The Verve Pipe

My review may be a bit bias because I was a big fan back in the early 1990s when they released ISAHI and Popsmear. And then of course things really blew up when Villians was released - one of my favorite albums of the 90s (which says a lot). I saw them well over a dozen times in the mid 1990s and really loved the energy of their show. So I had been waiting for over 20 years to see them again and they did not dissapoint. To me The Verve Pipe will always be the band that I feel like deserves more popularity than they get. BVA is incredibly talented and puts his heart into every song and show. The lyrics are fantastic, thoughtful but accessible, personal but relatable. He has a great band with him and they have put together a fantastic show. Go see them! You will not regret it.

Chill environment with the greatest vocals. Workplay is a great venue - clean, positive vibes, and good bar selection. The Verve Pipe is just simply one of the best bands in the US and made the night spectacular. Great three hours!!

Mostly disappointing show. Very little interaction with the fans But at least I got to hear the mainly 3 songs I wanted to hear. 1 and done

They did not disappoint. Enjoyed the show with my son. Best Strawberry Fields Forever cover ever!

This was my first time seeing the band live. They were absolutely amazing. Powerful sound and the venue acoustics was the best I’ve experienced.

Great show! The Verve Pipe did not disappoint, playing many of their classic hits, some new songs, as well as some covers. The band, it's clear, has fun together. And we did, too.

Stellar performance! My first time seeing The Verve Pipe live, but have been a fan for over 25 years. Villians, Photograph, Medicate Myself were incredibly energetic and sound was perfect from the 2nd row. Encore was a sweet surprise when they performed their cover of The Chain. Tripped me out...love this band...still and more.

The Verve Pipe 4/14/23 “With 4 easy steps (Like. Tag. Comment. Share.) and a little luck I secured two #TicketTuesday winning seats to see The Verve Pipe LIVE in Newberry South Carolina. The 90’s alternative rock band from Michigan (not to be confused with the English band of the same name —minus the ‘pipe’ i.e. 97’s ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’) made a trek to the 426 seat Opera House for a 1:45 hour / 19 song set Friday evening. During their 29 year/7 studio album (plus two children’s albums) career with seven singles released the band is majorly known for ‘The Freshmen’ which topped out at #1 on the Alternative Chart in 1997. The present line-up includes brothers and founding members since ’92 Brian (vocals/guitar) and Brad (bass) Vander Ark, Lou Musa since ’09 (lead guitar), Randy ‘Reckless’ Sly since ’10 (keyboards), and Channing Lee since ’14 (vocals). Not being familiar with a whole lot more than ‘the essentials’ plus their newest album I wasn’t sure what to expect setting into engagement my element of surprise reflexes. I half expected based on old set lists found online a number of covers which is not what we got and I was actually surprised at the number of songs of theirs I did know. The stop for the band midway between shows in Atlanta and North Carolina for whatever reason was not a big attention drawer. I counted the amount of tickets sold on the map at noon and there were only 97 seats taken, by showtime it had filled in somewhat. Stopping at the stage before settling into my 8th row center seat I took in a close up view of the arrangement from L to R: bass, drums on a mini-platform (Gretsch), guitar and main vocals, keyboards (Korg CX-3 Roland RD-8), lead guitars. Each of the guitars and bass had their own amps of separate manufacturers: Ampeg - Fender Deluxe - Marshall. At 8:06 p.m. the band came on stage opening with ’No One’s Gonna Break My Heart’ from the new album. It took all but one song to get a large taste of the incredibly tight harmonies I was to be treated to all evening long. Brian addressed the Newberry faithful, ‘How we doing, ah a beautiful place I’ve not been to. I love it, thank you.’ Next was ‘I Want All Of You’ one of a total of 5 songs from ’01’s ‘Underneath’ album. ‘Penny Is Poison’ was the first of 6 performed from their ’96 platinum album ‘Villains’ followed by their #6 ‘Photograph’, #35 ‘Cup Of Tea’, and ‘Veneer’ all from the same album. Lou hammered the opening chords of Penny on the telecaster with a drumstick as Sly on keys video recorded it. On ‘Photograph’ the band showcased some skillful feedback on their respective amps as each front member bent down letting the individual sounds resonate. Channing who wasn’t in the original band line-up left the stage quietly in humble fashion as the core took on most of the songs from the early years by themselves. There was ‘Hero’ and ‘Love Isn’t Love’ the later tastefully featured Brad, Lou and Channing harmonizing around a single mic while Brian carried the lead alone. Randy ‘Reckless’ Sly (so named because he insists on never playing the same thing twice on the keyboards) stood alone on the instrumentation. Channing took on the lead next, ‘I’m going to ask all the men to leave the stage, is it okay? Lets have a moment alone with all of you right now, okay good’. With that she proceeded to lay down the backing tracks for her a capella ‘Bridges Are Burning’ from her Channing & Quinn days. A ‘ha ha ha ha’ (4X) and a ‘bum bum bum bum’ (4X) on the looper and she began the sheer masterpiece! She also was showcased next on ‘Medicate Myself’ first on tambourine as the instrument was tossed across stage to her, and then on vocals in Pink Floyd’s ‘Great Gig’ fashion —simply haunting! Brian began singing Kansas’ ‘Carry On Wayward Son’ but running into difficulties with the lyrics he discarded the balance of the song in lieu of his own #20 ‘Never Let You Down’. Winding things up Brian again addressed the crowd, ‘The Opera House is an amazing place, the people here have all been fantastic, we thank you so much I appreciate you’ with which he intro’d their number one ‘The Freshmen’. The song had everyone singing along to the all familiar line ‘can’t be held responsible’. Following were an impressive cover of David Bowie’s 1971 art rock parody of Frank Sinatra's My Way ‘Life On Mars’ and their own ‘Happiness Is’ with band member introductions. Channing in true Channing fashion broke into an impromptu chorus of Alanis Morissette’s ‘You Oughta Know’ mid-song during ‘Happiness’. The encore was phenomenal, first was ‘Found’ from the new album which was performed entirely without amplification, half the song sung stage right and half stage left, ‘Can I walk into a solo?’ —Brian ‘You can walk… sound’s pretty good’ —Channing. I had once before witnessed an entirely unamplified song in the same Opera House with Ernie Hasse, the venue itself is amazing enough to support it unobjectionably. The song itself is eerily familiar to Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘The Boxer’ and ‘Homeward Bound’, later come to find out that the Central Park album is one of Channing’s most influential albums. Channing has proven herself 100% an integral part of the line up with her indie-folk roots complementing the six person band entirely. Ending the evening was a rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ with all members on backing vocals that would rival any tribute or cover band —and win out by a long stretch! With Brian announcing that about 10 minutes after they left the stage they’d be in the lobby signing anything we had, I made my way out quickly and was afforded the opportunity to greet each of them separately. How cool was that! I mentioned to each that it was my 767th lifetime concert and first time seeing The Verve Pipe. We talked of how the next day a Fleetwood Mac tribute band wold be playing a near sell out at the same Opera House and that those folks would never hear ‘The Chain’ like we heard ‘The Chain’ this evening! After thanking them for booking a date in Nowheresville, South Carolina they each signed a CD for me. In summary, TVP continues to bring live performances perfectly matching the very meaning of their name [Verve: 1. vigor and energy, as in movement, portrayal, 2. exuberant enthusiasm, spirit, dash]. A concert ticket price is well-worth any music or concert lover’s investment as well is giving ‘Threads’, the newest album a couple check-it-out spins. With a listen, lather, and repeat, the power of the pipe just may procure you as it did me!” Review and photo by DAve (Concert #767)

Excellent. Vocally outstanding, all members from lead to back up vocals. Musically spot on. Great lyrics. Sound was great at City Winery, balance was off the charts.

2/3 of the Verve Pipe (Brian, Channing and Lou) with all of the sound! Great playlist and a really nice, intimate venue with great food.

They were awesome! What a great venue. This was my first time at Donnell theatre. I definitely got my moneys worth and then some. Acoustics were great, but it wouldn’t have bummed me out if they’d have played just a little louder!!! 😉 Would definitely see them again. Great performance by all members!

GREAT show! Nice to have Lou back, excellent set list, and Doobie can really rock! 🤘🏼

Awesome show. Great covers and played a lot of their hits. They sound amazing.

BAM! They knocked it out of the park last night! Start to finish, non-stop exciting show.

High energy and great set list! Brian’s voice is strong as ever. Lou’s guitar rocked! I love this band live.

Absolutely amazing. A perfect show from start to finish. Love love love The Verve Pipe!

Great concert at an amazing venue. The band played a great mix of old and new songs. Brian Vander Ark has great vocal power.

excellent show, and I heard a song from 2001 that I loved. great time at the wolf Den.

Seriously!!!! It was so amazing for the kids! And the adults! Can't wait for them to come back love The Verve Pipe!

So thrilled to finally see this band / BVA live!! Worth the wait!