Pete Wentz didn't know how to handle his "hot mess" of a life.
The bleached blond bassist has enjoyed massive success with his band Fall Out Boy, which reformed in 2013 after a three-year hiatus.
It was a time of upheaval for Pete, who also split from wife Ashlee Simpson in 2011, and he didn't know how to handle things.
"I didn't know what to do with myself. My personal life was a hot mess. So I decided I was going to get happy on my own. I took my kid [Bronx, now five] to pre-school, I went to my local coffee shop," Pete told British newspaper Metro.
After sorting his mind out, talks began regarding a Fall Out Boy reunion. His band mates, Patrick Stump, Andy Hurley and Joe Trohman, were keen to get back together, but Pete had his doubts.
"I thought, 'I'm happy now and I don't know whether adding Fall Out Boy back into the mix will mess with that.' So there was a bit of trepidation," he recalled.
But they did reform, releasing their fifth studio album, Save Rock and Roll, in April last year to widespread critical acclaim.
"The first time none of it made any sense. Now I'm able to appreciate it more - I know that this could all go away. It's very humbling that we've had the reaction we've had," Pete smiled.
In the past few months, the 35-year-old has become a dad for the second time, when his girlfriend Meagan Camper gave birth to their son Saint in August.
Since the boys have gone back to performing, they've been regulars on the gig and festival circuit - something Pete is over the moon about.
"I love it because you've got to go out and earn the crowd every time. Sometimes we are the heaviest band at an event and sometimes we are on the lighter side," he smiled.
