 As the compelling, pale-faced frontman of dynamic rock outfit My Chemical Romance, Gerard Way is one of a few key musicians responsible for bringing emo and punk music into the mainstream eye at the turn of the millennium -- and successfully sparking a million conversations about what is and is not considered punk in the process. He was born on April 9, 1977, in Newark, NJ, and raised in nearby Belleville. His grandmother Elena was a huge source of inspiration and encouragement to him growing up, teaching the young Way how to sing, draw, and perform. Way's first public performance was as Peter Pan in an elementary school play, but just as that show was over, he made a conscious decision to immerse himself in art and comics (preferring things "slightly evil") rather than anything dealing with drama club. Since his neighborhood wasn't exactly the safest place, Way spent a lot of time indoors with his younger brother Mikey, creating imaginary worlds to which they could escape. Despite his passion for drawing, Way never lost his love of music and taught himself how to play guitar as a teenager. He was a withdrawn kid -- in contrast to his outgoing, life-of-the-party brother -- and Way spent a lot of time by himself sketching and listening to bands like Iron Maiden, the Smiths, the Cure, the Misfits, and Queen.
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| Band Story |
 The band technically got started when Gerard started writing songs, calling over buddy Matt Pelissier to help out. Ray hadn't been playing guitar seriously for about three years, but went over there anyway to check things out. He went to practice in their attic and ended up being blown away by the style of music and writing Gerard had done. It was a real dark, edgy theme, still containing a slight pop element. After a couple weeks a practicing there was an obvious energy they felt playing together. The band’s name comes from an Irvine Welsh novel, and was suggested by Gerard’s younger brother, Mikey. The younger Way brother started playing bass with them, and soon they got Frank a couple months later to fill out the other guitar spot. He happened to be in another band that had helped them get some of their first shows. When the band broke up their first instinct was to use him. Frank was already a fan of the band and an excellent guitar player. They were all in that stage of their life where you are kind of at that crossroads where you can either go one way or another. It worked out that they could all come together and form My Chemical Romance. They were extremely lucky to find each other and are even luckier to be where they are now.
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| Making Big |
Gerard Way (vocals), and his brother Mikey (bass), are two of the group  members, as well as Frank Iero (guitar), Ray Toro (guitar) and Bob Bryar (drums). This particular band says they emerged from the New York/New Jersey Punk Scene, which had a major influence on them as teenagers. Guitarist Frank Iero has been in bands since he was 11 years old, being allowed to practice in the basement as long as his schoolwork was getting done. My Chemical Romance has been through a lot of labels, first being called "emo", moving onto "vampire and zombie" rock. They believe if you like the record, you like it, whatever it is. Their sound has been describes as Queen meets the Misfits. The band has been banned from Orange County, CA. My Chemical Romance were the surprise breakthrough act of 2005, gaining themselves the highly coveted support slot on the last Green Day world tour. Following the success of "Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge", the band began recording their follow-up record in April of 2006. Tentatively titled "The Rise And Fall Of My Chemical Romance," the real title, "The Black Parade" was announced in August of 2006 by Gerard while performing at the Hammersmith Palais in London. Having reached the #1 chart position in numerous countries and selling over $380, 000 copies in it's first week alone, The Black Parade is set to define My Chemical Romance as the artists for the new generation.
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VITAL STATS Gerard Way Information |
Birth name:
| Gerard Arthur Way | Eye color:
| Hazel | | Nickname(s): | Gee
Frerard
Gery | Birth Date:
| April 9, 1977
| | Birth Place: | Newark, NJ | Height: 5'7
| 5'7"
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Education:
| High School: Belleville High School
University: the School of Visual Arts in New York City
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Family:
| Father: Donald Way
Mother: Donna
Brother: Mikey Way (bassist, My Chemical Romance)
Girlfriend: Eliza Cuts (hairdresser, broken engagement)
Wife: Lyn Z(bassist, m. 4-Sep-2007, per San Francisco Chronicle, one daughter)
Daughter: Bandit Lee Way (b. 27-May-2009) | Ethnicity:
| White
| | Religious affiliations: | Roman Catholic | | Nationality: | American | | Personal interests/hobbies: |
| | Charities/Causes: |
| | Other: |
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| Make Up and Body Arts |
Way is known to wear heavy eye shadow during his band's concerts, but has been seen with a thick black strip along his eyes, during the Taste Of Chaos Tour 2005. He is deathly afraid of needles, so he doesn't have any piercings or tattoos. Nipple rings freak him out. Marilyn Manson has been quoted saying that he would kick Gerard’s ass if he ever got the chance for stealing his makeup style |
| Trivia |
He used to be a little bit heavier weight wise.
Gerard Founded MCR with original drummer Matt Pelisser.
He doesn't like physical work.(manual labor)
He was going to be a cartoon artist.
He went to Art School in New York.
He once worked as a a cart boy/bagger at a Grocery store.
He smokes.
His mothers name is Donna.
He thinks that Brody Dalle from the distillers is HOT!
He claims he is not Goth but that MCR being labelled Goth is because of the song Vampires Will Never Hurt You.
His fathers name is Donald.
He is 1/2 Scottish (fathers side) and 1/2 Italian (mothers side).
He loves the issue of X-Men that Wolverine is being crucified to a wooden "X".
His favourite X-Men charector is Wolverine.
He loves theatre.
He also loves David Bowie (hey I do too)
His cartoon was named "The Breakfast Monkey"
He is very heavily infulenced by Iron Maiden.
He does take off the make up when he's not on stage.
He thinks of MCR as charectors or a "gang"
He actually sings during the making of their videos, he gives it 110%!
He says the reason for wearing so much black and red is because, to him those are the colors of a funeral.
Red and Black are also the MCR "gangs" colors, or so Gerard says.
He designed a shirt for for the band Thursday.
He is obsessed with death, and has been since he realized everyone has to die and everyone will die alone, he realized that at 8yrs old.
He is still in therapy and loves it!
His dream car is a Red Corvette liscenced plated "KNIVES"
He has had many "spooky" expiriences with Quijia boards.
He learned how to Draw, Sing, and Perform from his grandmother Elena.
He plays guitar.
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daniellaosborne42posted 210 days ago
