Questions
Who started Black Veil Brides and when?
Frontman Andy Biersack founded the band in 2006 in Cincinnati, Ohio, alongside Johnny Herold and Phil Cenedella. After relocating to Los Angeles, they adopted the Black Veil Brides name in 2009.
Where does the name Black Veil Brides come from?
According to bassist Ashley Purdy, it references a Catholic tradition in which women marry into the church and renounce worldly pleasures. He said it parallels rock musicians who sacrifice much in pursuit of what they are passionate about.
Didn’t Andy Biersack used to go by a different name?
Yes. He originally performed under the stage name Andy Six until 2011, when he switched to using his real surname.
What was the early song that put them on the map?
Their debut single Knives and Pens was released on June 17, 2009, and its music video reportedly went viral, helping build their early following.
When did their first album come out and how did it do?
We Stitch These Wounds arrived in 2010, sold over 10,000 copies in its first week, and reached number 36 on the Billboard 200.
What is their highest-charting album?
Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones (2013) peaked at number 7 on the Billboard 200.
Do the fans have a nickname?
Yes, the band’s devoted followers are known as the BVB Army.
Has Andy Biersack been injured on stage?
Reportedly, he fell from a pillar during a Warped Tour performance on June 18, 2011, breaking his ribs, and later broke his nose on a drum platform on October 25, 2011, forcing tour dates to be cancelled.
What’s the deal with the black makeup and glam look?
The band draws its aesthetic from 1980s glam metal acts like Kiss and Mötley Crüe, featuring black makeup, body paint, studded clothing, and long hair.
What is the story behind the song In the End?
It was the lead single from Wretched and Divine and served as a theme song for WWE’s Hell in a Cell event. It won Revolver Magazine’s Golden Gods Award for Song of the Year in 2013.
Have their songs appeared in big movies?
Yes. Their track Unbroken appeared on The Avengers (2012) soundtrack, and Set the World on Fire was featured in Transformers: Dark of the Moon.
Did they ever make a movie of their own?
Yes. Legion of the Black, a full-length film visualizing the concept behind Wretched and Divine, premiered in Los Angeles in December 2012 with a surprise appearance by Biersack.
What awards did they win early on?
In 2011 they won Revolver Magazine’s Golden Gods Award for Best New Artist and Kerrang!’s Best Newcomers, and drummer Christian Coma was named Drummer of the Year.
Has the lineup changed over the years?
Yes. Early drummer Sandra Alvarenga was replaced by Christian Coma shortly after the 2010 debut, and guitarists Chris Hollywood and Pan the Gypsy departed, with Jinxx and Jake Pitts stepping in.
