Mikey Way

Lore & Background

Mikey Way joined My Chemical Romance in 2001 as their bassist and suggested the band's name after he read the book Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance. When Way joined the band, he had to improve his bass skills in less than a week. My Chemical Romance released their second album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge on June 8, 2004. My Chemical Romance's third album, The Black Parade, was released on October 24, 2006. My Chemical Romance released their fourth and final studio album, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, on November 22, 2010. While touring for the album, Way collaborated with Squier to release a signature Mikey Way Fender Mustang Bass. 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." The band announced their breakup on March 22, 2013. On October 31, 2019, My Chemical Romance announced they would be reuniting with a date in Los Angeles on December 20 and a new merchandise line. They later announced a 2020 North American tour, as well as dates in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. The tour was later postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Reunion Tour had its final show in Osaka, Japan on March 26, 2023. My Chemical Romance headlined the 2024 When We Were Young Festival, where they played The Black Parade in its entirety. Approximately a month following the festival date, on November 12, 2024, My Chemical Romance announced their Long Live the Black Parade Tour of the United States. The tour began on July 11, 2025, in Seattle, Washington, and the first leg ended on September 20, 2025, at the Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta, Georgia.

Reader's Guide

Real name: Michael James Way. Born: September 10, 1980. Role: Bassist of My Chemical Romance; multi-instrumentalist and backing vocalist of Electric Century. First concert: Smashing Pumpkins with his brother Gerard. After seeing them perform, Mikey told his brother that "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. Way toured with From First to Last in 2005 following the departure of the band's bassist Jon Weisburg. In November 2015, Way was featured in Good Charlotte's music video for their first single since their hiatus, "Makeshift Love." He also contributed to Andy Black's debut solo album The Shadow Side. Way recorded bass for American pop punk band Waterparks on their Cluster EP, and later joined them on tour with Good Charlotte, including performances at Reading and Leeds festivals. Way was also a special guest DJ at Emo Nite LA's 1st-year anniversary. In 2013, Way made his acting debut on The Hub original series The Aquabats! Super Show! in the season two finale "The AntiBats!", playing the lead singer of a fictional death metal band called Asthma. In 2018, Way debuted as a voice actor by voicing the role of Snarl in the Transformers: Power of the Primes animated series.

Did You Know?

• He is a second cousin of podcaster Joe Rogan, though the two have never met.
• Way has been sober since 2014 after entering rehab following an intervention.