What Can We Make Of Andy Biersack?

If you didn't know already, Kerrang! magazine has done an interview with Black Veil Brides singer, Andy Biersack. Within a few hours of release (8th August) social networking site Twitter exploded with reaction - one which saw heavy weights on either side of the scale. Fans on the work of Andy and BVB heaped more praise on the frontman, declaring their Bieber-esque adoration towards them. The other saw a torrid amount of insults and abuse thrown at their direction. Kerrang!'s Twitter account re-tweeted most of the messages sent to them, and fair play to them for not hiding what someone thinks, whether it was cringy love or homophobic abuse. Andy doesn't deserve to be loved that much he will probably get stalked by a member of the BVB Army (their self acclaimed fan base); nor does he deserve being a hate figure who will potentially be sent death threats. But what is he deserving of?

Well, are Black Veil Brides any good? It has been boldly stated that there is no in between, you either love them or hate them. I think I'm the only person in the world that is sitting on the fence, but slightly. In all fairness I can only go on singles and a few live videos. Live I don't think they cut it. The video of them at Download this year showcases most things about them. To be honest, on record (and highlighted further live) Andy isn't the best singer in the world. There feels no energy in their performance - I couldn't see myself wanting to be part of a sing-a-long from the bottom of my lungs or be moshing to any of it. Riffs in most songs come across very whiny with a lack of that genuine heaviness you love to hear. The drummer, though, I think is very impressive.

Personally, Rebel Love Song shouldn't be winning any awards for Best Single like it did at the Kerrang! Awards (that accolade should have gone to Young Guns' anthem Bones from the 5 nominated). Most of what lets them down as a band come across in that song. The Legacy or Fallen Angels are much better. The former being a song that actually sounds reasonably heavy, the latter a song that you actually could sing until you turned blue. New(ish) single Coffin is also impressive so signs of currently in the making album three look like they can make a solid one at that. At this stage in their career they are about a 3/10, but only two albums old they can easily emerge into a good rock band yet, and their live act needs a kick up the backside.

Now, the feature in Kerrang! shows what sort of character Mr Biersack is. He understands he is hated by some. He knows at festivals like Download he will get bottled, and the negative reaction to him is ridiculously over the top. Quite simply the way Andy handles it is wrong: He fights over the top hate with an over the top middle finger back at them, he throws his toys out the pram. Rather than ignore it and show people who don't like a band don't bother the band he spends more time attacking them instead of praising the fans that have made him rise so much in the first place. This only adds fuel to the fire that is already burning very strongly. Furthermore he strives to make a point that people who like BVB are mocked for it and will stand up for them. While that sounds a noble thing for a man to say, it also gives the impression he relishes the fact it happens. It is unhealthy. It is wrong. It is unfair on the BVB Army. 

Andy also brags that anyone who doesn't think Black Veil Brides are better than Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath aren't "real listeners" and is prepared to fight anyone that tells him they don't like the music he and four friends create. There isn't a band that everyone in the world likes, it's simply impossible. To want to fight anyone that tells him BVB are crap is an unbelievably bad role model to set. Hardly anyone to look up to in anyway or a figure that apparently saves people's lives with his music.

The only thing Andy has going for him at the moment is that he genuinely wants Black Veil Brides to become the biggest band in the world. That strive. That amount of hunger. That ambition. To want to be the biggest band in the world is a bit of a cliche thing for musicians to say, usually a hollow phrase that comes with the job. But, with Andy, you know its serious. In general he is full of honesty and tends to speak from deep within. Whether what his heart says is with the best of intentions or not.

So, do I love Andy Biersack? No. Do I hate Andy Biersack? No. Is he the best at his job as a frontman? No way. 

To bring up the question I asked at the start: what does he deserve? He deserves time. 22 is no age to judge where his career may go. This level of youth comes to the forefront with the arrogance and naivety of him which will hopefully fade away as he ages. But seriously, can Black Veil Brides fans stop obsessing with them. This is rock, not One Direction. Its embarrassing. And haters, leave him alone. If you don't like, don't listen and don't try to stop a man with a dream.