General Information
Gerard Backstage In 2005
Gerard Way, the vocalist in the band was born on April 9th 1977 in Newark, New Jersey. He is half Italien from his mothers side and half Scottish from his fathers side. He is brother to Mikey Way, who plays bass in the band. Gerard first began singing in fourth grade, when he played the part of Peter Pan in a school production of the play. His grandmother, Elena who also taught him to sing, was so excited about his role that she made him a costume that included green tights. After this Gerard turned his back on singing. He then decided to pursue graphic arts.
After graduating from high school in 1995, he attended School of Visual Arts in New York City graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1999. In 2001 Gerard came up with an idea for a cartoon television series called “The Breakfast Monkey” and took the idea to Cartoon Network, but the cartoon was turned down as it was too similar to another cartoon already in production called “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”. Gerard says that around then something in his head just clicked and he thought “fuck art”. Gerard was discouraged by the failure of his cartoon concept. Wanting to move his life in a new direction, he found himself motivated to form a band.
Influences
Trivia
Gerard became sober on August 11th 2004.
His favorite superhero is Wolverine.
His first concert was Bruce Springsteen, which he attended with his mother.
He used to work in Barnes And Noble with his younger brother Mikey.
Gerard wrote the song “Helena” about the loss of his grandmother Elena.
Injuries
Spinal sprain
Slipped disc
No reflex response
Liver damage
Alcohol
In mid 2004 Gerard’s addiction to alcohol became a problem. In late 2004 Gerard overcame his alcohol addiction and has been sober as of August 2004. In August each year many fans congratulate Gerard on overcoming his addiction. He now relies on coffee and Marlboro red cigarettes.
It was just a brief period where I got out of control, but you know I’m an alcoholic and I’ve been clean almost three years now, so that feels great, you know?, and I’m trying to think of the lows, the lows were just the servier depression and that feeling of helplessness, which is what drugs and alcohol do to you, you know?, there was cocaine, pills, booze. If not for the band I don’t actually know if I would have had a purpose or a reason to get clean, stay clean and continue to live. It’s the one thing that gave me a sense of importance or a sense of duty in a lot of ways actually, like I felt like I had a duty to the band.
Gerard Way – BBC Radio 1 Documentary – 2007
Rumors
In July 2006 a fake death statement was posted at various places on the internet:
On Thursday, July 10, 2008, Gerard Way was killed in a car crash near his home in New Jersey. Way was treated on the scene but died from his injuries in transit to the hospital. Local reports indicate that a truck lost control and swung across the road into the oncoming traffic, four other people are reported as having been admitted to the local hospital.
Gerard soon rectified this statement in a blog post on the official website on August 24th, 2008, 11:00pm where he stated:
Oh, and I heard a rumor that I died in a car accident. I didn’t.
Marriage
Gerard And Lindsey
On September 3rd 2007 Gerard married his long-term girlfriend Lindsey Ann Ballato after a concert in Denver, Colorado. A staff member, Amy, an employee of concert promoter Live Nation happened to be an ordained minister and married Gerard And Lindsay at a backstage ceremony. Lindsey Ballato is best know for being the bassist in the electronic punk rock band “Mindless Self Indulgence”. The pair are currently living together in Los Angeles, California.
When Gerard published The Umbrella Academy – Apocalypse Suite he published a short dedication to Lindsay. On the first page before the start of the graphic novel he wrote:
To my wife, Lindsey, for being my umbrella.
Fatherhood
In late November Gerard announced through a representative that Lindsey and himself were expecting their first child. The baby was due to be born in early summer 2009.
On Wednesday 27th May 2009 at 2:57 PM Lindsey gave birth to a baby girl, Bandit Lee Way.
The first to share the news was Twitter user LeVar Burton who posted the following on Wednesday May 27th 2009 at 5:47pm:
Congrats to my friends Gerard and Lindsey who are first time parents as of 2:57pm PST. Welcome Bandit Lee Way…! You are such a Blessing!!
Mikey then posted the same message on his Twitter page just two minuites later at 5:49pm.
The next day, Thursday 28th May 2009 at 2:01am Alicia Way posted the following message on her Twitter page:
Life rules. What an awesome day. Bandit has finally arrived, and she’s the basically, most amazing thing ever. I love our growing lil family!!
In the morning of Thursday 28th May 2009 at 11:35 AM a representative confirmed to People.com that Gerard and Lindsey had given birth:
“Gerard and Lindsey Way welcomed their first child on May 27,” the rep said. “Their daughter, Bandit Lee Way, was born in Los Angeles at 2:57 p.m. and weighs 6 lbs., 5.6 oz. Everyone is healthy and happy.”
People.com – Thursday May 28, 2009 11:35 AM
Gerard took a long Twitter break following the arrival of Bandit. It was not until August 13th 2009 at 10:15 PM that he updated his Twitter:
back in the mix…been a long time…ready to rock!
10:15 PM Aug 13th from web
The following day, August 14th 2009 at 5:52pm he posted an update at mychemicalromance.com about his comeback:
I’m back!
What to say?
Things have been crazy- but most importantly I’m a fucking DAD!
Back in Los Angeles and fighting off the jet-lag from Tokyo, though it seems I am slipping out of my coma.
I apologize for the radio silence, but I generally shut-down when we are working on a new album, and adjusting to the new addition in my life has kept me very busy. But I think it’s almost time to put this record to bed, though it doesn’t sleep- it thrashes.
I want to thank my beautiful wife for creating with me the most special little person I have ever met.
Here is a depiction by my favorite artist, Mr. Gabriel Ba’…
xo
g
drinkingsouls 