Music for the next generation

. February 19, 2013.

Verve Pipe is now rockin’ for a second generation – kids of fans who first flocked to their shows and bought their CDs by the millions in the Nineties. After recording a number of highly
acclaimed albums for indie labels and RCA, the Michigan band recently released their first CD for children, and have begun performing for kids and families, in addition to their ongoing
touring for adult audiences. On Saturday,m January 16, they bring their high-energy family show to the Ark Coffeehouse for an 11 a.m. show.

Their ten song A Family Album grew out of an invitation to write and record a children’s song for a compilation album entitled, Calling All Kids. After creating one song, the band’s songwriters, Brian Vander Ark and Donny ,Brown, found themselves on a roll and soon realized they had an album’s worth of songs for the pre-teen set. But they didn’t tone down the hard driving rock n’ roll that has been the hallmark of the Verve Pipe sound for nearly two decades. Instead, they took their muscular rock song envelopes and stuffed them with clever, carefully crafted lyrics about family-friendly subjects. “Why do they call it a hamburger, there’s no ham in it. Why do they call it a sandwich there’s no sand in it. Why do they call it a hot dog, there’s no dog in it (or is there)? I don’t even
care, ‘cause I’m still having it.” Another song, “Only One of You,” gently reassures a child who’s about to get a new brother or sister, and “We Had to Go Home” describes some playful birthday party hi-jinks.

Verve Pipe combines serious musical chops and production skills to create fun songs for kids, their parents and even grandparents who recall their rock ‘n’ roll youth.

 For ticket info, visit