I see these guys live every time they come to town. Their live shows are fucking awesome. I waited for them to come out after a show at Bells in Kalamazoo, and I met the band. They are the coolest, most down to earth people. Brian even drank a beer with me. It was amazing.
Don’t you think that the band suffered from having a similarly named group called The Verve? I am sure people would scream out for them to play bitter Sweet Symphony!
Same thing happened to a band from. NYC names Riot. At the same time as Quite Riot. Riot was a few Superior band but Quiet Riot coming from LA they got the big break
I remember buying the tape single of The Freshman and played it back to back every single day. I love it! Very interesting ending…I wouldn’t expect a rock group to do music for kids after things levels off…Definitely very smart on their part. I’m glad they are still out there making music.
My Dad is friends with the band - from what he tells me, they just didn't feel like selling out and catering to a mass audience and wanted to stay true to their roots. Brian is a very talented and underrated man.
Saw The Verve Pipe last night (July 2024). They opened for Tonic. I’ll admit I could only remember The Freshman from high school (I was in the metal scene), but they sounded fantastic last night - and now that I’m older (still a metalhead) - I’m going to check out all of their albums.
I still play Veneer and The Freshman from Villains. Never really listened to anything as they fell off my radar. Villains was a really strong album and I really enjoyed the record.
The original version of the Freshman from I've suffered a head injury was the superior version IMO. As far as Photograph goes, there is only one Photograph and that is Def Leppard's LOL I thought Cup of Tea was the best single from that album; great song!
Absolutely one of my favorite bands ever! I liked Reverend Girl better than The Freshman. Photograph was a pretty big hit too. Villains was one of the best albums ever too! Every song was good!
Mambo Doom Yeah, we broke up almost 2 years ago. However, I am currently working on Prog-Rock solo EP soon that will hopefully be as good, if not better, if Ryan my current producer, old bandmate in OTL, and friend of Joel’s, has anything to say about it haha. So keep an eye out for more news on that! Zach (OTL’s drummer) will probably also be performing on the record as well. They’re all still good friends of mine, so they’re all helping me with this project in a variety of ways. Thanks for singing our music’s praises! It really does mean a lot to all of us knowing people are out there that still love our record!
New album coming out this fall, can't wait. If you love acoustic music, Brian's solo albums are freaking fantastic. TVP have a show in September with Fastball, not sure if you've covered that band yet on this channel.
Always thought that Verve Pipe was wildly underrated. Although most people know them for "The Freshman," they have so many brilliant songs that went under the radar (i.e., Photograph, The F Word, Cup of Tea). I saw them a few years ago in Dallas and it was an excellent show. I'm connected to Brian Vander Ark on LinkedIn and occasionally throw a note or two back and forth with him. Really nice guy that is an amazing songwriter and musician.
I grew up in East Lansing and went to college at University of Michigan starting in 93. This band was huge; a local band done good story. Saw them live several times and they never failed to tear it up! Unfortunately, their major label debut was a bit of a letdown following Pop Smear. The songs on Villians were good but the production made everything feel kind of inert. They were still awesome live though. Anyway, I'm glad they're still around and doing their thing!
Respectfully disagree about Villains album. None of those songs feel ‘inert’ to me, especially Cup of Tea and the title track…I recommend another listen!
@@BearIslandComics My reaction was probably biased by hearing their previous two albums first as well as hearing several songs off Villains live prior to hearing them on the album. The recorded versions of Cup of Tea and Villains can't hold a candle to the live versions. But again, Verve Pipe we're always incredible live, so I suppose I was destined for disappointment. Also, as an og fan, the re-recorded version of The Freshman could never compare to the version on their first album. I remember seeing them in East Lansing after Villains came out and asked the crowd if they wanted the original version of The Freshman or the new version. Obviously, everyone shouted for the original LOL.
If you graduated high school in the 00's, EVERY school played "The Freshman" at Senior events. Our principal put it on our Senior "mixtape", (burned CD) even though it's about suicide or whatever. Lmao She was pretty cool actually.
I hate that they are only mostly known for "the freshman" I mean yeah it's a good song but the rest of villains is so good. To this day I still play it religiously. They're a great band and wish they were given a fair shake prior to their children's album but I gotta admit Cereal & worrisome one are pretty good songs.
So I just tweeted at Brian VanDerArk, asking him his thoughts about this video, and he said, "I couldn't watch past the 2 minute mark. I just don't have interest in looking behind. I will say that not mentioning that my brother Brad formed the band with me...watch discerningly."
Imagine buying an entire cd for 1 single and it's not even the right group. I didn't even like bitter sweet symphony. Wever it's called. They absolutely sounded nothing alike
I got the album Villains for free in the mail in a white box with no markings other than the mailing label. I thought it was Columbia House mailing me but I never got a bill. My press of the CD had the acoustic version of “The Freshman” which was different from the full band electric version that was played on the radio. To this day I don’t know why I got this album for free but I suspect someone in the industry got my name somewhere and sent me a free album in the hopes of free promotion. I never really did promote it in any fashion since most of my friends were into hip hop. It’s a good album overall and I’ve enjoyed it over the years until iPods came around.
I always heard that "The Freshmen" was about a woman who had an abortion. Hmm...guess I was wrong lol These guys were pretty big in Michigan in the mid 90's (I lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1996) and they played these guys on the radio constantly back then. Always wondered what happened to them! Good video man!
“stop a baby’s breath and a shoe full of rice” Aborting the baby also stopped a shotgun wedding. Back when you were still allowed to throw rice at weddings… Interesting how the younger generations will have no clue what that means… Imagine kids nowadays listening to “Operator” by Jim Croce - who’s he talking to??? :)
Really hope villains gets a vinyl treatment… the album is so solid Vander ark also did the music to the closing track of rock star (thats his voice in the coffee shop… not mark wahlberg)
Oh yeah... nailed that early history. These dudes played at our frat house down in Kalamazoo a few times. We used to go see them at Rick's American Cafe near campus for like $4. If either of the Brians read this... sorry, I'm one of the people who poured beer on you all that New Years ya played at Rick's... wasn't alone just sayin... hooked up with the chic next to me doing the same thing! So.... thanks for that! She was cute! 90s man...
I just found this channel not long ago. I was wondering if you are strictly rock or do you do metal too? I've always wondered what happened to the band Nothingface
Whatever happened to them? They continued making good music. Check out their new album Threads and go see them when they come around again. I saw them last weekend in NYC.
Bro, I have a Brain Injury, Severe Traumatic Brain Injury and I’ll inform you? I struggle with retrograde amnesia and difficulties with stress and energy and focus and clarity
My band Last Born Sons opened up for The Verve Pipe summer of 2017 in my home town of Toledo, OH. We hung a little after the show, great group of guys and they were very genuine with their compliments.
I was a roadie for Water In The Pool, and I have to say, these men were psychotic, allegedly, and would often pants me on stage and tug at my gentiles in front of women, humiliating me
The Verve Pipe are amazing and everyone should give them more of a chance. All of their albums are fantastic.
I just saw them two days ago in Grand Rapids. It was a great high energy performance. Lots of fun.
Just saw The Verve Pipe this past weekend (April 14, 2023). One of the best shows I've ever seen. I loved every minute. Go see them!!!!
Villains was and is a criminally underrated 90s album.
I see these guys live every time they come to town. Their live shows are fucking awesome. I waited for them to come out after a show at Bells in Kalamazoo, and I met the band. They are the coolest, most down to earth people. Brian even drank a beer with me. It was amazing.
Don’t you think that the band suffered from having a similarly named group called The Verve? I am sure people would scream out for them to play bitter Sweet Symphony!
Iv always thought the same thing
they covered it once as a joke :-)
Maybe, but if so, definitely better that Ryan Adams handling the existence of Bryan Adams!
Same thing happened to a band from. NYC names Riot. At the same time as Quite Riot. Riot was a few Superior band but Quiet Riot coming from LA they got the big break
youch . . .
I remember buying the tape single of The Freshman and played it back to back every single day. I love it!
Very interesting ending…I wouldn’t expect a rock group to do music for kids after things levels off…Definitely very smart on their part. I’m glad they are still out there making music.
Can’t wait to see them this summer in my hometown, with Tonic. My childhood was unreal good. Not perfect. Damn hard, at times. But so, so good.
My Dad is friends with the band - from what he tells me, they just didn't feel like selling out and catering to a mass audience and wanted to stay true to their roots. Brian is a very talented and underrated man.
Thanks for this, always thorough and informative 🙂
Just saw them in concert over the weekend. Put on a great show. If your not familiar, it's worth checking out their music.
Same. Great live show 🎉
Just finished one Rock n Roll True Stories video and BOOM this one comes out immediately
Saw The Verve Pipe last night (July 2024). They opened for Tonic. I’ll admit I could only remember The Freshman from high school (I was in the metal scene), but they sounded fantastic last night - and now that I’m older (still a metalhead) - I’m going to check out all of their albums.
Growing up in Grand Rapids, I remember seeing these guys before they got major recognition. It was crazy seeing them on MTV
Just so happens Im seeing them tonight in Boston, MA! Really looking forward to the show!
That whole album is great!
I graduated in 2002 and this song was still such a massive graduation song lol. Memories.
Interesting video! Just saw The Verve Pipe at the Anderson Japanese Gardens this year. Love the band and their music!
I still play Veneer and The Freshman from Villains. Never really listened to anything as they fell off my radar. Villains was a really strong album and I really enjoyed the record.
We play the song "Colorful" from the movie Rock Star by the Verve Pipe in my bar band. Great song along with "The Freshman"
Another great video ☺️ Good job again man! Keep making bangers
Colorful from the movie Rockstar is one of my all time favorites!!!
I always thought that "Photograph" was the better song in my opinion.
"Villians" is my favorite song and hate the song "The Freshman."
Nope
Photograph didn't get played into the ground like The Freshman. That makes Photograph the better song (imo).
The original version of the Freshman from I've suffered a head injury was the superior version IMO. As far as Photograph goes, there is only one Photograph and that is Def Leppard's LOL I thought Cup of Tea was the best single from that album; great song!
I agree. one of my favorite rock songs. also love the video.
Absolutely one of my favorite bands ever! I liked Reverend Girl better than The Freshman. Photograph was a pretty big hit too. Villains was one of the best albums ever too! Every song was good!
The drummer plays in a band "stone street revival" amazing band to see
Villains is a great album.
Joel Ferguson (one of their bassists) produced my old band’s record “Color Tour”, great guy, great producer, great band!
Color Tour is an awesome album as well my man! Did you guys break up?
Mambo Doom Yeah, we broke up almost 2 years ago. However, I am currently working on Prog-Rock solo EP soon that will hopefully be as good, if not better, if Ryan my current producer, old bandmate in OTL, and friend of Joel’s, has anything to say about it haha. So keep an eye out for more news on that! Zach (OTL’s drummer) will probably also be performing on the record as well. They’re all still good friends of mine, so they’re all helping me with this project in a variety of ways. Thanks for singing our music’s praises! It really does mean a lot to all of us knowing people are out there that still love our record!
I love this channel. Thanks, man.
The song colorful was in the movie Rockstar, one of their best songs
thats the song in the end, when chris cole has cut his hair right?
I love that movie. Awesome soundtrack too
@@perrap79 yes, plus Brian is in the movie, he is the bass player in the band that Chris Cole sang for before joining Steel Dragon
@@NMAfreak i had no idea, thats so cool! I guess the use of people that can actually play did a lot for the realistic feel of the movie!
New album coming out this fall, can't wait. If you love acoustic music, Brian's solo albums are freaking fantastic. TVP have a show in September with Fastball, not sure if you've covered that band yet on this channel.
Brian vanderark still keeps it going around Michigan.
Always thought that Verve Pipe was wildly underrated. Although most people know them for "The Freshman," they have so many brilliant songs that went under the radar (i.e., Photograph, The F Word, Cup of Tea). I saw them a few years ago in Dallas and it was an excellent show. I'm connected to Brian Vander Ark on LinkedIn and occasionally throw a note or two back and forth with him. Really nice guy that is an amazing songwriter and musician.
I grew up in East Lansing and went to college at University of Michigan starting in 93. This band was huge; a local band done good story. Saw them live several times and they never failed to tear it up! Unfortunately, their major label debut was a bit of a letdown following Pop Smear. The songs on Villians were good but the production made everything feel kind of inert. They were still awesome live though. Anyway, I'm glad they're still around and doing their thing!
Respectfully disagree about Villains album. None of those songs feel ‘inert’ to me, especially Cup of Tea and the title track…I recommend another listen!
@@BearIslandComics My reaction was probably biased by hearing their previous two albums first as well as hearing several songs off Villains live prior to hearing them on the album. The recorded versions of Cup of Tea and Villains can't hold a candle to the live versions. But again, Verve Pipe we're always incredible live, so I suppose I was destined for disappointment. Also, as an og fan, the re-recorded version of The Freshman could never compare to the version on their first album. I remember seeing them in East Lansing after Villains came out and asked the crowd if they wanted the original version of The Freshman or the new version. Obviously, everyone shouted for the original LOL.
I saw them about 5yrs ago playing a small town 5k "glo-run" celebration. They played after the race. It was great
If you graduated high school in the 00's, EVERY school played "The Freshman" at Senior events.
Our principal put it on our Senior "mixtape", (burned CD) even though it's about suicide or whatever. Lmao
She was pretty cool actually.
I hate that they are only mostly known for "the freshman" I mean yeah it's a good song but the rest of villains is so good. To this day I still play it religiously. They're a great band and wish they were given a fair shake prior to their children's album but I gotta admit Cereal & worrisome one are pretty good songs.
So I just tweeted at Brian VanDerArk, asking him his thoughts about this video, and he said,
"I couldn't watch past the 2 minute mark. I just don't have interest in looking behind. I will say that not mentioning that my brother Brad formed the band with me...watch discerningly."
The title track on "Villains" is amazing, it's one of my favorite 90's albums.
Imagine buying an entire cd for 1 single and it's not even the right group. I didn't even like bitter sweet symphony. Wever it's called. They absolutely sounded nothing alike
Saw them in Springfield, MA. the fall before the red death hit. They were awesome
Hmmm..Wonder if that Guitar Center remark was a dig at AJ. We worked together at GC in the early 2000's lol
Great Coverage ☺️
Brian Vander Ark can be heard during the 3-7 pm shift on 97.9 WLAV in Grand Rapids.
I always thought VP's singer Brian Vander Ark was separated at birth with one hit wonder country singer Andy Griggs.
Hey are you ever gonna do a show on the Tea Party. Really worth it
Have you done a video on Poe yet?
no, but it's one of the artists on my list to do.
I got the album Villains for free in the mail in a white box with no markings other than the mailing label. I thought it was Columbia House mailing me but I never got a bill. My press of the CD had the acoustic version of “The Freshman” which was different from the full band electric version that was played on the radio.
To this day I don’t know why I got this album for free but I suspect someone in the industry got my name somewhere and sent me a free album in the hopes of free promotion. I never really did promote it in any fashion since most of my friends were into hip hop.
It’s a good album overall and I’ve enjoyed it over the years until iPods came around.
I still have the virve pipe, gin blossems and live in my cd player still.
So why didn't they change their name after he left?
Can we get another Days of the New video? about updates on Travis and the band and new drama with the unreleased and bootleg albums being released?
What about some love for Everclear? There has to be some good stories behind that awesome 90's band.
@@sstaners1234 Let's pray tomorrow never comes; a la Groundhog Day.
The professor of rock Channel just had a video on Everclear and he interviewed Art
You should do a video on "The Verve".
Damn good band!! I have the first 3 cd's..I like them a lot.
Go Spartans !!!
So, we finally got an answer to whatever happened to all the 90s rock bands? They're working in Guitar Center.
I ran sound for the vocalist of this band 2x back in the later 2000's.
Wow this is one of the first times hearing of a big band from east Lansing
Hey, it could be worse. I could be working at Guitar Center with all the other 90s has-been rockers.
Ouch 🤣
@ if you knew how much money was made doing this, you might rethink your stance.
how about a story about the band Paw?
Yes, please
I always heard that "The Freshmen" was about a woman who had an abortion. Hmm...guess I was wrong lol These guys were pretty big in Michigan in the mid 90's (I lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1996) and they played these guys on the radio constantly back then. Always wondered what happened to them! Good video man!
I always thought that too. But just might be conflating this song with Ben Folds Five "Brick"
AJ is still in Grand Rapids. He's a really nice guy.
It is about abortion. Just watched an interview with Vander Ark about the lyrics.
“stop a baby’s breath and a shoe full of rice” Aborting the baby also stopped a shotgun wedding. Back when you were still allowed to throw rice at weddings… Interesting how the younger generations will have no clue what that means… Imagine kids nowadays listening to “Operator” by Jim Croce - who’s he talking to??? :)
Really hope villains gets a vinyl treatment… the album is so solid
Vander ark also did the music to the closing track of rock star (thats his voice in the coffee shop… not mark wahlberg)
Villains is getting released on vinyl in the near future
@@NMAfreak hmm… hope so… but i cant find any news about it
I’m a huge fan. Villains is my favorite of course but the new stuff is really good.
I WON'T BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, SHE FELLLLLL IN LUVVVVVVV IN DA FURRRRRRRST PLAAAACE!
Oh yeah... nailed that early history. These dudes played at our frat house down in Kalamazoo a few times. We used to go see them at Rick's American Cafe near campus for like $4.
If either of the Brians read this... sorry, I'm one of the people who poured beer on you all that New Years ya played at Rick's... wasn't alone just sayin... hooked up with the chic next to me doing the same thing! So.... thanks for that! She was cute!
90s man...
I just found this channel not long ago. I was wondering if you are strictly rock or do you do metal too? I've always wondered what happened to the band Nothingface
Was wondering what happened to them.
Whatever happened to them? They continued making good music. Check out their new album Threads and go see them when they come around again. I saw them last weekend in NYC.
I’m friends with them!!!!
Cool. Tell them thanks for Bitterswe....never mind.
Most recent? They just released a new one haha. “Threads.” It’s good!
Pop Smear is an incredible album
from Lansing Michigan to be precise
Lmao to the stock video of two sets of hands, inches apart, moving the records back and forth.
Bittersweet Symphony is so good a song that TVP had to relinquish the name to the Verve!
Unreal wow
Are you Samurai Guitarist ? You have the same voice
The guitarist used to work on and mod my cousin's guitars.
Nice song...
Dude I'm surprised you didn't mention the singer getting a boot throw into his face there's footage of it it's fucking hilarious
Wait - the girl didn't die? I prolly shoulda looked into that before hating them 4 decades, huh? *shrug*
Who’s here after finding them in Tiktok?
Who the hell desided it was a good idea the Verve Pipe to open for KISS? That's like have Morrsey and Nelly on the same bill
Here's one whatever happened to the band Second Coming
Bro, I have a Brain Injury, Severe Traumatic Brain Injury and I’ll inform you? I struggle with retrograde amnesia and difficulties with stress and energy and focus and clarity
Aren’t they still around
That ended very abruptly
They always do.
Vanderark looks like a rock n roll Vanderbeek...
Glad they didn't change their name to "The Verve Wiggles"
My band Last Born Sons opened up for The Verve Pipe summer of 2017 in my home town of Toledo, OH. We hung a little after the show, great group of guys and they were very genuine with their compliments.
NEW ALBUM IN 2025
Are the Suicide Machines next? You're on a Detroit roll!!
THey are still around.
The Hannibals?
I have a lot more respect Jack Joseph Puig, he made the freshman successful!!!!!
January 14th they just played in Belding MI with their grandchildren in the audience, sold out performance.
Great video! I always thought the freshman was about an abortion. So they moved on to kids music. Hmm
I was a roadie for Water In The Pool, and I have to say, these men were psychotic, allegedly, and would often pants me on stage and tug at my gentiles in front of women, humiliating me
So they are an American version of The Cockroaches.
Buzz ballads best.
Theres only one Verve and this mob ain't them.
Wow, what a strange career.
69th like. 💦
Skeet skeet skeet
it would bug me to be in a band named with a really ovbvious word the same as a much more popular band..