In a new interview with Kerrang!, Black Veil Brides frontman Andy Biersack recalled the love and admiration they received from the UK while their homeland US wouldn’t ‘pay attention’ to them.
“The UK was the first place in the world that really took us seriously, or gave us a chance,” the singer shared his excitement. “We were facing a lot of difficulties getting traction in the U.S. – nobody would pay attention to us. When I was 19, we came to the UK to open for Murderdolls and within two weeks of that tour I was on the cover of Kerrang! and seeing headlines like, ‘Is Andy the new god of rock?’”
“It was an unbelievable experience to go from our home country, where people weren’t really sure about us, to the UK where so many of the artists I idolised came from, and to not only be accepted but be catapulted,” Biersack added.
Black Veil Brides had faced some difficulties during their earlier days. They were mocked by other bands and often faced silent crowds during their performances.
“We toured with Mötley Crüe in soccer stadiums in Europe, and I thought, ‘This is the greatest thing that’s ever gonna happen to us,’” the frontman recalled his tour with Mötley Crüe in an interview with Talk Toomey podcast.
“And I’ll never forget, the first show was in [Warsteiner Hockey Park in Mönchengladbach, Germany in June 2012], and after the first song was done, it wasn’t booing, it was total silence, like strong, arms crossed, angry silence,” Biersack continued. “And you’d almost prefer them boo at that point, because if it’s 20,000 people and you can see them all be dead silent, it’s more unnerving than hearing at least some noise. So it would happen after every song.”
The show happened in Germany in June 2012. It has been 12 years since then, and today Black Veil Brides continue to sell out shows. The band is set to perform at OVO Arena Wembley in London tomorrow night.