The Verve Pipe
Encyclopedia
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.
. 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
.
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.
EPs
Compilation albums
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band from East Lansing
East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located directly east of Lansing, Michigan, the state's capital. Most of the city is within Ingham County, though a small portion lies in Clinton County. The population was 48,579 at the time of the 2010 census, an increase from...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It was formed in 1992 by Brian
Brian Vander Ark
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...
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 InjuryI've Suffered a Head Injury
I've Suffered a Head Injury is an EP by The Verve Pipe. It was originally released in 1992 as the band's debut album. This rare 10-track version contains two songs written by original lead guitarist Brian Stout and an acoustic recording of "The Freshmen", which the band re-recorded for its hit 1996...
. The original 10-song version of the CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
is no longer available. A 7-song version, without the original recording of "The Freshmen" was later released as an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
. 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
Pop Smear
Pop Smear is a 1993 album by The Verve Pipe. It was their last release before signing with RCA Records and gaining national recognition. It features more acoustic and harmony-based sounds than their later records...
again working with Frazer that helped them gain a devoted following in their native state of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
and their eventual signing with RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
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
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
. 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
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, first "Photograph" then the #5 Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
"The Freshmen", which was their one
One-hit wonder
A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success. The term is most often used to describe music performers with only one hit single.-Characteristics:...
and only hit. They came back with a new album, The Verve Pipe
The Verve Pipe (album)
The Verve Pipe is the self-titled album by Michigan rock band the Verve Pipe, released on July 27, 1999. The band's second release for RCA Records, the album followed the platinum-selling Villains and its mammoth single, "The Freshmen". The band worked with Soundgarden producer Michael Beinhorn and...
, in 1999. The album, however, failed to contain the commercial appeal of its predecessor.
The band's 2001 release 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...
, contained the song "Colorful", which was featured on the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
of the film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, 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...
.
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
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
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.
Discography
Studio albums- Pop SmearPop SmearPop Smear is a 1993 album by The Verve Pipe. It was their last release before signing with RCA Records and gaining national recognition. It features more acoustic and harmony-based sounds than their later records...
(December 1993) - Villains (March 1996) #24 U.S. RIAA Platinum
- The Verve PipeThe Verve Pipe (album)The Verve Pipe is the self-titled album by Michigan rock band the Verve Pipe, released on July 27, 1999. The band's second release for RCA Records, the album followed the platinum-selling Villains and its mammoth single, "The Freshmen". The band worked with Soundgarden producer Michael Beinhorn and...
(July 1999) #158 U.S. - UnderneathUnderneath (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...
(September 2001) - A Family AlbumA Family AlbumA Family Album is a children's album by The Verve Pipe, released in 2009.-Track listing:All songs produced by Donny Brown.-The Verve Pipe:Band members Brian Vander Ark, Donny Brown and John Connors play throughout...
(October 2009)
EPs
- I've Suffered a Head InjuryI've Suffered a Head InjuryI've Suffered a Head Injury is an EP by The Verve Pipe. It was originally released in 1992 as the band's debut album. This rare 10-track version contains two songs written by original lead guitarist Brian Stout and an acoustic recording of "The Freshmen", which the band re-recorded for its hit 1996...
(November 19, 1992) - A Homemade HolidayA Homemade HolidayA Homemade Holiday is a Christmas EP by The Verve Pipe, released in 2007.-Track listing:- Personnel :* Brian Vander Ark – lead vocals, guitar* Dan Matheny – guitars* Doug Corella – keyboards, percussion...
(December 18, 2007)
Compilation albums
- Platinum & Gold CollectionPlatinum & Gold Collection (The Verve Pipe)Platinum & Gold Collection is a compilation album by The Verve Pipe released by their record company RCA Records in their ongoing Platinum & Gold Collection series...
(March 2004) - Super Hits (2007)
Singles
| Year | Song | Chart peaks | Album | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US Alt | US M. Rock Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
US Adult | CAN Rock Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
CAN Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
||||
| 1996 | "Cup of Tea" | — | — | 35 | — | — | — | Villains | |
| "Photograph Photograph (The Verve Pipe song) - History :"Photograph" was the very first single released by The Verve Pipe. Although not a mainstream success like their well-known hit "The Freshmen", it did manage to reach the top ten on the hot alternative tracks , and is often consider to be the band's second biggest hit.... " |
— | 6 | 17 | — | 5 | — | |||
| "The Freshmen" | 5 | 1 | 9 | 7 | — | 6 | |||
| 1999 | "Hero" | — | 17 | 32 | — | — | — | The Verve Pipe | |
| "Television" | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| 2001 | "Never Let You Down" | — | — | — | 20 | — | — | Underneath | |
| "—" denotes a release that did not chart. | |||||||||
Compilation appearances
- Yikes! Records: So This Is East Lansing Vol. 1 - "Spoonful of Sugar" (original mix) (1993)
- Aware Vol. 2 - "Spoonful of Sugar" and "What You Wanted" (1994)
- Jensen International Sampler - "Spoonful Of Sugar"
- Westwood One Entertainment Play Station Sampler (PSX)- "Drive You Mild" (remixRemixA remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
) (1995) - Yikes! Records Vol. 5...So This is a Compilation...Best of Michigan - "Blue Beret" (XTC) (1995)
- A Testimonial Dinner — The Songs of XTC - "Wake Up!" (XTC) (Thirsty Ear Records) (1995)
- CMJ New Music Monthly Sampler - "Photograph" (1996)
- WGRD RadioactivII - "Veneer" (live)
- EdgeFest 1996 (Dayton, Ohio) - "Photograph" (live) and "Cup Of Tea" (live)
- LAUNCH CD-ROM (vol. 8) - Interview & "Villains" (live)
- WKLQHometown Music Search III - "Villains" and "Reverend Girl" (live) (1996)
- Aris' Big Disc 3 - "Villains" and "Reverend Girl" (live) (1996)
- SuperSnax Summer '96 - "Cup Of Tea"
- SuperSnax Winter '96 - "Photograph"
- Singles Mix 1 Volume 33 - "Photograph"
- FMBQ Modern Rock Sampler 3/96 - "Photograph"
- Pulse Cuts Vol.1 - "Cup of Tea"
- Groove Wallet - "Cup of Tea"
- Album Network's Rock Tune-Up #151 1996 - "Cup Of Tea"
- Virtually Alternative 70 - "Cup Of Tea"
- Virtually Alternative - "Villains"
- 81 Disc A - "Villains"
- RCA Summer/Fall 1996 Sampler - "The Freshmen" (album version) and "Penny is Poison"
- FMBQ Vol. 25 Morning Sickness '96 - "The Freshmen" (mix 1) and "The Freshmen" (album edit)
- All-Star Cover Songs 4/28/97 - "Strawberry Fields" (live)
- Hit Zone (BMG) - "The Freshmen"
- Hits Post Modern Syndrome - "The Freshmen"
- Airwalk Sno-Core Tour '97 - "The Freshmen"
- WBCN Naked Disc - "The Freshmen" (acoustic live in studio performance) (1997)
- WGRD RadioActiv3 - "Cup of Tea" (acoustic live in studio performance) (1997)
- KNDD The End Sessions - "The Freshmen" (acoustic live in studio performance)
- Sam Goody/Musicland Class Of '97 - A Year In Review Sampler - "Photograph"
- MuchMusic Big Shiny Tunes Vol. 2 - "The Freshmen"
- Y-100FM Sonic Sessions - "The Freshmen" (live in studio performance) (1997)
- Sweet Digizine CD-ROM Vol. 1, Issue 2 (retail version)
- Great Expectations (soundtrack) - "Her Ornament" (1998)
- MTV 120 Minutes Live - "Villains" (live) (1998)
- The Avengers (soundtrack) - "Blow You Away" (1998)
- Clay Pigeons (soundtrack) - "1229 Sheffield" (1998)
- Best Of Rockline - "Drive You Mild" (live in studio performance) (1999)
- Rock Star (soundtrack) - "Colorful" (2001)
External links
- Brian Vander Ark's official website
- The Verve Pipe collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive