Despite the similarity in name to the British band The Verve, there is no relation between the two.
In 1992, working with producer/engineer Jon Frazer, they released their first album, I've Suffered a Head Injury, which featured an acoustic version of the band's calling-card hit, "The Freshmen." The original 10-song version of the CD is no longer available. A 7-song version, without the original recording of "The Freshmen" and two songs written by Stout, was later released as an EP.
The band, known for its energetic live performances, built strong followings during its early years, especially in the college towns of Kalamazoo and East Lansing.
In the fall of 1993, the band released a second album, Pop Smear again working with Frazer that helped them gain a devoted following in their native state of Michigan and their eventual signing with RCA Records in 1995. AJ Dunning replaced Stout on guitar for the recording of Pop Smear and remained in the band for their three RCA records. This album featured the popular tracks "Spoonful of Sugar" and "Victoria" among others. While Doug Corolla played on Pop Smear, he was not a full member of the band until 1994.
Their first major label release was 1996's Villains, which was a minor hit and launched two respectably-selling singles, first Photograph then the #1 hit The Freshmen. They came back with The Verve Pipe in 1999, with such tracks as "Supergig," "Generations" and "She Has Faces." The album, however, failed to contain the commercial appeal of its predecessor.
The band's final release for RCA Records was 2001's Underneath. The song "Colorful," from Underneath, was featured on the soundtrack of Rock Star. Underneath's release unfortunately coincided with the September 11th terroist attacks which contributed to the album's poor sales which led to the band being dropped from RCA.
On September 15, 2009, Brian Vander Ark announced on his Web site that the band would be releasing a new album called A Family Album in October, 2009. The band had been approached to contribute a song for an album called "Calling All Kids" which led to them creating an entire album of family friendly songs.
Lead singer Brian Vander Ark has also released four solo albums: 2003's Resurrection, 2006's Angel, Put Your Face On, 2008's self-titled release Brian Vander Ark and 2011's Magazine.
Since the release of Underneath, the band's line up has changed frequently with former members including Joel Ferguson, Dan Matheny and John Conners. The current line up is as follows:
* Brian Vander Ark – lead vocals, guitars
* Donny Brown – drums, background vocals
* Andy Reed – bass, background vocals
* Randy Sly – keyboards, background vocals
* Lou Musa - guitars, background vocals
* Craig Griffith - harmonica, background vocals
Villains
The Verve Pipe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
till there was ringing in my ears
i haven't felt this good in years
another villain on the cover
of every major magazine
the victim somewhere in between
and as i'm searching for the story
subscription card falls on the floor
i'm losing interest more and more
to pick it up i'm bending over
out of the corner of my eye
i see a pair of blazing thighs
see how they twist and shout
see how they twist and shout
i straighten up to look her over
and up my back a shooting pain
it's bound to settle in my brain
another villain on the cover
of every major magazine
the victim somewhere in between
see how they twist and shout
see how they twist and shout
The lyrics of The Verve Pipe's song Villains display a skeptical take on celebrity culture, media manipulation and journalism in the modern world. The song opens with the singer turning up the volume and immersing himself in the noise and distractions to escape the monotony and banality of everyday life. The next line reveals the singer's excitement as he exclaims that he hasn't felt this good in years. Despite this, the singer finds himself confronting the same array of villains and victims, all twisted and amplified by biases and shadows cast by the media industry.
The singer then picks up a magazine and discovers a subscription card that falls on the floor. They lose interest and bend over to pick it up. However, they are suddenly interrupted by a pair of blazing thighs that catches their attention. The singer then straightens up and experiences a shooting pain up his back. As the song closes, the singer repeats the line, "see how they twist and shout," indicating the manipulation and sensationalism that the media employs to manipulate its audience, and thus questioning the morality behind journalism.
Line by Line Meaning
i turned the volume up this morning
I increased the volume of my music early in the morning.
till there was ringing in my ears
I heightened the volume so much that my ears were ringing.
i haven't felt this good in years
This made me feel happy, something I haven't felt in years
another villain on the cover
Another bad person displayed on the cover.
of every major magazine
Being spotlighted in all famous newspapers and magazines.
the victim somewhere in between
The person who is impacted is in the middle ground.
see how they twist and shout
Notice how they are changing and making commotion.
and as i'm searching for the story
During my quest for the facts
subscription card falls on the floor
A card for a business offer happens to fall.
i'm losing interest more and more
I am slowly becoming disinterested.
to pick it up i'm bending over
I must bend to grab it.
out of the corner of my eye
From one side of my eyesight,
i see a pair of blazing thighs
I can spot a stunning set of legs.
i straighten up to look her over
I stand up straight to carefully observe her..
and up my back a shooting pain
It gave me a sharp pain in my back.
it's bound to settle in my brain
I'm certain that the effect will remain.
see how they twist and shout
Notice how they are changing and making commotion.
see how they twist and shout
Notice how they are changing and making commotion.
another villain on the cover
Another bad person displayed on the cover.
of every major magazine
Spotlighted in all famous newspapers and magazines.
the victim somewhere in between
The person who is impacted is in the middle ground.
see how they twist and shout
Notice how they are changing and making commotion.
see how they twist and shout
Notice how they are changing and making commotion.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: A.J. DUNNING, BRAD VANDER ARK, BRIAN VANDER ARK, DONNY BROWN, DOUG CORELLA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Gleghorn
I turned the volume up this morning
Till that was ringing in my ears
I haven't felt this good in years
Another villain on the cover
Of every major magazine
The victim somewhere in between
See how they twist and shout
And as I'm searching for the story
Subscription card falls to the floor
I'm losing interest more and more
To pick it up, I'm bending over
Out of the corner of my eye
I see a pair of blazing thighs
See how they twist and shout
See how they twist and shout
I straighten up to look her over
And up my back, a shooting pain
And it's bound to settle in my brain
Another villain on the cover
Of every major magazine
The victim somewhere in between
See how they twist and shout
See how they twist and shout
See how they twist and shout
See how they twist and shout
See how they twist and shout
See how they twist and shout
See how they twist and shout
See how they twist and shout
See how they twist and shout
See how they twist and shout
SpeedPants
A one-of-a-kind, masterpiece of a song.
TheJrc80
This entire album is very underrated. You're in for a treat if you check out songs like "Cattle", "Reverend Girl", and "Drive you Mild" from this album.
Pranav Phx
Penny is poison cannot be left out of this set please. Amazing song writing
EBGB
This album is in my Top Ten And I'm 66
Anthony parise
I agree
Stooge's Metal Boutique
I agree. One of my most played albums during that time.
Dino
This is my Cup of Tea
David Burnham
The Verve Pipe was one of the best Alternative Bands around.
H Kailing
Still are, their shows still have so much energy
Amanda Stockman
2022 and this song still hits 🎸