Andy Biersack

Andy Biersack

Andy Biersack performing with Black Veil Brides in New York on January 25, 2013
Background information
Birth name Andrew Dennis Biersack
Also known as Andy Six,[1] Andy Black , The Prophet
Born December 26, 1990
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Genres Glam metal, hard rock, melodic metalcore (early), post-hardcore (early)[2][3][4]
Occupation(s) Musician, singer, pianist
Instruments Vocals, piano, synthesizers, bass guitar
Years active 2006-Present
Labels Lava, Universal Republic, Standby
Associated acts Black Veil Brides

Andrew Dennis "Andy" Biersack (born December 26, 1990) is an American singer and pianist. He is the founder and lead vocalist for the American rock band Black Veil Brides, and is its only remaining original member. In May 2014, he started a solo music project under the moniker Andy Black. As a kid, Andy grew up listening to and was influenced by bands such as Kiss and Mötley Crüe and wanted to create a band that would be a combination of the bands he loved.

Early life and education

Biersack was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.[5]

For his early education, Biersack attended a Catholic elementary school, which he has spoken of in many interviews. His preschool teacher was Jamie Peters, who had a big influence on his creativity. Because of the way Andy dressed and the music he listened to (i.e. The Misfits, Avenged Sevenfold, The Damned, The Dropkick Murphys, etc.), he was the target of bullying at school. This bullying is reenacted in the "Knives and Pens" music video,[6] performed by his band, Black Veil Brides.

For high school, Biersack attended Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts, and majored in drama and vocal music. Two days after he turned 18, he left school before graduating to move to Los Angeles in hopes of furthering his potential career.[7]

Music career

Biersack (2006)

At age 14, Andy Biersack and a few of his friends formed their first band, called "Biersack" (although they only played one show).[8] This project eventually grew into what would later be known as Black Veil Brides.

Black Veil Brides (2006/2009-present)

Main article: Black Veil Brides

In September 2009 Black Veil Brides signed with the independent label StandBy Records.[9] The writing process for a tour and a record began immediately. In 2009 they released their first music video for "Knives and Pens", which to date has garnered over 60 million views. The band embarked on their first US tour, titled "On Leather Wings". Their debut album, We Stitch These Wounds, was released July 20, 2010 and sold over 10,000 copies in its first week, ranking at No. 36 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and No. 1 on the Billboard Independent chart.[10] The band's second studio album, Set the World on Fire, was released on June 14, 2011 through Lava Music/Universal Republic Records.[11] The band's third album, Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones, was released on January 8, 2013.[12] Their fourth and most recent self-titled album was released on October 27, 2014.

Andy Black (2014-present)

On May 2014, Biersack revealed to Kerrang! magazine that he had been working on new music outside of Black Veil Brides under the moniker 'Andy Black'. He explained that his solo project will have a radically different sound compared to the band, and that he felt he couldn't create that sound within the band, thus deciding to take it on as a solo artist. Andy's inspiration for this project was his love for '80s synth and goth music. He will be working with former Black Veil Brides producer John Feldmann. Despite this project, he reassured his fans that this does not mean this is his primary focus, but rather more of a hobby or a side-project.[13] On May 19, 2014 he premiered his first song, titled "They Don't Need to Understand", online with a music video via Hot Topic.[14]

Acting career

After his move to Los Angeles, California, he took up acting for a short time. He had a small part in the AT&T commercial "Confetti", as well as a 30-second spot in the Montana Meth commercial "Jumped". Andy guest stars in the Funny or Die web series Average Joe on YouTube.[15] He also starred in the Black Veil Brides full-length feature film, Legion of the Black, which was released on January 6, 2013, to support the band's third album. .[16]

Personal life

Religious views

In an interview with Loudwire, Biersack said, "I’m not a religious person but I grew up in a religious family. I went to the funeral for my grandfather, a person that I love very much, and everyone is speaking about how he went to Heaven and how he’s in Heaven. I always fight with that, because I would love nothing more to believe that my grandfather is in the clouds playing Xbox 460 [sic] or whatever awesome stuff they have up in Heaven, but I can’t."[17]

Stage injuries

Biersack has suffered quite a few injuries while performing with Black Veil Brides, most notably his fall from a 30-foot (9.1 m) pillar on June 18, 2011 in Hollywood. In an attempt to jump back onto the stage, he fell forward and hit his ribcage, knees and skull on the edge, which resulted in 3 ribs shattered (3 lower left), and one displaced.[18][19] That particular injury caused Black Veil Brides to have to miss the first week of the Vans Warped Tour in 2011.[20] On October 26, 2011, while on another tour in the UK, Biersack broke his nose on the drum riser while performing a gig in Luxembourg, resulting in more missed tour dates. However, two days later, he performed with Black Veil Brides in London.[21][22]

In an interview with Revolver Magazine, Biersack stated:

“ I never anticipated seeing 40. I smoke two packs a day and drink like a camel. I just don’t really think about death. I know I’m gonna die one day, but if I can achieve all of my goals and live exactly the way I want to before then, I’ll have no regrets when I die. I don’t try to hurt myself like Iggy Pop or Marilyn Manson or anything — it’s just the byproduct of the chaos of being on stage.[22] ”

Title change

Biersack's stage name was previously "Andy Six"[1] up until around 2011 when he decided that he preferred to be called by his birth name, Andy Biersack; however, he still accepts "Six" as a nickname. He also uses the alias "Andy Black" for his solo project.

Discography

With Black Veil Brides

Singles

Song Year Album
"They Don't Need To Understand" 2014 TBA

As featured artist

Song Year Artist Album
"Asshole" 2014 Ronnie Radke Watch Me - Mixtape[23]

Music videos

Song Year Album Director Type Link
"They Don't Need To Understand" 2014 TBA Patrick Fogarty Performance
"Bad Girls Club" 2013 Fashionably Late Unknown Visual Presents - Featured
"Asshole" 2014 TBA Unknown Performance - Featured

Accolades

Year Nominated work Award Result Place
2011 Andy Biersack Revolver Magazine's 100 Greatest Living Rock Stars 2011[24][25] Won —
2012 Andy Biersack Revolver Magazine's Golden God Awards: Best Vocalist 2012[26] Nominated —
2012 Andy Biersack Kerrang! Award for Hottest Male 2012[27] Nominated —
2012 Andy Biersack Kerrang!'s 50 Greatest Rock Stars in the World Today Won 4th
"—" denotes a nomination that did not place or places were not relevant in the award.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Karan, Tim (2011-04-13). "Black Veil Brides vocalist Andy Six to go by actual last name". Altpress.com. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  2. ↑ Lymangrover, Jason (June 14, 2011). "Set the World on Fire – Black Veil Brides : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". Allmusic.
  3. ↑ "Black Veil Brides Drop Debut Album". Guitar World. April 14, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Black Veil Brides – Set the World on Fire CD Album". Cduniverse.com. June 14, 2011.
  5. ↑ APTV: The Making Of Andy Biersack (Part 1 of 5) on YouTube from 0:45 to 1:40. Alternative Press. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  6. ↑ Black Veil Brides (2009). Black Veil Brides "Knives and Pens" OFFICIAL VIDEO. Retrieved January 2014.
  7. ↑ Petteri Pertola (June 8, 2011). "Black Veil Brides - Rockfreaks.net". Rockfreaks.net. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  8. ↑ April 6, 2011 (2011-04-06). "Black Veil Brides Interview". UGO.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  9. ↑ Black Veil Brides featured in Billboard Magazine TheGauntlet.com 2010-07-08. Retrieved 2010-11-18
  10. ↑ "Black Veil Brides We Stitch These Wounds Awards". Allmusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  11. ↑ Heisel, Scott. "Black Veil Brides - Set The World On Fire". AltPress.com. AltPress. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  12. ↑ Ableson, Jon. "Black Veil Brides Announce New Album "Wretched And Divine: The Story Of The Wild Ones" Release Date; Reveal Track Listing". Alterthepress.com. Alter the Press. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  13. ↑ Bryant, Tom (17 May 2014). "Back In Black". Kerrang!. p. 05.
  14. ↑ Carter, Emily. "Andy Biersack Streams First Song from Solo Project Andy Black". Kerrang.com. Kerrang!. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  15. ↑ . Funny or Die.
  16. ↑ RockRevolt Magazine (2013-01-17). "January/February 2013 Digital issue: BLACK VEIL BRIDES". RockRevolt Magazine™.
  17. ↑ Liz Ramanand (December 13, 2012). "Black Veil Brides Singer Andy Biersack: I Think Everybody Is 'Wretched and Divine'". Loudwire. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Black Veil Brides' Andy Biersack shatters four ribs after 15 foot fall - video | News". Nme.Com. 2011-06-20. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  19. ↑ "Black Veil Brides lead singer Andy Biersack... - BryanStars Interviews". Bryanstars.com. 2011-06-19. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  20. ↑ "Alternative Press | Features | Exclusive Interview: Andy Biersack of Black Veil Brides discusses his fall, injuries". Altpress.com. 2011-06-22. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  21. ↑ "BLABBERMOUTH.NET - BLACK VEIL BRIDES Frontman Breaks Nose During Luxembourg Concert (Photo)". Legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Jon Wiederhorn (2011-12-14). "Black Veil Brides’ Andy Biersack Picks His Top Five Stage Injuries in 2011 - Revolver Magazine". Revolvermag.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  23. ↑ "Ronnie Radkes Mixtape Website". RonnieRadkeMixtape. Ronnie Radke. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  24. ↑ "Congrats To Revolver Magazine & Their 100th Issue m/ | PiercingMetal Musings". Piercingmetal.com. 2011-12-16. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  25. ↑ Brandon Geist (2011-12-13). "Revolver’s Mega 100th Issue—Featuring the 100 Greatest Living Rock Stars—on Newsstands Now - Revolver Magazine". Revolvermag.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  26. ↑ "Golden Gods 2012: The Winners | News @". Ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  27. ↑ "Kerrang! And the nominees are". Kerrang.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.

External links