Black Veil Brides
Encyclopedia
Black Veil Brides is an American rock
band based out of Hollywood, California
. The group is composed of Andrew Biersack (lead vocals), Ashley Purdy (bass, backing vocals), Jake Pitts (lead guitar), Jinxx (guitar, violin), and Christian "CC" Coma (drums). Black Veil Brides are known for their distinct appearance, mainly being inspired by Kiss
' stage persona as well as numerous 1980s glam metal
acts.
. They were soon contacted via MySpace
by Nate Shipp (guitar) and Chris Riesenberg (drums).They started gaining recognition for the song "Knives and Pens". The music video has gained over 32,000,000 views over YouTube
.
In late November 2009, David "Pan" Burton left the group due to differences in direction and clashes between members. Shortly after his departure he began the project House of Glass with previous Black Veil Brides guitarist, Chris "Hollywood" Bluser. Demos were posted on Myspace, with lyrics written by Biersack. Black Veil Brides responded, saying that the demos were from their upcoming debut album and that Pan had recorded his vocals over them. Pan claimed he'd written the songs before joining the band and that these demos were the way the songs were originally intended to be. Due to these demos being released before We Stitch These Wounds
, the band changed the titles of the songs "Funeral in Flames" to "Beautiful Remains" and "Alive and Burning" to "All Your Hate". However, "Sweet Blasphemy" remained the same.
In September 2009, using the current name, Black Veil Brides signed with the independent label StandBy Records
. The writing process for a tour and a record began immediately. In December 2009, the band embarked on their first US tour entitled "On Leather Wings".
The group's debut album We Stitch These Wounds
was released July 13, 2010 and sold over 10,000 copies in its first week, ranking at #36 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, and #1 on the Billboard Independent chart. In late 2010, Black Veil Brides went on tour with bands The Birthday Massacre
, Dommin
and Aural Vampire
.
Black Veil Brides first came to the attention of Lava Records president Jason Flom
when the chief music officer at Hot Topic
, John Kirkpatrick, told him about the incredible buzz that building around the band, with their t-shirt attracting the second biggest sales in the country at that point. What was even more impressive was that they had built their fanatical following in a "DIY" fashion, such as in making their own self-funded videos. When Flom then heard their music and met the group, he decided that they were exactly what he'd been looking for, later commenting to HitQuarters
:
Flom then made a deal with Neil Sheehan, founder of StandBy Records, to sign the band over to Lava.
in the "God Save The Scream Tour" 2011 and also toured America on the AP Tour from March 18 to May 6. The band will continue on to the Vans Warped Tour, beginning June 24, 2011 and ending August 14 of the same year. It has also been released that the band will be performing at festivals such as the Download Festival
in the UK and Bamboozle
. On April 20, it was revealed the band had won the Revolver Magazine's Golden Gods Award for Best New Artist, Kerrang! UK Rock Magazine Best Newcomers, and were nominated for Kerrang! Best International Newcomer.
The band's second studio album, Set the World on Fire
was released on June 14, 2011 by Lava Music
/Universal Republic Records
. The cover art was released in April. The title track from Set the World on Fire
was planned for use in the movie Scream 4
. At the news of the song not being used the band released a statement and an extended song preview. It was later announced on May 23 that the song will be featured in the Transformers: Dark of the Moon movie.
A clip of the album's lead single, "Fallen Angels", was released in late April. It was then fully released in the UK on May 1. The US release was pushed from May 3 to May 10 to be given for free with the pre-order of Set the World on Fire
on iTunes
. As a result of "Fallen Angels" being delayed a preview of the song "Youth and Whisky" was released on May 3. The album's next single was Legacy
with a music video filmed by Patrick Fogarty, and Premiered on YouTube
on June 6, 2011. The band played at the Rock am Ring
festival at the Nürburgring
motorsport complex in Nürburg
, Germany
in June 2011. Their 3rd single from Set the World on Fire
was Rebel Love Song, which also had a music video directed by Patrick Fogarty. It was released on youtube October 19th. On October 25th, the band announced that they had to cancel tour dates for "Certain Reasons". It was later announced that it was because Andy Biersack had hit the drum set rising platform during a performance and broke his nose. Despite the injury, he was determined to finish the show, though people noticing him having difficulty breathing and talking. After a visit from the doctor, he was told to sit back for a few weeks to rest and heal. They announced that they would return to tour for the beginning of the Buried Alive Tour with Avenged Sevenfold
, Asking Alexandria
, and Hollywood Undead
. It was also announced via Andy's twitter that they will be releasing an EP entitled "Rebels". They released a trailer for it on YouTube which shows Andy recording vocals for their cover of "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol. Rebels will be released on Christmas. Another trailer for the EP was released which Andy gives a little bit more details about it. And the final trailer about the EP was release on Nov. 14 getting in to detail about the track (Coffin) left over from their previous album.
Regarding the bands next album, Jinxx and Jake told Chris Droney in an interview for Glasswerk National that the band are constantly writing new music, and are planning on recording their next major LP in April, 2012. There was also a tease of a guest guitarist appearing on the album, though no name was mentioned as of October 31st, 2011.
Former members
Singles
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band based out of Hollywood, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The group is composed of Andrew Biersack (lead vocals), Ashley Purdy (bass, backing vocals), Jake Pitts (lead guitar), Jinxx (guitar, violin), and Christian "CC" Coma (drums). Black Veil Brides are known for their distinct appearance, mainly being inspired by Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
' stage persona as well as numerous 1980s glam metal
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
acts.
Early years, record deal and debut album (2006–2010)
Black Veil Brides was founded during 2006 using the name Brides with members Andy Biersack (lead vocals), Johnny Herold (guitar), and Phil Cenedella (bass) in Delhi, OhioDelhi Township, Hamilton County, Ohio
Delhi Township is one of the twelve townships of Hamilton County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 30,104 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the southwestern part of the county along the Ohio River, it has the following borders:...
. They were soon contacted via MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
by Nate Shipp (guitar) and Chris Riesenberg (drums).They started gaining recognition for the song "Knives and Pens". The music video has gained over 32,000,000 views over YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
.
In late November 2009, David "Pan" Burton left the group due to differences in direction and clashes between members. Shortly after his departure he began the project House of Glass with previous Black Veil Brides guitarist, Chris "Hollywood" Bluser. Demos were posted on Myspace, with lyrics written by Biersack. Black Veil Brides responded, saying that the demos were from their upcoming debut album and that Pan had recorded his vocals over them. Pan claimed he'd written the songs before joining the band and that these demos were the way the songs were originally intended to be. Due to these demos being released before We Stitch These Wounds
We Stitch These Wounds
We Stitch These Wounds is the debut studio album by American band Black Veil Brides, released through StandBy Records on July 20, 2010...
, the band changed the titles of the songs "Funeral in Flames" to "Beautiful Remains" and "Alive and Burning" to "All Your Hate". However, "Sweet Blasphemy" remained the same.
In September 2009, using the current name, Black Veil Brides signed with the independent label StandBy Records
StandBy Records
StandBy Records is a record company based in Cleveland, Ohio, founded by Nick Moore, lead singer of Before Their Eyes in 2007 . Moore sold the company to Neil Sheehan, owner of HM-Live in 2008 because he was to busy with Before Their Eyes. Sheehan introduced StandBy Urban as part of the label for...
. The writing process for a tour and a record began immediately. In December 2009, the band embarked on their first US tour entitled "On Leather Wings".
The group's debut album We Stitch These Wounds
We Stitch These Wounds
We Stitch These Wounds is the debut studio album by American band Black Veil Brides, released through StandBy Records on July 20, 2010...
was released July 13, 2010 and sold over 10,000 copies in its first week, ranking at #36 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, and #1 on the Billboard Independent chart. In late 2010, Black Veil Brides went on tour with bands The Birthday Massacre
The Birthday Massacre
The Birthday Massacre is a synthrock band, based in Toronto, Canada. The band formed in 1999, known then as Imagica...
, Dommin
Dommin
Dommin is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California, consisting of Kristofer Dommin on vocals and guitar, Billy James on bass, Konstantine on keyboards, and Cameron Morris on drums...
and Aural Vampire
Aural Vampire
is a Japanese darkwave music duo consisting of Exo-Chika and Raveman . They hail from Tokyo, Japan and compose mainly darkwave music. Aural Vampire has toured Europe numerous times and been featured in magazines such as Astan Magazine and The Dose...
.
Black Veil Brides first came to the attention of Lava Records president Jason Flom
Jason Flom
Jason Flom is an American music industry executive. He has served as the Chairman and CEO of music labels including Atlantic Records, Virgin Records, and the Capitol Music Group. In 1995, he founded Lava Records...
when the chief music officer at Hot Topic
Hot Topic
Hot Topic is an American retail chain specializing in music and pop culture-related clothing and accessories, as well as licensed music on CD. The majority of the stores are located in regional shopping malls. The first Hot Topic store was opened in 1988 by Orv Madden, who retired as CEO in 2000...
, John Kirkpatrick, told him about the incredible buzz that building around the band, with their t-shirt attracting the second biggest sales in the country at that point. What was even more impressive was that they had built their fanatical following in a "DIY" fashion, such as in making their own self-funded videos. When Flom then heard their music and met the group, he decided that they were exactly what he'd been looking for, later commenting to HitQuarters
HitQuarters
HitQuarters is an international music industry publication and contact database founded in 1999. It is noted for in-depth interviews with industry figures, with past subjects including Simon Cowell, Martin Kierszenbaum, Jason Flom, Diane Warren, Peter Edge, Ron Fair and RedOne, as well as its A&R...
:
"They are bringing back what has been missing for over a decade: they are rock heroes that are truly larger than life. The make-up, the hair, the leather, and most importantly they have great songs, great playing …"
Flom then made a deal with Neil Sheehan, founder of StandBy Records, to sign the band over to Lava.
Future events and Set the World on Fire (2011–onward)
Black Veil Brides supported the MurderdollsMurderdolls
Murderdolls is an American horror punk supergroup, founded during 2002 in Hollywood, California. The band line-up consists of core members Wednesday 13 and Joey Jordison. Former members include Ben Graves, Acey Slade, Eric Griffin & Tripp Eisen....
in the "God Save The Scream Tour" 2011 and also toured America on the AP Tour from March 18 to May 6. The band will continue on to the Vans Warped Tour, beginning June 24, 2011 and ending August 14 of the same year. It has also been released that the band will be performing at festivals such as the Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
in the UK and Bamboozle
The Bamboozle
The Bamboozle is an annual rain-or-shine, three-day music festival held in New Jersey. Every year, new bands compete for spots during the two days. The event evolved out of the Skate and Surf Festival.- The Characters:...
. On April 20, it was revealed the band had won the Revolver Magazine's Golden Gods Award for Best New Artist, Kerrang! UK Rock Magazine Best Newcomers, and were nominated for Kerrang! Best International Newcomer.
The band's second studio album, Set the World on Fire
Set the World on Fire (Black Veil Brides album)
-Recording:The album was recorded at the Pulse Recording Studio in Los Angeles, CA over a period of several months, and was roughly finished in the Spring of 2011 under the supervision of Josh Abraham...
was released on June 14, 2011 by Lava Music
Lava Records
Lava Records is an American based record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated through Universal Republic Records.-Company history:...
/Universal Republic Records
Universal Republic
Universal Republic Records is a record label, owned by Universal Music Group. It is based on the now-defunct Republic Records label founded by brothers Monte and Avery Lipman...
. The cover art was released in April. The title track from Set the World on Fire
Set the World on Fire (Black Veil Brides album)
-Recording:The album was recorded at the Pulse Recording Studio in Los Angeles, CA over a period of several months, and was roughly finished in the Spring of 2011 under the supervision of Josh Abraham...
was planned for use in the movie Scream 4
Scream 4
Scream 4 is a 2011 American slasher horror film and the fourth installment in the Scream film series. Directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson, writer of Scream and Scream 2, the film stars an ensemble cast which includes David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Emma Roberts,...
. At the news of the song not being used the band released a statement and an extended song preview. It was later announced on May 23 that the song will be featured in the Transformers: Dark of the Moon movie.
A clip of the album's lead single, "Fallen Angels", was released in late April. It was then fully released in the UK on May 1. The US release was pushed from May 3 to May 10 to be given for free with the pre-order of Set the World on Fire
Set the World on Fire (Black Veil Brides album)
-Recording:The album was recorded at the Pulse Recording Studio in Los Angeles, CA over a period of several months, and was roughly finished in the Spring of 2011 under the supervision of Josh Abraham...
on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
. As a result of "Fallen Angels" being delayed a preview of the song "Youth and Whisky" was released on May 3. The album's next single was Legacy
The Legacy (song)
"The Legacy" is the fourth single by American rock band, Black Veil Brides, and the second single from their second album Set the World on Fire....
with a music video filmed by Patrick Fogarty, and Premiered on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
on June 6, 2011. The band played at the Rock am Ring
Rock am Ring
The Rock am Ring and Rock im Park festivals are two simultaneous rock music festivals held annually in Germany....
festival at the Nürburgring
Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
motorsport complex in Nürburg
Nürburg
Nürburg is a town in the German district of Ahrweiler, in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. It is also the name of the local castle, Burg Nürburg , which was built in the High Middle Ages. The town is best known for its 24 kilometer race track, the Nürburgring...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in June 2011. Their 3rd single from Set the World on Fire
Set the World on Fire (Black Veil Brides album)
-Recording:The album was recorded at the Pulse Recording Studio in Los Angeles, CA over a period of several months, and was roughly finished in the Spring of 2011 under the supervision of Josh Abraham...
was Rebel Love Song, which also had a music video directed by Patrick Fogarty. It was released on youtube October 19th. On October 25th, the band announced that they had to cancel tour dates for "Certain Reasons". It was later announced that it was because Andy Biersack had hit the drum set rising platform during a performance and broke his nose. Despite the injury, he was determined to finish the show, though people noticing him having difficulty breathing and talking. After a visit from the doctor, he was told to sit back for a few weeks to rest and heal. They announced that they would return to tour for the beginning of the Buried Alive Tour with Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1999, the group consists of vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ....
, Asking Alexandria
Asking Alexandria
Asking Alexandria are a British metalcore band from York, North Yorkshire. Founded in 2008 when Ben Bruce contacted his old companions upon returning to the UK after residing in Dubai...
, and Hollywood Undead
Hollywood Undead
Hollywood Undead is an American rap rock band from Los Angeles, California. They released their debut album, Swan Songs, on September 2, 2008, and their live CD/DVD Desperate Measures, on November 10, 2009. Their second studio album, American Tragedy, was released April 5, 2011...
. It was also announced via Andy's twitter that they will be releasing an EP entitled "Rebels". They released a trailer for it on YouTube which shows Andy recording vocals for their cover of "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol. Rebels will be released on Christmas. Another trailer for the EP was released which Andy gives a little bit more details about it. And the final trailer about the EP was release on Nov. 14 getting in to detail about the track (Coffin) left over from their previous album.
Regarding the bands next album, Jinxx and Jake told Chris Droney in an interview for Glasswerk National that the band are constantly writing new music, and are planning on recording their next major LP in April, 2012. There was also a tease of a guest guitarist appearing on the album, though no name was mentioned as of October 31st, 2011.
Band members
Current members- Andy Biersack – lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
(2006-present), bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2006–2009) - Jake Pitts – lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
(2009-present) - Jinxx – rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
(2009-present) - Ashley Purdy – bass, backing vocals (2009-present)
- Christian "Coma" Mora – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussion (2010-present)
Former members
- Sandra Alvarenga – drums, percussion (2008–2010)
- Chris "Hollywood" Bluser – lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, backing vocals (2008–2009) - David "Pan" Burton – rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
(2008–2009) - Johnny Herold – lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
(2006–2008) - Nate Shipp – rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, backing vocals (2007–2008) - Phil Cenedella – bass, backing vocals (2006–2008)
- Chris "Craven" Riesenberg – drums, percussion (2007–2008)
Discography
Albums/EPs| Date | Album | Label | Peak chart positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US Independent Independent Albums The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels... |
UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
UK Rock UK Rock Chart The UK Rock Chart usually refers to the Top 40 Rock Singles and the Top 40 Rock Albums Chart compiled by the Official Charts Company from physical record sales in British retail outlets with larger than average genrespecific sales.... |
||||
| 2007 | Sex & Hollywood (EP) | Self-released | — | — | — | — | |
| 2010 | We Stitch These Wounds We Stitch These Wounds We Stitch These Wounds is the debut studio album by American band Black Veil Brides, released through StandBy Records on July 20, 2010... |
StandBy StandBy Records StandBy Records is a record company based in Cleveland, Ohio, founded by Nick Moore, lead singer of Before Their Eyes in 2007 . Moore sold the company to Neil Sheehan, owner of HM-Live in 2008 because he was to busy with Before Their Eyes. Sheehan introduced StandBy Urban as part of the label for... |
36 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2011 | Set the World on Fire Set the World on Fire (Black Veil Brides album) -Recording:The album was recorded at the Pulse Recording Studio in Los Angeles, CA over a period of several months, and was roughly finished in the Spring of 2011 under the supervision of Josh Abraham... |
Lava Lava Records Lava Records is an American based record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated through Universal Republic Records.-Company history:... |
17 | — | 54 | 3 | |
| 2011 | Rebels (EP) | — | — | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes a release that did not chart. | |||||||
Singles
| Year | Title | US Main. |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Knives and Pens" | |
Never Give In (EP) |
| "Perfect Weapon" | |
We Stitch These Wounds We Stitch These Wounds We Stitch These Wounds is the debut studio album by American band Black Veil Brides, released through StandBy Records on July 20, 2010... |
|
| 2011 | "Fallen Angels" | |
Set the World on Fire Set the World on Fire (Black Veil Brides album) -Recording:The album was recorded at the Pulse Recording Studio in Los Angeles, CA over a period of several months, and was roughly finished in the Spring of 2011 under the supervision of Josh Abraham... |
| "The Legacy The Legacy (song) "The Legacy" is the fourth single by American rock band, Black Veil Brides, and the second single from their second album Set the World on Fire.... " |
|
||
| "Rebel Love Song" | |
||
Videography
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "Knives and Pens" | Patrick Fogarty |
| 2010 | "Perfect Weapon" | |
| 2011 | "Fallen Angels" | Nathan Cox |
| "The Legacy" | Patrick Fogarty | |
| "Rebel Love Song" |