Michigan’s The Verve Pipe finds retro ‘spark’ on new album

Call it a case of “Back to the Future.”

Brian Vander Ark, frontman for West Michigan alt-rockers The Verve Pipe, described the group’s latest studio album, “Reconciled,” as a bit of a throwback to the sound that not only brought the band multi-platinum success in the 1990s but cultivated a devoted audience that’s also warmly embraced the new recording.

“That has everything to do with Brad’s return,” he said of his brother and bassist Brad Vander Ark, who rejoined the band a few years ago. “Having those melodic bass lines really helps. And also, there’s an energy to this album that we haven’t had in a while. 

“Those previous albums are great albums, too, but this has got something special to it. There’s some spark to it, and I don’t want to give Brad all the credit, but he’s got a lot to do with that, I think.”

Of course, Vander Ark, of East Grand Rapids, stressed that the band has always embraced its roots and its early material, relishing the opportunity on stage to revisit classics from 1996’s ultra-successful “Villains” and other favorites — something they uncorked on a recent tour that hit North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.

“The road’s going great. We got to turn it up a little bit, be a little raucous, have some fun and play stuff off ‘I’ve Suffered a Head Injury,’ our first album, and (entertain) a lot of old-school fans,” he said.

“They (fans) were there from the very beginning … the people that were there first. I think we hold a special place in their heart and, frankly, they hold a special place in my heart as well. We’ve a very fan-friendly band, we’re very accessible. People can send us requests for those first two albums and we embrace it. We lean into it. … I feel like because we haven’t shunned those early people and we’re leaning into it, I think that has helped us sustain this for many years and more bands should do that.”

Vander Ark added that the 2014 addition of singer and musician Channing Lee has also boosted The Verve Pipe’s sound, with Vander Ark co-writing much of the group’s new material with Lee.

“It’s a big difference because now we’ve got a female on stage belting out these notes, which is wonderful, and she’s also playing keyboards,” he said, noting that “the songs and the lyrics are stronger” as a result as well.

For the first time in decades, the band also sequestered itself to work out songs for “Reconciled,” spending time at a cabin in Boon in northern Michigan, with all of the band members participating in writing. 

The band laid down the tracks with Andy Reed at Bay City’s Reed Recording Company.

“Andy Reed is a fantastic producer and has great equipment in that little basement of his, and so the album sounds … very clean. The arrangements are clean and I think they’re great songs. We’re just having a blast playing ’em live now.”

Support Our Work

Ottawa News Network is a nonprofit news service dedicated to providing the residents of Ottawa County with trustworthy, community-driven news. ONN treats journalism as a public good — something that enriches lives and empowers Ottawa County’s 300,000-plus residents to stay engaged, make informed decisions, and strengthen local democracy. Please consider giving today.

Vander Ark, who for the past two years has a hosted a radio show on Grand Rapids WLAV (96.9 FM), remains a champion of Michigan music, citing the wealth of talent and notable bands that have made their mark, and how that’s influenced his own music.

“It’s been one of those states that feel like we’re up against everybody – like Detroit’s up against everybody. I’ve always felt that way,” he said, praising the robust array of bands that dominated Michigan in the 1990s when The Verve Pipe took off.

“It was a great scene. I look at that early scene and I go, ‘We had a lot of really great bands.’ I think that has a lot to do with it.” 

— Find more Michigan music news and concert listings at LocalSpins.com. Email John Sinkevics at john@localspins.com.