Mikey Way

Michael James Way (Belleville, New Jersey; September 10, 1980), better known as Mikey Way, is an American musician and bassist, known for being member of the rock band My Chemical Romance from its formation in 2001 to the present. He is also currently part of the band Electric Century. He co-wrote Collapser with Shaun Simon, a comic that went on sale on July 17, 2019 under DC Comics' Young Animal imprint.

Biography

Early years

Way was born and raised in Belleville Township, New Jersey, as the second son of Donald and Donna Way. He shared his childhood with an older brother, Gerard. About their childhood together, Gerard has commented that "we spent a lot of time reading comic books, we lived a lot inside our own heads, we played until we were sick with Star Wars things; We couldn't really play outside much. It wasn't the safest area, [...] so Mikey and I had one or two friends and that was it.

During his youth, Way was overweight and while in grades 10 and 11 he went on a strict diet that caused him to lose weight abruptly. So much so that the directors of his school thought he was using drugs and even summoned him to ask him what was wrong. Regarding this event, Way commented: "They thought he was using heroin or something. The popular kids would come up to me and ask me what he was up to. They asked me 'What do you consume?', and I answered 'Nothing.' Then they asked me how he had lost so much weight and I told them 'Emm, exercise?'.

My Chemical Romance (2001-present)

Way joined the band My Chemical Romance as bassist in 2001, along with his older brother Gerard, drummer Matt Pelissier and guitarist Ray Toro. He suggested the name of the band after seeing the book Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance, which he found in a bookstore where he was working at the time. When he joined the band, he had to improve his skills. bass skills in less than a week.

My Chemical Romance released their second album Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, on June 8, 2004, while their third, The Black Parade, on June 24 October 2006. The band released their fourth and final album, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, on November 22, 2010. While touring for the album, Way collaborated with the Fender Squier company to release a Mustang Bass line under his name. In an interview with MusicRadar, Way commented “I have been sponsored by Fender for most of my time at MCR. (...) they told me that they wanted to give me a model with my signature." The band announced their separation on March 22, 2013.

Electric Century (2014-present)

After the breakup of My Chemical Romance, Way did not become involved in any other musical projects until 2014, the year in which he formed the rock band, Electric Century, along with the band's vocalist Sleep Station, David Debiak. The duo released their first single I Lied, in February 2014.

Later that same year, the duo was included in Alternative Press magazine's list, '100 Bands You Need To Know'. The magazine mentioned that the single I Lied "forges an alloy of proven decades of electronic pop", comparing the band to Fun. and Twenty One Pilots. The band's first album was recorded and mixed by D. James Goodwin at The Isokon Studio, Woodstock, New York. In November, Way revealed that in February he had flown to the East Coast under the guise of completing the album, but in reality he went to rehab due to his drug and alcohol addiction. The album Let You Get Away, was released as a single on April 3, 2015. The duo announced their self-titled debut EP on March 10, and it was released on April 18. The singles Hail the Saints and Right There were released on May 6. In November 2015, Way contributed to the debut solo album of Andy Biersack, vocalist of the band Black Veil Brides.

Since the release of their first EP, the duo spent much of 2015 writing and recording new songs. In January 2016, the duo tweeted "2016 is THE year" (2016 is the year), hinting at future projects.

Personal life

Way married guitarist Alicia Simmons on March 8, 2007, whom he divorced in 2013. In 2014, Way confessed that he was addicted to drugs and alcohol, and that his addiction only increased after the split from My Chemical Romance in 2013, arguing that he was "unable to give up his life of excess." He alleged that his habits caused him to "hit rock bottom" on numerous occasions, and alienated him from his loved ones and bandmates in the band Electric Century. Way underwent rehab to combat his addiction.

In 2016, Way remarried Kristin Colby. On May 3, 2017, the couple welcomed their first daughter, Rowan Louise Way.

Discography

My Chemical Romance

Primary study albums

• 2002: I brought you my bullets, you brought me your love
• 2004: Three cheers for sweet revenge
• 2006: The Black Parade
• 2010: Danger days: the true lives of the Fabulous Killjoys

Other albums

• 2013: Conventional weapons