BIO

Black Veil Brides started in 2006 when 15-year-old vocalist, Andy Biersack, began seeking players to create a vision of a modern day heavy metal band, combining the theatrics and passion of Misfits, Mötley Crüe, and Kiss, with lyrical content that pertains to the downtrodden outcasts of society. The goal was to create songs that could be a rallying cry for the disenfranchised, and bring back the community and passion that was once so prevalent in rock and roll.

Early on the band went through various member changes, but it wasn’t until 2009 when Andy moved to Los Angeles and met drummer, Sandra Alva, that the vision started to come into fruition. The band wasn’t even fully formed when Andy met a director Patrick Fogarty who offered him to make a video. They created a video for the song “Knives and Pens”, a song that spoke of the difficulty of growing up as an outcast, and the struggles that face youth on a day-to-day basis. The video amassed thousands of plays within the first week alone, and by the time the video was on YouTube for a month it had already reached views in the millions!

Several weeks later, Andy began the hunt to find members to fill out the band. Soon there after, Andy contacted bassist Ashley Purdy, through an internet ad. The three members instantly got on the same page about the image and direction that the band needed to go in, and together they were able to shape the concept and visual imagery of the band.

Still on the look out for players that both musically and visually complimented the three of them, they eventually recruited guitarist, Jinxx. Jinxx’s classical background helped to add a new dimension to the line up, however the band felt they were still missing a shredder, someone who could bring the heavy metal sound they were looking for. It was then that Jinxx recommended his buddy, Jake Pitts. After meeting with Jake and seeing his musicianship, the band then knew they had all the key players to round out an all-star line up. Each member would bring something special to the table, and help Black Veil Brides to become the band that could bring about a change in heavy metal music.

The writing process for a tour and a record began immediately. In a span of two weeks, the band had a set list ready to go, and hit the road. Their first tour, the “On Leather Wings” tour was a total success. Eager fans awaited their live debut performance with sold out shows across the United States. During this time, plays on the band’s MySpace were consistently toping 10k a day, and the views for the “Knives and Pens” video on YouTube were at nearly 5 million! The band found themselves repeatedly in the “top artists” charts on Myspace.com and watched the number of Black Veil Brides supporters grow!

After heading home from the successful tour, Black Veil Brides immediately hit the recording studio to begin their debut album, We Stitch These Wounds.

At this same time Black Veil Brides had their first shirt in Hot Topic stores regionally, and could not keep them on the shelves. As the band began their next tour as a supporting act during the “Royal Family” tour, they found the dedicated and loyal fan base and demographic growing. Again they were exceeding expectations in ticket and merchandise sales. This, in turn, allowed the band to have another tee-shirt put in Hot Topic stores nationally, which also sold out in stores and online.

Black Veil Brides released their debut album We Stitch These Wounds, in July 2010, accompanied by a video for the single, “Perfect Weapon“. The album sold nearly 11,000 copies in its first week, reaching the position of #36 of the Chart Billboard 200 and #1 Independent Release.

We Stitch These Wounds was followed by major label debut Set the World on Fire (released June 2011), that involved new drummer Christian “CC” Coma who replaced Sandra after her departure in August 2010. The album features such singles as “Fallen Angels“, “The Legacy” or “Rebel Love Song“.

Later that year, on December 13, the band release the EP Rebels, featuring three songs including two covers (Billy Idol’s Rebel Yell and Unholy, originally by Kiss) and the brand new single Coffin.

The fourth full-length album “Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones” featuring the hit single “In The End hit the stores January 8, 2013. The album was produced by John Feldman and featured guest vocals by William Control (ex-Aiden), Bert McCracken (The Used) and Juliet Simms (Automatic Loveletter). It is accompanied by movie “Legion of the Black” which premiered in Los Angeles, California on December 21, 2012 and was also available on pay-per-view basis on the bands Facebook page January 6 and the following weekend.

Black Veil Brides are: 

Andy Biersack
Ashley Purdy
CC
Jake Pitts 
Jinxx

Biography written and translated by Kristina Klarissa Sixx for Black Veil Brides CZ.
© Black Veil Brides CZ & Kristina Klarissa Sixx 2011 – 2013. All Rights Reserved.

The above biography is copyrighted. Do not republish it without permission.