THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! BLACK VEIL BRIDES IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BAND!!!! THANK YOU!!!

I first heard of BB when I was in Hot Topic scouring for any last remnant of J-Rock related merchandise. I saw the shirt and instantly asked a clerk, “Hey… is that… a band from.. Japan??” bewildered at the thought that HT would carry an item from a J-Rock band I didn’t know. ((I don’t think HT will beat me to that punch, lol, despite their too-early efforts to support the scene 3-4 years ago)) The clerk said no and said it was a new rock band that had 1 single. I thought, “oh jeez.. 1 single and they get a shirt at Hot Topic yet I can’t find a single scrap of anything form veteran bands who’ve bridged the East-West gap like X JAPAN, Malice Mizer, giru, or even Diru in any of the HT’s I go too… epic fail, HT.” I took it with a hint of optimism that an American band had taken influence from a Japanese vk band.

It’s interesting that I’m not the only one who sees the glaring similarities to Japanese visual kei, but on the other hand I can also clearly see the influence of what I’ll call “American visual kei” – every band he mentioned has been on par with the Japanese VK course since the 80′s, and even some in the late 70′s. Visual Kei is not an exclusively Japanese thing, but you can almost always tell when and where the influence is coming from. Motely, KISS, Cinderella, and even Bowie, Bauhaus, and The Cure.. all had their own visual gimmick going on 30 years ago but sure weren’t from Japan. The interesting part is that while I can clearly see the “80′s glam” influence, I was instantly convinced the band had at least some knowledge of Japanese vk because even to me they were clearly influenced by early anguro or perhaps eroguro VK. I didn’t think much more of it until now and yes I’m a little surprised to see that they’ve never even heard of “visual kei” or know any of the bands. ((okay, part of me isn’t surprised since my initial hope in HT of an American band embracing the Japanese style seemed was tainted with a heavy measure of cynicism)) It’s a little disappointing to be honest. I’m glad that it seems he wants to learn more about it all. Funny, I never thought an American VK band that looked like a Japanese VK would break through to the U.S. pop market faster than an actual Japanese VK band. If that made sense typed out like it did in my head, then I find it quite ironic. And a bit frustrating :- ((“oh, you like this BVB band, who looks and sounds eerily similar to /this whole mountain of bands from Japan who I’ve been trying to get you to listen to for years/?” …. (-_-;)

So thanks for getting to the bottom of what I, and apparently others, was wondering about/hoping for from this strange anomaly of a band. Your interview was fun and you make a great hostess. I love your voice, btw. <3 And I love the video footage. Live shows are such a great experience!

So cuuuute ^o^

Andy is so cool. Anyone know where I can get some tights like his?

I prefer Visual Kei and J-rock, Black Veil Brides is more Emo.