The genesis of The Verve Pipe can be traced back to
1990, when lead singer Brian Vander Ark and his band, Johnny With An Eye,
joined forces with rival Michigan band WaterFrom A Pool, led
by drummer Donny Brown. After the additions of lead guitarist AJ Dunning and
keyboard/percussionist Doug Corella, TheVerve Pipe released their
first independent album, Ive Suffered A Head Injury in 1992, followed
in 1993 by Pop Smear. The success of both albums quickly attracted the
attention of major labels, resulting in the band being signed to RCA Records.
In 1996, they released Villains, their platinum debut album on RCA, which
included the single The Freshmen, one of the most successful multi-format
tracks of 1997 and winner of an ASCAP Pop Award.
In 1999, the band released their musically adventurous, self-titled
follow-up album to critical acclaim, including this from Entertainment Weekly:
. . . the band agilely whip up grandiose mood pieces, frothy pop anthems, and
sturdy rockers. (The Verve Pipe) leap beyond commonplace commerciality.
The bands third album for RCA, Underneath, was released
in September 2001. In the words of Hits magazine, the first single, 'Never Let
You Down,' "is a one-listen, hook-laden, uptempo nugget that nails you in the
first 10 seconds and keeps getting better. It went on to become one of the
Top 50 Most Played songs for both Adult Top 40 and Modern A/C radio in 2001.
In addition to their success on radio, sold-out concert dates throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia, features in Spin and Rolling Stone and videos on MTV and VH1, the band have made numerous television appearances, including "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," "Late Night With David Letterman," MTV's "Jenny McCarthy Show" and "120 Minutes," and VH1's "Hard Rock Live."
The Verve Pipe have also contributed songs to the
films/soundtracks Great Expectations, Clay Pigeons, The Avengers,
Rock Star and Joe Somebody. In addition, lead vocalist Brian Vander
Ark recently wrote and performed the song When Im Gone for the film Life
Or Something Like It. The bands music has also appeared in numerous TV
shows, including, among others, Roswell and Dawsons Creek.
When not performing and recording as The Verve Pipe,
the band members pursue a variety of individual interests. Brian Vander Ark
has acted in several films, including the Warner Bros. release Rock Star
starring Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston. In addition to his co-starring
role, Brian also wrote and performed the song Colorful for the film and soundtrack.
He has also appeared in several independent films, including Road Kill and
Dead and Breakfast as well as appearing on stage, to critical acclaim,
as Charlie Bowdry in The Collected Works Of Billy The Kid at the prestigious
La Jolla Playhouse. Recently, Brian completed principal filming as the lead
character in the upcoming Kevin Carrico directed independent film, Dominick
Blue, for which he will also contribute the score and two new songs. In
2004, Brian released his debut solo album, Resurrection, featuring the
singles 'Written and Erased' and 'And Then You Went Away' and continues to perform
shows as a solo acoustic artist. Donny Brown is in demand as a session artist
as well as producing and writing for many new artists including 19 Wheels,whose album Jawbreaker, which he produced, was nominated for a Detroit
Music Award. Doug Corella pursues his interest in photography and has had multiple
gallery exhibitions of his work as well as teaching music full-time. He also
tours and performs with The Karlz. Both Brad Vander Ark and AJ Dunning are enjoying
life in Grand Rapids, MI.
In March 2004, Sony/BMG released The Verve Pipe Greatest Hits featuring songs from their three RCA releases. The bandcontinues to play selected dates and is working on material for a new album.
Thank you for uploading 'Spoonful Live'. This is the song I think of when I think of the Verve Pipe, and unlike 'Freshman', it will stand the test of time. It brings back so many memories and emotions. Incredible live song. Please make it available for download!
Hi Guys, I really miss seeing you guys. I moved away from Michigan a year ago. I really miss it there. Donny,Remember when P.J., Chris, Shirley and I Sharon all went to your concert. It was a blast. I am sure you know Shirley passed away two years ago. She was my best friend. I keep in touch with Mackenzie Furlo on MY-space. She is really growing up. I miss everyone back home. I heard P.J. Was sick. I lost her number. If you could send it to My profile I would love to call her. I hope she is ok. I am glad we were all together at least to see one concert. Donny I always thought you were a great drummer, even before you were famous. Remember when you use to sing Money for nothing. Great memories of the Fordney days. Miss you all. Keep Rocking. I live in Wyoming and listen to Underneath all the time. Sharon Tucker in Wyoming..
Hey! Wish I could just once drive the 11 hrs. it would take to get to Michigan and see you guys play again! Wouldn't it be great if you would take a trip to NY to play???? Well, okay, it would only be great for me, I guess...Hope you all are doing well. Keep up the shows. Maybe one day when gas isn't a gazillion bucks a gallon I'll come to Michigan to see you. :) :) :)
hey Verve Pipe I always play 'the freshmen' at bars when I do solo acoustic... and everybody loves it it's such a great song. far better than my own songs... damn you!!
hey, thanks for the add!! As mad as this sounds, I have only just stumbled across you, I have known your Freshmen song for ages but thought it was by someone else (sorry) as that's what I was told but it didn't seem like them so always thought it must be by someone else, and I completely stumbled across it being yours as I was trying to find who had done the song Colourful that is on Rockstar which I loved the moment he sang on it. I am looking forward to getting to know the rest, best day ever!!! :) xxx
Thanks for the accept! I am using Colorful as a song to record and gauge improvements in my playing and singing. Hope you don't mind? It's an amazing song (as are the rest!)
