Andy Biersack

My whole life, I've loved '80s synth and goth rock like The Sisters of Mercy and Depeche Mode.

More than anything, I write about what I know. The experiences that I've had in my life and that we've all had collectively, that's what we draw from.

I wouldn't want to make the same record over and over again or look the same or be the same. I think that's just human life in general, though.

That's what makes me insufferable to be around, is that most of my life I have assumed that everyone wants to see me perform and do things all the time.

Every Christmas, all I ever wanted was Playskool instruments. It was my entire life. And then by the time I was 6 or 7 years old, it became, 'Now I'm going to force my entire family to watch me perform all these rock songs.'

I think Heaven and afterlife is for the living; it's for the people that continue on and remember that person, and if you've done something that is substantial in your life then you can leave a legacy and do something positive.

The only real inspiration or muse that I have is just the life that I live.

I was homeless for almost a year and a half, just living in my car or bouncing around peoples' houses, going to 7-Eleven at the end of the day and asking them for the taquitos that they were going to throw out because I hadn't eaten in two days.

In terms of stage presence for me, I'm influenced by a myriad of things. A lot of punk performers, people like Dave Vanian from The Damned and Davey Havok from AFI was a huge influence on me when I was younger.

We truly believe with hard work, dedication and perseverance, we can become the best at what we do. No one wants to become mediocre.

I like both antireligious and traditional Catholic imagery.

To be honest, I've always been really interested in the role of the host, whether it's our kind of Billy Crystal-style traditional awards show host or when you have someone like Louis C.K. or a more edgy stand-up comedian do their take on a hosting role.