Brian Vander Ark
Encyclopedia
Brian Vander Ark is an American Singer-songwriter
best known as lead singer for the band The Verve Pipe
. Born in Holland, Michigan
, Vander Ark began playing guitar at age 8. At age 18, he was married to then girlfriend Michelle Marthens and had a son named Joshua Vander Ark. Soon after he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. After release from the army, he and Michelle divorced and he joined the band His Boy Elroy
as a guitarist. He eventually quit and started the band Johnny With an Eye. In 1992, he disbanded Johnny With an Eye to form The Verve Pipe with drummer Donny Brown and his brother, bassist Brad Vander Ark. The Verve Pipe's major label debut, Villains, featured the Vander Ark-penned single "The Freshmen", one of the most successful multi-format tracks of 1997. "Never Let You Down," the lead single from the band's 2001 album, Underneath
, was one of the Top 50 Most Played songs for Adult Top 40 and Modern A/C radio in 2001.
Brian Vander Ark released his first solo album, Resurrection, in May 2003. He toured extensively in support of the album, including a double-bill acoustic tour with Butch Walker
. Vander Ark's second solo release, Angel, Put Your Face On, was released in May 2006, followed by a self-titled third record in January 2008.
Vander Ark is also an actor, having appeared in the movie Rock Star
, 2001. Vander Ark played bassist Ricki Bell, of the fictional band Blood Pollution. The film also featured performances by musicians such as Zakk Wylde
, Jason Bonham
, Myles Kennedy
, Blas Elias
and Nick Catanese
. Vander Ark wrote the song Colorful, which appears at the end of the film, sung by Chris Cole Band, and simulated by Mark Wahlberg
. Vander Ark records vocals of this song on the soundtrack of the movie. The song is on album Underneath
, of The Verve Pipe
. He has also appeared in several independent films, including director Matthew Leutwyler's
Road Kill, Dead and Breakfast, and Unearthed. Vander Ark also composed the musical scores for Dead and Breakfast and Unearthed.
Brian Vander Ark is married to folksinger
Jenna Land, who performs under the name Lux Land. They have two daughters together. His son Joshua from his previous marriage also has a son.
In late 2008, Vander Ark signed a deal with Second Motion Records
which re-released his first two albums "Resurrection" and "Angel, Put Your Face On" as well as releasing his new album "Brian Vander Ark"
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
best known as lead singer for the band The Verve Pipe
The Verve Pipe
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:...
. Born in Holland, Michigan
Holland, Michigan
Holland is a city in the western region of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan on Lake Macatawa, which is fed by the Macatawa River ....
, Vander Ark began playing guitar at age 8. At age 18, he was married to then girlfriend Michelle Marthens and had a son named Joshua Vander Ark. Soon after he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. After release from the army, he and Michelle divorced and he joined the band His Boy Elroy
His Boy Elroy
-History:His Boy Elroy was founded by Johnny Fly, alias Johnny Stevens, in Seattle. Early on, Brian Vander Ark played with the group on guitar, but quit to form his own band before His Boy Elroy signed to a major label. The group's 1993 self-titled Epic Records album was constructed mainly in the...
as a guitarist. He eventually quit and started the band Johnny With an Eye. In 1992, he disbanded Johnny With an Eye to form The Verve Pipe with drummer Donny Brown and his brother, bassist Brad Vander Ark. The Verve Pipe's major label debut, Villains, featured the Vander Ark-penned single "The Freshmen", one of the most successful multi-format tracks of 1997. "Never Let You Down," the lead single from the band's 2001 album, Underneath
Underneath (The Verve Pipe album)
Underneath is a studio album by The Verve Pipe, released on September 25, 2001. Produced by Fountains of Wayne and Ivy band member Adam Schlesinger, the album's power-pop sound was a departure from the darker, textured sonics of The Verve Pipe and Villains...
, was one of the Top 50 Most Played songs for Adult Top 40 and Modern A/C radio in 2001.
Brian Vander Ark released his first solo album, Resurrection, in May 2003. He toured extensively in support of the album, including a double-bill acoustic tour with Butch Walker
Butch Walker
Butch Walker is an American recording artist, songwriter, and record producer. He was the lead guitarist for the metal band SouthGang from the late 80s to early 90s as well as the lead vocalist and guitarist for rock band Marvelous 3 from 1997 until 2001.-Career:Walker grew up in Cartersville,...
. Vander Ark's second solo release, Angel, Put Your Face On, was released in May 2006, followed by a self-titled third record in January 2008.
Vander Ark is also an actor, having appeared in the movie Rock Star
Rock Star (2001 film)
Rock Star is a 2001 American comedy-drama film directed by Stephen Herek and starring Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston. It tells the story of Chris "Izzy" Cole, a tribute band singer whose ascendance to the position of lead vocalist of his favorite band was inspired by the real-life story of Tim...
, 2001. Vander Ark played bassist Ricki Bell, of the fictional band Blood Pollution. The film also featured performances by musicians such as Zakk Wylde
Zakk Wylde
Zachary Phillip Wylde , best known by the stage name Zakk Wylde, is an American musician, songwriter, and occasional actor who is best known as the former guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and founder of the heavy metal band Black Label Society. He was the lead guitarist and vocalist in Pride & Glory,...
, Jason Bonham
Jason Bonham
Jason John Bonham is an English drummer. Jason's parents are Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham and his wife Pat Phillips. After his father's death in 1980, he has played with Led Zeppelin on different occasions, including the Ahmet Ertegün Tribute Concert at The O2 Arena in London in...
, Myles Kennedy
Myles Kennedy
Myles Richard Kennedy is an American musician and singer-songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Alter Bridge, and as the lead vocalist in Slash's current solo project...
, Blas Elias
Blas Elias
Blas Elias , is the drummer of rock band Slaughter. He also drums for the Las Vegas production of Blue Man Group.-Biography:...
and Nick Catanese
Nick Catanese
Nick Catanese is Black Label Society's second guitarist at live shows. He supports lead player Zakk Wylde, who has commented that "If I'm Keith Richards, he's Mick Taylor"...
. Vander Ark wrote the song Colorful, which appears at the end of the film, sung by Chris Cole Band, and simulated by Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg
Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg is an American actor, film and television producer, and former rapper. He was known as Marky Mark in his earlier years, and became famous for his 1991 debut as a musician with the band Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. He was named No. 1 on VH1's 40 Hottest Hotties of...
. Vander Ark records vocals of this song on the soundtrack of the movie. The song is on album Underneath
Underneath (The Verve Pipe album)
Underneath is a studio album by The Verve Pipe, released on September 25, 2001. Produced by Fountains of Wayne and Ivy band member Adam Schlesinger, the album's power-pop sound was a departure from the darker, textured sonics of The Verve Pipe and Villains...
, of The Verve Pipe
The Verve Pipe
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:...
. He has also appeared in several independent films, including director Matthew Leutwyler's
Matthew Leutwyler
Matthew Steven Leutwyler is an American writer, director, producer.-Life and career:Leutwyler studied film at The San Francisco Art Institute. His first feature film was the dark comedy/road picture Road Kill starring Jennifer Rubin, Erik Palladino, Brian Vander Ark, Anthony Denison, Jeffrey Dean...
Road Kill, Dead and Breakfast, and Unearthed. Vander Ark also composed the musical scores for Dead and Breakfast and Unearthed.
Brian Vander Ark is married to folksinger
Folksinger
----Folksinger is an album by folk singer-songwriter Phranc, released in 1985.Phranc's first solo LP fused elements of her punk rock past with acoustic folk music...
Jenna Land, who performs under the name Lux Land. They have two daughters together. His son Joshua from his previous marriage also has a son.
In late 2008, Vander Ark signed a deal with Second Motion Records
Second Motion Records
Second Motion Records is part of Second Motion Entertainment based in Carrboro, North Carolina. The Label was founded in Chapel Hill, NC by Stephen Judge, who is the former manager of the rock band Athenaeum as well as the former General Manager/A&R Director of Redeye Distribution and Yep Roc...
which re-released his first two albums "Resurrection" and "Angel, Put Your Face On" as well as releasing his new album "Brian Vander Ark"