Gerard Way
Gerard Arthur Way (born April 9 1977) of Newark, New Jersey (later of Belleville, New Jersey) is frontman and co-founder of the band My Chemical Romance and brother to bandmate Mikey Way (bass).
Way had played in a band until his early teens, when he decided to turn toward graphical arts, another of his creative outlets. He graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1999 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. In 2001, Way tried to sell an animated television series to the Cartoon Network[1] called The Breakfast Monkey[2] about a Scandinavian flying imp with a power called "Breakfast Magic", allowing him to create and wield various breakfast foods. Cartoon Network turned down the pitch because it was too similar to Aqua Teen Hunger Force, then already in production.[3]
Way was discouraged by the failure of his cartoon concept. As a resident of New York City, the 9/11 attacks affected Way deeply. Wanting to move his life in a new direction, he found himself motivated to form the band. Way brought together Ray Toro, Matt Pelissier, Frank Iero, and his own brother, Mikey, to play gigs along the east coast, and the band soon released its first album. Music turned out to be an effective means for Way to deal with depression, leading to deeply personal songs such as "Helena".[4]
Despite his success as a musician, Way has not left his drawing behind: He drew the cover art of the band's second album, Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge.
References
- ^ Alternative Press Magazine Issue #197 (December 2004), pp. 129-138
- ^ "Teen Titans" — Rolling Stone (2005-07-14)
- ^ Breakfast Monkey concept clip
- ^ Band biography from the All Music Guide