpop. It felt like, say you could have a band like Pulp with these dance or disco elements to them. It had romanticism and glam in bands like Suede, it pure pop in bands like Blur and working class rock like Oasis - it felt like it could be anything.

Watch our full interview above.

Hesitant Alien by Gerard Way is out now. The complete dates for Gerard Way's tour are below. For tickets click here.

Thu November 06 2014 - OXFORD O2 Academy Oxford
Fri November 07 2014 - GLASGOW O2 ABC
Sat November 08 2014 - CARDIFF Cardiff University Students Union
Sun November 09 2014 - CARDIFF Y Plas
Mon November 10 2014 - LONDON KOKO

Tue January 20 2015 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Birmingham
Wed January 21 2015 - SOUTHAMPTON O2 Guildhall
Fri January 23 2015 - LONDON O2 Academy Brixton

Below: Exclusive photos of Gerard Way live at Reading Festival

More about: Arctic MonkeysBlurGerard Way