| The Verve Pipe |
| The Beginning It all started in 1996 when I heard photograph on the radio. I loved the song so much I bought the album Villians. My friend scored a few tickets to their show at the state theater and my TVP craze started. After seeing the amazing show I had to buy thier previous albums, Pop Smear and I've suffered a head injury. Experiences August 1996 The day was August 24th, 1996 at the Kalamazoo State Theater. I was 14 and excited to see this new band i've heard about. I bought the CD before attending and knew all the words to those songs. My favorite experience from that show was when everyone was singing "the freshman" before it was ever released. I knew then that I wanted to be like these people. I ended up buying pop smear and i've suffered a head injury soon after. Fall 1996 I can't quite remember the date of the next concert I attended but it was at the state theater as well. It was awesome! I knew all the words to the songs. TVP was getting more popular in the area. I loved the fact that I knew all the words to the songs. When I tried to move in closer to see the band I was confronted with the crowd surfers. Attempting to move in closer I was lifted above all the fans and got an awesome view of Brian and the boys. It was amazing! I did it a few more times before I retired to my spot on the floor. Out like a lamb was the best song of the night! Winter 1997 Again I can't remember the date. This also took place at the state theater. TVP put on an amazing show of course. I had great seats. The Freshman was in the mainstream now so more fans in were attendance. I always love to say I knew them pre freshman. This show as similar to the other two. People were singing to every song especially the freshman and the boys rocked as usual. Sometime in 1999 Wow i thought i would remember when this one was. It wasn't too long after the release of the self titled album. I had bought the CD a few weeks prior and almost had the songs down. The most memorable part of the show was when Brian sang "Kiss Me Idle" It was incredible. I had the chills. If I remember correctly they did their cover of the Beatles "Strawberry Fields Fovever." This show was my fav so far. September 8th, 2001 The only reason why I remember this date was because it was my 20th birthday. I saw them at the Celebration on the Grand in Grand Rapids. This was the most amazing show. I remembered to bring a camera this time. I got as close as I could. This was a free outdoor concert and I got there when the opening band was finishing their set because I had to work and my friends wanted to take me out to dinner before the concert. I wanted to be up front but I got as close as I could. This show was a few weeks before the release of Underneath which I had a reserved copy of. I was blown away. I knew all the old stuff. Half the set was from the new album. I was really excited because this was a preview of the new album. I couldn't wait to get it. The greatest moment was when I walked back near where the VIP people were to see if I could catch a glimpse of Brian and the boys. Donny came out and started talking to a few fans he knew. I was right up there and introduced myself telling him how amazing his band and songwriting was. We talked for about 5 minutes and then we talked to a few other people. I took a snapshot of him and spotted Brian and AJ in the background and snapped their picutres. By far this was the coolest moment of my adult life! November 2001 This show was the day before Thanksgiving at the Orbit Room in Grand Rapids. 19 Wheels opened the show (at this point I had no clue who they were). They put on a good show getting me warmed up for my fav band. I was excited when they opened up with local boys. This time I knew all the words to all the songs. Griff? I think that's his name as awesome on the harmonica. It was really cool when in the middle of playing drive me mild they switched over to STP's vasoline! The crowd went wild! Another memorable moment was when Brian was playing being AJ and kissed him on the cheek because he missed playing with him. This show had so much energy and again I was blown away. I was really happy to see Brian play she has faces, one of my personal favorites. If the people I was with weren't in such a hurry to get back I would have met them. Oh well maybe next time! :) General comments Since 1996 TVP has been my favorite band. I'm sad that Brad Vander Ark had to leave the band but Joel does a great job. I've loved everything they they produce. Villians was a great album but I feel that the self titled and underneath were better. I wish that they would have sold better because they are amazing albums. I don't want TVP to be known as the guys who sang "that freshman song" Brian is an amazing song writer. When he sings on stage its almost orgasmic. Chills go up and down my spine. In order to fully enjoy these guys you must see them live. You'll go out feeling like a new person. More TVP |