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They Don't Need to Understand: Stories of Hope, Fear, Family, Life, and Never Giving In
Before he was the charismatic singer of Black Veil Brides and an accomplished solo artist under the Andy Black moniker, he was Andrew Dennis Biersack, an imaginative and creative kid in Cincinnati, Ohio, struggling with anxiety, fear, loneliness, and the impossible task of fitting in. With his trademark charm, clever wit, and insightful analysis, Biersack tells the story of his childhood and adolescence. The discovery of the artistic passions that would shape his life, and his decision to move to Hollywood after his 18th birthday to make his dreams come true, even when it meant living in his car to make it all a reality. It's the origin story of one of modern rock's most exciting young superheroes, from building miniature concerts with KISS action figures in his bedroom to making the RIAA gold-certified single "In the End" and connecting with passionate fans worldwide.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
June 22, 2021
Great, this wasn’t a waste of my precious few dollars.
It has been almost two months since I finished this, so I guess I should finally try to write a coherent review.
Well first off, why was this thing so expensive?? It's just a tiny hardcover book and it was like 40 dollars. I got The Priory of the Orange Tree for that much and it's three times the size of this.
Anyways.
My lack of money is irrelevant.
Was this the best book I've ever read? No.
Was it the best writing? Also no.
Do I care? Certainly not.
The writing was questionable. You know. Some grammar errors, a few weirdly written sentences.
But whatever.
I read this for information about Black Veil Brides so that doesn't matter to me.
I don't really care about bad writing, as long as the content is satisfying.
Which it was.
Not gonna lie, I already knew a lot of stuff that was in here thanks to the excessive amount of band interviews I've watched, but that's also fine because there is no such thing as too much band content, even if the content is being repeated.
See, my purpose in reading this book was to gain more unnecessary band knowledge. And since that's exactly what happened, this thing gets five stars because I will not rate anything related to Black Veil Brides anything less then that.Except the song Done For You because I hate that song with a burning passion and like to pretend it does not exist
So there you go.
An unhelpful, incoherent review, of course.
Unsurprising, considering that I am running on less than 6 hours of sleep, and I read this 2 months ago.
But it's okay.
5/5 now every time I see anyone hanging off of or standing on some elevated surface, I worry that they'll fall and shatter their ribs so that's great
It has been almost two months since I finished this, so I guess I should finally try to write a coherent review.
Well first off, why was this thing so expensive?? It's just a tiny hardcover book and it was like 40 dollars. I got The Priory of the Orange Tree for that much and it's three times the size of this.
Anyways.
My lack of money is irrelevant.
Was this the best book I've ever read? No.
Was it the best writing? Also no.
Do I care? Certainly not.
The writing was questionable. You know. Some grammar errors, a few weirdly written sentences.
But whatever.
I read this for information about Black Veil Brides so that doesn't matter to me.
I don't really care about bad writing, as long as the content is satisfying.
Which it was.
Not gonna lie, I already knew a lot of stuff that was in here thanks to the excessive amount of band interviews I've watched, but that's also fine because there is no such thing as too much band content, even if the content is being repeated.
See, my purpose in reading this book was to gain more unnecessary band knowledge. And since that's exactly what happened, this thing gets five stars because I will not rate anything related to Black Veil Brides anything less then that.
So there you go.
An unhelpful, incoherent review, of course.
Unsurprising, considering that I am running on less than 6 hours of sleep, and I read this 2 months ago.
But it's okay.
5/5 now every time I see anyone hanging off of or standing on some elevated surface, I worry that they'll fall and shatter their ribs so that's great
Read
May 2, 2023did I only listen to this audiobook because I like Andy’s voice? yes, yes I did
Want to read
April 15, 2021time to desperately request my library to get the audiobook of this!
my andy black and general bvb obsession is thriving
April 29, 2021
Five stars may be a slight bit too much, but I didn't have any real problem to speak of with the book, and it gave me more insight into and appreciation of Black Veil Brides and the Andy Black solo project, which is kind of the point of this kind of book, isn't it?
The only issue I had with the book was the fact "he or she" was used all the time, which made me slightly uncomfortable, but that might have been added by the editor, not the author. Otherwise, the writing was excellent, and I read the book (relatively) quickly.
The only issue I had with the book was the fact "he or she" was used all the time, which made me slightly uncomfortable, but that might have been added by the editor, not the author. Otherwise, the writing was excellent, and I read the book (relatively) quickly.
"The music that refashioned the subjects of my anxiety into new passions had also helped me make a friend. I was now armed with a healthy obsession with the darkness. It wasn’t my adversary any longer. It became my ally."
August 8, 2021
Over the years, I’d heard a few Black Veil Brides songs here and there, but it wasn’t until after I’d watched the movie America Satan a few months ago that I became a bona fide fan (of them and Palaye Royale). I was curious why they didn’t use Andy’s voice in the movie, so I turned to google, which then led me down the BVB rabbit hole. There I found that I absolutely love their music… which then led me to buy all the albums, to watch interviews and videos on YouTube, to check out the Andy Show, and to discover that Andy had written a book. So of course, I wanted to check it out. I started with the audiobook because I find Andy’s voice to be very soothing, and then I read the ebook.
Andy takes the reader on a journey through his life, regaling us with tales of his youth, where he grew up, his experiences with school, his battle with anxiety and OCD (two things I can relate to), the artists he admired, fanboyed over, and was inspired by, and all the events that led him to where he is today. It had me captivated from beginning to end. I find that people (and I’m sure I’m guilty of this from time to time myself) tend to put artist/celebrities on pedestals and forget that they’re just people, so to see behind the scenes can be/is impactful. It allows us all to relate to one another, and there were a lot of things in this book, in Andy’s life, that I could relate to. It’s what resonated with me the most. That and his positive outlook.
I really enjoyed getting an inside look into who Andy is as a person and his sheer determination to make his band into the success it is today. He knew what he wanted from a young age and he made it happen. He never gave up, no matter what obstacles stood in his way. It’s inspiring to see that kind of dedication.
I recommend this book to everyone, BVB fan or not.
Andy takes the reader on a journey through his life, regaling us with tales of his youth, where he grew up, his experiences with school, his battle with anxiety and OCD (two things I can relate to), the artists he admired, fanboyed over, and was inspired by, and all the events that led him to where he is today. It had me captivated from beginning to end. I find that people (and I’m sure I’m guilty of this from time to time myself) tend to put artist/celebrities on pedestals and forget that they’re just people, so to see behind the scenes can be/is impactful. It allows us all to relate to one another, and there were a lot of things in this book, in Andy’s life, that I could relate to. It’s what resonated with me the most. That and his positive outlook.
I really enjoyed getting an inside look into who Andy is as a person and his sheer determination to make his band into the success it is today. He knew what he wanted from a young age and he made it happen. He never gave up, no matter what obstacles stood in his way. It’s inspiring to see that kind of dedication.
I recommend this book to everyone, BVB fan or not.
May 25, 2021
4.25 stars
This was such an entertaining listen!
Andy has such a soothing voice I feel like he definitely should narrate more audiobooks! haha
RTC
This was such an entertaining listen!
Andy has such a soothing voice I feel like he definitely should narrate more audiobooks! haha
RTC
November 21, 2023
#audiobook I could listen to him speak all day!
January 28, 2025
As one of my favourite bands (who saved life when no one was there to help me)
I can honestly say I enjoyed every moment of this book
Andy Biersack wasn't only hard on himself through out but also has taught me to stay positive because you never know what the future can bring
From being Bullied to now is definitely remarkable from someone who wouldn't fire back hurtful things at people in the early years of the band to now not letting it get to him is definitely something I need to learn haha but I never wanted this book to end as this guy with his band did in fact save my life and I will always support them even though they nearly gave up on the band
I can honestly say I enjoyed every moment of this book
Andy Biersack wasn't only hard on himself through out but also has taught me to stay positive because you never know what the future can bring
From being Bullied to now is definitely remarkable from someone who wouldn't fire back hurtful things at people in the early years of the band to now not letting it get to him is definitely something I need to learn haha but I never wanted this book to end as this guy with his band did in fact save my life and I will always support them even though they nearly gave up on the band
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2022
As Andy says in the intro, “this book isn’t a memoir, necessarily. (I’m too young for that).”
This was more a collection of stories/life lessons that formed the person you see today.
I was on a three days new crush on Andy when I read this and it only added more fuel to that.
Recommend after binging Black Veil Brides top track list on repeat for three days straight. 😆
Honest, real and I found somewhat relatable as an only child myself.
“Anytime I sat home moping about how things weren’t going my way, it was because I lost the plot about what mattered”
This was more a collection of stories/life lessons that formed the person you see today.
I was on a three days new crush on Andy when I read this and it only added more fuel to that.
Recommend after binging Black Veil Brides top track list on repeat for three days straight. 😆
Honest, real and I found somewhat relatable as an only child myself.
“Anytime I sat home moping about how things weren’t going my way, it was because I lost the plot about what mattered”
July 17, 2023
4,5/5
Andy Black je v interpret, ku ktorému mám veľmi špeciálny vzťah a som jeho dlhoročná fanúšička.
Menšia backstory: jeho sólo koncert bol môj prvý koncert zahraničného interpreta a bola to jedna z najlepších nocí môjho života. Spoznala som úžasných ľudí, s kamarátkami sme skončili v bare s jeho kapelou a crew a mala som to šťastie stretnúť Andyho osobne.
Sú hudobníci, z ktorých cítite obrovskú vďačnosť, lebo ju priam vyžarujú. Vďačnosť za každého fanúšika a ich podporu. Andy k nim patrí. Po celú dobu bolo vidieť, ako si nás váži a po koncerte ostal, odfotil sa a porozprával sa s každým, kto mal o to záujem bez akéhokoľvek náhlenia.
Samozrejme, celý tento zážitok moju lásku k nemu ešte utužil a vedela som, že si potrebujem prečítať túto knihu.
Andy v ňom píše o svojom dospievaní, o nasledovaní svojho sna aj o tom, čo ho v živote v rôznych smeroch ovplyvnilo. Dozviete sa o tom, ako vzniká jeho hudba a o jeho vízii. Hovorí tiež o problémoch so svojim psychickým zdravím, s alkoholom aj intruzívnych myšlienkach. To posledné ma zasiahlo najviac, lebo to bolo prvýkrát, čo som videla o nich niekoho rozprávať a škoda, že sa mi kniha nedostala do rúk, keď som sa s nimi potýkala ja.
Táto kniha by určite nemala ujsť pozornosti žiadneho fanúšika, je to skvelý memoár. A Andy je strašne sympatický a charizmatický človek, čo z knihy okamžite cítiť. Je to veľmi úprimná a pekná životná spoveď, ktorá hovorí aj o tienistých stránkach, no Andy vždy s gráciou priznáva svoje chyby.
Proste, prečítajte si.
Andy Black je v interpret, ku ktorému mám veľmi špeciálny vzťah a som jeho dlhoročná fanúšička.
Menšia backstory: jeho sólo koncert bol môj prvý koncert zahraničného interpreta a bola to jedna z najlepších nocí môjho života. Spoznala som úžasných ľudí, s kamarátkami sme skončili v bare s jeho kapelou a crew a mala som to šťastie stretnúť Andyho osobne.
Sú hudobníci, z ktorých cítite obrovskú vďačnosť, lebo ju priam vyžarujú. Vďačnosť za každého fanúšika a ich podporu. Andy k nim patrí. Po celú dobu bolo vidieť, ako si nás váži a po koncerte ostal, odfotil sa a porozprával sa s každým, kto mal o to záujem bez akéhokoľvek náhlenia.
Samozrejme, celý tento zážitok moju lásku k nemu ešte utužil a vedela som, že si potrebujem prečítať túto knihu.
Andy v ňom píše o svojom dospievaní, o nasledovaní svojho sna aj o tom, čo ho v živote v rôznych smeroch ovplyvnilo. Dozviete sa o tom, ako vzniká jeho hudba a o jeho vízii. Hovorí tiež o problémoch so svojim psychickým zdravím, s alkoholom aj intruzívnych myšlienkach. To posledné ma zasiahlo najviac, lebo to bolo prvýkrát, čo som videla o nich niekoho rozprávať a škoda, že sa mi kniha nedostala do rúk, keď som sa s nimi potýkala ja.
Táto kniha by určite nemala ujsť pozornosti žiadneho fanúšika, je to skvelý memoár. A Andy je strašne sympatický a charizmatický človek, čo z knihy okamžite cítiť. Je to veľmi úprimná a pekná životná spoveď, ktorá hovorí aj o tienistých stránkach, no Andy vždy s gráciou priznáva svoje chyby.
Proste, prečítajte si.
January 31, 2021
Menuda sorpresa, de verdad.
Si no sabéis quién es Andy Biersack, él es el cantante del grupo Black Veil Brides. Este libro lo ha escrito, con ayuda de otra persona, y nos cuenta desde su infancia hasta prácticamente, la actualidad.
Nos habla sobre sus padres, sus grandes apoyos, los años que sufrió bullying por ser diferente, el inicio de la banda, su mujer Juliet (que a mí, personalmente, no me cae bien), The Andy Show (que os lo recomiendo MUCHÍSIMO), y su viaje de desintoxicación.
Aunque el libro me ha gustado mucho, me esperaba mucho más. Creo que mi yo cotilla quería conocer algunas cosas más salseantes de su vida y que han trascendido a los medios, pero aquí no están. También hay alguna que otra parte que me aburrió un poco, y en otras que creo que podría haber profundizado un poco más, porque seguro que se quedaron cosas en el tintero.
Lo cuenta todo en primera persona, y parece que es él el que te está contando todo esto mientras estáis tomándoos un café. Creo que a principios de febrero sale el audiolibro, así que lo escucharé para ver qué tal es (y si lo narra Andy, porque ya entonces sí que sería un puntazo).
Ahora, en marzo Amazon Prime (que no sé si llegará a España, aunque creo que si), se estrenará Paradise City, la serie en la que Andy participa. Antes de ver esta serie (que seguro que verá mucha gente porque fue el penúltimo trabajo de Cameron Boyce antes de morir), os recomiendo mucho ver American Satan, que también protagoniza Andy. ¿Por qué? Porque Paradise City es la secuela de esta película.
Si no sabéis quién es Andy Biersack, él es el cantante del grupo Black Veil Brides. Este libro lo ha escrito, con ayuda de otra persona, y nos cuenta desde su infancia hasta prácticamente, la actualidad.
Nos habla sobre sus padres, sus grandes apoyos, los años que sufrió bullying por ser diferente, el inicio de la banda, su mujer Juliet (que a mí, personalmente, no me cae bien), The Andy Show (que os lo recomiendo MUCHÍSIMO), y su viaje de desintoxicación.
Aunque el libro me ha gustado mucho, me esperaba mucho más. Creo que mi yo cotilla quería conocer algunas cosas más salseantes de su vida y que han trascendido a los medios, pero aquí no están. También hay alguna que otra parte que me aburrió un poco, y en otras que creo que podría haber profundizado un poco más, porque seguro que se quedaron cosas en el tintero.
Lo cuenta todo en primera persona, y parece que es él el que te está contando todo esto mientras estáis tomándoos un café. Creo que a principios de febrero sale el audiolibro, así que lo escucharé para ver qué tal es (y si lo narra Andy, porque ya entonces sí que sería un puntazo).
Ahora, en marzo Amazon Prime (que no sé si llegará a España, aunque creo que si), se estrenará Paradise City, la serie en la que Andy participa. Antes de ver esta serie (que seguro que verá mucha gente porque fue el penúltimo trabajo de Cameron Boyce antes de morir), os recomiendo mucho ver American Satan, que también protagoniza Andy. ¿Por qué? Porque Paradise City es la secuela de esta película.
February 17, 2021
I remember when I was 12 I saw an interview with Andy as he was dressed in his full gear, and I kept thinking that I wanted to be a part of this dark movement. He captivated me from the start. Black Veil Brides grew to be a band that I turned to for comfort when I began my struggle with depression and anxiety. But as I got older in High School and started college there was a time where I thought listening to them was childish for some dumb reason. The past few months I have started listening to them again and forgot how truly amazing and talented these guys are.
I only just found out that Andy wrote an autobiography, and within the same week I bought the book and finished it within 2 days. I absolutely adore Andy. I was enamored by him when I was 12 and even though years have passed where I grew distant from their music, I can now say my admiration for him has only deepened in a more mature manner. I love the fact that his family was extremely supportive of him and his tenacious grip he had on making his dreams a reality. I find it so refreshing hearing about artists who are so authentic, but that also have this firm belief that they have to make their dreams happen. There doesn't seem to be any other back-up plans for artists like Andy, at least at first. They just continue to persevere despite what gets thrown at them. I admire Andy's transparency in this book as he discusses his struggle with finding his own sense of identity that isn't just copying the behaviors of the stereotypical rock-star debauchery.
There was a part that made me sad where he says sometimes when he looks at this magazine article/print of him with his quote about how Black Veil Brides is going to change music, he feels like a failure. While he elaborates on his feelings and you can understand why from his perspective he would feel that way. I just truly hope they get the recognition they deserve. It's easy for the "hard core metal heads" to write off Black Veil Brides as being a joke. With their theatrical looks and stage presence, but they are truly an extremely talented group of musicians. I just earnestly hope this band continues to receive the recognition and fame they so rightfully deserve.
The book was fantastic. It is well worth the read. I also just used this review as an excuse to gush about my love for Black Veil Brides and for Andy, but I just couldn't seem to help myself.
I only just found out that Andy wrote an autobiography, and within the same week I bought the book and finished it within 2 days. I absolutely adore Andy. I was enamored by him when I was 12 and even though years have passed where I grew distant from their music, I can now say my admiration for him has only deepened in a more mature manner. I love the fact that his family was extremely supportive of him and his tenacious grip he had on making his dreams a reality. I find it so refreshing hearing about artists who are so authentic, but that also have this firm belief that they have to make their dreams happen. There doesn't seem to be any other back-up plans for artists like Andy, at least at first. They just continue to persevere despite what gets thrown at them. I admire Andy's transparency in this book as he discusses his struggle with finding his own sense of identity that isn't just copying the behaviors of the stereotypical rock-star debauchery.
There was a part that made me sad where he says sometimes when he looks at this magazine article/print of him with his quote about how Black Veil Brides is going to change music, he feels like a failure. While he elaborates on his feelings and you can understand why from his perspective he would feel that way. I just truly hope they get the recognition they deserve. It's easy for the "hard core metal heads" to write off Black Veil Brides as being a joke. With their theatrical looks and stage presence, but they are truly an extremely talented group of musicians. I just earnestly hope this band continues to receive the recognition and fame they so rightfully deserve.
The book was fantastic. It is well worth the read. I also just used this review as an excuse to gush about my love for Black Veil Brides and for Andy, but I just couldn't seem to help myself.
September 5, 2021
Over the years, I’d heard a few Black Veil Brides songs here and there, but it wasn’t until after I’d watched the movie America Satan a few months ago that I became a bona fide fan (of them and Palaye Royale). I was curious why they didn’t use Andy’s voice in the movie, so I turned to google, which then led me down the BVB rabbit hole. There I found that I absolutely love their music… which then led me to buy all the albums, to watch interviews and videos on YouTube, to check out the Andy Show, and to discover that Andy had written a book. So of course, I wanted to check it out. I started with the audiobook because I find Andy’s voice to be very soothing, and then I read the ebook.
Andy takes the reader on a journey through his life, regaling us with tales of his youth: where he grew up, his experiences with school, his battle with anxiety and OCD (two things I can relate to), the artists he admired, fanboyed over, and was inspired by, and all the events that led him to where he is today. It had me captivated from beginning to end. I find that people (and I’m sure I’m guilty of this from time to time myself) tend to put artist/celebrities on pedestals and forget that they’re just people, so to see behind the scenes can be/is impactful. It allows us all to relate to one another, and there were a lot of things in this book, in Andy’s life, that I could relate to. It’s what resonated with me the most. That and his positive outlook.
I really enjoyed getting an inside look into who Andy is as a person and his sheer determination to make his band into the success it is today. He knew what he wanted from a young age and he made it happen. He never gave up, no matter what obstacles stood in his way. It’s inspiring to see that kind of dedication.
I recommend this book to everyone, BVB fan or not.
Andy takes the reader on a journey through his life, regaling us with tales of his youth: where he grew up, his experiences with school, his battle with anxiety and OCD (two things I can relate to), the artists he admired, fanboyed over, and was inspired by, and all the events that led him to where he is today. It had me captivated from beginning to end. I find that people (and I’m sure I’m guilty of this from time to time myself) tend to put artist/celebrities on pedestals and forget that they’re just people, so to see behind the scenes can be/is impactful. It allows us all to relate to one another, and there were a lot of things in this book, in Andy’s life, that I could relate to. It’s what resonated with me the most. That and his positive outlook.
I really enjoyed getting an inside look into who Andy is as a person and his sheer determination to make his band into the success it is today. He knew what he wanted from a young age and he made it happen. He never gave up, no matter what obstacles stood in his way. It’s inspiring to see that kind of dedication.
I recommend this book to everyone, BVB fan or not.
January 28, 2021
(This really is me talking about myself about this book.)
Incredible. Incredible. Incredible.
I got distracted so many times while I was reading this book because I kept thinking, “I really want to go on goodreads and write a review so good that everyone will know that I mean that this book is the best fucking book ever.”
It really is.
Anyone who knows me personally knows how I have loved and admired Andy and Black Veil Brides since the dawn of time. No, really. I have been a fan since late 2010/early 2011. For many of my troubled teenage years, Andy’s lyrics were something that I gravitated towards. His message, perceived through his music or even interviews, that you’re not alone in being one of the disenfranchised, helped me through so much. Granted that I was never bullied or exactly ostracized, but it goes without saying that I have always felt isolated from those around me. Never to fit in completely. It really wasn’t until later, when I shed much of my self-centered facade of maturity that I was able to create healthier and meaningful friendships. So, I related so much to Andy’s feelings and experiences that stemmed from these feelings. I really am far from reaching the point of satisfaction with my life that Andy seems to be almost at in his life (it’s the last chapter). And anyway this isn’t about me. This is about my new favorite book.
The fact that I have been a fan for a long time means that the majority, if not all, events that Andy mentions here are events that I was present for in heart and in fandom. But to be given the opportunity to read about what was happening introspectively means that I now understand so much of why certain things happened the way they did. There are still events that I am reading of for the first time, but they are less than what I know. I have enjoyed everything Andy had to say here. I am sort of proud of being able to like someone and a band for this long.
Honestly, I am envious of Andy’s upbringing with his parents and family. And I am thankful to them for bringing up such an eloquent, passion-driven, talented, witty, charming person.
I have always wished for Andy to write a book. I mean, his lyrics are what brought me in. And when I find someone eloquent, I just have to “manifest” them writing a book. This book is my manifestation. And I am not in the least bit disappointed. I am a fan, now and forever.
I am definitely reading this again. Soon. I digested it as best as I could, but I want to learn. And this book teaches so much.
I hope that in the future Andy writes another book. I love his words, and I love his style of choosing his words. I will never bore of what he has to say.
Incredible. Incredible. Incredible.
I got distracted so many times while I was reading this book because I kept thinking, “I really want to go on goodreads and write a review so good that everyone will know that I mean that this book is the best fucking book ever.”
It really is.
Anyone who knows me personally knows how I have loved and admired Andy and Black Veil Brides since the dawn of time. No, really. I have been a fan since late 2010/early 2011. For many of my troubled teenage years, Andy’s lyrics were something that I gravitated towards. His message, perceived through his music or even interviews, that you’re not alone in being one of the disenfranchised, helped me through so much. Granted that I was never bullied or exactly ostracized, but it goes without saying that I have always felt isolated from those around me. Never to fit in completely. It really wasn’t until later, when I shed much of my self-centered facade of maturity that I was able to create healthier and meaningful friendships. So, I related so much to Andy’s feelings and experiences that stemmed from these feelings. I really am far from reaching the point of satisfaction with my life that Andy seems to be almost at in his life (it’s the last chapter). And anyway this isn’t about me. This is about my new favorite book.
The fact that I have been a fan for a long time means that the majority, if not all, events that Andy mentions here are events that I was present for in heart and in fandom. But to be given the opportunity to read about what was happening introspectively means that I now understand so much of why certain things happened the way they did. There are still events that I am reading of for the first time, but they are less than what I know. I have enjoyed everything Andy had to say here. I am sort of proud of being able to like someone and a band for this long.
Honestly, I am envious of Andy’s upbringing with his parents and family. And I am thankful to them for bringing up such an eloquent, passion-driven, talented, witty, charming person.
I have always wished for Andy to write a book. I mean, his lyrics are what brought me in. And when I find someone eloquent, I just have to “manifest” them writing a book. This book is my manifestation. And I am not in the least bit disappointed. I am a fan, now and forever.
I am definitely reading this again. Soon. I digested it as best as I could, but I want to learn. And this book teaches so much.
I hope that in the future Andy writes another book. I love his words, and I love his style of choosing his words. I will never bore of what he has to say.
October 31, 2022
So, I didn’t read this book due to some underlying fangirl obsession with Black Veil Brides. I genuinely enjoy their music and the persona they display as a band and just wanted to learn more about the master mind behind the band. It was a great experience! I actually even enjoyed this on audio—read by none other than himself—Andy Biersack.
Raw and emotionally inspiring, “They Don’t Need To Understand” found ways to make me smile and believe it or not even feel a little bit understood. I’ve always been different too, and us different people have to find ways to stick together!
What I really love about Andy is not only the fact that he’s passionate and intelligent but that he is REAL. That is getting rarer and rarer to find these days in any person—famous or not. He’s the definition of a true artist and definitely deserves to be in the position he’s earned for himself.
If you’re a Black Veil Brides fan or just want to feel inspired because you are different, then this is a must read for you. The secret message is – it’s okay to refuse to give in. Just continue to be yourself and be happy!!
As Andy said so himself, “Sometimes when the world outside pushes you too far, I think it’s okay to push back.”
(And I highly encourage everyone to listen to his amazing song “They Don’t Need To Understand!” It’s beautiful and very fitting to this book!)
Raw and emotionally inspiring, “They Don’t Need To Understand” found ways to make me smile and believe it or not even feel a little bit understood. I’ve always been different too, and us different people have to find ways to stick together!
What I really love about Andy is not only the fact that he’s passionate and intelligent but that he is REAL. That is getting rarer and rarer to find these days in any person—famous or not. He’s the definition of a true artist and definitely deserves to be in the position he’s earned for himself.
If you’re a Black Veil Brides fan or just want to feel inspired because you are different, then this is a must read for you. The secret message is – it’s okay to refuse to give in. Just continue to be yourself and be happy!!
As Andy said so himself, “Sometimes when the world outside pushes you too far, I think it’s okay to push back.”
(And I highly encourage everyone to listen to his amazing song “They Don’t Need To Understand!” It’s beautiful and very fitting to this book!)
March 23, 2021
So I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the band. When I was like 16 I found them on YouTube back when he went by Andy Sixx, I listened to Knives and Pens on repeat all the time but couldn’t get into other songs and I just eventually stopped completely, not sure why. So I listened to this book as someone who’s not a fan, I may just really like memoirs.
I gave the book 4 stars so of course I thought it was really good, there wasn’t a part in the book that I thought was pointless or boring. He sounds like a genuine nice guy who is self aware of himself. There are so many front men of bands who deny that they crave attention, not this guy and I applaud him for it. He could have probably mention some of this stuff in interviews but as I said above I listened to the audio book as a non fan, I like hearing bands talk about how they feel about certain songs and albums. You don’t get it all but you get some which is still pretty great.
Just some random notes: Andy mentions that his parents are his best friends and I’m jealous but also glad that he got the support of his family.
I love that he loves Phantom of the Opera because I love Phantom of the Opera.
I gave the book 4 stars so of course I thought it was really good, there wasn’t a part in the book that I thought was pointless or boring. He sounds like a genuine nice guy who is self aware of himself. There are so many front men of bands who deny that they crave attention, not this guy and I applaud him for it. He could have probably mention some of this stuff in interviews but as I said above I listened to the audio book as a non fan, I like hearing bands talk about how they feel about certain songs and albums. You don’t get it all but you get some which is still pretty great.
Just some random notes: Andy mentions that his parents are his best friends and I’m jealous but also glad that he got the support of his family.
I love that he loves Phantom of the Opera because I love Phantom of the Opera.
February 13, 2021
They Don't Need To Understand tells the story of Andrew "Andy" Biersack, a young man with dreams of being a frontman in a rock band, the creation of his group, Black Veil Brides, his unheard of work ethic, his obsessions and passions, his marriage with his wife, the fulfillment of his pursuits, and the anecdotes along the way.
When Andy is at least eight years old, he aspires to be a singer in a band. He discovers the band KISS, which would not only influence the music of his future rock band, but a young Andy would take the relentless drive of Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons and apply it to his own pursuits. He has an outpouring of support from his parents, Chris and Amy Biersack, which would later solidify a strong bond of love for them from their son. Being an only child, it would be difficult for Andy to make friends growing up, but what he lacked in socialization, he believed he made up for it in the study of his passions, mostly being music and comics, such as Batman. However, he is extremely close with his grandfather, Urban Flanders, who he often visits after school, and is regaled by his stories of World War II, of which Flanders served in the Air Force. Andy would later find out about his passing while on tour in support of Motley Crue and Slash in Europe; Black Veil Brides' song "In The End" is a tribute to his grandfather. It is also then that Andy would question his position of faith and spirituality.
Andy struggles in traditional middle school, but he attends the Cincinnati for Performing Arts, his aunt "Mimi" offers to pay half of the tuition, and Andy auditions and is accepted. This opportunity excites him, not only because he could wave goodbye to middle school and feelings like an outcast, but because he can now project onto the world what he truly wants to be, a singer in a rock band. (He feels an overwhelming obsession to prove himself to the world: "I'll show them!").
Andy would later discover the social networking website, MySpace, and it is through that site that Andy would find a place of community and belonging. He envisions his group to be a heavy-metal, horror-punk band, and Andy does everything in his power to remain online and gain a following. Andy also spends much of his time at various Warped Tours, and it is then that Andy has an embarrassing encounter with Mike McColgan, singer for the band Street Dogs. It is at that point that Andy would vow to never disrespect his own fans with his band. Andy also visits a KISS Convention, and meets Eric Singer, drummer of KISS, of which this meeting "sharpens Andy's edges" and only puts the wheels in motion for his own band.
While in the beginning stages, Andy places ads in the Cincinnati City Beat and visits music stores for his group Biersack, yet he couldn't get any responses. Furthermore, he couldn't find anything with the bands or aesthetics he wanted for his own group. However, with his perseverance, he manages to have a show at an art gallery with some of his friends in Cincinnati. When Andy turns eighteen, he moves to Los Angeles, but his friends back home do not follow him there. It is there that he meets Patrick Fogarty, someone who would become a long time collaborator, and he directs the music video for Black Veil Brides' Knives and Pens. It is through Knives and Pens that the band would gain some traction thanks to YouTube. Because of the momentum of the video, Ashley Purdy, Sandra, Chris and Pan join an early incarnation of Black Veil Brides. Andy decides to live in his car and work on the band, they would later sign to independent label Standy Records, and even though their contract is less than ideal, Motley Crue's Lawyer, Dina Lapolt, takes a liking to all of them, and offers to help in any way possible. Andy is introduced to "Jinxx" their second guitarist, who introduces him to Jake Pitts, their lead guitarist, and the both of them would later introduce Andy to Christian "CC" Coma, their drummer. Due to the momentum of their Music Video on YouTube, Hot Topic decides to sell the band's T-Shirt online, and eventually in their Brick & Mortar Stores. At the time, their shirt would outsell Twilight merchandise. Warner Bros. Records shows interest in signing them, but they are ultimately not signed to the label; they would sign to the major label Universal Republic Records; the band would vow to do every piece of press for the sake of the group. They would record their second album and first major label release, Set The World on Fire. It is during the promotion of that album, the band would find themselves performing at a local mall, and an inebriated Andy would jump from a pillar close to the stage and he would infamously break his ribs. After the release of Set The World on Fire, Andy feels disillusioned by the direction the band is taking, so he recruits big name producers for their album, Wretched and Divine.
Perhaps due to the fact of a Rock N' Roll lifestyle, Andy finds himself hiding his insecurities and anxieties with alcohol. He is also told by a producer that he sings better with alcohol, and Andy makes it a point to drink red wine while writing lyrics for the band's self-titled album. Andy would also be under the influence while accepting an award at The Golden Gods, of which only dismays Andy. He would later make a point to live a healthier lifestyle with the encouragement of their long time guitar tech, Chris Holley, who would unfortunately pass away 48 hours after their agreement. The encounter would inspire the song "Beautiful Pain," a track from Andy's solo endeavor, Andy Black. It would be during a stint at Warped Tour that Andy would meet his future wife, Juliet Simms, and their relationship and marriage would inspire him to become a better person, the person he always wanted to be.
While Andy's obsession with the "I'll show them!" mentality may seem disingenuous, it is one part of the force that made Andy achieve his dreams. He enjoys being a rockstar, and even when critics might say that, "Rock is dead" or "There are no more classic albums", we have to remember that things evolve or their trajectory changes somewhat, but the result is still the same. And if someone may think differently, Andy simply states, "They Don't Need to Understand".
When Andy is at least eight years old, he aspires to be a singer in a band. He discovers the band KISS, which would not only influence the music of his future rock band, but a young Andy would take the relentless drive of Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons and apply it to his own pursuits. He has an outpouring of support from his parents, Chris and Amy Biersack, which would later solidify a strong bond of love for them from their son. Being an only child, it would be difficult for Andy to make friends growing up, but what he lacked in socialization, he believed he made up for it in the study of his passions, mostly being music and comics, such as Batman. However, he is extremely close with his grandfather, Urban Flanders, who he often visits after school, and is regaled by his stories of World War II, of which Flanders served in the Air Force. Andy would later find out about his passing while on tour in support of Motley Crue and Slash in Europe; Black Veil Brides' song "In The End" is a tribute to his grandfather. It is also then that Andy would question his position of faith and spirituality.
Andy struggles in traditional middle school, but he attends the Cincinnati for Performing Arts, his aunt "Mimi" offers to pay half of the tuition, and Andy auditions and is accepted. This opportunity excites him, not only because he could wave goodbye to middle school and feelings like an outcast, but because he can now project onto the world what he truly wants to be, a singer in a rock band. (He feels an overwhelming obsession to prove himself to the world: "I'll show them!").
Andy would later discover the social networking website, MySpace, and it is through that site that Andy would find a place of community and belonging. He envisions his group to be a heavy-metal, horror-punk band, and Andy does everything in his power to remain online and gain a following. Andy also spends much of his time at various Warped Tours, and it is then that Andy has an embarrassing encounter with Mike McColgan, singer for the band Street Dogs. It is at that point that Andy would vow to never disrespect his own fans with his band. Andy also visits a KISS Convention, and meets Eric Singer, drummer of KISS, of which this meeting "sharpens Andy's edges" and only puts the wheels in motion for his own band.
While in the beginning stages, Andy places ads in the Cincinnati City Beat and visits music stores for his group Biersack, yet he couldn't get any responses. Furthermore, he couldn't find anything with the bands or aesthetics he wanted for his own group. However, with his perseverance, he manages to have a show at an art gallery with some of his friends in Cincinnati. When Andy turns eighteen, he moves to Los Angeles, but his friends back home do not follow him there. It is there that he meets Patrick Fogarty, someone who would become a long time collaborator, and he directs the music video for Black Veil Brides' Knives and Pens. It is through Knives and Pens that the band would gain some traction thanks to YouTube. Because of the momentum of the video, Ashley Purdy, Sandra, Chris and Pan join an early incarnation of Black Veil Brides. Andy decides to live in his car and work on the band, they would later sign to independent label Standy Records, and even though their contract is less than ideal, Motley Crue's Lawyer, Dina Lapolt, takes a liking to all of them, and offers to help in any way possible. Andy is introduced to "Jinxx" their second guitarist, who introduces him to Jake Pitts, their lead guitarist, and the both of them would later introduce Andy to Christian "CC" Coma, their drummer. Due to the momentum of their Music Video on YouTube, Hot Topic decides to sell the band's T-Shirt online, and eventually in their Brick & Mortar Stores. At the time, their shirt would outsell Twilight merchandise. Warner Bros. Records shows interest in signing them, but they are ultimately not signed to the label; they would sign to the major label Universal Republic Records; the band would vow to do every piece of press for the sake of the group. They would record their second album and first major label release, Set The World on Fire. It is during the promotion of that album, the band would find themselves performing at a local mall, and an inebriated Andy would jump from a pillar close to the stage and he would infamously break his ribs. After the release of Set The World on Fire, Andy feels disillusioned by the direction the band is taking, so he recruits big name producers for their album, Wretched and Divine.
Perhaps due to the fact of a Rock N' Roll lifestyle, Andy finds himself hiding his insecurities and anxieties with alcohol. He is also told by a producer that he sings better with alcohol, and Andy makes it a point to drink red wine while writing lyrics for the band's self-titled album. Andy would also be under the influence while accepting an award at The Golden Gods, of which only dismays Andy. He would later make a point to live a healthier lifestyle with the encouragement of their long time guitar tech, Chris Holley, who would unfortunately pass away 48 hours after their agreement. The encounter would inspire the song "Beautiful Pain," a track from Andy's solo endeavor, Andy Black. It would be during a stint at Warped Tour that Andy would meet his future wife, Juliet Simms, and their relationship and marriage would inspire him to become a better person, the person he always wanted to be.
While Andy's obsession with the "I'll show them!" mentality may seem disingenuous, it is one part of the force that made Andy achieve his dreams. He enjoys being a rockstar, and even when critics might say that, "Rock is dead" or "There are no more classic albums", we have to remember that things evolve or their trajectory changes somewhat, but the result is still the same. And if someone may think differently, Andy simply states, "They Don't Need to Understand".
January 2, 2021
First of to be honest I was torn between giving this book a 3 or a 4 so realistically this is more of a 3.5 for me, and here's why.
I did really enjoy reading this, especially as someone who grew up listening to black veil brides from back when the Legacy music video was realist, so looking back and being reminded of all the stories I remember learning about before was was great! But that's the thing, I think the nostalgia was half my enjoyment, I'm not sure if some other readers would feel that connection if they didn't know the other 'characters' throughout the book. This being said obviously the target audience is people who know the band or andy's solo work, so this point is irrelevant. The only other small criticism I have is the name dropping did get a little old at times.
Maybe I was expecting too much from the book as all in all these issues I had with the book are only trivial, and don't get me wrong I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It was written well and easy to read. I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in learning more about black veil brides how they become what they are today.
I did really enjoy reading this, especially as someone who grew up listening to black veil brides from back when the Legacy music video was realist, so looking back and being reminded of all the stories I remember learning about before was was great! But that's the thing, I think the nostalgia was half my enjoyment, I'm not sure if some other readers would feel that connection if they didn't know the other 'characters' throughout the book. This being said obviously the target audience is people who know the band or andy's solo work, so this point is irrelevant. The only other small criticism I have is the name dropping did get a little old at times.
Maybe I was expecting too much from the book as all in all these issues I had with the book are only trivial, and don't get me wrong I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It was written well and easy to read. I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in learning more about black veil brides how they become what they are today.
February 8, 2022
I listened to this on Audible while I was at work. I love all things Black Veil Brides and Andy Black/Biersack so I knew immediately that I was going to want this book. With that being said, I am going to be a bit biased because I'm a huge fan.
He narrated it for Audible which I really appreciated. But in all honesty, it could have been longer and I would have soaked it all in. For anyone wanting to listen on Audible, it was an easy listen while at work and I felt that Andy Black did a great job of keeping me engaged. It wasn't monotone or boring, but again, I'm a huge fan of his music so I'm biased in the fact that I literally listen to his voice a lot.
As far as the story goes, I thought the book was interesting and well paced from a written standpoint. The chapters flowed together nicely and since it was a recount of his life so far, it's kind of hard to criticize and say what is wrong with it as it's not my life, I didn't live it. It was a great insight to see how different music inspired him and how he became the artist/man he is today. If you are a Black Veil Brides/Andy Black fan, I definitely recommend this book.
He narrated it for Audible which I really appreciated. But in all honesty, it could have been longer and I would have soaked it all in. For anyone wanting to listen on Audible, it was an easy listen while at work and I felt that Andy Black did a great job of keeping me engaged. It wasn't monotone or boring, but again, I'm a huge fan of his music so I'm biased in the fact that I literally listen to his voice a lot.
As far as the story goes, I thought the book was interesting and well paced from a written standpoint. The chapters flowed together nicely and since it was a recount of his life so far, it's kind of hard to criticize and say what is wrong with it as it's not my life, I didn't live it. It was a great insight to see how different music inspired him and how he became the artist/man he is today. If you are a Black Veil Brides/Andy Black fan, I definitely recommend this book.
February 11, 2021
I’ve been a fan of Black Veil Brides for 10 years now. I’ve seen them tour all over the world. I’ve met them multiple times.
This memoir focuses on a mixture of Andy’s life and how BVB came to be. The book talks about Andy’s personal struggles, which went unnoticed by fans for years. It’s a true insight into Andy’s mind.
It took me a while to get fully into the book. I’d pick it up, read a couple pages, and then I’d put it down for a week. Some parts were slow with lengthy details (not necessarily a bad thing). Once I read the first 100 pages, I couldn’t put the book down. I ended up finishing it in just a few days.
Some parts of the “story” were confusing. The timeline would bounce back and forth, and I would have to do a rundown of the BVB timeline in my head.
Overall, I found the memoir to be insightful. It gives all BVB and Andy Black fans an inside look. Something many other artists don’t give their fans.
This memoir focuses on a mixture of Andy’s life and how BVB came to be. The book talks about Andy’s personal struggles, which went unnoticed by fans for years. It’s a true insight into Andy’s mind.
It took me a while to get fully into the book. I’d pick it up, read a couple pages, and then I’d put it down for a week. Some parts were slow with lengthy details (not necessarily a bad thing). Once I read the first 100 pages, I couldn’t put the book down. I ended up finishing it in just a few days.
Some parts of the “story” were confusing. The timeline would bounce back and forth, and I would have to do a rundown of the BVB timeline in my head.
Overall, I found the memoir to be insightful. It gives all BVB and Andy Black fans an inside look. Something many other artists don’t give their fans.
January 16, 2021
I don't even know where to start with this book and I am admittedly super biased, being a huge fan of both Andy as a solo artist but also Black Veil Brides.
This book was amazing. I sit back, having just read the last sentence, oddly teary-eyed and with so many feelings that I'm not sure what to do with. I certainly feel like I connected both with Andy and the band on a whole different level.
If there was one negative about this book, then it would only be that the pictures were slapped right in the middle of a chapter as opposed to spreading them out where they were relevant to the story told at that moment.
Other than that though; I highly recommend this book to all the fans out there. Andy's way of telling a story is so capitavting and if I didn't need sleep to function, I would have read it in a day.
This book was amazing. I sit back, having just read the last sentence, oddly teary-eyed and with so many feelings that I'm not sure what to do with. I certainly feel like I connected both with Andy and the band on a whole different level.
If there was one negative about this book, then it would only be that the pictures were slapped right in the middle of a chapter as opposed to spreading them out where they were relevant to the story told at that moment.
Other than that though; I highly recommend this book to all the fans out there. Andy's way of telling a story is so capitavting and if I didn't need sleep to function, I would have read it in a day.
March 10, 2021
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: They Don't Need to Understand
I have been a fan of Black Veil Brides since they dropped their first album We Stitch These Wounds in 2010. It wasn’t just the music I connected to, but the message they sent that it’s ok to be on the outside. And in 2018, their song When They Call My Name carried me through one of the lowest moments in my life. When I saw that Andy was going to published They Don’t Need to Understand, I knew I had to read it.
Readers will start at the beginning, following Andy as he was bullied at school for the way he dressed and for the music he listened to. This hit a chord with me, being one of those different kids who struck out at the naysayers by dying her hair funky colors and dressing punk in high school. I understood what he was going through and I admired his refusal to change who he was for the sake of those bullies. Throughout every aspect of this book, readers will be reminded that it’s ok to not fit in with the popular crowd. It’s ok to be your own person and have interests in things outside pop culture.
They Don’t Need to Understand will also open your eyes to the amount of hard work that goes into chasing your dreams. Andy fought tooth and nail for everything he has been able to accomplish. There was no shortcut or easy path to achieving his dreams. And each time he was knocked down, he came back ready to fight even harder for what he believed in. There are always going to be people who tell you, you can't do something. Don’t give in to the doubts they try to foster in your mind. Never give up.
Andy also highlights certain songs from Black Veil Brides as he talks about the albums. I found myself listening to the tracks he mentioned, and feeling the intent behind the music that he described on the page. It made some of my favorite songs all the more important to me. But don’t mistake this book for being all about the band and how it formed. This is a book that encompasses all the thoughts and dreams Andy had, and what he struggled with and experienced throughout his life to make his dreams possible.
Of course, I’m going to recommend this to fans of Black Veil Brides and Andy Black. But I’m also going to recommend it to those who feel like they don’t quite fit in and to those who have struggled with their doubts and fears. This is truly an inspirational book and will show you that you are enough and you can accomplish what you put your mind to. It might not always be easy, but it will be worth it in the end
I have been a fan of Black Veil Brides since they dropped their first album We Stitch These Wounds in 2010. It wasn’t just the music I connected to, but the message they sent that it’s ok to be on the outside. And in 2018, their song When They Call My Name carried me through one of the lowest moments in my life. When I saw that Andy was going to published They Don’t Need to Understand, I knew I had to read it.
Readers will start at the beginning, following Andy as he was bullied at school for the way he dressed and for the music he listened to. This hit a chord with me, being one of those different kids who struck out at the naysayers by dying her hair funky colors and dressing punk in high school. I understood what he was going through and I admired his refusal to change who he was for the sake of those bullies. Throughout every aspect of this book, readers will be reminded that it’s ok to not fit in with the popular crowd. It’s ok to be your own person and have interests in things outside pop culture.
They Don’t Need to Understand will also open your eyes to the amount of hard work that goes into chasing your dreams. Andy fought tooth and nail for everything he has been able to accomplish. There was no shortcut or easy path to achieving his dreams. And each time he was knocked down, he came back ready to fight even harder for what he believed in. There are always going to be people who tell you, you can't do something. Don’t give in to the doubts they try to foster in your mind. Never give up.
Andy also highlights certain songs from Black Veil Brides as he talks about the albums. I found myself listening to the tracks he mentioned, and feeling the intent behind the music that he described on the page. It made some of my favorite songs all the more important to me. But don’t mistake this book for being all about the band and how it formed. This is a book that encompasses all the thoughts and dreams Andy had, and what he struggled with and experienced throughout his life to make his dreams possible.
Of course, I’m going to recommend this to fans of Black Veil Brides and Andy Black. But I’m also going to recommend it to those who feel like they don’t quite fit in and to those who have struggled with their doubts and fears. This is truly an inspirational book and will show you that you are enough and you can accomplish what you put your mind to. It might not always be easy, but it will be worth it in the end
Read
March 18, 2021A great insight to a very driven and talented man. I got into Andys music through his solo stuff and then went on the listen to BVB. It was really interesting to see the amount of passion and dedication he put into getting BVB going and propelling them to be the band they are today. This isn't just about his music. Andy talks about his struggles to be who he wanted to be and be accepted for it which I found very moving.
I listened to the audio version of this book which was narrated by the man himself and I love when biographies are recorded this way it makes it feel much more personal. This is a must read for any Black Veil Bridge fans out there.
(I haven't given this a rating as I don't feel right rating biographies you can't measure someone's life with marks out of 5)
I listened to the audio version of this book which was narrated by the man himself and I love when biographies are recorded this way it makes it feel much more personal. This is a must read for any Black Veil Bridge fans out there.
(I haven't given this a rating as I don't feel right rating biographies you can't measure someone's life with marks out of 5)
February 8, 2024
sehr relatable die maus
January 7, 2023
I have been a fan of Andy Biersack Black Veil Brides and Andy Black’s solo project for a long time. So I was very excited to read the book. As a kid who never fit in and was constantly put in boxes. They don’t need to understand felt like a breath of fresh air. The book chronicles Biersack’s childhood and adolescence as well as he’s adulthood. It briefly touches on the band, and rock and roll partying scene yet Biersack focuses more on his expansion as a person and as a musician, detailing his experiences on hope, love and fear. His projects have always carried a strong message of not needing to belong, and loving yourself as you are. As a kid Biersack often played the part of the hero inspired by finding some of his father’s Kiss trading cards. As Biersack grows up he talks about how unremarkable he is feeling constantly like a ghost even when surrounded by people. Yet for those of us who are his fans there is nothing unremarkable about him. From his demeanor to his words and attitude Biersack’s personality shines through. A kid from Ohio who dreamt of chasing the stars along the boulevard and took his fans on a crazy journey of never giving up and always fighting for your dreams. To many Biersack is still considered a hero to this day. He says his larger than life persona was actually a protection a part he used to play, but when he grew up, he and the band decided it’s best to be true to yourself. Although he still plays the larger than life characters, and often finds himself prancing around with a superhero cap, he has realized for him his life, his music and his soul purpose has always been to share with people a hopeful message. “We do it our own way, no matter what they try to say about it. We’ve got our own plans. They don’t need to understand. “ This book is a must for anyone who is tired of being told who they have to be. It’s for anyone who wants to get up and tell the world You don’t need to understand. This about me, it’s not about you.
March 25, 2021
For the past 10/11 years, Black Veil Brides have been a huge part of my life, and Andy Biersack in particular has been a very important figure in my life. Of course I pre-ordered a signed copy of They Don’t Need To Understand as soon as I could. I knew that this book had been in the pipeline for a long time, and I waited years for it (literally), so I couldn’t wait to finally get my hands on it and read it.
This isn’t the typical rockstar biography that a lot of people will probably be expecting (I myself thought that it was going to be), but instead, it is more about his journey as a person and musician. It is more like peering in to his mind, and seeing how he thinks, than finding out what he gets up to on tour.
This is a very unique insight in to Andy’s mind and his life, which is an extremely rare thing to get from a famous musician. The raw honesty of who he was, who he is, what he has had to face along the way, and what he has overcome is so refreshing to read. He has had an incredibly interesting life, and the way he talks about it and describes it makes it all the more interesting to read. I couldn’t put this book down.
I am very lucky to have had many chances to meet Andy over the years, and he is one of the most genuine, nicest people I have ever met. I think this book really shows those qualities, but it also shows that he can acknowledge that he wasn’t always the person that he is now, and it has taken a lot of growth for him to become who he is today and the person he really wanted to be. I feel very honoured to have witnessed his journey over the years.
If you’re a fan of Andy, or Black Veil Brides, I urge you to pick this book up immediately. If you want an in depth look in to the life and mind of successful musician, this book is also for you.
I give They Don’t Need To Understand a 5 star rating!
This isn’t the typical rockstar biography that a lot of people will probably be expecting (I myself thought that it was going to be), but instead, it is more about his journey as a person and musician. It is more like peering in to his mind, and seeing how he thinks, than finding out what he gets up to on tour.
This is a very unique insight in to Andy’s mind and his life, which is an extremely rare thing to get from a famous musician. The raw honesty of who he was, who he is, what he has had to face along the way, and what he has overcome is so refreshing to read. He has had an incredibly interesting life, and the way he talks about it and describes it makes it all the more interesting to read. I couldn’t put this book down.
I am very lucky to have had many chances to meet Andy over the years, and he is one of the most genuine, nicest people I have ever met. I think this book really shows those qualities, but it also shows that he can acknowledge that he wasn’t always the person that he is now, and it has taken a lot of growth for him to become who he is today and the person he really wanted to be. I feel very honoured to have witnessed his journey over the years.
If you’re a fan of Andy, or Black Veil Brides, I urge you to pick this book up immediately. If you want an in depth look in to the life and mind of successful musician, this book is also for you.
I give They Don’t Need To Understand a 5 star rating!
November 4, 2023
I adored this insight into Andy’s experience! It was funny and real. There were several moments where I related and felt more heard than I had before. Highly recommended!
March 24, 2021
I always knew Andy would make an awesome audiobook narrator and I was right! Andy, here is your second career after music! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Andy is very insightful and had me thinking about several things as I was reading it. I was surprised at how open and honest he was in retelling how he got started. I really appreciated that. I hope that my daughter fully pays attention to Andy when she reads this as I believe she can learn a thing or two from how Andy dealt with some of the issues she struggles with even though not everyone handles things the same way. I admire how he overcame his issues and if I didn’t know any better I wouldn’t be able to tell he’s a little shy. He has always been respectful and nice to the BVB/Andy Black fans. I wish I could sit down and have a one on one conversation with him. He always seems to have his head on straight and is very intelligent. This story flows smoothly throughout. I loved hearing the backstory to Knives and Pens, the Vale album and more. I have to say that Vale is my favorite BVB album. The guys are amazing musicians in their own right. When they come together you know it’s going to be an awe inspiring experience. Thanks, Andy for having this vision and seeing it through. I hope you and the guys are around for an extremely long time. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank Andy, Jinxx, Jake, CC, Ashley and now Lonnie on pulling my daughter through some of her darkest times. She wouldn’t be here without your music.
June 10, 2021
First, before I actually get into this review, I think it’s important to note that this is the only non-fiction book I have on my shelves of hundreds of books. I have never been a fan of non-fiction, but reading this book was important to me in so many ways. I have been a fan of Black Veil Brides and Andy since the Knives and Pens video first came out. Reading this book was full of nostalgia for me because in a way I was also growing up with them. When the band first came out I was graduating high school and taking my next steps into the world just as they were. Through so many points in my life Black Veil Brides has been there and to read this book it felt like all those things mattered. That even though they don’t know it, they were there for me in a way that no one else was. I’ve always been an outcast or the girl who liked weird things, but they made me feel included, always. That’s a special feeling for someone who never felt they belonged. This was an emotional book. I loved that Andy explored his life adventures and was honest about them with his fans. I feel as though I have a better understanding of him as a person, not just someone I idolize. For more then ten years I’ve dreamed of seeing Black Veil Brides in concert, but my anxiety always held me back. This year I’ve decided to be brave and finally attend my first concert. Reading this book cemented that feeling for me. Sometimes you have to face your fears for beautiful things to happen. I really enjoyed this book. It was full of heart and emotion and I truly appreciated everything Andy put into it.
December 18, 2020
Absolutely fantastic read. A must for any bookworm fans out there. Great insight into Andy's life with his dream of making BVB his dream band plus tales of his solo stint.
Some very touching parts and also bits that will make you cringe and say ouch. Andy speaks about the relationships in his life and the admiration he has for his parents and theirs for him.
A in depth look at some of his lower times and the highs in his career to date . Andy openly mentions his O.C.D and times where he faced huge bought of anxiety. He also mentions his struggles with alcohol dependency and the feelings of having to "make it".
I went through numerous emotions whilst reading about Andy's life so far and his quest to be who is is today, the relationships he has and what they mean to him. Honestly there's things in the book I never even knew about to do with Andy, BVB. Plus he explains why he came up with the concept of "The Andy Show".
Only downside of the kindle version is you don't get the pictures that are included in the paper/hardback edition. But for avid readers I guess that won't matter.
Some very touching parts and also bits that will make you cringe and say ouch. Andy speaks about the relationships in his life and the admiration he has for his parents and theirs for him.
A in depth look at some of his lower times and the highs in his career to date . Andy openly mentions his O.C.D and times where he faced huge bought of anxiety. He also mentions his struggles with alcohol dependency and the feelings of having to "make it".
I went through numerous emotions whilst reading about Andy's life so far and his quest to be who is is today, the relationships he has and what they mean to him. Honestly there's things in the book I never even knew about to do with Andy, BVB. Plus he explains why he came up with the concept of "The Andy Show".
Only downside of the kindle version is you don't get the pictures that are included in the paper/hardback edition. But for avid readers I guess that won't matter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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