The Verve Pipe

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Not to be confused with The Verve.
The Verve Pipe

Background information
Origin East Lansing, Michigan, USA
Years active 1991–present
Label(s) SonyBMG, RCA
(currently unsigned)
Website www.thevervepipe.com
Members
Brian Vander Ark
Donny Brown
Doug Corella
Dan Matheny
John Connors
Former members
Brad Vander Ark
A.J. Dunning
Brian Stout
Joel Ferguson

The Verve Pipe is an American post-grunge band from East Lansing, Michigan. It was formed in 1991 by Brian and Brad Vander Ark, Brian Stout and Donny Brown. In 1992, working with producer/engineer Jon Frazer, they released their first album, I've Suffered a Head Injury, which featured an acoustic version of the band's calling-card hit, "The Freshmen."

The original 10-song version of the CD is no longer available. A 7-song version, without the original recording of "The Freshmen" and two songs written by Stout, was later released as an EP. The band, known for its energetic live performances, began building strong followings during this time, 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" among others.

Their first major label release was 1996's Villains, which was a minor hit and launched two respectably selling singles, first "Photograph" then the No. 1 hit "The Freshmen". They came back with a new album, The Verve Pipe, in 1999, a critical success on the strength of such tracks as Supergig, Generations and She Has Faces. The album, however, failed to contain the commercial appeal of its predecessor.

The band's most recent full-length release is 2001's Underneath. The song "Colorful", from Underneath, was featured on the soundtrack of Rock Star.

Since the release of their last album, lead singer Brian Vander Ark has released three solo albums: 2003's Resurrection ,2006's Angel, Put Your Face On, and 2008's self-titled release.

Currently, Vander Ark can be seen playing shows around the country. No official word has been given about the current status of The Verve Pipe, although every now and then Vander Ark and some incarnation of the group will play a show together. As of now, the band is unsigned and has no public plans to release another album.


Contents

[edit] Personnel history

[edit] Original lineup (1991–1993)

[edit] Pop Smear lineup (1993–1995)

  • Brian Vander Ark – guitar, lead vocals
  • A.J. Dunning – guitar, background vocals
  • Ian Szalinski – drums, background vocals
  • Brad Vander Ark – bass, background vocals

[edit] "Rock Star" years (1995–2001)

  • Brian Vander Ark – guitar, lead vocals
  • A.J. Dunning – guitar, background vocals
  • Donny Brown – drums, background vocals
  • Brad Vander Ark – bass, background vocals
  • Doug Corella – keyboards, percussion

[edit] Post-Underneath lineup (2002–2005)

  • Brian Vander Ark – lead vocals, guitar
  • Dan Matheny – guitars
  • Doug Corella – keyboards, percussion
  • Donny Brown – drums, background vocals
  • Joel Ferguson – bass

[edit] Current lineup (2005–present)

  • Brian Vander Ark – lead vocals, guitars
  • Donny Brown – drums, background vocals
  • Doug Corella – keyboards, percussion
  • Dan Matheny – guitars
  • John Connors – bass, background vocals
  • Joel Ferguson – bass, background vocals

[edit] Discography

[edit] EPs

[edit] Studio albums

[edit] Greatest Hits Albums

[edit] Singles

[edit] From Villains

  • "Photograph" (radio version) / "Photograph" (album version) / "Photograph" (shorter radio version) (1996)
  • "Cup of Tea" (album version) / "Cup of Tea" (radio version) (1997)
  • "The Freshmen" (album version) / "The Freshmen" (radio version) / "The Freshmen" (Studio D version) / "Ominous Man" / "Spoonful of Sugar" (live) (1997) #5 U.S.
  • "Villains" (remix edit) / "Villains" (remix) / "Suggested Callout Hook #1" / "Suggested Callout Hook #2" (1997)

[edit] From The Verve Pipe

  • "Hero/Hero" (vocal up) / "Suggested Callout Hook" (1999)
  • "Television/Television" (remix) / "Suggested Callout Hook" (1999)

[edit] From Underneath

  • "Never Let You Down" (2001)

[edit] Compilation Appearances

  • YIKES! RECORDS: So This Is East Lansing Vol. 1 -- "Spoonful of Sugar" (original mix) 1993
  • AWARE Vol. 2 "Spoonful of Sugar" & "What You Wanted" 1994
  • JENSEN International Sampler -- "Spoonful Of Sugar"
  • Westwood One Entertainment Play Station Sampler (PSX)- "Drive You Mild" (remix) 2:35 9/9/95
  • YIKES! RECORDS Vol. 5...So this is a compilation...Best of Michigan "Blue Beret" (XTC) 9/15/95
  • A Testimonial Dinner -- The Songs of XTC- "Wake Up!" (XTC) (Thirsty Ear Records) 10/17/95
  • CMJ New Music Monthly Sampler (5/96)- "Photograph"
  • WGRD RadioactivII "Veneer"(Live)
  • EdgeFest 1996 (Dayton, OH) -- "Photograph" (Live), "Cup Of Tea" (Live)
  • LAUNCH CD-ROM (vol. 8) -- Interview & "Villains" (Live)
  • WKLQHometown Music Search III-- "Villains" & "Reverend Girl" (live 8/96 Kalamazoo)
  • Aris' Big Disc 3 -- "Villains" & "Reverend Girl" (live 8/96 Kalamazoo)
  • 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) & Penny is poison
  • FMBQ Vol. 25 Morning Sickness '96 -- "The Freshmen" (Mix 1) & "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) 11/97
  • WGRD RadioActiv3 "Cup Of Tea" (Acoustic Live in Studio performance) 11/28/97
  • 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 12/2/97- "The Freshmen"
  • Y-100FM Sonic Sessions "The Freshmen"(Live in Studio performance) 12/97
  • SWEET Digizine CD-ROM Vol. 1, Issue 2 (Retail version)
  • "Great Expectations" SOUNDTRACK "Her Ornament" 1/6/98
  • MTV 120 Minutes Live "Villains"(Live) 2/3/98
  • "The Avengers" SOUNDTRACK "Blow You Away" 8/4/98
  • "Clay Pigeons" SOUNDTRACK "1229 Sheffield" 9/22/98
  • Best Of Rockline "Drive You Mild" (Live in Studio performance) 1/26/99
  • LAUNCH CD-ROM (vol. 31)- Interview & "La La" (Live)

[edit] External links