Knives and Pens

Last updated
"Knives and Pens"
Knivespens.jpg
Single by Black Veil Brides
from the album We Stitch These Wounds
ReleasedJune 17, 2009
Genre
Length4:24
Label Self-released
Songwriter(s) Black Veil Brides
Black Veil Brides singles chronology
"Knives and Pens"
(2009)
"Perfect Weapon"
(2010)

"Knives and Pens" is a song by American rock band Black Veil Brides, released as a music video exclusively on YouTube. It is their first single, and is one of their most popular songs to date, with the music video reaching over 100 million views on YouTube. [3]

Contents

Other versions

"Knives and Pens (Acoustic)"
Knives and Pens (acoustic) (Black Veil Brides album - cover art).jpg
Single by Black Veil Brides
from the album We Stitch These Wounds
Released2010 (limited copies),
March 19, 2013
RecordedClear Lake Audio, North Hollywood, CA
Genre Acoustic rock
Length4:50
Label StandBy Records
Songwriter(s) Black Veil Brides
Black Veil Brides singles chronology
"In the End"
(2012)
"Knives and Pens (Acoustic)"
(2010)

The song was re-recorded and re-released as two new versions—a version with a few vocal and guitar changes, and a limited edition Hot Topic acoustic version—alongside the songs "We Stitch These Wounds" and "The Mortician's Daughter" on their debut studio album, We Stitch These Wounds . The limited-copy acoustic version was re-released by StandBy Records to the general public for download on March 19, 2013. [4]

Song information and background

Meaning behind "Knives and Pens"

The lyrics were written by Black Veil Brides vocalist Andy Biersack around the title "Knives and Pens" which, according to him describes a choice: Knives — destruction (as in harming yourself), and Pens — creation (as in the choice he decided to make to begin writing music and make something of their life). Black Veil Brides is saying in this song that “if you make good choices in life, you can rise above and conquer whatever troubles you may come across. [5]

Intro clip

The clip at the beginning of the original version of the song is from the documentary Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills . It was taken from a recording of one of the West Memphis Three trials. The transcription of the clip is as follows:

Prosecutor - "In looking at young people involved in the occult, do you see any particular type of dress?" Witness - "I have personally observed people wearing black fingernails, having their hair painted black, wearing black t-shirts... Sometimes they will tattoo themselves."

Music video

The official music video for the song was released on YouTube on June 17, 2009, [3] directed by Patrick Fogarty, who later directed the "Perfect Weapon," "The Legacy," "Rebel Love Song," and "Coffin" music videos. The video stars actor David Sasik, who is playing the role of the kid resembling Andy. [6] [7] [8] It was a very low-budget project, but despite this, the video launched the band into international fame. The official video has reached over 126 million views on YouTube as of December 16, 2020.

Video plot

The music video depicts a scenario similar to Andy's years in school, where he was bullied for the way he dressed, looked and the music he listened to.

A boy walks to his school locker and sees papers taped to it that have hurtful messages written on them, such as "emo", "fag", and "kill yourself". He rips them down and throws them to the ground in anger. Even his brother bullies him, stealing his notebook that he writes lyrics inspired by his feelings of anger in. He goes home angry, but his brother eventually comes in and returns his notebook. He then proceeds to begin writing the lyrics to "Knives and Pens". He also is seen watching the video of Black Veil Brides playing the song and there are clips of the band playing with occasionally dressing in white and occasionally dressing in black. [9] [10]

Acoustic version video

Black Veil Brides released a lyric video for the acoustic version of "Knives and Pens" on March 20, 2013, through StandBy Records [11]

Track listing

CD single [1st version]
No.TitleLength
1."Knives and Pens" (Original Version)4:24
CD single [2nd version]
No.TitleLength
1."Knives and Pens" (Original Version)4:24
2."Knives and Pens" (Album Version)4:15
Acoustic single
No.TitleLength
1."Knives and Pens" (Acoustic)4:50

Personnel

Black Veil Brides (studio band)
Music video band/production

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Control</span> Music group

William Control is an American music project founded in 2008 in Seattle, Washington. It was the side project of Aiden's William Francis before Aiden's hiatus, and he later operated as William Control full-time. 'William Control' therefore refers to both the band as a whole and to Francis as his stage name. Francis was signed to Victory Records before starting his own independent label, Control Records, and, as William Control, has released five full-length albums, an EP, two acoustic albums, two live DVDs and a remix album (Remix). The first part of Revelations, The Pale, was released on October 14, 2016. The second EP The Black followed on February 17, 2017, and the third, entitled The Red, followed that with a release date of July 14 of the same year. The album was completed by The White on November 24.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jinxx</span> Musical artist

Jeremy Miles Ferguson, better known by the stage name Jinxx, is an American musician best known as guitarist, violinist, cellist, pianist, songwriter, and composer of American rock band Black Veil Brides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Veil Brides</span> American rock band

Black Veil Brides is an American rock band based in Hollywood, California. The group formed in 2006 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is currently composed of lead vocalist Andy Biersack, rhythm guitarist and violinist Jinxx, lead guitarist Jake Pitts, drummer Christian "CC" Coma and bassist Lonny Eagleton. Black Veil Brides are known for their use of black makeup, body paint, tight black studded clothing, and long hair, which were all inspired by the stage personas of Kiss and Mötley Crüe, as well as other 1980s glam metal acts.

<i>We Stitch These Wounds</i> 2010 studio album by Black Veil Brides

We Stitch These Wounds is the debut studio album by American rock band Black Veil Brides, released through StandBy Records on July 20, 2010. It is Black Veil Brides' only studio album to feature drummer Sandra Alvarenga before she departed in late 2010 to join the band Modern Day Escape.

"Perfect Weapon" is the second single by American rock band, Black Veil Brides, from their debut album We Stitch These Wounds, officially released on June 8, 2010. The song was written by Andy Six before the first departure breakdown of the band. This is the last single to include drummer Sandra Alvarenga before her departure from the band.

<i>Set the World on Fire</i> (Black Veil Brides album) 2011 studio album by Black Veil Brides

Set the World on Fire is the second studio album by American rock band Black Veil Brides, released through Lava Records/Universal Republic Records on June 14, 2011. It is the first Black Veil Brides album with drummer Christian "CC" Coma, who succeeded Sandra Alvarenga on drums after the latter's departure to join the band Modern Day Escape.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fallen Angels (Black Veil Brides song)</span> 2011 single by Black Veil Brides

"Fallen Angels" is the third single by the American rock band, Black Veil Brides, and the first single from their second album Set the World on Fire.

"The Legacy" is the fourth single by American rock band Black Veil Brides, and the second single from their second album Set the World on Fire. It was leaked on YouTube May 29 from an online radio site. It is also their first charting single, peaking at #28 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The song is about the band leaving a legacy that will change the world. As lead vocalist Andy put it, "In life, everyone wants to leave a legacy. This song is about when we first started touring together as a band and the absolute love and devotion we have received from the BVB Army. Together we have created something amazing. This will be our Legacy."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Biersack</span> American singer

Andrew Dennis Biersack, formerly known as Andy Six, is an American singer. He is the founder and lead vocalist of the rock band Black Veil Brides and is its only remaining original member. In 2014, he started a solo music project under the moniker Andy Black and released his debut album, The Shadow Side, in 2016.

<i>Rebels</i> (EP) 2011 EP by Black Veil Brides

Rebels is the debut EP by American rock band Black Veil Brides, released exclusively through iTunes on December 13, 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebel Love Song</span> 2011 single by Black Veil Brides

"Rebel Love Song" is the fifth single by American rock band Black Veil Brides, and the third and final single from their second album Set the World on Fire. Lead vocalist Andy Biersack explained the meaning of the song in an interview with Kerrang! magazine: "That song is about the idea of finding something that you can run to, about making that Utopian society in your head and doing what you can to bust out and get there." The song won the Kerrang! Award for Best Single.

<i>Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones</i> Album by Black Veil Brides

Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones is the third studio album by American rock band Black Veil Brides. It is a rock opera concept album that was released through Lava Records/Universal Republic Records on January 8, 2013. Pre-orders for the album became available to download from iTunes on Halloween, October 31. The track "In the End" is the album's lead single, and was offered as an instant download to everyone who pre-ordered the album from iTunes after October 31. "In the End" was featured as one of the theme songs for WWE's Hell in a Cell and was also featured as a song on the soundtrack for EA Sports' NHL 14 video game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In the End (Black Veil Brides song)</span> 2012 single by Black Veil Brides

"In the End" is a song by American rock band Black Veil Brides, from their third studio album, Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones. The song was released on October 31, 2012, as the first single from Wretched and Divine, and is Black Veil Brides' sixth single. It was released on the same date as the availability for pre-order purchases for the entire album. The song peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Rock Songs chart and remained on the charts for two weeks. "In the End" was featured as a bonus track on the compilation album Now That's What I Call Music! 45. It was also one of the two themes for the 2012 WWE Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event. The song also appears in the video games Guitar Hero Live and NHL 14. The band received Revolver's 2013 Golden Gods Award for Best New Song for "In the End." The song was written after the death of Black Veil Brides' lead vocalist Andy Biersack's grandfather.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crown the Empire</span> American metalcore band

Crown the Empire is an American metalcore band from Dallas, Texas formed in 2010. The band comprises vocalist Andrew "Andy Leo" Rockhold, guitarist Brandon Hoover, bassist Hayden Tree, and drummer Jeeves Avalos. They are currently signed to Rise Records and have released five studio albums. Their most recent studio album, Dogma, was released on April 28, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Don't Have to Dance</span> 2016 single by Andy Black

"We Don't Have to Dance" is a song by American singer Andy Black. It was released as the first single from his debut studio album, The Shadow Side, on March 18, 2016. The music video for the song directed by Patrick Fogarty was also released three days later. It charted on multiple Billboard charts, peaking number 23 on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart.

<i>The Shadow Side</i> 2016 studio album by Andy Black

The Shadow Side is the debut solo album by Black Veil Brides frontman Andy Black. It was released on May 6, 2016, on Lava and Republic Records.

<i>Re-Stitch These Wounds</i> 2020 studio album by Black Veil Brides

Re-Stitch These Wounds is a studio album by American rock band Black Veil Brides, released through Sumerian Records on July 31, 2020. It is a re-recorded version of the band's first album, We Stitch These Wounds, to commemorate its 10th anniversary. Intended to be a "companion piece" to the first album rather than a "replacement", the band stated they "hope fans can enjoy and see the musical evolution of the band in a unique way." This is their first full-length studio album to feature Lonny Eagleton as bassist.

Makari is an American ambient rock band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 2011. The band currently consists of vocalist Andy Cizek, guitarists Matt Beljan and Eric Stewart, bass guitarist John Tomasso, and drummer Kevin Beljan.

<i>The Phantom Tomorrow</i> 2021 studio album by Black Veil Brides

The Phantom Tomorrow is the sixth studio album by American rock band Black Veil Brides, released on October 29, 2021, through Sumerian Records. It is a rock opera concept album, similar to previous releases Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones and Vale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do You Call My Name</span> 2003 single by Ra

"Do You Call My Name" is a song by American alternative metal band Ra. The song was released as the first single from the band's debut album From One. A live and acoustic version of the song was released as a standalone single in 2012.

References

  1. Pettigrew, Jason (June 14, 2019). "Black Veil Brides talk debut "Knives and Pens" video 10 years later". Alternative Press . Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  2. "THE BEST EMO SONGS OF THE DECADE THAT DEFINED THE 2010'S". Alternative Press . Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Black Veil Brides "Knives and Pens" OFFICIAL VIDEO". YouTube. 2009-06-17. Retrieved 2013-05-28.
  4. "Song Stream: Black Veil Brides, "Knives and Pens" (acoustic)". Alternative Press. March 18, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  5. "ShockHound - Shock TV - Interview — Black Veil Brides (HD)". YouTube. 2011-07-03. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
  6. "Behind the Scenes of Knives And Pens — BLACK VEIL BRIDES LEGACY". Bvblegacy.weebly.com. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
  7. "Band Bio — Black Veil Brides Legacy". Bvblegacy.weebly.com. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
  8. "David Sasik, Actor's Slate". YouTube. 2009-09-22. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
  9. "Patrick Fogarty Information, Videos, Pictures and News". Rtbot.net. Archived from the original on 2014-03-05. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
  10. "Patrick Fogarty Music Videos including Knives and Pens on Roxwel". Roxwel.com. Archived from the original on 2009-09-19. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
  11. "Black Veil Brides release "Knives and Pens" acoustic lyric video". Alternative Press. March 21, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013.