The Verve Pipe at WorkPlay
I was worried. I questioned the quality of a band that was, seemingly, a one-hit wonder 12 years ago. How good could they still be? I went into the concert at WorkPlay Theater last night not expecting too much. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
I’ll start by telling you about the opening band. Hightide Blues is a Southern Rock band that’s roots are from Auburn, Alabama but has since moved it’s base of operations to the metropolis of Atlanta, Georgia. On our drive over, I made the mistake of telling Robin (my partner in crime for this particular evening) that if we were late it wouldn’t really matter because opening bands typically “suck balls.”
Again, I was horribly inaccurate. This 4-piece hit the stage with more energy than an atom bomb. Imagine the Black Crowes, with Ray LaMontange on vocals and a little Allman Brothers guitar work thrown in for good measure. It’s unusual to see a band that is so passionate about their music that it shows on stage. I suppose that burns away after playing songs over and over on the road. And as a former professional musician I know this plight. But these guys were different. Either they are GREAT actors or they are having as much fun playing these songs today as they were two years ago. Two stellar track that everyone should check out are “Let it Roll” and “Dreaming Alone.” The latter of which is receiving tons of airplay around this area.
I honestly thought after their stellar performance that The Verve Pipe could only let me down. Their set started off with many, many technical problems. During one such problem they broke long enough to tell us that they were playing with all borrowed gear seeing as how all their gear was lost in Chicago by the airline and had been subsequently flooded with water.
Fortunately the folks at WorkPlay and 100.5 FM were kind enough to go out and get them loaner gear. But a band without their own gear is like a portrait artist without a subject to paint. Gear is crucial to musicians – this is why guitarist name their instruments. So it took a few songs for this Michigan-based band to find it’s groove. But after a slow start these guys didn’t just hit their stride, they exploded with a ferocity of flaming solos over alternate vocal patterns and 3-part harmonies that absolutely blew me away. Singer Brian Vander Ark has incredible range and depth. I have never seen such a stellar concert in such an intimate setting. There was no “rock star bravado” from the band either. They were everyday down to earth guys, who love what they do – and do it as well as ANY professional band I have seen.
After hearing this set I was floored that this band was a one-hit wonder. I have the sneaking suspicion they were screwed by a record label – or as I have dubbed it – Blind Melon syndrome. Their one big hit – the Freshmen – which I most looked forward to hearing, might have been my least favorite song of the set. While no doubt a great song, it is in no way representative of their overall body of work. They rock and rock hard. Great guitar licks, a strong and solid rhythm section, fabulous keys and percussion support with some phenomenal harmony work thrown in made this an UNBELIEVABLE experience.
The two cover songs they did left my knees shaking. It takes a lot of rock balls to cover a Beatles song – and their rendition of Strawberry Fields Forever absolutely floored the audience, At one point towards the end of the song I gazed around the 400 or so people in attendance to see why no one was clapping. It was because everyone was simply drop-jawed. I’ve never heard anything like it. They also covered Supertramp’s “Long Way Home” to close the set – and with the help of their harmonica playing guest (who should be a superstar in his own right) they ended what might be one of the best set’s of music I have ever been party to. Songs to check out include Colorful (which Mark Wahlberg lip-syncs in the film Rockstar), Happiness Is and Villains.
I can’t recommend either of these acts enough; buy their albums, catch them on the road, request them on the radio. In today’s world of homogenized rock these are two unique bands with quality lyrics and unbelieveable musicianship, and passion and love for what they do. But they never forget that they too are just people. They check their rock and roll attitudes at the door – if they even have one. It was a night I won’t long forget. Head out and see them as soon as you can. You won’t regret it.
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