Hubbry Logo
Jake PittsJake PittsMain
Open search
Jake Pitts
Community hub
Jake Pitts
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Jake Pitts
Jake Pitts
from Wikipedia

Key Information

Jacob Mark "Jake" Pitts (born August 21, 1985) is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Black Veil Brides. Pitts and fellow Black Veil Brides guitarist Jinxx won Revolver Magazine's Golden Gods Award for "Best Guitarists 2012".[2][3]

Early life, career and influences

[edit]

Pitts received his first guitar when he was 10 years old, but he put it away and did not play it again until he was 13. He began listening to Metallica around this time, because he wanted to recreate their sound.[1] Jake only received lessons for about four months. After this time, he chose to learn on his own. From his Mother, Carolyn, he learned music and harmony theory, who was a classical pianist and composer. Pitts is influenced musically by rock and heavy metal artists such as Van Halen, Scorpions, Paul Gilbert, Buckethead, Randy Rhoads, Pantera, Black Sabbath, Armored Saint, Dio, Manowar, Iced Earth, Darkthrone, Cannibal Corpse, Slayer, Avenged Sevenfold, Mötley Crüe, and Metallica.

Before joining Black Veil Brides, Pitts played lead guitar in the bands the Perfect Victim and 80 Proof Riot.[4] He is a certified recording engineer and went to Los Angeles Recording School in 2006.[1][5] He co-produced the fourth Black Veil Brides record with John Feldmann, along with their fifth record Vale.

He is working on a new band with his spouse Cory, called Aelonia. He is also producing for other bands such as New Years Day.[6]

Pitts occasionally provides backing vocals along with Jinxx on songs such as "Fallen Angels" and "The Legacy".

Personal life

[edit]

The song "Carolyn" was written by Pitts about his mother when she was going through a period of illness.[7][8] On January 18, 2014, his mother, Carolyn, died.[9] He later said that her death scared him and made him start thinking about his health which is why he started working out and eating healthier. Pitts also opened a fitness company called Get Mean Fitness with his friend Matt Yani.[10]

Pitts married Cory Logvin, on February 3, 2017.[11]

Production

[edit]
  • 2010 – Black Veil Brides (We Stitch These Wounds) – Songwriter
  • 2011 – Black Veil Brides (Set the World on Fire) – Songwriter
  • 2013 – Black Veil Brides (Wretched & Divine) – Songwriter / Engineered guitars
  • 2014 – Black Veil Brides (Black Veil Brides) – Songwriter / Engineer
  • 2016 - Thrown Into Exile (Safe Inside) – Producer / Writer / Engineer / Mixing / Mastering
  • 2017 - AELONIA ("The End" single) – Producer / Writer / Engineer / Mixing / Mastering
  • 2018 - Black Veil Brides (VALE) – Co-producer / Writer / Engineer
  • 2019 - Aelonia (We Are One) - Producer, Writer, Mixing / Mastering
  • 2020 - Black Veil Brides (Re-Stitch These Wounds) – Producer / Songwriter / Engineer / Mixing / Mastering
  • 2020 - Black Veil Brides ("Scarlet Cross" Single) - Producer, Writer, Engineer
  • 2021 - Black Veil Brides (The Phantom Tomorrow) - Producer, Writer, Engineer
  • 2022 - Black Veil Brides (The Mourning) - Composer, Lyricist, Writer
  • 2023 - Black Veil Brides (Temple Of Love Ft. VV) - Producer
  • 2024 - Black Veil Brides (Bleeders) - Producer, Writer
  • 2025 - Black Veil Brides ("Certainty" Single) - Composer, Producer

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Jake Pitts (born August 21, 1985) is an American musician and record producer best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band . Pitts joined prior to the release of their debut studio album in 2010, where he established himself as a core member alongside vocalist , rhythm guitarist , bassist Ashley Purdy, and drummer Christian "CC" Coma. His contributions include lead guitar performances, songwriting, and engineering on the band's albums, which blend , , and elements, helping propel to commercial success with platinum-certified singles like "" and extensive worldwide touring. The band has undergone lineup changes, with current bassist Lonny Eagleton joining in 2019. Beyond his role in the band, Pitts has pursued production work, drawing from his early influences in 1980s metal acts such as Metallica, Mötley Crüe, and guitarist , which shaped his style of fast, melodic shredding. He began playing guitar as a teenager to cope with , honing his technical skills through rigorous practice of metal and tracks before forming and joining various bands leading up to . In addition to the band's 2021 album , Pitts co-produced the 2025 single "" and contributed to the completion of a new album announced in October 2025, while maintaining an active presence in music production and sharing behind-the-scenes content on platforms like and Twitch.

Early life

Birth and upbringing

Jacob Mark Pitts was born on August 21, 1985, in Nampa, Idaho, USA. He grew up in a family environment in Nampa, where his parents, Mark and Carolyn Pitts, provided early exposure to music; his mother, a classical pianist, composer, and self-taught guitarist who participated in band, choir, and church music groups, taught him music theory and harmony. Carolyn Marie Carlson-Pitts, born on July 5, 1955, in Osage, , was described by Jake as his biggest musical influence and a "musical ," shaping his foundational understanding of music. Pitts began playing guitar at age 12, initially taking a few formal lessons before becoming largely self-taught, drawing further inspiration from his mother's musical background. The song "," from their 2010 album , was written by frontman from Pitts' perspective about his mother's ongoing health struggles at the time. Carolyn passed away unexpectedly on January 18, 2014, at age 58.

Education and early musical interests

Pitts attended the Recording School, from which he graduated in 2006 as a certified recording . During his time there, he developed key songwriting and audio engineering skills that would later inform his professional work. From an early age, Pitts showed a strong interest in music, particularly guitar, influenced by heavy metal genres and bands like Metallica, Scorpions, and Van Halen. Growing up in Idaho in a musically supportive family—his mother was a classical pianist and his father played acoustic guitar—he received his first guitar at age 10 but set it aside initially. At 13, inspired by Metallica's self-titled Black Album, he took formal guitar lessons for about four months before transitioning to self-taught techniques, practicing riffs and solos extensively to master complex metal styles. Following his graduation, Pitts relocated to to pursue music professionally, seeking opportunities in the city's vibrant scene. This move marked the transition from his foundational training to active involvement in the local music community.

Music career

Pre-Black Veil Brides bands

Before joining , Jake Pitts served as the lead guitarist for the Los Angeles-based band The Perfect Victim, formed in late 2006. The group blended rock and elements, with Pitts contributing guitar riffs that enhanced their energetic sound after he joined the lineup alongside vocalist Jeff Dag, bassist/vocalist Rick McDonald, guitarist Priestley Pring, and drummer Chad Reis. His performances included high-octane live shows featuring choreographed stunts and guitar solos, such as a notable appearance at the in Hollywood on December 5, 2006, where the band played tracks like "The Distance" and "Emergency." The band rapidly built a following, amassing over 13,000 fans within six months of launching their profile in August 2006, reflecting early indie buzz in the local scene. Pitts later joined 80 Proof Riot as lead guitarist around 2008, collaborating with future members Jeremy "Jinxx" Ferguson on guitar and Christian "CC" Coma on drums, along with rotating bassists and vocalists. In this project, he co-wrote original material, including songs like "Love Isn't Always Fair" and "New Religion," which were later adapted for ' 2011 album Set the World on Fire. The band focused on with punk influences and performed regionally, though specific live shows emphasized tight instrumentation amid lineup flux. In the mid-2000s indie rock scene, Pitts encountered typical challenges, including band instability and unfulfilled external promises, as experienced in The Perfect Victim where high expectations from supporters led to creative frustrations, prompting his departure after about a year. Similar issues persisted in 80 Proof Riot, particularly the difficulty in securing a stable vocalist after multiple auditions, which caused temporary member exits like CC's brief departure. Pitts' recruitment to occurred in 2009 when he and his 80 Proof Riot collaborators auditioned vocalists and attended a show by Andy Biersack's prior band, impressed by his performance. They invited Biersack to collaborate, initially to write and demo material for what became the band's debut album ; Pitts joined permanently after a successful demo session, leading to immediate touring with 11 shows from to the West Coast within two weeks. He described the opportunity as an instinctive "gut" decision to commit fully.

Role in Black Veil Brides

Jake Pitts joined in 2009 as the band's lead , shortly after the group's formation in 2006 by vocalist in , . His arrival helped solidify the lineup and contributed to the band's shift toward a more polished sound blending aesthetics with intensity. As lead , Pitts has been instrumental in shaping the band's guitar-driven arrangements, often incorporating technical riffs and solos that draw from hard rock traditions while supporting Biersack's theatrical vocals. Pitts' contributions are evident across Black Veil Brides' discography, where he is credited with guitar performance and songwriting on key releases. He played lead guitar on the debut album We Stitch These Wounds (2010), which marked the band's major-label entry and established their dramatic, cinematic style. This was followed by Set the World on Fire (2011), featuring Pitts' prominent solos on tracks like "Fallen Angels," helping the album reach No. 2 on the Billboard Rock Albums chart. Subsequent works include Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones (2013), a concept album with orchestral elements that showcased his rhythmic interplay with guitarist Jinxx; the self-titled Black Veil Brides (2014); Vale (2018), emphasizing heavier riffs; The Phantom Tomorrow (2021); and The Mourning EP (2022). These efforts highlight Pitts' evolution from raw metalcore influences to more refined hard rock compositions. In recognition of his technical prowess, shared the Revolver Golden Gods Award for Best Guitarists in 2012 with bandmate , an honor presented at the annual ceremony celebrating heavy music achievements. has remained active in the band's recent output, contributing to the Bleeders EP (2024), a three-track release produced by the group and featuring covers alongside original material like the title track "Bleeders." In 2025, he featured on the single "," the lead track from their forthcoming seventh studio album, which was fully mixed by September 2025 and is slated for release in early 2026. The self-produced album continues the band's thematic exploration of redemption and resilience, with ' guitar work providing melodic hooks and aggressive textures. Throughout his tenure, Pitts has been a staple in ' live performances, supporting extensive tours that blend high-energy shows with elaborate stage production. Notable outings include the 2011 , where the band debuted material from Set the World on Fire; the 2023 BVB & VV Tour; and the 2025 We Missed Ourselves Tour alongside , featuring premieres of "" at events like Vans in Long Beach. His role extends to the band's glam-metal and fusion, delivering shredding leads and harmonies that enhance their anthemic, visually striking concerts for the devoted BVB Army fanbase.

Other collaborations and projects

In addition to his primary role in , Pitts co-founded the duo Aelonia in 2016 alongside his wife, Inna Pitts, who serves as and songwriter. As the , , and co-writer, Pitts has contributed to the project's electronic-infused sound, blending metal riffs with pop elements. Aelonia's debut single, "The End," was released in December 2018, marking Pitts' exploration of a more melodic and accessible style outside his band's roots. The duo followed with additional singles such as "" and "," showcasing Pitts' versatility in mixing, mastering, and guitar arrangements for a broader audience. Pitts has made notable guest appearances on tracks by other artists, including providing for "Blue Flame (Inspired by Dabi from )" by Born2Burn, released in August 2025. This collaboration features ' signature shredding in a high-energy, anime-inspired metal context, highlighting his willingness to engage with niche projects in the rock and metal scenes. Beyond band efforts, Pitts has pursued experimental and fan-interactive endeavors, such as offering stage-played guitar bookings through his official website, jakepitts.net. These experiences allow fans to reserve personalized Schecter guitars that Pitts performs with during live shows, which are then signed and shipped to the owner as a unique collectible. This initiative, launched around 2019, combines Pitts' performance expertise with direct audience engagement, extending his musical presence into virtual and memorabilia-driven projects.

Musical style and equipment

Influences and technique

Jake Pitts' guitar playing is heavily influenced by and heavy metal icons, including Metallica's riff-heavy style from their Black Album, the dual-guitar harmonies of Scorpions and , the shredding techniques of , and the aggressive tone of Pantera's . These inspirations shaped his early interest in heavy tones and intricate solos, as Pitts has noted that hearing Metallica's production prompted him to seek similar sounds in his own work. He also draws from broader metal traditions, incorporating elements of speed and melody that echo Gilbert's precision and 's flair. Pitts' technique highlights technical prowess through melodic solos that prioritize storytelling and emotional depth over mere speed, blending metal shredding—such as and pinch harmonics—with and sensibilities for a dramatic, accessible edge. He favors low-action guitar setups to enable rapid execution without fret buzz, allowing seamless integration of fast runs and bends in ' songs. This approach ensures solos serve the song's , often creating rollercoaster-like progressions that complement the band's theatrical dynamics. His style evolved from pure metal roots in his youth, rooted in hard rock via exposure, to the glam-infused, anthemic sound of , where shredding meets orchestral and punk influences for a cinematic feel. Largely self-taught after only four months of formal lessons starting at age 13, Pitts developed his skills through dedicated practice, including emulating album tracks. His mother, a classically trained , provided foundational guidance in music theory and , teaching concepts like intervals that informed his compositional layering.

Signature gear and rigs

Jake Pitts has developed a signature line of guitars with Schecter, featuring models tailored to his playing style in . The Schecter C-1 Elite, one of his primary instruments, incorporates active pickups in both the neck and bridge positions for high-output tone suitable for heavy rock applications. Another key model is the Schecter E-1 FR S, which includes an bridge pickup, a 1000 series for dive bombs and stability, and a Sustainiac sustainer system to enable infinite note sustain without effects. For amplification, Pitts relies on Marshall JVM410H all-valve heads, which provide versatile high-gain tones across four channels, allowing him to achieve his signature aggressive sound in both studio and live settings. He pairs these with Marshall 4x12 cabinets loaded with Celestion 30 speakers for projection on stage. Pitts uses D'Addario EXL140 nickel-wound strings in a light top/heavy bottom gauge (.010-.052), tuned to drop C# for ' music, offering a balance of playability and tension for his technique. He avoids major effects pedals in his live rig, preferring to derive his core tones directly from the Marshall amps' built-in gain structures and EQ adjustments. For home demos and pre-production, Pitts employs the Positive Grid Bias FX digital processor, which simulates amps and effects via software for quick tone experimentation. Pitts' rig has evolved from his early career, where he experimented with multiple amp heads like Engl and Fuchs models, to a streamlined setup centered on the Marshall JVM410H by the mid-2010s for consistency in recordings and tours. By 2024, updates to his touring configuration emphasized reliable Schecter signatures and monitor integration, as detailed in ' Rig Rundown filmed during their performances. As of 2025, he has incorporated the Schecter C-7 FR S 7-string guitar for select tracks, such as the single "."

Production work

Contributions to Black Veil Brides

Jake Pitts has played a significant behind-the-scenes role in shaping the sound of through his production and engineering work, particularly in handling guitar tracking and contributing to the band's signature polished metal aesthetic. Beginning with the 2013 album Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones, Pitts engineered the guitars, aiding the realization of its narrative-driven structure with intricate, layered instrumentation that blended and theatrical elements. His technical expertise ensured a cohesive sonic landscape that supported the album's storytelling, emphasizing dynamic guitar tones central to tracks like "In the End" and "The Legacy." Pitts first received an engineering credit on Black Veil Brides' self-titled 2014 album, where he handled guitar and bass tracking under producer , contributing to the record's refined production that marked a shift toward a more mainstream sound. In this capacity, Pitts focused on capturing precise guitar performances, utilizing his knowledge of amplification and effects to achieve the band's characteristic blend of and melody. His involvement helped polish the album's tracks, such as "Heart of Fire," enhancing their radio-friendly appeal while maintaining heavy riffs. Expanding his role, Pitts served as co-producer on the 2018 album Vale, collaborating with to oversee recording sessions and refine the mix for its experimental, cinematic quality. Here, his production contributions included guiding guitar arrangements and mixing elements to create a darker, more atmospheric tone that complemented the album's themes of loss and redemption, evident in like "The Last Rites" with its soaring solos and orchestral integrations. Pitts continued as co-producer on (2021), partnering with Erik Ron to craft the album's concept-driven narrative through meticulous engineering of guitar layers and overall mixing. His work emphasized clean, powerful tones that supported the record's dystopian storyline, contributing to standout tracks like "The Wicked One" where intricate riffing and solos drive the emotional arc. This collaboration solidified the band's evolution toward a more mature, production-heavy sound. For recent releases, Pitts contributed as a songwriter and lead guitarist on the 2022 EP The Mourning, focusing on tight, impactful performances in tracks like "Saviour II." In 2024, he co-produced the EP Bleeders alongside Erik Ron, overseeing guitar production and mixing to deliver a raw yet polished sound that highlighted the band's return to aggressive roots, as heard in the title track's blistering riffs and breakdowns. Most recently, Pitts co-produced the 2025 single "" with frontman , engineering the guitar elements to achieve a blistering, anthemic quality that previews the band's seventh studio album, blending high-gain distortion with melodic hooks for a fresh take on their signature style. Throughout these contributions, Pitts' emphasis on guitar tracking and mixing has been instrumental in evolving ' polished metal sound, ensuring technical precision that amplifies their theatrical and riff-heavy compositions without overshadowing the band's creative vision.

Independent production credits

In addition to his band-internal work, Jake Pitts has contributed to independent production and engineering projects for other artists, drawing on his experience as a certified recording . One notable collaboration is with the metal band Thrown into Exile, where Pitts served as producer, writer, , mixer, and mastering engineer for their 2016 EP Safe Inside. Pitts co-founded the electronic pop metal duo Aelonia with his wife Cory Pitts in 2017, handling production duties for their releases. He produced, recorded, and mixed their debut single "The End" in 2017. For their full-length debut album We Are One (2019), Pitts acted as producer, , mixer, and mastering engineer across the tracklist, including singles like "Crazy Ex" and "Zombie." Pitts has also produced for other bands such as . His broader independent portfolio encompasses songwriting, engineering, and production across 36 credits as of 2025, with examples including guitar contributions to Born2Burn's single "" (2025).

Personal life

Family and relationships

Jake Pitts was engaged to British model Ella Cole, with the engagement announced in August 2012. The relationship ended in a mutual separation in March 2013. Pitts married Ukrainian model and musician Inna Logvin, who is professionally known as Inna Pitts, on February 3, 2017. The couple remains married as of 2025, marking eight years of marriage. Together, they co-own the clothing brand Be Real & Co., which features designs inspired by and other artistic motifs. As of the mid-2010s, Pitts and his wife shared their Los Angeles home with several pets, including dogs named Trixy and Ernie, and cats named Gucci and Dobby. In 2025, they have a dog named Bean.

Health initiatives and residences

Pitts co-founded Get Mean Fitness in 2014 with friend and touring security guard Matt Yanni, establishing a YouTube channel dedicated to workout routines, healthy recipes, and fitness motivation drawn from their personal training regimens. The initiative emphasized accessible home-based exercises and nutrition tips, aiming to inspire fans and promote consistent physical health without requiring gym equipment. Through Get Mean Fitness, Pitts engaged with the community on in the mid-2010s, sharing progress updates and interactive challenges to encourage fan participation in fitness goals, fostering a supportive network around wellness and lifestyle improvement. Since his in 2017, Pitts has resided in , , with his wife, Inna Pitts. Pitts maintains a studio in Los Angeles for music production, which underwent a significant upgrade in August 2017 when his wife surprised him by redesigning and enhancing the space overnight to better suit his creative workflow.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.