Pierce the Veil is an American rock band formed in San Diego, California, in 2006. It was founded by brothers Vic and Mike Fuentes after the disbanding of Before Today, which formed out of the San Diego punk scene. Jaime Preciado and Tony Perry joined the group in 2007, on bass and lead guitar respectively.
Pierce the Veil has released five studio albums and has toured worldwide since the release of their debut album, A Flair for the Dramatic in 2007. The band released their second full-length studio album, titled Selfish Machines in 2010. Their third album, Collide with the Sky, was released in 2012, and is their first album released by Fearless Records. Featuring the hit first single "King for a Day", the album debuted at No. 12 on the US Billboard 200. Their fourth album, Misadventures, was released on May 13, 2016, and following a hiatus, their fifth album, The Jaws of Life, was released on February 10, 2023.
History
2006–2009: Early years and A Flair for the Dramatic
Pierce The Veil in 2007.
Pierce the Veil was founded by Mike Fuentes and Vic Fuentes in 2006,[1] after the disbandment of their band Before Today (formerly known as Early Times[2]). The brothers continued to write songs together and eventually came up with enough material for a new full-length album. Still backed by their label, Equal Vision Records, they wrote and recorded an entire album on their own in Seattle, WA with producer Casey Bates. The brothers released the album A Flair for the Dramatic on June 26, 2007, under a new name: Pierce the Veil, which is derived from a song of the same name from Before Today's album, A Celebration of an Ending. Soon after, Pierce the Veil acquired new members Tony Perry (lead guitar) and Jaime Preciado (bass). Pierce the Veil toured vigorously for about 3 months after the release of A Flair for the Dramatic. They have toured with bands such as A Day to Remember, Chiodos, From First to Last, Emery, All Time Low, Sleeping with Sirens, The Devil Wears Prada and Mayday Parade.
During August 2009, Pierce the Veil announced that they were currently in studio recording new material for their next album. After a few months off the road and building anticipation for their sophomore release, the band moved to Los Angeles to record their album Selfish Machines with Producer Mike Green. Singer and lyricist Vic Fuentes stated, "The title refers to human nature and the animal-like qualities inside all of us that we try and hide, but should just learn to accept. We are all selfish machines and we all have natural tendencies to want, love, and take." Selfish Machines was released on June 21, 2010, under Equal Vision Records,[4] and made it to No.1 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.[5] In support of the release, the band played a number of festivals including Bamboozle Left, South by Southwest, Never Say Never Festival, and the Vans Warped Tour. The band also contributed a cover of Blue Öyster Cult's classic song "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" to the Punk Goes Classic Rock compilation, released on April 27, 2010.[6] They were a part of the Take Action Tour with Attack Attack! that went to New Zealand and Australia, and also played on the Versus Tour in Japan with Confide. They played the "This Is a Family Tour" with Emmure, In Fear and Faith, Of Mice & Men, and Attack Attack!, which lasted until late December 2010.
Pierce the Veil also played at the Fox Theater in Pomona as a surprise appearance as part of the Alternative Press Tour 2010 with bands such as August Burns Red, Bring Me the Horizon, Polar Bear Club, Emarosa, and This Is Hell. On November 1, 2010, the band announced that they would be kicking off 2011 touring with Silverstein, Miss May I, The Chariot, and A Bullet for Pretty Boy on the "Winterizer Tour". Throughout March and April, "The Gamechanger's Tour" with A Day to Remember, Bring Me the Horizon, and label mates We Came as Romans followed. They also co-headlined the second leg of Escape the Fate's headlining tour "The Dead Masquerade". After taking the summer off to spend some more time on writing new material, the band was supposed to head out on their first ever South American Tour supporting Sum 41 in September; however, due to illness of Sum 41's frontman, the tour was cancelled. They finished up the year touring Europe with blessthefall and co-headlined the No Guts No Glory Tour with Miss May I afterwards. They once again contributed to a "Punk Goes..." album, Punk Goes Pop 4, covering the song "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars, which was released on November 21, 2011.[7]
2011–2013: Fearless Records and Collide with the Sky
On August 23, 2011, Pierce the Veil signed with Fearless Records.[8] On December 22, 2011, a video update revealed in that in early 2012, the band would be going into the studio to record their third studio album. On December 26, 2011, Vic Fuentes announced on the band's Facebook page that the band had finished writing the songs for their third album, which they began writing during the summer and while on tour with Miss May I, Woe Is Me, The Amity Affliction and letlive during November and December, and they would now be choosing a producer to work with on the album in early 2012.[9] On February 27, 2012, The band issued an update on their official Facebook page stating that they have chosen to work with producers Dan Korneff and Kato Khandwala at the House of Loud in New Jersey on their upcoming third album.[10] On April 20, 2012, it was announced that the new album would be titled Collide with the Sky and would be released through Fearless Records on July 17, 2012.[11][12] On May 17, 2012, the album cover and the track list of the new album were revealed along with the announcement of the band's first ever UK headlining tour in September 2012.[13][14] The first single from the new album, "King for a Day", features Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens and was released on June 5, 2012. The second single, "Bulls in the Bronx", was released three weeks later on June 26, 2012.
In order to promote the album, the band appeared on the Vans Warped Tour from June 16, 2012, to August 5, 2012, playing the event's main stage for the first time.[15] They were regularly joined on stage by Kellin Quinn to perform the song "King for a Day". After Warped, Pierce the Veil embarked on their first headlining tour in the UK, selling out almost all of the dates. Their following headlining tour in the US, The Collide with the Sky tour, saw a similar success. They ended the year appearing at No. 33 in Rock Sound magazine's best albums of 2012 list[16] as well as winning nine categories in the best of 2012 reader's poll conducted by Alternative Press, including Best Live Band of the Year, Album of the Year and Artist of the Year.[17] On January 9, 2013, Vic Fuentes released information that he had recently been in the studio writing new songs with Tom Denney.[18][19]
On January 7, 2013, Pierce the Veil and pop-punk band All Time Low announced that they would be co-headlining the Spring Fever Tour in Spring 2013. Both bands toured across the United States, along with opening acts Mayday Parade and You Me at Six. The tour began on April 11, 2013, and ended on May 12, 2013.[20] Toward the end of the tour, on May 7, 2013, the music video for Pierce the Veil's song "Bulls in the Bronx" was released.[21]
On September 23, 2013, the band announced plans to release a documentary on November 11 detailing their first world tour. It included live footage from their world tour, three music videos, and additional content. The band released this statement on the documentary: "Our first world tour was absolutely the craziest experience of our lives.. [ sic] and we filmed EVERYTHING! Follow along as we visit uncharted territories in search of the best shows and thrilling experiences we could absolutely find along the way. This DVD is for the fans and the fans only. Thank you for letting us travel the world and share this adventure with you!" - Vic, Mike, Tony, and Jaime[22]
On October 18, 2013, the band launched pre-orders for their documentary with a new release date of November 25.[23]
On July 21, Vic Fuentes and Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens announced a co-headlining world concert tour. The tour started on November 5, 2014, in Fresno. They first announced the first North America leg with 20 concerts with support from Beartooth and This Wild Life.[24] A month later, on August 22, 2014, the band confirmed the second leg of the concert tour which took place in Europe. Between March 20, 2015, and April 11, 2015, Pierce the Veil played concerts in the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, and the UK.[25] According to Epitaph Records, all concerts in Europe were sold out.[26] Before heading to Europe the band played a second US leg with support from PVRIS and Mallory Knox.[27][28]
2015–2018: Misadventures and departure of Mike Fuentes
In November 2017, drummer Mike Fuentes was accused of soliciting nude photos and statutory rape by a young woman. The incidents were have alleged to have occurred roughly a decade prior over the course of several years. The pair allegedly initiated contact on MySpace before meeting for the first time at a Pierce the Veil concert. Fuentes was 24 at the time, while the girl was 16, a legal minor in the state of California. The woman stated they had sex after meeting again at a concert during Warped Tour. The relationship was said to have lasted until she turned 18.[33]
In December 2017, a second woman accused him of requesting nude pictures when she was a minor. She accused him anonymously on Twitter. The woman claimed they first met at Warped Tour in 2008, when she was 14 years old where they exchanged phone numbers. When she turned 15, Fuentes allegedly requested nude photos from her.[34]
In light of the allegations, Fuentes and the rest of the band released a statement later that month, stating that Mike Fuentes was to step down as drummer to "concentrate on his personal life". The band announced a hiatus and cancelled their planned 2018 UK tour with All Time Low.[35] No formal charges were brought publicly against Mike Fuentes for either allegation.
2018–present: hiatus and The Jaws of Life
On July 5, 2018, vocalist and guitarist Vic Fuentes posted on his social media that he is working on the band's fifth album.[36] In February 2019, the official band Twitter posted that they were still working on the album.[37]
On 13 April 2020, the band uploaded a home rehearsal of their track "Hold On Till May" to YouTube, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The performance featured former member Mike Fuentes, however the band did not specify whether he had officially returned as a member of the band.[38] Reaction to Mike Fuentes performing with the band was mixed, with listeners expressing concern on social media over the sexual allegations surrounding him, with the band having yet to address them fully beyond the original 2017 statement.[39] On August 24, 2020, Vic confirmed that Mike had left the band in 2017 and will not be featured on the next album.[40]
In June 2022, I Prevail announced their “True Power Tour,” scheduled to take place from September to November 2022, with Pierce The Veil serving as direct support, this being the band’s first tour since 2017 and the departure of drummer Mike Fuentes. Prior to the tour, the band recruiting former letlive. drummer Lionel Robinson as their touring drummer.[41][42] On September 1, 2022, the band released the single "Pass the Nirvana".[43] On November 11, 2022, the band released their second new single, "Emergency Contact" and announced that their fifth studio album The Jaws of Life would be released on February 10, 2023.[44][45]
The band embarked on the 'Creative Control' and 'The Jaws of Life' tours, along with an Australian tour with Beartooth in support of the album. In mid-2024, the band supported Blink 182 on their One More Time... tour in North America.[46]
On December 3, 2024, the band announced the “I Can’t Hear You” international tour via social media.[47] The tour will feature songs from every album in the band’s discography, and it will be the band’s first solo headlining amphitheater tour.
The term "mexicore" has also been applied to the band due to the Spanish flair in many of their songs. Vic Fuentes said in an interview with Alternative Press that the band always tries to "incorporate at least a hint of Latin influence in every song."[64] Vic Fuentes described "mexicore" as a "mix of heavy music with a little Spanish feel."[65]
Members and lineup
Current
Vic Fuentes – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, piano, programming (2006–present); lead guitar, bass (2006–2007)
Mayday Parade is an American rock band from Tallahassee, Florida. Formed in 2005, the band was a result of a merger between two local Tallahassee bands, Kid Named Chicago and Defining Moment. Their debut EP Tales Told by Dead Friends, was released in 2006, and sold over 50,000 copies without any label support. In July 2007, Mayday Parade released their debut album A Lesson in Romantics. Having been signed to Fearless Records since 2006, the band also signed onto a major label with Atlantic Records in 2009. Their second studio album, Anywhere but Here was released in October 2009 and their third album, entitled Mayday Parade, was released in October 2011. Mayday Parade's fourth album, titled Monsters in the Closet, was released in October 2013. Their fifth album, titled Black Lines, was released October 2015. In April 2018, the band signed to Rise Records and released their sixth studio album Sunnyland on June 15, 2018. Their seventh studio album, What It Means to Fall Apart, was released on November 19, 2021.
A Day to Remember is an American rock band from Ocala, Florida, formed in 2003 by guitarist Tom Denney and drummer Bobby Scruggs. They are known for their amalgamation of metalcore and pop-punk. The band currently consists of vocalist Jeremy McKinnon, rhythm guitarist Neil Westfall, percussionist/drummer Alex Shelnutt and lead guitarist Kevin Skaff.
Underminded is an American hardcore punk band from San Diego, California. The band has been on hiatus since 2007 as its members concentrate on other projects. Frontman Nick Martin was in Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows, and has been in Sleeping With Sirens since originally filling in for them in 2013. Drummer Tanner Wayne has been the drummer for In Flames since 2018.
Victor Vincent Fuentes is an American musician. He is the co-founder, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the post-hardcore band Pierce the Veil, which he formed with his brother Mike Fuentes in 2006.
Michael Christopher "Mike" Fuentes is an American musician, best known as the co-founder and former drummer for the post-hardcore band Pierce the Veil, which he co-founded alongside his older brother Vic Fuentes in 2006.
A Flair for the Dramatic is the debut studio album by American rock band Pierce the Veil, released in 2007 by Equal Vision Records.
Miss May I is an American metalcore band from Troy, Ohio. Formed in 2007, they signed to Rise Records in 2008 and released their debut album, Apologies Are for the Weak through the label while the members were still attending high school. The album reached 76 on the Billboard 200, No. 29 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers, and No. 66 on Top Independent Albums. The band has also had some of their material featured in big name productions; the song "Forgive and Forget" is featured on the Saw VI Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, and their song "Apologies Are for the Weak" is included in the video game Saints Row: The Third.
Selfish Machines is the second album by American rock band Pierce the Veil, released by Equal Vision Records on June 22, 2010. Produced by Vic Fuentes and Mike Green, it was recorded in late 2009 and early 2010. Fuentes wrote most of the songs, and co-wrote three songs with former A Day to Remember guitarist Tom Denney.
Sleeping with Sirens is an American rock band from Orlando, Florida, currently residing in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The band currently consists of Kellin Quinn, touring lead guitarist Tony Pizzuti, Nick Martin, Justin Hills and Matty Best. The band was formed in 2009 by members of For All We Know and Paddock Park. The group is currently signed to Sumerian Records and have released seven full-length albums and an acoustic EP.
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, multi instrumentalist 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.
Collide with the Sky is the third studio album by American post-hardcore band Pierce the Veil, released on July 17, 2012, by Fearless Records. The album spawned the hit songs "King for a Day", "A Match into Water", "Bulls in the Bronx" and "Hell Above", all of which remain staples of the group's discography.
Don't Panic is the fifth studio album by American rock band All Time Low. After signing with major label Interscope Records in November 2009, the band worked on their fourth album Dirty Work. It was delayed a number of times until its eventual release in June 2011. During that time, the people at the label that had signed the band were fired or replaced. By the end of the year, vocalist/guitarist Alex Gaskarth said Dirty Work was "kind of dead in the water", prompting the band to work on their next album shortly afterwards. After completing a week of pre-production in April 2012, the band started recording Don't Panic with Mike Green, in Los Angeles, California and finished in May. The album features appearances from Cassadee Pope of Hey Monday, Anthony Raneri of Bayside and Jason Vena of Acceptance.
Tony Perry is an American musician, best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Pierce the Veil. He is also a co-owner of Living The Dream Foundation alongside bandmates Vic Fuentes and Jaime Preciado.
Hollow Bodies is the fourth studio album by American metalcore band Blessthefall. It was released on August 20, 2013, through Fearless Records and produced by Joey Sturgis. It is the third album to include lead singer Beau Bokan, second album to include rhythm guitarist, Elliott Gruenberg and the first to include the same members in consecutive albums.
King for a Day is a song by American rock band Pierce the Veil, released on June 5, 2012, by Fearless Records. It features guest vocals by Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens. It was the first single released from their third album Collide with the Sky (2012).
"A Love Like War" is a song by American rock band All Time Low for the reissue of their fifth studio album Don't Panic: It's Longer Now! (2013). Written and produced by the band's lead vocalist/guitarist Alex Gaskarth and Mike Green, and featuring the input of Pierce The Veil's lead vocalist Vic Fuentes, the song was released through Hopeless Records on September 2, 2013.
"The Divine Zero" is a song by American rock band Pierce the Veil. It was released as the lead single off of their fourth studio album, Misadventures, on June 18, 2015, via digital download. The song was written by vocalist Vic Fuentes and produced by Dan Korneff. "The Divine Zero" was nominated for Song Of The Year at the 2016 Alternative Press Music Awards.
Misadventures is the fourth studio album by American rock band Pierce the Veil released by Fearless Records on May 13, 2016. Initially expected to be released during the summer of 2015, the album was postponed several times before its subsequent release. The album serves as a follow-up to the group's third studio album, Collide with the Sky (2012). It was produced by Dan Korneff and was recorded throughout 2014 and 2015 on Long Island, New York.
"Circles" is a song by American rock band Pierce the Veil. It was released as the third streaming single from the group's fourth full-length studio album, Misadventures, on April 27, 2016. It was co-written by frontman Vic Fuentes and Curtis Peoples and was produced by Dan Korneff.
The Jaws of Life is the fifth studio album by American rock band Pierce the Veil, released on February 10, 2023. This is the band's first album not to feature drummer Mike Fuentes, with Brad Hargreaves of Third Eye Blind filling in. The band parted ways with Fuentes in 2017, following allegations of sexual misconduct. It is their first album to have a title track. The first single, "Pass the Nirvana", was released on September 1, 2022, marking the first piece of new material from the band since their 2016 album Misadventures. The album was announced November 11, 2022, along with the release of a second single, "Emergency Contact". The third single, "Even When I'm Not with You", was released January 12, 2023. The album received mostly positive reviews from critics.
↑ Victoria Patneaude (October 24, 2012). "Interview with Pierce the Veil". Rock Edition. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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