All Access Exclusive - 10 Questions with Andy Biersack of Black Veil Brides

Left to Right: Jake Pitts – lead guitar, Lonny Eagleton – bass, Andy Biersack – lead vocals, Christian "CC" Coma – drums, and Jinxx – rhythm guitar, violin, backing vocals 

1) Where does this interview find you today? What's on the agenda besides this interview?

I'm in my house at my home studio where I record my podcast and radio show. I just finished a few design sketches for our next music video and I am digging around the internet for some vintage prop pieces that I hope to use but so far no luck.

2) When did you start putting the band together and how did you guys all meet?

I was about 15 when I started BVB initially with some friends in high school in Cincinnati so that would have been 2006. We played local battle of the bands and basement shows, things of that nature. I had visited Los Angeles the year prior to starting the band and felt right away that if I had any shot of finding fellow musicians who would take it seriously, I would need to move out west. At the time the band was a revolving door of local southern Ohio/northern Kentucky musicians and we did a bit of regional touring, but I could never get anyone to fully commit to this "life" as it were. I told everyone I was going to drop out of school and move to LA as soon as I turned 18 and that they were welcome to come with. When that day came nobody joined me. I found myself a high school dropout teenager in LA with no band members and no money, but I felt certain I could make it work if I stuck to it. I lived in my car and went around trying to find like- minded musicians. Over time I was fortunate enough to meet most of the current lineup and by 2010 we had an independent record deal and were touring year- round. We have spent the last ten years traveling the world together and have been fortunate to build a strong community of fans who have supported us and given us a shot at this dream. We now feel we finally have the lineup and the experience to be the best band we've ever been and are thrilled to release this upcoming record!

3) What was the first real exposure at Rock Radio and how did it feel the first time you heard your music played on the radio?

Growing up in Cincinnati the station I listened to the most was 102.7 WEBN. I can vividly remember sitting in my dad's car as we drove to "Riverbend Music Center" to see my first ever KISS concert and hearing the DJ on WEBN talking about the show and going into the KISS ALIVE! version of "rock and roll all nite" and feeling so incredibly excited to be going to the show and feeling like I was a part of this event! I am very fortunate to get to host my own show on WEBN during every NFL season as a lifelong Cincinnati Bengals fan. I get to do the rock and roll pregame show called "The Orange and Andy Black show" which having grown up listening to the station is a tremendous feeling. My first memory of hearing my music on the radio was getting on the tour bus somewhere in PA after a show, we stepped on and the driver started up the bus and all of a sudden we heard the opening chorus to our song "In the End" pumping from out of the bus speakers! We all huddled around the front of the bus absolutely mesmerized and thrilled to know OUR song was being played on the radio. It's an incredible feeling that I'll never take for granted.

4) Now let’s talk about your latest single “Scarlet Cross” which was recently released to Rock radio. What was the inspiration for this song?

We have always been a band that has a deep love for big anthemic rock and roll. Our heroes growing up were the bands whose songs made you want to join in and sing your heart out. That has always been our mission statement, we want to connect with people and give them a moment of joy and power within the context of our music. The power of raising your first and singing along with a message that says "I am proud of who I am" no matter what the world throws at you cannot be overstated. Rock and Roll has always been about that innate feeling that you have something inside that you want to let out, to rebel, to be happy, proud, scared, excited, whatever the case may be... but to be a part of something. That's the purpose of rock music. Scarlet Cross is about the idea that it doesn't matter what the world outside says to you or how they label you, it matters what's in your heart and feeling good about who you are. In the times we live in today I think it's more important than ever for people to find some escapism and a release from the difficulties of our day- to- day life. We believe we only get so much time on this earth and it's about the joy we give to ourselves and others and the way we find strength and happiness within ourselves that is the key our own preservation and prosperity. 

5) You also have a new LP “The Phantom Tomorrow” coming sometime this year. What can you tell us about this new upcoming release?

We started work on this record with producer Erik Ron just before the pandemic hit and had already shaped the direction we wanted to go in so we have spent the last 8 to 9 months writing and recording and fine tuning the direction. There is an overarching concept and story built around an original character called "The Blackbird" and the story plays out in two parts. Ultimately we ended up with quite a bit of material that we feel extremely proud of and we feel like this is only the beginning of the story. As far as the sonic direction of the album we set out to write songs that felt massive in scale and could connect with people on an emotional level as well as something you'd hopefully want to sing along to. We approached this record wanting to make a rock and roll comic book opera and we are extremely proud of the results.

6) What’s your take on Rock Radio today and do you have any favorite on-air radio moments you can share with us?

I think we are in the midst of a real renaissance as far as popular rock music is concerned. There are so many bands doing incredible and interesting work and while certainly the days of the ubiquitous "rock star" have come and gone I think you absolutely are seeing a return in that sort of swagger, showmanship and songwriting. Some of our heroes like to wax poetic about how "rock is dead" and to that I just sort of laugh. It's the bravado of folks who haven't taken the time to see all of the cool shit that's happening. We all understand it's not the hey-day it once was in terms of universal acclaim but to me that has bred a new generation who are hungrier and more innovative and want "it" that much more. I think rock and roll is alive and well and we feel honored to be a part of the generation who are aiming to bring it back to the forefront of the world's collective consciousness. As far as BVB on air moments are concerned I think any time I have heard our songs played honestly. We haven't had the opportunity yet to get a lot of radio attention, in our career thus far, but we hope to change that as "The Phantom Tomorrow" drops! I think it's time to start making some on air memories!

7) I’ve asked this question many times to Rock artists. There’s a definite difference between making a record and going out and playing it live in front of an audience. Many feel that the real work is making the record, and the fun part is playing it live. What’s your take on both of these processes?

Honestly I don't mean to give a non -committal answer here but I genuinely love both! The process of creating an album is one of my most cherished experiences. I absolutely love the concept of creating something that wasn't there before. To be able to get in the studio with my brothers and make something that we are excited about and build it up to the point that we feel it's ready and then share it with the world is an incredible gift and always thrilling. However having said that, there is nothing in the world when it comes to pure joy and power that even comes close to the electricity of a rock and roll show! The feeling of pure unbridled energy and togetherness that occurs at a concert is something that I'm not sure is even possible to properly describe. I miss it so much! It's often referred to as "electric church" and I think that makes a lot of sense. A big loud and crazy rock concert has the potential for the same sort of emotional catharsis that one might describe as a religious experience! 

8) Speaking of playing live, with COVID-19 shutting down live shows, do you have any “virtual” tour plans for Black Veil Brides this year?

So far we have been able to do two "live stream" concerts and they have both been a lot of fun and have their own merits. Obviously nothing beats the live show experience but one thing that we have found in doing the streams is that for some people they are getting the opportunity to see the band for the first time, whether that's because we haven't been able to play in their region or for a myriad of other personal reasons some people haven't had the chance to see a BVB show in person and so this new medium has presented an opportunity for them to feel like they are finally able to see the band. We will continue to utilize this method until we are able to play real shows again and hope to find new ways to make each stream special and interesting, however once again...we are so excited about the possibility of getting back out on the road as soon as it's safe to do so!

9) Who are some of the old and newer artists who inspire you? Any "guilty pleasure" songs or songs we might be surprised to find on your playlist?

My main songwriting inspiration is someone that people may not see as an obvious connection but Bruce Springsteen stands head and shoulders above any other artist for me as a lyricist and songwriter. Bands KISS, Motley Crue, The Misfits and Twisted Sister made me want to get on stage and rock but The Boss is the one who made me want to learn to write lyrics. There is no better storyteller in music in my opinion! Not a guilty pleasure really but a band I absolutely love that many people might not be familiar with or would be surprised by is a band called Foxy Shazam from Cincinnati. Their self- titled record produced by John Feldmann is incredible and I have been listening to their most recent record "Burn" quite a bit over the past few weeks! Check them out for sure!

10) Finally, I understand you’re going to be a lead actor in the upcoming Amazon Prime series “Paradise City” coming this March. What can you tell us about this?

Yes! It's incredibly exciting and it's such an honor to be a part of this amazing cast and series! I am reprising the role of "Johnny Faust" which I played in the film "American Satan" which the series is a spin off from. The show was written and directed by Ash Avildsen who in addition to being the founder and CEO of Sumerian Records and Films has been a massive supporter of me and BVB since our earliest days in California. Ash was our first agent and has fought to get me opportunities for years and I can't thank him enough for that. The show is set in LA and follows the life of a Rock star who has fallen from grace and is attempting to get his life back while everything in his orbit is absolute chaos. The show also explores the rise of a young kid who sets out to "make it" in the industry and overall is a fantastic look behind the curtain so to speak at the real world of fame and the consequences that can come from it. I am so proud to be a part of it and I can't wait for the world to see it!