I write this as a piece in celebration of International Black Veil Brides day in celebration of the 5th anniversary of “Knives and Pens”. As I reminisce about what Black Veil Brides means to me. I thought I would make this as my side of the coin sort of speak. i hope to celebrate many more years as a BVB fan. BVB has traveled all over the world and helped thousands and thousands of fans over the world. I am just one of those fans sort of speak giving positive feedback to a band that lacks some professional written articles(I love you all who are professional writers who give positive neutral feedback to BVB, give yourself a plate of cheesy tot’s) about them. Here are my thoughts, attributes, and connotations of the first article’s poll questions as I give them self a spin of my own. Enjoy reading my article that was mere of a freelancer. -Mariah L. Hanna 

Black Veil Brides has been a controversial band over the past 5 plus years since “Knives and Pens” made its way through the air waves and through the YouTube stratosphere. Black Veil Brides has been widely known for there rock n roll antics and “I don’t give a fuck nature” Black Veil Brides is consisted of 4 main characters the prophet, mystic, mourner, destroyer, and “Former”. These characters being known as Andy Biersack, Jinxx, Jake Pitts, Christian “CC” Coma, and “Former”.

I spent two years on the other side of the fence hating what Black Veil Brides pride themselves of. That is self-worth, inner strength, courage, empowerment, and everything that Black Veil Brides inspires their loyal fans of being. I didn’t know at the time that change was going to happen. But low and behold it did change happened for a reason. A reason a greater being can only know. Something shifted inside me to a degree that I went on the other side of the fence forever. I bid farewell and riddance to the person I was and became a greater person today. Never thought in a million years I would become a BVB fan but here I am a better person because of them.

You see, people make out Black Veil Brides as villains, evil people, assholes, asses, and every negatory word that has been thrown at them face to face or via social media. People cast them out to be evil demon worshipers or devil worshipers that sacrifice goats to Satan( Andy: “I think I am going to sacrifice some goats today on stage to Satan!”: Said by him never hmm maybe but more of mere comical reference. Lol.) As I said before; LISTEN TO BLACK VEIL BRIDES AND HAIL SATAN!. BVB are nothing more than inspirational people inside and out. They help people find who they are as people. Whether it be an artist, musician, writer, etc. People take their “Image” and think one thing without listening to their music or even doing simple research on them.

Why I hated them? I was led by mere biased assholes in the media who made me believe that Black Veil Brides were assholes which made me think otherwise of them. I did NOT go and make a hate page against them or go to their personal social media accounts and tell them to “Kill themselves” or “You should go die faggot, your music is shitty” I went about my day and didn’t think nothing of it. Which makes me 00.001% rarity of former BVB haters cause I GAVE their music a shot. I didn’t listen to just one song. I listened to 4 songs before making a decision. They just didn’t get me at that time. I am proud to being doing what I am going to do possible on November 8^th and that is to apologize to them face to face. I plan on getting VIP and apologize to all 4 of them not only for me but for all the shit they get and thanking them for helping me through some shitty times and plus being their for the rest of the BVB army.

If it were not for a public service like Black Veil Brides and other bands with similar messages through their music. A lot of people would not be here today. I know “Music saves lives” gets glorified and glamorize to a point were its annoying and can become suffocating for a musician to go through. Hence the lyrics to “Nobody’s Hero” but we all have to realize we all did this for ourselves. You can give some credit to the people who helped you along the way but its all you. 😉

I get back to why I hate Black Veil Brides in the past. I believed some biased asshole journalist’s who said “Black Veil Brides is your new band to hate” and that they are scum something inside of me told me that this wasn’t right but I disliked their music at the time but I didn’t hate their music. But I got sucked into some social media debaucheries that spewed hate about BVB I call it the “BVB hater black hole of doom”. So I have to classify myself as BVB hater but I was never one in the first place cause I was set out to be a huge fan in the first place.

I only thank one thing about being a past BVB hater that is my utter closeness I have with BVB and the BVB army/LOTB as a whole. I have never been this close with any band ever. I have been a fan of several bands for nearly a decade and the rest all my life of the music I was raised on. I have never been this close with a band before its crazy. I never felt so close to a band that within a year I have already got myself a small BVB merch collection of the things I have seen in stores of theirs.

What are my feelings and thoughts on Black Veil Brides? I love them. Rather than loathe them like I did. They each carry a special meaning to me personally. I am glad I converted cause this means the world to me to have so much support from people who care and love. I care so much about them it hurts. I love their fan base so much its astronomical. I wish I could give them each a thousand hugs and taters. I am in love with their message and the way the BVB army all supports each other. Its incredible . Everyone rallies around a member if they are in a crisis. I see the same exact thing in other fan bases but nothing at the BVB armies magnitude. None of their love and support could never be erased. Ever.

What does Black Veil Brides mean to me? They mean the world to me. I have never in my life had a band come into my life and impact my life in such a way as theirs did. They fought for their acceptance and love from me. They won it tenfold with lots of taters and gravy. The day that I officially became a fan and let their love inside my soul is something I can’t erase and I will never take for grant. When I surrendered it was the best day and worst day of my life cause I didn’t know I was on the path to my own slow recovery as a pain pill addict and in suicide remission. Bands like Black Veil Brides get torn to shit and pieces in the public eye because of FEAR. Instead they need to be praised for what they do for their fans like me. I am a year and 3 months clean because of a beautiful song of theirs called “Devils Choir” its a song about someone struggling with destroying themselves with addictions and other harmful things they do to themselves. I had a pain-killer addiction cause I have 3 permanent headache conditions for the rest of my life plus 7 minor to major medical conditions. It took all I had in me to break the addict. Its not fucking easy everyday but I make everyday my bitch. Never give in, Never back down is my new motto to live by. So if you’re a hater of BVB. Step back for a moment from the keyboard. You can still have your opinions about them but have in mind they helped thousands of people including me a former hater of them.

BVB mean the world to their fans and supporters. With the anticipation of BVB4 and upcoming tours. I would like to take the time to say that I am posting one MAJOR article maybe even TWO. One being a “Album Review of BVB4” and “Concert Review of November 8th”(I hope I get to go. I praying for healthy roads and nice weather) so stay tuned to my WordPress.

I hope you all celebrate “International Black Veil Brides Day” in style today. Rep BVB today in numbers today. Wear your merch and blast your music with pride today and everyday.

I end this article on a high note. I only wish my lovely readers the best in life in whatever endeavors they seek. Life is not easy. But always know that Black Veil Brides, you’re friends, family, and even colleagues will back you in whatever you do. Plus any other band you listen too as well. Just don’t believe what you read out their. Trust your heart and soul. Believe in yourself. Always eat your potatoes. Cause they kick heart disease right in the ass. But I digress and get back on topic. “Never give in, Never back down” and “Rise up and celebrate your life:” Cause you never know when your time card is up. Enjoy your one life the best you can. Make your dreams like your hero’s did come a reality and never stop being who you are. YOU are your own hero. Go forth and conquer.

Written by: Mariah L. Hanna Copyright @PotatoBVBQueen 6/17/14 *See About page for aestrick note