The Veronicas are a electro pop-rock band based in Australia. The band was formed in 2004, in Brisbane, Australia, by twin sisters Jessica Louise and Lisa Marie Origliasso.
They have released two studio albums since forming three years ago, the first being The Secret Life of... in 2005. The debut album went on to peak at #4 on the Australian charts and gain an ARIA certification of four times platinum, for 280,000+ sales. The Secret Life of... spawned five singles, including three top ten singles in Australia.
The duo released their second album Hook Me Up in 2007, it also peaked at #2 on the Australian charts, earning a certification of two times platinum. The album has had four Australian top ten singles released from it to date. The album's title track, "Hook Me Up", was The Veronicas' first number one single in Australia.
Early years
Born to Italian (Sicilian)-Australian parents on December 25, 1984, they grew up in Albany Creek (northwest of Brisbane, Australia),
where they attended Ferny Grove State High School and Wavell State High School. At an early age the girls expressed interest in performing;
they participated with small local papers in shows on television and radio.
Jessica and Lisa also performed in small parts on various television shows including a recurring role in the short-lived 2001 Australian children's series Cybergirl, where they portrayed twin sisters: Lisa played the character 'Sapphire', while Jessica appeared as 'Emerald'. On their 18th birthday Jessica received her first guitar, with this the girls began writing and singing songs. They became Teal which they formed with friends Tracy Woods and R.Viknes and began to experiment with different sounds and genres, releasing a song "Baby It's Over", this only received very minor airplay in Brisbane.
In 2004, Lisa and Jessica were introduced to the Music Director of The Bell Hughes Music Group (BHMG), Hayden Bell. After producing some demo recordings with the twins, Bell invited them to sign a publishing agreement with Excalibur Productions (a subsidiary of BHMG). In the process, Bell helped facilitate their progression in musical style from acoustic pop to the more rhythmic rock pop approach that is now their trademark. On the strength of these demos, Bell took them to meet the executives at Engine Room (a subsidiary of PBL (Packer) Group) and they were immediately signed to a production deal.
To further develop their song writing skills, Bell connected them with internationally acclaimed songwriters and producers including Cliff Magness (who has written for Avril Lavigne), Billy Steinberg (Madonna, Cyndi Lauper), Eric Nova, Dead Mono and Vince DeGiorgio, where they created a catalogue of over 50 songs.
Meetings were then arranged with Warner Bros. Records in the USA. Seymour Stein and senior executives recognized that Bell had indeed discovered and developed a unique musical talent, signing them quickly to a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records/Sire America, for a reported sum of 2 million dollars.
Bell then took one of The Veronicas' songs titled All About Us and placed it with the Russian girl group t.A.T.u; it became a massive worldwide hit. In Australia, he placed the song "What's Goin' On" with Casey Donovan and the song Faded for Kate DeAraugo. Both of these artists were winners of the Australian Idol Competition. "What's Going On" was also placed by Bell on the Japanese pop singer Miz's album.
Jessica and Lisa also performed in small parts on various television shows including a recurring role in the short-lived 2001 Australian children's series Cybergirl, where they portrayed twin sisters: Lisa played the character 'Sapphire', while Jessica appeared as 'Emerald'. On their 18th birthday Jessica received her first guitar, with this the girls began writing and singing songs. They became Teal which they formed with friends Tracy Woods and R.Viknes and began to experiment with different sounds and genres, releasing a song "Baby It's Over", this only received very minor airplay in Brisbane.
In 2004, Lisa and Jessica were introduced to the Music Director of The Bell Hughes Music Group (BHMG), Hayden Bell. After producing some demo recordings with the twins, Bell invited them to sign a publishing agreement with Excalibur Productions (a subsidiary of BHMG). In the process, Bell helped facilitate their progression in musical style from acoustic pop to the more rhythmic rock pop approach that is now their trademark. On the strength of these demos, Bell took them to meet the executives at Engine Room (a subsidiary of PBL (Packer) Group) and they were immediately signed to a production deal.
To further develop their song writing skills, Bell connected them with internationally acclaimed songwriters and producers including Cliff Magness (who has written for Avril Lavigne), Billy Steinberg (Madonna, Cyndi Lauper), Eric Nova, Dead Mono and Vince DeGiorgio, where they created a catalogue of over 50 songs.
Meetings were then arranged with Warner Bros. Records in the USA. Seymour Stein and senior executives recognized that Bell had indeed discovered and developed a unique musical talent, signing them quickly to a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records/Sire America, for a reported sum of 2 million dollars.
Bell then took one of The Veronicas' songs titled All About Us and placed it with the Russian girl group t.A.T.u; it became a massive worldwide hit. In Australia, he placed the song "What's Goin' On" with Casey Donovan and the song Faded for Kate DeAraugo. Both of these artists were winners of the Australian Idol Competition. "What's Going On" was also placed by Bell on the Japanese pop singer Miz's album.
The Name
Regarding how they chose their name, Jess Origliasso said "The name is something we thought about for a long time, and we wanted it to be a
girl's name, but we didn't want it to be 'the Jesses.' We were very conscious of not wanting to make it a twin thing, because we think that's
really tacky." "We didn't want it to be called 'the Lisas,' either," singer Lisa Origliasso added. "So one day we saw the movie 'Heathers,'
and there's a line where one girl asks, 'Are you a Heather?' and Winona Ryder's character answers, 'No, I'm a Veronica,' and so we went with that,
because she was this kind of cool, unique chick with an attitude."
However, some believe that Archie Comics character Veronica Lodge had some influence on the naming, including people at Archie Comics themselves, who sued the group for trademark infringement. A settlement was reached that included a cross-promotion deal, including an appearance in an issue of their namesake Veronica's comic book. The issue (#167) featured a card with a code allowing a free download of their single "4ever" in MP3 form. A few months later, Archie and Friends (#100) featured The Archies meeting The Veronicas. The next issue of Archie and Friends (#101) also featured The Veronicas, with Archie as their biggest fan.
The Veronicas dislike being called a female duo, and every day they work to separate themselves from the music business. "We like being called a band or group. We don't want to be a pop duo group with two girls singing about relationships, we have everything that a rock band would have, so we are a band".
This sparked mild argument, when music critic Charlotte Burgess stated, "A repetitive beat and strumming three powerchords while dancing around in skimpy clothing is rock only in the world of AC/DC. They [The Veronicas] are a band...but a pop-band."
However, some believe that Archie Comics character Veronica Lodge had some influence on the naming, including people at Archie Comics themselves, who sued the group for trademark infringement. A settlement was reached that included a cross-promotion deal, including an appearance in an issue of their namesake Veronica's comic book. The issue (#167) featured a card with a code allowing a free download of their single "4ever" in MP3 form. A few months later, Archie and Friends (#100) featured The Archies meeting The Veronicas. The next issue of Archie and Friends (#101) also featured The Veronicas, with Archie as their biggest fan.
The Veronicas dislike being called a female duo, and every day they work to separate themselves from the music business. "We like being called a band or group. We don't want to be a pop duo group with two girls singing about relationships, we have everything that a rock band would have, so we are a band".
This sparked mild argument, when music critic Charlotte Burgess stated, "A repetitive beat and strumming three powerchords while dancing around in skimpy clothing is rock only in the world of AC/DC. They [The Veronicas] are a band...but a pop-band."
2005-2007 - Secret Life Of...
The Veronicas debut album, entitled The Secret Life of..., was released in Australia on October 17, 2005, entering the
ARIA Album charts at the position of #7. Since then, it has peaked at #2 and gone 4x Platinum. Due to the success
of the album, five singles have been released in Australia. The singles were '4ever', 'Everything I'm Not',
'When It All Falls Apart', 'Revolution' and 'Leave Me Alone'.
The Secret Life of... spent a year in the ARIA album charts without leaving the top 40. In September 2006, the album was nominated for 3 ARIA awards including; "Best Pop Release", "Highest Selling Album" and "Best Breakthrough Album". The Veronicas won "Best Pop Release" but lost the other two to other nominees. The girls also performed their 2nd single "Everything I'm Not" on the night.
The album was released in the U.S. on February 14, 2006; it debuted at #133 on Billboard 200 and #3 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart. Only two singles were released in the United States off the album. A special DVD was released with the U.S. version as a limited edition exclusive. The limited edition included two extra songs and videos, and was only available online. However, copies have been found to have been shipped to several stores in Australia as well. Other releases in the U.S. include Sessions@AOL which features their songs "Heavily Broken" and "Revolution" live in the AOL studios, also released was The Veronicas: Mtv.com Live EP which also features live performances of their songs including a new song, entitled "Stay".
The album has also had success in other countries such as New Zealand where it debuted at #5, in Switzerland a peak of #61 and it also reached the position of #75 on the Dutch Album Charts. In Belgium the album reached the peak of #11 and the girls won the award of Best International New Artist at the TMF Awards of 2006. "When It All Falls Apart" spent a record of 17 weeks of MTV Asia's Pop 10 Chart, in which 7 of then were at the number 1 spot. The song was recorded in Simlish and is featured in the Sims 2 expansion pack Seasons. In early 2007, The Secret Life of... was released worldwide. 4Ever is also a very famous Girl Power song in the U.S., played at many parties and special events.
Lisa and Jessica are the faces of Choice Calvin Klein and Australian hair product company nu:u. Blender named included them in their list of hottest women in rock in 2006. The sisters sang the title song on the short-lived television show Related which had featured songs from their debut album. They appeared as The Veronicas in an episode that aired 6 February 2006. In March 2006, their debut single "4ever" was featured in the Amanda Bynes comedy She's the Man. It was featured in the promotional television spots, the film itself and the soundtrack.
The girls have also appeared on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody episode "The Suite Life Goes Hollywood" as guest stars and on that episode they performed their song "Cry". The twins also have a fashion line in the making to expand their empire and because of their interest in fashion, which was released at Target (Australia) stores on August 25, 2007 in Australia. The range will be called The Veronicas for Target.
On December 2, 2006, The Veronicas released a CD/DVD, entitled Exposed... The Secret Life of The Veronicas in Australia. This release features live performances from their Australian 2006 Revolution tour and a DVD featuring parts of the sisters' lives throughout 2005-2006, including footage that had previously not been seen, and their music videos. The album debuted at #6 on the ARIA DVD Charts accrediting platinum in its first week. The second week it rose to its peak of #3 and was accredited Double Platinum. There is no word on whether or not this album will be released overseas.
The Secret Life of... spent a year in the ARIA album charts without leaving the top 40. In September 2006, the album was nominated for 3 ARIA awards including; "Best Pop Release", "Highest Selling Album" and "Best Breakthrough Album". The Veronicas won "Best Pop Release" but lost the other two to other nominees. The girls also performed their 2nd single "Everything I'm Not" on the night.
The album was released in the U.S. on February 14, 2006; it debuted at #133 on Billboard 200 and #3 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart. Only two singles were released in the United States off the album. A special DVD was released with the U.S. version as a limited edition exclusive. The limited edition included two extra songs and videos, and was only available online. However, copies have been found to have been shipped to several stores in Australia as well. Other releases in the U.S. include Sessions@AOL which features their songs "Heavily Broken" and "Revolution" live in the AOL studios, also released was The Veronicas: Mtv.com Live EP which also features live performances of their songs including a new song, entitled "Stay".
The album has also had success in other countries such as New Zealand where it debuted at #5, in Switzerland a peak of #61 and it also reached the position of #75 on the Dutch Album Charts. In Belgium the album reached the peak of #11 and the girls won the award of Best International New Artist at the TMF Awards of 2006. "When It All Falls Apart" spent a record of 17 weeks of MTV Asia's Pop 10 Chart, in which 7 of then were at the number 1 spot. The song was recorded in Simlish and is featured in the Sims 2 expansion pack Seasons. In early 2007, The Secret Life of... was released worldwide. 4Ever is also a very famous Girl Power song in the U.S., played at many parties and special events.
Lisa and Jessica are the faces of Choice Calvin Klein and Australian hair product company nu:u. Blender named included them in their list of hottest women in rock in 2006. The sisters sang the title song on the short-lived television show Related which had featured songs from their debut album. They appeared as The Veronicas in an episode that aired 6 February 2006. In March 2006, their debut single "4ever" was featured in the Amanda Bynes comedy She's the Man. It was featured in the promotional television spots, the film itself and the soundtrack.
The girls have also appeared on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody episode "The Suite Life Goes Hollywood" as guest stars and on that episode they performed their song "Cry". The twins also have a fashion line in the making to expand their empire and because of their interest in fashion, which was released at Target (Australia) stores on August 25, 2007 in Australia. The range will be called The Veronicas for Target.
On December 2, 2006, The Veronicas released a CD/DVD, entitled Exposed... The Secret Life of The Veronicas in Australia. This release features live performances from their Australian 2006 Revolution tour and a DVD featuring parts of the sisters' lives throughout 2005-2006, including footage that had previously not been seen, and their music videos. The album debuted at #6 on the ARIA DVD Charts accrediting platinum in its first week. The second week it rose to its peak of #3 and was accredited Double Platinum. There is no word on whether or not this album will be released overseas.
2007-2009 - Hook Me Up
In 2007, the Veronicas began work on their second album. The album was written and recorded in Los Angeles with Toby Gad, Billy
Steinberg and John Feldmann.
Hook Me Up was released in Australia on 3 November 2007. The album debuted at number two on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart with sales of 9,531 copies in its first week, and was certified Gold. It has since gone 2x platinum. The album became the twenty- eighth highest selling album in Australia for 2007. Hook Me Up was released in the UK on 12 October 2009 and has peaked at number thirty-five.
The lead single from the album, Hook Me Up, was added to Australian radio on 27 August 2007, but was physically released on 22 September 2007. It debuted at number five, eventually reaching number one after seven weeks on the ARIA Singles Chart, making it their first number one hit in Australia.
Untouched was the first single to be released from their album in the United States, Canada, Europe and New Zealand. The song reached number 2 in Australia eventually reaching platinum accredation. The song became their first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 first debuting at number sixty-two and eventually peaking at number seventeen making it their first top twenty hit in the United States. They became the first Australian artists to have a single Certified Platinum in the U.S. with over 1,000,000 paid downloads. It was also their debut single in the UK, peaking at number eight and in Ireland peaking at number one, their first international number-one single
Their third and fourth singles This Love and Take Me on the Floor were both top ten hits hits in Australia and were both certified Gold. Take Me on the Floor was released as their second single in the U.S. but only peaked at number eighty-one. On 11 October, their fifth single, Popular was released digitally in Australia. It has only gained heavy airplay and peaked at #11 on the Australian Airplay Chart.
Their debut single 4ever was released as their second single in the UK and Ireland on 21 September 2009 and has peaked at number 17 in the UK and twenty in Ireland.
In support of the album, The Veronicas embarked on their third Australian tour The Hook Me Up Tour in 2007. The tour, which began on 30 November and concluded on 12 December, was held in eight major cities around Australia.
On 16 October 2008 The Veronicas announced their second tour for the album, Revenge Is Sweeter tour, which was their first tour to extend into New Zealand, United States, Canada, UK and Japan beginning on 13 February 2009 in Newcastle, Australia and ending on 24 September 2009 in Manchester, UK as well as a European promotional tour which included France, Germany and Italy. As part of their tour in Japan they released a two disc compilation album called The Veronicas Complete featuring all their songs from their first and second albums as well as three bonus tracks on 18 March 2009.
On September 2008 the nominees for the 22nd annual ARIA Awards were announced, with The Veronicas receiving four nominations. Hook Me Up received 2 nominations for Best Pop Release and Highest Selling Album and Untouched and Hook Me Up (single) received a nomination for Highest Selling Single each. The Veronicas performed their hit single Untouched at the event, but left with no awards.
Hook Me Up was released in Australia on 3 November 2007. The album debuted at number two on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart with sales of 9,531 copies in its first week, and was certified Gold. It has since gone 2x platinum. The album became the twenty- eighth highest selling album in Australia for 2007. Hook Me Up was released in the UK on 12 October 2009 and has peaked at number thirty-five.
The lead single from the album, Hook Me Up, was added to Australian radio on 27 August 2007, but was physically released on 22 September 2007. It debuted at number five, eventually reaching number one after seven weeks on the ARIA Singles Chart, making it their first number one hit in Australia.
Untouched was the first single to be released from their album in the United States, Canada, Europe and New Zealand. The song reached number 2 in Australia eventually reaching platinum accredation. The song became their first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 first debuting at number sixty-two and eventually peaking at number seventeen making it their first top twenty hit in the United States. They became the first Australian artists to have a single Certified Platinum in the U.S. with over 1,000,000 paid downloads. It was also their debut single in the UK, peaking at number eight and in Ireland peaking at number one, their first international number-one single
Their third and fourth singles This Love and Take Me on the Floor were both top ten hits hits in Australia and were both certified Gold. Take Me on the Floor was released as their second single in the U.S. but only peaked at number eighty-one. On 11 October, their fifth single, Popular was released digitally in Australia. It has only gained heavy airplay and peaked at #11 on the Australian Airplay Chart.
Their debut single 4ever was released as their second single in the UK and Ireland on 21 September 2009 and has peaked at number 17 in the UK and twenty in Ireland.
In support of the album, The Veronicas embarked on their third Australian tour The Hook Me Up Tour in 2007. The tour, which began on 30 November and concluded on 12 December, was held in eight major cities around Australia.
On 16 October 2008 The Veronicas announced their second tour for the album, Revenge Is Sweeter tour, which was their first tour to extend into New Zealand, United States, Canada, UK and Japan beginning on 13 February 2009 in Newcastle, Australia and ending on 24 September 2009 in Manchester, UK as well as a European promotional tour which included France, Germany and Italy. As part of their tour in Japan they released a two disc compilation album called The Veronicas Complete featuring all their songs from their first and second albums as well as three bonus tracks on 18 March 2009.
On September 2008 the nominees for the 22nd annual ARIA Awards were announced, with The Veronicas receiving four nominations. Hook Me Up received 2 nominations for Best Pop Release and Highest Selling Album and Untouched and Hook Me Up (single) received a nomination for Highest Selling Single each. The Veronicas performed their hit single Untouched at the event, but left with no awards.
2010-present - Third studio album
On 8 October 2009 Jess announced on her twitter page that the writing for an upcoming 3rd studio album had begun. The album will have a
different sound with them confirming that they will work with Suzi Quatro. On Christmas Day they posted a clip online to wish fans a Merry
Christmas and accompanied the clip with a preview of a song that will be on their third studio album. The song is called Could've Been
which is a ballad which they did a live acoustic performance for on the clip. Lisa also confirmed that recording for the third album would
commence in January of 2010.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Source: en.wikipedia.org