Black Veil Brides: Six, Purdy, Pitts, Jinxx, Coma

Author

By Dave Good

Publish Date

March 23, 2011

Andy Six says a “black veil bride” is what Catholics sometimes call a nun. “But to me, it always sounded like a band name. It had sort of the Guns N’ Roses feel — light, and dark. I liked the way it sounded.” Six grew up in a Catholic family. He’s not particularly religious but says the church’s symbolism did a number on him. “It’s a very theatric sect of the Christian church,” he says by phone from his home in L.A. “They have robes and crazy ceremonies and stuff. I always loved the visual aspects of Catholicism.” Six says black veil brides actually marry God. “They go through a little ceremony, and they give up the carnal pleasures of life. The devotion it takes, whether you agree with it or not, is something no one can deny.”

Six started the theatrical dark-rock band in Ohio in 2006, but they’re in Hollywood now, which seems a better fit for a glam-band version of the Ramones doing Kiss. Like many bands before them, BVB was first a hit on YouTube. Billboard magazine says their videos had millions of views, which in turn got them major-label attention. Following an early roster changeup, the current band is vocalist Six with Ashley Purdy on bass and backing vocals, lead guitarist Jake Pitts, rhythm-guitarist Jinxx, and Christian Coma on drums. Last year they released their debut, We Stitch These Wounds.