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The making of Andy Black: Good Charlotte, All Time Low, Less Than Jake members talk collab

When Andy Biersack embarked on his solo venture as Andy Black, he didn’t do it alone. The Black Veil Brides frontman enlisted the help of some of the top names in the scene. His star-studded support squad includes Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance); Ashton Irwin (5 Seconds Of Summer); Quinn Allman (the Used); and Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy). We talked to All Time Low’s Rian Dawson, Good Charlotte’s Benji and Joel Madden, Dean Butterworth and Less Than Jake’s JR Wasilewski about their work on this Most Anticipated release.

With tracks spanning from heavy electronics (“Ribcage”) to pop  (“Love Was Made To Break”), the Andy Black album is unquestionably diverse. Producer John Feldmann used his massive black book to help gather an equally diverse mix of musicians to lend their talents to its creation.

“Andy Black's record is a lot different than Black Veil Brides,” says GC drummer Dean Butterworth. “They're metal-y sounding, but this is totally different.”

Butterworth—who spent years touring and recording with Morrissey and a variety of other bands, including the Used, the Veronicas, Escape the Fate and Cute Is What We Aim For—felt right at home with the Andy Black songs he tracked. “I kept saying to John, ‘Dude, this reminds me of when I used to play Smiths songs or Morrissey songs.’ He was like, ‘Yeah, it really has that vibe.’”

While the new record nods past generations of music, Benji Madden—who helped write the album—says it will bring something totally different and fresh. “Andy just has a unique perspective on rock 'n' roll, and that's what this record is,” says Benji. “It's really exceptional; I don't think it's going to be hard for people to like this record.”

Andy Biersack

Biersack already has made a mark and grown a huge fanbase with BVB. Benji doesn’t seem to think the departure from the sound that put him on the map will cost Biersack any fans. “I still think a lot of metal fans are going to love this record,” he says, “but it's much more of a broad scope of music.”

At 24 Biersack might be young, but Joel Madden says he’s already a veteran in the music industry. “With all of his experience, I think he's got his own vision. I really love that he's got a clear vision that he sticks to, and he's not willing to compromise what he sees and what he wants. I really think that he's just getting started. He's so young and he's got so much experience and success already.”

And when you have somebody like John Feldmann on your side, the outcome is bound to be good.

“When you hire somebody like him to be part of your team, to make your record and you put your trust in someone like him—he's such a talented songwriter, producer, musician and amazing guy—everything's going to be good because John doesn't work with things that aren't good,” says Butterworth.

When Feldmann hit up All Time Low’s Rian Dawson, he initially thought it was for Black Veil Brides and had some reservations. “All of their stuff is with double-bass pedals, and I haven’t done that since I was 13 years old,” Dawson says. “There were four or five songs [Feldman] thought I’d be great on, and my first was response was, ‘I’m humbled, man; Andy’s a great dude, but I can’t play double kick to save my life.’” But it all worked out in the end. “It was such a comfortable environment,” he says. “I love John, love Andy. We did it in maybe three hours? It was a real good time.”

Although Biersack had mentioned he wanted Less Than Jake’s JR Wasilewski to play on the record, he had no idea Wasilewski had actually recorded. “He texted me from Chile or something and was like, ‘Dude, you played on the record? I wasn't even there!’ And I was like, ‘Lucky you, cause you didn't have to hear all the wrong notes,’” he says, laughing. 

Wasilewski says he and Biersack are good friends, and he was honored when he was asked to be a part of the record. “I don't specifically just jump on people's records,” he says. “[There are] always funny perceptions people have about who can be friends with who. To me, Andy is passionate, brilliant, determined, focused—and he's a fighter.”

Andy Biersack

Having so many seasoned musicians work on this album has set it apart, Butterworth says. “It’s really a special thing for me to know everybody, and everybody put their energy and their art and what they do best in there to make it special for Andy in the long run,” says Butterworth.

Joel Madden sees this record as just the beginning for Biersack. “I think Andy is entering his prime as an artist and a songwriter, and I think John Feldmann is in his prime,” he says. “The two together made an incredible record, and it's going to be fun to watch Andy go out into the world with this record.”

[Photo credit: Alexandra Snow]