A quirk of timing allowed fans of My Chemical Romance to contrast and compare two of its former elements, lead singer Gerard Way and guitarist Frank Iero, as they set out on solo careers.

And it is very much a case of contrast. This may be a review of Iero and his new band – frnkiero and the cellabration – but his gig so soon after Way does demand some reference between the two.

They were, for a while, in one of the biggest bands in the world, closing out festivals like Reading and Leeds and selling out Wembley Arena. To go from audiences of tens of thousands to, in Iero’s case, a few hundred when opening for Mallory Knox in Oxford is a big change.

And what frnkiero and the cellabration are is a million miles from the final (Danger) days of My Chem.

It’s raw shouty rock with a touch of grunge about it. That they’ve supported Taking Back Sunday (themselves due to appear at Oxford next month) in the States is no surprise.

Way’s album Hesitant Alien could easily trace its lineage to Danger Days and the show was all about him, much to the joy of an audience there who were obvious My Chem fans following their iconic frontman.

He strutted and posed not unlike one would imagine Heath Ledger’s Joker would have. It would be too much to say it was affected but Way was playing to the crowd as much as performing his album.

And, to be fair, he certainly belted out a more powerful version of his rather synthy album than was expected.

Iero, though, seemed all about the music. He may now have the main vocal duties but Iero was much more part of his band. He’d be kidding himself to think the audience there to see him had no My Chem link but he was giving them something far different from Way.

It was tight, it was pretty angry and it was very loud.

It may be cliché but Way and Iero almost conformed to the lead singer v guitarist narrative – the front man more showy and audience-friendly while the musician is the drive and guts.

The cellabration were a good unit as Iero span around, singing from behind a long fringe and hoiking the odd gob into the air (not at the crowd it must be stressed).

Their two singles were the most well received, naturally, with Weighted a brilliant tour-de-force closer for the 35-minute set.

The hidden gem though was She’s The Prettiest Girl at the Party, and she can prove it with a solid right hook, with a tinge of Soul Asylum. Far slower and more tender than the rest, it proved depth to Iero’s song- writing and that he is not second fiddle to his former bandmate.

It will be interesting to see though where Iero’s career goes from here.