Biography All Music Guide Wikipedia
Group Members: Brian Vander Ark (The Verve Pipe)
All Music Guide:
The Verve Pipe were formed in Lansing, Michigan in 1992 by Brian Vander Ark (vocals, guitar), Donny Brown (drums, backing vocals), Brad Vander Ark (bass, backing vocals), and Brian Stout (guitar, backing vocals). The Vander Arks had played previously in Johnny with an Eye, and Brown and Stout had played in Water 4 the Pool -- both bands had been local favorites throughout Michigan.
They released their first independent album in the fall of 1992, I've Suffered a Head Injury. Stout was dropped in 1993 and was replaced by A.J. Dunning. The same year, they released their second independent album, Pop Smear. Through constant touring, they developed a strong reputation and rabid following in their home state, selling out larger venues and eventually selling a combined total of more than 40,000 copies of their first two albums.
In 1995, the Verve Pipe signed to RCA Records, releasing their major label debut, Villains, the following year. The album spent fifteen weeks in Billboard's Heatseekers chart and the single, "Photograph," saw respectable airplay on alternative radio and MTV. Keyboardist Doug Corella was added as a full-time member the same year.
After spending a full year touring and promoting Villains, including an opening spot for Kiss on the European leg of their much-hyped reunion tour, the Verve Pipe finally began to make some headway in early 1997, when a re-recorded version of "The Freshmen" -- originally on the group's debut, I've Suffered a Head Injury -- was released as a single. By the spring, "The Freshmen" had become a number one modern rock hit and a Top Ten pop hit, sending the album into the Top 40 and into gold status as well. The Verve Pipe's self-titled follow-up appeared in mid-1999. In 2001, the Verve Pipe released Underneath with producer Adam Schlesinger.
Wikipedia:
The Verve Pipe is an American rock band from East Lansing, Michigan. It was formed in 1992 by Brian and Brad Vander Ark, Brian Stout and Donny Brown.
History
In November 1992, working with producer/engineer Jonathan Frazer, they released their first album, I've Suffered a Head Injury. The original 10-song version of the CD is no longer available. A 7-song version, without the original recording of "The Freshmen" was later released as an EP. The band, known for its energetic live performances, built strong followings during its early years, especially in the college towns of Kalamazoo and East Lansing.
In the fall of 1993, the band released a second album, Pop Smear again working with Frazer that helped them gain a devoted following in their native state of Michigan and their eventual signing with RCA Records in 1995. A.J. Dunning replaced Stout on guitar for the recording of Pop Smear and remained in the band for their three RCA records. This album featured the popular tracks "Spoonful of Sugar" and "Victoria".
Their first major label release was 1996's Villains, which was a minor hit and launched two respectably selling singles, first "Photograph" then the #5 Billboard Hot 100 hit "The Freshmen", which was their one and only hit. They came back with a new album, The Verve Pipe, in 1999. The album, however, failed to contain the commercial appeal of its predecessor.
The band's 2001 release Underneath, contained the song "Colorful", which was featured on the soundtrack of the film, Rock Star and "Happiness Is" featured on the soundtrack of the film "Joe Somebody".
On September 15, 2009, Brian Vander Ark announced on his website that the band will be releasing a new album called A Family Album in October, 2009. The band had been approached to contribute a song for a compilation album called Calling All Kids, which led to them creating an "entire album of family friendly songs". It was also noted in the announcement that a new album of rock material would follow the family album. Immediately after the release of the family album, the band undertook a series of small-venue performances, mostly around Michigan and the East Coast.
