Mikey Way

Mikey Way
Background information
Birth name Michael James Way
Born (1980-09-10) September 10, 1980
Kearny, New Jersey, U.S.
Origin Belleville, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres Alternative rock, pop punk, post-hardcore, hard rock, electronic rock, electropop
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter
Instruments Bass guitar, keyboards, vocals, guitar
Years active 2001–present
Labels Reprise, Warner Bros., Eyeball
Associated acts My Chemical Romance, Electric Century
Notable instruments
Squier Mikey Way Mustang Bass, Fender Precision Bass

Michael James "Mikey" Way (born September 10, 1980) is an American musician and is best known as the bassist of the rock band My Chemical Romance until their split in 2013. He is also the multi-instrumentalist and backing vocalist of rock duo Electric Century.

Early life

Way was born September 10, 1980 to Donna Lee Way (née Rush) and Donald Way and is of Scottish and Italian ancestry.[1] He was raised in Belleville, New Jersey alongside his brother Gerard Way. Growing up, he worked in a Barnes & Noble and later Eyeball Records. Both of these played major part in the formation of My Chemical Romance. Eyeball signed the band and released their debut record.

The first concert he ever went to was a Smashing Pumpkins concert with his brother. After seeing them perform he told him "we have to do this." He was asked to join My Chemical Romance, which involved him having to improve his bass skills in the space of a week. He has toured with From First To Last.

Music career

My Chemical Romance

Main article: My Chemical Romance

Way joined American rock band My Chemical Romance in 2001 as their bassist and suggested the bands name after he read the book Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance.[2] When Way joined the band, he had to improve his bass skills in less than a week.[3] My Chemical Romance released their second album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge on June 8, 2004.[4] My Chemical Romance's third album, The Black Parade, was released on October 24, 2006.[5] My Chemical Romance released their fourth and final studio album, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, on November 22, 2010.[6] While touring for the album, Way collaborated with Squier to release a signature Mikey Way Fender Mustang Bass.[7] In an interview with MusicRadar, Way commented on his signature bass: "I had been sponsored by Fender through most of my time in MCR. I had contacted them about making a custom bass and they hit me back saying they wanted to give me a signature model".[8] The band announced their breakup on March 22, 2013.[9]

Post-My Chemical Romance and Electric Century

For over a year after the break up of My Chemical Romance, Way remained without a band until he formed Electric Century with Sleep Station vocalist David Debiak.[10] The duo released their first song "I Lied" in February 2014.[11]

The duo released their first song "I Lied" on February 26, 2014.[12][13] The same month, the duo was included in Alternative Press's "100 Bands You Need To Know" list.[13] The magazine mentioned that "I Lied" "forges an alloy of decades-proven electronic pop" comparing it to fun. and Twenty One Pilots.[13] Alternative Press also said that the duo's album was finished and awaiting release later that year.[13] The album was recorded and mixed by D. James Goodwin at The Isokon Studio in Woodstock, New York.[13] In November, Way revealed that he had flown in February to the East Coast to complete the album but instead went to rehab.[14] Way also said the news about the duo would be "in the coming months."[14] On January 13, 2015 "Let You Get Away" was made available for streaming.[15] "Let You Get Away" was released as a single on April 3.[16] The duo announced their debut self-titled EP on March 10, and was released on Record Store Day on April 18.[17] "Hail the Saints" and "Right There" were released as singles on May 6.[18][19] In November 2015, Way contributed to Andy Black's upcoming debut solo album, a pseudonym project from Black Veil Brides frontman Andy Biersack.[20][21]

Since releasing their debut EP, the duo re-entered the studio, and spent much 2015 writing and recording new songs. In January 2016, the duo tweeted on their official Twitter page "2016 is THE year", hinting upcoming releases from the duo.[22]

Discography

My Chemical Romance
With Gerard Way, Ray Toro, Frank Iero and James Dewees
Electric Century

References

  1. ↑ "My Chemical Romance channel Scottish roots at T In The Park". NME. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  2. ↑ "11 Things You Didn’t know about My Chemical Romance". Kerrang!.
  3. ↑ Matthew Parker. "Mikey Way talks bass heroes, 'Bowie moments' and his signature Squier". musicradar.com.
  4. ↑ Johnny Loftus. "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge - My Chemical Romance - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  5. ↑ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "The Black Parade - My Chemical Romance - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  6. ↑ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys - My Chemical Romance - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  7. ↑ "MIKEY WAY MUSTANG® BASS". Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  8. ↑ Parker, Matthew. "Mikey Way talks bass heroes, 'Bowie moments' and his signature Squier". MusicRadar. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  9. ↑ "My Chemical Romance Break Up". Rolling Stone.
  10. ↑ "Mikey Way And David Debiak Announce New Band, Electric Century". Blast Out Your Stereo. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  11. ↑ "Electric Century - "I Lied" (SONG PREMIERE) - Alternative Press". Alternative Press.
  12. ↑ "iTunes - Music - I Lied - Single by Electric Century". iTunes. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "Electric Century - "I Lied" (SONG PREMIERE) - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  14. 1 2 "Mikey Way: "I Was Told I Should Never Have Woken Up" - Kerrang!". Kerrang!.
  15. ↑ "Mikey Way's Electric Century Stream Second Single - Kerrang!". Kerrang!.
  16. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Let You Get Away - Single by Electric Century". iTunes. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  17. ↑ "Electric Century GER on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  18. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Hail the Saints - Single by Electric Century". iTunes. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  19. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Right There - Single by Electric Century". iTunes. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  20. ↑ Biddulph, Andy. "MIKEY WAY IS ON THE ANDY BLACK ALBUM". RockSound. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  21. ↑ Hingle, James. "ANDY BIERSACK JOINED BY MIKEY WAY IN THE STUDIO". Kerrang!. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  22. ↑ Sharp, Tyler. "Electric Century: “2016 is THE year!”". Alternative Press. Retrieved 22 January 2016.

External links

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