PS Don't Write
Pencey Prep was born from the rubble of Sector 12, a band which Frank Iero … Read Full Bio ↴Pencey Prep was born from the rubble of Sector 12, a band which Frank Iero started when he was in high school. Sector 12 had done their final tour and asked old friend John "Hambone" McGuire to play bass because at the time the drummer had been kicked out and bass player Bruno Rocha needed to switch to drums. Pencey Prep originally was going to be named "Whatch You Talkin Bout Willis" until Hambone gave Frank the challenge of either naming the band by the next day or using the name he had come up with. So looking to Catcher in The Rye, Frank came up with the name Pencey Prep, the school from which Holden Caulfield was kicked out. Next came Shaun Simon, a local skater kid that was also a best friend. They weren't quite sure how but they knew they wanted to fit him into the band. Grabbing an old keyboard out from under the bed and teaching Shaun a few simple riffs was the beginning of a keyboard master in the making. Next came time to look for a drummer because although Bruno was great for a few punk shows, they needed a substantial real drummer. It was at a party the members of Pencey Prep asked around if anyone knew a drummer and they introduced to a friend of Tim Hagevik's and from there the band was born. They had originally Bruno singing, Frank on guitar, Shaun on keys, Tim on drums and Hambone on bass. They recorded a demo and needless to say it kind of stunk. Bruno's vocals just didn't fit, and the band needed something else. That is when Frank turned to an old friend from a band called Stick Figure Suicide named Neil Sabatino and asked him to join the band. Neil had toured and played with bands like Saves the Day, H20, Bouncing Souls and tons of others and he had helped book tours and shows for his old band and as well had a good ear for writing catchy songs.

Pencey Prep practiced 7 nights a week in the basement of Frank Iero's house in Belleville. Before the band even had a first show they had plans to record "Heartbreak In Stereo". The album was starting to take shape almost a full year before it was even recorded. With songs contributed by Hambone, Frank and Neil they easily had more than enough material to work on. The band played their first show in at The Loop Lounge in Passaic Park, New Jersey with the band Nada Surf. They were also able to get on shows with bands like Atom & His Package, Thursday, and even The Strokes and New Found Glory. "Heartbreak In Stereo" was released on November 26, 2001 on Eyeball Records. After going on a disastrous tour of the Midwest US where there were bunches of internal fights, several points where their van broke down, and low attendance, the band called it quits. Their last show was on May 7, 2002 at CBGB's.
Since the band's disbandment, Frank joined My Chemical Romance. Neil now plays in Fairmont. Hambone played in Leathermouth and Brine & Bastards and was also in Fairmont for some time. Tim became an artist and posts somewhat often about Pencey Prep on Instagram. Shaun toured with MCR as their keyboardist for a while and also co-wrote The Fabulous Killjoys comic with Gerard Way in 2013. In 2021, Heartbreak In Stereo was reissued in celebration of its' 20th anniversary on streaming services, CD, and for the first time, on vinyl and cassette tape.

PS Don't Write
Pencey Prep Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

While you were fucking up
I went and found something new
Packed up all my shit
Stole back all my tapes
Left your spare key under the mat
This is not a joke
You'd better learn to take a hint
Cause I'm not coming back
Maybe you'll understand when you're waking up alone
In a cold and empty bed

If you're reading this, I'm gone
Happy b-day
Ps! don't write!
Cause you will not get a reply

While you were fucking up
I got my life in shape
Somewhere along the line
I found a hidden strength that I didn't know I had
Standing on my own
Cutting all the strings that you used to control
Surprise surprise
I am long gone

If you thought you could keep me down
By holding me up
You were wrong
You don't call the shots anymore

While you were fucking off
I learned to love myself again
Even better now
I learned to hate you
C'est la vie, baby
We're through




See you around
Maybe on the sixth of never

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "PS Don't Write" by Pencey Prep chronicle the singer's decision to leave their partner after realizing that they were not being treated well in the relationship. The singer states that they have 'found something new' and that they have packed up their belongings and left. They also mention that they have left their spare key under the mat, which could be interpreted as a final gesture in the relationship.


The lyrics suggest that the relationship had been turbulent and that the singer had been mistreated by their partner. The line "While you were fucking up" suggests that the partner had been unfaithful, neglectful or abusive in some way. However, instead of dwelling on the hurt, the singer decides to focus on their own growth and self-love, stating that they have gotten their life in shape and cut the ties that the partner had used to control them. They also express a sense of empowerment, asserting that their partner no longer has control over them.


Line by Line Meaning

While you were fucking up
During the time when you were making mistakes


I went and found something new
I discovered something better than you


Packed up all my shit
I gathered all of my belongings


Stole back all my tapes
I took back all of my possessions that you had


Left your spare key under the mat
I returned the key that you had given me


This is not a joke
I am being serious


You'd better learn to take a hint
You should understand what I am trying to say


Cause I'm not coming back
I have no intentions of returning


Maybe you'll understand when you're waking up alone
Perhaps you will comprehend when you are alone


In a cold and empty bed
In a bed that is both uninviting and empty


If you're reading this, I'm gone
If you are reading this note, I have left


Happy b-day
Wishing you a happy birthday


Ps! don't write!
Postscript - do not send me a letter


Cause you will not get a reply
Because I will not respond


I got my life in shape
I have improved my life


Somewhere along the line
At some point in time


I found a hidden strength that I didn't know I had
I discovered an inner strength that was previously unknown to me


Standing on my own
I am now independent


Cutting all the strings that you used to control
Breaking free from your influence and manipulation


Surprise surprise
Unexpectedly


I am long gone
I have departed and will not return


If you thought you could keep me down
If you believed you could hold me back


By holding me up
By supporting me


You were wrong
You were mistaken


You don't call the shots anymore
You no longer have control over my life


While you were fucking off
While you were wasting your time


I learned to love myself again
I started to care for myself once more


Even better now
I am now even happier


I learned to hate you
I have grown to detest you


C'est la vie, baby
That's life, baby


We're through
Our relationship is over


See you around
Goodbye for now


Maybe on the sixth of never
Possibly never again




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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