Here it is! My interview with Chris Biersack. His answers, are of course, the yellow highlighted ones.
Enjoy!
1. Was it hard to get Andy to where he is now?
There was a lot of hard work involved and I suspect that it will always be that way, but, was it hard? Not really. It's been a labor of love and that makes it something you always enjoy doing. My role in Andy's success is a minor one. He deserves all the recognition because he's been the target of so much bull shit over the years and he never let it effect him. He was driven and purposeful.
2. What was your dream when you were younger?
My dream was to do what Andy is doing right now. I had my run at it when I was younger and I think my experience benefited Andy to a certain extent.
3. How old was Andy when he came up with 'Little Johnny Rickfield'?
I think he was 2. It was the cutest, most hilarious thing you'd ever see. I became quite the decent "announcer" for Lil' Johnny. Hahaha
4. Who is YOUR inspiration?
My inspiration? My Dad. He started out as a garage mechanic, then worked in the Briggs & Stratton factory in Milwaukee.He came from relatively little means (his family were farmers), yet, he landed high level IT management positions at Allis Chalmers and Siemens. My Dad worked at least 60 hours a week when I was a kid and went to night school to get his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees. Yet, he still coached all of my brother and my sports teams when we were kids. My Dad showed me what it took to be responsible and taught me how to be a man. He also had one hell of a great singing voice. Both Andy and I owe our voices to my Dad, Dennis Biersack.
5. At what age did you know Andy was going to be a singer?
I think we always believed he would be an entertainer, but, it wasn't until Andy was maybe 11 or 12 when he began to develop his singing voice. Once Andy put his mind to anything, he is one of the most focused people you will ever meet. At 13 he was video recording himself singing Alkaline Trio, Misfits, Social Distortion and Good Charlotte songs in his bedroom. He would ask me to watch the tapes with him and to give him honest critiques.
6. What's a funny story/memory from when Andy was a kid?
Too many, so, it's hard to pick just one. One that pops into my head was when Andy was really young (maybe 3) and the"Glory Days" video came on TV." Amy and I are big Springsteen fans and Andy has learned to love The Boss, as well. However, when he was really young he didn't know the E-Sreet Band and when the Glory Days video was over he asked Amy why that one guy (Little Steven) acted so weird? he said "Bruce was nice enough to put his friend in his video and he shouldn't have tried to ruin it." Haha. Of course, today, Andy and his band, BVB, are much more like Little Steven than anybody else in the E-Street Band and Andy loves him.
7. What's it like to be the father of someone so successful and well-known?
I'm proud of Andy, obviously, but, regardless of any celebrity status, I am sure that I would be proud of him whatever he was doing. Andy being a good person who has used his success to try to better the lives of others is the most important part of his success, thus far.
8. Do you and him get along?
Yes, but, we have disagreements like any Father/Son do from time to time. Andy is an intelligent, independent young man and, as such, he has his own viewpoints and opinions about things. However, even when we disagree, we both know that when push comes to shove we always have each other's back.
9. Are you close?
Very.
10. What advice would you give to parents who have kids who want to be like Andy?
I would say simply" "Let them." Seriously, parents should encourage their kids to pursue whatever dreams and aspirations that they have. It's not our duty to limit the possibilities for our kids. I told my co-workers when Andy was 12 years old that he wanted to be a rock star when he grew up. I told them that I believed he would be a rock star someday, too. maybe they thought I was crazy, but, they knew from working with me that I believe that if you are willing to persevere and can stay focused on your ultimate goal, you have a MUCH better chance of achieving it than those who don't.
11. What was your reaction/initial thoughts when Andy started to wear dark clothes and makeup?
My reaction was "That's my boy!" Hell, I took him to the store to buy a lot of his attire. He liked it and I liked seeing that beautiful smile (that he got from his Mom) whenever he was happy. My kid had to deal with enough shit from bullies and even the Administrators at his schools, he sure didn't need his own Dad to be an ass, too. ;)
12. Did you ever need to ground Andy when he was younger? If so, what was it commonly for?
I don't recall ever having to ground Andy. As I said before, we definitely had a number of disagreements over the years, but, Andy was not a trouble maker. He was a relatively quiet kid who lived by the credo, "live and let live." In other words, leave me alone to do what I like and I will do the same with you.
13. How old was Andy when he moved out?
Andy moved to Los Angeles 7 days after he turned 18. It was January 2, 2009. Amy and I left him at the Dayton International Airport and we both knew in our hearts that he would never come back to Ohio live with us again. We both cried.
14. Did you ever want to be Black Veil Brides (or Biersack)'s manager?
I was. I was still managing the band when they signed with Standby Records. I was their Tour Manager, Roadie, Stage Manager and part time merch salesman until the band signed with Blasko and Mercenary after they finished the "On Leather Wings" Tour in December, 2009.
15. What did you think of him getting tattoos so young?
I took him. Andy was fronting a rock band at the age of 15. He was playing with musicians that were older than him and in bars and clubs where grown men were likely to hurl insults at him and even throw things. Andy knew what he wanted to do with his life and he felt that a little ink would give him more credibility. I understood that and accompanied him when he was 16 to a local tattoo parlor where we met Mike Royse. Since that time Mike Royse has done several dozen tattoos on Andy, myself and even on the other members of BVB. To this day he is a close friend.
16. How often do you see Andy?
Not enough. ;) Actually, we probably see Andy 5-6 times a year, but, never for any long period of time. We travel to see the band whenver they are on tour in the U.S.
17. Do you like his band mates?
Absolutely. Couldn't have picked four guys that we like more than Jinxx, Jake, CC and Ashley. They are not only incredible musicians, but, they are equally wonderful people. I have said this before and it still rings true, I would be proud to call any one of them my son.
18. Is it hard for Andy and Juliet to keep a relationship, with them both being famous?
I would assume so, based on their jobs. To be completely honest, I really don't know much about their relationship. We've had the opportunity to spend a little bit of time with Juliet, but, I am really in no position to comment on anything involving that.
19. Why does Andy not spend as much time with the others as they all spend together?
I guess, first and foremost, Andy is several years younger than everyone else in the band. Secondly, Andy is responsible for so many things related to the business side of Black Veil Brides. He values and appreciates the other members of Black Veil Brides, but, when they are not recording or touring together, he has other friends and interests, as do they. BVB's video Director Patrick Fogarty, their album cover artist Richard Villa and his own cousin, Joe Flanders are very close to Andy, as are BVB's Manager, Blasko, their attorney Dina Lapolt, their Tour Manager, Jon Syverson. etc... All play a big part on the BVB team.
20. When did Andy first tell you he was interested in music/how did you react?
Very happy. Bought him his first guitar/amp and got him signed up for lessons right away at Keller Music in Delhi, OH.
21. Did you ever think they'd get this far?
Yes. I actually did. The question really is: Did I think Andy would be one of the "100 Greatest Living Rock Stars" according to Revolver Magazine, front a hard rock band that already has two albums that have sold > 100,000 copies, won multiple awards from Revolver, Kerrang, etc..., played the Download Festival twice, appeared on the cover of over twenty magazines, been the highest selling band at Hot Topic for merchandise sales, etc... all at the age of 21? The answer to that question would be: No. But, in all fairness to me, I didn't know that he would have the BVB Army, either. With the greatest fans in all of rock music, anything is possible.
22. Do you like turtles?
Not especially. But, I have nothing against them.
23. Does Andy like turtles?
I would assume so. Andy loves all animals. When he was very young and his Mom worked nights and weekends, I would take him to the Cincinnati Zoo to make him happy. We had season passes and Andy could not get enough of it.
24. Are you proud of who he's become?
Couldn't be prouder.
25. Who are your favourite artists?
Artist? Picasso. Performing Artist? Other than my son, my all time favorite recording artist is Billy Idol.
26. When did Andy's Batman obsession start?
At a very young age. He inherited that from me. Hahaha
27. How did you and Amy come up with Andy's name?
Andrew is my brother's middle name. We named Andy after my brother Greg's middle name and my Dad's first name, Dennis.
28. Was Andy in trouble alot as a kid/was he a trouble maker?
No. He really wasn't. He was a great kid. He was different. An old soul who didn't connect with kids his own age, but, a beautiful person and someone I absolutely loved hanging out with as he grew up.
29. Who is your and Andy's inspiration?
I couldn't tell you who speciifically who Andy would cite as his inspiration, but, as I said in an earlier question, mine is my own Dad, as well as my Mom. My Mom showed me how to stand up for her family. She also showed me a love and a passion for her kids that, in the end, was one of the the most important life lessons I ever got.
30. When will Black Veil Brides be on a European tour again?
They will be back in Europe this June to play a number of European rock festival shows and to support Motley Crue and Slash on some other shows.
Thank you so much again!
It was my pleasure. Thank YOU and the BVB Army for caring enough about what this old man has to say to ask me questions, in the first place. Your love and support for Black Veil Brides is incomparable.
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