Michael James Way (born September 10, 1980) is an American musician and actor. He is best known as the bassist of the rock band My Chemical Romance. He is also the multi-instrumentalist and backing vocalist of rock duo Electric Century. Mikey co-wrote Collapser with Shaun Simon, which was released July 2019 on DC Comics. Early life Way was born September 10, 1980, in Newark, New Jersey to Donna Lee Way (née Rush) and Donald Way and is of Scottish and Italian ancestry. He was raised in Belleville, New Jersey alongside his older brother Gerard. Growing up, he worked in a Barnes & Noble and later Eyeball Records. Both of these played a 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 My Chemical Romance Way joined American rock band 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