Andy Black, the solo project from Black Veil Brides vocalist Andy Biersack, followed a natural progression in Biersack's musical trajectory. From the metalcore birth of BVB through their evolution into a glam metal outfit, Andy Black's pop-leaning rock was the next step in Biersack's sound. Born Andrew Dennis Biersack in Cincinnati, Ohio, he grew up singing and playing piano, attending Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts, where he focused on drama and vocals. At 18, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue music. Black Veil Brides released their debut album, We Stitch These Wounds, in 2010.

Their fourth album arrived in 2014, the same year Biersack began working on Andy Black. For the new project, Biersack drew more upon the anthemic sounds of early U2 and Bruce Springsteen rather than his other major influences Mötley Crüe, Kiss, and Poison. In early 2016, debut single "We Don't Have to Dance" was released, featuring cleaner vocals and incorporating a Killers-esque synth melody. His second single, "Stay Alive," featured Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio, blink-182). The Shadow Side was produced by John Feldmann (Panic! At the Disco, the Used, Good Charlotte) and included guest spots from emo/pop-punk friends Ashton Irwin (5 Seconds of Summer), Joel Madden (Good Charlotte), Rian Dawson (All Time Low), Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance), and Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy). Combining the muscle of arena rock with a pop-punk spirit, Andy Black provided a new outlet for Biersack's many influences. ~ Neil Z. Yeung, Rovi