Black Veil Brides

Black Veil Brides formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2006 around Andy Biersack, who performed early on as Andy Six, along with Johnny Herold and Phil Cennedella. Biersack relocated to Los Angeles, released demo EPs Sex & Hollywood and Never Give In, and rebuilt the band there in 2009 with guitarists Jinxx and Jake Pitts.

The name is drawn from a Catholic term for a woman who marries into the church and gives up worldly pleasure; former bassist Ashley Purdy said it suited a band built around dedication and extremes, mixing the joy of a wedding with the grief of a funeral.

The band combines metalcore and hard rock with the theatrics of 1980s glam metal, and became known as much for its image, heavy face paint, leather and studs, as for its music. Songs favor large, anthemic choruses and guitar harmonies, with lyrics built around themes of outsider solidarity.

Their breakthrough single "Knives and Pens," released in 2009, spread online largely through the band's own low-budget videos, building a fanbase before major label interest arrived; the group's merchandise reportedly outsold most others at Hot Topic. Debut album We Stitch These Wounds followed in 2010, selling more than 10,000 copies in its first week and reaching number 36 on the Billboard 200.

Alongside the band, Biersack has recorded solo material, and Black Veil Brides remains one of the more recognisable acts to emerge from the late-2000s American rock scene, its current lineup rounded out by drummer Christian "CC" Coma and bassist Lonny Eagleton.