Mikey Way facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mikey Way
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Way performing in 2011
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael James Way |
| Born | September 10, 1980 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Origin | Belleville, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Bass guitar |
| Years active | 2001–present |
Michael James Way (born September 10, 1980) is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the bassist for the rock band My Chemical Romance. He also plays many instruments and sings backup for the rock duo Electric Century. Mikey Way also helped write a comic book called Collapser. It was released in July 2019 by DC Comics.
Contents
Mikey Way: A Musician's Journey
Growing Up and Starting Music
Mikey Way was born on September 10, 1980, in Newark, New Jersey. His parents are Donna Lee Way and Donald Way. He grew up in Belleville, New Jersey, with his older brother Gerard.
When he was younger, Mikey worked at a Barnes & Noble bookstore. He also worked at Eyeball Records. Both places were important for the start of My Chemical Romance. Eyeball Records later signed the band and released their first album.
Mikey's first concert was a Smashing Pumpkins show with his brother. After seeing them play, Mikey told his brother they had to start a band. He was asked to join My Chemical Romance. He had to learn to play the bass guitar much better in just one week!
Rocking Out with My Chemical Romance
Way joined the American rock band My Chemical Romance in 2001. He became their bassist. He even suggested the band's name. He got the idea from a book called Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance.
My Chemical Romance released their second album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, on June 8, 2004. Their third album, The Black Parade, came out on October 24, 2006. The band's fourth and last studio album, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, was released on November 22, 2010.
While touring for Danger Days, Mikey worked with Squier to create his own special Mikey Way Fender Mustang Bass. He said that Fender wanted to make a signature bass for him. The band announced they were breaking up on March 22, 2013.
On October 31, 2019, My Chemical Romance shared exciting news. They announced they would be getting back together! They planned a show in Los Angeles on December 20. They also released new band merchandise. Later, they announced a tour for 2020 across North America. They also planned shows in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. The tour was moved to 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Electric Century: A New Sound
After My Chemical Romance broke up, Mikey Way started a new band. He formed Electric Century with David Debiak, who was the singer for Sleep Station. The two released their first song, "I Lied," in February 2014.
In the same month, Electric Century was named one of the "100 Bands You Need To Know" by Alternative Press magazine. The magazine said their song "I Lied" mixed different electronic pop sounds. They compared it to bands like fun. and Twenty One Pilots.
The band's first album, For the Night to Control, was announced on February 24, 2016. It was released on March 9 with Kerrang! Magazine. The album was officially released on July 14, 2017. Their second album, also called Electric Century, came out on February 26, 2021. Mikey's bandmate from My Chemical Romance, Ray Toro, helped produce it.
Other Music Projects
In November 2015, Mikey Way appeared in a music video for Good Charlotte. It was for their song "Makeshift Love." He also played bass on Andy Black's first solo album, The Shadow Side. Andy Black is the singer for Black Veil Brides.
Mikey also recorded bass for the pop punk band Waterparks on their Cluster EP. He later toured with them and Good Charlotte. This included playing at the Reading and Leeds festivals. Mikey was also a special guest DJ at a music event called Emo Nite LA.
Acting Roles
In 2013, Mikey Way started acting. He was in an episode of The Aquabats! Super Show! on The Hub. He played the lead singer of a made-up band called Asthma. His brother Gerard helped direct and write the episode.
In 2018, Mikey became a voice actor. He voiced the character Snarl in the animated series Transformers: Power of the Primes.
Family Life
In February 2016, Mikey Way married Kristin Blanford. They have two daughters together. Their daughters were born in 2017 and 2019.
His brother, Gerard, shared in 2015 that they are related to podcaster Joe Rogan. Joe Rogan confirmed this in 2019. However, Mikey and Joe have never met in person.
Music Albums and EPs
My Chemical Romance
- I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love (2002)
- Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004)
- The Black Parade (2006)
- Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (2010)
Electric Century
- Electric Century (2015), EP
- For the Night to Control (2016)
- Electric Century (2021)
Guest performances
- The Shadow Side (by Andy Black, 2016)
- Cluster (by Waterparks, 2016)
See also
In Spanish: Mikey Way para niños
