The Veronicas extracted from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia

The Veronicas
The Veronicas at MTV Asia Awards in 2006.
Background information
Origin	Brisbane, Australia
Genre(s)	Dance pop Pop rock Electropop
Years active	2005 – Present
Label(s)	Sire, Warner Bros. Records
Associated acts	Dean Geyer, Ryan Cabrera, Greg Wells, Toby Gad
Website	Australian Website American Website
Members
Jessica Origliasso Lisa Origliasso

The Veronicas are an ARIA Award-winning pop duo based in Australia. The self-proclaimed band was formed in 2005, in Brisbane, Australia, comprising identical twin sisters Jessica and Lisa Origliasso.

The Veronicas 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 #2 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.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Early years 1.1.1 The name 1.1.2 Australian Music In Tune 1.2 2005-2007: The Secret Life of... 1.3 2007-present: Hook Me Up 2 Personal life 2.1 Lisa 2.2 Jess 3 Discography 3.1 Studio albums 4 Awards 5 Tours 5.1 Headlining 5.2 Supporting 6 References 7 External links

History

Early years

Born to Italian (Sicilian) parents on 25 December 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, radio and horses.

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^[1] and began to experiment with different sounds and genres, releasing a song "Baby It's Over", this only received very minor airplay in Brisbane.^[1]

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.^[2]

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.^[3]

Bell then took one of The Veronicas songs titled "All About Us" and placed it with t.A.T.u, the Russian girl group, and it became a massive world-wide hit. In Australia, he placed their 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.^[4] "What's Going On" was also placed by Bell on the Japanese pop singer Miz's album.^[1]

The name

Their name came from Archie Comics character Veronica Lodge; when Archie Comics found out, they sued the duo for trademark infringement over their band name, but the two parties settled and have agreed on a cross-promotion deal. The Veronicas dislike being called a female duo, however, and everyday 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".

The female duo was featured prominently in an issue of their namesake Veronica's comic book as a result of their cross-promotion deal with Archie Comics. 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.

Australian Music In Tune

The duo were featured in an unsuccessful ad campaign for anti-piracy in schools, labelled Australian Music In Tune, other successful Australian artists featured were Powderfinger, Jimmy Barnes, Silverchair, Jina Higginson and Famous Australian icon Aimee Yule.^[5]

2005-2007: The 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^{citation needed}. Since then, it has peaked at #2 and gone 4x Platinum^{citation needed}. 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^{citation needed}. 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^{citation needed} and #3 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart^{citation needed}. 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,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 them 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^[6] and Australian hair product company nu:u.^[4] Blender named included them in their list of hottest women in rock in 2006.^[7] 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.^{[8] [9]}

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' live performances 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.

2007-present: Hook Me Up

This article or section needs to be updated. Please update the article to reflect recent events / newly available information, and remove this template when finished.

The duo's lead single "Hook Me Up" from their second album was added to Australian radio on August 27, 2007. "Hook Me Up" was produced by Greg Wells (Timbaland, Mika, OneRepublic). The Veronicas second album, also titled Hook Me Up, was released on November 3, 2007, containing 12 tracks. The album in its entirety was leaked on the internet 8 days before its initial release. "Untouched" is the second single off the album, and was made available in stores and online on December 8, 2007.

Personal life

The Veronicas currently live in Los Angeles, California in the United States.^[10]

Lisa

Lisa dated singer Ryan Cabrera in 2006 but their relationship ended that year ^[11]. In April 2007 she began dating former Australian Idol contestant Dean Geyer, they announced their engagement in April 2008. Lisa's relationship with Dean Geyer including their engagement ended abruptly in July 2008, due to difficulties with long distance and with their career paths going in different directions.^[12].

Jess

Jess was dating Azaria, the lead singer of Sydney band The Follow, but later separated with him just weeks before her current relationship. In 2008, she was caught in controversy when she was seen kissing MTV Australia VJ Ruby Rose at the 2008 Cleo Bachelor of the Year Awards after party, at the Ivy.^[13] A relationship between the two has since been confirmed, with News.com.au saying "The Sunday Telegraph understands Rose and Origliasso have both recently split with their partners and are genuinely keen on one another."^[14] Since the revelation of her lesbian relationship, Origliasso had suggestive images of her leaked onto the internet through US porn site Fleshbot.com. The "series of four photographs, taken three years ago, has also been sold to two local gossip magazines," with a Warner Music publicist telling the celebrity department of the Herald Sun, Confidential, "The portrait photograph of the girl looking at the camera is obviously Jess but, although the photos appear to have similarities in style and setting, I'm confident that the girl in the topless photograph is not her."^[15] Legal action has been taken against a former lover of hers, who it is alleged sold the photos.^[16]

Discography

Main article: The Veronicas discography

Studio albums

• 2005: The Secret Life of...
• 2007: Hook Me Up
• 2009: TBA

Awards

Main article: List of The Veronicas awards

Tours

Headlining

Year	Title	Supporting Acts	Notes
2006	US Tour	October Fall and Jonas Brothers	Their first headlining tour in the US and supported by Keds.
2006	First Australian Tour	-	All the shows were sold out
2006	The Revolution Tour	Avalon Drive	Celebrating 1 year in music since the release of their first single 4ever.[3] Ryan Cabrera was originally meant to support the tour but pulled out due to his split from band member Lisa.[11]
2006	Coca-Cola Live 'N' Local Tour 06	The Veronicas were part of a line up which also included Evermore, End Of Fashion, After The Fall and The Hot Lies[17]
2007	The Hook Me Up Tour[18]	Dean Geyer

Supporting

• In late 2005, The Veronicas supported American musician Ryan Cabrera on a tour through the U.S. along with The Click Five.^[6]
• In June 2006 The Veronicas were an opening act (along with Ashley Parker Angel) for the Ashlee Simpson U.S. summer tour, but after the first few shows Lisa and Jess had to pull out after Lisa became ill with throat nodules and needed surgery ^[19].
• The Veronicas supported Natasha Bedingfield on her 20 date U.S. tour that started on May 21, 2008 in Myrtle Beach and ended on July 10 in San Francisco, Kate Voegele was also a supporting artist on the tour ^[20].
• The Veronicas have had American teen pop group the Jonas Brothers open for the duo at several of their concerts in the past.
• The Veronicas will be supporting American pop-rock band the Jonas Brothers for the last leg of their Burnin' Up Tour.

References

External links

• Official American Website
• Official Australian Website
• Official Brazilian Website
• The Veronicas at MySpace
• Daily-update fansite

v • d • e The Veronicas Jessica Origliasso · Lisa Origliasso Studio albums The Secret Life of... · Hook Me Up Live albums Exposed... The Secret Life of The Veronicas EPs Sessions@AOL · The Veronicas: Mtv.com Live EP Singles "4ever" · "Everything I'm Not" · "When It All Falls Apart" · "Revolution" · "Leave Me Alone" · "Hook Me Up" · "Untouched" · "This Love" · "Take Me on the Floor" Tours The Revolution Tour · The Hook Me Up Tour Related articles Discography · Awards