Hi. Longtime. No peep. It’s been a while( thank you so much Andy and Joe for my solid staind opening Segway). It’s been since 2018 since you heard from this blog. A lot has changed. A lot has happened within the course of four years. I have decided just to do a catch-up blog piece solely on myself before I dive right into writing about music and other cool jazz things.
Throughout the years I have received emotional and mental abuse from my own stepfather. It got worse when Trump was elected president. It’s caused my stepfather to believe everything the orange douche mc skat turd box spewed out of his fart box every ounce he got attention. My mom and I have been verbally abused for year’s and it got bad for my mom cause my stepfather became a controlling and stalkerish husband at the time. He tried to hire people to stalk and follow my mom around to catch my mom cheating. It got so bad my mom lost several friendships cause of him.
My mom and I during the year of 2020 besides the start of the pandemic which I have vaxxed only covid thing I will post here. Excited to see BVB again in March with MIW and INK with the Trinity of Terror tour. We made our exit plan. We got lucky finding the place I now live in. Besides going through this bullshit. In 2019, I focused on getting my last knee fixed so now I am bionic in both legs with having 2 rods each in both tibia bones. Plus in 2020 and 2021 I had numerous amounts of testing done to test for my autoimmune disease and to get a positive of seeing if there is a possibility of a leak or tiny hole in my nasal cavity that CSF fluid is coming out of. Unfortunately, both came out positive or inconclusive. It’s been tiring with constant doctors appointments. But it’s the best I can do to keep myself healthy.
May 8th, 2020 I was officially diagnosed with my rare migraine disease called Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension. I wish I could have saw BVB and ITM that day instead. Sigh.
December 8th, 2020 my mother and I officially moved out of the toxic house that we were living in. It’s been over a year and one month since we have been out of that toxic house. It took me a while to get well a bit mentally. I am still not 100 percent. I will never be. I am okay with that. I am okay with not being 100 percent ever again. It’s what makes us human. I learned on tik tok of all places that I suffer from complex post-traumatic stress disorder. I also have your roundabout depression and anxiety.
My stepfather was incredibly abusive towards me for the last 4 to 5 months I lived with him. I never caught him being abusive to my cat. But I believe he was cause he flinches every time I pet him. It hurts my soul. He got physical with my mom several times. He slammed a door on me. He threw the freezer door at my face. His last insult to me was when he told me to get the fuck out of his house and never come again. He said it so cold and callously. He also said I was something he just raised.
I plan on getting into therapy but covid has fucked things up. So I receive it online. I just take it day by day just like I do with my chronic illnesses.
I am a warrior. I plan on kicking more ass cause I have been through so much bullshit. I am happy to announce I am 5 months and 3 weeks migraine suppressed after dealing with a migraine volcano since 2009. All thanks to the CGRP protein blocker Emgality one-month migraine shot,(medical science is lit). I also get botox for migraine every three months which is fun(not).
Stay tuned. I plan on doing an album review for Black Veil Brides, “The Phantom Tomorrow.”(no publish date, I am a disabled sloth and still need time on it.) Plus a plethora of things I want to do with this blog. I am happy to finally come out of hiatus and start writing again. :’)
If you supported me from the beginning or whenever. I love you all. Thank you so much. Thank you for sticking by my side while I dealt with personal things. You all are rockstars. With that go kick ass. Drink your H20 like Bobby Bushay wants you to. Eat your potatoes. Never give in. Never back down.
If you follow me on social media. You may have taken notice that my life right isn’t so great. My parents are going through a divorce. It’s been nothing but screaming matches. My stepdad also has been verbally abusive to me for years. It’s gotten worse lately. So my mom and I are moving somewhere with my 3 cats and mini doxie. To everyone that has supported me through everything. It means a lot during this time. I have no idea what the future holds. But I just wanted to update everyone on my life. I am going to have to postpone this or just make do with whatever I can do. I know I won’t be able to do the whole month. But shit happens in life. Hopefully things will take off soon enough with this blog in the future. If you are experiencing domestic violence or any abuse. Please go here for more information.
Never Take It Off Andy’s wisdom credit of photo: Jonathan Weiner
I will update you all more as time comes around. But please never give in. 💜
*See about for additional help for abuse and copyright.
@ /// PotatoBVBQueen is my Twitter social username to get a hold of me if needed or you see a typo in my articles. I am human. I also have dyslexia so it is what it is. Thank you so much for understanding.
“Never give in,Never back down” is my new permanent moto to life. 2016 has been one of the toughest years of my life in terms of death, my own health, and family woes. Plus my anxiety, depression, and train of thought for professional journalling is not good for the sake of who I want and what I want this blog to atone to become.
I am not going to lie and say I had plans early on in 2016 to have this blog bumping and partying but my mental health was waging a war inside me. I planned to only make this a review blog. Review CD’s. Which in turn I will. I decided to scratch reviewing Asking Alexandria’s “The Black” on terms of the sudden recent events of Danny rejoining Asking for good. The only review I am going to work on is Andy Black’s “The Shadow Side”. I may be late to the party in terms of reviews but the turtle always nabs the big one. I have found out being disabled has its large perks to life. Taking things slow is one.
Another reason why I wasn’t so big into blogging, writing, etc is because some of these media publication companies feel entitled to something superior(not the ones I follow). Its not like that. Its about the beauty of why you do it in the first place. The reward is awesome of getting noticed by media outlets and bands. But don’t let it tarnish your craft and who you are. I have seen people change cause of it. I couldn’t give two shits if on twitter or anywhere on a social media I got noticed or anything(but I don’t take it for grant at all). Treat people like humans. Such as the bands you tweet or there members. Plus on any other form of social media.
I also stopped blogging cause I entered a huge depression. I haven’t opened up till now. These past two years I haven’t been able to release any anger or frustration at all at any concert cause I have been house bound due to my health. I have had multiple surgeries since my last concert which was 11/8/14. Was when I saw Black Veil Brides. I have to get another big operation soon involving my right knee. They are going to do the same thing with the left knee I had operated on last April. With everything going on medically with me. My migraines and other problems have been hell. I put on a fake facade for everyone to think I am okay but I am hurting and trying to shut out the world on my feelings. Some days I just didn’t want to get out of bed.I don’t even get out of my own house for a weeks time. But I have been getting out more due to self help. Cause I have gone to therapy in the past but it has failed me. So I just deal with it.
It all got progressively worse when I found out over the internet which is the newest version of telling people my grandpa passed away. I come from a old school background. You either call or write a letter to let distant family or friends know about that. Not over the internet. Then I loose my other grandpa to terminal cancer in November. Plus some major drama came out of that. Plus I almost lost both of my parents in a head on collision in August due to a hangover driver and his negligence. My dad lost his job in October cause the company he was working for the mill permanently shutdown due to things I can’t say.
The year has totally been a drag. The only good that came out of it was the love that my family at home gave and my second families I am in. I couldn’t appreciate the love, support, prayers, etc in my time in need. You all truly mean a lot. It doesn’t go unappreciated. Am truly grateful and thankful.
I often think I don’t deserve help. That I feel like I am looser. Even though I can be the toughest and biggest inspiration to people. I often wondering if people can REALLY help me. But I am still here. I am preserving and kicking ass despite my limited life skill/therapy tools I have.
Its hard to tell people things I have gone through until recently. I have only just realized that telling my story can only help others. I don’t have an ego, superior complex, entitlement, etc.
I am just, ME. I am human. You’re human. Everyone is human. We got thoughts, feelings, dreams, aspirations, etc. I am proud of myself for making it thus far.
So I stepped away, more than a years time to fix my mental state of mind that I am still working on. My physical health, which is a massive load of chores to do. Among other things I had to deal with outside of the blog. I did this for myself and for my loyal readers that I don’t take for grant. I wanted to come back with full on train of focus of why I put this blog out there to begin with. 11/16/16 I felt like I started that journey but didn’t have the right words till now to explain why.
I got my first tattoo and probably my last tattoo for a long time on left shoulder. Its comprised of my dream tattoo/personal BVB tattoo. But its my life lesson, reminder to be strong, reminder to never hate/ to love, reminder to never to take life for grant,etc.
The break down of the reasoning of the support ribbon. I suffer 15 medical conditions one of them rare.
Purple and Pink: Chronic Migraine, Fibromyalgia to the Brain, and my rare condition, Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension( I leak spinal fluid out my left nostril from a CSF leak due to migraines)
Purple: Athromyalgia and Fibromyalgia
White: Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea and Constipation
Yellow: Endometerosis correlation with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome
Purple/Yellow: I am a suicide and sexual assault survivor. I attempted five times with each time failed. One coorealating with my sexual assault. I am proud to be living still amount the bad shit that has happened to me. My last attempt was dealt with my health conditions and a cancer scare, I didn’t want to be in chronic pain anymore. BVB helped me in my darkest hour. I would have OD on prescription sleeping aids. But I forced myself to throw up. 1/27/13 and beyond is a day I will never forget. I saved my own life but BVB this piece of 🍰 you do own in helping me through something shitty. Plus I was sexually molested by a ex trusted guy on college viewing trip. Help saw what was happening. Never said anything. Help never came. I was molested for an hour and some odd minutes. In front of peers. I will NEVER forget.
Unmentioned diseases and conditions: Gastropresis, Cealic disease, gluten intolerance, gastro-esophogeal reflux disease, depression, anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorder, and hand tremors due to my hands being burned to the bone when I was a 13 months old fucking up my whole motor system for life due to a neglectful daycare provider.
The BVB Mourning Star Rosary: Why is it tattooed on me? Well for starters I love old fashioned jewlery and I being a old fashioned soul chose the mourning star drawn by Richard Villa at Exhibit A Art Gallery. I am in love with his artwork. The quality of his prints, art, etc he does for BVB is totally insane. So I am incredibly honored to hone one of his first pieces of artwork he did for Black Veil Brides on my skin. I am also a non devout Catholic. I was baptized as a baby into catholism but I never really got into the religion but respected the art, theatrics, etc of the religion and how nunery( A BVB 😂) was processisioned. That’s another reason why I got tattooed on me due to my own personal religious reasons and my respect for the beauty of the religion. I am purely secular to anyone’s beliefs and feelings. Even when it comes to sexual orientation, etc.
“Never give in, Never back down”: the deep meaning as to why I got this tattooed on me. The full meaning or lyrics ” Never give in, Never back down ( When your life feels lost/Fight against all odds)” is very personal to me. Between fighting the deep depression, anxiety, anger of several things in real life, my health taking a dip, my two grandpas dying this year, etc I had this song as my backbone to hold me up when I am down in the pits of hell. I am struggling to keep my head above the chin level. But I am here. I am here to say you can get through your darkest shit no matter what. Giving in is a easy thing to do but also “Getting up and kicking ass” is another. I rather kick some ass positively. I am disabled, I wake up in pain and go to sleep in pain. This song changed my life forever along with “In The End”, “Devils Choir”,and “Heart of Fire”. BVB has several inspirational and moving songs. But those five are the big ones that changed my life forever. I am indebted to Andy, CC, Jinxx, Jake, and Ashley with there hours and hours of hard work they put in for the BVB army to hear new music,etc. No matter what our lives amount to. Its what you make it. Make it a kickass one. I hope your “Legacy” is bright and potato-ey. Remember “Never give in, Never back down”
Tattoo by Shannon Blinn of Skin Deep tattoo design of Lewiston, Idaho.
Things I am most looking forward to is BVB5 and there tour. Hopefully I am not to much of a cripple when they come to my region. I am in need of a concert fix. I wish to see Andy Black in Spokane in March but the damn doctor keeps fiddle farting around with my surgery date. So sadly I can’t attend due to that reasoning. I am stoked to see American Satan(film Andys going to be in if you are living under a rock all this time)though next year. So many exciting things to look forward to.
All in all, I have had a pretty tough and shitty year but its made me sit and reevaluate a lot of things. I hope to bring back this blog back in 2017. I am sorry you all had to sit in silence and read past articles. I am going to go back and re-edit those. Right now I am just going to get this blog sources up and ready for 2017. I am in the right frame of mind to write again. I am proud of myself to bring myself out of the ashes and rise up out of the ashes again. Hope your holiday season goes swell. Tell your loved ones you love them. Be safe out there. Don’t drive hungover or drunk. Call a Uber or a taxi. Do chores for your parents. Thank you for reading my update on what’s going on. It means a lot. You as the reader means the world to me. So take care. Best of wishes. Je T’Aime.
I was going to do this review much much sooner but due to extreme medical circumstance with me I had to put the BVB4 album review on hold and take care of my health. I am still not 100 percent alright. In October I had to get an exploratory surgery to see what was wrong with me and why I was in extreme amounts of pain. Well two other major surgeries later I am here and happy that I don’t have anymore possible surgeries in the future. I had a lot of things medically wrong with me my appendix and gallbladder died so they had to be removed along with a hernia that one of my ovaries was eating my small intestine known as inguinal hernia. I also had large cyst the size of a tennis ball removed from my body among other things I am kept to myself. This album came around a time that I needed to hear something encouraging and helpful. It’s crazy how music helps people in that way. I am still healing and recovering. Taking it day by day. But the storm is gone now(At least I think D: ). I am just brisking in the silent rain now. I urge all my followers a life of great health and their is only one of YOU so take care of you before it’s too late. Anyways, there you have a small update as to why I went silent again and no articles to show forth. Enjoy reading this review it took me 3 plus months to do old-fashioned(cause BVB4 was made old-fashioned with analog so I cleverly decided to review it old-fashioned with pen and paper. When finished put review in new aged final draft in the end like BVB4 was put in modernized CD’s ;’) ). Best of wishes.
Love, Mariah L. Hanna
P.S. By the time I publish this I will probably hear something new in BVB4 so I am going to update this as time moves on but will give it sometime to be out there for you all. ❤
Black Veil Brides recorded an album with know producer Bob Rock who has worked with known bands such as Motley Crue, The Cult,Metallica and other widely known musicians with widely successful albums spinning out of Bob Rocks career as a producer. Bob’s new embark with the five goof balls we know today as CC, Jake, Jinxx, “former” and Andy with BVB’s new album that was released October 27th, 2014 a day ahead of there October 28th, 2014 release, known as BVB4 was Bob Rocks destiny to work with these five guys vice versa. Bob Rock stated that BVB made him “Breath fresh air” sort of speak into the metal/rock world he worked with for so many years. I SEEN the downfall of why he said this. I will explain in the next few paragraph’s as to what he meant as “A chore” in BVB’s in the studio updates BVB did for us fans on their YouTube page.
Bob Rock produced Metallica’s “Saint Anger”. Metallica also did a documentary for that album that I watched on Vh1 Classic. I seen a producer who was at his wit’s end and getting burned out but still poured his heart into his craft of making a solid record of Metallica’s best growth efforts at the time. At the time the band was going through a terrible time. Needing a new bass player. Plus filming for “Saint Anger” stopped midst into the recording of the album cause James Hetfield check himself into a rehab center for his drinking problems(I applaud James for kicking his inner demons to the curb. I had him in my thoughts and prayers at the time I saw this doc). I seen how stressed and concerned Bob Rock was. I never seen him as bad guy. Just a guy that is human and was in a shitty circumstance at the time. People labeled him this such and such. As many people do(when there jealous of other people’s success and shit). So I think this why Bob Rock get so much shit is because this documentary among other things showing the true colors of recording an album. It ain’t rainbows and sunshine. Its grind to the nose and pain staking hours and hours of work. Bands have there glory albums and their shit happens albums. Life happens. Not much we can do about it.
When I seen a more calmer and even more jubilant Bob Rock in the studio updates with Black Veil Brides. I seen a more relaxed and happier Bob Rock I have ever seen since “Saint Anger”. Bob Rock was more enjoyable. I could tell he wanted to do more and be involved without being involved(Orchestrator everyone talks about and I seen that with the Metallica documentary). Bob has worked not just with Metallica but with outstanding musicians such as Michael Buble. Plus his rock roster includes Bon Jovi, Loverboy, Motley Crue, The Cult, etc.
These acts have powerhouse anthemic rock songs that have been classical favorites for decades. Songs that have the electrical power to light up a stadium or two. In the 80’s these bands were in their prime and the lust for rock and roll was lost in the 90’s with the grunge movement. In the 2000’s the rebirth of rock and roll is strong with power and emotion through guitars on fire that will set a room full of amps to the stratosphere. Bands in the 80’s are still relevant to this day. Still doing tours and doing albums. Some have retired or gone to heaven. But in today’s rock and roll rebirth. Black Veil Brides hold on to a key to be a fore father of the new aged rock and roll. Rock and roll that helps the amass of fans through out with positive messages through song and lyric. With the emotion and in your face guitar, bass, and drum beat tones is something I look forward to seeing in the future. Among Black Veil Brides bands like Asking Alexandria, Set It Off, Avenged Sevenfold, Atreyu, Hatebreed, Farewell, My Love, We Are Harlot, and shit loads of bands inserted here with a positive rock and roll mindset have the chops to bring this dead culture back from where it left of in 1990. Slowly but surely we all will get to see this happen. I am so proud of the bands today though. Their hard work WILL pay off soon. I feel it.
Now let’s get to talking about “Black Veil Brides: Black Veil Brides” or #BVB4. People may have their bad opinions on this album or bad reviews. I even read that some of our own in the BVB army didn’t like the new record. That is fine to have your dislikes but what I found was rude and not cool. Are people not taking the time like I did to digest the album. I am in love with this album for personal reasons. But keep in mind this record is a “Growth” album. They were mending all their each others friendships and getting off of a tour cycle for a record that made them drift as friends a bit away from each other. With BVB4 they collectively grew closer and mended their broken business and personal friendships with each other. People often forget that the members in their favorite band have friendships with each other. If those friendships aren’t health and well-kept then the band falls apart which ends in the demise of the band altogether sadly. It’s rare for people like all four of the great guys in BVB to really talk to each other and amend through song and lyric their band and what it stands for. Have your opinion. But don’t make it so that it becomes an asshole one. Criticism is alright as long as you don’t bully. Bands need this healthy bond with each other or the band suffers or dies.
This album is a uniquely made attribute given the fact a young band like BVB scored a recording gig with an excellent producer such as Bob Rock. I was listening to Jamey Jasta’s in Hatebreed’s podcast he does. He interviewed Jake and Jinxx about how it was producing with Bob Rock, etc. Jamey asked me as a BVB army member and a fan “If I gave a fuck about Black Veil Brides recording with Bob Rock?” that is FUCK YES. I was stoked and thrilled when I first heard the news that Bob was recording with the BVB guys. The BVB guys earned their good karma and that is landing a recording gig with Bob. Bob I seen the “In The Studio Updates with BVB/Bob Rock” the way he taught the guys and was down to earth. It’s a once in a lifetime chance for them that benefited them with probably even more chances to record with Bob Rock in the future. The commodore and sense of guidance he lead each of them was very brilliant and I hear it all in BVB4. The key sounds and how this unique album was created. So individually and as a whole this opportunity for them sky rocketed BVB even more to rule the world one day at a time. So yes to answer your question again Jamey. Yes I do give a fuck because what does a genuine fan want more than their favorite band to succeed in life and their dreams whilst helping the person fulfill theirs(your reading it).
So let’s get started shall we. From the track list they come by in order on the album. I will review each song by my thoughts, feelings, and knowledge:
“Heart of Fire”:
This song is very interpersonal to me. It has the layers of anger, anguish, and pain written in its lyrics. I have taken to and let this song grasp to me for a few months. Each listen makes me more stoked to listen to it more. It has that ass kicker vibe to it while pushing a great message through the lyrics. Andy’s writing to me is very personal on a level I can’t describe cause. This song basically was written during the months I was following BVB on their trek to making their self titled debut. Biersack may have not had the notions or even the thought process of what type of song he was created with Jake, CC, Jinxx, and “Former”. This song basically is an ode to the past hater I was and celebration of that I am no longer that person. Through apologizing to them through meet and greet on November 8th, 2014 was only setting this to be a beautiful coincidence. For me at least. “ Build your walls but you can’t keep me out, I’ ll burn them down” This lyric line basically had me at goosebumps cause BVB in spirit came to my house and burned down all the hater walls I had against them. I not knowing their evil glorious deed was vulnerable to a converting. Which by magic and the fate on January 27th, 2013 it did. I couldn’t be any happier than I am today. This song gets nostalgic potato grade A+ in my book and is my mother, Amber’s personal favorite(collected outside data of people’s fave’s of the album). It has everything. The kick ass metal tones, guitar riffs, bass, and drums. With the piercing vocals from Andy. “I’ll stand up to the pain” no pun intended on that one. Basically this song is telling fans “Don’t let the fire that burns inside you fade away” NEVER.
“Faithless”:
This song has that ole “From Whom The Bell Tolls” by Metallica meets the Misfits and Motley Crue vibe. The bells in the intro of the song was very nostalgic to me being a fan of Metallica’s from the womb till today. Jake, Jinxx, Andy, CC, and “Former” really showed their chops on this song. Each individual cord and beat is very raw and in the face with emotion. I am very pleased with this song. Some people might be biased on this song due to the credentials that “BVB AREN’T METAL” and “BVB aren’t metal insert derogatory term against them here” For factual purposes. BVB never claimed to be metal or anything. Just a mere rock and roll band wanting a good fucking time which they deserve so much. There is a lyric Andy wrote against these people and ignorant people in general that is “Cross your heart, open your mind” and “Behold the new hate”. Hate in general has an immature face. Its biased and cruel. If people took the amount of time researching about the thing they hate or just ignore it than we would have a semi peaceful planet. But that will never happened cause people have their own brains and they function them however they please. Forcing opinions down people’s throats don’t help either. The other outwardly lyrics that popped out at me are “I’ll never say a prayer I don’t believe” and “Hide your face in their disguise” Basically shoving beliefs and religion into people’s minds is stupid and blatantly uncool thing to do. Plus hiding behind false identities and hiding behind social media being a “Keyboard Warrior” is not okay either. I am complete secular person when it comes to pushing beliefs to someone else. I rather give someone options versus the cruel “Check this out. Oh by the way if you don’t check this out you will die in 24 hours” that shit makes me incredibly mad. So I get what Andy is trying to teach us through lyric in the song. That is don’t let some stupid person get in the way of your beliefs and dreams(reminds me of infamous Andy versus Asshole video on YouTube, (will provide link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzo71iva76Q ) Just for the inspiration of it and mere amusement of me yelling at my computer “Go Andy Go”), So overall the song is a killer metal vibe rock and roll mosh potato A +.
“Devil In The Mirror”:
This shin digger had me either very emotional or head banging my head off. This one is very personal or me. The lyrics Andy wrote for this hauntingly accurate to anyone who is battling inner demons. I battled inner demons all my life. Looking in the mirror was one of them. I always cared for myself poorly when I was a teenager cause I was extremely bullied and depressed. I was just empty. Lost for hope. When I heard this song. I let go all the demons that haunted me as child and as teenager. Just let myself live. I realized I am who I am. I can’t be changed. All through my teens and as a child I chanted “I can’t take it anymore” which is lyric from the song. I have in my adulthood chanted that also. Until the day I discovered BVB and my empty feeling turned into pure love and hope for everything. We all come from the same back ground but with different stories and family lives. The other lyrical standpoints in the song that grabbed at me are “ I am just a human, I am ready to die”, “I will never let you win”, “Never look forward, Just straight down a gun”. These lyrics grab at me very personally. The first mentioned one “I am just a human, I am ready to die” hits me to the core cause of the medical bullshit I go through each and everyday. Everyday is struggle to get by but I keep a positive face and outlook on life. Being negative in life won’t get anyone nowhere. So basically its very cleansing and refreshing to hear such a cathartic lyric piece through a song. Plus “I will never let you win” intertwines with my outlook on life and my beliefs. I never let my medical issues win the fight over my positive attitude. I am very lucky to be born with such unique abilities to help others through my inner demons to fight theirs too(my goal is to get my social work degree while I do journalism as a hobby/full me project). My sweetheart attitude in life was very nature and nurtured. So to sum this song that receives an A+ potato in my book its one to listen to when you’re at your own wits end with daily life bullshit and among other things. It’s a song to head bang the hell out too while cathartically getting your problems out in positive light. Cause that is the message of Black Veil Brides. To ensure positive and health self-worth among their fan base. Andy’s vocal tone to this song has that punk and hard rock vibes to it. It’s a song that one can go honky tonking in the car and feel like they are in motion picture film.
“Goodbye Agony”:
This song hits me VERY VERY personally. This song gives many many Easter eggs in the lyrics and in the official music video itself. The song has so many layers and keynotes to it. It touches base with songs BVB has done in the past such as “Knives and Pens”, “Coffin”, and the whole catalog behind the story of “Legion Of The Black” in the movie. The song has several meanings uniquely to the listener. I being a convert to BVBism. It is a song that I rehabilitated my heart on and finally put to rest the past I had being a disbeliever in BVB’s message and what they portray in their lyrics of a positive limelight to their fans via self-worth, etc. When I apologized to BVB on November 8th, 2014 being the first one to do so and not the last. I did it with the notion to leave the shit behind me(which it did) and start something beautiful with five guys who mean the world to me now. I did it because I was born and raised to apologized for my wrong doings. With that allowed me to say this after I met the four amazing and sweet heart guys in Black Veil Brides. I said to myself “I had my own personal “Goodbye Agony” moment” It was such a bittersweet moment to share among myself and the four lovely guys in BVB. They deserved it so much. They more than deserved it actually. The memory of this is everlasting. So glad I did it cause I am extremely happy now than I was years ago.
The song also hits on the layers of BVB’s career. The metamorphization of Andy Six or Sixx to Andy Biersack(His real name if your new to BVB).The song also hits on the timeline of little kid(David Basik) in the “Knives and Pens” video to his grown up character to Eve Black(Alicia Vigil) character. It tells the story of how far they came. The members of BVB maturing and coming into their own character in the band. From BVB’s heavily make up era to what I call their “KISS no face paint era” to the resurrection of some of their elements of the make-up coming back. I am proud to have gotten to know the band at the end of their heavily make up era to their glam non-make up era(I grew up on glam metal such a small ass world on that one, BVB stole my heart at “In The End”(Sounds like a Kay or Zales commercial) but yes I grew up on the mentioned above bands from the 80’s, etc). “Goodbye Agony” Andy stated in an Interview with Backstage Axxcess that the song was a huge love letter to the BVB army. It’s very emotional song musical wise with every cord and beat tone cathartically transposition of breath-taking hooks, magical vocals, tones, and melodies mixed together to create an ode ballad. This song gets a Kleenex box filled with tater tots with a rating of A+. The past will always be their but the future will and present will be their. This song is also a favorite of my mothers and recently my uncle Mark’s. The song is an ultimate bittersweet ode song to whatever the person and however the person interprets it in their own mind. It’s beautiful timeless song that I am sure one day I will see in the classic mix’s. Song reminds me November Rain/Guns and Roses and Nothing Else Matters/Metallica.
“World of Sacrifice”:
This song reminds me of the song by a band that I would watch their music sometimes before I headed of to the dreaded high school. The song is called “Sister Christian” by Night Ranger. Just the same tone lyric wise. But Night Ranger tackled on sinful young women who was raised in very religious home but “World of Sacrifice” tackles the deeper level of how people basically give up their dreams and aspirations in order to fulfill their family traditions and religious aspects. All the lyrics need to this song need to be accounted for as well as the musical attributes(again damn Jake, CC, and Jinxx your growth as musicians along with Andy’s vocals has improved with this album). This tackles a person living on the edge and lost. It also affects the youth more than the adults. Why? Youth are more vulnerable to believing in things such as religion and beliefs. Being pushed into a grey mold and not get to express yourself is very horrible and not cool life to live. Many parents of today push their kids into things they don’t want to do such as extracurricular activities or sports. It’s very sad that youth don’t get to express themselves cause of parents, religion, etc. Same goes with adults. They work a job they hate and have to survive. don’t get to express their dreams cause they have died cause of strict belief systems, etc. So this song tackles the respect of. Go out their. Go against the grain and fulfill your dreams even if it is against everything you were taught in life. Long live your dreams. Never give in. This song gets my golden star potato of A+.
“Last Rites”:
This song reminds me of the song by Starship called “We Built This City”. It has that 80’s powerhouse shit kicker vibe to it. So when the first chord to the intro comes on its like “Heart Of Fire”, “Faithless”, and “Devil In The Mirror”. I have that rock and roll head banger vibe that gets you pumped for the day. Its one to blast in your car when you go for a joyride or a ride out in the city(me honky-tonk town, USA). The musical tones and beats are very odish to all the 80’s era of punk, metal, and rock. Andy’s(plus his vocal tones throughout the song) lyrics to this song were very Ace!. Basically giving a another anthem to all of us whom are “Outcasts” ,”The Misfits”, and “Whatever the hell people called us while judging us”. “Last Rites in a lost city, I can’t fight for a life I’ve never know, Dark lights giving no pity, Last Rites for a place I call my home” Whatever you call your home. At a concert. In your art studio. Whatever you call YOUR home. Never forget what makes you, YOU. You fought for your dreams. Never let them slip through the cracks. During your dark times and great times. Always remember humbly what go YOU their. YOU are your own star. NEVER give in on your dreams. This song basically admits to the closure that YOU have “Rites”. If they are your “Last Rites” make god damn sure you prove to people who YOU are and leave a lasting mark impression on them(oh and block those buttheads who don’t approve of your dreams and talents). This song gets the potato Ace! of A+. This song is also my moms personal favorite.
“Stolen Omen”:
This song has an indirect about hate song written all over it toward anything it can be interpreted to. I had a crazy thought two months ago about this song. It reminded me if Slayer had a baby with glam metal. Laughing so hard right now. Being’s though Slayer is thrash metal band that spanned out of the 80’s with likes with Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, etc. This song has the thrash, power, and death metal drum tones the CC portrays so well in this song. The guitar cords and how Jake and Jinxx created monster guitar riffs tones are insane with Andy’s epic growls and vocal cordings massed a song so powerful it can start a moshed pit. I hope they break this song out at Download or somewhere with a larger audience cause it has the velocity and electricity of Anthrax “Caught in A Mosh”. The lyrics that hit me personally are “I sing for the hope that is broken, They live for a Stolen Omen” and “I see this, I know pain, lets see you try” “Punk” “YES” You tell them Andy. You tell them your words of wisdom. You tell them how you want BVB to just have a fair chance in the world without the asshole hate among other shit that goes on in the world cause I agree. This shit kicker is filled of pure inspirational wisdom from Andy. The musical cords and beats from “Former”, CC, Jinxx, and Jake is fucking amazing. I put this song on repeat the first time I heard it. I remember I had a moment of “What the fuck did I just listen to” It was so awesome. It gets my too much metal for both potatoes A+.
“Walk Away”:
This song is another ballad song off of “Black Veil Brides: Black Veil Brides” or commonly known as BVB4. This song is a killer song. It’s a song that can inspire a human being in part of their life good or bad. “Walk Away” is a power ballad that has the chops to be like “Goodbye Agony” it has the Guns N Roses/Poison/Etc vibe to it while Jinxx shows his virtuoso musical abilities with the violin and Jake/Ashley show emotion through cords throughout the song. CC’s slow drum beats to the song is magical and very majestic sounding with the piano intertwined into the beautiful layered song. To top it all off Andy’s vocal tones and lyrics to the song makes this song very bittersweet. This song hits me very very personal. I am have gone through a lot of medical bullshit lately and the first time I heard “Walk Away” I plain out cried after listening to it for the first time. This song has very powerful message of in my eyes “Walking away from the pain” and I know I will always have the BVB army their to talk to me if I am down and need to vent. I let others do the same cause I am their for all the BVB army. This song gets my loyal potato award of A+. Because BVB helps so many lives and has the message of self-worth and self empowerment. We are the ones that saved OUR own lives but do give a sliver of credit to the band that helped you through something unbearable. NEVER GIVE IN. NEVER.
“Drag Me To The Grave”:
This song hit me hard when I listened to the lyrics deeply. I myself have dealt with suicide before within myself and within my family, friends, and community. I converted into a huge BVB fan when I heard “In The End”. The day I converted I was going to end my life sort of speak. It is myself whom I saved my own life. Again the band gets a small sliver of credit of helping you through something so shitty. I will always give BVB each a small bag of potatoes for helping me through something I got through myself cause I am strong “I am fighter”. It’s sad that cowardly people push people to do something so horrible to themselves. Mine was a deeper issue with depression and severe 24/7 365 pain I am still in today. My life is worth living despite being in severe amounts of pain due to all 14 of my medical conditions. I have something to live for and that is to help people. My legacy is to help people like BVB does to their fan base among other bands that do their shit right and bring a positive outlook for their fan base. Suicide IS NEVER okay. Some people lose the fight but it doesn’t make them a bad person(some religions believe in if you commit the act of suicide you got to hell, I don’t believe in this. But it’s whatever. Let live). So please I can’t spread awareness quick enough. Suicide prevention is year around thing for myself. I took a three class on suicide while I was in college. I know how to prevent suicide to a degree but I send people the proper links, hotlines, etc to get proper help cause mental health is so needed nowadays along with all around body health. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. YOU can get through it know matter how hard and shitty the situation is. Life isn’t easy but it is what you make it. Make it a good one. Make your dreams happen. Fight for them. NEVER give in. If you can’t the US hotline to suicide prevention line is: 1(800)-273-8255. The International hotline directory for suicide prevention is here: (http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html) Additional US Suicide Prevention information here: (http://www.afsp.org/).
This song had amazing backing vocals and Andy’s vocals and lyrics were very powerful. Andy has a knack of spreading positive light through a shitty topic. He tackled the subject very kindly and very inspirational. The music upbeats from Jake’s guitar feeding off of Jinxx’s guitar with CC’s (ONE FOR FUN) drum beats. This song makes one want to dance whilst giving a positive message of “BVB believes in you so dance for “One for fun”, Rise up and celebrate your life”. The lyric that made me cry the most was “Heroes blessed by the fire” cause it struck me deeply that I actually saved 24 people from killing themselves. It’s basically an homage to when indians celebrated their elder and they would have a huge bond fire. In that fire they celebrated their heroes. I live in a very very historical Indian reservation where their culture is celebrated here among other cultures so It’s a fun way to honor such a lyric. Many cultures celebrate their heroes through bond fires. Its awesome. So I give this my “I believe in YOU!” potato seal of an award of A+.
The suicide sign. Held by Andy Biersack
“I believe in you” Photo credit: carlitos_n
“The Shattered God”: *(This song can be uni-sexed in interpret into however you please)
This song deals with greed, alcohol and drug abuse, suicide(see “Drag Me To The Grave” for explanation), and crime. They lyrics deeply describe how one can destroy themselves and slowly kill every relationship and friendship the person has ever made. Drugs and alcohol can do major damage to ones personal and business life. I have experienced this among family and friends. It’s sad how people can change. It’s a sad life really. I dealt with addiction myself but its the person whom wants to need to seek the help. A life of crime and addiction gets people no where in life. Life is what YOU make it. If someone choose to do drugs, abuse alcohol, etc that is their fancy. But know YOU are hurting the best person you have in your life and that is YOU. The songs intro is as real as it gets.
“Failure and apathy descend
Success just hasn’t been your friend
You live a lie high as the sky
This taste like iron blood and greed
Tell us of what you’ll never be
I won’t ask why, just let it die”
Let alone this one too : “Your eyes are empty like your bed” Andy you hit right where it hurts don’t you with that old-fashioned response to your “haters” joke that BVB gets ALL the girls. No pun intended their Andy. You made a timeless classic with CC, Jinxx, Jake, and Ashley with this one. Many people go through things but good karma and bad karma weighs itself out in everyone’s life here on the planet. The song reminded me of the Motley Crue “Shout At The Devil” and Skid Row’s “Youth Gone Wild” meets a new level of its own. The song is just filled with riffs and cords galore. I can tell Jake had fun one with this one getting to shred some on this album in all the song but this song you can really hear it and feel it. Feeds off with Jinxx’s shredding too. CC’s power drumming. Plus to top it off with an angry tones to his vocals with Andy singing its sure a head banger classic. To give the chives, sour cream, bacon bits, avocado, or cheese to this great song Jake unique shredding solo at the end of the song which I gave it a name. Its called “The Slot Machine riff Solo” by yours truly Jake Pitts. I give this song a loaded baked potato award of A+.
“Crown of Thorns”:
This song is an ode to all the 7 and impending years BVB has been a band together. All the lyrics to “Crown of Thorns” hits me hard cause all of them are preaching that even if in thick and thin. We all will be their for each other. YOU all have in the BVB army through supporting them in so many things such as voting, defending the band, through your artwork, etc YOU as a the member of the BVB army show forth. BVB has shown forth their thanks to you through song and special cool things such as merchandise and a film “Legion Of The Black”. It’s all done for you. ” It’s a song for new and old BVB army alike. WE ALL MATTER NO MATTER WHAT ERA YOU JOINED AS A FAN TO BE IN THE BLACK VEIL BRIDES ARMY. No one is higher than anyone else. Were all equal. We all need to love and support each other like Black Veil Brides self-worth and anti-bullying message is. We are one, For we are MANY.
The song references to songs of BVB’s such as “Saviour”, “Ritual”. “Lost It All”, “Done For You”, “Devils Choir”, and “Nobody’s Hero”. The song also has classical Metallica influence to the guitar solo. Its a reference to Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” and “The Unforgiven”. Jinxx, Jake, CC, “Former”, and Andy did a great job on this song pouring their hearts out to us fans. It’s very cool and awesome experience music from such amazing, nose to the grind stone, hardworking, talented musician such as them. They each give something unique through BVB to give to their fans. It’s truly great to see such talent on Earth. I will never take for grant these five great guys. To know they went through the thick and thin. Came through for us all is inspirational in itself. This song gets my honorary five potato inspirational potato award of A+.
*”Sons of Night”:
I wasn’t able to review this song cause I don’t have the song legally. Waiting to purchase it. Will post a single review when I get it whenever it becomes available to purchase.
I will explain why I gave BVB the “Potatotastic shit kicker Golden Goddess potato award” and solid A+’s. It’s because all five of them worked their asses off on this album not only materialistic level but on personal level too. While they were creating BVB4. They patched up their inner business relationships and their friendships just as buddies in general outside of BVB. They truly deserve a great award for BVB4. BVB are extremely caring and sweethearts when It comes to their fans. When it comes to making music for us they literally do give us their all. It’s very amazing how I grew with this band in the two years I have known them and can call them my inspirations. BVB truly deserve so much in their careers them as a whole and individually. So I am not trying to be biased cause I am BVB fan really. It’s just the fact that they grew SO MUCH with this album and its respect isn’t heard. All of them deserve all the positive feedback they get from this album I am hoping someday will become a timeless classic with all the rock and roll legends such as Alice Cooper, Motley Crue, KISS, Metallica, The Misfits, Pantera, etc.
So all in all. BVB is one band that deserves a lot but is only handed so few opportunities in their career and lifespan with BVB. So support them. Buy not download for free. Supporting an artist is so fun though cause you get music that lasts for a lifetime in your soul that relates to you the listener in your own unique way. Each song of BVB’s off of their each individual album hits me personally in its own way. I love that about music on how it has the power to tell a story without it having too. Music never fails me how much it inspires me and makes me feel alive. Never will take for grant the experiences I have had with BVB with the two concerts I have been to and meeting them on Nov 8th, 2014. What I said to BVB is something I will NEVER forget. They each deserved it. They all mean the world to me and I will never take it for grant. So thankful and grateful to have so many best friends through BVB in the BVB army. YOU all are amazing. NEVER give in. NEVER back down. NEVER. Always remember in our times of pain and sorrow. YOU can rise from the ashes and conquer the world. Don’t give up on dreams like BVB did cause “WE ALL WILL RULE THE WORLD ONE DAY AT A TIME!”
-Written by: Mariah L. Hanna 2/18/2015 @PotatoBVBQueen *See my “About” page for sharing info and inquires.
How can I start this. I started this review a million times in my head but it never came out right until now. I went to see Black Veil Brides, Falling In Reverse, Set It Off, and Drama Club at the Knitting Factory(learned from a security guard it was built-in 2004 and opened in the same year) on November 8th, 2014. A day that I will never forget nor forget to remember as every ounce of that day is soaked into my brain forever. I truly grateful and thankful for it. Every ounce of it. To be alive and breathing is something I will never take for grant.
This review taking a little longer to do cause five days after my concert. I had to get major surgery to remove a hernia and appendix(Doctor told me basically my appendix was an organ bomb ready to explode inside my intestinal cavity it was that extremely inflamed from my severe stomach issues I have) that was causing me to be in extreme stomach pain. They were going to take my gallbladder out too but there was no gallstones prevalent so I must have another surgery to test to see if something is wrong with my gallbladder if there is there taking that out too next year. I live on a never ending battle roller coaster ride with my medical issues. Going to the concert was my get away from my problems and bullshit I deal with. I met A LOT of kids at the concert with medical conditions of there own. Ranging from scolisos to fibromyalgia. I gave them so many hugs and told them that their in my thoughts and prayers. Meanwhile all this medical bullshit is happening within the BVB army our own leader, Andy Biersack, stated in the new Revolver Magazine said he suffered a blood infection that rendered him to have constant pain and suffer from inflammation. Even though his dad, Chris Biersack, stated in a few tweets recently he is okay now. Andy if you do read this always know YOU aren’t alone now like you were in the past. We are all here for you dude. Health, batman, or whatever the hell you want wise. You do so much for us. Sometimes its best for the community to show its part in supporting you unconditional. In fact I say this about ALL the members of BVB really. I want them all to be healthy. Being sick is never fun. I live the life all to well and its never fun to be chronically ill.
So lets start this review. How can I really. I have been rendered speechless but now I have found the words to review it. My meet and greet went magically how I wanted it to go even though I was an awkward potato at that. All I wanted for them to hear was an “I am sorry” from a former BVB hater. But instead they got it formally. I said ” I want to apologize for being a former hater of your band” CC, Jake, and Jinxx’s faces were flabbergasted by my apology. I am very pleased to have done what I did. I made sure both ends of the table got an apology. I apologized formally to Andy and Andy took this in glory and welcomed me “Officially” to their weird side of things. I was stunned of what Andy Biersack had to say to me. I could tell he comprehend who he was talking to at the moment. He then told me something that brought something rare out of me. He took me WAY off guard. He told me that he reads what you the reader are reading right now. I was stunned, shocked, and couldn’t come to words at them moment to thank him. Andy pulled a “Mariah Pysduck” out of me. They are rare. After he said he reads my things on this blog. I am very very appreciative and grateful of that. I then told him without even thinking that BVB should brand BVB haters in the head with “Research” on their heads. No Andy I didn’t mean cattle prodding BVB haters with that. I meant putting stickers and shit like that annoying V8 juice commercial. So Andy you are one of the very few that pulled a “Mariah Psyduck” out of me. I can say the most off the wall shit when I am very stunned as potato hearing cool shit things. All of the meet and greet experience was awesome besides my mom telling Andy he was born in Idaho. I corrected her though. My mom is new to BVB. No matter how much I try teaching her BVB facts she won’t remember them. She also told him that I share a birthday with him. I was going to tell Andy I named my cat after him but then he told me “Happy Almost Birthday” I became overwhelmed and I told I called it “Merry Birthmas which was meant as greeting to him too. I was still in shock that I apologized twice to a band that receives so much hate still for just being a band that are themselves and are the true people who they are in the public eye. So Andy that “Merry Birthmas” was for you. I hope you have wonderful “Merry Birthmas” I understand what you go through birthday wise. Haha. Pros and cons of it. All the rest of you in the band Jake, Jinxx, CC, and “Former”. I tried my best to give you all equally amount of time with me. You all have some sort of inspiration to me personally equally. I love you all. Converting to be BVB fan is the best gift I could ever give myself cause really if I never became a fan. I wouldn’t be here really. But I am proud to say this. I, Mariah, am no longer associating myself as former BVB hater or anything towards it. I, Mariah, am a huge dedicated fan of Black Veil Brides and that is the end of that. The last bits of darkness were given to BVB in a two-part fan letter addressed to all the guys. Their was a piece of paper I wanted them to destroy. It’s all the thoughts I had left and vanished with pure love for the band after I got done writing it. It wasn’t made for me it was made for them to destroy. The fate of it I don’t know what happened to it. I don’t want to know cause its theirs to keep and destroy as a band insignificance of putting a huge dent into the “BVB hater” side. Which by the way doesn’t have potatoes, porta potties, etc. BVB army side has it better and cooler. Trust me the BVB hater life is the sad life. 😉 So all in all. BVB “In the end*” got me as forever fan as they rightfully deserve. I am very proud of myself making that decision on January 27th, 2013. It was the best gift I ever received and the best thing to ever happen to me in the world.
I also want to make a side note that they went nuts over my thank you notes/letter combined into one. It was so cute and fun to see all the dudes faces in BVB light up when they saw themselves in potato form. I will never be over that and the fun I had making them was priceless. So truly it put me over the moon with this whole VIP meet and greet experience.
Now let’s get to this concert review shall we. I woke up very early Saturday. That alone is a chore for me to do cause I am disabled and I have severe sleeping disorder that makes me sleep till odd hours of the day. I just deal with my health issues madness. But my cat Loki Andy the one I named after Andy Biersack cause around the time I converted I was given this little tiny baby rescue tabby kitten who lost all its fur and was full of fleas around my fifth month after being new to BVB and the BVB army. He lived in barn and bathroom the first part of his life. My cat Loki LOVES the bathroom. That is his bedroom so I make sure he gets spoiled and has his room cleaned a lot. He is my little rock star cat of trouble. He is my little “Toilet Buddy”(referred to BVB 2011 interview done by Kerrang Magazine). My other cat Snickers despises the bathroom. lol. My cats are my alarm clocks cause I hate regular alarm clocks. Cats are cuter and you can’t stay mad for long at their annoying nature verses an alarm clock that just needs a shotgun to it. My mom and I get ready and out the door quick. We go to my moms friends and her daughter’s house to pick them up to carpool up to Spokane,WA to the Knitting Factory. During the three plus hours on the way up. My mind was going nuts cause I was the first person to apologize to BVB. I had all these mix feelings of excitement, love, passion, and happiness as well as being nervous knocking on the door. I just kept telling myself their human like me.
I hurried the hell up and ate something(lawn LOL, salad) plus hydrated the hell out of myself cause I am disabled and my body tires easily. I need to conserve precious amounts of energy to rock the hell out with BVB later on in the day. Get their and as I mentioned above I got to go in early cause I was apart of the meet and greet. I said “Hi” to all the people outside who were waiting to see BVB and FIR. I got a lot back in return. The BVB army is consisted of nice smelling again I am noting that again. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING DEODORANT ON BVB ARMY AND NICE SMELLING THINGS. I can’t thank you enough for that. It’s pleasant to smell a sweaty nice smelling person verses a sweaty BO person. I don’t judge someone though about this but hygiene is a must and BVB fans sure know it all too well.
The meet and greet gets over. I wait in line inside the building waiting line also known as lobby. I am relieved to not see the see through shirt double DD see all the titties lady outside in the line. I was going to go to Wal-Mart to buy her a special bra to wear but glad I didn’t have to. There are a lot of kids at shows. Kids don’t need to see that shit. Again concert attire should be nice looking and presentable. Not be like your going to the stripper joint. But on the flip side I seen a lot awesome dressed people who dressed awesome. I don’t give a shit what one wears but there is boundary line though. Don’t dress like a stripper to a concert were there are kids in attendance. No no square. Potato brownie points to the four banana ladies who took that one Andy Biersack quote to heart and went to the show as bananas. So shout out to them. If you want to dress like a banana or giraffe and go into public I am very proud of you and cheer you on. I did see an epic Eve Black cos-player in attendance. She spent lots of time preparing her attire I could tell just for the concert she also attended the meet and greet too. Their were a lot face painted kids hailing the person that influenced them the most in the band with stitches and everything. I was going to put face paint on but I have severe hand tremors that would make me look like I dipped my whole face in black paint. So I went as a plain Jane BVB army member. I am very very pleased with how much effort people put into their attire for the BVB concert. It’s a huge event to them. BVB’s concerts means everything to us. I started already planning my next meet and greet and BVB concert next time. I plan on doing it all over again. The whole experience was just amazing.
Now I get to talk about the concert part:
Drama Club: My thoughts on these crazy cats. They are very positive force for a younger demographic and beyond. They hit really well with people who like techno, dub-step, and fast beat music. Very high energy. The songs they played were fantastic. It reminded me if anonymous had love children with Rage Against The Machine and Skrillex and Drama Club is born minus Rages political cannery. I loved their Andy Black spin-off. That was cool as potatoes to see and hear. I seen on their masks they had the “NO H8” sign glad to know they are against homophobia and all for the LBGT community. Spread the love and not the hate. This music isn’t my cup of tea but I am highly pleased with them. I can’t listen to this kind of music too much with my medical conditions so it was a hairy situation when I they started playing. I respect the hell out these guys cause they called an asshole out in the crowd. I was their just enjoying and respect them as one should(I have learned from all of my hate.) No hate from me. Their great cool cats. I would recommend their music to anyone that loves this type of music. It’s just that I can’t listen unfortunately “Fuck You, Motherfucker to my medical conditions right” So Drama Club keep working your asses off to make YOUR dreams come true(Your reading mine) and peace out from Potatoland.
Set It Off: I quite enjoyed these guys. Their bassist gave me a hug when I told him I was broke and couldn’t buy his CD. I promise you Austin. If you are reading this I will buy “Duality” and review it sometime down the road. Hold on with me as I do my best that I can. I love Set It Off’s energy. Cody’s Carson’s speech to the crowd about Anxiety was beautiful and well needed to our youth of today and everyone in between that deal with that. He is very inspirational up and coming front man to inspire a whole new legion of people to become fans of his band. His band though were crazy cool cats. Cody stage dived a few times. Making the whole floor go wild. So I am not worried at all for this band not to fall through the cracks cause they got their shit straight and I am proud to be fan just very newly. I love going to shows and discovering music that way. Its more kick ass and cooler. So Set It Off keep working your ass off and someday you can become a headliner band. Excited to see your journey to flower. All my best to Set It Offs future.
Falling In Reverse: I was hesitant for this band 100%. I had mixed feelings about their music and what Ronnie Radke is as a musician. But at the end of the day he earned my respect for stopping the show to see if a little dude was okay from getting hit crowd surfing. He asked him if he needed back surgery and if he was alright. After that I knew all that bullshit from the past just needs to be in the past. People make mistakes(are only human). People deserve “Second, Third, Fourth, etc chances”. Ronnie deserves that just like anyone else. He got the crowd going for sure to the point were the security guards had to give the kids out on the floor water to prevent dehydration and people from collapsing from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Those security guards deserve props throughout FIR’s set cause Ronnie made sure the whole house was on fire before BVB. All the musicians and everyone who works for Ronnie all deserve my props for caring about the audience that night. Thais all I cared about and he earned it. So Ronnie you are breaking through the shit. If you can earn respect from me then you can slowly rebuild your reputation back again. Shit happens in shitty ways and good ways. I am proud as hell you’re getting your life turned 360’d. All I can do is send my best of wishes to FIR’s future and whatever the hell you do. You put on a hell of a show. I respect FIR. It might not be my cup tea cause some music takes awhile for me to fall in love with and some its love at first listen. All FIR can do is try to I can say that about any band really. If you try to failing gets you to success then you know you are winning the battle. Kudos from Potatoland.
Black Veil Brides: The band of the night arrives. Excuse my french even though I have been using no-no language throughout my review but I am my own writer and I do what I want to write. HOLY FUCKING SHIT POTATO AMAZEBALLS. I have had enough days this year that felt like Christmas and this was one of them Ho! Ho! Ho! “Merry Blackmass everyone” The five dark Saint Kris Kringle’s came out and gave everyone a rock n roll time. This show was special to cause THERE WAS NO BVB HATER SPEECHES AT ALL. I felt validated and honored to do a such thing. This how a BVB show should run for them for the rest of the run as band. The time for hating bands is becoming so dull and very annoying. Of course hate the band as you please if it makes you feel good to be miserable. But I believe its time to just move on from hating bands. If people sat down and did the math of how much it costs to run a band and what it takes to be in band people would be respectful. Ignorance should NEVER be celebrated. So it pleased the hell out of me that BVB was having the time of their lives doing the greatest thing they loved to do and that is to perform for thousands and thousands of people every night and sing along with the Army they created from the beginning. To experience this is truly something I will never take for grant. I am very happy to see that these guys are happy on stage. I should say stupidly happy. Which makes me even more elated cause its like seeing kids on Christmas, Halloween, or any cool ass holiday or a store that makes that person go nuts to see the person that happy. To know they have re-built their band relationship from their struggles from making W&D. To see them party the fuck up on stage and blow it up. The fact that they received something huge from me that day an apology from a former “BVB Hater” all I can say is “Goodbye Agony” and saying hello to a new chapter and new beginnings of what is in store. I am at a loss for words when It comes to their concert cause literally they fucked shit up and made sure everyone had rock n roll time. Andy also mentioned to the crowd that he appreciated the fact that people spent their hard-earned money on rock and roll show twice. Andy is one of the most sweetest people I have ever met along with his band brothers. I am living testament that all the shit against them is FALSIFIED BULLSHIT. I researched and went to the source. None of the shit that is against BVB is true. I will go to my grave and defend the fact that BVB are five wonderful dudes and care about their fans. So proud of them as band and as individuals. So really if your on the fence about these guys go to the source. Don’t be a coward and become another worthless keyboard warrior troll. My hard-working money went to a magnificent rock show to five incredible, kind-hearted, and hard-working dudes plus a huge crew who works day in a day out to put the show on for you all. So all in all, the show was a killer night for rock n roll as a whole it was alive and well in that venue. I cherished every moment of it. So thank you BVB for doing what you do even though you return the exact opposite to us. Haha!. You inspire a legion of people to follow their dreams and conquer them. Mine is only beginning and I have firm believing that if I work hard enough I can feel like a rock star too. I wish you all nothing but the best. All my love and admiration from Potatoland(Idaho). Jake Pitt’s birth state. I call Jake a “Famous Potato” for a reason.
In conclusion, hating on bands is so my space. Bands either crash and burn or get wild success from a rabid fan base. But Its getting tiring to read the same ole shit everyday. Its become amusing and quite sick( I believe some extreme band haters have mental health issues its sad really). All my money. planning, etc paid off big time. I am pleased with how the Blackmass tour went. I am even more enamored how the bands made sure they didn’t hurt their fans at all. Even though it was a packed house it was a house filled with love, common place, love, bananas, Eve Black cos-player, a lot of BVB face painted kids, a lot of hardcore kids, kids with medical issues that came to prove they could go to the ends of the earth to see their favorite band, and most of all we all were their for reason, to enjoy ourselves and have fun. Cause what is life-like without the party. Life already gives us shit and things we have to deal with on a daily basis whether with be life, medical, etc. All these bands have a mission to help kids find their dreams and make them come true.
Whether your favorite band was FIR, SIO, Drama Club, or BVB. The respect levels in the room and people’s manners were very polite. I never been to a concert except to BVB’s where common manners are highly used. Doors were being held by gentlemen and some gentlemen went and got drinks for their ladies and their friends. Seen a ole grandma that was disabled rocking the hell out to BVB. As I left the concert to leave to my motel that my carpool for the night was staying at when my mom and I was walking to their car their was drunk imbecile in a sketchy bar singing karaoke to KISS’s “Rock and Roll All Night and Party Everyday” I am like well I just got a blast of BVB and touch of real life Average Joe here. Poor dude wasn’t impressing the ladies in the bar. Oh lord. What a night that was and I will never forget it for the rest of my life. I am at peace and very proud of what I did. I am excited to see BVB again sometime down the road. These guys deserve a lot of good karma in their lives. I hope that everyone in the BVB army is able to see the power that is BVB on stage cause their a presence to be reckoned with. One that is groundbreaking and hits the take over the world stratosphere. These guys are only starting. I am glad I am a long for the ride cause I believe that BVB’s future is bright of many cool things.
Thank you for reading this concert review. It means a lot that you took time out of your day to read my words. It greatly appreciated. This took awhile for me to put out cause A) I am speechless. B) I couldn’t find the words C) Recovering from appendix and hernia surgery sucks. So thank you for holding in their with me. I love you all. Your all my lovely potato gems and I appreciate the hell out of you that support me and my writing. I support YOU in whatever you do and need plus your dreams whatever they may be. All my wishes and love to you all. “Never give in, Never back down.”-BVB Always remember YOU are not alone. Keep kicking ass and eat your potatoes cause they help aid to kill heart disease in its place plus they clean your colon out too while providing nutrients and minerals. Whatever your dreams are. GO FORTH AND CONQUER.
-Mariah L. Hanna Copyright @PotatoBVBQueen 11/21/2014 *See About page for *inquire
*”In The End” is the song that converted me from being a hater of BVB’s to a huge dedicated fan of BVB’s on January 27th, 2013. The song gave me the tools to live with myself and accept myself for who I am. Its one song that is dear to my heart cause its the song that stopped me in my last and final attempt of committing suicide. BVB gave me the tools to help save my own self destruction. For all that I owed them debt. I apologized to them as the debt. I still feel like I need to pay them more but they got me as a forever fan in the end.
LONG LIVE BLACK VEIL BRIDES AND NEVER GIVE IN, NEVER BACK DOWN.
I will never give in, never back down. I have been through hell and back medically and my spirits have never been broken even though I have “Lost it all” at times. But know we are only human. If you are going through hell know we can fight this together. No one has to be alone. Again follow your dreams and “SET THE WORLD ON FIRE”
I have had the toughest three months with my medical issues. Being extreme stomach pains and intensified headaches. Which has halted my writing altogether as the extreme pain didn’t allow me to focus and write properly. I was then put on a new stomach pain reliving medication, hooray right. NOT. Its been hell. I am in hell with it. It relieves my pain by a smudge but the side effects has made me into a completely zombie and very weak at times. Plus I don’t have much of an appetite anymore. Plus I have been dealing with wisdom teeth. Plus the horrible news is I should be getting my gallbladder removed but can’t cause my immune system is compromised and I am ill 24/7 365. Plus my body is very weak no matter how healthy I try to get it to a point it to be in. I am having surgery on Thursday to get a Laparascopy to check on everything. I am strong and things. But am scared a little on what they will find out. But I will “Never give in, Never back down”-BVB. I know I am strong and I will pull through.
I haven’t been writing at all because of my medical issues and the death of my grandpa. The death of my grandpa was REALLY hard on my cause I had to see my grandpa on his last days slowly die on his death bed. It was the toughest shit I ever had to see in my 22 years of life. My grandpa was my rock and inspiration to do things such as what your reading. He means the world to me. He is WWII veteran, fought for my country, and worked as a citizen for his country with numerous mill, etc jobs to raise his family. He took me in as his own even though I am not blood related to him. I thanked him for all he has given to me before dementia took his life and memory. But these last few months have been tough on me writing wise cause I couldn’t find my inspiration to write again. It was lost cause of the depression and deep hole I was in from my grandpa dying and my medical issues giving me hell. But Its all because of band named, Black Veil Brides that has not only once but twice resurrected my love and passion for my writing again from the “Ashes”. I am deeply and utterly in love with their message and who they represent themselves as a band.
Andy said something during the CreativeLive class he had guest spoke for Kevin Lyman that helped me revamp my love entirely for writing. He said along the lines that you need to believe in yourself, keep working mentally everyday on your passion, don’t give in to the people who don’t believe your passion, surround yourself with people who DO believe in your passion, most importantly believe in yourself again. If you want to catch what he said because I don’t want to spoil the magic of this positive interpersonal advice at 26:58-29:15. Reason why I don’t want to spoil it cause of the magic it will give to people who are struggling like I was with my writing and getting my low lit flame in my heart raging again for writing. Watch the video right here:
I am so thankful, appreciative, grateful, and honored to have a band like Black Veil Brides to come into my life in such a time that I needed to be told the most that “I am going to be okay” “YOU are amazing” even though they do it indirectly. The passion and love they have for their fans makes me honored and grateful that I am meeting them in 33 days and seeing them live. People often forget to realize that behind the band are human beings. These human beings have feelings. That to me alone makes what I am going to do in 33 all to special. I love BVB a lot. I wish them good luck in their career in Black Veil Brides. In all in all, BVB deserves all the great things in life such as awards, etc. I only hope that they can get treated better in the media outlets that are biased towards them and by the public eye. But slowly it starts. If they can convert one hardcore disbeliever(me) into a huge supporter and huge fan of theirs. Then they are doing everything right as a band. I have faith they are going to kick some donkey with #BVB4. So LONG LIVE BLACK VEIL BRIDES. NEVER GIVE IN. NEVER BACK DOWN. Even when live has you down in the darkest of moments always know people have your back no matter what. I am blessed to tater tots to have all this love and support. Thank you. You have no idea.
And Andy; you have no idea how much your advice means to me. It resonated with me deeply that I am writing again withing the 72 hours i first watched that video. You are an incredibly intelligent human being. I am so glad to have you as a new inspiration to look up to in my life cause your a man of legend(Say the same to your band brothers). I hope some day you can get praised for your work and honored instead of heckled and biased by media critics for BVB and your other “Passion Project”. I love you lots. You have completely changed my life on how I look at things and how learn now. I am happy that I named my cat after you. Loki Andy is my lovely toilet buddy kitty(He is a joy to have in my life). I hope BVB can “Become the biggest band in the world someday” or at least rule the world. Cause right now I think its just beginning. I am glad to be a fan of yours now(that is all that matters now). You deserve what I have to say to you in 33 days face to face vis-a-vis. BVB more than deserve it.
Thank you for reading this. It means a lot. I hope I can get back to my mojo again. I am glad I am back at to writing. It feels good. To all my fans. I love you so much. Thank you for sticking with me through thick and thin. Plus understanding. So thank you. I love you all very much. NEVER give in. No matter what shit and life brings you. Go forth and conquer.
-Mariah L. Hanna @PotatoBVBQueen 10/6/14 *Check About Page
P.S. EAT ALL THE TATERS TO KICK HEART DISEASE IN THE DONKEY REAR. 😉 ❤
The Potato Queen 